Hugs. Smiles. Tears. Joy. Raw Emotion. Nerves.
All of those words perfectly sum up the Wedding of Rebecca and Graham on 29th January 2011 at Adel Church and the Chevin Country Park Hotel.
I could stop the post here having described their day, but the day was more, much much more.
The day started early for us when we popped over to see Rebecca for her Bridal Preps. Following a bit of a drama with a flat tyre at the hairdressers, Rebecca arrived back at home with Mum Helen. Bridesmaids Rebecca, Elizabeth and Kate were waiting and so was a bit of a surprise.
Graham arranged for a present to be delivered to Rebecca and the look on her face when she opened it was special. It took a few seconds for the realisation and the magnitude of the present to sink in but when it did, we had a few tears. Graham had bought Rebecca a first edition of the book “Rebecca”. Very rare and very very special. Marks out of 10 Graham? That was definitely a 20!
Bridal Preps was brilliant. The Girls all getting ready, the nervous anticipation mixed in with that feeling of “I am so looking forward to this” from Rebecca.
And as for THAT dress – ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!
I left The Girls in the capable hands of Alison and off I went to go meet The Boys at Church. Got to say guys, when you all arrived at Church, you looked the business. Graham, Best Man Paul and Ushers Stuart, Ewan, Tim, James and Ben – all dressed up to the nines, cravats done, handkerchiefs done, all that was left were the buttonholes! 15 minutes or so later and we were done, just had to wait for Rebecca arrive and when she did, somebody somewhere turned on the sunshine. The clouds melted away, the sun came out, and when The Girls walked down the path to Church, they were beautifully lit by THE most gorgeous light. You couldn’t have planned it better had you tried.
When Rebecca walked into Church, Graham turned and looked up the aisle. For me as a Yorkshire wedding photographer, that one single moment, that one small part of the day when the Groom turns and sees his Bride for the first time is special ……. very special. The look on Grahams face when Rebecca walked in said so much ….. Love ….. Pride ….. Emotion ….. Joy. You could see just how much Rebecca means to him, you could see it written all over his face. Sentimental? You better believe it. It is a very special part of the day and I have the honour of not only seeing it, but being in a position to photograph it.
The ceremony was gorgeous. Beautiful winter sunshine streaming in through the windows, Rebecca and Graham turning towards each other and saying their vows and exchanging rings, family and friends wiping away tears – people wonder why I love my job so much. It is exactly because of moments like this. We get to spend an entire day with a couple on the happiest day of their lives and get to watch some truly special moments.
Following the Ceremony we headed over to the Chevin Country Park Hotel and I don’t know who ordered it, but the weather was amazing. Yes, it was cold but the skies were the deepest blue, not a cloud in sight, 50 acres of stunning woodlands with a slight frost covering the ground, and a Bride and Groom who were there to appreciate it all. With weather like that, you can’t but go outside for the group shots.
To Rebecca and Graham, to the Parents Helen, Geoff, Rita and Andy, to all the Family and friends …… THANK YOU! Thank you for braving the cold and thank you for your patience during the group shots.
Rebecca and brother Ben started off the speeches and these were followed by words spoken from the heart by Father of the Bride Geoff that brought a tear to many eyes. Graham followed and then it was the turn of Best Man Paul. When Paul stood up, you could see a little nervousness creep into Graham’s face but he had nothing to worry about. Many speeches I have heard over the years and Paul ….. yours rocked!
The evening reception was hilarious. We set the studio up, got out the big bag of props and we then didn’t stop until gone 10.30pm. Pink boxing gloves for the girls, blue for the boys, silly hats, and feather boas – everyone made use of them and we didn’t stop laughing from start to finish. There will be one or two people logging in to view the photographs once the online album goes active thinking “Oh my goodness, did I REALLY do that!!!!!!!!”
For me, one of the most magical bits of the day was right at the very end when the DJ put on Take That – Never Forget. The dance floor was packed and without prompting or planning, everyone formed a circle around Rebecca and Graham. It wasn’t planned, it just happened, and there right in the middle totally oblivious to everything going on around them was Rebecca and Graham. Singing to each other, dancing, surrounded by their family and friends, in a little world of their own.
Standing there watching, we could see just how much they had enjoyed the day. Sometimes as a wedding photographer, you put the camera down, you stop photographing. Sometimes you just take a step back, watch, smile and respect the moment.
Rebecca and Graham, you will NEVER FORGET the emotions and the joy, you will NEVER FORGET the vows and the exchanging of your rings. You will NEVER FORGET your big day.
You were made for each other and you have started a new chapter in your life now. I sincerely hope that the future brings you every happiness together.
Have an amazing time on honeymoon guys. Take some time out, chill, relax, enjoy your time away and we’ll have your photographs ready for you when you get back.
Below is a slideshow of just a few of the images from the day (Please note: The slideshow has music, please mute your speakers if you do not wish to hear the music). The online album with all the images from the day will be launched once Rebecca and Graham return from honeymoon. To view the images once launched (estimated launch date is 15th February 2011), log onto our Yorkshire & Lancashire Wedding Photographer website at www.markpearsonphotography.co.uk, click “Client LogIn” then “Weddings”. Click on the image of Rebecca and Graham and when requested, input the password issued on the day.
If you would like to join me in wishing Rebecca and Graham all the very best and a few words of congratulations, please use the comments box below the slideshow.
Mark, Alison, Mac and Simon.
The slideshow above is low resolution for preview purposes only and does not reflect the high quality of the images. All Images and content are © 2011 Wedding Photographer Yorkshire and Wedding Photographer Lancashire – Mark Pearson Photography
no comments