Rachel + Connor | May 2025
“Sarah was absolutely amazing, we got loads of feedback about how fab she was on the day from family and friends, relaxing, funny, [an] interesting and loving ceremony capturing everything. Sarah had thought it all out.”
I feel like I start so many of my blogs - or stories on Instagram - “one of my favourite things about weddings is…”, but that’s because there are. so. many. things. And one of my favourite things about weddings (here I go again) are the expressions on the couple’s faces. The nerves-joy-adrenaline concoction that is charging through your body when you are stood, ready to see the one you love most, in front of all the other people you love in the world, is a mad feeling. And a brilliant thing to behold.
Green flag best man
The lovely, very dry-witted, Connor found his sensitive side when he met Rachel. I tell you, this man sobbed at even the anticipation of his bride coming down the aisle. Which meant he ended up crying to bridesmaid Rosy coming down the aisle, much to lots of sweet laughter from his family on the front row.
And then the beautiful bride emerged from the gates at the end of the long Abbey aisle, the blue sky above her, and she did not stop beaming. Oh, some of these photos have really taken me back to their May day, because I remember every time I looked at Rachel she was just laughing, head thrown back, or smiling at everyone and everything. What a sweetheart.
Photos by the lovely Georgie Beck
Down in Leeds meeting the bride and groom in one of their favourite locals, this was a venue I popped to see a few months before their wedding. And I couldn’t quite believe - peering in through the iron gates at the grand relic of Kirkstall Abbey, because it was closed up after hours - that I was going to be marrying a couple in an old church with no roof. How bloody brilliant.
Organised Rachel had bought one hundred clear umbrellas, a just-in-case move that we thankfully did not need. The day was gorgeous. And I was grateful. They are such a lovely pair and had chosen such an unusual setting - I felt they deserved to be smiled upon by Mother Nature.
And I can’t go any further without mentioning VIP Bramble the dog, the couple’s pride and joy, who was brought to see mum and dad as soon as the ceremony had finished (as well as getting plenty of mentions in the ceremony!). A very sweet little furry friend.
What a shot by Georgie Beck
Rachel and Connor honoured the splendour of the setting by hiring a string quartet, and to make the most of the live music - and get everyone up on their feet - we sang soul classic Stand by Me. If we’re going to do a wedding ceremony sing-a-long I work with my couples to come up with songs that fit their vibe and are well-known. You want as many people singing as possible. I’ve done a few weddings with a sing-a-long and I can’t tell you the RELIEF when the guests GO FOR IT. People sang their hearts out - “won’t you stand, staaaand by meee”- and it was glorious.
Especially accompanied by Ebor Quartet in an old Abbey. I was pinching myself as I hopped around at the front, singing Ben E King with wild abandon.
You could say we raised the roof but there wasn’t one to begin with.
“We loved working with Sarah on the run up to the wedding, she was super calm, supportive, available to ask any questions, we felt in safe hands and well connected.”