Some weddings end up in a special place in our minds. Charlotte and Tim’s beautiful two day Butley priory wedding went straight into our collection of favourite Suffolk weddings. Charlotte and Tim hold significant positions in the arts. Their vision and instinctive feel for what makes a great event were the backdrop for both a cosy family event and a party full of the most interesting friends. We’d do it all over again if we had the chance!
This was our first Butley Priory wedding. Originally built in 1171 and now a wonderful place for Charlotte and Tim to host their immediate families overnight on Thursday. On Friday they all got together in the vaulted central hall for their official wedding with Suffolk registrars. The service was intimate and warm in bright Spring sunshine. After, we all spilled out into the gardens for drinks followed by a family only wedding breakfast. Lisa and I left with big smiles and looking forward to Saturday!
Saturday came, brighter and warmer still. I dropped Lisa off with Charlotte then followed Tim and his Groomsmen in an open topped vintage car into nearby Orford. Arriving at the Jolly Sailor lots of their friends were waiting to greet us and have lunch. Hugs, laughter and singing accompanied by the Best Man’s guitar followed. Everyone then walked up to the Town Hall for the ceremony, conducted by Charlotte’s Brother.
It’s difficult to describe how lovely all this was for Lisa and I. The whole of the events on both days felt a little like a quality independent English film script playing out. The settings and colours were amplified with genuine laughter and happy faces. When the Groom and his friends stood to sing ‘I will’ by The Beatles, there were a few tears too!
After the ceremony I went up the Bride’s house where the reception was taking place. Lisa and the couple went to make some portraits on the banks of the River Alde. Sitting in the back of their Triumph convertible, Lisa got some beautiful shots of the newly weds as the townsfolk reacted to them. Back at the reception and marquee there were drinks and speeches and food of course followed by brilliant dancing (these guests had skills!). It was very late and dark before we left.
“We would give Lisa & Neil 50 stars if we could – they are phenomenal photographers. Every single photo is a work of art, and the results were better than we could possibly have imagined. Just as importantly, they are excellent company! They are with you at such intimate moments where emotions are high. They could not have been more charming, tactful, fun, polite, and generally excellent company.
Lisa and Neil managed to do all this while being somehow invisible, never invasive, totally flexible and extremely efficient. They took great care to get to know us in the run-up, learn about our wedding, our families and what sort of style we were after. They really listened and their instincts were spot-on. It’s also fantastic (and incredible value) to have two photographers. They captured twice as much material and were in two places at once!
Neil and Lisa they got right in amongst it and caught elements of our wedding we didn’t even know were happening! We have absolutely no reservations in recommending them 100% – just book them – you would be mad not to… ”
— Charlotte and Tim
If you’re planning a Butley priory or Suffolk wedding, give us a shout, we’d love to hear from you.
