A natural and rustic Elmley Nature Reserve wedding, full of fun, laughter and music. With a cool festival vibe, this awesome wedding was just a joy to photograph. From the elegant ceremony to the all-out party in the evening, these guys really know how to have fun! Check out Claudia and Mike’s big day here.
First names: Michael & Claudia
Ages: Both 31 yrs
Wedding date: Saturday 7th September 2019
Venue: Elmley National Nature Reserve in Kent
How did you guys meet, tell me all?
We had a number of mutual friends growing up but our paths didn’t properly cross until we were about 19 years old. One weekend when I was back from uni and Mike had some time off from work, we both went out with friends into Maidstone. Mike and I got chatting, drank a few too many tequilas and soon became inseparable. The rest is history!
How did you get engaged, is there a cool story?
Mike planned the most amazing surprise trip for us last February. As I am always one to plan things, Mike made sure I kept a weekend free, saying that it would be nice to have some time at home. He then surprised me by sending a bunch of flowers to work on the Friday afternoon. The message said ‘Your carriage awaits, please try to be home by 5pm’. When I arrived home Mike had packed me a bag and hired a fancy car for the weekend. I was given 10 chances to guess where we were going and after five guesses I got the destination right – Pembrokeshire in Wales. The following day we went for a beautifully sunny coastal walk called Marloes and The Deer Park. We got to a clearing with no one else around, Mike got down on one knee and asked the question. I said yes straight away and cried my eyes out.
What made you choose your wedding venue, did you look at many?
We have our sister-in-law to thank for the choice of venue. Georgie had visited just before we got engaged and knew that we’d fall in love with it. The natural landscape, abundant wildlife and festival vibes sold it to us in a heartbeat. We visited a few before choosing Elmley but none stole our heart in the same way that Elmley did (and continues to do so).
What was the inspiration/theme of your wedding?
We wanted to offer our guests a natural, rustic, Kentish day, full of fun, laughter and music.
What is your first song and why?
I’m Thinking of You by Sister Sledge. We both love the song and the words mean a lot to us. It’s also a good one to get everyone up and dancing!
What would be your number one tip to other couples planning their wedding? Don’t stress over the little things and try to get as many of the big things sorted as soon as possible. There are so many decisions to make and it can be tough to get everything done but it will all be worth it in the end.
Check out Claudia and Mike’s Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding below.
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The photography: All images captured with two Fujifilm X-T3 cameras.
Lenses: Fujinon XF 16mm f1.4 R WR, Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 R, Fujinon XF 35mm f1.4 R and Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2.
Other awesome suppliers who helped during Claudia and Mike’s Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding.
Hair stylist: Tash Cockerill , Beauty and Curls
Website: https://www.beautyandcurls.com/
Make up artist: Tash Cockerill, Beauty and Curls
Website: https://www.beautyandcurls.com/
Mikes own personal stylist: Huckle the Barber
Brides dress: Mori Lee, Alta Costura, Maidstone
Website: https://www.altacostura.co.uk/
Bridesmaids dresses: Very
Website: https://www.very.co.uk/
Suits: King and Allen
Website: https://kingandallen.co.uk/
Florist: Sweetpea & Olive
Website: https://www.rochesterflorists.co.uk/
Cake: Cheese Makers of Canterbury
Website: https://thegoodsshed.co.uk/cheese-makers-of-canterbury/
Caterer: Chives Caterers
Website: https://www.chivescaterers.co.uk/
Musician: Andy V
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Andyvmusicoz/
Band: London Pianoforte Network
Website: https://www.londonpianofortenetwork.com
Stationary: Etsy
Website: https://www.etsy.com/uk
Are you looking for a wedding photographer? Would you like someone who photographs it in an alternative, fun and natural way? Fancy seeing your wedding pictures on my Instagram and on other cool wedding blogs? Get in touch and let me know all about your day! I need to know the date, ceremony and reception details and most importantly all the ideas you have!
Let’s chat about your day!
I am a Kent wedding photographer who has been featured within Your Kent Wedding Magazine, Rock n Roll Bride and Your Sussex Wedding Magazine, with images also published in the The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Independent, The News Of The World and many other large newspapers and magazines.
Elmley Nature Reserve Wedding | Kent Wedding Photography | Kent wedding photographer | https://rosshurley.com | Copyright Ross Hurley Photography 2019
