Let me take you back so that we’re on the same page here. Picture the scene: you’re 8 and your parents take you to a Mega Waterpark, tell you that you can ride whichever slide you like for however long you want and if you need anything, just ask a staff member. Oh, and you also have no limit on the ice cream you can eat at the bar located right in the centre, you’re outdoors where the sun is shining bright and everyone wants to play with you, they’re friendly, full of ideas and buzzing with the same kind of energy each and every cell is exploding within you! You got that? Great! Because THIS is how I felt documenting the wedding of Kealey and Kye who tied it at the Crockwell Farm in Daventry, a venue that without a doubt I’ll be counting in as one of my absolute favourites in the area, if not of all time!
Kealey and I have history, actually, which made it even more special to be honoured with the task to document her and Kye’s love. Back in 2012 Kealey finished the A2 Level Photography course I was teaching and she graduated as the top one in her class. (I hope she thinks she had a good teacher 😉) When she contacted me asking to photograph her wedding, I must admit I almost shared a tear - I never thought I’d be so lucky to reconnect with some members of that small group of hugely talented and brilliant young people again, and of course, to document such a beautiful wedding! Everything about it was perfect, just like the waterpark scene described above! The planning, the venue preparation, the people involved (both guests and staff), the weather, and of course the two most important people of the day who didn’t stop smiling and sharing their happiness with everyone involved until the early hours of the next morning.
I briefly noted the weather on the day above, but I think it needs a longer mention - how on earth do you get 18 degrees C in mid-November on your wedding day wrapped around days of cold temperatures, fog, gloom and no colour at all?! We really hit a jackpot with the light! I laughed that Kealey and Kye must have some sort of special connection with the powers above because this…, well this doesn’t happen very often! I was therefore super happy to take Kealey&Kye away from the guests for a gorgeous golden hour wedding shoot, which could easily be mistaken for a staged editorial material - as noted by the venue. On that topic next, as I travel around to deliver wedding photography, I get to know venues, managers and the staff involved and unofficially rank them in my head whilst creating and delivering memories to couples. The Crockwell Farm, ladies and gentlemen, simply blew my mind! And I mean a record ‘Home-Run’ here, a hat-trick, slum dunk, and whatever fireworks play you have in your favourite sport! There isn’t a one single better, more accommodating (for both the suppliers and couples) and welcoming venue I have had an absolute joy and pleasure to photograph a wedding at in the region of Nottinghamshire. Period. I can only wish the photos you can see below give a bit of the essence of what it is truly like. If you’re planning a wedding and looking for a place, well you absolutely MUST give this one a go! It will not disappoint! I would come back to Crockwell blindly agreeing to photograph any event rain or shine, it’s THAT GOOD!
I am very excited to be able to finally share this blog photo story as the memories from Kealey&Kye’s wedding have been now delivered via an online gallery and they’ll have an almost impossible task to choose the best picks for their wedding album - there are so many great ones I would seriously struggle! But I’m sure they’ll be in touch soon and I can’t wait to present them with the printed version of their memories I feel so honoured to have captured.
Kealey&Kye, “thank you” doesn’t cut it. I simply couldn’t be more grateful to witness the love and joy you share with each other! I hope you love these photos as much I do.
Until next time!
Mike
Wedding Photographer
The magic came from:
Venue: The Crockwell Farm, Daventry
Hair: LuceW - Instagram here.
Make up&beauty: Rhian Webster and Lauren Webster.
Cake: Lyla May ‘Cake Away’.
Music: Matt Strafford band.
Wedding Photographer: Mike, Promenade Studios Wedding Photography.
Ehhmm… Wait, what? What just happened?? I mean, H O W ?!…
When I saw Jemima and Ash for the first time, grinning wide from ear to ear as they approached from their car (, you know like when you see long-time friends you parted with for whatever reason, and after all those years you feel like not a second has passed since you you saw each other last?) well, in that moment, I knew I was up to something great! But I underestiamted what ”great” means. Back to the drawing board, I guess because quite frankly, I can’t believe how much of a connection we made and I’m still buzzing and cannot wait to document their love story on the wedding day in April 2023!
Jemima and Ash radiate love, warmth and laughter! Think nuclear reactor gone haywire, exploding, burning half of a continent and you’ll just about hit the quarter of what these two are like! Sorry, a bit too extreme? Oh boy and can you joke with these two?! Throw any idea at them and they’ll be like “Yeah, let’s go for it! - this made the shoot ,really, and with that, it couldn’t be easier to embrace the golden hour light during these beautiful autumnal evenings we’ve been recently having. We were all in and, quite frankly, it was difficult to stop 🙂 As we walked around the area near the Pool at the Castle Mews, Derbyshire, I enjoyed getting to know these two - except it was, again, more like catching up with friends; friends I think I made and, especially in these weird times, who reminded me that there are definitely better things to cling onto than the buzz of what’s going on with the world. (P.S. Switch off your TV! Now!) Because for Jemima and Ash, the world is having and loving each other. And you can print that with a capital L.
