On Sunday our team were back at the beautiful Shendish Manor in Apsley, to photograph the wedding of two very special people, Emma and Ben. This was to be our final shoot of 2013, and what a great way to wrap up a hectic year.

Our day started off at Emma’s parents’ home, a place so epically hospitable it puts most top hotels to shame. “Can I make you some toast?” was one of the first things Emma said to us once we’d arrived… on her own wedding day! Fifteen hot drinks, a few applications of make up, lots of giggles and some mid eighties power ballads later, and Emma was ready to put on her amazing dress.

At the venue, Ben was being kept entertained by his close group of friends, including Mike, the Best Man. Once Emma arrived, a traditional Bedeken ceremony was held before the Chuppah. This was the first time Emma and Ben had seen each other as Bride and Groom, and with their close family in the room along with a few words from Rabbi Miriam and Cantor Zoe, it certainly made for an emotional start to proceedings. The Chuppah itself was also very moving, wonderfully officiated to ensure that everybody in the room understood the meaning of each tradition and felt the emotion behind it.

The evening was notable for a real feeling of closeness in the room; Emma and Ben certainly have lots of friends and family members who truly love them. Throw in some of the most heart-felt and side-splittingly funny speeches we’ve ever heard and every guest was ready to party the night away in celebration.

Emma made a lovely and very funny speech, recounting hilarious and slightly embarrassing anecdotes of when she first met Ben. Ben in turn swiftly noticed that one table happened to be playing a drinking game during his speech, so included the word ‘family’ about 65 times to ensure the guests on that particular table were somewhat worse for wear by his final remarks. Emma’s dad brought everyone in the room to tears with a show of love so strong it was almost overwhelming, whilst Mike the Best Man included the line “with my name, and this tan, I am Passport Control’s dream customer.” Cue mass hysterics. Family.

The party was pretty full on, and included a set of upbeat Jewish music at which point Emma and Ben were hoisted on chairs and thrown through the air. This was the first time we’ve ever seen a Bride thrown through the air like this, massive kudos to Emma for being so up for it! Music of all varieties was provided by Max from Wedding Smashers. Anybody who has the sheer audacity and love of mid nineties musical nostalgia to play ‘Return of the Mac’ followed by ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ and then ‘Informer’ is basically a hero in our eyes.

An incredible day was had by all. We wish Emma and Ben a life of intense happiness, love and giggles together. Here are a few of our favourite shots…