I've known Emma for a long time. Our parents used to drive us and our siblings to school every day, and she's one of my sister's closest friends. Emma asked me fairly soon after she and Piers got engaged, and I was delighted. I didn't know Piers at the time and just met him on their engagement shoot, but I knew that Emma was a beautiful and bright person with an infectious smile and I had no doubt that their wedding would be a sunny affair even though it was going to be in late autumn.
We decided to do their engagement shoot at Gatton Manor in Surrey, where the wedding was going to be, which made it all the more special. It was lovely to see how much the colours changed in just over a month as well.
Emma and Piers decided to get married at Gatton Manor in Surrey, at the end of November. You're approximately twice as likely to get rain in November than in July, so if you go for an autumn wedding, I think you've probably already accepted that it might well be rainy and miserable. But, despite the potential rain and definite lack of daylight hours, you can't deny the extreme beauty of the reds and golds all around you. I was like a kid in a sweet shop as I drove down the windy lane towards the golf club, just marvelling at the colours and brimming with excitement to get behind the lens.
The day went off without a hitch (pardon the pun). The rain held off, the bride and groom braved chilly weather and soggy ground to get in amongst the leaves without a complaint, and as predicted, Emma had a massive smile on her face the entire time. The speeches were heartfelt, tear-jerking and hilarious and their choreographed first dance to Imelda May's 'Inside Out' was a masterpiece. I was lucky enough to sample the wedding breakfast as well and I can confirm it was DIVINE.
What a wonderful way to spend a Saturday in November!
JNP