When you don’t live in the UK, organising a wedding in Gloucestershire, isn’t exactly a walk in the park. Joe & Sadie however took it in their stride, and rarely when I spoke to them on the phone appeared flustered by the task. They both live in Norway, where they’d originally planned to spend just a year. Now four years later they are still there, loving the outdoor lifestyle and have made some great friends. What’s not to like about walking around Fjords? And when you’re paid in country, the £8 price of a pint of beer doesn’t become such a bitter pill to swallow as it is for the tourists who visit.
Sadly I wasn’t whisked off to Norway to photograph the wedding, instead they came to the UK, and the beautiful Cotswold village of Bretforton. It’s not a place I’d visited before, although have been to the popular tourist hot spot of Chipping Campden which is very close by. I guess it was more off the beaten path, yet had a lovely charm, and the added bonus of a pub right next door to the church they were getting married. that’s where I started therefore, not drinking myself you understand, but to catch up with the guys as they prepared for the wedding day in only a way men know how to – with a pint in hand.
Joe & Sadie’s wedding was a fantastic day, I felt very welcomed by their family and guests, and enjoyed some of the Norwegian customs which came out later at dinner. The weather was on side, time not against me, so all in all what more could I ask for? A cool couple, relaxed and enjoying the day topped it off. I simply took the photos……of which there are many in this blog post. In fact, this is going to be more photos, less waffle, as I have yet another wedding to shoot tomorrow, so without further ado, kick back and enjoy a selection of my favourite photos from the day.
Congratulations Joe & Sadie.
“Gents, why be inside, when it’s so nice outside?”
Yep, that hair looks lovely, very ‘springy’.
There waiting and the last minute nerves……all part of a wedding day.
Everyone need sustenance before a big day……..and she’s eating for two.
A quick peek before the reveal.
TA TA. Love this photo :-)
I think dad may have had a small tear forming in the corner of his eye. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by the bridesmaids in the kitchen!
St Leonard’s Church, Bretforton
Ah, the man in question, apparently quite a rarity to see him not in shorts.
“Don’t mind us, we’re just running a little late”
Dad tries to get in on the action.
So anyone who follows me on FB, will have seen the photo below. It was later I spotted the photo above, and Sadie’s remarkable similarities to her dad……yes, I think we know where the mouth wide open surprised look comes from.
The ring bit….
….the kiss bit….
…the cat who got the cream bit….
…the prayer bit…
…the signing bit…
….the witnessing bit…
…the walking down the aisle bit…
…the congratulations bit…
….and finally another kissing bit….
(I think I have this wedding photography lark wrapped up!)
Gran. 94 I’ll have you know. She too was late to the church, but at her age you don’t rush anywhere!
Love this sequence. No idea who this chap was, but clearly a close friend / relative.
“bye everyone, we’re off for a trip in the camper van”
Sadie asked if we could stop en route to Mickleton Hills Farm at a local picturesque spot for some photos. Not a bad view eh?
Inside Mickleton Hills Farm was decorated beautifully. Sadie’s mum was in charge of the flowers, and clearly has a skill.
As identified by the bridesmaids, IT WAS HOT.
Not only did Sadie’s mum create the floral efforts around Mickleton Barn, she also knocked up a pretty good looking cake…..and admired it with her friend.
‘Best men’ always get the best girls.
Group photo alert. Everyone asks me if I take group photos. Well yes I do. Keep it simple though, and it’s over and done in next to no time. The mums & dads, and maybe the girls and boys – tick!
I know, ANOTHER group shot. It’s a handy spot this outside Mickelton Barn for a large group photo.
This photo makes me laugh overtime I see it. Less ‘documentary’ more, smile at the camera!
Let the alcohol be served.
One Norwegian (or possibly a general Scandinavian custom, as I’m sure I saw it at a Swedish wedding too) is to sneak a kiss with the groom, when the bride leaves the room (and vice versa). Joe was quick to take advantage.
Some kinda ‘cuddle & clap’ manoeuvre. I like it.
Oh hang on, Sadie (the bride) is still in the room, yet women are AGAIN lining up to kiss Joe? Ummm….what custom was that exactly?
Joe’s best man did a sterling job of the speech. Funny, well presented, kind, yet condemning too.
“Phew, that’s finally over with, and everyone laughed”
Two to finish on as I simply can’t decide. A or B?
Thanks for a fab wedding at Mickleton Hills Farm, undoubtedly a hot day, but certainly a beautiful one.
If you’ve been looking for Mickleton Hills Farm wedding photos and are having your wedding here, then please contact me for a chat, I’d love to hear from you.