When Helen and Andy booked me to capture their winter wedding at Hever Castle, I was nothing short of excited! Helen said they had been together for over 13 years and wanted an informal celebration which happened to also have them marrying their best friends tucked into the party. They live in Hever and were marrying at the local church and planned to lead their whole wedding party through Hever Castle grounds after dark to see the spectacular lights display. On their day I arrived at their house where they were both getting ready in separate ends with their family and closest friends. There was such a sense of fun and excitement about the evening that was going to unfold. I may have stalked their cats while I photoed away, just too cute not to snap! I left Helen for her final preparations and headed to the King Henry IIIV Pub where Andy was chatting with guests and everyone wandered over to the church. Helen arrived in a gorgeous vintage car and the whole occasion took on the glamour of an old Hollywood movie. Her stunning couture green dress looked absolutely amazing and her and her brothers beaming smiles as they waited at the church door will always be a fond memory! We set off into the crisp and freezing night after their beautiful ceremony through the stunning Castle grounds and guests went on ahead while we captured some portraits together. The lake at Hever was serenely still reflecting line a mirror, our exhalation hung in the air, and with a long exposure and a gentle pop of off camera flash, I captured the scene that lay out for us. It was then in to party, with a relaxed but exquisite buffet followed by some seriously excellent Ceilidh dancing led by the amazing Bowstring, it was time for me to leave these guys partying into the night.
I loved the personal thought that had gone into their service, and this reading really frames the whole feel of the day:
Today I marry my friend,
The one I have laughed and cried with,
The one I have learned from and shared with,
The one I have chosen to support, encourage,
And give myself to, through all the days Given us to share.
Today I marry the one I love.
from Bertrand Russell
