Before the 2nd lockdown of the year, we managed to photograph & film a few weddings during September & October. Even though restrictions were in place, such as how many guests could attend, each wedding was unique, magnificent and memorable for all the right reasons.
Dean & Stephanie's wedding took place in early October, with their wedding reception taking place in the Hay Loft at Allerton Manor.
We covered Stephanie & Dean's wedding photography & wedding videography and with it being a wedding with restrictions due to government guidelines on COVID-19, we asked Stephanie if she could give us an insight into their wedding day. She kindly accepted our request and discussed some of the wedding suppliers who helped make her day extra special.
"Well what can I say about being a covid bride and groom, my advice would be to DO IT!!!
"My dress was from the fabulous Natalie Anne Brides. They were absolutely amazing and supported us through the whole journey. They had very strict rules about coming to your appointment, such as temperature taking on the door, wearing a mask and limiting the amount of people you bring with you. But that just made me feel more confident in them that they were doing everything to protect us and them".
"Dean hired his suites from Attire Menswear and Gill was amazing. I’d say my only Bridezilla moment was helping Dean pick his suit. I wanted to make sure he felt special on the day as it is about the men too. Gill was SO patient with me as I am so indecisive and I think I had Dean try on every suit in the shop but nothing was too much trouble and she was always on hand to give her expert opinion. Again, we were limited to how many people were allowed in the shop and had to wear masks but it didn’t change how much we loved the suits".
"Our Service was in the church I have attended since I was a little girl and again, they were so amazing and supported us the whole way through. I feel so lucky to call St Marys in West Derby Village my church as it is so beautiful. The guests had to wear masks (unless exempt) and had to sit in designated bubbles, but that didn’t affect the service".
"Our cars where from the fabulous Churchtown Motors, and wow they were amazing. They kept in contact us with us in the run up and nothing was too much trouble. On the day they were amazing and they were so much more than I expected from a car hire company. They were so attentive, making sure my dress didn’t get dirty and helping us in and out of the cars, Laura even helped Dean with his buttonhole in the morning".
"Our fabulous florist was Joys Florist and she was amazing. She listened to what I wanted in my flowers and boy she did not disappoint! She was so so accommodating too as things had to be swapped and changed so much but nothing was too much trouble, she even gave me her personal number in case I had any worries or questions. She had a screen built outside her shop so I could still meet with her and make sure that we were both safe".
"My hair was done by the fabulous Melissa Raw who was unbelievable. She has done my hair for years so I knew she wouldn’t disappoint. My make up was done by Louise Stephanie and I loved the look on the day. She wasn’t my regular make up artist as my original artist decided not to do my make up as she was worried about COVID and understandably her and her families health, but Louise did not disappoint and she was very patient and listened to me".
"Our fabulous photographers were Keyhole Studios who we picked almost immediately after setting our date. We just had good vibes from initially meeting them and they were also amazing. I knew as soon as I got engaged that the photographers would be a big thing for me as it's one of the few things left after the wedding and they were fabulous. Personally, I love photographs, but not of myself and they completely made both of us relax. Everyone at the wedding commented on how they just blended in and we completely forgot they were there. Even seeing the pictures and video we have both said we didn’t even realise they were filming/taking pictures at certain points but that’s how good they are. They capture moments without you even realising".
"I loved Allerton Manor from the moment I first viewed it. I just knew It was where our reception should be. The staff were amazing and they all had the appropriate PPE on at all times. We all had to sit in specific household bubbles due to the government guidelines and I was a bit worried how the room would look but wow, they made a room for 13 people in total look amazing! When we arrived at the venue they took us to the room to make sure we were happy with the set up before our guests seen it. A special shout out to Mike on the day too, nothing was too much trouble for him".
"Our day was the day we had planned and we had everything we wanted apart from a few less people. Obviously we would have loved to have had all our loved ones with us on the day, but the fact we couldn’t did not alter our day. We are so happy we decided not to postpone our wedding".
"There is no right or wrong decision to make when you are a covid bride and groom and you have to do what is right for you as a couple, but we have no regrets for going ahead with our day. It also gives you a good excuse to celebrate your special day again at a later date. I mean how many brides get the chance to wear their dress twice!"
"The build up was slightly stressful and every time there was an announcement you did pray it wasn’t wedding related but the happiness you feel on the day is exactly the same, whether you have 15 people or 150. I would definitely say work with your suppliers and try and be as flexible as possible with them. They are still trying to run a business and we found working with them rather than against meant we all still got what we wanted out of the day".
"We made such special memories, some that people will never experience such as our first dance was outside. But that just made it more special to us and we are so happy we never let COVID take control of that aspect of our lives and have come out as Mr and Mrs just as we planned".
Click here for more information on Allerton Manor and what they can provide for your wedding day and you can also read our latest blog discussing why this venue is such a good choice for your wedding by clicking here.
You can read one of our previous blog posts which was also a wedding we covered with restrictions in place at The Oak Tree of Peover by clicking here.
You can visit us at www.keyholestudios.com for your wedding photography & film enquiries. To view our fleet of wedding cars, visit us at www.keyholemotors.com or call us on 0151 708 7077 to arrange an appointment with us.