Carriage Hall Wedding – Kelly & James
Kelly and James Carriage Hall Wedding | Real Weddings.
A grey-and-white wedding full of heart, humour, and a double rainbow at Carrage Hall in Nottingham.
Some weddings just feel like home.
This was one of them.
From a Christmas Day proposal in mismatched pyjamas to a dance floor that never slowed down, James and Kelly’s wedding at The Carriage Hall was packed with personality, laughter, and the kind of moments you cannot plan even if you try. We even had rain. The good kind. The rainbow kind. Actually… double rainbow kind.
The Proposal – Unexpected, emotional, and secretly filmed
The proposal was unexpected; James was always the ‘it’s a lot of money for a bit of paper’ person.”
James proposed on Christmas Day, not long after they’d welcomed their second daughter. He’d been off work with a back issue, so when he went down to the floor, Kelly genuinely thought his back had gone and leapt forward to help. Except… he was on one knee, with a ring. And a camera quietly filming the whole thing.
“I didn’t know he was filming it, or I’d have worn matching pyjamas!”
Saying yes to the dress
Proof that rules are made to be broken
“I was adamant I didn’t want strapless or tight-fitting.”
Famous last words.
Weeks before her appointment, Kelly spotted a dress out of the corner of her eye and asked her friend to snap a photo, just in case. On the day, she took her full bridal party and let them all choose dresses for her to try.
Some picked two.
The dress she chose?
“The one I took the photo of weeks ago. It was still in the shop. And it was strapless and tight fitting.”
A perfect reminder that you never really know until you know.
The suits
Designed, not chosen
James didn’t just pick a suit, he built one.
After trying on a few options at Blidworth Menswear and not loving any of them, he asked a simple question: could he design his own?
What followed was James walking around the showroom, pulling jackets from one rail, trousers from another, shoes from somewhere else entirely, and creating his own look from scratch. They were that impressed they asked if they could use the photos from the wedding.
Why The Carriage Hall?
No work vibes, just wedding vibes
Having spent 16 years working in hospitality, Kelly knew exactly what she didn’t want.
Kelly said, “I didn’t want to feel like I was going to work on my wedding day.”
They ruled out churches and hotels early on. The Carriage Hall was the very first venue they visited, and after seeing plenty more, it still stood out.
The distance was the only hesitation, but they stuck with their gut, and they were right.
“We said people who truly cared would be willing to travel.”
Making it theirs
Grey, white, and totally them
The theme was simple, timeless, and completely personal.
Grey and white, just like their home.
White roses.
Grey marble cake.
Wooden textures and soft neutral décor.
Nothing forced. Nothing overdone. Just them.
The music
One new favourite and one emotional throwback
Their first dance was Over and Over Again by Nathan Sykes, chosen by James.
Kelly said, “I’d never heard it before then, and I loved it instantly.”
But the bridal party entrance might have stolen the show.
When they first met 18 years ago, James couldn’t believe Kelly had never seen Labyrinth. Since then, As The World Falls Down by David Bowie has been their song.
Kelly said, “If he ever hears me playing it, he can’t help but sing.”
The photos
Some need no explanation… some absolutely do
Kelly says, “I’ll let them speak for themselves.”
That said, a little context helps.
• Me asking Maisie if she could fit a full bread roll in her mouth
• A dramatic crack of thunder during the “does anyone object” moment
• Everyone being temporarily blinded by a purple smoke bomb
• A lot of laughter
• A lot of chaos
• A lot of joy
Exactly how it should be.
A few of their favourite photos from the day
Rain, rainbows, and running outside
One new favourite and one emotional throwback
Their first dance was Over and Over Again by Nathan Sykes, chosen by James.
Kelly said, “I’d never heard it before then, and I loved it instantly.”
But the bridal party entrance might have stolen the show.
When they first met 18 years ago, James couldn’t believe Kelly had never seen Labyrinth. Since then, As The World Falls Down by David Bowie has been their song.
Advice for Future Couples
For anyone, outside opinions get in the way.”
The Photographer Who Captured It All
The moment you say yes
We had rain. On and off. The kind you keep half an eye on all day.
Just before dessert, I asked if they fancied a very quick dash outside. They said, “Absolutely.”
What followed was not just a rainbow… but a full double rainbow over The Carriage Hall.
The party
No half measures
This was not a quiet wedding.
They had a bouncy castle, a caricature artist, a 360 photo booth, and a dance floor that did not quit. There was always something happening, somewhere, all day long.
Energy everywhere. Smiles everywhere.
Words of advice for newly engaged couples
Kelly said, “Make it your day. You will try and please your guests, but it’s your wedding and your money paying for it, so have what you want.” and I could not agree more.
Keeping it in the family
The highest compliment
Since this wedding, I’ve also photographed Kelly’s mum’s wedding and her sister’s wedding.
That kind of trust never goes unnoticed.
I feel genuinely honoured and ridiculously lucky to be welcomed back time and time again.
I love keeping it in the family, it means everything.
Chosen Wedding Suppliers for James and Kelly’s wedding at The Carriage Hall in Nottingham
Wedding Venue – The Carriage Hall in Plumtree, Nottingham https://www.thecarriagehall.co.uk
Photographer – Rachael Phillips Photography
Wedding dress – Prestige Bridal Studio https://www.prestigebridalstudio.com/
Suits – Blidworth menswear https://www.blidworthmenswear.co.uk/
Flowers – Flower life https://www.flowerlife.co.uk
Hairdresser + MUA– No1 Bridal Styling – hair & makeup
360 Photobooth – Capture 360 https://capture360midlands.co.uk/
Room styling – Always & Forever Weddings for decor
Caricatures – Beefys caricatures https://beefys-caricatures.com/
Bouncy castle – CJ entertainment https://www.cjentertainmenthire.co.uk/
DJ – TC disco https://www.tcdisco.co.uk/
Cake – Cake and Thistle https://www.cakeandthistle.co.uk/
The Photos That Say It All
Of course, no wedding blog would be complete without the photos!
Here’s to Kelly and Jame, thank you for putting your trust in me; it truly means the world. x
