Alishia and Beth had planned an outdoor ceremony for their June wedding at the Wroxeter Hotel in Shropshire, but even though the Great British weather waylaid their plans these two lovely ladies had an amazing day, and I had the most fun with them!

Beth and Alishia share a love of music - they both play in a steel band, and music was integral to their celebrations, and also evident in their decor, with a table seating plan based around classic albums, a guitar case for cards and gifts, musical notation decorating candles, and a record guest book. So it was no surprise that multiple musicians had been booked to play throughout the day, with one of the ladies’ steel band friends taking a dual role playing them into the ceremony in the hotel’s conservatory, and much later on performing a fantastic saxophone set on the dancefloor.

While Beth and her best man waited at the front of the aisle, Alishia was proceeded into the ceremony by mutual friend Dandi, who put on an amazing performance as flower man, throwing petals from his bumbag in time with a wonderfully choreographed dance to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” - still photographs really did not do this part of the day justice but you can check out a guest video here: (TikTok link). Alishia then made her entrance, accompanied by her two lovely daughters, bridesmaids and flower girls.

Although it wasn’t the outdoor ceremony that had been planned (because it rained all day long!), it was a beautiful and emotional ceremony nonetheless, with touching personalised readings given by a friend and by Beth’s grandfather, and a dedication to absent loved ones before vows were exchanged, with several guests shedding a tear before Alishia and Beth were pronounced wife and wife! After a very quick (and slightly damp!) group photograph on the lawn guests took refuge from the rain in the venue’s tipi, where they were served delicious barbeque food and wedding cake before the speeches commenced. Here the guests discovered that Alishia is not a fan of Mr Blobby, and Beth wowed the couple’s family and friends with a highly personal song written in place of a speech, with guests singing along to the chorus as she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar. Guests were also entertained by a guitar and double bass duo, with Beth, Ali and their steel band pals breaking into an impromptu dance party mid-afternoon.

As the drizzle eased a little we managed to get out and grab a few quick couples’ portraits in the Wroxeter’s grounds before heading indoors for the evening reception. In addition to the delicious cake served earlier in the day, Alishia and Beth had two ‘cakes’ to cut - one made of pies with the couple’s names baked into the crusts, and one made of cheeses - I really love their style! After the ladies’ first dance the dancefloor quickly filled up, with sets by a DJ, folk band with fiddle and banjo, and a saxophonist keeping the party going.

Congratulations Mrs and Mrs Archer-Bagnall - you were an absolute blast to work with!

Photographs taken whilst shooting for Finlays Imaging (www.finlaysimaging.co.uk)