Kurtis & Esther got married on Saturday 5th September 2020 at the quaint Canford Magna Parish Church in Dorset. I had the pleasure of being there to capture their ceremony, their guests afterwards along with documenting their first moments together a Mr & Mrs enjoying the grounds around the church. Kurtis & Esther then celebrated the rest of the day with a family garden BBQ, surrounded by fairy lights and flowers, speeches and their first dance under the stars!
Who doesn’t love a romance story?! So, lets get a cuppa and hear all about their journey together so far, their wedding and their dreams for the future!
Tell us about your love story…
We met swinging through the trees! We were working at a high ropes course and Esther hadn’t done her harness tight enough (I had!) so I just had to walk over and adjust it. Fast forward three months of friendship and we decided to start dating.
Describe each other in 3 words!
Esther-Maria is … Loving, generous and adventurous.
Kurtis he is … Kind, enthusiastic and a superhero!
What are your favourite things to do together?
Anything outdoors in a forest, on a mountain or by the sea. Walking, running, climbing, adventuring, laughing.
Tell us about your proposal…
It was ADORABLE. We went glamping in Croyde for our anniversary and Kurtis took me on a walk where I have loads of special memories running with my dad. Under the guise of getting more drone footage for his website he told me to go and stand on a cliff edge staring out to sea as the drone circled. When I turned around he was on one knee and predictably I bawled my eyes out for ages before saying YES.
Describe your process of finding ‘The One’ wedding dress!
I took my mum and my dad and we found the one in our local bridal shop, Anna Bridal. I felt like a Princess, it was swishy and sparkly and surprisingly comfy. I felt so beautiful and never wanted to take it off.
What were you most looking forward to about your wedding day? (apart from becoming Mr & Mrs!)
Kurtis: For me it was seeing my very beautiful bride walk down the aisle
Esther: For me it was having everyone I loved all together.
What was your ceremony like?
We had a traditional ceremony and we wanted everyone we loved to be involved. Esther’s Aunty Nettie married us which was so precious. Kurtis’s best friend Jordan was best man and Esther had her lovely sisters Rissa and Cara as bridesmaids supporting her as well as the cutest page boy and flower girl, Tobias and Harmony, Kurtis’ cousins. Kurtis’ grandma Tina and Esther’s Uncle Paul prayed over us which was really emotional and the whole wedding was just full of God, love and joy. Nettie had us separately write down what we hope for in our marriage the night before and when she read them out we had such similar responses “family, adventure, joy, purpose and love” it really highlighted how we are as a couple together. We even had the ceremony live-streamed for family and friends who we really wish could have been with us.
Did you have any DIY creations?
Everything was DIY and everyone just pitched in which made it so special, we were just completely surrounded by love. Aunty Fran and Cara stayed with us helping the whole way through and threw me a surprise hen party with champagne, toilet paper and pampering. We had our reception in the garden, my mum planted flowers in our wedding colours of coral and burgundy and my dad strung up over 3000 fairy lights transforming it into a magical fairy-tale. All the tables and chairs and cutlery were borrowed from a load of generous friends, family and neighbours (who all appeared to wave and cheer me off in the morning) giving everything a bistro-chic feel. My bridesmaids and I picked the bouquet from supermarket flowers which my mum styled on the day, wrapping trailing ribbons round the bottom for a romantic touch. She also made our delicious 3 tier white chocolate and raspberry cake. The food was all homemade and my brother and his girlfriend barbecued everything on the day with chocolate mousses, fruit pavlovas and many sweet treats for after. Honestly the whole wedding was wonderful and so fun, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.
How was your experience of getting married in 2020?
Interesting. We had to throw all of our original plans out the window, postponing them for a party in 2021. Covid-19 meant we had to make plans which were completely flexible, there was a lot of uncertainty and that was tough. In the end we decided that what was most important to us was being married and together. We are so fortunate because everyone just pulled together to create such an intimate and special wedding for us, it was beautiful.
What did you enjoy the most on your wedding day?
Esther: For me it was holding Kurtis’ hand afterwards knowing that my best friend was now my husband.
Kurtis: I was just so thrilled that this beautiful woman was now my wife!
What was the most emotional moment of the day?
There were a lot! For a start neither of us could hold it together as Esther power walked down the aisle. Also the speeches by the brides Father, the best man and the groom were wonderful with just the right combination of laughter and tears.
What was the funniest moment of the day?
When the Mother of the Bride got lost driving to the church and turned up 10 minutes after the bride….
What are you favourite photos from your wedding day?
Kurtis says all of them. I agree but we particularly love the candid shots of everyone, the one of us praying and the ones where we are taking communion.
The couple photographs are mind-blowing. Our favourites are the one on the bridge where we are facing away and Kurtis is kissing my forehead, the ones of Kurtis twirling me around, the ones where we are laughing and the ones under the willow tree.
Describe your experience of having me as your wedding photographer.
Aimee you are the loveliest, sweetest person and everyone has said how amazing all the photos are. You made us feel completely relaxed during our couple’s shoot and really you felt more like a wedding guest than photographer. We love the variety of shots which captured our wedding like a story. Thank you!
What are you most looking forward to this next year?
Having fun building a life together, mini adventures, we want to learn to surf and of course, our wedding party in September!
What are you most looking forward to in the next 5 years?
So many things! Buying our first home, getting a dog, making a family, hopefully a lot of travel, walking, eating, all the simple things in life.
Who were your Wedding Suppliers?
Dress: Anna Bridal
Grooms Suit: AF Joy
Hair: Emma Hulse
Makeup: Frances Moore MUA
Photography: Aimee Joy Photography
Everything else: Family and Friends
Transport: Kurtis’ friend Ryan’s boss…people are so kind!
Do you have any wedding advice for other Mr & Mrs To Be?
RELAX and enjoy it! It’s not about all the stuff. It’s about you both and your journey together!
Wedding Photography by Aimee Joy Photography
