Some wedding days just have everything. Sunshine, character, personal touches that tell you exactly who the couple are and the occasional West Highland White Terrier carrying the rings up the aisle. Olivia and Scott’s wedding in August was one of those days, from the first glass of bubbles at bridal prep right through to the last line dance of the evening.
Getting Ready in Kinver
The day started at Olivia’s family home in Kinver with bubbles, breakfast, and the quiet, unhurried energy of a bride who was completely ready for the day ahead. Bridal prep is one of my favourite parts of a wedding to photograph. There’s something about that morning with the anticipation, the laughter, the nervous little moments that help set the tone for everything that follows.
St Peter’s Church, Kinver for the Ceremony
St Peter’s Church in Kinver is a genuinely stunning setting for a wedding. The architecture is beautiful and the atmosphere inside on a warm August day was something special.
and then Loki appeared.
Regular readers of this blog will know Loki from Olivia and Scott’s engagement shoot back in June – a West Highland White Terrier who is most definitely not camera shy. On the wedding day he surpassed himself, walking up the aisle to deliver the rings brilliantly, a lovely moment and extra special way to bring their best furry friend into the day.
The ceremony itself was everything you’d want – warm, emotional, full of laughter and the occasional happy tear.
High Grosvenor House, Bridgnorth for the Reception
From Kinver the wedding party made their way to High Grosvenor House in Bridgnorth which is a stunning venue set in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.. The grounds are spectacular, the venue itself has real warmth and character, and on a blazing August day it looked absolutely glorious.
Olivia and Scott arrived to bubble machines, surrounding the bride and groom as they made their entrance. The drinks reception gave guests the chance to enjoy the grounds with outdoor games including giant Jenga and some equally spirited beanbag toss. The kind of games that bring out everyone’s personality and give a reportage wedding photographer plenty to work with.
And then there were the favours. Scott had hand drawn an individual portrait of every single guest. The care and time that must have taken is extraordinary. It was genuinely one of the most thoughtful wedding favours I’ve ever seen.
The First Dance, and Everything After
The evening brought a beautiful first dance between Olivia and Scott and then, brilliantly, it gave way to line dancing. Full line dancing, with the guests, complete with cowboy hats on the bride and groom. The dance floor was full and there was not a single person in the room who wasn’t smiling.
It was a perfect end to a perfect day.
Olivia and Scott – thank you for having me along for the whole journey, from that June evening in the fields with Loki right through to the last dance. It was an absolute privilege.
If you’re planning a wedding at High Grosvenor House in Bridgnorth, or anywhere across Staffordshire, Shropshire and the West Midlands, I’d love to hear about your plans. Get in touch here, take a look at the portfolio, or browse more real wedding stories on the blog.