I do love a good trek up the country for the right wedding and the right couple. Kathy and Luke's wedding at All saints church in Newborough and reception at the magnificent Swinfen Hall Hotel in Lichfield (nearish to Birmingham) was totally the right wedding, Kathy and Luke, totally the right couple. The rumours are not true people, you totally CAN still have soooooo much fun at a big traditional wedding and it doesn't have to be all rigid and same same. Kathy and Luke proved this. Just add a shed load of confetti, great and slightly (some more than slightly) drunk friends and family, SWING BALL and a load of flip flops so that people can dance all night! oh and not to forget Hot dogs and a surprise firework display.

But I wont keep you any longer. I know Luke will be keeping an eye on the time and checking that pocket watch. Let me hand you over to Kathy and Luke...

Hiya Kathy and Luke, I'd love to hear the story of how you met and got to this awesome stage in your lives?

Myself (kathy) & luke met nearly seven years ago in the normal way while at uni- a night out. Our first date was on a RIB/boat the next morning and everything fitted perfectly from there.
Five years later Luke organised a surprise for me, this surprise kept altering in time, date and location. Finally at 4am on a Sunday I was made to get out of bed and set off on a little adventure. This was to a pub car park in Exeter. Still with no idea what we where doing a Landy 90 pulled up with a trailer on the back with a big picture of a hot air balloon on it. With luke's knees wobbling while up in the sky he asked me to be his best friend for life. Of course I said yes.
2 years later (pretty much to date) we said our ‘I do’s in my childhood village and partied long into the night at Swinfen Hall with all our friends and family.

What was your favourite part of your wedding?

Lukes favourite part was ‘sitting in the limo with my new wife’
My (kathy) favourite part would have been a mixture of having a 10 minute break at the front of Swinfen hall as all our guests enjoyed themselves and the last few dances of the evening. Mr brightside comes to mind with this one.

What are your favourite story/s from the day - The one/s that you will tell when you are really really old?

1. I only found this out a week after the wedding. Our beautiful bridesmaids had to share one tissue between the 4 of them. This got divided up between them and was thoroughly used for eyes, make up and noses. Once the tissue had become sodden and unusable they resorted to the table top hanky cloth.

2. The madness of the bridesmaids and groomsmen pictures. My brother successfully throwing his girlfriend in the air for the dirty dancing pose.

3. Luke says picking me up and nearly throwing me in the pond.

4. The walk down to the church with my dad playing pretty woman on his phone with a tribe of women in white, blue and pink!

5. Mr Brightside playing at the end of the night and the whole floor moving due to the mass of bodies jumping in the same place at the same time.

6. All the mothers dancing to Shania Twain- which was played 3 times in the evening!

What made you choose Swinfen Hall as the venue for your wedding?

This venue has everything. We didn’t have to worry about hiring in caterers, event managers, staff. They had it all. And on top of that they were really great at keeping firework secrets.

What made you choose the details and theme/styling for your wedding?

As Luke asked me to marry him in a hot air balloon, it seemed fitting to keep this theme going. This meant our invites, table decorations, table plan, and signs around the venue all had the balloons on them. Along with colours that we where comfortable with. Blue. Gold. Silver and pink.

What advice do you have for couples planning their wedding?

Expect to change your mind on areas that you think your 100% with. Expect to have those moments when you want something done one way- however someone with experience may be able to help. Take the help! Don’t do it all on your own. Delegate to friends and family

I love food, music and entertainment They are the some of the best things about weddings! - What food did you have, was it yummy and what did you have to entertain yourselves and your guests? :

Food: Boccioni, King prawns,Yellowfin tuna tartare, Sea bass, Ham hock, Mushroom and truffle Risotto, Lemon tart, Chocolate fondant, Passion fruit cheesecake.

Songs: Walking down the aisle- traditional here comes the bride on the organ. First dance - one day like this - Elbow. Important songs - Shania Twain - 'man I feel like a woman' and Mr Brightside

A Shoutout to your wedding suppliers:

Church - All saints church in Newborough Venue - Swinfen Hall
Flowers- Emma at The floral studio, Rugeley
Entertainment - storm on piano. Inigma violinist. Dj Allan.
Beauty- my bridesmaid Ellie McCall
Hair- The Sanctuary, Branston
Transportation - 2XL Limos Ltd
Outfits
-Dress- Enzoani / Juri Blue - From Krystle Brides, Bath
-Groom and Groomsmen- Moss Bros
-Bridesmaids - TFNC London
Food- above
Decoration. -
Church- ladies (Mums) of Newborough
Reception - Table decorations - mother of the brides garden, made by mother of the bride and bridesmaids

What were you looking for in your photographer, Why on earth did you choose Jamie Webb as your Swinfen Hall Wedding photographer and what was it like working with Jamie on the day?

We were looking for someone that was able to capture the important moments with family and friends. The photos for us are the most important factor of the wedding as these will hold the memories.
We had done our engagement photos with Jamie and we could not fault him. He was so easy to get along with and so calm with us.
The decision of the wedding photographer was chosen on this slightly wet dog walk! (Engagement shoot)

On the day of the wedding he was brill. Arrived early and ready to go. Flitting between my parents house and the local cafe where the groomsmen where at the beginning of the day and then appearing at the most magical times to catch the moment In a still.
He was able to get us away from the crowds so easily to have our photos together. And was so organised when it came to our group photos, even with the rain that couldn’t make its mind up!
The photos that he has provided are utterly amazing.

Thank you both soooooo Much! Here are some of those photos...

Lets have tea!

Planning a fun and relaxed wedding and want to spend the day having a laugh with your besties, playing swing ball and dancing the night away? Want real moments captured so that you have real memories of the little things that happened on the day? .... ummm...Hiya.... (waves hand) Let's have a cuppa ( either in person or on Skype) and chat about your wedding photography. Click the button below to send me a message. I'm so excited to hear from you.

Lets have tea!

Other weddingy adventures...