Well, it’s been a while…part 1

Well, last year was a bit mad wasn’t it? And because of that, frankly I completely neglected (or more like had no time) to actually write a blog for ANY of the weddings I did. Not good. Not good at all. Slap on the wrist for me!

So what’s this post about? Well, more of a thank you, an acknowledgement…..a celebration really. I might do some individual blogs for weddings along the line this year, maybe catch up on some of the ones from last year too. But I just wanted to put this out there in recognition of one of the maddest, baddest, awesome-est wedding years I have ever had! But as I had so many weddings and so many places to go, I am going to break it down into a few smaller blogs because…..well, I hope you’re not bored by these mini essays, but if I was to do them all, I think it would be bigger than War and Peace knowing me. So, lets dig in for the first few of 2022!

Where to start? First off……a HUGE thank you and congrats to all of the couples I worked with last year. I wouldn’t have a job for all those gorgeous, loved up delights! And every one of them was just that…..a complete delight. I laughed harder than ever before. I CRIED at a lot more weddings last year than ever too….soppy sod I am! I was made to feel so welcome, so part of the day and the feedback from all of them was just…..well, frankly slightly overwhelming and very humbling, I have to say.

This is why I love my job. There is nothing I don’t like. But the best bit is meeting and working with so many like-minded people as myself and just having the best time. So thank you, from deep deep down in my shoes, thank you. Every one of you is an absolute rockstar!

And now to the venues. Some I know well, some I have never been to before. And not one disappointed. I went to some incredible places this year and was always lovely to go back to the familiar ones too. Some amazing new venues to me (a lot more than I thought!) and some places that aren’t even venues, but the wedding was spectacular. Each and every one of them made me feel welcome and added their own little bit of something special for those couples days. I want to give a big shout out to the venues I hadn’t actually visited before, always a nerve wracking time as most venues have regular suppliers who they know well, so coming in new to a venue always gives me a little bit of the nerves because I hope I can live up to the expectations and work well with the staff. I usually have nothing to worry about though, it’s just my usual demeanour!

And to the venues I know well…..it’s ALWAYS a delight to go back to them. Familiar and lovely. So thank you!

So let’s give these places a big up shall we? Bruiseyard Hall Country Estate in Suffolk. What a gorgeous place for Virginia and Zukie’s military wedding. Also big shout out to Harness and Co wedding planners a very happy lady Vanessa who had been waiting for a military wedding for ever!

Lanwades Hall is a venue I have been to quite a few times before and I always love going there. Why? It’s small, intimate, beautiful and perfect for Matthew and Michael’s wedding. And the food is always cracking!

Two weddings at the rather stunning Barrington Hall in Cambridge, first being Anna and Jamie’s gorgeous and FINALLY doing it after so many rearrangements and Kate and John’s gorgeous, hot summer wedding where they travelled up from London and family from Uganda making up the guest list. A venue I hadn’t been to before and one I can’t wait to go back to. Gorgeous place, fun staff, well organised, great food and lovely atmosphere!

Compact and bijou, the Haycock Manor for Gemma and Tim’s wedding was absolutely ideal for a smaller, more intimate wedding. But what a day and what a lovely little venue! And a really fun day!

Carrying on a theme, I was next at the fabulous Pendley Manor in Tring, Hertfordshire. Yet another venue I had never been to and what a place! PEACOCKS!!!!! Loads of them, all on display, roaming the grounds like they own it! And Vikki and Jasmine were so so up for their wedding and it showed…..the excitement on Vikki’s face all day was hard to hide (see first pic!), Jasmine more nervous and reserved, but no less excited! A gorgeous place, an absolutely fab couple!

Wanna guess on the next venue? Go on, take a wild stab…..yep, another one I hadn’t been to before. Seems to be a theme going on here haha! Sheene Mill in Cambridgeshire is a small gem hidden away with it’s own lake, pagoda for outdoor ceremonies and enough space for a small, intimate wedding, which was ideal for Brook and Paul on their big day. Brilliant entertainment by the amazing Cara Beard and a bride who insisted she “had a smile like Chandler” (those who know, know), a lovely little wedding and a lovely little venue.

Knights Hill Hotel in Kings Lynn was a lovely venue for Emma and Gareth’s many time rearranged wedding, but it was finally done! A fab, fun couple who just wanted to get the deed done and have a good time, we got some great photos. Privilege to be at this wedding, for sure!

Virginia and Zukie at Bruiseyard Hall

Shenanigans at Lanwades Hall

Anna and Jamie at Barrington Hall, Cambridge

Kate and John’s summer scorcher at Barrington Hall

Gemma and Tim living the high life at Haycock Manor

Vikki and Jasmine rocking it, big time at the gorgeous Pendley Manor

Brook and Paul at the small, intimate and lovely Sheene Mill

Wardrobe malfunction for the ever smiling, gorgeous Emma at Knights Hill Hotel, Kings Lynn

I have so many more venues I need to write about, so I am going to leave the next instalment of images and shout outs to part 2 of this blog series, as they all deserve a wave and a big up. Can’t wait to get back to it this year either!