Our Wedding

Wedding Month

June is wedding month on laurabradshaw.co.uk, which means a whole month of wedding content! Boy oh boy, it’s good to be married. I feel like I have had to keep quiet about SO many wedding related plans and it’s so nice to finally be able to write this and plan out all of my wedding posts – I’m super excited to share these with you guys! Wedding planning can be daunting and I only really felt like I had nailed it once my wedding was over. However, hopefully these posts will help you guys out – I’ve been making lists throughout the past year of things I “wish I knew”, so that’s definitely a little teaser of what you can expect!

One thing I loved when I was wedding planning was reading through Carrie’s wedding content during her blogs wedding month. I knew instantly that I wanted to take inspiration and do something similar with my wedding content for you guys, rather than spread them out and forget about certain details. SO, here it is, I hope you’re as excited as I am. Of course if there’s anything you want me to make sure I cover leave them in the comments or get in touch via social!

First up? Our wedding photos…

13.05.17

I know everyone says it but my wedding day really was the best day of my life. It’s the one day I would love to do again, as long as everything could stay just the same. I would say I had dreamt of this day since getting engaged back in February last year, but actually I’ve thought about it for a lot longer than that – like most girls do. I always hoped I would find someone that I wanted to marry and spend my life with but whilst kissing some big ol’ frogs I did begin to lose hope. Forever is a long time to spend with a frog, right?!

Well just like everyone told me, when I was least expecting it… along came Chris. I don’t want this post to become too soppy but he is definitely the best thing to ever happen to me. I knew he was the one the moment I’d check every 5 minutes for him to text, my heart beating when I saw his name pop up on my phone and the way he made me laugh, every single day. We have so much in common but also thrive off our differences which is something that makes our relationship work so well. I have always known this guy was the one and when he asked me to marry him I knew it was going to be my favourite day ever.

Now, I didn’t actually find wedding planning that difficult or stressful (she says!) Of course there were times it tested me a little but actually, it was fun. I tried to think of it as planning a massive party for us and our loved ones, which definitely took the pressure off a little. I haven’t had the best few months in terms of my health so that didn’t help, but luckily my amazing parents and friends helped me out in the lead up. Without them I definitely wouldn’t have had some things finished (kudos to my Mum for making the BEST pick ‘n mix table in the world..!)

Anyway, the photos – this is what you’re all here for right? Obviously I’m marrying a photographer so choosing someone to take our wedding photos was tough. As if by pure magic, the day after we got engaged my friend Kathryn got in touch asking if I would model for her in some wedding styled shoots. I think of this as fate because once I saw her style of photography we knew we would be happy for her to shoot our wedding. Kathryn has a very dreamy and magical style which I just love – she’s also super calming to be around which we both found really important. A great deal of thought and passion goes into her work and that is what I love so very much. So, with that intro – here’s our wedding photos…

Mr & Mrs Bradshaw

GETTING READY

The first few hours of getting ready were breezy, the Bridesmaids were first up in the ‘hair chair’ and I chilled out (whilst taking lemsips thanks to the cold that hit me and after having just 3 hours sleep!) Then the words “you need to be in your dress by 2pm” echoed in my mind and the nerves hit me hard. All was softly helped with a gluten free sandwich and a glass of bubbly. I can’t really put my finger on what was making me the most nervous but I do know they were happy nerves and those are the best kind.

I DO

Walking down the isle is a bit of a blur. All I can really remember is my Dad whispering “slow down” (I’m a fast walker…) and a few of my emotions – a mix between trying not to happy cry and my jaw aching from smiling so much already. The words ‘take it all in’ were on repeat in my mind and I remembered my lovely friend Sophie had told me how she made sure to look around at her guests too – so I did just that. You get once chance to walk the isle, so what she said is very true. Originally we had planned to get married outside but it was a tad windy and there’s no way I could let my little Nan freeze!

LET’S EAT

I loved our marquee – it was bright and the perfect setting for our meal and speeches. Laughter echoed and the drinks flowed. Again, like most of the day this was a bit of a blur but I do vividly remember a few times when I would just look around at our families and friends and let it sink in. To watch people you love chatting, laughing and all in one room for you is magical.

PARTAAAAY

Now this bit of the day, definitely disappeared in seconds! After our first dance and my father, daughter dance it was mainly chatting to our guests and lots of bad dancing. Let’s just say, all our ‘finest’ moves surfaced (they even made their way into our first dance!) We had a prop box which went down a treat, flip flops for sore feet and the most amazing Pick n’ Mix table curated by my Mum, who has since been praised for her sweet choices!

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

We retired to our hotel room a little tipsy and very danced-out. I removed the many hair grips and sadly took off my makeup, Chris forgot his PJ’s so slept in my ‘Bride To Be’ t-shirt. All in all, a very fitting end to our perfect day.

Links

Photography – Kathryn Hopkins | Venue – Prested Hall | Flowers – Rebecca Avery | Dress – Sottero and Midgley via Grace & Lace | Shoes – Rachel Simpson (use the code tinytwisst for 10% off, valid until end of June 2017!) | Bridesmaid Dresses – Maya Boutique via ASOS | Groom & Usher’s suits – Moss Bros | Groom’s Shoes – Howick | Makeup & Hair – Amy Lawrence | Band – Jupiter Ray