MARRIED…..Bessie & Ernest’s Hylands House Wedding in Essex

Welcome to Bessie and Ernest’s beautiful wedding day.  Despite having a rather nippy and blustery engagement photo shoot a few weeks prior, we were blessed with glorious sunshine and clear blue sky on their big day, which was absolutely perfect!

Bessie, the beautiful Bride-to-be, got ready at the family home with a whole hive of activity going on. The day was planned to perfection and with the help of her beautiful bridesmaids and her amazing hair and MUA, Bessie’s transformation into flawless bride was a pleasure to photograph.

While the girls focused on getting ready, I snapped away at many of the details of the morning’s preparation, like the specially chosen perfume, the sparkly ‘I DO’ shaped gems on the soles of her shoes, the gifts and thoughtful cards and well wishing text messages, everything that moved and many things that didn’t move, which all added to the day.

As  the bridal party left the house and made their way out to the beautiful white Rolls Royce many of the neighbours came out to offer their congratulations and wave her off.

Hylands House in Essex was the venue for the service and reception. I expected Ernest, the Groom, to be waiting patiently and perhaps a tad nervous for his Bride-to-be to arrive, but he wasn’t anywhere to be seen. According to the guests he hadn’t yet arrived, which was a little odd.
Just before friends became really concerned a speedy BMW came zooming up the drive, screeched to a halt at the entrance and out stepped the Groom, much to everyone’s relief!!!

The guests took their seats in the ornately decorated ceremony room, nattering and giggling; the Groom especially and his Groomsmen, who were in high spirits.

After a false alarm for the Bride’s entrance, where everyone stood and waited in anticipation, much to everyone’s amusement they all realised that it would be best to remain seated a little longer. Bessie’s grand entrance was well received, most of all by a relieved Groom, I’m sure!.  She was escorted by her father and glided gracefully down the aisle to join her husband-to-be, where they were married in front of family and friends.

The newly weds danced their way up the aisle with the whole congregation clapping and joining in with the dancing as it was now time to celebrate!

Everyone flocked out to the front of the house enjoying the company, the scenery and the sunshine and tucked into the champagne and canapés.  The children had loads of space to run around and places to explore.

With the Groom’s family from Ghana and the Bride’s family from Zambia many of the guests were wearing traditional African outfits and all the bright colours and loud patterns truly added to the vibrance of the day.

The details throughout the wedding were wonderful, from the penny sweets, thoroughly enjoyed by the children, to the signed signature mount on which guests could write lovely messages and  framed in the centre was a beautiful photograph from the engagement photo shoot I did with them a few months back.

The wedding breakfast was brilliant, consisting of super yummy traditional African food and that was followed by the speeches, which were equally brilliant!  Bessie’s Dad spoke such lovely words, which didn’t leave many dry eyes in the house.  Ernest gave an absolutely incredible, heartfelt and touching speech, ensuring there were no remaining dry eyes in the house!

The partying and celebrating continued right into the evening with everyone dancing away to African music and very fittingly the couple changed into traditional African dress for the evening.

It was such a beautiful day and a real honour to be part of Bessie and Ernest’s day and I came away from their wedding day feeling like part of the family!

Since the wedding Bessie texted me the sweetest of messages, which I would love to share with you – hope you don’t mind Bessie!

 

“We’ve just got back from honeymoon and have looked through the photos, they are truly amazing!  We were so excited about seeing them and you’ve captured everything so perfectly I can’t stop crying with happiness.  We really appreciate how special you made our day and we want another wedding just so you can take more incredible photos!”

Awwwwwwwwwww!  Isn’t she so sweet!!

Bessie and Ernest, here’s wishing you all the love and happiness in the whole wide world and when you do decide to have that second wedding (marrying each other of course!!) do give me a call! x

Big SHOUT OUT to the wonderful suppliers that helped make their day absolutely wonderful…

Wedding Planner: Viktor Andeke

Florist: Elegance Flowers www.eleganceflowers.co.uk

Hair: Edinites  224 High Road Leytonstone, London E11 3HU – 02085556767

Makeup: Makeupology www.makeupology.co.uk

Wedding Dress: Confetti and Lace www.confetti-and-lace.com

Cake: A spoonful of Sugar www.a-spoonful-of-sugar.co.uk