With Natalie’s creativity and Ben’s amazing organising skills we knew we were in for a treat….
A Loughborough Wedding at Open Heaven Church
Natalie and Ben’s service at the St Peter’s Centre, Loughborough, beautifully illustrated how God is central to every aspect of their lives including their marriage. The service included lots of worship and a time when friends could come up the front and pray for the couple as they began the next stage of their life together.
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Creative Retro Wedding
Before the wedding Natalie had told us they were having some big balloons and she wasn’t joking! You will see what I mean later in the blog … BIG !! Lots of fun retro details filled the day including a candy bar complete with peanut butter cups, retro soda pop cans (throwback pepsi & mountain dew) and a fabulous guest book idea where guests could type a message on a beautiful vintage typewriter. I loved the little flags in the cup cake decoration too, Hurray!!
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The Wedding Photography
Dave met up with Ben and the boys while they were having a Full English Breakfast … take note future Grooms, you don’t want to start your day on an empty stomach! I joined Natalie and got to know her lovely bridesmaids as I photographed all the pretty details. Natalie made the most beautiful bride and we got some stunning, timeless portraits before setting off to the church. The service was held in a big room and we had free reign to photograph from any angle we wanted which meant we could get a wide variety of shots. I love the one of Ben’s face as he watches Natalie walk up the aisle towards him! Despite the weather forecast predicting rain it was dry for the group shots and STAYED dry for the couple shoot. Dave and I had spotted a lane close to the church with a few trees and some garages painted cool colours, and since getting there meant walking past a graffiti wall… well we couldn’t just walk by without taking a few shots there too! We often like to find a quiet spot for the couple shoot so the bride and groom can have a bit of time to relax and let the fact they have just got married sink in!!
Natalie started off the speeches with a great story about the first time she thought Ben was proposing …but it turned out the small box actually contained an ipod! We are beginning to see more brides giving a speech so if it’s something you’ve been considering … just do it! The first dance was pretty impressive as Natalie and Ben know some moves and then things went crazy as a flashmob of bridesmaids joined in and soon everyone was dancing to the beat of Tuxedo Swing Big Band. (Who I’d just like like to say were top notch and had me tapping my toes whilst capturing the general merriment) Once the dancing was well underway Dave took up his post at our fabulous photobooth and we got lots of fun photos including our top bride and groom pose this year! (You’ll need to get all the way to the bottom to see that one!)
Presenting…Natalie and Ben’s Loughborough Wedding…
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Couldn’t resist this one of the wedding VW waiting to take the bride to the church…get it…deliveries!!
One of Ben’s favourite photographs (above)
One of Natalie’s favourite photographs (above)
Music from the Birmingham Conservatoire’s Felicity Smith String Trio and the Open Heaven’s Worship Band played an important part in the service
When possible Dave photographs the confetti from the back and I stand at the front so we can get shots like these…
One of my favourites!
I was very happy when I saw this shot by Dave who just happened to be shooting down from the first floor when this was happening …
Polaroid camera, typewriter AND stickers … pretty cool eh!
This young man typed a whole story about the Bride and Groom who of course lived happily ever after!
The favour bags (which contained monkey nuts) were hand made with the wedding logo
And the winner of the best Bride and Groom pose in the photobooth 2014 goes to… Natalie and Ben!
READ THE INTERVIEW
WHERE TO GET IT
Florist: Lisa at Fleur en Fleur
Hairdresser, Jackie – Tip Top Hair Design
Wedding dress: Ashlie from Berketex Bride
Strings – Birmingham Conservatoire – Felicity Smith String Trio
Band: Tuxedo Swing
Venue: St.Peter’s Centre, Loughborough
Ruth and Dave specialise in creative documentary storytelling and relaxed fine art portraiture. Based in Leicester they are available for Loughborough wedding photography and for weddings throughout the UK. To find out if they are available for your wedding date send a message through the contact page or give Ruth a ring on 07807419140
by Ruth Joy
Bridget Day - These wedding photographs are the best I have ever seen. I am a friend of the family and interested to see how the day went. The photos made me intrigued to ask more questions. I particularly like the way the emotions are captured. Natalie looks so beautiful and grown up (haven’t seen her for a few years), Zillah and Andrew look so proud. These photos will certainly provide a lasting reminder of the day.
Melanie Skilbeck - I particularly like the one with the very large balloon… Some very lovely photos of a lovely day x
Matthew Hobbs - Great photos of a great day 🙂
Hannah Lucy - The photos are fantastic, never once felt like Ruth or Dave intruded on the day. You both put everyone at ease to really capture the personality of a beautiful day! Would definitely highly recommend!!!
Anne Jones - These photo’s capture the essence of the day perfectly. Fresh, imaginative, so many special moments beautifully recorded forever. In years to come we will look at these pictures and they will bring all the memories flooding back. There is only one problem, how do I choose a favourite, absolutely spoilt for choice!!
Tim - Great to see the fruits of your very hard work. You both did a great job of keeping people relaxed and were always ready when a likely shot presented itself.
And of course your job was made a whole lot easier by the beauty of Natalie and Ben’s love for each other which shines from every photo. 🙂
Andrew Hobbs - Hi Ruth
As Father of The Bride. I am very impressed with the photo’s especially of Natalie and Ben – but also the whole day. Although the day will always live in my “minds eye” the photos are a wonderful reminder. Our church friends still keep commenting on how beautiful Natalie looks on the photos and its always good to hear positive things about my daughter, who is very special. Natalie and Ben being a very special couple. Thanks so much to Dave and yourself.
Michelle Sarah Barnett - These look amazing. I especially love the one of the high table cracking up during the speeches. It was a really character-ful wedding, and Nat and Ben had made sure it was really unique to them and reflected their lives. It’s lovely to see all that personality come out in the photos.
Zillah Hobbs - Hello Ruth
I agree with Molly and would also say that the photos that you and Dave have produced are stunning! And Ruth! I know you certainly worked extremely hard on Natalie and Ben’s Big Day, taking so many photos of them, but at the same time we never felt any intrusion; everything felt so natural while you and Dave were around. Thank you very much for that!
I have my favourites, but I honestly think that every single one of Natalie and Ben are fantastic and you have captured their immense happiness on their Special Day!!!!!!
And Natalie looks SO VERY BEAUTIFUL ! Although I AM biased as I am Natalie’s Mum. But a very proud Mum!!!!!!!
Thank you again!
From Zillah x
Molly Berenhaus - Hi Ruth!
I just wanted to say I’m so impressed by the work you’ve done for Natalie and Ben :0) They’re such a fantastic couple and your photography PERFECTLY captured their special day!!!!
All the best,
Nat’s Maid of Honor :0)