Wedding.

This weekend I was invited to the outdoor wedding of two of my friends. They may have been unlucky with the weather but everything else worked out perfectly with their festival themed wedding. Here are some of my favourite photos from the day...

Photobooth.

When my sister and I attended The Wedding Event with a Difference, we came across a photobooth and had great fun trying it out - turning on the wind machine and pulling faces.

It was a bit expensive and we didn't bother booking as it seemed like a 'nice to have' not a 'need to have'. My sister wouldn't stop going on about it and was really encouraging me to go for it. When I saw they had a sale and an extra hour was offered, I caved in and went for it!

I am really glad we booked it as the staff were great, the photos were great and everyone really enjoyed it. We have a book with all the photos in and you can slowly see everyone getting more and more drunk with every turn of the page!

Don't get me wrong, I am not saying everyone should do this as it is an additional extra (the videographer on the other hand I really recommend you consider) but if you do have a bit left over I think it's worth it! Or, you could even try making your own with a screen, some props from the £1 shop and a polaroid camera!

Anyway, our photos really made us laugh so I just thought I would share a selection...

The wedding video.

We met Mark from The Big Day Productions at The Wedding Event with a Difference about 8 months before our wedding. We knew as soon as we saw his videos that he would do a great job and he really didn't disappoint.

On the day, he was professional, discreet and so friendly. He made everyone feel as ease (I didn't notice him a lot of the time) and he had a great sense of humour - he needed it with our friends!

I couldn't wait to get back from honeymoon and see the video and I was absolutely amazed with the finished result. We picked around 8 songs to add to the soundtrack and Mark edited the whole thing so well. It was 40 minutes of magic!

He also captured all of the speeches - it was great to hear these back as well as the ceremony in full (totes emosh!) and the first dance.

As if that wasn't enough, he put together a short highlights clip to one of our favourite songs - The Opener by The Courteeners...

Our highlights

A videographer if often seen as an extravegance and many couples do without. I am not saying it's a must have but I do recommend couples consider it. I don't remember the music as I walked down the aisle, I couldn't see Kieran's face or remember every word of the speeches. I now have them forever and can watch them whenever I like (approximately 17 times at the time of writing!) My flowers have died and my dress is stuffed away but the video remains so I think it was a worthwhile investment. I also can't recommend Mark enough!

The ceremony.

The drive to the Church seemed to take ages – I was so desperate just to get there. However, it was nice just to sit in the car with my Dad and look at everyone looking at us. I always try and spot the bride when I see a wedding car go past so it felt so strange to be the ‘spotted’ one. Our driver was great – so friendly but not intrusive (and thanks to him I remembered my flowers were left lying on the dining table!) Just before we got to the Church, he stopped to take the top down on the car ready for the big arrival! 

With my dad in the car

 It's harder than it looks getting out of the car in a big dress!

There was a small gathering of well-wishers gathered outside the Church and some friendly faces from work had also come along. It really got my nerves going to see people I knew and I was eager to get into the Church.

Beautiful church on a beautiful day.

The girls waiting.

Getting ready to go in.

I was greeted by my slightly nervous looking bridesmaids and we co-ordinated ourselves ready to go into the Church. We had decided on the little ones leading the way, then the bridesmaids two by two and then me and my Dad. 

Leading the way.

The two sisters and my two friends.

Finally, it was my turn to begin walking down the aisle. I tried to look around for as many people as I could but really all I was focusing on with Kieran. He turned around but I’m not sure he saw me looking at him. I wasn’t aware of any music playing – it was all a bit of a blur really until I finally got to the top of the long aisle. We were so relieved to see each other we couldn’t help but naturally give each other a kiss and hug – until the Priest told Kieran off for being impatient and got the guests laughing.

The long walk down the aisle.

Seeing each other for the first time.

Getting into trouble with the priest!

