Tember and Chris' Wedding at Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn. Ribble Valley
Planning a Wedding during a pandemic certainly was not in this Brides initial plans. From their original date in April 2020 being postponed they decided to re book for October 2020. This was until there was news of the Country possibly going back into another lockdown. With this potentially being the case, Tember and Chris decided to bring their Wedding forward, they booked their new date and were married at Stirk House, Gisburn just 4 days later!!!!
Not only did they turn all this around in 4 days, but they had to make the exceedingly difficult decision to tell some Family and Friends that they couldn’t be at the Wedding due to Covid Restrictions. This was a heart-breaking decision for them both to make. But, by this point they wanted to be Husband and Wife and could not even consider the thought of having to postpone again.
So, with no time for a Hen Party, Tember’s Bridesmaids threw her a mini–Hen Party the night before her Wedding, at venue, the Stirk House.
Now let’s talk about the Wedding morning itself…. I awoke to a message from Tember who had a few too many the night before, and was sporting a huge bust lip after falling over. I had the pictures to prove this too. You can imagine, I was in absolute panic mode. It was a mess and all I could think about was that it was going to take some serious editing…. But I knew I would manage it!
Imagine my relief when I arrive at Stirk House the morning of the Wedding to find it had all been a joke!!!
Straight away I get a huge hug off the Bride as she hands me decorations and says right, “let’s get this room decorated”!!! This is her reception room, 3 hours before her Wedding, no hair or makeup done yet. And in true Tember style, she is just taking everything in her stride, and loving every moment of being the centre of attention.
Tember wore a beautiful Ivory full length dress, from the Designer Dando London, with intricate embroidered details which suited her perfectly and Chris looked Dapper in his Navy suit. The day was perfect. Tember’s style dominated throughout the Décor and Bridal Flowers.
The afternoon got started with their close friend and Singer, Laura Seel, singing on the outside patio whilst I whisked the couple off for their photographs. The guests were already having an amazing time by this point. Tember and Chris not so much…… what Bride takes off her Wedding Ring to look at it, and drops it through the decking into weeds, nettles, and brambles? It had been on her finger for 30 minutes. This ring was nowhere to be found. Chris was on his hands and knees trying to find it. Thank goodness for her Fireman Friend who brought his metal detector the morning after the Wedding and luckily found it for her.
On to the Wedding Breakfast, which was a delicious Chicken Dinner. Then speeches from the Groom and Maid of Honour had everyone in stitches.
The evening started with Laura, in her fabulous sequined dress, entertaining the guests with some of Tember and Chris’s favourite songs.
It was a beautiful Wedding from start to finish. But what made this Wedding even more special was that not only was I their photographer, but also a guest. To be asked to photograph Tember’s Wedding after knowing her since she was 5 was something truly special for me and a day I’ll never forget.
