After seven years together, a house purchase and a romantic proposal in Paris, it was finally time for Gina and Will to tie the knot!
The two had known each other since school, although it was through nights out with friends that their relationship really began. Fast forward a few years, and on a beautiful day in May, they were getting married surrounded by their closest family and friends.
A Relaxed Morning Getting Ready
I joined Gina at her family home in Mansfield, where she was getting ready alongside her five bridesmaids and family.
The morning was lovely and relaxed, with everyone chatting away as hair and makeup got underway. Gina had opted for a really timeless look for the day, with beautiful white roses, classic styling and her bridesmaids wearing gorgeous green dresses.
One of the lovely moments from the morning was Gina's dad seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time. It's always nice to capture those little moments between family members before the excitement of the ceremony begins.
With everyone ready, it was time to make the short journey to St Peter's and St Paul's Church in Church Warsop.
A Traditional Church Wedding in Church Warsop
St Peter's and St Paul's Church provided a beautiful setting for Gina and Will's traditional wedding ceremony.
One thing worth mentioning about church weddings is that photography restrictions can vary enormously between venues. Some churches are incredibly relaxed, while others have much stricter rules about where photographers can stand or whether photographs can be taken during the service.
In this case, photography was particularly restricted, but thankfully Gina and Will had checked everything beforehand, so we knew exactly what to expect. I managed to capture a few moments discreetly from the back of the church without interrupting the ceremony.
After exchanging their vows and officially becoming husband and wife, everyone gathered outside to celebrate.
We made the most of the beautiful church grounds for some family photographs, including a few with the whole wedding party, before heading down the pathway for a confetti throw beneath the churchyard arch.
With the formalities complete, it was time to head over to Il Rosso in Mansfield for the reception.
Wedding Reception at Il Rosso, Mansfield
Il Rosso, on Nottingham Road in Mansfield, was the setting for the rest of Gina and Will's celebrations.
With around 50 of their closest friends and family joining them, it was a lovely, intimate wedding with a traditional feel.
Gina and Will had opted for a classic, timeless style throughout the day. From the men's tuxedos and green bridesmaid dresses to the white roses and elegant two-tier wedding cake, everything worked beautifully together.
Before dinner, guests enjoyed the speeches, followed by the wedding breakfast and cake cutting. There were plenty of opportunities to capture everyone enjoying themselves, catching up with friends and celebrating the newlyweds.
A Few Portraits and Plenty of Celebrations
Throughout the day, we found time for some portraits of Gina and Will together, along with photographs of their bridesmaids, groomsmen and families.
Gina had some lovely ideas for the photographs she wanted, so we worked through a mixture of classic portraits and a few more playful shots with the wedding party.
It's always nice to have a few photographs of everyone looking their best, especially when you've got all your favourite people together in one place.
As the evening arrived, it was time for Gina and Will's first dance to *Never Seen Anything Quite Like You* by The Script.
With the formalities out of the way, DJ Tim Asher took over and the evening celebrations got underway.
A lovely day celebrating two people who have known each other for years, surrounded by the family and friends who've been part of their story.
Congratulations again, Gina and Will!
Planning a wedding in Nottinghamshire?
Whether you're getting married in Mansfield, Nottingham, or somewhere in the beautiful Nottinghamshire countryside, I'd love to hear about your plans.
My approach is all about capturing the real moments of your day, with natural, relaxed wedding photography and absolutely no awkward posing. Just genuine moments, a few beautiful portraits, and photographs that tell the story of your wedding exactly as it happened.