The service was lovely and Father Phillip really made it personal. He made reference to the design of the order of service being a luggage tag representing a journey and the pegs representing me being a housewife! I do hope he was joking!

We sang the hymns – my flower girls stealing the limelight as they knew all the words from school and sung their hearts out, readings were read and then we exchanged our vows.

 Singing away to Lord of the Dance.

My bridesmaid reading from Corinthians.

The vows were a worry as I had got so emotional in the rehearsal that I was determined to hold it together. I took my time and managed to not cry. Kieran however, was in floods as the words and the meaning of the day really became real. At one point I gave him a little nudge as he forgot to repeat after the priest and was just staring at me!

Exchanging vows.

Exchanging rings.

Before I knew it, the readings were over (read wonderfully by our friends) and the vows were exchanged, we'd kissed and the register was signed. We were married! 

Married!

The first kiss.

Signing on the line - or at least pretending to!

The wedding party. 

I remember the organ playing and the bells ringing as we walked back down the aisle together with the biggest grins on our faces.

So happy to be married.

One of my fave photos.

 It was so nice to get outside and see all the guests properly too. I didn’t want to leave Kieran’s side but there were so many people to chat to. 

 Discussing shoes!

 Kieran and my Mum.

 Can't stop smiling.

All too much for my nephew. 

We posed for some photos outside the Church but we wanted to keep these to a minimum as we prefer the more natural style. However, they look so lovely and are such a nice reminder of the day (and make great presents for our families too). We then got pelted with confetti by all of our guests (I emptied a box full out of my dress when I took it off!) 

Beautiful guests.

Me and my Mum.

The parents.

The boys.

Confetti!!

Then it was off in the car to the reception. It was such a nice drive and I will remember it so well. The roof was down, the sun was shining, we were holding hands and taking it all in. People were beeping their horns and we waved at a group waiting for the bus. It was so surreal but so amazing to finally be married.

The morning of the wedding - the guys.

So, you’ve seen what us girls were getting up to on the morning of the wedding but how about the boys?

As I obviously wasn’t there to see Kieran getting ready, I was really looking forward to these photos. It was great to see him and the boys looking so happy and relaxed during the morning (although, it seems the closer it got to the service, the more nervous he began to look).

 Kieran got ready at his mum and dad’s and the boys joined him – complete with their Ray-Bans!

The groom, best man and ushers

Good job it was a sunny day!

The best man came over to our house to pick up the button holes and drop off my present and card (a beautiful Paul Smith friendship bracelet and a card that got me all emotional). I gave him Kieran’s present to take back. It was an originally Morrissey single advert from NME for the release of Roy’s Keen – a Morrissey track we both find amusing.

A watch may have been more conventional

Kieran also wanted to treat the boys and as you know, we got carried away at Paul Smith in Bicester buying them matching ties, socks and cufflinks. Kieran was also on hand to give lessons in tying the perfect double Windsor tie knot (a badly tied tie is a big no-no!) 

Gifts for the best man 

A lesson in tying ties

Putting on their new cufflinks

Kieran’s parents have lived over the road from a motorbike shop for the last 20 years. Kieran is obsessed with vintage Vespas but there has never, ever been one outside – until the wedding day. They usually deal in ‘proper’ motorbikes but as luck would have it there it was on the morning of the wedding. The perfect photo opportunity for Kieran and the boys.

Looking very 'mod' 

And then it was into the VW Camper and on his way to the Church to be ready to greet the guests as they arrived. 

The Church is Kieran’s family church and also the one associated with his school (which has since closed down). Since he met his best man at school, it was good to get some sentimental photos outside the old school gates. 

School friends

Then it was just a case of waiting patiently for me to arrive! I was unintentionally a little late (due to the veil drama) which I think added to the nerves. 

Kieran said that he had forgotten the videographer had put a mic on him and so there was an interesting conversation between him and the best man before I arrived – I look forward to hearing when the video comes through!

Looking nervous.

(all photos by Lisa Scott Photography)