Oh, my days, these two. When I say photographing Lauren & Rachel’s Hertfordshire wedding was an absolute JOY, I mean the full-on, heart-bursting, grin-so-wide-it-hurts kind of joy. Their intimate celebration was proof that when you surround yourselves with your favourite humans (and a couple of Bengal cats), magic just happens.
Zero Travel Time, Maximum Candid Moments: Getting Ready
Getting ready was never going to be an issue for these two beauties. Lauren got ready in their own home, and Rachel? Literally next door. They live right beside Lauren’s mum, which meant I basically did a professional-level hop, skip, and jump between houses, capturing all the candid wedding moments. Honestly, this setup should win an award!
While each bride snuck out for hair appointments, the couple’s home was buzzing with family members. The flower girls, Rachel’s nieces, kept me thoroughly entertained (think: chaos, giggles, and lots of glitter). And then there were the cats, two Bengal beauties who decided I was obviously there to pet them.
With snacks flowing, soon it was time for those iconic wedding dress moments and the highly anticipated First Looks.
The Double Dress Reveal & Pastel Bouquets
Their style was flawlessly complementary. Both brides carried stunning, matching bouquets in beautiful pastel colours, tying their looks together perfectly.
Rachel’s Dress (Structured Elegance)
This stunning gown is crafted from smooth satin fabric with a clean, structured silhouette. It features an elegant off-the-shoulder neckline created by a wide, folded collar. The structured skirt includes prominent pleating and a modern front slit. A unique detail is the inclusion of side seam pockets, giving the dress a relaxed yet luxurious contemporary feel.
Lauren’s Dress (Soft Romance)
This soft, romantic gown is made from flowing chiffon, featuring a heavily ruched or pleated bodice and an off-the-shoulder neckline with a sweetheart shape. The waist is cinched with a wide, intricate beaded band of pearls and crystals, and the dress is secured with a traditional corset lace-up back.
Lauren, looking breathtaking, had a beautiful, private moment with her dad, who couldn’t hold back his pride.
Next door, Rachel had an incredibly sweet reveal with her nieces, the lovely flower girls, who absolutely showered her with excited giggles and hugs. Both gowns were to die for! Their mums were there, beaming with pride as the nerves started to tingle in the best way.
Both gowns were to die for! Their mums were there, beaming with pride as the nerves started to tingle in the best way.
The Double Dress Reveal & Pastel Bouquets
Their style was flawlessly complementary. Both brides carried stunning, matching bouquets in beautiful pastel colours, tying their looks together perfectly.
Rachel’s Dress (Structured Elegance)
This stunning gown is crafted from smooth satin fabric with a clean, structured silhouette. It features an elegant off-the-shoulder neckline created by a wide, folded collar. The structured skirt includes prominent pleating and a modern front slit. A unique detail is the inclusion of side seam pockets, giving the dress a relaxed yet luxurious contemporary feel.
Lauren’s Dress (Soft Romance)
This soft, romantic gown is made from flowing chiffon, featuring a heavily ruched or pleated bodice and an off-the-shoulder neckline with a sweetheart shape. The waist is cinched with a wide, intricate beaded band of pearls and crystals, and the dress is secured with a traditional corset lace-up back.
The Unsung Hero & The Registry Office Rings
Lauren headed to the registry office for the wedding ceremony first, followed by Rachel in a sleek limousine with her family. Everyone filtered into the room, settling in for what was set to be a beautiful moment… until Rachel quietly whispered that she’d forgotten something fairly important. The wedding rings. Yes. The actual wedding rings.
Cue Rachel’s brother becoming The Unsung Hero of the Day, doing a swift trip back home to rescue them. Thankfully, because Lauren & Rachel had the last ceremony slot, the registrars were in no rush. Phew!
Ceremony, Tears, and Lakeside Portraits
Once the wedding rings made their dramatic return, it was game on. Lauren walked down the aisle first, arm-in-arm with her dad, who couldn’t stop smiling. Then came Rachel, who walked down by her nephew, who absolutely nailed it. The second their eyes met? Lauren’s emotions overflowed. The love between them filled the room in that deep, quiet, powerful way that makes you remember exactly why LGBTQ+weddings matter.
Brocket Hall Auberge du Lac Wedding Reception
Once they were officially pronounced married (cue more tears), we headed outside for some relaxed family portraits before making our way to Brocket Hall – Auberge du Lac, one of the dreamiest wedding reception spots in Hertfordshire.
We took striking couple portraits in front of the stunning backdrop of the lake, where we had to watch out for the geese! These quick, relaxed sessions were focused on celebrating their newlywed joy.
Golden Hour & Iconic Couple Goals
As a candid, natural wedding photographer, this place is basically a playground, lakeside views, soft golden light, and just enough fancy-but-relaxed energy to make magic. While the newlyweds mingled, I did my usual room scout, then whisked them away for sunset-soft couple portraits. These two were completely in the moment, laughing, chatting, soaking it all in, which always makes the BEST images. They even jumped onto a random golf buggy because… why not? Iconic behaviour.
And because these two are not only stunning brides but super-fit netball and Letchworth Women’s Rugby Club players, they’d brought their kit and laid it out on the reception table like absolute legends, so of course it would’ve been rude not to get some key sporting moves of them in their team bibs. Peak couple goals, honestly.
We wrapped up with family portraits by the lake, before admiring the homemade wedding cake lovingly crafted by Lauren’s mum (plus gluten-free cupcakes for the special dietary legends, 10/10 attention to detail).
It was one of those weddings I’ll never, ever forget, full of warmth, personality, and moments that made my camera very, very happy. Lauren & Rachel… thank you so much for choosing me to capture your beautiful Hertfordshire wedding. It was an honour, a joy, and an absolute giggle from start to finish.
A Word From The Couple: “Tracy was fantastic from start to finish! Very professional but also welcoming and always made us feel calm (even in those stressful wedding moments)! Our photos perfectly reflect our perfect day, and we never felt like our day was scheduled around taking photos – 100%
Venue: https://brocket-hall.co.uk/occasions/weddings/auberge-du-lac/
Dress: https://www.lumi-bridal.co.uk/ https://www.aboutabrideplussize.co.uk/
Flowers: https://www.greengoddessfloristry.co.uk/
MUA: http://ELLIE-SIMONS
MUA/Hair: https://www.instagram.com/danifioccohair/?hl=en
Transport: https://www.empirelimos.co.uk/
Rugby Team: https://letchworthrugby.rfu.club/teams/letchworth-gc-ladies/466334/profile
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