My year was slowly filling up with weddings, events, parties, even some of my own celebrations to attend when I got a call from Lou who had been given my number by a mutual friend. This was a request for me to shoot her wedding day, she had seen my previous work before & was excited (as I was too) to get me to be there on her special day. This particular date may have clashed with a weekend away I had booked previously & this is where I felt really wanted…..”cancel it she says”… I really want you to be at my wedding..
This was very humbling for me so I instantly checked my diary & called her back…
“I’m actually free that weekend, I said”…. Lou was over the moon, as was I, because I could once again be part of someones big day & be there to capture every moment.
We met after another phone call at the venue, The Irish Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill,
Where Rob, Lou & little Edie & myself discussed the big day & told me all about St Willibrords RC church in Clayton.
The big day had arrived, I arrived at The Midland Hotel in Manchester to room 210 where all the girls, mum & little Edie were getting ready & having a few nerve settling proseccos.
They took there time & even had a jam sandwich to fill a gap in between hair & make up, the dresses, Prosecco or two but were ready just in time for Lou’s dad to arrive.
He was looking rather dapper & the minute he seen Lou all dressed up & ready to go, he shed a tear, which in turn set us all off…even me.
We all headed down to reception where a group of girls were just checking in to the hotel on their hen weekend & took time out to admire Lou in her beautiful dress & wish her luck.
We stood outside waiting for the vintage double decker bus to arrive….and waited some more, isn’t it supposed to be the bride thats fashionably late..?
We all boarded the bus heading for St Willibrords RC church & passed the Etihad stadium which is the home of the couples beloved Manchester City. Time was slightly against us but the service went as planned & the happy couple were now, Mr & Mrs…
It was a bright sunny day & everybody headed off to the venue for the celebration. Drinks flowed & the tables were ready. Guests took to their seats awaiting the arrival of the new Mr & Mrs Aldred. They calmed themselves outside the room with another prosecco & even had a cheeky portrait in the put up frames before taking to the room for their awaiting family & friends. They stood as Rob & Lou entered to a loud applause as they took to the top table.
The meals were served & washed down with a few more drinks, apart from the children table as the soft drinks were in plenty supply & so were the colouring books & small toys for their entertainment.
The speeches began, Lou’s dad Kenny went first, emotions in every word as his daughter made him & mum, Minnie ever so proud, as were Robs parents Brian & Elizabeth.
Next was Rob’s turn, not one for many words but what he did say meant the world to both families as he had just married his best friend, his soul mate, a fellow Manchester city supporter & the mother to their beautiful daughter Edie.
Next the one everybody waits for, the best mans speech, Robs brother, Ian, short but sweet & enough to raise more than an eyebrow or three. The cake was ready to be cut, the DJ poised to fill the dance floor with tunes from all eras, but only after the first dance…
Wonderwall by Oasis.
Rob & Lou took to the dance floor, they held hands & waited for the music to start.
The look in their eyes told one story, these guys were definitely in love & when they started to dance it was if no one else was in the room, they only had eyes for each other.
This kind of wedding makes my job a whole lot easier when there is genuine love between a couple as I don’t have to force a smile, a kiss or even a hug, the day just flows.
After the first dance, the DJ rolled off all the indie music he could mixed with a few recent chart toppers & the dance floor soon filled. After a while it was time for the bouquet to be thrown to “all the single ladies”, they waited as Lou turned her back & launched the bouquet into the awaiting group of ladies, it was a kind of given that the tallest girl there would catch it, unless it was planned, we’ll never know.
Soon after Rob & Lou’s special song was about to be played…
The Chemical Brothers, The Test..
A song they heard the night they met in the club South, in Manchester. Once again the happy couple took to the dance floor, shoes were off & they were dancing like they were the only ones there & at this point everyone joined in & the dance floor was full.
A pleasure to be part of their big day & I walked away with a big smile, happy to see such a loving couple & a happy family together enjoying their day.
