{"id":1618,"date":"2026-09-08T13:00:20","date_gmt":"2026-09-08T12:00:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/?p=1618"},"modified":"2026-09-03T10:15:08","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:15:08","slug":"real-wedding-hannah-and-andy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/2026\/09\/real-wedding-hannah-and-andy\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Wedding: Hannah and Andy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In this blog we will be looking back to a balmy summer day in a woodland setting for Hannah and Andy&#8217;s wedding.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who:<\/strong> Hannah and Andy<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1619 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4836-2-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4836-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4836-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4836-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4836-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_4836-2-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/browningbros.co.uk\/teybrook-orchard\">https:\/\/browningbros.co.uk\/teybrook-orchard<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>When:<\/strong> July 2026<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1626 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5332-818x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The groom looks into the camera and smiles whilst his bride, holding her bouquet laughs alongside him.\" width=\"640\" height=\"801\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5332-818x1024.jpg 818w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5332-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5332-768x961.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5332-1228x1536.jpg 1228w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5332.jpg 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>First Contact:<\/strong> Unusually I had a contact from one of my cousins to say that a work colleague was getting married and wanted a celebrant and could she pass my details on&#8230;&#8230;Absoblumminglutely I replied!<\/p>\n<p>Hannah is a nurse at Colchester hospital and was therefore entitled to a discount on their ceremony fee as a Blue Light Worker.<\/p>\n<p>We had a video chat and discussed the look and feel they imagined for their wedding &#8211; boho with an emo edge and a little bit of Disney &#8211; I was hooked! We booked a face to face planning meeting and met over coffee at a local coffee shop. We talked about Hannah&#8217;s running mission (she ran the London Marathon in April) and how I would love to support fundraising by attending her quiz night. I also asked after whether I could get a deal on a tattoo from Andy to mark the occasion&#8230;.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1627 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5335-905x1024.jpg\" alt=\"the bride and grooms hands are tied with ribbons\" width=\"640\" height=\"724\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5335-905x1024.jpg 905w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5335-265x300.jpg 265w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5335-768x869.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5335.jpg 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Writing the ceremony was easy, their connection and dedication to each other shone through, as did their love for their community of friends and the love of their families. We booked a trip to their venue on one of their open evenings and I drove them both to there &#8211; a service I think I&#8217;m going to offer more as it was a great way to spend sometime together, talking about all sorts of things, Andy and I even connected over wrestling heroes!!<\/p>\n<p>Seeing them in their ceremony space as we practiced their handfasting was really lovely, I could feel the excitement radiating off them and it certainly helped them to understand the logistics of walking and standing points and who would sit where &#8211; I find that if we get that stuff out of the way, the day runs smoother.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1624 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5305-1024x793.jpg\" alt=\"Plenty of laughs shared during the ceremony\" width=\"640\" height=\"496\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5305-1024x793.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5305-300x232.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5305-768x595.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5305.jpg 1061w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Wedding Day:<\/strong> As always I arrived at the venue an hour early and made contact with the on the day coordinator to discuss music choices, ceremony key points and timings. I then met with Andy who had spent the morning getting ready with his mates and was in good spirits, feeling excited to marry Hannah rather than nervous.<\/p>\n<p>Guests began arriving and they took shelter in the shade of the huts, yurts and more importantly the bar on a scorching hot day. Thank goodness the tress in the woodland circle gave us some well needed respite.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1621 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5253-645x1024.jpg\" alt=\"The bride smiles towards the guests as the groom pouts \" width=\"640\" height=\"1016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5253-645x1024.jpg 645w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5253-189x300.jpg 189w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5253-768x1219.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5253-968x1536.jpg 968w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5253.jpg 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>After a small hiccup remembering to get button holes out of the fridge and give them out to family and a last minute music selection for the certificate signing we were ready to go.<\/p>\n<p>Andy stood ready with his groomsmen and Hannah was escorted to the ceremony area by her dad who beamed all the way down the aisle as Hannah and Andy shared some happy tears. A few deep breaths later we were on our way and revelled in a delightful story, heard a gorgeous reading from Hannah&#8217;s mum, laughed, cried and oohed and aahed as their beloved dog Skye to centre stage at the certificate signing! It was a joy.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-1625 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5306-1024x737.jpg\" alt=\"French bulldog Skye looks into the camera from atop a table where the bride and groom sign their certificate of marriage \" width=\"640\" height=\"461\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5306-1024x737.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5306-300x216.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5306-768x553.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5306.jpg 1175w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Celebrant led:<\/strong> An open air ceremony, in a unlicensed venue, with music choices that had a religious undertone and a pagan ceremony of union within it &#8211; there is no way these important choices and personalised touches would have been permitted by the registration service &#8211; thank God the law will see a change soon (hopefully).<\/p>\n<p>Supplier Love:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.itchyeyeproductions.com\/\">https:\/\/www.itchyeyeproductions.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/tiptreeflowers.co.uk\/\">https:\/\/tiptreeflowers.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abigailscollection.co.uk\/\">https:\/\/www.abigailscollection.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.franstraker.com\/bridal-hair--makeup.html\">https:\/\/www.franstraker.com\/bridal-hair&#8211;makeup.html<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1622 size-large\" src=\"http:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5258-1024x961.jpg\" alt=\"The groom wearing sunglasses enters the reception hall, hand in hand with his laughing bride.\" width=\"640\" height=\"601\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5258-1024x961.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5258-300x282.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5258-768x721.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/IMG_5258.jpg 1290w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this blog we will be looking back to a balmy summer day in a woodland setting for Hannah and Andy&#8217;s wedding. Who: Hannah and Andy Where:\u00a0https:\/\/browningbros.co.uk\/teybrook-orchard When: July 2026 First Contact: Unusually I had a contact from one of my cousins to say that a work colleague was getting married and wanted a celebrant [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1630,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,13,15,10,11,12],"tags":[16,17,19,20,21,28,29,30,35,37,39,43,49,51,72],"class_list":["post-1618","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-celebrant-skills","category-couple-visit","category-venue-visit","category-venue-visit-naming-ceremony","category-wedding","category-ceremony","tag-bespoke","tag-boho","tag-celebrant","tag-celebrant-led","tag-ceremony","tag-elements","tag-essex-couple","tag-family","tag-handfasting","tag-humour","tag-individual","tag-magical","tag-outdoor-wedding","tag-personality","tag-your-day-your-way"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1618"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1633,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1618\/revisions\/1633"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1630"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1618"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1618"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shelleybell.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1618"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}