emma & andy | great lodge

23.07.22

It was such an honour to be chosen to capture Emma & Andy’s magical day. Here’s their story…

Feature

Why did you pick your venue, and what makes it special to you?

We previously went to our friends' wedding here and really liked how personal they made their wedding and the venue allowed that to happen. We love the grounds and the stone barn (windows!!). We really wanted to get married outside in a garden and this had the perfect spot with a lily pond. We also love wine!

It's a real honour to have been chosen to capture your special day - thank you! We would love to know why you chose us - what is it about our work that you like?

We really like the way you use light in your videos. We also like the candid shots very much, the shots where someone doesn't know they are being filmed and the realness of it. Also the detail /close up shots when getting ready and parts of the wedding that may be forgotten like the tables etc. We definitely want our video to be like a memory box for the feeling on the day

What is important in life to you?

Each other, and being happy. We are very social beings (well, Andy is and Emma goes along for the ride), and so our friends and family are incredibly important to us. Having our wedding day isn't just for us but for them and a way of saying thank you for being in our lives.

What is a typical Sunday/day off together like for you?

Walks and the pub, most likely Emma wanting to eat calorific food and drink alcohol and Andy consistently saying "We don't need to" hahaha! Food is always big on the agenda  (whatever day) which has been a nightmare when you are trying to fit into a suit or dress.

How did you meet each other?

We met at work at an investigation company. Emma needed a job nearby in her home town before travelling to Australia , New Zealand and Japan. Andy had been working there for a while so we probably walked passed each other in Ongar multiple times before. We ended up sitting across from one another and bonded over watching the series '24' at the same time so we came into work talking about last night's episode. At the end of the whole series, we ended up starting to date.  (Emma made a beeline for Andy, but then left for Australia after 3 months!!! .......... Fortunately Andy followed! and travelled both Australia and Japan together.

How about the proposal? Tell us everything! :-)

As Emma is ever so slightly controlling. she prevented us from booking to go away to our favourite place in the UK, the Lake District, and wanted to try Shropshire instead. Andy had planned to get to the accommodation, go on one of our walks and propose. Emma hadn't mentioned that she wanted to go to Stratford-upon-avon on the way preventing Andy from his plans. Andy was quiet and miserable all day  - we eventually got to the accommodation and met with the lady who owned it where she also had baked us a cake. Emma got really into cutting up the cake and didn't realise Andy was behind her ready to propose, she ignored him and went to the table with her slice. He followed her to the table and got down on one knee and asked Emma to marry him. Emma cried and asked if he was joking and forgot to say yes. She couldn't finish her slice of cake so Andy ate it whilst she composed herself - Andy was chuffed with both outcomes!

Why did you choose each other over anyone else?

We enjoyed each others company so much.  We gravitated towards each other on work events and we always had a lot to talk about etc. Andy says Emma is beautiful and funny and there is never a dull (or quiet ;)) moment. Emma says Andy keeps her grounded and makes her laugh every single day.

wedding ceremony

How do you think your partner makes you better?

We do compliment each other, we're able to add different perspectives. but most of all we support one another through anything.  Andy grounds Emma and Emma challenges Andy daily and together make a perfect match.

What part of marriage do you think will be the most challenging?

Keeping our lives adventurous - you can easily fall into the wheel of monotony. Making sure we both have exciting lives and live to the fullest.

What's the one thing you've never done but dream of being able to do one day?

Round the world trip, Having children, Maybe starting a business together

What makes your partner unique?

Andy finds joy in winding up people, which actually puts a lot of people at ease in his company. They can see he finds joy in it and so automatically feel more comfortable around him. It's an amazing quality which allows him to relate to anyone he meets.   Emma is by far the most academically and emotionally intelligent person I know and although we both are constantly learning in life, she is amazing at listening and is then able to back that up with knowledge.

If you could describe your partner in 5 words, what would they be?

Andy is stoic, measured, grounded, cheeky and generous | Emma is beautiful, fun, intelligent, dependable and caring.

Tell us about your wedding plans so far - anything you would like to mention (including fears, what excites you, etc.)?

Wedding planning has been quite a big undertaking! We are doing it all DIY and there is still a lot to get done and we have under 5 weeks to go! We're excited about the choices we have made (ceremony outside, vineyard, the food we have chosen as food is so so important to us, the vendors we have booked). Its been a real labour of love and its exciting (but also scary) to see it come together.

We have mini golf coming, specific reception cocktails, a Mediterranean theme with food from Greece/middle east, port wine etc. Lots of floaty material mostly white everywhere, with bold colours for the bridesmaids. Its a relaxed but put together wedding. Very sleek and elegant.

What sort of music do you like, and who do you listen to on a regular basis?

We like an eclectic mix. A lot of indie, rock (Emma), trance / dance (Andy), something with a melody, often melancholy. Or just plain old Fleetwood Mac!

In terms of style, look and feel, how would you summarise your wedding day?

Elegant, simplistic, but with character. Everything should flow through, waterfall flowers with draping cloth, very floaty. We are trying to think of all the little things for everything to feel complete and tie together. Its important that it is a whole event that doesn't feel clunky.

Finally... why are you marrying each other?!? :-)

Because we are best friends and love each other. We have something really special together and want to share it with everyone, make it another stage in our love story and have the best day celebrating.