Motors and Marriage at a Midlands Manor House - Catthorpe Manor Wedding Photography

 

Remember when it was hot? Like, really hot? It wasn’t long ago! On this miserable wet September week I want to tell you about a gorgeous summer’s day wedding from just last month at beautiful Catthorpe Manor, Rugby.

Catthorpe Manor is a lovely venue, located slap bang in the middle of the Midlands – close to Rugby and Lutterworth. It’s set amongst lush green trees rural Leicestershire, and boasts plenty of beautiful indoor and outdoor spaces to give couples from all across the Midlands the perfect setting for their special day.

I first met Sam briefly at a wedding about five years ago. The groom at the wedding I was photographing was a huge car lover, and I remember getting some snaps of him with his fellow motorheads – of which one was Sam. I continued to bump into her over the years, as she worked as a catwalk model for a bridal company, so our paths crossed at bridal fairs and the like. When she approached me at a wedding fair and asked me to be her photographer, I was honoured. Because of her job, Sam knows loads of photographers in the industry, so to have her book me felt really special.

I knew from the off, then, that Sam loves cars! It was no surprise to find, when I met her partner Rich, that he did too, and they’d arranged for five of their cars to be at the wedding! I was ashamed to say that when they asked me what I drive, I’d had to respond ‘a black one’…much to my total mortification. To a total novice like me, it was intoxicating to see the love and excitement they both had for their cars, so if it’s any consolation, Sam and Rich, I think a little bit of it’s rubbed off on me!

On the big day, Sam opted to have her bridal prep at Rich’s family’s farm, which was a lovely homely setting. Both Sam and Rich’s dads were there, watching the rugby, not quite oblivious to all the activity going on around them, but relatively relaxed! Sam and her bridesmaids were taking it in turns to have their hair and make-up done, and as it was an extremely hot summer’s day, there was plenty of last minute tweaking and touching up to do before everyone headed off to Lilbourne Church, where the marriage ceremony was to take place.

When I arrived, Rich (and his shiny car) was already there. As the weather was incredible, Rich and Sam’s guests were milling around outside in the sunshine chatting and sharing their excitement for the day ahead. It’s a lovely part of the day – such a warm atmosphere – and I managed to snap some pics of the guests and a relatively cool-headed Rich before his beautiful bride arrived.

After a beautiful ceremony and a dazzling confetti throw, it was time for the newlyweds and their friends and family to head off to Catthorpe Manor. A cleverly planted wall of conifers in the grounds of the Manor made a lovely shady spot for Rich and Sam’s guests to enjoy some cool drinks in the baking heat. As the magician made his way round the groups, the thirst-quenching fizz was slipping down very easily, and there was a happy, relaxed atmosphere in the air.

Sam had told me over zoom before the wedding that she wanted a picture of the groomsmen lifting her up in her wedding dress – but some wires got crossed somewhere down the line, because seconds after my instruction to the wedding party, Sam was being launched into the air by some overeager groomsmen! A flying bride was a new one on me but I think I captured it well.

As Rich and his groomsmen snuck off to admire the cars, I took a moment to snap a few solo bridal portraits of Sam – not something I usually am asked to do, but with Sam’s history as a bridal model, it only seemed right!

Before long it was time for a beautiful dinner, followed by some pretty special speeches. The wedding had been buzzing with the news that Sam was due to give a speech – not that unusual in 2022, but I was told by a few of the wedding guests that their excitement was more due to Sam’s character and determination to make sure every job is a job well done! And true to their word, Sam’s speech was a real corker, even managing to draw a few tears from Rich.

the drinks carried on flowing for the rest of the day, and with the warm sun still beating down late into the evening, it wasn’t long before the wedding guests started enjoying some hijinks – who can resist a roll down a perfectly mown grassy bank?

Rich and his groomsmen – by now a little worse for wear – put on a display of heroic stunts in front of the assembled motors. 

As the sun set, it was time to head indoors for Sam and Rich’s first dance, before the dancefloor filled with wedding guests itching to shake their stuff. It was a fabulous, fun-filled day – thanks Sam and Rich for inviting me to be a part of it.

 

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