Anya and Ben currently live on the south coast of England in beautiful Bournemouth, but a couple of weeks ago returned to Anya’s childhood home of Birmingham to marry. The ceremony was held at Edgbaston Old Church and their wedding reception was at the wonderful Edgbaston Golf Club.
On the morning of the wedding I met up with Anya at her parent’s splendid Victorian villa in Edgbaston for bridal preparations. We were joined by Anya’s bridesmaids, Amy and Olivia, as well as Sharon Cannon who was responsible for bridal makeup. Even Jasmine the dog looked resplendent in her flower garland headdress, although I don’t think she was too keen on the neon pink flashing tiara!
The wedding ceremony at Edgbaston Old Church was a lovely affair conducted by Reverend Nicholas Tucker. There’s a lot of history to the church as there has been a place of worship on the site since 1270. In the mid 17th century the church was plundered by the Roundheads in the English Civil War when they stripped the lead from the roof to make bullets and removed the roof timbers to make barricades, leaving the church in ruins.
After the ceremony the wedding party slipped through the back gate in the church wall right onto the terrace of the adjoining Edgbaston Golf Club for a champagne drinks reception. The golf club has been based at the Georgian Grade II listed Edgbaston Hall since 1936 and gives stunning views over Edgbaston and Harborne below. Despite it being a damp and grey morning, as the day wore on the weather improved and we got some killer light just as we headed out for the couples portraits, ensuring we made the most of a golf cart to zip around the 18 hole course.
With the drinks quaffed the wedding party then made their way indoors for a stunning three course wedding breakfast where they were serenaded by incredibly talented Kirk Ensor on guitar. Following the speeches Kirk then took over DJ duties to get the evening party started.
Whenever I think back to Anya and Ben’s wedding I will always be reminded of air horns, Jäeger bombs (lots of Jäeger bombs), smiles, love and laughter. Here’s a few photos from their big day . . .
