Annabel and Andrew's spring wedding at Stapleford Park
Dreamy spring weddings for me are all about utterly beautiful light and beautiful florals and Annabel and Andrew's wedding at the stunning Stapleford Park last year certainly didn’t disappoint on either front.
I remember Annabel describing to me over the phone the two ceremonies (one in the light-infused Orangery and one in the gorgeous intimate chapel at Stapleford), the statement flower arch and flower swing (!), designed by the incredibly talented Sophie’s Flower Company and the ideas she had for a delicious desert table. The plans sounded so lovely and, having really connected when we spoke over the phone, Ian and I were over the moon when they decided to go ahead and book.
On the day itself, surrounded by Annabel’s closest friends and sister in pretty robes and the brilliant Allison Jenner working her hair styling magic on the beautiful bride to be, I absolutely revelled in the excited buzz in the air behind my lens. I climbed the stairs in the stunning split-level Sanderson suite at Stapleford and went to meet Annabel’s exquisite gown. The first thing that struck me was the beaded detail on the back – it was utterly unique and I loved how the elegant simplicity of the front would give nothing away until Annabel turned slightly . I just knew that on, this dress was going to be something very very special.
Down in the Orangery, the excitement was building against the backdrop of the stunning floral arch swing; such perfect framing for the ceremony (especially from a photographer’s point of view!). Andrew waited patiently with the boys and I loved how Ian caught perfectly the ‘we can do this’ fist pump between him and his best man!
Timed to perfection, the rain held off until just before the ceremony, as the beautiful Annabel and her maids arrived and it stayed that way until almost the end of the smile-packed ceremony. Just as it finished, we could all hear the rain beating down on the orangery roof, but even that didn’t dampen spirits. Amidst giggles, running and lots of umbrellas, we all made it happily to the Chapel where the wedding blessing would take place and the showers were so short that, by the time the lovely Annabel and Andrew had arrived, the sun had put in its hat on again.
We had the perfect window of spring sunshine again for capturing some beautifully relaxed couple shots and, as we’d explored the grounds at Stapleford for their pre-wedding shoot, these two newlyweds were complete pros in from our cameras.
Surrounded by stunning styling, courtesy of Sophie’s Flower Company and Rosepress Stationery, Ian and I had a ball capturing the brilliantly emotive (and very funny!) speeches and, all the time, the lovely Confetti Cakery was busy in the Orangery setting up the prettiest desert table and cake stand under the floral arch.
It was this transformation that then marked the start of an absolutely brilliant evening party. After everyone had been treated to magical fireworks (which even seemed to tone with the colours of the day!), Simon Falkner Band had the dance floor packed from the get-go. We could easily see from Annabel’s Dad's moves where she got her dancing floor skills from and, of course, it was then, with the lights from the brilliant Premier Events illuminating this gorgeous couple, that the sparkle from Annabel’s beautiful gown, really came into its own!
Thank you Annabel and Andrew for a fantastic, happiness-filled day from start to finish (and for making our cameras extremely happy to be there too!)