Gemma & I studied Photographic Art together at university before she & James jetted off, first to Northern Ireland and then Australia to live in the mining town of Kalgoorlie where James works as a geologist in the gold industry. This career choice brought a very personal element to the wedding.
While working at the Cavanacaw mine near Omagh in Northern Ireland, James was involved in mining a special batch of gold ore to make the world's only range of 100% Irish gold jewellery. James seized this rare opportunity to purchase his wedding band to ensure that when the day came, the ring he wore would be made of gold he had personally been involved in mining. After arriving in Australia a few years later and wanting Gemma's ring to be equally special, James purchased a commemorative medallion that his company had recently produced. On Christmas Eve 2010 he used the ounce of gold to propose on the beautiful island of Rottnest, just off the coast of Perth and fortunately the dazzled Gemma accepted! Gemma immediately began designing her rings and added a beautiful champagne diamond, also mined in nearby Perth, to her engagement band. Both Gemma's rings have been handmade by a local Kalgoorlie goldsmith and there is still plenty of the medallion left for future generations. Isn't that the most romantic story?
They decided to get married back home in the grounds of Ludlow Castle. Planning a wedding from the other side of the world meant Gemma had to be super organised so she booked her photography over eighteen months in advance. Knowing Gemma likes everything bright & colourful & exactly my cup of tea, it was a long old wait but what a wonderful day when it finally arrived! If we didn't have a wedding to get to I could have spent the whole day indulging in obsessive photographer behaviour, capturing her dream dress in every nook of her beautiful family home. Also, all grooms should wear kilts. And her flowers were amazing. And the vintage Chevy hired from Classic American Wedding Cars was truly stunning! But I'm rambling now… on with the pictures!