Julie has been a friend of ours for years. But Chris was a ‘mystery man’ who Julie kept quietly out of sight from us until about a year or so back.

Chris came from Bognor Regis on the south coast, although originally from Nigeria and gets on great with Jules and her girls and the rest of her friends too.

So it was really nice to be asked to shoot their wedding.

Julies dress was hand made by the very talented Charlotte Young, whilst the wedding cakes, which were both a traditional fruit cake and separate cup-cakes were made by Beckys Cake Boutique.

The ceremony for Chris & Julie was held at the Kingdom Hall in Yate, just north of Bristol.

Coincidences being what they are, the minister who took the ceremony was from Bognor too, and after chatting with him for some time, Stuart realised he had visited his previous home some 20 years earlier when in London for a printing course…

Sorry – off down memory lane for a moment there.

Julie and Chris’ reception was held at the Kendleshire Golf Club just a few miles down the road. Having checked the topography of the location on Google Maps, it was obvious that there were fine vistas, small knots of trees and a lake or two. Given the time of year, we knew that the trees would be doing their autumn thing and we should be able to get some great colourful shots.

The Golf Club was very apologetic – health and safety meant that because the course was in use, even the gravelled footpaths were out-of-bounds. So no trees, glades or lakes. The club had thoughtfully created a small arch with a path – very necessary given the overnight rain which had soaked the lawns we would otherwise have used.

We were simultaneously guests at this wedding and the food was exceptional. Stuart rarely has fish, but the starter was just up his street. And the Moroccan Lamb Tagine was properly spiced with the right amount of cayenne pepper and paprika to make it memorable – something many other venues seem to fear doing.

And the beautiful Belgian Waffles were fresh and hot and smothered in ice-cream. Mmmmmmm…waffles…

Nat, Chris’ bestman did a really nice and personal speech. Very heartfelt. Indeed in keeping with the ceremony which had a personal ring to every word.

And then Chris’ speech brought a tear to the eye of virtually every female listening, as he sang a few bars of a love song to Julie.

Oh, no…now all the wives would expect their husbands to do the same 🙂

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Note to Parents:  Kids get hungry as wedding day food is served often a long time after breakfast. Please make sure bridemaids bouquets are edible.  See below.