Merlyn and Tim got married at the beautiful Manor by the Lake nestled in 7 acres of gorgeous Cotswold’s countryside on the 20th of November 2021. As Wedding Videographers, we couldn’t think of a more spectacular location. The stunning red leaves of the plant that climbed the manor created an insane backdrop for photos later on in the day and the soft winter light made the venue all fairy-tale like.
Merlyn and Tim met in 2014 when they worked together, but it unfortunately took them a year of flirting to finally go on a date. Once they officially started dating, they continued to have Friday night drinks every Friday which often led to dancing and singing Hamilton songs until the early hours.
Their wedding day started 10 minutes down the road in a beautiful and peaceful hotel where Ground Films met Merlyn who got ready with her gorgeous friends. The musical songs were playing, much to Merlyn’s and Ground Films delight (as Connie is also a musical fan). As the bridesmaid’s hair and makeup was completed everyone made their way to Manor by the Lake where Merlyn continued her preparations in the most spectacular room with an enormous free-standing bath and four poster bed. Her very glamourous mum helped her get into her stunning satin A-line dress that had a gorgeous v neckline and an incredible train which was beautifully matched by an impressive veil. As wedding videographers, we rarely see brides where veils over their faces during the ceremony anymore, so it was so lovely and special when Merlyn did it – the unveiling makes the whole occasion even more striking.
Ground Films were shocked when they saw where Tim got ready – it was a fully functioning guy’s paradise including a pool table, a juke box and a copiously stocked bar to name a few of its amenities. The room was incredible with high ceilings and dark oak panels – Tim and his groomsmen got ready and in and we have to say it was just incredible for those preparations shots as you can see throughout their wedding film. Tim even got his groomsmen all personalised goodie bags that even included personalised animal cufflinks based on his memories with them.
Merlyn walked down the aisle arm in arm with her beautiful mother. She greeted Tim with the biggest and warmest smile – you could tell that this pair were just made for each other when they shared this reaction even after spending everyday together for the last 2 years in lockdown. The couple had the most gorgeous ceremony filled with all their friends and family surrounded by endless fairy lights. Merlyn’s aunt had planned and designed a lot of the details like the colour scheme and cake etc and as West Sussex wedding videographers we love to capture all these special details throughout the day as we know how much thought has gone into them. The ceremony was stunning, and the crowd went mad when they were pronounced husband and wife.
Merlyn and Tim were lucky to capture their group photos and couple photos outside without the presence of rain just after their ceremony. The grounds at Manor by the Lake are just stunning and we didn’t once have to ask the newlyweds to kiss because they were already doing it – it was like we weren’t there, exactly what we like!
Merlyn and Tim cut their enormous cake in the stunning drawing room before the reception. As wedding videographers we haven’t ever seen a cake like it - in two shades of blue to match the colour scheme of the day, the cake had a ‘M’ and a ‘T’ intertwined on the top, and it was entirely vegan!
After the cake cutting and a private dance for the couple in the stunning drawing room which Ground Films captured, everyone sat down for the speeches in the reception room. As you can see from the couples wedding film it was like a winter fairy-tale with copious amounts of candles, interwoven by beautiful greenery. The speeches from Merlyn’s brother was so beautifully heart-warming and there was not a dry eye in the room. Tim’s best man recounted stories of the pair in their younger years and included some messier unheard-of tales. Tim spoke stunning words about his wife mentioning how they first got together and their adventures since buying a house and getting a pooch together.
The couple finished the night by blissfully dancing together surrounded by their family friends for the whole night to the most incredible band.
Thank you, Merlyn and Tim, for such a beautiful day and thank you to all the suppliers involved:
Photographer - @taylorhughesphotography Venue - @manorbythelake Hair - @lauraleighhairbeauty Mua - @bysteph_mua Flowers - @thepetalemporium Shoes - @bellabelleshoes Rings -@dcjewellerylondon Tiera - @ivoryandco String - @capriccioquartet Singer - @andrewbournofficial