Last Sunday, I drove up to Bow, WA for Aisling & Nick’s wedding at Beau Lodge. It is the cutest little place, tucked away in beautiful countryside, and the perfect setting for a grown up mad-hatter’s tea party.
I started off with the girls as they were getting ready, and found some fun spots for the detail shots.
The girls were hilarious, and I really enjoyed hanging out with them. I think I learned a new expression or two from them!
Aisling’s perfect cottage garden bouquet - it reminded me of England:
More gorgeous flowers …
Although the morning was ugly and wet, the sky began to clear just in time for the first look.
Nick was so nervous! It was really sweet!
I love the orchard where we held the first look - it made such a pretty backdrop.
Aisling was just glowing with joy:
I love this shot of them smiling and kissing:
After a little while, we headed off for the family and wedding party photos - but of course my favorites are all the candids in between:
After the group photos, I found the wedding party hiding out in the kitchen, writing their toasts. There was such a great atmosphere, and there was obviously a lot of love in the room.
The English tea party theme was inspired by Aisling and her mom’s collection of china - they’ve been collecting for quite some time and have the most amazing collection of teapots, cups and saucers.
Such a cute cake! I love all the little bugs dotted around!
Right before the ceremony, Aisling and the girls hung out in the bridal bathroom, told stories (very funny ones, I was in stitches) and looked at photos from Aisling’s childhood.
I joked with Nick afterward that it must have been the shortest ceremony I’d ever photographed (almost exactly five minutes from processional to recessional) but the longest ceremony kiss!
Mmmm, mimosas …
The food was amazing - Shauna Hallmark and her team at Hallmark Catering & Events did a fantastic job of the tea party spread, with mini quiches, amazing artichoke dip, the freshest, ripest fruit I’ve ever seen at a wedding, and some beautiful homemade frosted scones. Perfect!
The toasts were very sweet, funny and emotional …
Towards the end of the afternoon, I took Nick and Aisling off around the grounds for some final couple portraits.
Thank you Aisling and Nick for including me in your lovely wedding, and I hope you enjoy your teaser photos!
© 2008 Kate McElwee Photography
6 Comments
Beautiful Kate!
The reflection one is wowza!(:
As the Grandmother of the bride I am so very excited about the pictures. You captured so many special moments many of us were not even aware happened.
Thank you so much!
Kate! They are beautiful! Thank you so much for doing this for us. You are an amazing photographer and a wonderful person! The couples shots turned out great (even the 3 or 4 of them with Nick staring straight down my dress…probably looking at the lip-gloss I had stashed down there….)and you caught the perfect moments with the candid shots. I plan on keeping you around for when we have kids so that you can take our family portraits. Thank you so much again!
These are stunning! What an amazing talent you are, Kate. I look a little maniacal in my pic, but I suppose that’s unavoidable : )
If I ever get married again (yeah, sure), I’ll look you up!
Lynn
Beau Lodge Tea Party.
I’ve been sent your truly gorgeous ‘photos by my cousin who is the groom’s uncle. Both he and I live in England - so I’ve never ever met either Ailing or Nick - or not even Nick’s mother, Sharon (my cousin). But I now feel a bit like I’m a member, a remote one, of what was obviously a lovely event.
Your ‘photos are so beautiful.
Charmian Adams
Oh I can so feel the love here. What gorgeous work Kate. Beyond Beautiful.