This vintage, pastel themed West Heath School wedding with Emma and Luke, gave me a very warm and fuzzy feeling. It was filled with very close family and friends who have been in the couple’s lives since they were children. Having met ten years ago at the tender age of fourteen, it seems like they were both made for each other. There is something quite romantic about being childhood sweethearts. It’s something we all thought might happen when at that age… and it did for these two! Check out their amazing day below.
First names: Emma & Luke
Ages: 24 & 24
Wedding date: 20th of May 2017
Venue: St Mary’s Platt Church and West Heath School
How did you guys meet, tell me all? We met a very long time ago, at the age of 14, through socialising with mutual friends! We immediately hit it off, becoming close friends. Many people mistakenly thought we were together – in fact we were both dating the other’s best friend (ironically Emma’s first boyfriend ended up as Best Man at our wedding!). Eventually we realised what our friends had expected all along and got together aged 18, to the sound of collective sighs and the odd ‘about time!’
How did you get engaged, is there a cool story?
Emma decided to surprise Luke with a weekend away in Devon for his birthday, choosing the Exmoor National Park, due to its reputation for amazing star gazing spots. Predictably, going to Devon in February, we could barely see 100m in front of us, let alone any stars! Anyway we decided to make the most of it, and set off on a hike, a cliff top trail to visit a tiny church inaccessible by road. Not very far into the walk, the heavens opened, soaking us to the bone, but we were still having fun! We were going through the ‘fairy tale tunnels’ when Luke stopped and called Emma over, before promptly getting down on one knee and proposing. Despite being soaked through, and looking like we’d been through a hedge backwards, it was a wonderful moment!
What made you choose your wedding venue, did you look at many?
We did a lot of research online, and visited a few venues – what really sold West Heath was the fact that they operate as a charity and any profits from the wedding go towards funding school places for children for whom mainstream schooling has proved insufficient, whether this is due to mental or physical disability or through traumatic experience. It really is a worthwhile cause. Plus the venue is gorgeous, offers tonnes of space and great flexibility!
What was the inspiration/theme of your wedding?
Emma has been a long-time fan of all things vintage – collecting copious amounts of 1950s ornaments, kitchenware and furniture. So, we wanted to go for a vintage inspired, pastel feel, with a pop of mustard to get that mid-century modern vibe. Additionally, we wanted to create a relaxed rustic feel where people felt they could be themselves and have a good time.
What is your first song and why?
Our first song is L.O.V.E. (the Nat King Cole version) because we wanted something a bit more upbeat, in line with the vintage theme, and lastly because you just can’t beat the old jazz standards!
What would be your number one tip to other couples planning their wedding?
Don’t stress the details – at the end of the day you’ll have an amazing time, and the fiddly final details don’t matter too much! Do your best to stay organised and get things sorted in advance, but once the major necessary things are in place, just enjoy the ride and the excitement of building up to the day!
Check out Emma & Luke’s West Heath School wedding below.
The photography: All images captured with two Fujifim X-Pro 2’s.
Lenses: Fujinon XF 16mm f1.4 R WR, Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 R, Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2 R
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Wedding Suppliers
Hair stylist / Make-up artist: Nicki Humbles
Website: http://www.nickihumblesbridalbeauty.com
Brides dress: D2085, Essense of Australia, (from Bride to Be, Reading)
Website: http://www.bridetobe.co.uk
Bridesmaids dresses: Little Mistress, from House of Frasier
Suits: Moss Bros
Florist: Fleurista
Website: http://www.fleurista.uk
Cake: All Shapes and Slices
Website: http://www.allshapesandslices.co.uk
Caterer: West Heath Weddings
Website: http://westheathweddings.com
Band/DJ: The Violet Jive
Website: http://www.thevioletjive.co.uk
Cars: Bridal Bug Weddings
Website: http://www.bridalbugweddings.co.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.
