The Mount Hotel wedding of Emma & Darren

The Mount Hotel wedding of Emma & Darren

Emma and Darren’s big day was my first opportunity to shoot at The Mount Hotel wedding venue and from the moment I arrived I was excited about what the day was going to hold. Emma had been closely following the photos I had been putting on social media and commenting on ones that really caught her eye. It’s always a pleasure to shoot people’s wedding who clearly love my work but also have given me an insight into the wedding photos that are important to them through liking particular photographs on facebook or instagram. When I arrived at the grand hotel I found the bridal party in full ‘getting ready’ mode already. The atmosphere was full of fun, giggles and lots of in-jokes – I always love the preparation on the morning of the wedding; close friends and family are all there, giddy with excitement and lots of stuff going on (plenty for me to capture!) Emma had enlisted a friend for her wedding hair and Vanessa did an amazing job with the bride’s and all the bridesmaids’ hair. As ever, bridal prep flew by and Emma was soon ready in her stunning dress looking like a million dollars.

After leaving the girls to their final preparations it was time to go downstairs to The Mount Hotel wedding room to meet Darren and his groomsmen. He was a bit nervous, but excited too and with his best mate and his sons there by his side he was eager for the wedding ceremony to start. The room had been decorated absolutely beautifully, with the flowers and chair backs adding to the feeling of elegance already present in the stunning decor. With the stage set it was time for the bridesmaids to walk down the aisle and then it was Emma’s turn with her lovely dad. Emma had done so well holding the emotions back throughout the morning of the wedding but as she met her soon-to-be husband at the top of the aisle she did have a little tear in her eye. Even if she had managed to keep it together at that point, there weren’t many dry eyes in the house after Emma’s mum had done a reading at the beginning of the ceremony – definitely more tears! And the ceremony was beautifully led by The Mount Hotel wedding registrar with the vows and ring exchange seeming extra romantic and personal in the historical Great Hall…even Darren shed a little tear by the time they were pronounced as Mr & Mrs 🙂 

Following the formalities it was time for drinks and canapes outside in the landscaped lawns of The Mount Hotel. Emma & Darren managed to snatch a few minutes together just as husband and wife while their guests were relaxing in the grounds and then it was time for an enormous confetti shot – absolutely epic! Whilst Mr & Mrs Wade greeted their guests outside, I snuck in to the Great Hall which had been transformed for the wedding breakfast and it looked absolutely amazing! It never ceases to amaze me how couples manage to get their personalities shining through so many elements during the wedding day and Emma & Darren were no exception. 

Soon it was time for their guests to find their seats and then the newlyweds were introduced to everyone on the balcony of the Great Hall – what an amazing way to be introduced! The Master of Ceremonies did an incredible job at rousing the guests to provide a reception of the married couple, the likes of which I have never heard before. The noise level was awesome! This provided a fantastic atmosphere for the speeches, a mixture of humour and emotion which had people crying for lots of different reasons! And with the speeches done, it was time to eat! The food supplied by The Mount Hotel wedding caterers was immense – it had been bigged up by Emma and Darren beforehand as (and I quote!) “the best roast beef I’ve ever tasted” and that my sanity would have been questioned if I didn’t request a meal!! I never ever expect to be fed at a wedding but boy was I glad that I did at The Mount! Yum yum yum! 

After the wedding breakfast it was time for the newlyweds to take a little time for themselves whilst I got some beautiful couple portraits of them. The sky was beautiful, the grounds were beautiful and the couple were beautiful – a nice easy job for me! Evenings of weddings always go so quickly for me so it was soon time for the cake cutting – their cake topper was a personalised model of the pair of them, showing clearly Emma’s love of horses…and what Darren’s role is with regards to the horses too! With the Grand Hall transformed once more to provide a dance-floor the traditional first dance started the party! Luckily I was able to tear Emma & Darren away with some of their guests for the requested sparkler shot….it’s always at this point I do start questioning my sanity….as sparklers and rather inebriated wedding guests always gives me a heart in the mouth moment…but it is always, always worth it – I always love the end result!

When I left, Emma & Darren’s reception party was definitely in full swing and didn’t show any signs of slowing down any time soon. It was an absolutely amazing day and an awesome venue – I definitely want to go back for another The Mount Hotel wedding in the future – but, once again, the setting merely provided a backdrop to the incredible couple who were getting married. Emma & Darren, your day was epic and you and your family and friends were just awesome – congratulations and I wish you much happiness in the future together, you deserve it.

If you’re interested in booking me for your The Mount Hotel Wedding Photography then please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.