From the Poppy Fields: A Wedding Day to Remember
Fifteen years ago, I first met Lauren at my wedding. My son and her little sister, Olivia, were preschool classmates, which led to a close friendship with their mum, Steph. In a moment that now feels serendipitous, Lauren caught my bouquet that day, only to pass it along to her sister.
Fast forward to today, and I find myself standing before Lauren, preparing to capture her wedding to the love of her life. Lauren and Owen's story began in 2011, and they made it official on the memorable date of 11/11/11. What started as young love blossomed into a deep commitment, and in 2021, Owen proposed in the breath taking Lake District. From there, the meticulous planning began—dress shopping, cake tasting, selecting flowers and decorations—all leading up to their special day, shared with their closest family and friends.
When Lauren asked me to photograph her wedding, I was truly honoured. I had the pleasure of capturing their engagement photos in a stunning field of poppies, a beautiful tribute to their journey together. Those images, filled with love and warmth, graced each table at the wedding.
August 3rd 2024
The day began early at the Mother of the Bride’s house. After a few celebratory glasses of fizz and a restless night’s sleep, the bride and her bridesmaids were buzzing with excitement. Steph helped Lauren into her wedding gown, and with a little assistance from myself and her pristine white gloves, each button was carefully fastened. Her jewellery and veil added the final touches. Lauren was radiant and ready.
A touching first-look moment with her stepdad brought emotions to the surface as he prepared to walk her down the aisle. The air was filled with anticipation and a few fluttering nerves.
The Ceremony
The Barn at Willerby, set in the picturesque East Yorkshire, was the perfect backdrop for Lauren and Owen’s wedding. The venue offered endless photo opportunities, each more beautiful than the last. As I arrived, I spotted Owen—nervous but clearly ready to marry his best friend. Lauren’s first look with her dad was another poignant moment, full of love and joy.
The ceremony itself was a vision of romance, culminating in a memorable first kiss and an impressive dip as they exited. With their vows exchanged, Lauren and Owen were officially husband and wife, ready to embark on the next chapter of their lives together.
Celebrations
Following the ceremony, we moved into family photos, accompanied by live music from Phil Richardson and delicious canapés. The atmosphere was light-hearted and fun, with the bridesmaids and best man joining in on the laughter. However, it was the couple’s photos that truly stood out. Alongside the talented Mike from Swanland Media, we captured every heartfelt emotion, every smile, and moments that simply took our breath away. Photographing such a stunning couple was a joy, and they were up for anything—even having the bridesmaids lift poor Owen for a playful shot!
As the day progressed, guests enjoyed a feast of delicious Greek cuisine, and laughter filled the air as Lauren’s mum delivered a heartfelt speech. The party truly kicked off when a tray of cutlery clattered to the floor, sending everyone into a flurry of activity. Just as the chaos subsided, two fabulous singers—The Ultimate Singing Waiters—burst into song, transforming the room into a lively dance floor with spinning napkins and exuberant energy.
As the sun began to set, we ventured back into the fields for some golden hour photos, capturing the magic with the help of Mike's skilled drone work. As evening guests arrived, the DJ announced the cake cutting, seamlessly transitioning into the first dance. Lauren and Owen wowed everyone with twirls, twists, and lifts, setting the stage for an unforgettable night of dancing and celebration. Before we knew it, we were all gathered in the photobooth, creating memories that would last a lifetime.
The Dream Team
Every wedding is a collaborative effort, and for full-day weddings like this one, I’m fortunate to work with Lorna, who expertly captures candid moments, unique perspectives, and brilliant video snippets. These are lovingly crafted into a beautiful reel for the newlyweds. Weddings require so much planning and effort, and it’s the job of the team surrounding the couple to ensure everything runs smoothly so they can fully enjoy their day. Lauren and Owen had an exceptional team, from family members to professionals, all contributing to the day’s success.
After the wedding, Lauren shared with me, "If I knew how smoothly the day was going to go, I wouldn't have been so nervous." Let this be a piece of advice for future couples—trust your team, and let them take care of the details so you can savour every moment.
