It’s safe to say that Kate and Richard have been through a lot together in a relatively short time (Richard’s cufflinks were engraved with the date and coordinates of their first meeting). It’s usually huge life events, often the turbulent ones, that make you realise who and what’s important and allow love to really be shown. It was with this realisation that Richard proposed to Kate and they planned a very small, intimate wedding with just 20 special guests in the centre of Nottingham. On a personal note, after nine years of photographing weddings, it just so happens to be how I’d also plan a wedding – small, elegant and with the very best food!
The bride got ready in the penthouse suite at St James Hotel, perfectly positioned near Nottingham Castle, with her mum and best girls. Richard had organised some surprise gifts for Kate to open including a butterfly print by her favourite artist poignantly entitled ‘All that changes is everything‘ and a rather breathtaking diamond tennis bracelet. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, including mine. Kate chose a lace beaded Sottero and Midgley gown from Bridal Suite that suited the glamorous vintage feel of her wedding day.
The surprises weren’t over for Kate until after the ceremony, as Richard had organised their beloved dog Maisie to join us for some photographs, much to team Mirror Imaging’s delight. She posed beautifully, tongue literally out to lap up the attention. At that point we walked down the cobbled Nottingham streets taking photographs as we went to one of the best restaurants in the East Midlands – World Service – for each guest to be treated to three courses of delicious food with accompanying harpist.
The private dining room had been dressed opulently in an abundance of flowers and candles by FloralDeco, who also provided the buttonholes and bridal bouquet. After dinner and some pretty emotional speeches, we made our way back to the hotel for entertainment by the brilliant Marc Oberon close up magician and mind reader Atlas, who astonished guests with their skills. A party for 100 guests followed in the evening, with dancing into the night. After taking our turn on the dance floor, we left the guests to party away.