THE KEEPER AND THE DELL WEDDING – CLAIRE AND DAVID – NORWICH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

THE KEEPER AND THE DELL WEDDING – CLAIRE AND DAVID – NORWICH WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Let me just get this out there – a rustic, vintage and largely outdoor wedding lovingly planned in immense detail for a mid-June date in the beautiful Norfolk countryside does not deserve weather of the sort that we endured on Saturday!  I’m sure that weddings all over the UK experienced similar conditions to Claire and David on Saturday but I can’t imagine that many couples and their guests can have kept smiling and partying in the face of adversity quite as well as these guys did!  In fact, their immense spirit and fortitude did actually eventually pay off with the rain clearing just about in time for an open-air first dance and an epic party out on the grass at the utterly unique The Keeper and The Dell wedding venue!

The day started with Claire and some getting ready photographs at the St Giles House Hotel in the heart of Norwich.  From there, having observed increasingly threatening skies, we headed through light rain across the city to the beautiful Dragon Hall for a stunning ceremony under the medieval timbers of this incredible 15th century building.  Boarding an old bus, armed with popcorn and chocolate, guests were transported through now torrential rain to the incredibly peaceful The Keeper and The Dell, Ringland for the wedding reception where every single detail had been lovingly conceived and largely hand-made.

Sheltering in the barns for drinks and canapes, the party atmosphere wasn’t in the least bit dampened by the weather – in fact, being kept together in the close confines of the barn probably intensified the atmosphere and created a cracking platform for some immense speeches (including ‘the singing bridesmaid’ Danielle – awesome effort Danielle!) and a brilliant quiz down in the vintage marquee.  By the time the wedding breakfast was complete, the rain had eased and we were able to squeeze in some formal group photographs as well as some of David and Claire in the fast-fading evening light.  A first dance on the grass surrounded by friends and family preceded lots of fun and games around the fire-pit and some very warming (and drying!) rolls of pulled-pork and halloumi amongst other things (damn gorgeous they were!).  I eventually left Claire and David quite late into the evening after a final snap next to the luxury tent where they were to spend their first night as husband and wife.  I’ve no doubt that they partied hard and late – the sounds of the live band and cheers echoing across the Wensum Valley as I pulled away in the car confirmed that was going to be the case!

A huge thank you to Claire and David, Danielle, Chris and ‘Bungle’ for their company, humour and help on Saturday.  Another very special day to have been a part of and another beautiful story to be told.  It does rain on wedding days, even outdoor-themed ones but it really doesn’t matter – it all just becomes a part of the wedding day story and, if anything, some bad weather can bring out the true strength of personalities and friendships of the people who are there for you and not the weather.