A Perfect Country Wedding at Talton Lodge, Warwickshire

The Perfect Country Wedding of Bryony & Richard, at Talton Lodge, Warwickshire

This is a very special blog for me to write and share because it involves talking about and sharing the beautiful day of the lovely Bryony & Richard at the wonderful Talton Lodge.

I have known Bryony all my life and have grown up closely with her, her sister Rowan and Mother, Carol, and I clearly remember the moment when they all came round to our house to tell us the exciting news of their engagement.

Richard told us that he had proposed at Gatwick, on their way to Venice, of which there is rumoured to be a video that I am yet to see! We cracked open some champagne and settled down for the details of the story of how it happened.

A few months before the engagement, I had taken a photograph of the two of them sat eating cake on the grass at the May Day Celebrations in our local village, and this was exactly how they wanted their day. Sunshine, eating cake on the grass, relaxed guests and informal photographs. They asked me to photograph the wedding, but also to make sure that I enjoyed myself as a guest, two things which I jumped at – the joy of photographing a special day AND being able to drink at the same time? Yes please!

As the time passed and the day got closer, I met with them to discuss the day which was to be taking place at a Church close to our hearts, St Marys, Whitchurch and the reception was to be held at Talton Lodge, just down the road. This meeting was good timing, may I add, as they just so happened to be Prosecco tasting for the wedding. It’s a wonder I knew where to go or what time the wedding was at all really…

The 4th of May, the wedding day, dawned bright and beautiful and I made my way to the Mother of the Brides house in Crimscote, which is just down the road from Talton Lodge. I was greeted by a rather emotional bride and the usual, wonderful chaos of the morning of a wedding. The flowers had been cut that day and arranged into pretty bouquets that were currently chilling in the fridge, the bridesmaids were getting dressed into their lovely summer dresses and a surprise was gathering outside.

Once Bryony was dressed into a stunning blue and white dress, made up with subtle make up and her hair was decorated with Lily of the Valley flowers, she walked out of the house arm in arm with her Father, Barry.

Bryony was greeted with the surprise of the local Morris Dancers, who, with one large cheer started playing their songs, dancing their dance and walking Bryony, her family and her bridesmaids up the winding, flower bedecked country lane to the St Marys Whitchurch.

Hopping in my car to beat the procession, I dashed to the Church to find scenes of joy as guests arriving at the church greeted the handsome and, just like the bride, slightly emotional groom, Richard.

As the Church filled up and the bell started to toll Bryony’s arrival, Richard made his way into the Church, where a good friend of theirs was taking the ceremony. I have to be honest that the ceremony was a blur of tears, flowers, laughter, kisses, cheers and some very loud singing (in both Welsh and English) and we then emerged with smudged eye make-up into the glorious sunshine underneath a Morris Men Guard of Honour. They danced outside whilst more hugs, kisses, tears and congratulations were poured over the bride and groom and both their families.

After confetti (picked and dried from their garden) held by smiling guests lining the pathway from the church was thrown, Bryony & Richard clambered up onto a trailer and were chugged away by tractor and disappeared into the keck laden countryside.

The reception was held at the amazing Talton Lodge House. This gorgeous wedding venue in the heart of Warwickshire is a venue of two halves, one side being teepees and bell tents, and the other being ‘the big house’. Bryony & Richard’s reception was held on the front lawn of the house and they had asked everyone to bring bunting to decorate the marquee; the building, the grounds and the marquee were positively singing in the May sun.

Bryony & Richard entered the reception by walking over a tiny bridge and up through the fields into the middle of their guests, which made for some lovely, intimate photographs of the two of them. From there on it was an afternoon on laughing, drinking, scones, more hugs, garden games, more kisses, macaroons, tea in vintage cups and saucers, photographing the mingling guests, a few informal group shots and not forgetting Richard and one of his best men’s inaugural Morris dance!

After cutting the cake and eating the most delicious wedding breakfast, the speeches were read and toasted with (yep, you guessed it) more tears, hugs and kisses, and laughter erupted from every inch of the marquee. I was lucky enough to be sat on the floor right at the front of the speeches, so I could capture every word, smile and cringe!

As night began to draw in and the band began to play, the first dance took place outside under the stars on the dewy grass with everyone watching the most in love couple swaying, swirling and moving to the music. Bryony began to spin around at one point and without knowing it would, her beautiful blue dress fanned out all around her. I will never forget the look on both of their faces at that exact moment.

After everyone had had a good dance and the night started to get colder, a large bonfire was lit, around which we all gathered to reflect on what had been the most glorious spring wedding day.

If ever there was a song to fit this wedding day, this is truly it… This really was The Perfect Day.

x

Bryony & Richard’s Perfect Country Wedding Day at Talton Lodge from Charlotte Wright on Vimeo.

Talton Lodge House – 01789 459244