It's wonderful when couples are so relaxed in our company that they feel comfortable sharing their stories with us and we are privileged to have been booked by Beth and Andy to be their Rogerthorpe Manor wedding photographers. Members of Beth's family, including her step-dad, travelled from Italy, and both dads shared the role of walking her into the ceremony. After some massive challenges along the way our biggest hope for Beth was a perfect wedding day with lovely weather, and after many a soggy 2019 wedding we finally got a break, with wall to wall sunshine. We arrived to capture Beth being pampered and to photograph her beautiful dress and accessories, including certain items very precious to Beth, as they belonged to her mum. After a relaxed photo session in the gardens with Andy and the boys it was back to our bride for final preparations before the ceremony. With only one wedding that day the couple opted to have their ceremony in the smaller and more intimate Cawthorne Suite and their wedding breakfast in the larger Lawrence Suite. It was lovely to head out into sunshine after the couple tied the knot. It put all the guests in a great mood and meant they could enjoy those immaculately maintained gardens that are such a important part of wedding photographs at Rogerthorpe Manor but in autumn the sun is low and aims itself directly into everyone's eyes! We always recommend all day coverage to couples for very good reasons, the main one being we are still there to take photographs when the sun has gone down and the light is less harsh, and even if the weather lets you down earlier in the day you have a second chance of photographs after dinner. After the speeches the couple's day was made complete by a visit from their much loved dog and after a pretty long and patient wait for that gorgeous soft light the four of us went off and did our thing around the venue, giving Beth and Andy time to relax, take a breather and have some beautiful images captured. The first dance was followed by a father and daughter dance and that was followed by a step-father and daughter dance, both so full of emotion that even the photographer shed a tear or two! Our last planned shots were Mr and Mrs Mclean at twilight, featuring the folly with its blue roof lights. We set everything up whilst the couple partied but anxiety started to set in when, at dusk, the other lights came on and the folly's lights didn't. We had a plan B worked out but as luck would have it the venue's Master of Ceremonies, Lee, had returned early for a night shift and got the lights on for us at the perfect time. Lee's banter and cheeky remarks make us laugh and he impresses us with the way he takes care of the bride and groom. He makes everything run smoothly and we are immensely grateful that he often steps in and helps us out when we are under pressure. Thank you Lee and the staff at Rogerthorpe for always making us feel welcome and at home. Anyway, back to Beth and Andy. We loved your company and it's been such a pleasure to get to know you. Congratulations and we wish you many years of happy marriage!
