Autumnal Warwickshire Wedding Photography at Wethele Manor

Wedding Photography at Wethele Manor (Warwickshire) always comes easy. I am not sure what it is about Wethele Manor, but it is always wonderful, and more often than not, an electric atmosphere. Perhaps it is something to do with the outdoor, rural location that lets people relax and enjoy themselves. Or maybe it is just how welcoming their staff are. Sometimes I go to a venue and the staff make you feel like a hindrance more than anything else. Not so at Wethele Manor! Simon, Duncan and Rebecca always have a big smile for you when you come and are always happy to help. I enjoyed Lucy & Bill’s wedding so much, it seemed to just fly by. The guests were so lovely and definitely up for a laugh, that is made my job, not seem like a job. I hope they enjoy the photos as much as I did creating them…

Their Love Story

1) Please tell me how you first met?
Bill had worked at the same company as my brother, George, and his girlfriend, Stacey, for several years and were good friends. When Bill sold his flat in Leamington he moved into Stacey’s spare room while he was house hunting. When I came down from Newcastle to visit one hot weekend in July, Bill and I hit it off immediately and were pretty much inseparable for the next few days. When he took me out to dinner a few days later for our first date, the waitress came over to our table five times before we were ready to order as we were so busy talking that we forgot to look at the menu…2) When was it you knew they were the one?
The weekend after we first met, Bill and my family secretly plotted that he would join us at my parents’ house for our annual Yorkshire Day celebrations. The moment I saw him step out of his car with a big grin on his face and a large bouquet of flowers (which he muttered “are for your Mum”) I knew this was something special. I was so chuffed that he would go to such great lengths to surprise me, including driving almost 200 miles in Friday rush hour traffic! From the start I felt as though I’d known Bill for years – he is so much fun to be around, hugely caring and supportive, and is not afraid to stand up to me when I have one of my infamous ‘moody’ moments!3) Could you give us the story of the proposal?
It was a cold, crisp day last December when Bill persuaded me that we should go out for a walk to cure my post-Christmas party hangover. As we were ambling through the fields, Bill was becoming increasingly tetchy about a family with a large golden Labrador who was following a few hundred yards behind us. He kept suggesting we stop and let them past, but I just told him he was being silly and said he should ignore them. Eventually, they went off on a different path and we were alone again. Bill saw his moment, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I was so surprised I think I said “Of course I will!” then laughed as I realised he was kneeling in the mud! 4) If you don’t mind sharing, can you tell me something quirky, funny or silly about your partner?
Lucy – Bill has a curious mind and likes to ponder over life’s great mysteries, particularly when I’m trying to get to sleep at night when he’ll ask me questions such as ‘Which one would win a fight between a fox and a badger?’ and ‘Why don’t penguins get cold feet?’ and ‘Do octopuses have tongues?’. He also talks and sings in his sleep…
Bill – Lucy is certainly not a night owl and given her way I’m sure would happily be in bed for 8:30 every weekday, in fact in winter it is rare to make it past 8 without her being in her pyjamas. Lucy is easy to read and has absolutely no ability to disguise if she is in a bad mood, however, she is also the easiest person to make smile again simply by being told a silly joke. 5) What is your perfect day together?
A sunny autumn day with bacon sandwiches for breakfast, followed by a long walk over the fields. Then we’d come home and cook a roast dinner, then curl up on the sofa in front of the fire with a glass of wine or a beer and a good film. 6) Apart from the obvious, what are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
Having all our family and friends together in one place will be amazing. I’m also looking forward to seeing Bill’s reaction when he first sees me in my wedding dress. 7) What was it that inspired you to go for the theme or the decor you chose for your wedding?
As we were planning a rural, autumn wedding we decided to use an ivy and maple leaf design in oranges, browns and golds to match the bright and varied colours of the season. We’re aiming to create a cosy, rustic ambience for the evening reception with candles, pine cones, conkers and tree cookies around the venue. 8) Please tell me one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your wedding planning process, that you could pass on to future bride’s reading this blog?
Our wedding spreadsheet was invaluable! We booked all the big, important stuff as early as possible then did the rest bit by bit during the months leading up to the wedding and kept track of everything as we went along. This meant we could actually enjoy the planning process without getting overwhelmed by how much there was to do in such a short space of time. Also, keep in mind WHY you’re getting married, and don’t worry about things you can’t control (such as the weather!) 9) When searching, what were you were looking for in a wedding venue?
We both wanted a venue that would be wholly ours for the weekend, with enough accommodation for family and a few close friends. Wethele Manor is set in beautiful countryside and has a really homely feel to it with lots of quirky original features. Although we considered venues from Yorkshire and Worcestershire (and everywhere in between) finding the perfect wedding venue in the next village to where we live has made everything logistically much easier! The staff there have been brilliant from start to finish, we really couldn’t have hoped to find a better venue.10) Could you tell me the process you went through when you were looking for a wedding photographer?
Neither of us like posing for pictures and wanted to be able to enjoy our wedding day without it turning into an endless photograph session. Duncan set us both at ease when we first met and assured us that he would remain largely ‘invisible’ throughout the day. We particularly liked the fact that he was focussed on capturing the little moments that make the day special, and that might otherwise be missed in the excitement of it all.