Windmill Village Wedding
Creative Wedding Photographs by Coventry Wedding Photographer Stuart James
It’s not every wedding that you get to be a guest as well as being a photographer, but with my gorgeous wife Beki as bridesmaid and Jodie + Neil as great friends of ours, this wedding was that extra bit special ????
We’ve known Jodie and Neil for quite a few years now since Beki and Jodie worked together, and I’m so happy to call them both close friends. When they started planning their wedding, I was almost not photographing the day, as they wanted me to be a guest. However, capturing this incredible story for them made it so special, and really feels like a gift from us to them both!
On the lead up to the big day, I got to spend a little time with Jodie + Neil and their gorgeous son Max at Sandwell Valley Park. Working out how to photograph the couple – and the rather immense height difference, and to get the best from Max, was a fabulous afternoon. Such a great way to set us up for their wedding!
Jodie + Neil chose the stunning setting of The Windmill Village Coventry for their wedding. With family coming in from all over the country, a central location – with a golf course – was the perfect choice for them both. The stunning grounds were set to be the perfect backdrop for the day – until the weather had other ideas!
Windmill Village Summer Wedding
After arriving the night before to relax with the wedding party, it was late morning on the day of the wedding the story began.
Capturing the finishing preparations with bridal hair and makeup being taken care of by Sian Redmond and Emily Grosvenor. The mood was so relaxed – the girls really did have everything well under control. There was even time for a short game of hangman!!
Photographs of the Wedding Morning by Coventry Wedding Photographer Stuart James
Leaving Jodie and the bridesmaids to finish getting ready, it was time to head to our groom and groomsmen. It’s always fabulous when I get to complete the story spending a little time with the groomsmen, with the extra moments and details becoming such an important part of the narrative.
Neil chose fabulous suits from Youngs Hire with the Fraser Tartan Ties – such a fabulous look! And just-enough tartan to keep Jodie happy!
The box of gifts from Jodie went down so well, and it was beautiful to see Neil’s reaction as he opened them!
Windmill Village Wedding Coventry
With the suite set by Truly Scrumptious for the wedding ceremony, it was back up to our bridal party with Jodie looking stunning in her gown from Your Wedding Shop in Birmingham. The bridesmaids looked incredible (yes, especially Beki! ????) in their dresses from Quiz.
As Jodie opened the fabulous gifts from her groom Neil, the message-in-a-bottle hit the sweetest chord; who knew Mr Fraser had it in him!
Wedding Ceremony at The Windmill Village
It’s not just moments, but also the details that bring true context to the story. From the beautiful flowers picked to bring the theme together, to Neil’s grandfather’s tie pie, close to his chest throughout the wedding:
Whilst I’m not one for many portraits, this natural moment of Neil I just love:
From the journey down their stairs, it was soon time for the bridal party’s well planned procession down the aisle to our waiting groom. From Ava’s entrance to Max’s journey with his nanny, and our gorgeous bridesmaids, it was at the perfect crescendo of the music that Jodie made her entrance on the arm of her father.
With Max just one days before the wedding, he was always going to be doing his own thing during the ceremony. I loved capturing these moments as he was blissfully playing with the petals during the ceremony.
From the looks between our bride and groom as they exchanged their vows, to the beautiful readings from Jodie’s brother and bridesmaid Gina, it was the reading from Max – delivered by Neil’s mom – that stole the heart!
Windmill Village Wedding Photographs
From the procession down the aisle as Mr & Mrs, to the confetti bombardment, it was back indoors for the drinks reception, sheltering from the rain.
After capturing the guests enjoying the drinks reception with our bride and groom, it was fabulous to set up the formal family photographs indoors in a small studio – always being prepared is part of the job ☺️
Wedding Breakfast in the Windmill Suite
With the Windmill Suite set beautifully for the wedding breakfast, it was time for the entrance of our Bride and Groom.
Getting to sit back and enjoy the meal with Beki and a couple of friends at the wedding was fabulous.
Ahead of the speeches with the briefest gap in the weather, I just had to take the opportunity to take our Bride and Groom out onto the decked terrace for a couple of photographs!
The speeches however, were always going to be a highlight, and from the brief speech by Jodie’s dad, it was over to Neil.
From tugging at the heartstrings talking about his grandfather, to the personal messages and notes about each of the bridesmaids and his groomsmen, the speech really did have it all!
With two of Neil’s closest friends as Best Men, there were always going to be some interesting stories during their speech!
Candid Photographs of the Evening Reception
My remit of capturing the story relaxed into the evening, spending just a little time capturing the arrival of the evening guests ahead of the cake cutting and getting the dance floor started!
One of the cutest little captures of the evening however has to be Max with his playmates on the dance floor:
From the first dance, the floor was full throughout the night, with everyone – us included – having an amazing time!
Windmill Village Wedding
There was only one way to bring the story to a conclusion, with a signature portrait of our Bride and Groom outside the manor house:
Jodie and Neil, thank you for inviting us to be part of your wedding and for entrusting the capturing of your day to me.
Being part of your wedding from hearing the plans come together as you talked with Beki, to enjoying it with you, your wedding is a day I will always remember.
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If you are planning your Windmill Village Wedding or you are looking for a Coventry Wedding Photographer who will capture the story of your day, please do get in touch.
Contact Windmill Village Wedding Photographer Stuart James : info@stuartjamesphoto.co.uk : 0800 331 7741 : 07834 978905
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