So it all started back in 2015 when Lauren & Ashley had booked me for their winter wedding at Etrop Grange Hotel in Manchester on 20th January 2017 and as soon as i met them i knew it was going to a great and fun wedding and they were keen to have their wedding photography as natural as possible focusing on their loved ones.
I arrived at Lauren’s home on a cold but gloriously sunny Friday morning to capture her preparing for one of the biggest days of her life her WEDDING! When i got there all was very calm and all the ladies were having their make up done by the gorgeous Heather Rose and Molly Payne, hair done by the talented Becca at Panache Hair or getting a glass of fizz down them, Lauren was looking absolutely stunning with her bride dressing gown on and was just glowing with a big smile on her face although you could see some nerves starting to show but she certainly did not let them bother her!
In the meantime the breakfast had been delivered and eaten (a yummy full english), the flowers had been dropped off by Diddibox Flowers and oh my gosh they were stunning, having a real rustic woodland feel to them and the colours to match the beautiful burgundy bridesmaid dresses, the videographer Aaron from Nicholas Visuals was capturing memories alongside me and everything was just as it should be on a perfect bridal morning.
Whilst all this was happening Ashley was getting ready with all his groomsmen at Etrop Grange Hotel with a few beers in hand and wearing that gorgeous new watch his wife to be had bought for him to wear on their special day.
Back at Lauren’s home she was also receiving a beautiful gift from Ashley a stunning necklace from Warren James, she too could wear for the day which went perfectly with her stunning lace off the shoulder fishtail dress from Confetti Box.
As it grew nearer to Horgans Cars coming to pick her up Lauren got into her gorgeous dress that just suited her perfectly and waited for her Dad to come and see her for the first time as a stunning bride, it was certainly hard for him to hold back those tears and it was such a beautiful moment, it was time for the bridesmaids to see her too as Lauren had kept the dress a secret all this time from them all and the look of surprise and the wow’s and gasps certainly confirmed Lauren had made the most perfect choice for her dress!
It was finally time to get MARRIED, everyone was gathering at St Annes Church in Sale ready to see Lauren & Ashley tie the knot, there were lots of smiles, laughter and some tears as everyone went to take their seats and a final surprise that Ashley’s Grandad had made it to the Ceremony as they were told he was not able to make it! Ashley was clearly shocked and holding back some tears it was an incredible moment to watch!
As Lauren arrived in her classic car driven by the wonderful John, her bridesmaids were ready to greet her and get her ready to make that important walk down the aisle, there were huge smiles and maybe a few nerves for her and Ashley but as soon as they were facing each other and taking their vows they were totally relaxed and couldn’t stop staring at each other throughout the Ceremony.
It was now time to celebrate by throwing some confetti outside the church then going to Etrop Grange Hotel to grab some drink and catch up with nearest and dearest, but before Lauren & Ashley arrived we did a quick pit stop at the beautiful Walkden Gardens in Sale to capture some portraits of the newlyweds and the light was just gorgeous and also time for Lauren & Ashley to have a quick catch up alone together and to reflect on what had just happened and they could not stop smiling!
When we arrived at Etrop Grange all the guests were in full swing with their drinks and awaiting Lauren & Ashley so everyone could steal them away to give them kisses and have a good old catch up. The reception room was looking incredible dressed by Briony Donnelly with the same style of flowers as the bouquet and that gorgeous winter burgundy colour theme running through and that beautiful cake made by the talented Pink Cocoa.
The speeches began with Lauren’s Dad, followed by Ashley, Sam the brides sister and lastly the Best Man Mark and i have to say i hear a lot of speeches in my job but each one of these speeches had tears flowing and were so emotional but there were also plenty of laughs with a few embarrassing pictures thrown around of Ashley!
It was lastly time to get that cake cut and get those dancing shoes on and i have to say there were some serious moves on that floor and i don’t think Lauren came off it all night, she was letting her hair down and rightly so she and Ashley had pulled off an insanely incredible wedding for their loved ones and all that hard work and year of planning was totally worth it.
I can’t thank Lauren & Ashley enough for letting me into their personal day to capture some awesome moments for them and i have gained two great friends that makes my job so, so amazing!
Also a huge thank you to my assistant Tash Jones from Love Luella Photography who captured the groomsmen so perfectly in the morning.
I hope you both had the perfect honeymoon as husband and wife and you enjoy your memories from your wedding day!
All my love
Amy Louise X
Huge thank you to all the suppliers:
Venue – Etrop Grange
Flowers – Diddibox Flowers
Dress – Confetti Box
Hair – Panache Hair
Make Up – Heather Rose & Molly Payne
Rings – H Samuel
Jewellery – Warren James
Suits – Whitfield and Ward
Bridesmaids Dresses – YS Dress
Stationery – Can i do you a favour
Favours – Lauren Wilkinson
Cake – Pink Cocoa
Venue Dressing – Briony Donnelly
DJ – Clare Jemison
Photobooth – Party Snaps Photos
Videographer – Nicholas Visuals
Car – Horgans Cars
