So, when I met E to discuss the prospect of photographing her forthcoming wedding, she told me it would be colourful. Hands up, I completely underestimated the degree to which she would be drawing upon her own personal creativity for the event.
It didn’t take long for me to realise that artist, E and her American fiancé S are major fans of the crowd-pleasing Pixar movie, Up. The touching love story between curmudgeonly octogenarian balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen and his childhood sweetheart/wife Ellie, has a simple and heart-wrenching innocence. How could artist, E, resist tapping in to the fictitious couple’s lifelong promise of adventure? “You and me, we’re in a Club now”, says Ellie, as she pins the Grape Soda Club badge on Carl’s chest. What more poignant or appropriate talisman for this bride to replicate for her husband-to-be and to present to him on the morning of their nuptials? He rightly wore it with some degree of pride.
The theme did not stop there. Trinity church, no doubt not unfamiliar with the sight of the occasional stunning floral display, was instead utterly festooned with foil balloons, giving an air of celebration and joy that I have never before experienced in a serious building such as this. The wedding cake didn’t disappoint either.
The bride held an indiscreet bouquet as quirky and colourful as the church decor. The flowers were paper; in the brightest, most vivid colourful combinations imaginable; lush and screaming ‘Hey, over here, don’t look at her, look at me!’ All provided by Dandie Creations.
E’s wedding gown was sleeveless and lacy. Feminine and elegant without any ostentation whatsoever.
The Reception was held at the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate. The large, open room was laid with round tables with simple white cloths, but the next level table trappings could only have been provided by an artist. The centrepiece for each table was a to-scale replica of Carl Fredricksen’s house. Remember, the one that he flew across two continents by attaching a gazillion balloons to the roof? Yep, that one. Utterly Upperly.
A dusk-lit stroll around the neighbouring 17 acre Grade II listed Valley Gardens sealed the deal, providing us with some quiet corners and lush autumnal backdrops for our bride and groom portraits. “We’re terrible in front of the camera”, they told me. Thirsty minutes of locked eyes and locked lips later, I’m not even sure they noticed I’d been photographing the entire time. And who can blame the groom, when his bride looked so ravishing, thanks in part to the handiwork of Chrys Chapman, hair & make up artist.
This marriage was made all the more tender and emotive due the fact that it signified a second union; that of two separate families, since both E and S each have a child from previous relationships. These four humans are so close and emotionally entwined that it would be impossible for an objective observer to recognise that they were not, up to the point of repeating their vows, already one single unit.
I’ve been to a lot of weddings, of all sizes, budgets and themes, but none have been more joyous than this.
E’s wedding gown was supplied by JJ’s House, whilst the fabulous boots were from Schuh.
The Up house table centrepieces were from Etsy and hand painted by the bride.
The photo booth and giant games were supplied by Sunshine Events.
The Grape Soda pin can be purchased from eBay.
Congratulations E, S & family. To quote Dug the dog, “I have just met you and I love you.”
