A soggy Autumn day beckoned for Kate’s and Mike’s country wedding in Cradley and Bransford. Yet nothing could stop the smiles this lovely couple had for one another and the celebrations with their families and friends. It was a truly wonderful day full of smiles, love, and laughter.
Kate and Mike are London based and decided to make the trip home to Kate’s home of Cradley. They were married in St James The Great Church at the heart of the village. St James The Great Church is steeped in history and Kate was able to get ready next door at the Manor House, a short walk from the Church.
The rain came down, and then it came down some more! But it didn’t matter. As with all well planned weddings, we had a wet weather plan just incase the weather wasn’t on our side. And this time it wasn’t. However because we had planned for wet weather it was all OK and we used the wet weather plan in full!
Following their marriage we all drove across to The Bear & Ragged Staff in Bransford. This hamlet in the Teme Valley is glorious and the Inn built in 1861 is a family favourite. The Team there were waiting with glasses of bubbles to welcome everyone and had been ensuring that the marquee wasn’t waterlogged!
Kate and Mike work in the fashion industry and both have close family links to the motor racing world. Mike even arrived in a vintage Alfa Romeo!
Mike’s Welsh roots and Motor Racing set the tone for their wedding reception. Tables were named after car brands and decorated with vintage books and pretty flowers in jam jars.
So many fabulous ideas to look at! And of course ‘Nikki’s Notes…’ are added throughout with top tips for your wedding day.
Here is their Wedding Story… Enjoy…!
Nikki’s Notes… When the weather is dark and gloomy you rely on sources of natural daylight where you can and added light from speed lights (or flash). Make sure you always have a photographer who is comfortable using additional lighting if you want clean bright images. If not, you are likely to notice ‘grain’ in the images which may or may not be your cup of tea!
Nikki’s Notes… Personalised touches added to their big day!
Nikki’s Notes… As a photographer I always make the time to call the Vicar or Priest before the ceremony. Its good manners. I am after all coming into their place of work. Unfortunately the majority of them will have had a bad experience with a photographer at a wedding at some point in their career. It seems that there are some horrors out there! Sadly we seem to then all be cast into the same pile!
I’m known for behaving myself at weddings and respecting the environment I am in. However this particular Vicar was exceptionally unhelpful (and plain rude!). This is such a shame as it meant that I wasn’t able to get any closer to Kate and Mike during their ceremony. I was banished to the back of the Church! Please ensure you chat to your Vicar or Priest before hand about your wedding photography. He or She will then be able to manage your expectations in advance and you can brief your photographer accordingly.
Nikki’s Notes… This creative couple designed and created the pretty car themed table centres. They also added personal touches such as note pads and pencils to keep their younger guests occupied.
Nikki’s Notes… Even the cake had its very own miniature cars to complete the look!
