When Barbara Anne and Mathew reached out to me all the way from Canada to ask if I was available to photograph their wedding blessing at St Ambrose Church, I was delighted.
The church holds a special place in the family’s hearts, as Mathew’s parents were married there too. We first chatted online, and it honestly felt as though we’d known each other for years.
Before the wedding day, we met in person over coffee at The Coffee Exchange to talk through their plans. I think we could have chatted all day, but there were still flowers from Ribble Valley Wedding Events and a cake from What Katy Baked to organise.
Little did Barbara Anne and Mathew know that Mathew’s mum had been secretly messaging me about a surprise vintage Rolls-Royce from Forest of Bowland Wedding Cars. The plan was for Barbara Anne to be collected from Mitton Hall, where she was getting ready, before being driven to the church where Mathew would be waiting.
After the service, I arranged with the chauffeur for us to take a scenic route through the Ribble Valley, stopping in Sawley for photographs before the couple returned to The Rum Fox for their private dining experience.
I have to say, this was perhaps one of the most emotional wedding ceremonies I have ever witnessed. The happy tears, the love in the room, and the warmth from everyone made it incredibly special.
One of the loveliest moments came from the local church community. Several members of the congregation came along to support this midweek wedding and even brought spare confetti to share. It made Barbara Anne and Mathew’s exit from the church feel even more magical and was such a wonderful reflection of the community spirit at St Ambrose.
As a Ribble Valley wedding photographer, I always like to visit locations beforehand, so I’d done a little recce a few days earlier to find the best spots for photographs. After taking a few portraits around the church grounds, they climbed into the vintage Rolls-Royce and headed to Sawley.
The riverside setting provided the perfect backdrop for relaxed couple portraits, with beautiful views across the countryside and towards Pendle Hill. It was the perfect setting for this intimate wedding celebration.
Before long, it was time to return to The Rum Fox. Ray and I joined the newlyweds for a quick glass of wine, captured a few photographs of the cake, and then left them to enjoy a quiet evening celebrating together.
Small weddings like this remind me that a wedding doesn’t need hundreds of guests to be meaningful. Sometimes all you need is the people you love, a beautiful setting, and a day that feels completely true to you. Whether that’s an intimate wedding blessing with just a handful of guests or a larger celebration surrounded by everyone you know. There really is no right or wrong way to celebrate your wedding day, whether in the Ribble Valley or further afield – it’s about creating a day that feels right for you.
Planning a small wedding, wedding blessing or midweek celebration in the Ribble Valley? My Bijou wedding photography package is perfect for couples who want beautiful photographs without full-day coverage. Get in touch to find out more.
