Summer wedding photography at Wethele Manor in Warwickshire

For me, wedding photography at Wethele Manor is always super fun. I absolutely love shooting there because of the atmosphere and shooting environment Wethele Manor creates. The way the venue is laid out, the friendliness of the staff, how relaxed the guests feel during the day….it all adds up to a great wedding venue! When I go there I know I will have a wonderful day before I leave the house…
This wedding was no different. With my wife doing video (see below) and me on photos (obviously), we had a blast!

1) Please tell me how you first met?
We actually met at school 13 years ago, there are 2 school years between us so we never properly spoke to each other. We would often catch each other’s eye whilst out and about as we grew up in the same town. Then 9 years ago we ran into each other at the local gym, Damien worked out when Allie used to be there (however he would say it was the opposite way round). Damien eventually plucked up the courage to have a conversation after around 6 weeks of ‘bumping’ into each other and he offered to walk me home. We went out that weekend bowling and for an Italian and the rest is history.

2) When was it you knew they were the one?

Damien: I think it was when we first moved in together during Allie’s final year at university in Henley In Arden that was four years ago. I always knew it was something special prior to then but it just cemented for me that I always wanted to live together and that Allie was the one for me.

Allie: I think I always knew that I wanted to marry Damien and one day start a family with him, for me, it was probably on one of our amazing holidays, Damien took me to Dubai for my 21st Birthday as a complete surprise, and I think since then I knew how much he cared for me and wanted to make me happy.

3) Could you give us the story of the proposal?

Damien: After years of hints I finally got the message, I met Allie’s parents out for lunch and asked them for their daughter’s hand in marriage, and they said yes (few), it only took 7 and a half years and they have got to know me very well over that time. Then the hunt for the ring began, I went to the Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham, with my Brother and Best Man and Allie’s Dad and chose the perfect one.

The actual proposal was on Christmas Eve, we had just got home from breakfast at Allie’s mum, and we were getting sorted for the day. The actual ring was in a bauble on the tree all morning and Allie had no idea, I left a story note upstairs full of lovely things about us, and when Allie came downstairs I was on one knee and popped the question.

Allie: I definitely suspected something was going on, and a proposal was on the cards, I just did not know any details, but there were lots of trips and catching up that I was not involved in. On the day I was not expecting it at all. I even read the note and did not fully put two and two together (even though it said marry me at the end). I was more worried as I could smell burning downstairs and thought Damien had set our house on fire, but when I came downstairs he had lit lots of candles and was on one knee, It was very exciting and emotional!

4) If you don’t mind sharing, can you tell me something quirky, funny or silly about your partner?

Damien: Allie is on her own time, she wants everything done yesterday and definitely keeps me on my toes.

Allie: Damien once said to me I love you to Pluto and back, mistaking the quote I love you to the moon and back, so that is sort of our thing and has just stuck. Damien can also be very OCD and I love to wind him up asking if he has locked the back door, knowing that he has but he just will need to go and check.

5) What is your perfect day together?

Damien: Perfect day would be off work, by the seaside with Allie and our dog Bruno, just relaxing in the sun and enjoying each other’s company.

Allie: I think because I am always on the go, I love to just relax when on holiday and enjoy the moment, being abroad in a lovely restaurant together with fantastic views, eating amazing food and drinking wine. We once spent 5 hours in an Italian restaurant just chatting and being laid back, which for me in England is unheard of as I’m always planning our next move.

6) Apart from the obvious, what are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?

Damien: I cannot wait to see Allie walking down the aisle (fingers crossed she turns up), and after then just enjoying every minute we have so many things going on, especially the Fiat 500 converted pizza oven in the evening.

Allie: Firstly, I cannot wait to hear Damien’s speech (no pressure), and I just cannot wait to celebrate with all our friends, family and loved ones, the food, wine, music and dancing!

7) What was it that inspired you to go for the theme or the decor you chose for your wedding?

After our trip to Lake Garda in Italy, we always said we would go back there and get married. When we got engaged we looked into it, but it was not really practical/ feasible so we decided to have an Italian inspired wedding close to home, we are so pleased we chose to do this as all our loved ones can be with us to share our special day which is really important. We are going back to Italy and doing a tour of our favourite country for our honeymoon next year.

Please tell me one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your wedding planning process, that you could pass on to future brides reading this blog?

It goes very quickly, we have had 20 months to plan the wedding, and it has flown by.

9) When searching, what were you were looking for in a wedding venue?

After trawling the internet and going to look at lots of venues, we went to Wethele Manor after a recommendation from Allie’s colleague, it was a rainy January evening and we loved it and knew that’s where we wanted to spend our wedding day. It ticked every box and all the staff has been fantastic, and it still amazes us every time we go to look around and we feel very lucky to be having our wedding there.

10) Could you tell me the process you went through when you were looking for a wedding photographer?

Again lots of internet searching, we looked at photographers who had been to the venue, we shortlisted 10 and then asked family and friends for their opinions, we then got it down to the last 3 and emailed Wethele Manor if there was any of the three that stood out and that they felt would fit in with our wedding theme and ideas, and they recommended Duncan. We met him at his house, and also his wife Jo (who is a videographer) and we booked both for our wedding.

Ceremony Location | St Michaels Church, Weston under Wetherley
Reception Location | Wethele Manor, Weston under Wetherley
Photography | Duncan Cox Photography
Video | Polka Dot Productions
Florist | Suzzane Evetts
Wedding DJ | Scott Grainger
Dress Designer | Essence of Australia
Wedding Dress Retailer | Henley In Arden Bridal Boutique
Other Details/Vendors | Hetty and the Jazzato band, Mangiamo Pizza oven, Lucy rose crafts stationary, Sarah Edwards Cakes/ Blueberry hill Patisserie- cake, Fiat 500 car hire, Make my day make up- Make up and hair artist, House of Cavani suits, Maids to Measure- Bridesmaid dresses

A gorgeous summer wedding at the ALWAYS amazing, Wethele Manor in Warwickshire

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