Offley Place is one of my favourite Hertfordshire wedding venues, and Jen and Paul’s gorgeous day certainly did not disappoint!
When Jen and Paul first got in touch with me about their Offley Place wedding in Hertfordshire, I was so thrilled – they were planning a relaxed and romantic wedding with loads of personal touches, including guest alpacas! Jen and Paul seemed like the nicest people, and they were so excited about getting married in such a beautiful venue. I remember Paul telling me when we first had a consultation that they had fallen in love with the conservatory there, and I knew it would be an amazing celebration. I couldn’t wait to shoot their wedding!
We’d gotten to know each other a bit better during their pre-wedding shoot, which you can take a look at here.
Bridal preparations
I began the morning at Jen and Paul’s home, where the girls were getting ready together. When I arrived Jen was having her make up done, and I took some time to photograph the details like jewellery, dress, shoes and flowers. It was such a chilled out morning! Jen was so relaxed, and was even up sweeping the kitchen at one point! Just before we left, we took some photos of Jen, her dad and her bridesmaids at the front of the house, and there were lots of well wishers from neighbours and other passers by!
My good friend Damion covered Paul’s groom preparations over at Offley place, which consisted of some time in the bar, some getting dressed, some shots, and then some more time in the bar! Perhaps Paul was a little nervous and needed a bit of dutch courage!
The ceremony
Jen arrived in style at Offley Place in a white Rolls Royce. The wedding itself took place in the beautiful Conservatory at Offley Place, and was a gorgeous civil ceremony with a couple of readings by close friends. One of my favourite moments of the whole wedding day was when Jen and Paul (who had clearly been plotting in advance) initially decided to forego the traditional first kiss, and instead went for a ‘first high five’! It was a fab moment and one of my favourite photos from the day!
After the ceremony the couple were showered with confetti, and then everyone got to have a cuddle with the alpacas, who Jen and Paul had arranged to come along as a surprise for their guests. We powered through the obligatory group photographs but obviously found time in the drinks reception for some couples photos with the alpacas, and some more in the gorgeous grounds of Offley Place before it was time to sit down for dinner.
The Reception
The wedding reception took place in the same room as the ceremony,, which was adorned with candelabras and transformed beautifully whilst everyone was enjoying the drinks reception. The room looked beautiful – I particularly liked the lace chair covers that the couple had chosen. It really set the room off beautifully.
Speeches took place before dinner, once the couple had been seated and once everyone had chipped in to the kitty for the sweepstake on how long the speeches would last! The speeches were great fun and there were lots of laughs! Unusually Jen and Paul had opted not to have a traditional top table at their wedding, but they had their own table for two, which I thought was a lovely idea and let them have the opportunity to spend some lovely time together during the meal – something that surprisingly doesn’t happen that much on your wedding day!
After a delicious meal, and following some mingling time with a photo booth and plenty more drinks, it was time for Jen and Paul to cut the cake, and to do their first dance which was to James Morrison – ‘You Make It Real For Me’.
I had such an awesome day with Jen and Paul at one of my favourite Hertfordshire Wedding Venues. Big thanks to them for trusting me to capture their big day!
Here’s their gorgeous Offley Place wedding!
Suppliers
Dress: http://www.elizabethmcqueen.co.uk/
Suit: http://www.waterers-menswear.co.uk/
Venue: http://www.offleyplace.com/
Flowers: https://www.instagram.com/mrs_m_floral_design/
DJ: https://www.talldogmusic.com/
If you’re looking for an Offley Place wedding photographer, get in touch!