This was the fairytale of all fairytales. Kayleigh and Ben tied the knot on November 12th at the beautiful Hengrave Hall, a location that I've been dying to shoot since I stumbled onto it. Even though it was a rainy, virtually sun-less English day, nothing could have put a damper on it.
The day was flawless and flowed smoothly between the civil ceremony, wedding breakfast (which surprisingly is not breakfast at all!), the blessing, and the reception.
The girls got ready in the Queen's Room, possibly the most luxurious room in all of Suffolk.
Kayleigh was a dream bride to work with! She was so relaxed and was in such a great mood, which gave for some amazing candid shots and stunning portraits.
Everyone in the room was in a great mood, which really helped set the tone for a stress-free day. Brides, I can't tell you how important it is to wake up on the day of your wedding excited about what's to come instead of worried about how the day will go. Savor every second and stop to really take it all in every once in a while, because the day will absolutely fly by.
The ceremony was kept small and intimate with Ben, Kayleigh, and their families. It was in yet another gorgeous room and even involved their two beautiful boys.
There was downtime! everyone relaxed and enjoyed drinks after the ceremony before the wedding breakfast. This must be an English thing, because I'd never heard of a wedding breakfast before. Despite the name, there are no pancakes, bacon, or eggs! A wedding breakfast is traditionally the first meal eaten after the ceremony.
I'm really starting to enjoy the weddings even more, mainly because the food is always fantastic. Their meal was no exception, and everyone enjoyed their meal before the fun, heartfelt speeches kicked in.
The rest of the guests arrived and watched the beautiful bride walk down the aisle of the historic, candle-lit chapel. At the end of the aisle, her handsome groom was waiting for her-- for the second time!
After that, the reception started and the party really came to life! The guests had access to the entire ground floor of the venue, which included the bar area, the dance floor, the dinner room, and several other rooms!
And what a guy Ben is--that man surprised his lady with fireworks as a wedding present!
Overall, I couldn't have asked to be a part of a better day. The venue, the couple, and every detail was incredible. Kayleigh and Ben welcomed me and my husband into their lives on their day as if we were family, and I can't express how grateful I am to have been there for their day! Thank you both and congratulations on such a beautiful wedding!
