Last weekend we photographed the Goodwood House wedding of Sophia and Ed. The weather was brilliant considering the rain that preceded the day. This year we are asking our Brides and Grooms to give us some information about their wedding planning so we really hope you enjoy this new addition to the blog!
To share a little information about the couple, we asked how they met. Ed says:
“Sophia is the little sister of one of my friends. Thankfully her brother Al doesn’t bear any grudges, as he is one of my ushers! We first met a wedding of our mutual friends JP and Anita. JP used to live near Sophia and her brother when they were kids and living in Venezuela with their respective families. At around that time JP started boarding at the same school in York where Ed attended. When they all moved to London as adults, it was JP who brought everyone together and provided the introductions. And the rest, as they say, is history. JP is reciting one of the readings during the wedding service – an extract on marriage from the book ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom.”
Ed proposed on the way to a city-break in Marrakech to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately their joyous celebrations were partly to blame as they missed their flight to Morocco (cancellations and delays on the Gatwick Express played an even greater part) but even the taxi ride to Heathrow for an alternative flight couldn’t dampen their enthusiasm.
In the morning, Bev began the day at Sophia’s parents house with the girls. This is always such a fun time as the excitement builds. Everyone was really relaxed as they had their hair and make up finished off by Toni Todd.
Hair and makeup finished and everyone looking gorgeous, the girls got in to their dresses. Sophia wore an ivory lace gown designed by British dressmaker Sassi Holford, from her Fulham boutique. The veil was by the same designer. The dress was paired with a lace, three quarter-sleeve bolero and sash by Sassi, vintage earrings, an Art Deco bracelet that belonged to the Bride’s great-grandmother and cobalt blue Jimmy Choos. Sophia wore Jo Malone’s Wild Bluebell, a scent borrowed from the mother of the bride. The evening celebrations saw a change from the bolero into a bespoke tulle top with lace appliqué also designed by Sassi Holford, navy glittered dancing shoes by L.K. Bennett and 1920s style earrings and bracelet.
The bridesmaids wore royal-blue dresses by Maids to Measure of Fulham, London accessorised with silver birch leaf backdrop pendants.
The flowers were a particularly striking feature of this wedding. Provided by one of our recommended suppliers, Spriggs Florist, white roses featured heavily as the groom is a Yorkshireman, whereas the timing of the wedding was chosen to coincide with the stunning bluebell season in this part of Sussex. Sophia carried a petit trailing hand shower bouquet of white roses with an accent of blue from bluebells. The bridesmaids carried petit posies of white roses and bluebells. The two flowergirls also carried petit posies of bluebells. The mothers of the bride and groom wore white rose corsages. All male wedding guests, including the men in the bridal party, wore a white rose buttonhole. The lynchgate in the church was decorated with white roses and foliage and the entrance to the church was decorated with an arrangement of white roses, hydrangeas, lilies and clusters of bluebells with seasonal trailing foliage. At the front hall to Goodwood House is a large urn filled with an arrangement of large headed and scented white roses, hydrangeas and garden foliage on the centre table.
Whilst Bev was with the girls, Barrie joined the boys at the Goodwood Hotel where they were making their final preparations. They were wearing Gun grey mohair morning suits with dove grey waistcoat from Favourbrook on Jermyn Street with a paisley “Liberty Print” tie from Liberty London and silver Birch leaf motif cufflinks.
Before long it was time for Sophia to make her way to the church of St Thomas a Becket for their wedding ceremony. This church holds particular meaning because it is where Sophia’s grandparents were married. Sophia travelled to the church with her father, Rick in a beautiful red classic Jaguar Mark 1.
Sophia arrived at the church in glorious sunshine. The church is excellent for wedding photography with lots of natural light and a raised gallery so we were able to capture some lovely images during the ceremony.
Following the ceremony, the guests were transported to Goodwood House in a vintage Southdowns Bus provided by Southdowns Historic Vehicles. Goodwood House as usual was warm and welcoming and thanks to the fabulous staff, the day ran like clockwork. It really is a pleasure to work at Goodwood and Sophia and Ed were clearly loving every minute of the day! Drinks were served and guests enjoyed canapes and tours of the house, while we photographed the important family groups in the Tapestry Room. A sting quartet composed of soloists from the London Contemporary Orchestra played throughout the drinks reception.
The Ballroom at Goodwood is one of the most impressive dining rooms we see at weddings and Sophia and Ed had done a brilliant job of dressing the tables. Place named had been produced with the most stunning calligraphy by Kalli Weddings. Sophia and Ed’s wedding cake was absolutely beautiful and totally unique with hand painted bluebells made by Natasha Collins of Nevie Pie Cakes. Floral table decorations provided by Spriggs Florists bought everything together. The tables were decorated with a mixture of tall silver candelabras and low silver bowls, each with an informal ring of white roses lisianthus, ranunculus and bluebells.
While the guests were sitting down for the meal, we took the opportunity to take Sophia and Ed down to the Hill Climb start for some of our signature images. The sun was shining and it was lovely for them to have a little time together before returning to the house to be introduced for the first time as Mr and Mrs Birch!
The food at Goodwood is always excellent and for their menu, Sophia and Ed chose:
Oak Cold Smoked Salmon with Brown Shrimp and Dill Mousse and Lime Creme Fraiche
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Watermelon and Ginger soup sip
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Saddle of Southdown Lamb marinated in Lemon and Thyme served with confit Saffron Potato and Madeira Reduction
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Valrhona Chocolate and Single Malt Whisky Tart with Pistachio Ice Cream
The couple chose to have their speeches before the meal and all three speeches given by Sophia’s Father, Rick, Ed and his Best Man were absolutely perfect. Amusing, heartfelt and entertaining.
After the meal, we took the opportunity of using the low sunlight to create some more of our famous signature images outside the house.
In the evening, music was provided by a brilliant band, The Cassettes. This was the first time we had seen them playing at a wedding, but they were brilliant and everyone was on the floor having a great time!
About Goodwood House
Goodwood House is one of the most prestigious wedding venues in West Sussex. The Regency country house sits at the foot of the South Downs a short drive from Chichester and has been the home of the Dukes of Richmond for more than 300 years. Couples have the run of grand state rooms including the Egyptian Dining Room, Tapestry Drawing Room and Long Hall, with the estate’s 12,000 acres of parkland stretching out beyond.
A country house wedding tends to reward an unhurried approach. I work in a documentary style for most of the day — capturing guests settling in, the quiet moments before the ceremony and the relaxed pace of a long reception — with a short focused portrait session somewhere that suits the house.
