Emma & Alastair celebrated their wedding on a beautiful bright December day at The Ashdown Park Hotel. They really couldn't have asked for better weather considering it was in the depths of Winter and we were over the moon as we knew that the bright conditions would make for amazing out door photos! Can't beat a lovely Christmassy winter wedding when the conditions are right!
Jason started the day joining Emma for some bridal prep shots with her Bridesmaids, Flower Girl and Page boys. When Jason arrived Emma was getting the finishing touches to her hair and makeup and the rest of her Bridal Party were chilling out in the lovely rooms at The Ashdown Park Hotel. Emma had chosen such a beautiful dress for her special day. She had gone for a fitted mermaid style dress, with a deep sweetheart neckline, with modesty sheer lace detail that continued over the back of the dress & was finished with a plunging back and little covered ivory buttons. It looked amazing on Emma. She had a bouquet of brightly coloured pink Roses. Her Bridesmaids wore pastel grey floor length dresses with beading details around the waist. Emma's cute Flower Girl had a simple ivory dress and her Page Boys wore bows ties and suits! Everyone looked so lovely.
Alastair arrived in style courtesy of a sleek black Mustang, expertly driven by the man himself! He wore a grey slim fit suit with a bright pink tie and Carnation button hole. His Groomsmen wore matching suits & ties with Rose button holes. The bright pink looked great against the Grey colour of the suits. To further personalise their wedding attire the Groom and his Groomsmen wore Super Hero socks and matching cuff links.
The ceremony room was beautifully decorated with swaths of fabric and twinkling lights along with the personalised details that Emma & Alastair had chosen to match the dove grey of the Bridesmaids dresses and the bright pink of the flowers. There was a massive Christmas tree and lots of festive touches all around the hotel which added to the lovely Christmassy feel. I didn't see one but there must have been a gorgeous open fire somewhere - there had to be to finish off the cozy festive feel of the hotel!
Emma's Dad proudly walked her up the aisle to her Husband to be and the ceremony went without a hitch albeit with a few timely 'vocal additions' from the children in the room, particularly the couples adorable son! He needed to be part of the ceremony of course!
As Emma & Alastair walked back up the aisle as the new Mr & Mrs they were greeted by the brilliant staff at The Ashdown Hotel with a couple of chilled celebratory drinks and they then had time to mingle and say hello to guests for a while before we took them outside for some private shots.
While Sam was wrapped up in a puffer jacket to take the photos Emma looked every bit the blushing bride without a goose bump or blue tinge of coldness to be seen! She did brilliantly and you wouldnt guess that the temperatures when we were taking the private Bride & Groom photos were 0 degrees!
We did go inside as well to make the most of the beautiful features of the lovely old building and were so pleased with the stunning shots of Emma in the bay window! Model worthy we think! You look gorgeous Emma!
Emma & Alastair had gone for a lovely festive theme for their wedding breakfast room decor. The tables had really effective looking red glass vases on them that looked like Christmas baubles and lit up and had sprayed white branches in them. The actual room is an old church or chapel and has the original stain glass windows and stone arches. The overall effect was quite spectacular and always is when we photograph at The Ashdown Hotel but the festive theme really did show it off so well. Emma & Alastair had a fantastic cake which was tiered and had bright pink flowers decorating it but the really original touch to it was that it was grey ombre! We hadn't seen a cake like that before and we are always looking out for new ideas at weddings. The cake was supplied by Liz Chatfield at Sylvia's Kitchen.
Soon Emma & Alastair were welcomed into the wedding breakfast room, introduced by the Master of Ceremonies and then to lots of cheers from their friends and family.
The food was very much enjoyed and then the speeches started which were very funny and revealing! Always good! Later, evening guests began to arrive and the cake was cut. Soon the couple enjoyed their 1st dance under the stain glass windows of the dance floor and were joined by their guests who weren't dance floor shy, that's for sure!
It was a great day and we were very glad to be part of it.
We wish Emma & Alastair very many years of happy married life.
All the best
Jason
