Dale & Katie
3rd October 2020 | Castle Ashby Gardens
Instagram: @thecoleswedding | Photos: Sophie Ann Photography
Why did you decide to have a pre-wedding shoot?
We’ve seen so many lovely photos that people have had and loved the idea of a pre-wedding shoot to have some extra memories before the wedding. Mainly we wanted to do it to meet Sophie before the wedding to get used to her taking our photos so it isn’t our first time on the actual wedding day, and so we now know what to expect.
How did you meet and how long have you been together?
We met at Sixth Form and have been together for 7 years. We were in the same class for 2 years before that but didn’t speak until the final summer! We first got talking on a night out in our local town when I got kicked out of the nightclub because I wasn’t 18 yet and didn’t have any ID.
Tell us your proposal story...
It was so unexpected! We were on a skiing holiday in Austria and had only arrived the night before. When we woke up in the morning, the first thing Dale did was check the weather and spoke about how he was hoping the sunshine would stay (it was a beautiful morning!). This wasn’t that weird though as it’s so much nicer skiing when it’s sunny. We drove to the ski lift and I was planning on going to the shop to get some food and drink (including celebratory jagers I later found out) but the shop was closed, so we got our boots on and got on the ski lift.
Why did you choose the shoot location?
We’d seen a previous shoot that Sophie had done there and the photos were just beautiful! The walled gardens were an amazing backdrop, plus there were some indoor spaces to shelter us from the rain too!
Did you find the shoot helpful for helping you feel more prepared for the wedding day?
Yes definitely! We love taking photos but it was such a different experience and I’m so glad we’ve now met Sophie and Kyle before the day as well as feeling more comfortable in front of the camera too.
Did you feel nervous behind the camera?
We were both slightly nervous before, just because we didn’t know what to expect, but this soon went away and we felt so at ease after the first few photos. Definitely credit to Sophie’s style and personality too!
Would you recommend that other couples have an engagement shoot?
100%. Aside from how prepared we now feel for the wedding photos, the photos we got back from the day are just beautiful, I just sit looking at them and my favourite always changes.
Did your photographer give you any tips before the shoot?
Just to trust her and go with the flow!
What advice would you give to other couples who do plan to have a pre-wedding shoot?
Definitely trust the photographer and their opinion, because the results are amazing. Also trust them when they say to get closer! Sophie had to keep reminding us to put our heads closer together and in the moment it felt like we were headbutting, but in reality they looked perfect. Also don’t overthink your outfit, go for comfort so you’re not worried about outfit mishaps and it’ll look lovely whatever you wear. And don’t worry about the weather, I love our ones in the rain, it looks so romantic!
What is your favourite photo from the shoot?
I’ve got two absolute favourites. One of us walking past the camera looking at each other and smiling, and the other with my hand on Dale’s chest so the main focus is my ring but in the corner you can see our smiles. Both are black and white.
Were there any stand out moments in the shoot?
We loved it all because we were just having a laugh with Sophie and Kyle the whole way through. It was fun doing the few dancing photos because it looks so natural, and Sophie had us walking forwards but going out and in and hitting each other’s hips, that was funny!
Tell us about your wedding plans...
We’ve gone for a very neutral colour scheme with a lot of whites and greenery as the main decor, but have hints of dark wooden decorations and burgundy in the bridesmaid dresses and men’s ties. It’s going to be a fairly big wedding (hence why we have now postponed twice) with about 100 guests in total. The venue is really hard to describe but has a beautiful ceremony location outside which we’re hoping to use and is surrounded by fields. We’re having the wedding breakfast in the orangery which is incredible, and the evening will move to the marquee which has its own bar and stage.
Do you plan to incorporate any of the photos into your wedding?
Maybe on the table with our guest book with a note saying “Thank you from the new Mr & Mrs Coles”
What are you most looking forward to about the wedding date?
Celebrating with everyone! This was what we were most looking forward to anyway, but after this year, I think this is going to be so special. I can’t wait, especially for being on the dance floor with our loved ones, dancing the night away and celebrating finally being Mr & Mrs Coles. Also the ceremony is going to be so special now too, the vows will have a whole new meaning to them and I can’t wait for everyone to hear our story along with the vows.
What has been your favourite part of wedding planning so far?
Wedding dress shopping (although Dale would probably say the engagement party). It was everything I have ever dreamt of and more. I bought it from the shop I’ve always driven past since I was a little girl and I luckily went in August 2019 so could take everyone I wanted with me and that was so special. I did have a little dress wobble but the shop let me go back and I still love it just as much now!
Post a Comment