Stowe Gardens Wedding Photography || Ellen & James' Northamptonshire Wedding

I love a mix of cultures at weddings and James' (English) and Ellen (American) were keen to emphasise theirs at their wedding in Northamptonshire last month with a red and white theme (complete with surprise American waistcoats for James and his best man Alex, who is also married to an American).  They were married at James' family church in Potterspury by the same vicar who christened James.  The reception was held at Stowe Gardens, a National Trust property, in front of The Temple of Venus.  Given that it was the most beautiful September afternoon the reception was held outside overlooking the lake and stunning grounds. I hopped on a golf buggy with Karen the coordinator, and James and Ellen to explore some more of the estate and take some gorgeous pictures of them.

I hear a lot of speeches but the speech made about Ellen by her bridesmaid Melissa was an impressive testament to Ellen's rather extraordinary life and positive impact she's had through various development projects.  When she first emailed me I had been intrigued by the 'ellenincongo' email address so it was wonderful to hear out of the mouths of her best friend and then her father about some of her adventures.

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Flowers - by a friend

Car - owned by Steven and Mia Murray.  Steven was James' boss five years ago and kindly offered the car's use for the wedding.  Like Ellen the car has spent many years of it's life in Africa.  Called the Lily Beament, she is a Silver Wraith made in 1953

Zest Group organised the marquee and the food - they run all weddings at Stowe on behalf of the National Trust

DJ Apex provided the music

Cake by Chrissie of Chrissie's Cakes - she doesn't have a website but she is based in Milton Keynes and her number is 01908 312365

The custom made waistcoats were made by Waistcoats Direct

Wine from Avery's Wine in Bristol

The champagne, J Lassalle was chosen by Ellen, James, Alex (his best man) and his wife Mia on a trip to Champagne.  After sampling 29 different champagnes this was selected. It's made by three generations of women, two of whom they met on their trip.  When they bought the champagne, they gave them their first wedding gift, 12 hand blown glasses with their house crest engraved on them.