Terri and Dan's Barn wedding

I met with Terri and Dan almost a year ago to talk about their wedding. They told me tales of a lambing shed at Whirlow Hall Farm which, once the lambs were cleared out would be the venue for their 250+ guests. When we visited the venue, I'll admit, I couldn't quite see how they were going to transform this breezeblock working structure into a wedding venue. But they surpassed themselves. Pot plants in the courtyard, ivy draped over railings, miles and miles of bunting, hay bales - they done good.

A few of my favourite things:

1. The food. Made by Jonty and Silversmiths provided the catering, using Whirlow Hall Farm meat - and it was goood.

2. The music. Dan's playlist accompanied the daytime and the breaks between the band and frequently had me raising an eyebrow of appreciation. And the band. Well. I didn't think a guy on guitar and a girl on drums would be able to fill the room with such an energetic and eclectic mix of floor fillers .. but the moves they inspired were testament to my wrongness.

3. The atmosphere. There was a really inclusive atmosphere, amazing for a wedding of this size. You could tell that these were a close knit family  - and close knit friendship groups too - I couldn't tell which kids belonged to which parents. Everyone seemed very relaxed, very lovely, and very good at partying!

Congrats Terri and Dan. Look forward to seeing you on your return.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2011

Fun in a Warehouse - Naomi and Doug

Meet Naomy and Doug. Last week they took me on an adventure. Decked out in my finest flipflops we braved a terrain of dead birds and general detritus to make some pre-wedding portraits of this fine couple. They are natural gadders (you know, ones who "gadabout" or "rove around looking for amusement") and needed very little encouragement from me to scramble up to the top floor of questionable buildings, fling each other about in a shopping trolly, make leaf moustaches or paddle in a chilly stream. I am now super excited about their wedding in a few weeks. Super duper excited. Thanks for a top quality evening you two.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2011

Resplendent Bump

Yesterday an old friend came to visit for the day. She's grown quite the bump since I last saw her, and in celebration we took the camera and went gadding about. 

I've been making gorilla noises all morning in appreciation of how gorgeous and sumptuous this bump is. MMM. Looking forward to meeting the little person inside it.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2011

Amy and John's weekend wedding

I used to work with Amy, and it was no surprise when we met up and she told me that her wedding plans were to pile a hundred of their friends and family into cottages for a whole weekend ending with the wedding on the Sunday. Hat's off! Planning a wedding is impressive enough, but to make that a catered weekend away for a hundred - well that requires an Amy. 

Some of my favourite things:

1) The getting ready. There were eight bridesmaids getting ready from the one cottage and the getting ready was a huge communal effort with everyone's stuff piled onto one enormous king-size bed and everyone helping each other curl hair, do make-up, paint nails and all the rest. It was a pleasure to be welcomed into that space and be one of the girls.

2) Seeing everyone muck in with making things happen. There were a few troopers in particular who worked very hard getting through their packs of details, but people seemed to chip in when needed to have everything running to plan. Whenever I see this sort of thing it challenges that bit of me that's not so good at asking for help - so I really enjoy watching it in action.

3) Bravery in the face of the necessary. At the request of the bride and groom, all the lads and lasses from the bridal party made it onto the bouncy castle in what could have been quite an exposing jaunt. Thankfully modesty remained intact in amongst the many giggles.

4) The relaxed atmosphere. Having people already on site meant this felt like quite the village affair, getting ready together, popping round next door for straighteners, nipping indoors for a post service cuppa, somewhere for young and old to have an afternoon snooze. Lovely.

Congrats Mr and Mrs! Well done on making it happen, and all the best for what follows from here.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2011

Sneaky peek of Amy and John

Just an initial favourite from yesterday's wedding ... more to come.

All images ©KateCooperPhotography2011