Abbie & Rob (ROUND 2!) - A Beautifully Rustic At-home Wedding Celebration in Macclesfield - Cheshire Wedding Photography
“You know I said it’s true
I can feel the love
Can you feel it too
I can feel it ah-ah
I can feel it ah-ah”
In September 2020 in the early days of the pandemic, before we knew a whole hell of a lot about what we were getting ourselves into and having spent the 4 months previously assuring my couples that weddings WOULD return despite a summer of uncertainty, I was using my blog as an outlet for my own fears and frustrations. I went from having 30 weddings in the diary (and the income, time management, childcare, etc etc that entails) to just…nothing. Crickets. I shot 7 wondrous, intimate, emotional PERFECT micro weddings that year instead. And I wrote and shared and mourned this new world alongside you, all the while staying open and attempting to appear in control for my, quite rightly, nervous couples in a situation so far out of my control. I wrote this - https://www.katemccarthyphotography.co.uk/blog/2020/9/23/love-is-not-cancelled . I recorded stories on Instagram talking into the ether, never too sure if anyone was listening or even interested in what a small-time wedding photographer had to say. My job was so social, the energy on a wedding day buzzing with anticipation and electricity and now, in the absence of work, I craved that connection.
But one beautiful result of this wild, weird and unprecedented time were the surprising connections that DID form - the strengthening of the bond with couples who had to rearrange their plans twice, three times, four times as the goalposts were shifted over and over by our ineffectual leadership (a rant for another day ha!). We would spent hours over Zoom or Facetime, hundred of emails sent back and forth. I’ve always done my best to forge a relationship with my couples but through the constant back and forth of Covid reschedules, I felt like those relationships transcended to a partnership. And I have remained so determined to do their love stories justice when the day has FINALLY come to tell them.
Abbie & Rob. Abbie and Rob. Seriously these guys. They first got in touch in late 2019 when their original wedding photographer had to back out due to maternity leave. A date was booked in the diary for their at-home Cheshire wedding celebration overlooking fields stretching out to Jodrell Bank. We know how this story goes. Abbie was one of the few who read my rambling blog posts as the pandemic stretched on and something must have resonated because after severeal failed attempts, she finally tied the knot with her beloved Rob in August 2021 at their local church, witnessed by just 30 of their nearest and dearest. It was a much scaled-back and subdued affair though containing no less joy as our collective consciouness was slowly and gingerly awakening from the past 18 months of heartache and postponement. There was confetti and canapes, bridesmaids in flowery dresses (though missing one key member of the squad). It ended with a spectacular sunset and you can read even more about that beautiful day here: https://www.katemccarthyphotography.co.uk/blog/intimate-elegant-wedding-at-home-cheshire-wedding-photography
But as the world emerged, as we are slowly rebuilding and re-gathering in a (hopefully/sort of) post-covid world, Abbie & Rob FINALLY got their due: a rousing, energetic, soiree of a garden party in that same field with the original 30ish guests but another 60ish added for good measure. And OH WHAT A PARTY IT WAS! Our new(ish) Mr. & Mrs. Jones donned their wedding garb from 10 months previous but ditched the bouquet for some stylish sunnies and made their entrance to massive cheers through a much longer confetti tunnel. There was croquet and more canapes from the legends at Top Table Events. The guests then made their way to the STUNNINGLY adorned yurts perched on the edge of the field. Speeches were made, toasts were given and sharing platters feasted upon. As the sun dipped to the treeline, we snuck out for some portraits albeit a bit siller, more relaxed and with far more chat and catchups. Because we were there, we survived, that connection maintained and all come full-circle after nearly 3 years.
A quick outfit change for both and after capturing (FINALLY) their first dance as husband and wife, I left the lovebirds to their revelry with my windows rolled down and all that joy ringing in my ears.
I say it all the time but I cannot emphasize more what a gift this work is. How humbled I am by your faith and trust in me. These beautiful humans who crack themselves open so authentically in front of my lens are my why.
Take a bow Mr. & Mrs. Jones, WE DID IT! Here’s your sneak peek…
