Victoria (well, Tor to me since the day she was born) had her eyes set on a future husband when she was only 6 years old. It was my boyfriend at the time (now husband) and she said to me “if you don’t marry Ian, can I marry him because he’s like one of those princes from the Disney films”. There was born the nickname of my husband the ‘Disney Prince’ and her good taste in fellas. Thankfully I got in there first and married him before my little cousin could grow up and steal him from under my nose. But all’s well that ends well. Tor eventually found her own Disney prince in Ben and like all girls deserve, he loves and treats her like the princess she is, a complete unadulterated romantic, and I couldn’t be happier that they found each other.
This was such a special wedding. It was family. Whilst the bride and groom to be wanted me to have fun and enjoy myself at their wedding I knew I wouldn’t be able to unless I was photographing it, plus my two little children, Ellis & Gracie, were to be flower girl and page boy and I couldn’t be prouder to share the day and play such an important part in their big day. It was exactly the kind of family celebration we love, starting with Church, then food, drinking and dancing to the early hours…. It’s what we do best.
I arrived early with Tor, Holly, Nic, Mia & Maisie (my beautiful nieces) and the mother of the bride (my godmother and Auntie) Teresa, all relaxing and enjoying the preparations and beautification. The colour theme was a subtle cornflower blue and the amazing Cheshire Beauty & Amy Scott Hair were there to make sure the bride and all the girls looked their best. They even took pity on me and gave me a mini makeover too (I’ve never felt more fabulous – plus I was shooting the wedding in a dress!! – Thank you for that ladies, it meant the world to me). Tor was showered with romantic surprises from her groom Ben, from a beautiful book filled with pages of photographs of their time together, as well as finding an unexpected vinyl stand and poster with their names on, welcoming everyone to the wedding!! (major man points Ben)
I had the amazing Becca Sulley assisting me and she spent her morning with the groom and photographing the rest of the groomsmen. Everything was perfect and going to plan (although we won’t mention Becca’s car dying on a country road lol!!). We all arrived at St Albans Church, excited to see all the family dressed in their best, and boy did they deliver. We got to meet all of Bens lovely family too, who travelled far and wide to be there. The Jones’s, like us, love a party and it was so wonderful to meet so many of them and welcome them into the fold. Father Richard (the family Priest from St Josephs in Penketh) was there to greet everyone and was as surprised as us when the bride rocked up 25 minutes early in her Cheshire Luxury Cars, points for promptness. We ushered everyone inside and after a few photos it was finally time. I’ve never seen a more stunningly beautiful, excited and happy bride, virtually skip down the aisle on the arm of her incredibly proud Dad (my gorgeous Uncle Phil), in her Mori Lee Lace, fit and flair gown with backless illusion detail and cathedral veil. My cousin can still stop traffic wherever she goes. It was such a special ceremony, with communion, readings by Joseph (brides brother), my mum Margaret (brides godmother) and bidding prayers by Stephanie (bride’s sister). When the couple were happily married we were treated to the most incredible piano solo by my nephew Brad, and at that point I crumbled like the emotional digestive I am. It was awesome.
After a confetti storm and a beautiful ceremony, we made our way to Statham Lodge, to be greeted by Andrew Ball, (new Toastmaster) and the amazing staff at Statham Lodge. The room was dressed to perfection and the weather was on point. With the huge Mr & Mrs Jones light up letters (the word is love) and the beautiful flowers from Living colour in Stockton Heath. Rondino (strings trio) were superb, playing a mixture of old and new music on violins and cello, I can’t tell you just how good they were!!!
After some beautiful and heartfelt & funny speeches, we were served the most amazing food as always and I even managed to bag a coffee (vowing to stay alcohol free until the first dance), Thank god the Statham lodge team know how to make me smile with a great brew. We danced the night away with a fabulous DJ, and Al Grant Saxophonist gave that Ibiza style to the dance floor and everybody couldn’t get enough of it.
I was so proud of what Tor & Ben had made of their big day, they had planned it beautifully and it sang of the attention to detail and beautiful touches. It was such a happy event and seeing Ben and Tor so happy was wonderful, I loved every single minute of it. I gave it everything I had (35,500 steps in a day according to my pedometer), I wanted to give them a wedding present to remember, and when you see the story of this day unfold in photographs, I hope you think I did. I love you two, so very much.
