We’re ever so lucky as our photos and marketing always seem to attract folks we like being around and enjoy making photos of. That, at least is the way we think it all works. Maybe there’s more to it, but if something isn’t broken, well, leave it be.
So here’s a blog about a Norwich castle wedding that just seemed like a brilliant day out for us both, great guests, good locations and weather (actually the weather was a bit too hot really) Most importantly, two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet getting married.
All the photos are by us and the words are generously provided by the gorgeous Emma and similarly gorgeous Jack. Exactly the kind of folks we love to work for.
Jack works in SEO and podcasting, and I’m a nurse. We are both very nerdy and enjoy gaming (both video and board games!). I’m an avid reader, and Jack loves to play D&D. Our chonky cat is called Toothless (named after the dragon) who is an absolute unit and the light of our lives. Being a bit old fashioned we met on OK Cupid 8 years ago. Our wedding was at Norwich Castle wedding, followed by the reception at Number 47 on St Giles Street in Norwich.
I had seen ✨the ring✨ in a shop window, and had pointed it out to Jack. One day while shopping with a friend we were walking past the shop, so I went to point it out to them but it wasn’t there! I went into the shop to ask about it, and was told it had sold earlier that week ‘to a nice young man’ so I did the normal thing and sulked when I got home.
Jack tried to placate me and said there were other rings, however I knew that was ✨the ring✨ and no other would compare. I started to sulk in earnest and refused to even tell him what I wanted for tea because ‘we’re never going to get married now the ring has gone, so what’s the point?!’ Low and behold Jack then dropped to his knee and said ‘it’s a good job I bought it earlier then!’ followed by the standard words ‘will you marry me’.
Of course I cried and said yes, but also slightly upset that I was wearing my oodie with no makeup….
Well, Jack proposed in November 2018,and we started to think and plan in January 2019. We’d got everything ready and then covid decided to announce itself. Working on the covid ward I knew this wasn’t going to be over in a short amount of time, so we made the tough decision to postpone until 2022. We are so thankful that our suppliers were able to accommodate the new date as well.
Perhaps very boring but we booked the venues first. It was a bit of a struggle finding a historic venue in Norwich city centre which didn’t look like a community hall in need of a good dust, or was crazy money with weird caveats of where you could dance.
I even enquired with some barns out in the sticks which was not what we wanted. We eventually found Number 47 and fell in love with the vaulted ceiling.
We also struggled with Jack’s suit, he didn’t have one until 3 months before the wedding. I can say as an anxious person caused me a few extra grey hairs. Jack wanted a green suit, but they simply don’t exist in a non-tweed style (and we weren’t going to pay £££ for a bespoke one). Thankfully one of Jack’s groomsmen suggested a grey suit with green waistcoat which worked really well.
The dress was a very easy decision, as was the crown and my something blue!
I’d asked Jack input on planning and he just said ‘Green’. I didn’t have a specific vision, aside from wanting the Wisteria to be in bloom as that’s one of my favourite flowers.
I’m a very anxious person, and can say that I was so utterly organised that there were no blunders. Yay! If you asked my Mum on the other hand, she would say the wedding cake! Mum made it for us and thought it was hideous, staying up late the night before to try and remake some of it. I can honestly say I thought it looked great, and tasted even better!
We didn’t want to use the traditional vows, but still wanted something historic. I really wanted a handfasting ceremony, however that’s not a legal ceremony under English law (boooo) so we chose a poem by Frau Ava penned in 1160.
Jack: The first dance when Emma air-guitared my leg and the last dance.
Emma: Seeing Jack try not to cry during the ceremony and our last dance to Utopia by Lykke Li. I get emotional when I listen to that song now (in a good way!) because it encompasses such a perfect day.
Jack: The look Emma gave everyone when asked if there were any objections to the wedding.
Emma: Seeing my Nana in the photobooth in a wig really made me laugh, and Jack having his flies undone during the beginning of the speech, completely unintentionally! The shame.
Jack: Seeing Emma coming down the aisle in all her glory.
Emma: saying our vows to each other, and hearing the readings from our Mums. Also the final dance. Thinking back to the day in general makes me teary as it was just so perfect, and I didn’t expect that for us!
Well it obviously has to be the Sopranos style one! It’s fucking incredible. In fact, it’s the only picture we have printed and framed (in the most ornate frame) on a wall by itself.
Honorable mentions also go to the dancing wisteria picture because they are my favourite flowers, and my dress looks amazing. Also the kissing picture in front of the orange house because that woman is weird! The one in front of the royal arcade where I’m leaning on Jack’s shoulder (that’s his phone background). The taxidermy pictures are also just the right stroke between weird and cute which we loved!
I would have a strong word with myself to try and not be as anxious the morning while getting ready. I feel like I missed a lot of the fun moments with my bridesmaids because I was such a mess.
Jack would have liked to eat more of the food (and I agree), we barely ate anything!
Wear comfortable shoes. Truly it’s life changing and I was dancing all night, plus the money I saved on not buying Louboutins!
Have a sweetheart table, that time of just Jack and I together was really special.
If you’ve enjoyed the blog and are planning a Norwich castle wedding, or just a wedding in either Norwich, or a castle (we like both), give us a shout. We’d love to hear all about you both and your plans for the big day!
