Northants Wedding – Sedgebrook Hall, Chapel Brampton, Nr Northampton

Saturday, 1st September 2018 saw me return to Sedgebrook Hall, Chapel Brampton, near Northampton, for the wedding of Joanne & Mark. This was no ordinary wedding, however, thanks to the remarkable efforts of the groom to keep his bride surprised throughout the entire day.

I met back up with the happy couple about a month before their big day for a venue walkaround. While I had photographed a wedding there before, it was almost two years ago, and I wanted to be sure that nothing much had changed. It always provides a good opportunity to build upon the rapport I have with my clients, too. It’s also the perfect time to find out anything that’s changed since our initial consultation.

With Jo & Mark, we did an initial walkaround, and Mark then took me to one side and explained he needed to talk to me alone. I knew he had one or two surprises up his sleeve, but I had no idea about the extent until this point. If it all came off, it would far and away surpass anything I’d ever seen a groom do before.

Anyone who has been to a wedding at Sedgebrook Hall before will be all too aware of Helen King. Helen runs the on-the-day wedding operations at the venue and is particularly adept at making things run on rails!

Bridal Preparations – Sedgebrook Hall, Northamptonshire

The ceremony was scheduled for 1130, and Jo asked me to arrive at 1000. Her bridal party consisted of hers & Mark’s three daughters. Bridal preparations were just lovely to witness, with everyone helping everyone else. They were ably assisted by Bespoke Hair & Glow who styled their hair beautifully.

Jo's bridal preparations in full-swing at Sedgebrook Hall. — Jo’s bridal preparations in full-swing at Sedgebrook Hall.

Jo's stunning dress was supplied by The Ivory Wardrobe in Woburn Sands — Jo’s stunning wedding dress was supplied by The Ivory Wardrobe in Woburn Sands

Jo & Mark are self-confessed geeks, and there was something of a fairytale theme running through their wedding. Unbeknown to Jo, Mark had arranged for a horse-drawn princess carriage to take them for a ride after the ceremony. When the horses appeared in the car park, the couple’s youngest daughter, Lorelei, spotted them straight away. It may have been necessary to tell a little fib about why they were there to keep that particular surprise alive! (thanks for the briefing, Helen!)

Wedding Ceremony – Sedgebrook Hall, Northamptonshire

The previous wedding I’d photographed at Sedgebrook Hall had an indoor ceremony. I was delighted that the weather was good enough for this one that it could happen outside. I do love an outdoor ceremony!

The couple’s young son, Reggie, had received coaching from his nursery carer, Cassie, to walk down the aisle carrying the rings, too. Again, Jo knew nothing about this, or the fact that the ring in the box was the one she really wanted, rather than the one she thought they had settled upon! The ceremony was beautiful.

After a very brief drinks reception and confetti shot, Jo was treated to the biggest surprise so far: the horse and carriage. Her reaction was priceless! Supplied by Waldburg Shires, the princess carriage was pulled by two stunning shire horses. The driver had devised a route to take the happy couple away for a 20-minute ride.

The kind of reaction the groom was hoping for

The shire horses and princess carriage were supplied by Waldburg Shires

A loving pat for the shire horses after their work was done

Meanwhile, Mark had arranged a bird or prey experience for his guests, which Jo spotted as the carriage made its way down the drive! The birds were supplied by Fir Tree Falconry from Warmington, near Banbury. There were six birds present, ranging from a Small Owl to a stunning Harris Hawk. Guests were able to put on a glove and hold them. Everyone loved it – well, nearly everyone!

As all this was going on, another surprise arrival took place in the shape of magician-extraordinaire Jamie Docherty. I always love shadowing him and seeing the reactions he gets from wedding guests. But this would have to wait until later. We had the formal group pictures to get done.

Sedgebrook Hall has a seat in the garden carved out of an old tree stump, which seemed to fit quite well with the wedding theme.

