Alex & Damien | Five Bells Stanbridge Wedding Photographer
I first met Alex and Damien way back in 2016 at a wedding fair in Milton Keynes. We hit it off right away and they decided to book me then and there on the day for their Five Bells Stanbridge Wedding, which was awesome! I got to know the two of them (and their pooch Henry!) a little better in the run up to the big day, and during their pre-wedding shoot at on the Ashridge Estate last year (you can take a look at the some photos from their Engagement shoot here).
Five Bells Stanbridge Wedding Photographer
My planning meetings are usually scheduled for a few weeks before the big day, and Alex, Damien and I arranged a Skype call to run through everything – but they had some exciting news – Alex was expecting! I was so happy for them when they told me, and I could tell how excited they were!
When the big day finally arrived, I spent a little bit of time with Alex and her bridesmaids getting ready at their home in Leighton Buzzard. Alex was supremely chilled out in the morning – excited too, of course, but the atmosphere was very relaxed! One of my favourite moments in the morning was when Alex came downstairs in her wedding dress and saw her dad, the first tears of the day were shed in that moment, it was so emotional.
As if nobody else was in the room…
Alex made her way to the Five Bells Pub in Stanbridge for the ceremony in a vintage campervan provided by the lovely guys at Silk and Satin, who I’ve worked with before – I love their classic Campervans! I made my way to the front of the ceremony where Damien was waiting patiently (and a little nervously) for her to arrive. A few tears were shed as he saw her walking towards him down the aisle. I don’t like to say that I enjoy seeing people crying of course, but when a groom gets all emotional it makes me a bit teary myself!
One of the things I love about Alex and Damien is how clear it is how much they love each other, and how happy they are to be welcoming their little one later this year. There were so many tender moments between the two of them during the ceremony, with Damien reaching over to put his hand on Alex’s bump and the two of them exchanging little looks, it was as if nobody else was in the room.
Following an emotional ceremony, the couple left the pub through an enthusiastic confetti tunnel, and then we took a little drive in the camper around the corner to some fields by Damien’s mum’s house. It was lovely to get these two away from the crowds for a few moments to let them enjoy some quiet time, and being the new Mr and Mrs Bathie-Neale!
Perfect for an intimate and relaxed wedding
Once we returned to the Five Bells, the couple enjoyed some mingling time with their guests while I captured some details of the room. I love the Five Bells in Stanbridge, it’s such a lovely old pub and the perfect place for an intimate and relaxed Bedfordshire Wedding. Alex and Damien had done a lovely job of decorating it with bunting, flowers and fairy lights – just gorgeous.
After some delicious food and more portraits in the gardens, it was time for the guests to get their dancing shoes on and party the night away to some excellent tunes provided by Carl the DJ. As the evening came to an end, the couple made their way outside to a tunnel of sparklers to top off an excellent day.
I had so much fun capturing Alex and Damien’s big day at the Five Bells Stanbridge. If you’re planning a relaxed pub wedding in Bedfordshire or anywhere else, do drop me a line as I’d love to discuss your plans with you!
