Golden Hand-fasting
A leaping Love Story for Emily and Nic.
The couple's journey began years before, their story is one of growth, patience, and shared dreams. As they told me:
“We actually first met two years before we got together without realising it. Nick helped me with my music composition for GCSE when he was doing his A-level music. We then met properly at sixth form in 2012…”
Their bond grew steadily over the years, culminating in a moment where the bride took the leap herself:
“I always said that if I didn't get proposed to before I was 25, I'd ask Nic. It was a leap year, two days after my 25th birthday, so I asked Nic!”
Their love story speaks to their shared sense of humour, creativity and partnership qualities that shone brightly throughout the day.
The Venue; Knott Estate
Knott Estate became a rustic setting for the hand-fasting ceremony of a couple whose love story is as enchanting as the day itself. This was not just a wedding; it was a celebration of love, family, and shared memories in the most beautiful way.
The venue was dressed in soft hues of pinks, rustic charm, and a select pop of flowers (Beanie Weenie Florals) that gave a warm, inviting energy. The atmosphere was calm and laid-back, perfectly matching the couple's vision.
Guests were greeted with a soft golden morning light filtered through the single glazed barn windows, which bounding off the rustic wooden beams, created an ambiance that made everyone feel at ease.
Preparing for their day...
As Emily and Nic explained to me on their pre-wedding portrait, their day was going to be very much a DIY wedding, and it became very evident on the day, there isn't much the couple, supported by amazing friends and family can't do.
The lads were committed to all the final touches and some 'challenging' styling, to ensure Emilys vision was pulled off, liaising with WhatsApp sent photographs back to the bride. Brown Make-up and Co. styled the bride and also did a wonderful job of Nics hair too.
The day was set, the weather was clashy and tequila shot were taken!
Details full of delight...
Every detail of the day was carefully curated. From the blush pink ribbons of the hand-fasting backdrop to the elegant lace chair decorations, the colours mirrored the couple's personality - gentle yet vibrant. The decor stayed true to the rustic charm of Knott Estate, enhanced by handcrafted touches that told their story.
The ribbon backdrop, lovingly created by the couple, served as a focal point during the ceremony. Its soft shades of pink, peach, and white danced in the gentle movement in the ceremony room, blending seamlessly with the wooden interiors of the estate.
In finer details - the gorgeous, yet quirky hand crafted guest book, made up of textured papers, stamps, tapes and book pages was the most personal touch. As the day progressed I came across many more delightful items such as pretty fabric rapped vow books and other hand crafted bits.
As a photographer I felt blessed as the day was peppered with handmade touches, the guest-book, ribbon background, and table signs were all created by the couple, adding a sense of intimacy and individuality. These small details brought the decor to life and emphasised the couple's creative flair.
The Ceremony: A Touch of Tradition and Heartfelt Vows (Lara Lancashire)
The hand-fasting ceremony was the heart of the day. This ancient tradition, symbolising the binding of two souls, was made even more special as loved ones participated. Ribbons were offered by family, each holding wishes and blessings for the couple's future.
When they exchanged their handwritten vows, you could feel the meaning of them throughout the small white barn. The vows were raw and heartfelt, filled with personal anecdotes and promises that resonated deeply with everyone present. It was a moment of pure emotion, along with giggles and true connection, becoming a memorable centre piece of the day.
The ceremony room was dressed subtly, yet cosy, with textures sprinkled around and shades of pinks.
Emily floated into the beam-bare barn to a beautiful string quartet (What The Pluck), adding a touch of magic and filling the space with musical bliss.
Attire: A Perfect Reflection
The bride wore a stunning vintage lace dress, paired with white Converse shoes that reflected her laid-back, fun-loving personality. A floral crown rested on her head, adding a whimsical touch. The groom, dressed in a navy suit, complemented her perfectly, radiating charm and joy.
I loved the practical approach Emily and Nic had to their rustic barn wedding, that allowed us to adventure in comfort and really rock that dance floor. This also put their guests at a sense of ease, with no pressure to wear strictly formal attire.
