Hattie & Angus’s New Years Eve wedding at the beautiful Hospital of St Cross in Winchester has rocketed into my list of all-time awesome weddings. Wow, what a day. I hardly even know where to begin. I might just throw a few words down and see where they land: Tartan (lots of). That dress! Bagpipes. Barbecue. Whisky bar. Singing. Dancing. Christmas trees. Fairy lights. Nope, the words really aren’t doing it justice – I’m going to have to let the photos do the talking…
The first part of the bridal prep took place at the excellent Guy Kremer salon, before everyone headed back to the Black Hole B&B to get dressed. Very cool salon – Guy Kremer is totally at the top of the tree when it comes to hair and this bridal party had completely taken it over – and very cool B&B, rocking a certain prison cell chic. I had no idea about the roof terrace there – that was a bit of a treat. It must have one of the finest views in the whole of Winchester. Certainly good enough for champagne in your PJs at least.
Meanwhile Angus and groomsmen, family members and dogs were back at the family home in St Cross doing their own getting ready before the short stroll down the road and round the corner to one of the most beautiful churches this wonderful city has to offer. Handily, even though the walk must be all of a hundred meters door to door there’s still a pub between then, and that of course served as a very convenient spot for a meet and greet as wedding guests began to arrive…
The wedding cars pulled up outside the church, the bride stepped out and the veil went on. Deep breath, wedding time! (And seriously, check out the train on that wedding dress).
Back out into the last of the afternoon light for photos: couple portraits and groups. I’m just going to take this opportunity to quickly thank everyone in the wedding party for being unbelievably cooperative and organised for this part. With a 3pm ceremony and a 4pm sunset that really doesn’t leave a big window of opportunity for outdoor photos. I pride myself that at any wedding I’m pretty efficient when it comes to this part of the day – I very much believe in getting everyone back to the party as quick as I can – bet even so I think we set a new record here for maximum number of photos in minimum amount of time. And just enough light left for everyone to still see where they were going on the brief walk back to the house, ready to kick off the mother of all wedding receptions.
A garden marquee reception and barbecue on the final day of the year? Sure, why not! Although by marquee I actually mean tented village, and the barbecue was more whole beef fillets than sausages and burgers (well, it was sausages and burgers too but that was much later into the night, more a midnight snack really). Oh my word, that beef! Angus’s parent’s gorgeous house played host to the drinks and nibbles part of the day before everyone moved through to the garden to find their seats at the enormous banqueting tables ready for the festivities to really kick off. Speeches, cake of cheese, live band, whisky bar, gin bar, party party party!
It was 2018 when Hattie & Angus started their marriage celebrations, and in 2019 they were still going on. Top effort! As far as New Years Eve parties go this one set an extremely high bar – not really sure quite where you can go from there. Oh yes, that’s right – every New Year from now on is also going to be your wedding anniversary. That’ll do it.
Making it possible…
And massive thanks to Jenny Owens for being an absolutely excellent second photographer
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