Clearwell Castle Autumn Wedding Days with Nikki Kirk

Clearwell Castle Wedding Photographer Nikki Kirk

“Nikki has been brilliant from start to finish and was an absolute pleasure to have at our wedding – the photos have far exceeded our expectations.

From the beginning, Nikki put us at ease with her friendly, personable nature. She is very professional, creative, efficient and extremely easy to get along with. It is clear she is very passionate about what she does!!

Nikki, thank you for making our day complete and providing us with memories that we will both cherish for the rest of our lives.”

When a couple you meet at another wedding come to you for their wedding photography (even when having seen you exhausted at the end of a very long day!) that’s a huge compliment. I also got to work alongside my long standing florist buddy Clare from Lilyfee Floral Designs which was a total win!

I met Laura and Steve a few years ago when Laura was a bridesmaid at the wedding of her brother Alex to the gorgeous Christie. Scroll down to see their wedding too.

Laura (a subject leader within FE – General Sport) and Steve (Technical Operations Manager at MTD UK) are both from the pretty village of Newnham on Severn in Gloucestershire. And so their Church at the top of the high street was the perfect choice for their wedding ceremony. We then travelled across to Clearwell Castle for their wedding reception.

And talk about perfect timing with the weather… it absolutely hammered it down on the journey across to Clearwell Castle (the first drops started as we got into the car) and cleared as we drove up the long driveway. It was then perfect until the bouquet toss but by then everyone was ready for dancing and so the weather could do its worst – we just didn’t care! Everyone was having an absolute ball!

An absolutely fabulous day for an awesome couple!

Here in their own words is their Wedding Story…

Q: Who popped the big question and how did they propose?

A: “Steve proposed on Saturday 10^th October 2020 after a lovely autumn walk we end up at the top of Pleasant Stile. This is an amazing viewpoint three fields above our house. The beautiful sweeping view looks over the River Severn and the horseshoe bend. It was the perfect proposal just us both in the country side, wellies on, talking about the future looking at the stunning view.”

Q: When and how did you first meet?

A: “Steve and I first met at secondary school, we have shared the same friendship group for the last 21 years and it was great to share our special day with so many mutual friends.”

Q: What advice would you give anyone planning their big day?

A: “Enjoy every moment as it goes so quickly. Have the people at your wedding that mean the most to you and that you want to celebrate and share your special day with. Read documentation well and don’t be afraid to ask questions as it is your day 😊.”

“We want to say an enormous thank you for photographing our very special day and putting together the most perfect set of images which tell the story of our wedding.”

Q: Tell me about the grooms wear?

A: “Tailored black dinner suits with a waist coat and dickie bow tie. They looked so smart! Reuben and Rex had tailored suits the same as Steve which was so special.”

Q: Tell me about the wedding dress

A: “My wedding dress was everything I wanted and more. Long sleeves with a long train, vintage lace on the top with a plain skirt. The dress has so much small fine detail and really was my dream dress.”

Q: What piece of music did you walk down the aisle to?

A: “I walked down the aisle to the traditional Bridal Chorus – Wanger. We also had the church bells ringing 30 minuets before getting married, I could hear the bells from home where I was getting ready this was a lovely count down for myself and the bridal party. The bells were also ringing after the ceremony to celebrate the wedding which was lovely.”

“From the beginning, Nikki put us at ease with her friendly, personable nature. She is very professional, creative, efficient and extremely easy to get along with. It is clear she is very passionate about what she does!!”

Q: Who/what made your day extra special?

A: “Christie and my Mum who helped and supported so much with designing all the wedding stationary, favours, seating plan, children’s boxes etc. Jade Williams (Mutual friend since school) who wrote and read a personalised poem within our wedding ceremony. All of the children within our wedding party that made us so proud (Reuben- Usher, Rex – Page Boy, Fearne – Flower Girl and Ella Flower Girl).”

Q: Did everything go to plan?

A: “Yes, everything went to plan and we were extremely lucky with the weather. There were so many small details, from personalised cards for all guest staying, to family photos placed within the castle. We really did have the best day with our nearest and dearest!”

Q: Did you make, design or create anything yourself?

A: “All of the wedding stationery was designed and created by Christie my sister in law and MOH alongside my Mum and myself. Lots of time and effort went into making and personalising lots of elements within the wedding: Save the dates and wedding invites, Order of Service, Seating plan made from a vintage mirror, Wedding favours – Ladies; bath salts, Mens; chocolates Children; personalised gifts, Children’s activity boxes, Personalised door hangers for guest staying at the castle, Personalised thank you cards and gift within each bedroom, Wedding cake – Made by Sarah.”

“Nikki has been brilliant from start to finish and was an absolute pleasure to have at our wedding – the photos have far exceeded our expectations.

Q: What made you choose me as your wedding photographer?

A: “Steve and I first met Nikki back in April 2018 where she was the photographer for my brother and sister in law’s (Alex and Christie) wedding. On A&C’s wedding day Nikki was so kind, caring and professional. Nikki felt part of the wedding knowing the wedding parties names, being firm but extremely polite with her directions and exceptionally organised. Both Steve and I knew we would love to have Nikki as a photographer at our wedding and we were delighted when she had availability for our wedding date.”

“Nikki, thank you for making our day complete and providing us with memories that we will both cherish for the rest of our lives.”

Q: Why did you choose your venue?

A: “We always wanted to stay in the Forest of Dean to get married. Getting married in our local church and having a traditional wedding was an element that we both agreed on from the start. We fell in love with Clearwell Castle which is only 7 miles from St Peters church, a fairy tale castle venue with all the comfort of a traditional country manner, which had stunning grounds.”

Q: Was there an inspiration or theme for your wedding?

A: “The main theme of the wedding was the beautiful flowers that Clare Lee (Lilyfee) designed. The pastel colours and the beautiful arrangements where truly stunning.”

Q: What did you have for your wedding breakfast?

A: “With the wedding breakfast both Steve and I picked dishes for each course. The food was amazing!”

Wedding Breakfast Menu:

Starter

Ham Hock, Chicken and Leek Terrine, Piccalilli (Steve’s Choice)

Hot Smoked Salmon, Radish and Cucumber, Yoghurt Dressing (Laura’s Choice)

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Main Course

Traditional Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding, Buttered Mashed, Roast Gravy (Steve’s Choice)

Braised Chicken Fillet, White Wine and Herbs, Honey and Lemon Sauce

Wilted Greens, Roasted Baby Potatoes (Laura’s Choice)

****

Dessert

Trio of Desserts -Fudge Brownie, Dark Chocolate and Raspberry Ganache, Hazel

Cream Mini Pavlova, Clotted Cream, Seasonal Berries Baked Vanilla Cheesecake,

Maple, Pecan, Blueberry (Steve’s Choice)

Cheese and biscuits (Laura’s Choice)

Q: What kind of cake did you go for?

A: “3 tier wedding cake which my mum made. Bottom tier was a fruit cake, second tier was a Victoria sponge with raspberry jam and the top tier was a lemon sponge (Steve’s favourite). Both bottom and second tier was cut for guests after the wedding breakfast to have with coffee. It was also put out with the evening ploughman’s. The top tier was saved for our wedding BBQ the next day which we continued the celebrations with our close family and friends. The wedding cake was finished with a cascade of flowers spiralling from top to bottom.”