Talbooth winter wedding. This was an incredible day for an incredible couple. But it was a bittersweet day as well. Maddy and Toby had planned their wedding for later in the year but sadly Toby’s father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and with this brutal and unforgiving disease, he wasn’t going to make the wedding. What an incredible hammer blow all round. I first properly met Maddy and Toby when I did a venue visit for their wedding at North Mymms Park. The energy and determination was high and Toby’s Mum was most definitely on the case! Susanne & Maddy took control of the planning, determined and focused with Toby being the quiet tiller following on from behind gently nudging the direction of things every now and then. It was a masterclass in team work and wedding planning.
Maddy was a bridesmaid at Lucy & Doug’s wedding a year before, another superb day. More we spoke, the more the coincidences, even to the point where Toby’s sister was my next door neighbour. The planning was in place, the energy was off the hook, the bride and groom were two of the loveliest people you could ask to meet and their families were big hearted and full of fun. I left the venue visit fired up and ready for this, it was going to one superb wedding.
When I got the email about Toby’s Dad, the energy was quite literally knocked out of me. It’s so hard to comprehend the enormity of something like that. I had been through something similar when I was much younger and everytime I hear news like this, it feels like I’ve been hit over the head with a shovel. Maddy and Toby had now decided to carry on with their big wedding but to a smaller wedding straight away with immediate family so Toby’s Dad could be there. I’m used to rescheduling wedding plans thanks to Covid (or as it’s known in the wedding planning industry “f*&kin Covid”) so this was no problem, of course I would be there. The big problem was being professional and holding it together.
Winter wedding day at La Talbooth
What a beautiful day it was. Crisp, clear sunshine, frosty on the lawns and not a breath of wind. This is how I feel a winter’s day should be. Maddy got ready up at The Talbooth House ably assisted by her security ring bearer, her little nephew with the cheekiest smile. Then down to the La Talbooth to meet up with Toby and the rest of the family for the wedding. It was a small, intimate and incredibly heartfelt ceremony with sublime readings. A quick glass of pink fizz before making the most of the sunshine for a few confetti photos outside and then back in for the meal upstairs. My job on days like this is to capture as many of the memories as faithfully as I can without imposing myself on the day; this is not a day for me or my personality. But it is a day that is a rare privilege to be a part of and I take immense pride that I was invited in.
Toby’s Dad told him that he was to “absolutely smash” his big wedding day. Well, they did that. And some! They smashed it out of the park. You can see their North Mymms wedding here.