Orchardleigh House Wedding

Orchardleigh is the perfect venue for a Christmas winter wedding. There is something about the house and grounds that makes it such a lovely winter wedding venue. I first met Cián about 3 years ago. He is a very successful and talented singer and was part of the Brit Award winning Only Men Allowed. I photographed headshots for him as he was going solo. Little did I know that I would be photographing his wedding to the equally talented Bridie a few years later. This is my last wedding of 2016 and having photographed at Orchardleigh in the winter before, I knew if was going to be a great day.

While the groom and the boys got ready in the cottages onsite, Bridie and the bridesmaids had the suite at the main house. Cián's mother made the boys Irish Coffees which went down very well with everyone! Bridie was ready about 45 minutes before she was supposed to leave which is a very rare thing! It made for a very relaxed atmosphere. It was The church of All Saints in nearby lullington for the wedding ceremony itself. Its a lovely little church with one of the nicest vicars I have met.

With Cián and many of the the groomsmen being professional singers, its not a surprise that the hymns were very powerful. Even the vicar commented how good the singing was! I am not sure I have ever had a bride and groom "High 5" on being pronounced 'Man and Wife' but these two did it (as well as having a first kiss of course). Back at Orchardleigh, the Champagne flowed and although the weather was not on our side, no one cared. It was fun shooting the big group shot with over 100 people crammed in to the corner of the main hall while I stood on a chair balanced on the window sill!

The speeches were delivered throughout the wedding breakfast with the two fathers, Cián and his brother (the Best Man) delivering them. Cián's goddaughter said grace before the starters as well. Cián delivered his speech as a Limerick while his brother Caolan had everyone in stitches with his story of being demoted at Christmas! Right at the end of the night, a group of guests put on a dance routine to a montage of songs they had prepared for the wedding and blew everyone away.

I hope you enjoy my last wedding of 2016. There are plenty more to come in 2017!

Here are some of the wedding suppliers that helped make this day fantastic:

Dress Designer and Retailer: Pronovias

Dress Retailer: Pronovias

Brides Shoe Designer: Kurt Geiger

Brides Shoe Retailer: Selfridges

Grooms Suit Designer: John Lancaster

Grooms Suit Retailer: VSmono

Flower Design: Stems of Ealing - Segolen

Hair Design: Melanie Giles

Make Up Specialist: Christy Waterfall

Caterer: Orchardleigh