We've Got A Movie Kind Of Love
December 20, 2017
Stacey & Andy's Autumnal Manor House Wedding
In a show-stopping Grade I listed manor house in Hampshire, Stacey and Andy married in style, embracing the traditional grandeur and romance of the enchanting setting with it’s glorious gardens and wealth of elegant spaces. The classic yet contemporary venue of choice stood proudly in the breathtaking 32 acres of lovingly landscaped grounds, and invitingly welcomed wedding guests through its ornate iron gates on that autumnal October day. As if in the opening credits of a movie, the perfect scene was set, ready and in anticipation of it’s leading lady and her man, about to make their debut.
Stacey and Andy’s love of cinema was the subtle theme which wove various aspects together during the couple’s special day and helped stamp the day with that element of personalisation unique to this laid-back, fun-loving couple. A ‘Now Showing’ cinema style poster gave the direction needed to locate the relevant screen (or table!), where guests were invited to ‘Please take your seat’ via old cinema ticket-style name places. The ultimate movie-going snack was on offer at each place setting - bags of popcorn tied with little ticket-style thank you tags were the perfect favours to accompany the viewing of ‘The Wedding Breakfast’.
Back to the start, the day began when I met Andy and his groomsmen in a business park close to the couple’s home in Hampshire (as you do on the morning of your wedding!). The guys were suited and booted, looking sharp, super confident and chilled out with hands in pockets, ready for me to document the pre-wedding moments in true indie movie style. Against the bold bright backdrop of yellow industrial corrugated metal, these guys achieved some excellent images, with a cinematic hint of Reservoir Dogs-iconic flavour to them.
Andy wore a tailored fit, grey checked three piece suit with cherry red coloured tie; a key shade of choice forming the basis of the autumn-inspired colour palette of the day chosen to coordinate perfectly with the bridesmaids’ long gowns and Stacey’s romantic rose-filled bouquet.
While the guys pretended not to be cold as they graced the industrial chic urban location selected for their portraits, Stacey on the other hand was getting ready in the warmth and comfort of her parental home, alongside her two older sisters, her soon-to-be sister-in-law and her three nieces. For me this wedding was paired with a sense of familiarity and honour as I was lucky enough to have previously photographed both older sister’s weddings. So what a privilege it was to also be invited back to capture the youngest and final sister Stacey, looking absolutely beautiful, on her very own patiently awaited big day.
Seeing Stacey’s nieces a little more grown was a delight as they revelled in their VIP flower-girl statuses and looked totally adorable in their little white dresses.
Stacey and Andy’s love of the season and the outdoors galvanised the decision to go with the warm rustic colour scheme which beautifully contrasted her elegant lace-covered ivory gown. Opting for a classic style of wedding day that retained some lovely traditional details, the bride and her father travelled to a quaint village church by vintage convertible classic car. With the movie theme in mind, this elegant and timeless mode of travel also added a touch of Hollywood style glamour to the arrival of the bride.
Stacey’s father lead her down the leafy path through the gardens at St Thomas à Becket, the historic parish church in Warblington. The low October sun scattered warm rays through the tree branches onto the entourage of girls in the family following on. In perfect pairings, the three sisters, stunning in red, walked hand-in-hand with Stacey’s three pretty little nieces.
After a heartfelt ceremony where wedding vows and rings were customarily exchanged, guests filtered out to catch up with each other and dig out their confetti as the newly-weds paused briefly, to just soak up the moment.
As if being showered with autumn itself, Stacey and Andy walked through a downfall of hand-thrown petals whilst golden leaves created a picturesque, naturally speckled backdrop full of golds, yellows and rusty oranges. The mixture of photography here worked well for the newly-weds, who were able to benefit from reportage style shots, where the truth of the moment was captured and told honestly, alongside the contrasting conceptual/fine art style of photography. I feel that having intention within the compositions and putting thought into creating interesting ideas is key to ensuring fun is captured throughout the reality of what’s happening. So when composed shots in the paused moments are combined with the contrasting candid images, altogether I find that the result tells a full and unique visual story.
Family and friends, accustomed to my photography ways, didn’t hold back in the group photography later that day when we stepped out onto the lawns at the reception venue, Southampton’s New Place Hotel. Embracing silliness and notably game for a laugh, these wedding guests were the model wedding party, happily cooperating with my every suggestion and enjoying the challenge in doing so, from what I saw!
Stacey and her bridesmaids ensured that fun would continue throughout the wedding and into the photography, knowing that the best memories are captured when you let your guard down, relax and enjoy the moment!
Framing our couple in autumnal glory, I couldn’t resist capturing Stacey and Andy that afternoon in the soft low light surrounded by fallen crunchy golden leaves as they stood in the hotel’s idyllic english country gardens.
Considering the stateliness of the manor house, the atmosphere was intimate and welcoming as the newly weds stood at its extraordinary iron gates in the foreground of this Tudor and Elizabethan building of heritage.
The essence of love was even found within the intricate design details of the wrought-iron gates, which perfectly framed our loved-up couple.
Closing this blog is also the image with which Stacey and Andy are likely to find at the finish of their wedding album. We are back where we started with this significant final scene; an outstanding architectural wonder and the romance of a couple brought together in love...at which point the lights come up and the credits roll!
Stacey and Andy, thank you for having me back for the third and final part of the family wedding trilogy! I loved capturing your day and seeing how you combined traditional ideas with modern ones, and embraced the beautiful season you were in as well. Congratulations!
Love Kelly x
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A