Mr And Mrs Jackman Our Story
Venue: Swancar Farm
Bride: Jodie
Groom: Leon
Wedding Date: 29th August 2018
Date Booked: 15th march 2018
Austen’s memorable moment: Leons attempt at the Dele Alli Challenge
Leon & I met 13 years ago! Always a giggle when anyone asks how we met! The answer is I thought he was somebody else & he came over very confused, and said “who do you think I am”
Fate struck we exchanged numbers 13 years later, a wonderful son “Dylan” & my step son “Jayden” & home owners on our journey through life together.
Leon proposed to me Christmas Day morning 2015! It was all quite comical what should have been romantic turned into Leon giving me a present which I couldn’t work out if it was an engagement ring as he didn’t say straight away! Then him getting down onto one knee & started asking but our son bumped into him so he fell over forwards & at that point we all laughed, I said “yes” & then it all hit me a few minutes later & then the happy tears came.
The wedding was booked at the first venue “SwanCar Farm” we knew as soon as we walked in it was the perfect place for us, it just felt right.
We were to be married 2017 on Valentine’s Day. However some devastating news delivered to me by my father in Jan 2017 that he had cancer. The wedding was cancelled & sadly my father passed away that June & I said “I’ll never get married without him”
That was it my mind was made up & on we went on our journey always to be loved but never to be wed. October came around & all of a sudden like a lightbulb like of moment “Dylan can walk me down the aisle” Dylan is on the autistic spectrum & is the most amazing boy in the world! & him & my dad had a special bond. That was it the wedding was back on!
I was pretty laid back I already had a dress & everything else just seemed to flow, I didn’t stress or worry what was meant to be seemed to be.
I called Swancar for a photographer & we were passed two contacts the first was Austen so I casually picked up the phone & had an instant connection with Austen! I booked him there & then. Austen then asked to meet so we could get a good idea of his work & we could all have a chat. Again soon as we spoke I knew he was “our guy”
August the 29th rolled round in a heartbeat & the evening before myself & my sister (my only sibling) prepared the tables for the following day, it was very emotional for us thinking about our dad & the most bizarre thing happened! A robin flew in & the night porter was chasing it all over the place in the end the robin flew into the bar area & the porter closed the door. We decided that dad had come along & went to chill for a drink while his girls continued the prep.
I didn’t sleep with nerves & excitement & was up bright & early making sure everything was ready for everyone. As we were getting ready Austen popped into the bridal suite full energy & smiles & he fitted in with us girls well haha. Taking shots but somehow it was like he was just part of the bride squad & we were all really relaxed.
Little panic at the start of the day! I collected all the cakes the evening before. They were brought out to the car so I didn’t check the boxes. The wedding planner popped up & asked where the “wedding cake” was! I said “it’s in the kitchen” she said “no I don’t think it is, there are some cupcakes & two small cakes? No wedding cake” I followed her down into the kitchen as soon as I walked in, I knew I didn’t even have to look! The shop hadn’t put the wedding cake in. Hayley our wedding planner for swancar got straight on the phone & I gave permission for her to sort it out on my behalf. I was really calm as what’s the point in panicking? It’s not going to change anything. I said “if there is a mistake & my actual cake isn’t there, just send anything” I then went back up to the suite to continue getting ready at which point Austen came back in & said “by the way I think your awesome” I said “wow, thanks why” he continued “the way you just handled that was amazing most people would have screamed, shouted & cried about it & you just took it in your stride” I kind of felt quite composed about the rest of the day as I thought “I can handle anything” on the bonus side the company sent the cake with three staff a bottle of champagne, flowers & chocolates! Proof staying calm pays off.
The time came to walk up the aisle, I choose to walk to Coldplay’s paradise. The only wobble I had was as I was just about to turn the corner I had to turn back as I felt I was going to break down & cry my eyes out & be unable to stop. I took a deep breath & held my little boys hand & off we went together to meet at the end to my future husband.
Me, Leon & Dylan all held hands throughout the ceremony & We places Saint Christopher’s around the boys necks just after we exchanged rings so they felt involved as we were all in a way getting married.
It was all very, very special & beautiful & as much as me & Leon loved each other we felt the love from everyone in the room & it is a moment I’ll remember forever.
The rest of the day was so magical & I could see Austen working so hard to get the best shots of our day & he was high, low, under, over! Everywhere & we all loved him! He became not just our photographer but a part of our day & a friend.
The album speaks for itself, it shows the journey in the most honest & beautiful way & if it’s possible it’s beyond our expectations.
My advice to anyone getting married is you don’t have to spend thousands! Just have the people that mean the most, a good venue, good food & a great photographer to catch it all as memories are priceless.
Un edited and straight from Jodie her self, if you are looking for a Nottingham Wedding photographer please feel free to contact me.