Cocktails and Cuisine
The celebration continued with delicious cocktails that delighted the guests. From fruity blends to classic mixes, the bar was a hit, enhancing the relaxed vibe of the day, as guests enjoyed them alongside an array of hearty flavoursome canapés (Fell and Dales Catering) in the courtyard space of these converted farm buildings. Paired with the rustic charm of the decor, the drinks added a splash of colour and flavour to the afternoon reception.
The dining tables were elegantly set with lace table runners, handwritten table signs, and seasonal flowers. Well done lads! The top table was framed with woodland looking blossom trees (Purple Swan Weddings) that sat in front of a wall of warm waterfall lights.
The large barn doors stayed open throughout the food service and blessed the old barn with a much needed splash of light! Now for the food service; a wonderful platter style BBQ served to the tables, allowed guests to pick and choose as they wish whilst ensuring everyone could tuck in! To finish, a perfect trio of desserts, giving everyone that sweet kick they needed to flow into the evening celebrations.
Each element was personal, reflecting the couple's creativity, and relaxed, guest pleasing 'it's your choice' approach to their special day.
Groups of fun...
Mid-afternoon, we undertook the 'formal' group portraits, obviously in a very informal way as per Clare Gelderd's photography style. We ventured into the nearby field and had lots of swaying, drinks, laughing and most importantly made memories alongside capturing classic moments.
The bridesmaids wore a combination of pinks, in various style and it worked magically. I particularly liked the couples approach for freedom and choice on their day, resulting in comfortable guests throughout.
Couples quiet time...
Later we ventured down to the river in a wonderful burgundy Land Rover, it certainly was the most suitable vehicle for the terrain. Emily and Nic enjoyed displaying their candid couple 'poses' as we explored by the riverside; skills that they picked up swimmingly on their pre-wedding portrait at Roan Head beach.
A highlight of their couple portraits was certainly splashing in the river - as a down to earth photographer I enjoyed cooling my feet.
We laughed a lot and Emily and Nic thoroughly enjoyed a moment alone to really take in their day.
Thunder clouds rolled over, but we completed this private couple portrait just in time and headed back to the reception to enjoy a hearty selection of canapés.
Turn around and celebration
Being a self-organised affair, it was all hands on deck when the reception was turned around for the evening celebrations. I was thankful to be working alongside the, also dedicated, Craig Howarth DJ, making us a great team to assist with moving tables and getting the room set in time for the party. The evening began with the cutting of the cake, a cake that had a super cute hand crafted decorations - yet another personal touch on the long list at this wedding. Followed by the couples energetic first dance, where Emilys mid-length vintage dress swooned around that old barn floor.
As the evening progressed, so did those awesome moves, which were needing fueling. Luckily, this guest conscious couple had stone fired pizzas, thanks to Big Bears BBQ pizza and grill. Once again presented as a buffet style so guests could choose what they wanted and how much. This was timed perfectly, just before sunset, laid out on the festoon-lit courtyard.
Did someone say sunset(?)
As my coverage as a photographer was coming to a close, the golden hour was just bliss! We swiftly ventured up the fields and captured some of my favourite photographs on Emily and Nics hand-fasting day. With cocktails from Little Barn Bar in had and a little merry walk, the sun twinkled perfectly through the trees and made for some really warm looking couple portraits. The timing was perfect.
For me, these photographs made me excited to get home and crack on with processing their highlight gallery!
In summery...
A beautifully selected venue allowing the couple to really put their family and friends comfort at the heart of their celebrations.
It was clear Emily and Nic really wanted everyone to have a great time and they simply enjoyed making memories with their loved ones.
They invested in what meant the most to them and hand crafted many personal touches into their wedding day.
Thank you for having me, I thoroughly enjoyed every second!
Client Review
As soon as we saw Clare's images on her website we knew we'd like her to capture our wedding, the initial consult confirmed this. Clare was an absolute joy to work with and we're so pleased with all of the pictures. Would definitely recommend!!! 🥰
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