I’m not sure if I’m patient enough to believe that everything happens for a reason. Because I work so hard to create the beauty in my life that I cannot let destiny take credit for all of the good stuff. However. There’s something to be said for karma and positive energy if only at the very least because they add a consciousness to my actions - I’m impulsive but not thoughtless - and it’s well-documented that I’m an annoyingly optimistic human (especially in the mornings).

Over the past year as we’ve eased away from the restrictions and self-regulation of the pandemic era, I find myself working with intention. Moving slower but stronger, feeling steadier in my work and thus allowing myself room for more creativity on a wedding day, taking cues from every couples’ own unique energy and offering a more painterly lens to the memories I’m documenting. What makes it sing is when my energy syncs and gels perfectly with the couple and we’re in lockstep to create something beautiful in the day whilst ensuring that I’m only stealing them away for brief pockets of calm and reconnection - they are present for their wedding much more often than not.

Back to destiny now and my earlier musings - Louise and Freddie actually got in touch with me back in 2021. We had a lovely chat, I heard all about their plans and what a lovely day they were planning with just 60ish of their very closest friends and family. At the time however, they ultimately chose another photographer (and pal of mine!), absolutely zero hard feelings this is the nature of the gig and especially as I live and work in the North West which is TEEMING with so so much wedding photography talent. But here is where there must be something to this energy and destiny business - because a few months ago, said pal unfortunately was no longer available but checked in to see if I was free to take on the booking, neither of us realising that we had actually spoken 2 years prior! When our faces all popped up on the Zoom call we arranged, immediately everything clicked and maybe it’s not destiny but certainly it was serendipitous to say the least. I was THRILLED!

What followed was yesterday’s glorious Manchester city entre wedding at not one but two iconic spots. There was a lovely and loving ceremony performed by Father Andy at St. Ann’s Church, a triumphant bride and groom emerging to a shower of confetti (and not rain, thankfully though it certainly threatened all day!) and a quick photo tour of Louise & Freddie’s former stomping grounds in Castlefield. We returned to King Street Townhouse and the day stretched ahead with some stunning speeches, some madcap bridal party antics as I made them run at each other in the street (all for the shot darling!) and into a rollicking evening of ceilidh dancing. There was banter and there were shots and as the night wore on, Lou & Freddie positively glowed from all of the big beautiful joy surrounding them.

I may be sceptical of fate, but I am so so pleased that somehow I was brought back into the orbit of this wonderful couple, two truly special humans who are building such a gorgeous life together. I cannot thank you guys enough for having me along, here’s a little sneak peek of what we got up to…

Dream Team

Venue - St. Ann’s & King Street Townhouse

Florals - Northern Flower for bouquets & buttonholes, centrepieces and arrangements by Freddie’s very talented mum Janet

Dress - Pronovias

Suit - King & Allen

Hair - Colette Sudlow

Makeup - Lauren McCabe

Harpist - Lauren Scott

Band - Ceilidh Tree