Thank you Jemima&Ash for letting me capture Your love! Can’t wait to catch up with you again on the BIG DAY! 🙂
Mike
Wedding Photographer
Promenade Studios
Getting to know Tessa&Chris was one of the more interesting experiences in what I do. All couples are extraordinary to me - and I remember them for various things - but these two and the passion they share for each other has been blissful to witness with some notable extras. First things first, they’re both teachers and I gotta say I wouldn’t mind my children being looked after them; they’re THAT warm and lovely and caring, and many more things…
But then there comes something I’ll come back to when thinking about their wedding, something Tessa confessed to when we first met; her passion for all things “Winnie the Pooh” in particular and Disney overall. This made it somewhat personal to me as I remember reading A.A. Milne’s book on many occassions, repeatedly and passionately admiring how much wisdom there was, hidden amidst the story of an inostensible bear who constantly trips over himself producing memorable and humorous truths, with the other characters to accompany him, whose personalities we can all relate to in one way or another. I’ve always been tigger btw ;)
Returnig to the book for this blog story, I’ve found some quotes, which I thought suit Tessa&Chris’ story exactly. Here’s the first one:
“I’ve found somebody just like me. I thought I was the only one of them.”
―Tigger, A.A. Milne, The House at Pooh Corner
Yep, that one has THEM written all over. Those who know, know ;)
And then there’s this one, a simple one that covers the whole day, the wedding itself and brilliant relations, respect and love I’ve noticed friends and family members shared:
“After all, one can’t complain. I have my friends.”
—Eeyore, Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
Aren’t we truly lucky if we can say and feel the same?
Then finally there’s my favourite one, connected with what I religiously repeat to my kids as mantra to lead a happy and fulfilled life. And I live by it:
“We didn’t realise we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.”
―Winnie the Pooh, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh (2011)
Whilst some give it a miss because they might feel it’s to plain for them, alas on the surface only though, I think there’s huge power and true love that encapsules the stories of Winnie the Pooh as well as other characters in various Disney tales. And I think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to sit back, relax and relate oneself to them more, especially during these crazy times we live in today. Tessa and Chris reminded me of that. And their passion as well as love continues to inspire.
After all, we’re all just after a bit of honey in our lives…
Thank you Tessa and Chris for allowing me to dive back into my childhood memories and remember teenage conversations with myself. And oh, of course as well, to document Your love and the Big Day! :)
Mike
Ceremony Venue: St Cuthbert Church, Great Glen
Reception Venue: The Falcon Hotel, Uppingham
Wedding Photogrpaher: www.promenadestudios.com
July brought several weddings I’ll remember very well. For this blog story, it’s Jazz&Toby whose wedding I was honoured to document. Jazz&Toby met each other at the local park run a while ago and the spark quite visibly never went out as they continue to look into each others’ eyes with that special kinda magic; one I’d wish for everyone to experience in their lives. They decided to tie the knot at a lovely, intimate and local St. Nicholas Church in Little Bowden, Market Harborough (- one of my favourites locally -) and the weather continued to positively surprise throughout the day, providing beautiful and easy to work with light to capture those precious memories the couple shared with their friends and family.
We then moved to the Market Harborough Golf Club, which I haven’t visited in a while. However, I really think it’s a hidden gem locally and should definitely be considered for small and medium weddings. Moreover, I gotta mention the staff! Oh man! I haven’t seen people move so fast, maybe minus the Olympics 😉 - from start to finish the young people whom I saw there were unbelievable! What a great service!
Jazz&Toby’s wedding had it all: an amazing ceremony with one of the most beautiful sermons I’ve ever heard, jolly parents, lovely friends, again, great staff and venue, great speeches, awesome-looking cake and brilliant first dance followed by a fun boogie late into the night. And the sparkles, how could I forget! Both in their eyes as well as those lit for the light tunnel photos at the end. Ka-Pow! What a great wedding!
Thank you Jazz&Toby for letting me capture Your love!
Mike
Wedding Ceremony Venue: St Nicholas, Little Bowden, Market Harborough
Wedding Venue: Market Harborough Golf Club
Photography: Promenade Studios Wedding Photographer, Market Harborough (and beyond 😉 )
The day was finally here and it was a long time coming! Andy and Jasmine had their wedding day postponed twice and then, third time lucky, they were finally able to vow each other’s eternal love and commitment at a beautiful setting of the Winstanley House and gardens in Leicester.
But it doesn’t just stop there! I can’t remember a day like this in May; the thermometer recorded 26 degrees at its peak time and the pastel wedding setting outdoors looked absolutely stunning for the two to celebrate and enjoy their time with their loved ones. What an amazing and truly honouring experience it was to document your love story!
Andy and Jaz, your love is energising, empowering and leaves people lusting for more! More love, more devotion, more motivation to take it all in, never for granted, and continuously to strive to be a better person for one another. Thank you so much for everything YOU! It’s going to be one I’ll remember for years to come!
