There was a calm, quietly excited feel to Lara and Robin’s spring celebration, with Chilston Park Hotel giving the day a relaxed country house setting without pulling attention away from them. April suited it well, with the morning beginning at the hotel before everyone made their way towards the church for the ceremony. It felt personal, practical and full of the kind of real moments we like to keep in a wedding film.
Morning
Lara got ready at Chilston Park Hotel, with the final part of bridal prep giving us time to capture the last details before she left for the ceremony. Robin was due at the church ahead of the guests, so the morning film could move between Lara’s final preparations and Robin greeting people before the service. Those quieter pockets before everything begins are often where the nerves, smiles and small reactions sit.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place at St Margaret Church in Hothfield, a short journey from Chilston Park. Lara planned to arrive for the 2pm service, with the church bringing everyone together after the morning at the hotel. It gave the film a clear change of pace, from the close, personal feel of prep into the formality and emotion of the vows.
Speeches and Wedding Breakfast
Back at Chilston Park Hotel, the reception moved into the wedding breakfast later in the afternoon. Speeches followed the meal, with the bride’s father, Robin and the best man all part of that part of the evening. It is always a strong section of the film when the speeches come after dinner, as people have settled in and the room has had time to loosen up.
Evening
The evening gathered around the cake cutting and first dance, with both planned close together just before 8pm. That gave the reception a natural lift after the speeches, moving from stories and laughter into the first dance. We stayed a little beyond that point to catch the dance floor beginning and to give Lara and Robin’s film a proper evening finish.