Some weddings are grand affairs—hundreds of guests, sweeping celebrations, and a whirlwind of energy. But others, like Charity & Craig’s, feel quieter, softer, and beautifully intimate. They got married at The William Cecil in Stamford, Lincolnshire last summer and what stood out most about their day wasn’t the size or scale—it was the quality time they got with each of their guests, the absolutely stunning details that they’d invested in and the way they poured themselves into every single part of their wedding. All of it felt intentional and deeply personal & I loved photographing it.

Whilst they usually contain all of the same components of a traditional wedding, micro weddings do tend to offer a little more flexibility and ability to really go for it with the parts that mean the most to you as a couple. With fewer guests it obviously means fewer invitations required, less food and wine, smaller tables meaning less decor needed to fill them, all of which generally means less cost overall too. Even though they opted to keep their numbers small, throughout the day, I found myself noticing how much care and attention had gone into every decision. Every element was chosen because it meant something to them. Like the beautiful tableware and flowers and sentimental gifts for each other and their wedding party. Nothing felt rushed or done for the sake of tradition. They had the time to have quality interactions with each of their guests. It wasn’t about putting on a show—it was about celebrating their love in a way that felt honest and true to who they are.

Many modern couples are rewriting tradition’s rules and I’m here for it.

I could tell you a hundred things I loved about their day, but here are three that stood out and will stay with me for a long time.

1. Shared Moments Ahead of the Ceremony

Breaking from tradition, Charity & Craig chose to spend the morning of their wedding together, soaking in the intimate start of the day before the celebrations began. When I arrived, the room was filled with a quiet excitement—Charity was having the final touches of her makeup done at one end, while Craig stood at the other, meticulously ironing his shirt. Their morning unfolded gently, with stolen glances and shared smiles as they carefully laid out their wedding details, played with their dog, and chatted about the day ahead.

When it came time to get dressed, their quiet connection shone through in the simplest of gestures—Charity fastening Craig’s cufflinks with steady hands, Craig carefully clasping her necklace, and kneeling to help with her shoes. There was no rush, no fuss—just a beautiful sense of togetherness. It was a moment of calm before the excitement, a reminder that at the heart of their wedding day was something beautifully simple: each other.

2. The collaboration between us for their photographs

From the very beginning, Charity & Craig had a clear, thoughtful vision for how they wanted their wedding portraits to feel—elegant, timeless, and with a touch of that editorial edge you might associate with royal family portraits.

In the lead-up to their wedding, we spent time carefully curating and discussing their inspiration. It wasn’t just about mimicking images they loved—it was about understanding the essence behind those photos and weaving that feeling into their own celebration. What struck me most during those conversations was how much trust they placed in me. After sharing their vision, they gave me the creative freedom to interpret it in a way that felt natural and true to the flow of their day. This trust created a beautiful collaboration—where their ideas met my perspective, allowing us to create images that felt like them, only elevated.

When it came to their couple portraits, we leaned fully into that vision. I was able to work with intention—playing with composition, light, and framing to create images that felt striking and sophisticated. But what I loved most was how we balanced that editorial feel with the warmth and authenticity of their connection. Between the carefully composed portraits, there were soft touches, shared smiles, and a quiet intimacy that wove itself into every frame.

Beyond their portraits, though, they wanted their day to feel real. For the rest of the celebrations, I took an unobtrusive approach—documenting the natural, unscripted moments that unfolded between them and their loved ones. I moved through the day like a guest with a camera, capturing the laughter, tender glances, and joyful chaos without interference. It’s this blend—the intentional and the spontaneous—that made their final gallery feel so rich and reflective of who they are.

The result was a collection of images that felt like a beautiful contradiction—elevated yet effortless, artful yet honest. It’s a testament to what happens when couples not only bring a clear vision but also allow space for creativity and trust to lead the way.

3. The Deeply Felt Emotions of the Speeches

Their speeches were, without a doubt, one of my favourite parts of the day. There’s something about the intimacy of a smaller guest list—just the people who know you best—that makes everything feel a little more raw, a little more open. With no need for formality or filters, emotions flowed freely. There were moments of deep joy, but also the ache of absence—of those who couldn’t be there to share in the day. You could feel the weight of love in the room—the kind of love that holds both laughter and tears in the same breath.

I always find myself drawn to these unguarded moments. When people let themselves feel everything, without reservation, it creates a kind of magic—one that lingers long after the day is over. Charity & Craig’s speeches were full of that magic. There were soft, tearful acknowledgments of those deeply missed, but also bursts of belly-aching laughter from shared stories and the kind of gentle teasing only possible when it comes from a place of love. It was a reminder of how weddings are never just about two people—they’re about the intricate web of relationships that have shaped them and brought them to this moment. And being invited to capture those vulnerable, beautiful emotions is something I never take for granted.

But, true to form, Charity & Craig also found a way to make this moment uniquely theirs. As part of Craig’s speech, he surprised everyone with a round of Baby Guinness shots—a playful nod to their love of a good time and a chance to bring everyone together in a shared toast. It was one of those perfectly unscripted moments where the room collectively shifted from tears to laughter. The photos from that part of the day say it all—one guest in particular made it very clear how little they enjoyed their shot, and the reactions around them were priceless.

More than just a funny memory, though, it felt like a reflection of who Charity & Craig are at their core. Thoughtful. Playful. Always finding ways to bring people together and create moments of connection. It’s these little touches—like raising a glass to the people you love—that transform a wedding from a celebration into something that feels deeply personal and profoundly meaningful.