Holly and Chris' wedding video was an epic celebration of their love story and the bonds they share with their family. As I approached their wedding, I knew that I wanted to capture every special moment that would make this day unforgettable. And then I met Holly and Chris, and they told me about a heartwarming family tradition where they all come together before the wedding to relax and enjoy each other's company. I was in awe, and I knew that this was the perfect chance to showcase the love and connection that flows within their family.
So, on the eve of their wedding, I joined the family at the gorgeous bridal accommodation at Gisburne Park, where I captured the laughter, the hugs, and the memories that would last a lifetime. And as the night went on, I recorded the audio of Holly and Chris reading the letters they had written to each other for their big day. The emotions in those words were raw and powerful, and I knew I had to use them in their wedding film. And so, at the start of the video, their heartfelt letters set the tone for an unforgettable celebration of love, family, and happiness.
The pre-wedding video shoot with Holly & Chris was an epic adventure filled with love and laughter! As the sun set and before the stars came out, we explored their connection and captured the spark between them on camera. The excitement in their eyes and the joy on their faces were contagious, and I couldn't wait to use these magical moments to tell their love story in their wedding film. Every kiss, every hug, and every laugh was a precious memory that I was honoured to preserve for them. The pre-wedding video was more than just a simple shoot, it was a journey filled with anticipation and joy as they prepared for the biggest day of their lives!
The summer wedding of Holly and Chris was supposed to be a picture-perfect day under the sun, but fate had other plans. The rain poured down relentlessly, but the couple refused to let it dampen their spirits. They were determined to make their day unforgettable, rain or shine.
The sound of raindrops didn't stop them from daring to step out onto Cromwell's Bridge, a slippery 500-year-old bridge that spans the River Hodder, for their couples portrait photos. They didn't hesitate to jump onto a white bouncy castle, despite the risk of slipping and falling, for their wedding party photos.
Their once-in-a-lifetime, and not to mention expensive, wedding experience was not going to be ruined by a little rain. The rain only added to the romance and memories of the day.
For all the couples out there worried about rain on their wedding day, take it from Holly and Chris: embrace it, plan accordingly, and find the best way to enjoy it. Your wedding day is happening rain or shine, and it will be unforgettable.
As the morning of the wedding day dawned, excitement and anticipation filled the air. The bride and groom were getting ready at separate locations, but their love and commitment to each other were palpable. I had the privilege of capturing the groom, Chris, as he got ready for the big day.
Most grooms may feel a bit camera shy, but not Chris. He fully embraced the opportunity to be on camera and let me spend an hour with him and his groomsmen. This was a stark contrast to the usual 10-15 minutes I would spend with the groom. He wanted to capture every moment of this special day, and I was honoured to help him do just that.
We moved furniture, cleared distractions, and did whatever it took to get the perfect shots. Chris’s eagerness to be on camera made the morning even more special and showed just how much he was looking forward to his wedding day. It was clear that this day was not just about the bride, but also about Chris and his joy in starting this new chapter in life with the love of his life.
The bride getting ready was an intimate and emotional moment filled with tears, laughter, and love. As I captured the stunning transformation of Holly from a beautiful woman to a radiant bride, I couldn't help but feel the overwhelming love and happiness in the room.
The excitement was palpable as her bridesmaids and parents helped her get ready, fixing her hair and veil, and giving her words of encouragement. It was a privilege to be a part of such a special moment, and to capture the love and joy shared between the bride and her loved ones.
The atmosphere was electric with anticipation of the big day ahead. It was a touching moment that will always stay with me, and a precious memory that Holly and Chris can cherish forever.
You might not know this, but Stonyhurst College is a hidden gem with a rich literary history. JRR Tolkien, the mastermind behind "The Lord of the Rings," wrote part of the epic tale right here! The stunning landscapes of "Middle Earth" are said to resemble the local area.
When it comes to wedding venues, St Peter's church at Stonyhurst College takes the cake. With its magnificent architecture and breathtaking beauty, it's a dream come true for any bride and groom. During the ceremony, I was in awe of the ample space the church provided, with room for multiple camera angles. The choir balcony was a bonus, offering a unique perspective from the back of the church and showcasing the grandeur of the venue. With the groom being an architect, I'm sure he'll appreciate this unique aspect of the church.
Between the ceremony and the wedding reception venue, the couple had planned to stop off at the 500-year-old Cromwell’s bridge for some couple photos. Given the very wet weather, I was convinced they were going to ditch the idea and head straight to the reception, but no, this amazing couple was determined to get the shot come rain or shine. After walking across the bridge a week earlier on a location scouting mission with my 5-year-old Son, this is not something I would be doing on my wedding day. I would have convinced myself I was going to end up in the river.
Ceremony over and a safe trip over Cromwell’s bridge, the race back to Gisburne Park for the reception was on. I needed to beat the bridal car back to the venue, park up, empty my car and setup ready for them to arrive and have their confetti shot.
Did I make it? Yes, and No. I had emptied my gear into the tipis and walked out to get ready for the confetti shot to find the couple starting to walk down for their moment. The second I realised it was happening, I ran so fast while simultaneously prepping my camera and pre-recording my camera practically without looking at it. It is moments like these at weddings that keep you on your toes. There is little time to relax and be distracted and knowing your gear inside and out makes the difference between getting the shot and missing it.
So, yes I got the confetti shot I needed for their wedding video. But without prior experience of filming weddings and in-depth knowledge of my camera equipment, this was one moment someone else could have easily missed.
The evening ended with a fantastic band performing a couple of sets. These guys brought the house down and kept the party going for hours. It’s always great to see a full dance floor throughout the wedding reception.
And that was it, a tiring day I very much enjoyed being a part of. It was great of Holly and Chris to allow me to think outside the box a little when it came to filming their wedding. I truly hope they enjoy their wedding video and can watch it for many years to come. I hope it brings them right back to one of the best days of their lives.
Gisburne Park Estate in Lancashire offers a grand 1000-acre setting for weddings, perfect for cinematic videography. With its private river, ancient woodlands, and the elegant Riverside House, the estate provides stunning backdrops and luxurious settings for filming. Ideal for sweeping drone shots and intimate moments, its natural beauty and unique features like riverside bandstands and glamping sites add a magical touch to any wedding film.
Chris was brilliant from start to finish. He grasped quickly what kind of video we wanted and went out of his way to capture every moment.
He was always discrete and never pushed us to do anything we didn’t feel comfortable with. He even went the extra mile to capture a pre wedding video and a family barbecue we held the night before our wedding.
Chris is a very talented videographer and we will be forever grateful for the amazing videos he has given us.
I focus on creating films that beautifully capture the essence of your wedding day. I love travelling around the UK, meeting couples, and preserving their most meaningful moments. Get in touch using the form below to see how I can bring your wedding story to life.
As I only have the capacity to work with 15-20 couples each year. Get in touch as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please email me directly at chris@signatureweddingfilms.co.uk