Jan 11, 20224 min read

The Coward Wedding - The Fonthill Estate

Sian & Geoff contacted me after I did a family shoot for one our mutual friends way back at the beginning of my photography journey (think pre pandemic - crazy how long ago that feels right!) To say that they were taking a risk is a huge understatement, at the time of booking, I had done one wedding and didn't have much else to offer apart from a bucket load of enthusiasm, a camera and a vision, which luckily for me, Sian & Geoff shared.

I was so invested in their story as a couple from the second we met, it sounds so corny but I knew their wedding was going to magical , and they definitely didn't disappoint. Sian had planned everything, LITERALLY down to the minute - I got the most scarily detailed schedule about a week before the wedding that had even allocated minute by minute timings for the group shots, and a long list of usher volunteers to help collar everybody, it was every photographers dream.

Sian chose to get ready at her family farm - this is also where their reception would be after the ceremony, a beautifully idyllic setting just outside Mere, Wiltshire. I remember pulling up on the day absolutely bricking it, I walked into the room where all the girls were getting ready and all my nerves just evaporated, there was a huge window letting lots of light in, a beautiful antique mirror that Sian was sitting in front of having her hair done, (by the absolute powerhouse team at Sanctuary Bride) and all of her maids were either doing their make up or entertaining the sweetest little flower girls.

Geoff was getting ready at his parents house nearby, while my second shoot captured some detail shots for me, I drove over to see how the boys were getting on. Geoff currently holds the record for having the most grooms men (a whopping eleven!) On arrival, they were all walking down the drive towards the cars and quite honestly looked like a very suave boyband, they were in a hurry to get to the pub to have a couple of pints so we grabbed some of our portraits outside the house. The gents (even Geoff) were all super relaxed and I think this comes across in the photos, no awkward 'cheese' for the camera.

While the boys went for a well earned drink, I headed back to the farm, Sian was just about to get into her dress, the bridesmaids were all ready and Kirsty & Amber came up to help Sian. She came downstairs and Jamie (the most fantastic videographer) and I had positioned Sian's dad central to the room to catch his reaction when he saw his little girl as a bride. The emotion in the room was palpable and I saw more than one of us wipe a sneaky tear away. We went outside into the garden and took some quick bridal party portraits under the same tree the Geoff proposed under. The next stop was the Fonthill Estate church - the Coward family church.

The ceremony was beautiful, made extra special by Geoff singing Sian down the aisle with a ukulele to 'Can't help falling in love' by Elvis Presley. They made their vows and promises to each other in front of all their loved ones and exited the church to one hell of a confetti tunnel. Geoff had another little surprise up his sleeve too, he had borrowed his uncles old vintage triumph to whisk his new bride away. We all headed onto the grounds of the beautiful Fonthill estate

This was probably one of my favourite parts of the day, Sian and Geoff had been granted special permission to have some photos taken on the famous Fonthill bridge (think the film Chocolat..) But getting there proved to be a bit tricker than we anticipated, the triumph broke down just through the arches and Jamie, Ami and I had to give them a push until the groomsmen arrived. Looking back now, it was quite funny, but at the time it was really quite stressful for poor Geoff who was in the middle of living his best James Bond life. Couples portraits are such an intimate moment, and realistically, the only time you are alone together all day, these two were naturals and we got some real 'show stopper' moments.

The newly weds managed to get a lift back to the farm just in time for the speeches to start, they were everything you would expect, funny, emotional - with a special nod to Sian's beautiful late mother Laila, and full of hope for the future. There was even a celebrity cameo from Peter Crouch (if you know, you know). The reception was due to start at 7pm and Geoff, king of surprises had a couple more for Sian. As part of a successful band back in the day, it just wouldn't of been right for Geoff not to sing a couple of songs for his new bride.

When I said earlier that they had thought of everything, they really had, at 10pm, a few more wines, some questionable dance moves and a confetti cannon later we all headed outside the marquee for Geoff’s final surprise to Sian, sparklers and fireworks! These always go down so well at weddings and Sian really didn't see it coming. The day was just effortless and so full of joy and love, I started with two people I didn't really know and ended it with two more friends, I just can't wait to see what the rest of their marriage holds for them.