Thursday, August 25, 2011

Wow! Photography at Mitton Hall, Whalley

Remember the 31st July? It was the day of the Iron Man UK competition.

More importantly, it was the day of Andrew & Sarah's wedding.

What was the connection between the two things?

They were going on in the  same town at the same time.

"Be prepared for traffic delays and closed roads."    *Gulp* "OK."

Traffic delays and closed roads?  Nightmare scenario.  We set off about 2 hours earlier than we needed to just to make sure we wouldn't be late.

The sat nav was having to work overtime to  get us to where we were mean to to be roads were closed left, right and centre. However, after a loooooooooong wait in a traffic jam caused by a policeman on traffic duty giving priority to the bikes in the Iron man event going through a major junction,  we were eventually waved through with shouts of "Go! Go! Go! There's another bike coming!"

Apart from hopping down a road that had been closed off and skipping round a corner we weren't supposed to go round, the rest of the journey passed by fairly uneventfully.  Hahaaa geddit uneventfully?  Heh, I crack myself up sometimes!  Anyway, we got there with bags of time to spare.


Luckily, the groom's house, bride's house and church were all in very close proximity to each other so once we were in the area it wasn't too difficult to get from A and B to C.


Bob popped off to see the lads who were having fun with a few little scene stealers. Bless 'em. they were lovely - the scene stealers, not the lads though they were alright as well.



While all that was going on Carla and I were with the girls:


The colour scheme was blue, ivory and silver, very elegant, very pretty.  Sarah had freesias in her bouquet, my Mum's favourite flower. Every time I smell them it reminds me of my Mum and that can only be a good thing.



It was peaceful, almost serene at the bride's house. That is until about half an hour before the cars were due to arrive then all the serenity evaporated into a mad flurry of  activity.  I thought it had all been a bit too laid back. Sarah however, took it all in her stride and was calm right up till the moment when she and her Dad clapped eyes in each other all in their wedding finery. Then it got emotional, even I was at it ( must have been the freesias!).


All to soon, it was time to set off to the church - with an escort


Well, we've never done a wedding where we've had to be escorted to the church. Thanks, Iron Man for that.


We arrived at the church in plenty of time, Sarah was back to being her serene and calm self. here she is having a quiet minute before walking up to the church with her Dad.


I'm told it looks  like a really, really long church when you are standing at the door waiting to walk up the aisle.

The service was lovely. I'd been given instructions by the vicar that I could sneak through the side door and take a few photos from the doorway. "No more than one or two. Ok, maybe five."   Better make them good ones then.

The vicar turned round part way through one of the hymns to catch me, out of sight of everyone, I hasten to add,  singing and swaying along to 'O Jesus I have promised' He looked a bit shocked for a second and then smiled and carried on with the service.



While the register was being signed in the vestry, it all got a bit giddy. The atmosphere in the room was lovely. I do love it when everyone is enjoying every moment of the day.

Then came the confetti. So much confetti. I thought it would never stop!  the little kids were scooping handsful of it up off the floor to throw again and again. 



Then it was into the cars and off to one of my favourite venues, Mitton Hall. Why is it one of my favourite venues? because in our experience they  pull out all the stops to make your wedding everything you want it to be. Not only that but they are very photographer friendly and that always helps. David, the toast master is Brilliant with a capital B. 


 Pimms, anyone?  Although the weather was threatening to rain, it didn't. Warm enough to be out in the grounds, everyone had a lovely time.

  Pimms, anyone? 


We went down to the lower garden for the group shots, lots of space and very, very pretty.

After the formal photographs I asked the bridal party to walk across the lawn for me. Easy enough?  It was hysterical.  




Once the formal shots were all done we went for a stroll round the grounds. The shot above is one of Bob's signature shots, in a bush with a long lens on. He'll be arrested one day for that, I'm sure.



The reception room, as ever looked stunning. It almost glows with those lovely candelabras. 




Time for the speeches. Very emotional and very touching. There may have been a few more tears from the Mums.


Followed by, "you're not too old for a smacked backside, you know!"




Time for a  breather after  the wedding breakfast while the guests checked in to the hotel or relaxed on the the patio and then it was straight into the evening reception.



First; cake cutting.  I was very relieved to see the cake cut and out of the way. It had been in the middle of the dance floor and looking a bit precarious as  the little kids were dancing round it. We breathed a sigh of relief when it was moved away. Mind you, if it had gone over we were ready to get some  good shots of it.


Aw. The first dance. So romantic. The lights are low, the atmosphere is electric and the stage is set for a nice smoochy number. What's not to love about your  first dance as husband and wife? 









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