We're very pleased to be able to share this beautiful wedding with you! Benjamin of Benjamin Stuart Photography has shared a Q&A with his lovely couple Faye & Duncan. Scroll to the bottom of the interview to find Benjamin's stunning photography of their special day!
How did you meet each other?
Funny story really. It was a mutual friends, fancy dress birthday house party. The theme was rehab. Duncan went as Eminem. Going all out with his outfit even bleaching his hair and wearing a fake hoop earring. I was security guard and made no real effort as I had met all my friends' mates before, how wrong could I be!! As Duncan appeared I was handcuffed, yes you heard right, handcuffed to my friend. Having to do a double take, I quickly uncuffed myself and "smoothly" made my way over to him. I had to label everyone in the party and I made sure that label was nicely stuck to his chest... ;-) We really hit it off and as they say the rest is history.
What was the best part of your wedding day?
I thought it would be a great day, but was sceptical about it being 'the best day of your life.' I thought that was much more for the bride. Saying that I absolutely loved the whole day. The ceremony was perfect, and having everybody special to us all in one room. Seeing Faye walk down the aisle was the best part for me. I found myself getting a bit emotional.
The best part of the wedding day, for me, were the speeches. It was something I didn't think would play a massive part but listening to all the amazing words that my mum, Duncan and Duncan's brother said was truly touching and I could've listened to them over and over again.
The best part of the wedding day, for me, were the speeches. It was something I didn't think would play a massive part but listening to all the amazing words that my mum, Duncan and Duncan's brother said was truly touching and I could've listened to them over and over again.
Can you sum up your day in three words?
Happy, magical, heart-warming.
Tell us about your wedding attire.
I didn't want to wear a suit and make the day to formal. We wanted it to be relaxed and be like us rather than what is traditional. We also didn't want to hire ill fitting wedding outfits making me and the groomsmen looked a mess. I bought a beautifully fitting dark, yet bright blue Hugo boss blazer, slim fit light blue trousers, white shirt, pink bow tie & brown suede oxfords.
I found it so hard to find 'the dress'. After having numerous conversations with people who had been married and them all saying 'when you find the dress you know it's the one', well I never got that feeling. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of dresses and they are all so beautiful it can be really distracting. Also going with a few people can be helpful but also a distraction as you are looking for their reactions to the dresses you try on constantly. I did a lot of online viewing of dresses and it wasn't until I tried on one (which was not the style etc that I would've gone for) and a complete stranger actually walked up to me, commented on how lovely the dress was on me, that I thought 'ok, this must be it'. I fell in love with it each time I tried it on and on the day I knew it was the one for me. It was a Justin Alexander dress - Chiffon Ball Gown with Beaded Portrait Neckline.
I found it so hard to find 'the dress'. After having numerous conversations with people who had been married and them all saying 'when you find the dress you know it's the one', well I never got that feeling. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of dresses and they are all so beautiful it can be really distracting. Also going with a few people can be helpful but also a distraction as you are looking for their reactions to the dresses you try on constantly. I did a lot of online viewing of dresses and it wasn't until I tried on one (which was not the style etc that I would've gone for) and a complete stranger actually walked up to me, commented on how lovely the dress was on me, that I thought 'ok, this must be it'. I fell in love with it each time I tried it on and on the day I knew it was the one for me. It was a Justin Alexander dress - Chiffon Ball Gown with Beaded Portrait Neckline.
Did you have a particular theme in mind when planning your wedding décor?
Not really. I really wanted to get married outside, so I was looking for a venue that could factor that in. Rivervale Barn ticked all of the boxes. The venue allowed us to keep the decor simplistic, which is what we both like. I'm very much into the rustic look and less is more. We both like blue so our colour scheme was based on that but threw in some gold and peach to help break it up.
Were there any DIY aspects?
I did all the decor, apart from the bouquets and buttonholes, myself. So all ceremony room, reception room and wedding dinning room decorations. We all know weddings can be very expensive and I love being creative so I thought why not do the decorations myself.
Where did you find most of your inspiration when planning your day?
Well I do love Pinterest!! Looking through that and mixing my own ideas in we both agreed on the final decorations for our day.
Your wedding photos are gorgeous! How did you choose your photographer?
Faye met him at a wedding fair. He offered so much more than many other photographers & really understood that the day is ours and helped us make it our own, rather than forcing photographs, letting them be natural and relaxed like the wedding day itself.
Thank you!! I know we all say 'it's such a small world' but it certainly is in the case of how I met our photographer. I went to a wedding show in Birmingham and I got approached to get a makeover done for a stage show they were doing. I hesitantly said yes and Ben was the one doing the photos. He was so lovely and really helpful in sharing his ideas with me. He even went to chat with my mum and sister. I knew then that I'd like to get Duncan to meet him so asked for his card. I got in contact with him, to find out he just lived up the road from us and he also had one more slot left for a wedding in 2016. He offered so much more than many other photographers and really understood that it was our special day and helped us make it our own. He never forced us to do any photos and captured natural and relaxed shots, expressing the wedding day itself. I actually totally forgot he was there! In a good way :-)
Thank you!! I know we all say 'it's such a small world' but it certainly is in the case of how I met our photographer. I went to a wedding show in Birmingham and I got approached to get a makeover done for a stage show they were doing. I hesitantly said yes and Ben was the one doing the photos. He was so lovely and really helpful in sharing his ideas with me. He even went to chat with my mum and sister. I knew then that I'd like to get Duncan to meet him so asked for his card. I got in contact with him, to find out he just lived up the road from us and he also had one more slot left for a wedding in 2016. He offered so much more than many other photographers and really understood that it was our special day and helped us make it our own. He never forced us to do any photos and captured natural and relaxed shots, expressing the wedding day itself. I actually totally forgot he was there! In a good way :-)
Tell us about your wedding suppliers.
I used Benjamin Stuart as our photographer, Galloping Gourmet provide absolutely amazing food and Sonning flowers for the stunning bouquets and buttonholes.
I found an amazing hairdresser through the power of Facebook called Katie (Katie's Hair) and I had a friend that did my makeup and another who did our cake.
I found an amazing hairdresser through the power of Facebook called Katie (Katie's Hair) and I had a friend that did my makeup and another who did our cake.
What's your advice to future couples planning their big day?
I'd definitely say take each others perspective into consideration. You get so caught up with it all, that sometimes you forget to discuss things with your fiancé.
This is a strange one but for me when trying on your wedding dress do one fitting, whether it be with the dress you want or a few, after you've had some food. This sounds strange but after you've had your wedding breakfast plus some drinks it can get very, let's say, close for comfort!
Also have a little dance around in the shop with it. Remember you have to have a first dance and whether that's going to be a side to side or expressive one you need to know you can move in it!
Finally, just enjoy every single moment! It's utterly amazing!!!
This is a strange one but for me when trying on your wedding dress do one fitting, whether it be with the dress you want or a few, after you've had some food. This sounds strange but after you've had your wedding breakfast plus some drinks it can get very, let's say, close for comfort!
Also have a little dance around in the shop with it. Remember you have to have a first dance and whether that's going to be a side to side or expressive one you need to know you can move in it!
Finally, just enjoy every single moment! It's utterly amazing!!!