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Julia and Anthony’s Wedding at Leicester City Rooms

 

Julia and Anthony were so welcoming and friendly and it was a real joy to photograph their ceremony at St. Luke’s Church, Thurnby and wedding reception Leicester City Rooms. When I first arrived the house was full of mystery over who had planted the Bride and Groom loo paper in the upstairs bathroom…I still don’t know who did it!! Great idea though! I completely fell in love with Julia’s stunningly simple vintage look sequenced dress which was so perfect for her and looked great with her stylish short hair. Meanwhile Dave met up with the lads at the Ramada Hotel in Leicester which just happened to be five minutes away from our flat in Leicester’s cultural quarter, an area perfect for a few urban portraits before it was time for everyone to head to the pub!

When I got to the church Dave had a big smile on his face and I knew we had a helpful vicar which would mean we could get the photos we wanted. John Barrett Rector at St Luke’s Church Thurnby was amazing. Really friendly, great sermon and best of all he gave us lots of freedom to photograph the wedding in the way we wanted. I love ceremony photos and we work hard at getting beautiful shots of incredible moments without getting too close or being distracting.  Sometimes the restrictions we are given such as being told where to stand even in large churches make me want to cry with frustration…but no such issues here!

We decided to take the couple photos in the beautiful green lanes close to the Church which made a beautiful backdrop and where pleasantly surprised when a group of skateboarding hoodied teenagers came by and not only apologised for being in our shot but wished the happy couple congratulations, bless!

Leicester City Rooms made a very elegant venue for the reception. Full of ornate gilt framed mirrors, stunning chandeliers and a grand piano in the main room. Elki Palmer, the wedding co-ordinator is friendly and efficient and the evening ran very smoothly allowing everyone to simply enjoy themselves. Make sure you scroll down to the end of the blog for one of my favourite first dance shots of 2014! Enjoy!

Julia’s mum looked after everyone with croissants, chocs, crisps and lots of tea!

Meanwhile…Dave was with the lads getting ready at the Ramada Hotel in Leicester just 5 minutes walk from our flat…perfect!

What a pretty pub and just across the road from the Church!

Pretty as a Princess!

Dutch Courage anyone?

Love this shot when the ring bearer sees the rings for the first time!

If the Royal Family start taking applications for people to join them Julia …just saying because that’s a fabulous wave!

Top Right: Remember this confetti moment Julia 😉

We would like to say a big thank you to Ryan for being such a brilliant best man!

Love this shot of you Julia.. its one of Dave’s favourites too, you look so happy!

Gifts for the Flowergirl and Page Boys went down a treat!

Announcing the winners of the – Who knows Julia and Anthony Best quiz….

Jagermeister Time!

Cheers Boys!

OK so this was a bit scary! …and yes it is Anthony behind the mask!

Here’s where the little kids showed the big kids how to party!Julia, your arms say it all…what a fabulous day!

LOVE LOVE LOVE this first dance shot, you guys rock!

 

READ THE INTERVIEW 

ROMANTIC PROPOSAL WITH A PADLOCK

 

WHERE TO GET IT

Church: St. Luke’s Church, Thurnby

Reception Venue:The City Rooms

Wedding Co-ordinator: Elki Palmer – elki@thecityrooms.co.uk

Florist: Family friends Melissa Wragg and Anne Sawford

Makeup Artist: Candi Cofie – Candi Cofie@hotmail.com

Hairdresser: Haircraft – Katie

Bridesmaid dress: Debenhams

Men’s Tuxes: Slaters

Chair Covers: exquisite chaircovers@hotmail.com

Cake: Marks and Spencer

Pianist: Gary Davies

DJ: Cream Entertainments

 

Looking for Leicestershire Wedding Photography? Ruth and Dave specialise in creative documentary storytelling. They are available for weddings throughout the UK and abroad. 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

SAM AND IAN GET WED AT SKETCHLEY GRANGE

When we ask our brides and grooms about what is important to them on their wedding day we often hear the reply…Having all our family and friends gathered around us to celebrate our big day. One thing that struck us from Sam and Ian’s wedding was the importance of Family and the close ties between them from young to the old.

The girls got ready at Sketchley Grange in a lovely room with gorgeous huge gilt framed mirror. Having a large mirror in your bridal preparation room is a great idea as they can be part of the creation of  some beautiful photos. If you are getting ready at home and don’t have a full length mirror its worth asking around your friends to see if anyone has a free standing one you can borrow. This kind of mirror is particularly helpful as it can be positioned where the best light is and good light is a photographers best friend! The large window at the end of the room provided the perfect light for some stunning bridal portraits once Sam had put on her dress, the finishing touch into her transformation into a very beautiful bride!

Meanwhile Dave was capturing some great breakfast action with the boys before accompanying them to the Cross Keys Pub, Burbage for some pre- wedding ceremony Dutch Courage! The boys waiting until they arrived at the Cross Keys before putting on their button holes in the pub garden. This is a good idea for two reasons, firstly, the nearer to the ceremony they go on the less likely they are to get damaged beforehand and also putting on button holes outside is great for a few photos. Be warned however that this seemingly easy task is not as simple as it looks and its worth watching a UTube video on how to do it!

