I knew from pretty much the minute I met Suzanne and Mark that I wanted to photograph their wedding. They are one of those couples that you feel like you have known for years even when in reality you have only just met them. So easy going, thoughtful and generally just a pleasure to be around. Add to that that they were getting married at the beautiful Notley Abbey in Autumn, and if you have seen the driveway which is lined with trees as far as the eye can see you have a recipe for a great wedding day.
Suzanne was getting ready at the Abbey when I met up with her and her bridesmaids and a few family members. She was enjoying being pampered and unless she was very good at hiding them there didn’t appear to be any nerves, just excitement for the days events. Her dress was absolutely stunning and had a slight pink blush to it along with beautiful lace detail.
Mark was also getting ready at Notley and he let me into a little secret. You see Mark has been in the RAF many years, 22 years in fact and he had planned to surprise Suzanne by wearing his No.1’s at the ceremony. She was expecting him to be in a suit at the end of the aisle but she sure got a nice surprise as she walked in with her brother Simon. It was a great start to a beautiful ceremony which I really enjoyed capturing. So many smiles, a few happy tears and some lovely readings.
Suzanne and Mark left the main Abbey building through a confetti tunnel and everyone enjoyed the Autumn sunshine outside in the courtyard along with a few drinks and canapes. We had a nice amount of time to capture some documentary images of their guests along with a few of their cute but very fast son, Oliver as he kept us on our toes running around the gardens.
After a few group shots we got to explore some of the great spots, colours and of course that tree line on the driveway with Suzanne and Mark whilst taking their couple portraits. There was an amazing wall full of red leaves and we thankfully got to use it just in time before a little rain shower coincided with the start of the wedding breakfast…perfect timing!
After a fantastic 3 course meal it was time for the speeches. Mark, Andy and Murph all did a great job reliving stories from their RAF days together, nights out, a few thank you’s and of course Mark shared some lovely words about his beautiful bride . Suzanne even got in on the act by reading a poem about her and Mark’s time together so far. It was a lovely end to the wedding breakfast and everyone had some chill time after whilst the room was turned around for the band and evening dancing!
I love a good band at a wedding and they did a great job of singing hit after hit with many guests making their way onto the dance floor to celebrate with Suzanne and Mark. I was particularly impressed with Suzanne’s Nan who was busting out moves showing the youngsters how to party! I bet she was one of the last ones standing at the end of the night too.
Suzanne and Mark, it was a pleasure photographing your wedding day. I wish you both every happiness in the future together. I’m sure you can’t wait to see a few pictures so here it is your sneak peek storyboard!
Big thanks also to Leela Wanless for assisting and 2nd shooting on the day, great job as always.