That left us with 30 minutes or so to get some couple pictures in the bag before Helen wanted Jo & Mark to view the wedding breakfast room.

During our walkaround, Jo had highlighted one particular area she wanted to feature. It was slightly darker and dingier than ideal, so I decided I would make use of my portable lighting. In keeping with the fairytale theme, we decided we would go the whole hog with the poses, too!

In keeping with the fairytale theme, it seemed only right to get the groom down on one knee!

Mark had purchased a large balloon for use in the pictures

Wedding Breakfast – Sedgebrook Hall, Northamptonshire

It was time to go and see the wedding breakfast room. I knew Jo had been busy in the 12 months leading up to the wedding creating two papier mache dragons. When I’d heard about these, I was in no way prepared for just how awesome they would be! This lady has an amazing talent, and I know she’d love to make more of these for other people.

The two incredible dragons that were made by Jo, the bride

While the dragons were the stars of the show for me, the rest of the room looked incredible, too. It had been styled by Stingray Events from Northampton.

The beautiful wedding breakfast room was styled by Stingray Events

The cake had been created by the supremely-talented Amelia Rose Cake Studio from Wellinborough.

The amazing cake that was crafted by Amelia Rose Cake Studio

Jamie Docherty continued to work his magic (sorry!) during the wedding breakfast, which gave me the perfect opportunity to follow him around.

The look of disbelief that frequently accompanies magician Jamie Docherty!

Speeches came at the conclusion of the amazing three-course meal, led by the father-of-the-bride, Terry! It was during the groom’s speech that Jo was next left open-mouthed. Mark had contacted a myriad of the couple’s favourite musical performers, asking them to perform at their wedding (Belinda Carlisle only wanted £25k!), but without success. What he did manage to get, though, was a personalised video message from Olly Murs!

A quick game of Mr & Mrs followed before guests were asked to vacate the room so that it could be turned around for the evening reception.

Mark, thinking of everything, didn’t want to leave everyone hanging around with nothing to do. He called upon the services of Chrissy Marshall, aka Sensible Pencil Caricatures, to capture the best sides of his guests! He was amazing! A caricaturist is definitely something I will be suggesting to couples who have cash burning a hole in their wedding budgets from now on!

Brilliant caricatures by Chrissy Marshall, aka Sensible Pencil

Mark performed a quick outfit change and Jo returned sporting a lovely flower crown in her hair prior to the arrival of the evening guests. We’d programmed a little time for some more couple portraits, both inside and outside.

A shot from the top of the stairs looking down

Wedding Reception – Sedegebrook Hall, Northamptonshire

And then it was time to get the evening entertainment started, with Jason Barker Roadshow from Raunds doing the DJing.

We cut the cake and went straight into the first dance.

Jo & Mark's first dance as husband and wife — Jo & Mark’s first dance as husband and wife

I loved this light effect captured during the first dance

Not long after, four members of the waiting staff miraculously transformed into a wedding flash mob. Once again, Jo was rendered speechless! They performed songs from Disney’s Enchanted and The Greatest Showman. Jo absolutely melted! They were from Top Secret Agent.

They performed a number of songs from Enchanted and The Greatest Showman

We had another 15-minute window programmed for some after-dark piccies, including the first use of my love heart (many thanks for your assistance with this, Helen!).

I loved the effect produced by my new love heart

We lit up the pagoda where the wedding ceremony had taken place

That was the prelude to the grand finale. Mark had spent more than a year trying to persuade Sedgebrook Hall to allow him to have fireworks at his wedding. I’m not entirely sure how he managed it, but fireworks there were! The display was produced by Total Pyro from Aylesbury.

And so, Mark had single-handedly set the bar to almost impossible-to-achieve heights for every groom who follows.

It had been a truly mind-blowing day with a wonderful group of people and a bride and groom who clearly think the world of one another. I say this a lot, but it truly was a pleasure and a privilege to be a part of your amazing day!

Wishing you all every happiness in long and healthy lives together!

Karl

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