Wedding Photos at Rufford Mill
I got to take some gorgeous wedding photos at Rufford Mill last year for Lucy and Chris’ lovely wedding. It was an absolute pleasure to be photographing their special day and there was so much pretty to photograph. I loved the pink geraniums that adorned all the tables. Lucy’s dad had been growing them especially for the wedding, and they just looked so lovely. I got to take a tub home with me, which I was delighted about. The flowers were all DIY. Lucy’s bouquet came from Wild and Bloom. And she bound it herself. I thought it worked really well for a rustic bouquet and looked amazing with her boho dress, which was hand made for her by her grandfather’s partner. It looked just beautiful. I loved her dress!
Getting ready
Lucy and her bridesmaids got ready at Centre Parcs and I loved getting them out for portraits. There were even some ducks waddling about, which we got in the photos too. In fact, it was fitting as there were plenty of Ducks in the wedding photos at Rufford Mill too. And Lucy and Chris had even made sure there was duck food for their guests to feed them all. The woodland backdrop at Centre Parcs seemed very fitting for Lucy’s boho style. All the girls looked lovely.
Walking around the lake
One of my favourite parts of the day was walking around the lake with Lucy and Chris after their wedding breakfast. I normally do two mini portrait sessions in the day. One just before the wedding breakfast and another in the early evening when everything just feels a bit more relaxed. We got to have a lovely evening stroll around the lake. We bumped into a few guests who had decided to do the same along the way. And we also got some awesome photos. It was a great opportunity for Lucy and Chris to have some alone time too. It felt very relaxed and was just a lovely way to spend 20 minutes of the evening.
Lucy and Chris’ top 5
Lucy and Chris picked their favourite photos for my blog. It’s always really interesting to see which photos my couples pick. Here are there’s.
One: “I love the photos of me and my bridesmaids, I was really nervous getting ready, and that photo was the first photo where we were all set and ready to go. Kathryn showed me a sneak peak of the photo she took and I remember thinking about how everything had just finally come together.”
Two: “Walking among all the geese and the ducks is another of my favourite photos, I didn’t know we were having our photo taken and feels really authentic, the nature really portrays what our day was all about.”
Three: “I love the photo where we are just looking at each other among the silver birches, because it had rained that morning before the sun came out, there wasn’t many people in the park, it felt like we had it to ourselves.”
Four: “I love the photo of the bridesmaids and best men, the tones, colours and balance of the photo is lovely, everyone looks lovely in this photo.”
Five: “I couldn’t chose between these two shots of us kissing, one is dramatic with the contrast of the light and the dark, but I also love the fresh green trees and dappled colours in the other one. I feel like there is no greater backdrop than the beautiful nature around you.”
Bonus pick (from the groom) “My husband likes the one at the end where it was the end of the night and we were saying goodbye to Kathryn and she offered to take one last photograph, he liked the simplicity of us standing there smiling at the camera, we look just so happy, it was such a great day.”
What was the best decision you made about your wedding day?
Having it all in the same venue – really took the stress out of it. Also our venue was really close to home so we were able to dash back when we realised some stuff had been forgotten, also meant was really easy to turn up all the time during the planning, we got to know the staff really well. They really made our day so special. Also I think it’s worth the money getting a good photographer (and I’m not just saying that because of this blog) your wedding photos are whats left to remember the day by, having such beautiful photos means we get to look back and enjoy the day, no matter how much time passes.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Think about sleep! Just didn’t occur to me that I’d not be able to sleep before the big day, I didn’t sleep a wink. Honestly I was so stressed that it would ruin my day (I was so excited turns out I was fine) I wish I’d been more prepared for that! Also would recommend extra hair grips, as my hair came out a little. I think an evening dress may have been nice too – my wedding dress was very ‘fitted’ and it became a little uncomfortable towards the end of the day and so an evening dress may have made things a little more comfortable. Though was lovely being able to wear it till the end!
Can you remember how you found out about Kathryn Edwards Photography?
I think I just came across her Instagram account, I showed the photos to my husband (fiance) at the time, we initially were thinking of a lower budget for the photos, but in the end we felt like the photos were the only windows you got to look back on the day and Kathryn’s portfolio was just too nice, Chris looked at the expression on my face and just said, well why don’t you call her and see if she’s available then, I called immediately on the spot, she was just on the way to a wedding too but she said she wasn’t booked for our wedding day and so that was that!
Some of My favourites
Well, thanks so much for the input Lucy and Chris and for your lovely kind words about my photography. I am so pleased you chose me to photograph your wedding day. It was such a special day and I shall always remember it. Here are a few captures from the day that evoke good memories, smiles and a fondness for all the people I was photographing and particularly Lucy and Chris, who were wonderful to work with.
Credit where credit is due:
Venue: Rufford Mill | Dress: Made for Lucy by her grandfather’s partner | Flowers: Bloom & Wild | DJ and light up letters: Jemstone
