Ardencote Manor Wedding Photography- Some of my favourite photos from Tamsin and Tom's Ardencote Manor Wedding.
Tamsin and Tom – a Tinder love story
This week I got to shoot a gorgeous wedding, and see Tamsin and Tom tie the knot in the gorgeous Warwickshire countryside. It was a beautiful traditional setting for a very modern love story – Tasmin and Tom met on Tinder, although it wouldn’t exactly be true to say it was love at first sight. Tamsin was lured in by Tom’s jumper, which was the same as hers, and Tom…well, Tom swiped right to everyone!
It’s been lovely returning to shooting weddings as pandemic restrictions ease and Tasmin and Tom’s day had everything in spades – emotion, laughter, sunshine and rain! It was fabulous to see everyone enjoying being together and out enjoying some drinks in some long-awaited May sun.
Morning Bridal prep
Our day started at Tasmin’s family home. It was important for Tasmin to get ready there, with her mum and bridesmaids. Her dad had passed away last year, and this was the family’s first big occasion without him around. Being close to home, and feeling close to her dad, was a really important part of the day, and Tamsin and her mum were able to talk about him and share some memories of him on her wedding day.
As is usual when there are three bridesmaids all getting ready alongside each other, the morning did get a little raucous, too! The energy and excitement in the room was palpable as the hair and make up was sorted, heels tested, and bouquets primped. A rather unfortunate misidentification of a piece of my camera kit for something of a more intimate, adult nature led to some hilarity which is unprintable here (I’ll leave the details to your imaginations)!
The final bit of wedding day stress was around the bridal transport – Tamsin had asked Tom to make sure his work van was spick and span for transporting the bridal party to the ceremony in gorgeous Tanworth in Arden, but she’d seen precious little evidence that he’d ever got round to it, and the phrase ‘he had ONE job!!’ was uttered more than once…when all of a sudden, some gorgeous gleaming cars arrived to take the bride and bridesmaids on their journey. Tom had organised it as a surprise, and all was forgiven!
Off to the Church on time
The wedding ceremony was held at St Mary Magdalene church in Tanworth in Arden. Tanworth is a stunning village in the Warwickshire countryside, not far from Solihull, and at long last we were blessed with a gorgeous sunny day. Tom and his groomsmen and some family friends were outside the local pub, overlooking the village green, enjoying a drink before Tamsin and the bridal party arrived, and it was a lovely relaxed setting to set the tone for the day – even if the groomsman responsible for track and trace details might have found there to be more admin than he would have liked…
Of course, it was really emotional for Tamsin and her family to go through the ceremony at St Mary Magdalene’s without her dad, but it was a lovely service and everyone supported each other throughout.
Final Stop Ardencote Manor Hotel
The reception was held nearby at Ardencote Manor, where the gorgeous wisteria winding over the front of the building was in full bloom, and I was able to get some shots that showed off the cars in their full glory!After a fabulous dinner, it was time for some speeches – and even though Tom hadn’t written his until 1am the night before, he still managed to knock it out the park, and remembered every single thank you. Next there was chocolate cake, and a romantic first dance – everything you could want from a wedding, pandemic or not.
Finally, it was time for Tamsin to throw her bouquet – often a chance for many vying elbows and some rugby tackles from the more determined wedding guests. On this occasion, however, Tasmin’s bouquet was tossed towards just one person – one of her gorgeous bridesmaids, who’d been awaiting a proposal for several months. Bouquet successfully caught, the onlookers waited for those magic words from her partner…’do you want a kitchen, or a wedding?’ She chose the kitchen. Long live romance!
Thank you Tasmin and Tom for making me a part of your wedding – I hope the sunshine on the day sets the tone for many happy sunny years together.
