How can I describe the wedding of Aaron & Katie?
Well, it was an emotional day; even the cake was in tiers…
No, this is not a post of the top 10 jokes to avoid in a wedding speech; but it is about tears, sadness, joy and laughter. Because, with any great love, there comes great feeling and this wedding had both in abundance.
From my first meeting with Katie & Aaron, I discovered some of their shared loves; family (including their many dogs) and horses, which began their story together. As they discussed their plans, I quickly realised how perfect it was for them to incorporate their beloved horse, Charlie so intimately in their day as wedding carriage driver. I was lucky enough to meet him and hitch a ride for their pre-wedding shoot, which gave me a great insight into the organisation of their day and the planning and help required to make their plans possible.
And it all came together perfectly… on a beautiful day in July, with the help of friends and family, Charlie delivered Katie to the church ahead of time and waited patiently to return the happy couple in style to their reception at The Rochford hotel. It was heart-warming to see the reactions of passers by and to know just how special a journey this was.
However, it was an incredibly bittersweet day for Katie & Aaron with the father of the bride being taken ill in the lead up to the wedding and despite hopes he would make it down the aisle with Katie, it was not possible. As I often mention, the relationship I build with my clients is hugely important and with what I like to think of as new friendships, comes insight and empathy which, as well as helping me to understand what is most important for me to capture for my clients can also be quite affecting. So, I often, (particularly on this occasion), need my own tissues to hand!
Despite such underlying worry, their day was made joyous and memorable by personal touches and an incredibly touching team effort by friends, family and suppliers. As well as those who so beautifully facilitated the equine transport, this included Katie’s son walking her down the aisle in the unexpected absence of her father, a poignant and very funny service by a friend of the family, Peter Hillman, who pointed out that the groom was most definitely ‘punching above his weight’, heart-felt and incredibly emotional speeches by friends and family and a fabulous surprise performance organised by the bride for her new husband of one of his favourite songs, by a fabulous singing waiter. The day was beautifully accompanied by divine music from Hayley Pomfrett, captured at the last minute on video by Love Story wedding films for Katie’s dad to view and hosted with care and attention by the staff at The Rochford Hotel.
This wedding in particular, could not make the importance of images, whether moving or still, more clear. They are not just memories of our past, they are our stories to share in the future.
What I take from my experience of attending so many weddings, is that when our thoughts do turn to those important people in our lives who cannot be with us on such occasions, the joyful moments and newly created memories of such special times elevate our sadness and make us realise why our shared experience is so important. Joining of families, creating strength in our partnerships and friendships, realising the support network we have in difficult times; this is surely what weddings are all about. This is love.
