It's so important to
Make someone happy,
Make just one someone happy;
Make just one heart the heart you sing to.
One smile that cheers you,
One face that lights when it nears you,
One girl you're ev'rything to.

(Jimmy Durante)

Nostalgia is a pretty powerful feeling - it can creep up and stop you in your tracks when you’re least expecting it and the emotions evoked can take your breath away. One of my most vivid childhood memories is riding in the backseat of our car, my mom driving, my sisters driving me nuts. It took six hours to drive from Pittsburgh to Allentown, Pennsylvania where my Grammy Norm lived and from 1993 the soundtrack to that journey was Jimmy Durante on the Sleepless in Seattle album. It was often nighttime when we drove, always Thanksgiving or Christmas and with flashlights forbidden, I’d stretch my book up to the window to grab as much streetlight as I could. Sometimes the snow was so thick, the journey would take longer and my mom, probably to mitigate the stretch of driving across state with three kids, would turn to Jimmy Durante and Louis Armstrong, Carly Simon and Tammy Wynette. It was the perfect mixtape and we’d all belt it (off-key) until we safely arrived in the warmth of Grammy Norm’s.

Okay Kate, what’s your point?

Last night as I pulled away from the twinkling lights of the beautiful Holford Estate containing the joy and merriment and SO MUCH LOVE from Clare & Jack’s STUNNING winter wedding, Jimmy Durante came on the radio and I had to pull over, the nostalgia wracked me to my core. Because yesterday’s winter wedding felt like stepping back in time - the nervous excitement of wedding prep and greeting our giddy bride as a dear friend expertly applied makeup and hairstyling wizardry - the ritual of Clare’s mum Marie zipping up her dress with tears in her eyes - the last minute scramble to get to the church on time. Capturing a groom before he greets his bride and those final jitters and nervous grins, breaking into utter awe at the sight of his love flanked by their very dearest family members, witnessing those ancient vows. And the family photos and the confetti and the quiet moments and the speeches and the first dance and oh my goodness, nostalgia hit me so hard.

Clare and Jack were supposed to marry in August with 300 of their big beautiful Irish Catholic family and friends by their side. Then Clare and Jack were supposed to marry in November with 30 close by. Yesterday Clare & Jack said their marriage vows in front of just 15 beloved family members. And 300 or just 15, it was exhilarating to work alongside a group of exceptional Cheshire wedding suppliers and give these beautiful, kind, generous humans the most amazing fairytale wedding of their dreams. A wedding day is a production that follows a formula and, like a well-oiled machine sidelined for far too long, we were ready to create that magic for them. It felt like going back in time because regardless of the numbers or the restrictions, the love is ALWAYS the same and fills a space and lights up the sky.

I cannot thank the Lydon and Maloney families enough for giving me this day of nostalgia - for sticking with me throughout a WILD and complicated and frustrating year. I feel so honoured to have captured it for them. My eighth, and final wedding if 2020 was one for the ages. Here’s a sneak peek of what we got up to…

Cheshire Wedding Dream Team

Venue - The Holford Estate https://www.theholfordestate.co.uk/

Florals - Verdure https://www.verdure.co.uk/

Dress - Jessica Bennett Bespoke https://www.jessicabennettbespokebride.co.uk/

Hair & MUA - Lisa Simms https://www.lisasimms.co.uk/

Cake - Fancy Cakes by Rachel https://www.fancycakesbyrachel.co.uk/

Videography - Amy Louise Film & Photography https://amylouisephotography.co.uk/