The Pittville Pump Room, one of my favourite places in Cheltenham and an iconic building recognised the world over. Did you know that you can still drink the spa water there that our Victorian ancestors used to travel to do so from all over the UK? Try it… you might like it…!
Onto my adorable couple Rachel and Simon who had gotten engaged less than a year before their wedding day and had chosen the Pittville Pump Room because of its architectural beauty and history so closely entwined with their home town of Cheltenham. I met Rachel and Simon at one of the Pittville Pump Room’s Wedding Inspiration days and was delighted to be chosen to be their wedding photographer for this most intimate of weddings with only immediate family there as guests.
It was typical British weather; a grey and damp day in Cheltenham that morning, one of the last few weeks of the winter that had dragged on and on and on.
Simon and his family arrived and the obvious joy at the occasion from their smiles made even the greyest day seem brighter. Simon had their adorable son with him and we had some time to take the loveliest Father/Son photographs on the steps of the Pump Room before Simon went inside to meet with the Registrars. Malcolm (one of my absolute favourites!) was on duty that day and I just knew that the ceremony would be one of fun and laughter to mark such a joyous day.
Rachel arrived a few minutes later with her Father. She wore a dress that was elegance itself in its simplicity and given an edge with the pale pink biker jacket she wore over the top to keep out the chilliness of the day. I loved that she had a dress that showed off her body art rather than covering it up.
Up in the Oval Room both families awaited the arrival of the bride on the arm of her proud Father. The room had been decorated with tall pink flowers in tall vases to mirror the height and elegance of the room, and the red carpet that Rachel walked down to her husband to be was flanked by hurricane lamps with flickering candles.
Their vows and promises were romantic and heartfelt, with their families watching on and their son in the arms of his Grandma at the door as it was all a little bit much for him. Registrar Malcolm lead the proceedings with his lovely balance of seriousness appropriate to the vows they were making and smiles and laughter to follow.
Champagne flowed and hugs and kisses exchanged before we all made our way down to the steps of this iconic building for their group photographs.
Their families were then transported to The Ivy courtesy of Cloud Nine Limos whilst Rachel, Simon, and I stayed on at the Pump Rooms to take their wedding photographs. We had a lovely 20 minutes taking these romantic photographs of them both. We even went up onto the roof to take some stunning shots with the backdrop of Cheltenham and the hills behind us.
I was absolutely delighted to be awarded a Bronze Bar for this image…
For more info on how this and my other award winning images are judged click here.
We all then jumped into my car and I chauffeured this lovely couple to The Ivy in Cheltenham where their families were waiting for them for their celebratory wedding breakfast.
If you’re having a smaller wedding and getting married mid-week please do get in touch! I’d love to hear all about it!
