lucy + shain

A grand staircase lined with fresh flowers and greenery to accompany the bride as she walked down to meet the nervous groom at the end of the aisle.

After a long 2.5hr drive, I finally made it to Chicheley Hall in Milton Keynes, a gorgeous Grade I listed mansion set on 80 acres of beautifully kept grounds. Making my way into the main house, I was met by a stunning set of marble arches and pillars to the right. To the left, a large, sweeping staircase lay before me framed by dramatic windows, and lined abundantly on one side with white and pink florals. The grounds outside were equally as beautiful, with manicured lawns, tree-lined paths and a lake we were definitely going to make use of later in the day!

Once I had made my rounds of the venue as per usual, it was time to officially start my day so I went in search of Lucy to see how she was getting along with the preparations. As she still a little while to go, I bought her dress, shoes and other accessories to another suite to give them a little photoshoot (these images always end up being some of my favourite from the gallery)! I then made my way back to Lucy to capture the rest of the bridal preparations: the finishing touches to hair/make-up, getting into the dress and lastly, a few bridal portraits.

As Lucy met with the registrar, I headed downstairs. Most day guests had already arrived and taken their seats in the ceremony hall, Shain and his groomsmen were chatting away and mingling as we all waited for the bride’s entrance. Then the time finally arrived! Lucy’s bridesmaids made their way down the wide staircase in pairs, leading the way for Lucy and her dad as Shain waited for her at the top of the aisle. She looked stunning as she walked down, as she and her dress were back-lit by the light-filled windows behind her. The ceremony proceeded smoothly and they were pronounced husband and wife!

Drinks and canapés followed in the gardens just outside, where Lucy and Shain also had a bouncy castle and an air hockey table set up for their guests and little ones. We used this time and open space for the group photos, which didn’t take too long at all as their group shot list was kept to a minimum.

We then took the newly wedded couple away to get their couple photo session. First stop? That gorgeous lake around the back of the house! I’m sure you guys will all agree with me when I say that the photo (see below) taken there is just magical, with Lucy and Shain embracing in the foreground, the house in the background, and the reflection of it all in the lake. It’s, hands down, one of my absolute favourites from the day and I knew it would be as soon as I snapped it! We walked back to the main house, snapping as we went; as I’d once heard from a photographer I had previously worked with: every walk is a photo opportunity! I love capturing these candid moments, in between poses, as some couples are not the most comfortable in front a camera, this is a great way to get beautifully natural photos.

Once the reception room was all set up, and before the guests were to be corralled in for the wedding breakfast, I made sure to take some photos of the set up. Lucy, being a graphic designer, had designed all of the graphics needed for her big day so it was extra important that we documented her gorgeous work! 4pm rolled around, and the guests were all gathered into the main hall, which had been transformed from the ceremony hall into the breakfast hall. As the wedding party and guests enjoyed their food and each other’s company, I took this time to also refuel myself.

As they finished up, the best man, groom and bride’s father took to the stage with their speeches (one of my favourite parts of the day!). Soon after, as their day guests gathered around and their evening guests filtered in, it was time for the cutting of the cake. Before long, all the guests had moved along to the dance floor as we awaited Lucy and Shain’s first dance as a wedded couple! Once they had finished and the guests began to take to floor, I snapped a few last shots as it was time for me to pack up. I had such a great day with Lucy, Shain and their loved ones that I was reluctant to go but I bid them farewell and left them to enjoy the rest of their night with their nearest and dearest.

If you are looking for a wedding photographer and would like to get in touch, please feel free to shoot me an email at hello@yllweddings.com or fill in the contact form here! I would love to hear from you! :)