Beth & Kris: A Timeless Wedding With A Twist

I think I've seen every kind of wedding styling imaginable - full on festivals, big bold colours, rustic and romantic. This particular wedding was soft and understated. I remember elegant white drapes and pretty white flowers; absolutely classic. But with an epic tipi backdrop, a ceremony out by the lake, and loads of lovely quirky touches it was an absolute knockout. And it was all for the loveliest couple!

Beth and Kris married at Elmbridge Farm, and the venue put them in touch with me to take care of coordinating the day. We first met at Elmbridge a month or two before the wedding when they were visiting with their families, and I was instantly excited for their day. We ran through where the ceremony would be, what the tables would be laid out like in the tipis, and they let me in on a little secret about something they had booked for the day - they hadn't yet told anyone but Beth was planning to arrive at the ceremony in style!

A few more emails and calls came in the weeks before the wedding, and I was fully up to speed. I do remember suggesting we create a WhatsApp group for them to show me all of their setup - they'd been at the venue on the Friday getting everything ready and I had promised if they took some photos I could recreate it for them the next day. Once the group had been created I said hello to everyone and awaited the pictures, but couldn't see any messages. Awkward...

On the morning of the wedding, I pulled up outside the cottages at Elmbridge where I knew they were getting ready. I called in on Kris to say hello, and I ran upstairs to see Beth and the girls who were having hair and makeup done. I asked Beth "when you get a moment, can you send me those photos please?". Confused, she said "I sent you them last night!". Well, evidently she had and WhatsApp just wanted me to feel ghosted because nearly 9 months later they still haven't come through to me...

But I managed to do the last bits of prep: I set up the crates, boxes and the welcome signs and had everything just the way they wanted. I finally got to meet Edwina from Dusky Blooms, who I'd been speaking to and admiring for so long online, but this was my first time seeing her and her flowers in the flesh - spoiler alert, they were BEAUTIFUL!

There was such a lovely atmosphere as everyone was getting ready together in the lodges - the girls upstairs getting into their dresses and the boys downstairs fastening braces and filling their hip flasks! It was a gorgeous June bank holiday weekend (did someone say Platty Joobs?!). The rest of the country may have been celebrating Queen Lizzie, but as far as we were concerned today was all about these two!

The lads headed up towards the tipis as guests began to arrive and take their seats for the ceremony, but the girls stayed behind a little longer for a few more special moments.

​Beth and her Dad had decided to do a 'First Look' - this was the first time I'd seen this done, and it was such a beautiful thing to witness! With the bridesmaids lined up on the balcony looking on, Beth and her Dad had a moment together before they headed out for the big day to begin!

So Kris and his groomsmen are all in position, the guests are all in their seats. But do you remember me saying something about Beth making her epic entrance?!

Rather than walk up the lane to the ceremony, or being dropped off in any old car, Beth had another idea of how she could arrive at her wedding...
​Meet Birdie!

The ceremony was just gorgeous. After stepping out of Birdie and making her way down the aisle to beautiful music played live by Brad Matthews, Beth and Kris had opted for a celebrant led ceremony conducted by Jennie Hermolle (aka The Natural Celebrant) and it was a perfect reflection of them as a couple, with personalised vows, stories of their journey together and lots of smiles (and tears!).

​In the sunshine out by the lake, it was the most gorgeous setting for a wedding!

Ceremony complete, the bridesmaids and best men led the guests across the bridge and over to the tipis for drinks. We lined everyone up to take the confetti shot right in front of the tipis, and there was time for the usual group photos before we left them all to it for an hour or two for drinks in the sunshine enjoying that incredible view.

When it was time for everyone to come inside, Beth and Kris made their entrance to huge cheers and laughs from their friends and family. The food came, the drinks kept flowing and there were some absolutely incredible speeches - moving, emotional, hilarious... everything you'd want them to be! I think potentially my favourite part though was when our bride donned a plastic poncho (originally intended just to be used to keep her dress clear of fajitas when the Mexican meal was served), it came in pretty handy when the best man, Kris' brother, invited her up to take shots with him too! Brides - always bring a pack-a-mac, you never know if you might need it!

I'll also never forget that when the speeches were done, there was one family member who felt most put out that they hadn't been asked to make a speech, as they always like to take to the stage and say a few words at a family bash. So of course, we got her on the mic! Sometimes you can't plan for these things, but it's pure brilliant when they happen!

By the evening, everyone wanted to head back out and soak up the last of the sunshine so they were happy to sit and mingle whilst Beth and Kris headed off for their photos. I tagged along to carry the flowers and the dress and, well, just hang out with them for a while.

​I like coming along on this little adventure (as long as you and the photographer don't mind!) because it's one of the few times of the day I feel I can chat with my bride and groom without dragging them away from their loved ones. It's a nice chance for the two of you to get a little breather and spend a few minutes of calm together too! I feel like at this point we can really talk and I get to know you a little more as humans, rather than just as Bride and Groom. And also, the photoshoot part is fun to watch! The shots these professionals get are just... wow.

Evening guests had begun arriving so it was time to do the cake cutting (which was a beautiful cake from Wedding Cakes By Karen) and get everyone on the dancefloor! Brad once again sang for Beth and Kris to have their first dance to, and then he became DJ until the end of the night. Birdie had stuck around too - her little friends, Flossie the Mini and the drinks wheelbarrow, had provided an amazing display for the drinks all afternoon and after her moment at the ceremony Birdie was used as a photobooth throughout the evening too.

It was the perfect early Summer night to be getting the sparkler shots too - these still remain some of my favourite ever photos! Now, I'll be honest with you... sparkler shots take a LOT of organising and they're a logistical health and safety nightmare that make me VERY nervous indeed. But there's something really sweet and magical about gathering everyone together and getting these beautiful photos of everybody in a moment of pure joy. I mean, just look how happy our bride and groom look! Priceless.

When my job was done, I didn't want to leave. I went to find Beth and Kris to say goodbye, but of course they were on the dancefloor and I may have got dragged in to have a little dance with them too...! There is nothing that makes me happier than seeing you having the best time and knowing your day was everything you wanted it to be. I drove away that night with a heart so full it could burst, and I'd done it all over again tomorrow if I could!

A HUGE shout out to JDS Weddings, not only for the amazing photography (credit to Jon for all the photos in this blog), but also for being an absolute gem to work with and making the day so much fun!
Also to Lion Island for being equally as fab and for creating the most beautiful wedding video which shows just how amazing this day was, and what a brilliant couple Beth and Kris are.

Obviously, the biggest thanks to Beth & Kris for being the loveliest and for having me there on the day. The great news is, we'll be catching up soon as my first wedding of 2023 is in fact for their friend. So, see you soon!