Where to start... Vicky and Hayley wed this August, with just each of their mums, and their 2 sons. Their wedding was a total surprise to their family, who thought they'd come together for a mini glamping trip to spend time together... when in reality, they gathered on the Monday, were presented with invitations, informing them they'd be attending their wedding the following day. The girls wanted to keep their intimate elopement a complete secret, and in doing that, even kept it a secret from their guests. After the day, they announced it to their wider friends and family, to have a party together to follow.
They chose the beautiful Love Shack in Cheshire as their venue, which specialises in weddings of only 8 people or less. Here, they stayed in style in the lodges, and were surrounded by beautiful, peaceful woodland. It really felt like we were abroad. They opted to get ready separately, with Sarah Meredith on hair and makeup, and had no idea what each other would be wearing - however they shared some details, like similar pampas dried bouquets by Lily and Willow Florals, the same wedding day scent, and matching bridal converse. Their wedding might have been small, but it certainly wasn't lacking in style. The girls had thought of, and styled everything - from their matching vow books and ribbons, to ring bowls, Honey and Ember hair accessories, invitations, signs for photographs and even a cake to share from Bea Mitchell Cakes. It was even captured on cinematic film by my good friend Jo Greenfield.
The girls walked down the aisle (through the woodland!) to the same piece of music, meeting each other at the top of the aisle, to see each other for the first time. Here, in the tiny little boho rustic shack, they wed legally, and shared some beautiful, personal, hand written vows.
After this, we wandered the grounds for portraits, blessed with the most incredible light, and talked about their relationship and time together. It was so fantastic photographing these two, the atmosphere was just filled with love and emotion, and I really got to capture the essence of them both as a couple. After the portraits, they shared drinks, cake, and a meal with their family, to celebrate the surprise union. It really was what weddings should be about - the love between them, bringing the families together, and celebrating that. It was amazing to see a couple really do their wedding the way they wanted to do it, even if elopements are still non traditional and unconventional - it suited them both perfectly.
