Emma & Patrick (aka Paddy) were truly the most wonderful, fun and laid-back couple.
I met this gorgeous pair during lockdown whilst offering Doorstep Portraits to local residents of St Albans. Since our very first meeting and those initial photos on the steps of their home with their baby girl, I then went on to meet and photograph Emma, Paddy, and their daughter, Livvi, a further two more times before they asked me if I would photograph their wedding!

Emma, Patrick & Livvy, Heartwood Forest, St Albans, 2021

This particular wedding day was so much fun to be a part of and capture. E&P hired the most sensational wedding planner that I have ever had the pleasure (and luxury!) of working with; Lucy Ann Events. From start to finish, E&P’s wedding weekend was an absolute dream for any photographer to capture and attend.

I met both E&P early on Saturday morning in the stunning city of Cheltenham at No. 131, where I moved between Bridal and Groom prep to capture those all-important details.
The ceremony itself took place at Cheltenham’s infamous Pitville Pump Room where they had the wonderful (‘not that’) Olvia Coleman officiating. The reception party then moved back to No 131 (via a vintage double-decker bus) where guests were treated to signature cocktails and a dining room that made you feel as though you had been transported to Spain for dinner!

The details were so carefully thought out and the entire day was curated to an impeccable standard thanks to the amazing efforts of Lucy, the planner, and the wonderfully helpful staff at both No 131 and the Pitville Pump Rooms. The Brides gorgeous gown complemented the venues, the weather and all of the day’s finer details perfectly! The day was simple yet FULL of elegance. City Chic is how I would describe it!

When I spoke with Emma a few weeks after the big day, this is how she described her hopes and dreams for the big day…

What did you envision your wedding being prior to planning?

We wanted a very chilled non-traditional wedding. Essentially just a day for our closest friends and family to all be together with good food, good drinks and good music

What were your colour palette and your style vision?

Again we wanted a very simple, no-fuss style so went very neutral and simple with greens and whites. Delicate petals and candles lined the aisle and were later moved to the tables accompanied by little bud vases with single flower stems. We were doing sharing platters for the meal so the main focus on the table plan was nice glasses and crockery with plenty of space for the sharing platters so we had to keep it simple.

What is one piece of advice that you would give future Brides-to-be?

Enjoy the run-up! You will be blown away at how kind and generous everyone is, so just embrace it and enjoy it all. As cliche as it sounds, do not worry about the small things; no one will notice or care. Focus on good food, good drinks and good music as that’s what most people remember and take away from the day. Try and pause and take in every moment of the day as it goes by so quickly.

What unique elements or DIY details did you include?

I tried to source a lot of things myself, I bought the petals from hobby craft, and I made the table numbers myself. I got the easels, table number stands and post box all from Amazon (with the postbox, I just spray-painted it and put our initials on it)!

Suppliers

Photographer; Lori Young Photography
Planner & Co-ordinator; Lucy Ann Events
Celebrant; Olvia Coleman
Florist; Charlotte Phipps Florist
Tables & Decor; Event Furniture by Tarren & Lulabee Weddings
Bus hire; Cotswold Vintage Bus Hire
Children’s Corner; Pitch up and Play
Brides Outfit; Dress; Kenneth Winston (purchased from; Brides and Bustles)
Accessories; Lori Muldoon
Shoes; Stuart Weitzman
The Groom’s outfit; Suit, Accessories & Shoes; Freddie Hatchet
Flower Girl Dress; La Coqueta Kids
Music; Ceremony; Louis Coupe & Déjà Vu Wedding Band
Hair & Make-up; Friends of the Bride