After the ceremony at the beautiful St.Catherine’s Church we all headed off to Sketchley Grange for the reception. Dave and I had taken a quick look around early in the morning and had found a perfect tree lined little lane. So once Sam and Ian had grabbed a couple of celebratory glasses of champagne we headed off for a few relaxed wedding photos of the two of them.  I love this time in the day as it gives the couple a chance to focus on each other and let the fact that the wedding ceremony is over and they really are husband and wife really start to sink in!! After meeting Sam and Ian’s friends and family we knew that getting people onto the dance floor wasn’t going to be a problem and sure enough once the DJ started  there was plenty of action for Dave and I to capture on camera making a fabulous end to a wonderful wedding day!

Wedding Venue: Sketchley Grange , weddings@sketchleygrangehotel.co.uk

Wedding Coordinator: Rebecca Picketts 01455 251133

Florist: Donna from Blooming Lovely, Hinckley 01455 637000 donna.letters@yahoo.co.uk

Cake Artist:  Friend – Gavin Hunt 07966025376

DJ: Rob Clark 07872468781

Wedding Dress: Lineys Brides, Hinckley 01455 615660

Bridesmaid Dresses: Debenhams

Decorations: Truly Scrumptious Weddings, Naomi, 07968 457145 trulyscrumptiousweddings@hotmail.co.uk

Looking for Leicestershire Wedding Photography? Ruth and Dave specialise in creative documentary storytelling. They are available for weddings throughout the UK and abroad. 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

 

Hannah and Tim’s Wedding at Bearwood College, Wokingham

 

“If there was one thing we did right in planning the wedding it was asking Ruth Joy Photography to take the pictures. They were brilliant and helped in making this the best day of our lives”  Tim & Hannah  

When we first met Hannah and Tim at the White Lion Pub in Yateley we knew this was going to be a great wedding. They were both so open, friendly and excited about their big day and we soon realised that music, fun and laughter were going to be a big part of it!

On the morning of the wedding, Hannah’s five bridesmaids were singing and dancing as I arrived to photograph the bridal prep. This turned out to be a great way to keep the children entertained and soon everyone was joining in! Hannah had decided to go for silk flowers which are much easier to look after than real flowers and also make a lovely memento of the day to keep forever. Whilst I normally advise brides to get a professional make up artist to help them feel extra special on their wedding day Hannah turned out to be a dab hand with a makeup brush herself. I discovered how important the search for the perfect foundation is and Hannah’s complexion was so flawless yet natural that its made me want to learn more and I may even start watching U-tube videos!

The service was wonderful and the way Hannah and Tim looked at each other…well you’ll see for yourself. Getting a bit emotional when editing tends to happen a lot in my job, and these photos were just the sort to start me off! There was a great feeling of support from the whole congregation and at the end of the service Hannah’s Mum and a small group from their church came to the front to pray for the couple  which was a very special way to end the service.

The reception was held at the grand Bearwood College with its sweeping vista down to the lake and a field full of purple flowers which just happened to match the Wedding colours! Vintage tea sets and country garden inspired flower arrangements filled the tables as the guests settled down for afternoon tea, speeches and a lovely surprise for Hannah and Tim who were unexpectedly serenaded by the bridesmaids! Once the last cupcake had found a home everyone was ready to enjoy the garden games and a drink on the terrace.  As the light faded it was time for the first dance and it didn’t take long for their guests to join them on the dance floor making a great end to a magical day.

 

Hannah’s make up collection was quite a wonder to behold!

Wow! what a classic beauty you are Hannah and your veil was perfect for you!

When it comes to proud dads….well what can I say!

Tim was very patient while he waited for his bride to appear…

and finally the moment arrived…

and it was well worth waiting for!

Congratulations Hannah and Tim!!

See what I mean…what a gorgeous view!

So when I finally stopped rolling around in the grass with my camera to get this shot I discovered I was covered in about 100 burrs …much to Dave’s amusement!

Vintage china….Yum!

How cool is this Periodic Table plan!!

The gardens games kept all the kids…big and small thoroughly entertained!

The hills are alive…..

What a great day … we hope these photographs bring the memories flooding back for you both 🙂

 

 

READ THE INTERVIEW 

SUBMARINE RIDES & BEE STINGS

 

 

 WHERE TO GET IT

Florist:  Silk blooms and my mother.

Cake: My housemate and friend Rachel Mason

Makeup Artist: Bride

Hairdresser: Joanne Davidson 

Wedding Dress: Borrowed Blue and Lace

Bridesmaid Dresses: Dessy

Men’s Tuxes: Anthony Blay 

DJ: Enigma Arts, Three Mile Cross, Reading, Berkshire – Tel: (07872) 530227

 

Leicester based Wedding Photographers Ruth and Dave are available for Wokingham Wedding Photography and Weddings throughout the UK. Specialising in creative documentary storytelling and natural couple portraits they particularly enjoy working with creative couples who make their wedding day their own. 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