I’m still on a mission to catch up with the my wedding blog so for today’s posting we’re jumping in the DeLorean . . . or should that be the Triumph Vitesse . . . and setting the controls to the summer of 2021. This was when I headed down to the village of Ettington, just outside of Stratford-Upon-Avon, for Kate and Tom’s fantastic farm wedding.
I met with Kate at her farmhouse cottage on the morning of the wedding to join her for the bridal preparations. The girls were relaxing in the front garden as Jess, Kate’s sister, made the finishing touches to the girls makeup. Everyone then headed inside to don their dresses in preparation for the ceremony. Kate wore a stunning off the shoulder Morilee wedding dress, which was from Banbury Bridal, whilst her bridesmaids wore matching pink dresses from Roman Originals.
Meanwhile, just across the farm fields, Tom was waiting patiently for the arrival of his wife-to-be. He and his groomsmen looked very dapper indeed in their matching three piece dark blue morning suits, which were from The Wedding Barn. Kate was escorted across the fields to the ceremony marquee by her dad in Tom’s grandfathers vintage Triumph Vitesse. Towed behind, in a straw bail lined trailer, were her bridesmaids along with the family dogs too!
The ceremony was conducted by Lauren Duncan, an independent celebrant based in Warwickshire. It was a truely wonderful affair featuring stories from the couple’s past, readings from family members, the vows, lots of laughs and a few tears too. There was a huge DIY element to Kate and Tom’s wedding with many of the decorations, including the horseshoe arch under which the happy couple married, being made by Tom. Once the vows had been completed and rings exchanged, the newlyweds made their way back down the marquee under a shower of confetti before making their exit in the vintage Vitesse. I jumped in the back as we whizzed around the fields stopping for a few portraits with the car along the way. We then headed over to the farm for some pictures with the animals. It was at this point in the proceedings where Kate received her second kiss as a married woman (the first being from Tom at the end of the ceremony), this one from Eric the horse!!!
We made it back to the marquee just in time for the typical English summer rain to start to fall. Whist taking shelter the guests entertained themselves with a swift drink or three as some impromptu games of balloon keepy-up broke out. Once the rain cleared we headed into the nearby wheat field for a couple more portraits, whist slightly muddying Kate’s shoes in the process (make sure you check out the picture below). When we returned to the marquee a game of hammerschlagen was in full flow. The objective of the game is to try to drive a large nail into a lump of wood with as few a blows as possible. It sounds simple but can get very competitive, especially after a few drinkies!
For the wedding breakfast the guests were treated to a feast of roast beef and lamb (with all the trimmings) curtsey of Bromsgrove Hog Roasts. This was followed by the speeches and more hammerschlagen before the dancefloor opened for the evening reception. The DJs from Toppers Disco ensured the dancefloor was jumping until the early hours. Shapes were thrown, moves were busted as everyone partied until the small hours.
Before I sign off I must say a huge thank you to Katie and Tom for having me along as their Stratford-Upon-Avon wedding photographer. It was a real pleasure to have been part of such an amazing and super fun farm wedding. Here’s 50 photos to give you a look at their special day . . .
Stratford-Upon-Avon Wedding Photographer
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