Anya and Paul’s spring wedding at the Shireburn Arms

It’s been a little while since I last photographed a wedding at the Shireburn and it was so good to be back. It’s one of those venues that’s perfect whatever the weather. The last time I was here it was winter and it looked beautiful and cosy. Today however - it was like full blown summer - except in April! The Shireburn arms has never looked more stunning in the gardens at the back and I was so happy for Anya and Paul, not just because it was their big day, but because I found out earlier in the day that Anya had never even been to a wedding at all! She was well and truly spoilt.

The getting ready bit

I was working with my good friend Toni Darcy for Anya and Pauls wedding. Toni is a top wedding photographer and it was great fun working with her, however today she was on filming duties. After we had spent a bit of time with the boys in the morning we headed to Anya and her bride squad at the family home. They were already in full swing when we arrived with her dad running the bridesmaids through a trial run of walking down the aisle and Anya laughing with her mum. Combine that with beautiful natural light spilling through the windows and it was perfect for natural photography.

More than anything, I love to photograph real moments at weddings - that’s what is important when you look back at your photo’s. You want to relive all the moments and feelings. I actually met Anya’s father Richard before Anya, whilst I was at a wedding fayre at Holmes mill (another of James Places venues) and he is just such a lovely man - end of. It is so clear how much his family means to him and that he will do anything for Anya and her sister Olivia. He mentioned that morning that emotions would likely be running high, and they did. It was one of the most joyful weddings I’ve been to and felt totally humbled by being there.

The legendary Andrew Froud at St Mary’s church, Clitheroe

I’ve said it before, but Andy Froud is the best vicar there is. He isn’t some stuffy intimidating bloke who takes everything far too seriously - he is part of the celebrations, and adds so much fun to the day. When Anya and her dad arrived at the church the nerves were kicking and like most brides she probably hadn’t eaten much that morning. Many vicars would hurry things along, but Andy instead hurried on down to the shop and ran back with a banana for her!! How amazing is that?

After a beautiful service full of laughter, a few tears, and an incredible performance from a relative who happens to be a Royal opera singer, it was on to the Shireburn arms through a tunnel of confetti and a brief stop on Cromwell’s bridge to take in the views.

couple under a blossom tree in the evening sun light

brides hand under the veil in nice sunlight

bw photo of the bride laughing with friends and family at home in the morning

sunlight hitting the brides eyes as she plays with her veil

bride and her dad kiss as her sister adjusts her veil

bw photo of the brides dad giving her a big hug

bride and her father wiping tears. BW photo

BW photo of brides mother comforting her husband as he looks proudly at his daughter in the foreground

bw photo of the bride walking down the aisle with her father

bw photo of brides mum wiping a tear in church

bride and groom leave church in the sunlight with the public looking on

bride and her grandfather outside church

bride and groom walk through confetti outside church

bride and groom couple shot. Bride playing with her veil

wedding guest laughing and pulling his tie over his head

detail shot of the groom practising his speech

brides mother laughing during the speeches

bride and her father laughing during the grooms speech

bw photo of emotional father of the groom. The brides mother has her hand on his cheek to comfort him

groom emotional during his speech so his father gives him a hug as he struggles

mother of the groom and father of the bride laughing

bw photo. Bride’s mother holding hands in the air and singing. Emotional tribute to a lost relative

Emotional tribute to a lost relative. Close up of hands holding in the air. BW photo

BW photo. Emotional tribute to a lost relative

Groomsmen drinking out of a flask in the evening sun light

bride and groom in golden light under a blossom tree

bride and groom walking through the field at the back of the Shireburn arms

Shot of the bride and groom through the veil in the evening sun light

bw photo of the bride and her sister laughing

bride and groom first dance at the Shireburn Arms

groom hugging his friend on the dance floor

bw photo of the bride twirling while dancing with dad

bride and da in the background while brides maids dance in the foreground

brides father shakes hands with the groom

Drinks reception, and speeches at the Shireburn Arms

As I mentioned earlier the gardens at the Shireburn looked particularly stunning today as the flowers and blossom trees bathed in the kind of sunshine that you normally expect in June, not April. Guests sipped cocktails and beers before heading in for the wedding breakfast.

The speeches were hilarious, and there was more than one occasion where Toni and myself couldn’t help but laugh along too - especially when the best man pulled out a text conversation he’d had printed from between himself and Paul when he first met Anya.

After an emotional tribute to lost loved ones it was back out into the evening sunlight for some relaxed photo’s in the nearby field before a game of ‘Mr and Mrs’ marked the start of the night time party

Dance floor mayhem!

Oh my did these guys know how to party. That dance floor got wild and I loved it! It is so good to see everyone on the floor having a great time, I love to photograph this and think it’s just as important to capture as the rest of the day

That’s it from me for now. Dave