Nicola & James | The Lake at Barston | Solihull Wedding Photographer

Weddings

June 14, 2016

Nicola and James first met while studying at Nexus ICA in Coventry where Joel and I also met! Nicola studied keys and James studied guitar. It was only a matter of time before they became friends and inevitably fell in love. It’s been wonderful to see their relationship grow from the very start and I couldn’t feel luckier to have photographed their Star Wars and Lego-themed wedding some 4 years later!

In June, Nicola and James exchanged vows to one another in front of their closest friends and family at their home church in Coventry, Elim. After a joyous ceremony filled with both tears and laughter the bride and groom and guests made their way to The Lake at Barston in Solihull, West Midlands for drinks, hog roast and of course lots of dancing!

The wedding day proceeded with bride and groom photos by the lake and family and bridal party photos on the lawn. It’s no surprise that Nicola and James have a silly side! Along with the usual poses, we threw in some silly faces and the boys got creative with the groomsmen shots!

Before the wedding, Nicola had sent me a list of group photos she wanted on the day. I am so thankful for an organised bride (and her dad with a loud voice!) as we took over 35 additional group pictures and still managed to have everyone seated for dinner on time! James and Nicola had also booked Joel as a second photographer for the day so he was able to photograph guests and the drinks reception while I took the formal photographs. That’s what I call efficiency!!

It’s always hard to put into words exactly how I feel after each wedding, but this was certainly one I will never forget. To be part of a day so full of love and excitement for two individuals coming together in marriage was a beautiful thing. Joel and I loved being Nicola and James’ wedding photographers. From hearing the news about their engagement to receiving a wedding invite, to confirming their booking with us, to having their engagement shoot in Sutton Coldfield last year, to counting down the days until the wedding… it’s been a wonderful experience to say the very least!

(Click here to read about James’ proposal to Nicola and see their engagement photos!)

The bride and bridesmaids got ready at Little Beanit Farm Cottage in Balsall Common…

Nicola’s beautiful bridal bouquet by Truly Scrumptious Weddings was made with blue hydrangeas, white roses and gypsophila which matched her powder blue heels. Nicola also wore Calvin Klein’s Sheer Beauty perfume which was a gift from her groom…

That moment when the father of the bride sees his daughter all dressed in white…

The best men saying a prayer over the groom before his bride walked down the aisle…

“Your love is devoted like a ring of solid gold. Like a vow that is tested. Like a covenant of old. Your love is enduring through the winter rain and beyond the horizon with mercy for today. Faithful you have been and faithful you will be. You pledge yourself to me and it’s why I sing…”

Both James and Nicola grew up as Star Wars fans and playing with Lego so, of course, their wedding day had to include bits of both!

This Star Wars and Lego themed reveal cake was created by Beth at The Wedding and Events Lounge. White fondant icing was used to decorate a curtain effect that revealed a Lego brick design. A Lego spaceship figurine and a miniature handmade Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker topped it all off. I also loved the famous quote written on the front, “I love you. I know.”

The table centrepieces were Star Wars planets (who needs table numbers?!). Each table also had a fishbowl of Lego bricks to keep everyone entertained during the meal! To tie it all together, friends put in hard work to create a handwritten intergalactic Star Wars table plan! It was amazing!

The sky turned a soft purple as the sun set so we took advantage of the light for a few more natural and fun bride and groom portraits…

Stuck In The Groove, a West Midlands based wedding and function band that James and Nicola are a part of, kicked off the night with an epic dance battle! It’s safe to say the girls took home the trophy…! What a party!