St Catharine’s church wedding, Houghton on the Hill

Katie and Tom

“We would have happily cut into the cake, grabbed a cup of tea, and sat down with Sarah for the afternoon! She’s a dream. We were delighted with our wedding photographs; all the pictures we hoped for plus many more.” Katie & Tom.

Katie and Tom planned their day with intention, meaning, and kindness. Family was at the heart of it – for them and my camera. Add in two of my favourite places to photograph – St Catharine’s church in Houghton on the Hill (Leicestershire) and Kelmarsh Hall – and it was a truly wholesome and wonderful wedding.

The beauty of a village church wedding

I joined Katie getting ready at her parents’ home, which is just a bouquet’s toss from St Catharine’s church in Houghton on the Hill. Being so close to the church meant I could also nip across the road to photograph Tom and his groomsmen pinning their buttonholes and having a pep talk in the church before they started greeting guests. So handy! Would recommend!

Bride's dress hanging on a door next to white flower bouquet on windowsill
Montage of three photos of bride having her hair and makeup done
Flower girl stopping to look at the camera as she walks down the stairs
Bride's dad bending down to tie his shoelace with flower girl out of focus in the foreground
St Catharine's church in Houghton on the Hill, Leicestershire
Ushers greeting a group of wedding guests as they arrive at St Catharine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Groomsmen laughing as they try to pin on the groom's buttonhole
A close up of a white rose and foliage buttonhole
A silhouette of the groom standing in the church doorway waiting for guests to arrive
The groom hugging a wedding guest in the church porch
The groom holding hands with a wedding guest as they greet each other

A wedding at St Catharine’s church in Houghton on the Hill

Katie wanted a few photos in the garden with her bridesmaids and her family before the ceremony at St Catharine’s. So I popped back to the house for those. And then tagged along on their walk to the church – which was lined with well-wishers, toilet roll swags, and a lollipop-crossing neighbour! It felt like a big ol’ hug from the entire village. Magical!

And just when you wonder how it can get any better, someone turns on the emotion tap! The ceremony was full of lovely moments and expressions to capture. And it led to one of my all-time favourite pictures – Katie reaching out to hold her Grandad’s hand as he witnessed them signing the register. The wisdom and love in his eyes melt me!

Then we come out of church to a floral blizzard! Katie and Tom understood the assignment when it came to getting the best confetti photos and provided buckets of the stuff!

The bride, her parents, brother, and bridesmaids leaving the house to walk to church
The bride and her entourage walking towards St Catharine's church in Houghton on the Hill
A neighbour holding up a 'Stop, Bride Crossing' sign as the bride and her entourage cross the road
The bride, her family, and bridesmaids walking down St Catharine's church path in Houghton on the Hill
A flower girl and the bride's mum and brother walking down the church path
The groom and best man reacting to the bride's mum walking down the aisle
The bride and her dad walking down the aisle at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
The bride reaching out to reassure the groom as their wedding ceremony starts
Wedding guests singing hymns at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Bride and groom singing a hymn at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Bridesmaid looking across to her partner during the hymns
Vicar of St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill addressing everyone during a wedding ceremony
Best Man smiling broadly at another wedding guest during a hymn
Bride and groom saying their marriage vows at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Bride with her mouth agape in delight at being pronounced husband and wife
Bride looking around at her family and friends with a delighted face as the vicar binds their hands
Bride and groom kneeling for the prayers at the end of their ceremony at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Bride reaching out to hold her grandfather's hand as they sign the register at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Bride signing the marriage register as the groom looks on at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Bride and groom walking down the aisle at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Bride and groom coming out of the church door in Houghton on the Hill
Bride and groom outside St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
Wedding guests laughing together as they wait to throw confeti
Confetti being thrown over the bride and groom at St Catherine's church in Houghton on the Hill
A naturally captured photo of the bride smiling with confetti in her hair
A wedding guest shaking hands with the groom
A wedding guest kissing the bride in congratulations

Garden games and foodbank donations

Next stop: a wedding reception at my fave Kelmarsh Hall.

Katie and Tom’s reception was full of thoughtful touches. I mean, who doesn’t love canapes?! Or giant jenga?! But seriously, Katie and Tom’s greatest wish was for everyone to have a lovely time. 

And that wish went as far as thinking of those who aren’t having such a great time. They showed their compassionate side with food bank donations on behalf of each guest instead of wedding favours. Genius! And Clare Designs illustrated the donated items on the place cards for the wedding breakfast. Katie still maintains it was “the best big shop” she’s ever done! With 90 or so guests, that would have made quite a difference. More of this, please! 

A view of Kelmarsh Hall with wedding guests arriving
A wedding drinks reception on the tea terrace at Kelmarsh Hall
Two wedding guests in colourful dresses and hats chatting during the drinks reception with the Kelmarsh Hall lake and trees behind them
Wedding guests laughing together during the drinks reception
Two ushers in tails making funny faces as they play a game of giant jenga
Bride and groom holding hands and chatting in a colourful flower border in the walled garden at Kelmarsh Hall
Bride and groom walking through in a colourful flower border in the walled garden at Kelmarsh Hall
The ballroom at Kelmarsh Hall set for a wedding breakfast
The ballroom at Kelmarsh Hall set for a wedding breakfast
Wedding breakfast menu and table name
Wedding placecard showing a donation has been made to a foodbank instead of giving favours to guests
The bride and groom's reaction as they're announced into the room for dinner
The bride and groom's reaction as they're announced into the room for dinner
The bride waving to all her wedding guests as they take their seats for dinner
Wedding guests on the top table clapping at the father of the bride's speech
The bride looking across to the groom and smiling during the speeches
The bride with a quizzical expression as she makes her speech
The bride looking up and laughing as she makes her wedding speech
The groom laughing and reaching out to touch the bride's shoulder as he makes a mistake during his speech
The groom clapping to thank someone during his speech
Wedding guests raising their glasses for a toast during the speeches
Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake in the saloon at Kelmarsh Hall
Close up of the bride and groom's hands just after cutting their wedding cake with the knife still in the groom's hand
The groom licking wedding cake icing off his fingers as the bride smiles and watches
The bride twirling in her wedding dress
The bride and groom embraced ready to start their first dance
The groom smiling at the bride as he twirls her around during their first dance
A semi-silhouette of the bride and groom during golden hour by the lake at Kelmarsh Hall
The bride and groom chatting together and holding hands during golden hour by the lake at Kelmarsh Hall
A semil-silhouette of the bride and groom walking by the lake at Kelmarsh Hall at sunset

Planning a wedding at St Catharine’s church?

If you’re getting married at St Catharine’s church or Kelmarsh Hall, I’d love to hear from you. But first, you might want to grab a cuppa (and a biscuit – it’s the law) and have a nose around my website to find out more about my approach and see whether a relaxed natural style is for you.

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“Sarah captured the posed pics for the frames but also documented the love, joy, and happy guests, which means we can re-live our day over and over!” Katie & Tom.