Some love stories are just meant to be told, and Natalie and Christian’s journey from a cheese-filled first date to an elopement at Gretna Green was nothing short of incredible. As their photographer, I had the absolute pleasure of capturing their laughter, adventures, and heartfelt moments along the way.
Their story began, quite fittingly, with cheese. And wine. Which, let’s be honest, is the best way to start anything. They met at a little place called “Love Cheese,” and if that wasn’t fate, I don’t know what is. Natalie, with her big blonde hair and Southern charm, and Christian, with his North East accent and a January-chilled bald head, were a perfect, unexpected pairing—like cheese and chutney, or pork pie and brown sauce (a nod to Christian’s wedding vows!). From that first date, they were inseparable, filling their time with road trips, hikes, and even the occasional zip-lining adventure (which, thankfully, Christian survived without incident!).
Only two months into dating, they were already joking about marriage. Christian casually asked, “What would you do if I ever popped the question?” The next week, they were browsing engagement rings online “just for fun.” Spoiler alert: they were already planning their wedding in their heads, though neither of them wanted to admit it just yet.
When Christian decided to propose, he planned something truly special—a surprise engagement shoot in Cumbria. That’s where I came in. The only hiccup? Natalie, completely unaware, took forever to get ready because she insisted on going shopping before their hike. Priorities! When I showed up, camera in hand, Natalie had no idea who I was—just some “weirdo” with a lens. But once the moment hit, she realized what was happening, and it was pure magic to capture.
Fast forward to the wedding day, and things got even more memorable. They chose to elope to Gretna Green, the historic destination for runaway weddings since 1754. Natalie and I had been in touch leading up to the big day, and I knew it was going to be something special. But even I wasn’t expecting this level of creativity: to make sure Christian didn’t see her dress before the ceremony, Natalie wore a duvet cover. Yes, an actual duvet cover—complete with holes for her head and arms! And naturally, she insisted on keeping it on so she could snack on the way to the venue.
Getting her into the car was a team effort (shoutout to the hair and makeup team!), and once we arrived, the sight of a “ghost bride” wrapped in a duvet following Christian around Gretna Green was a moment that had to be captured. I couldn’t resist snapping a few shots—it was too good to miss!
The ceremony itself was perfect. Laughter, heartfelt vows, and a whole lot of love filled the room. But the most emotional moment came afterward during our photos at the lakes. Natalie handed Christian a locket, stitched onto her bouquet, with a photo of his late sister inside. It was an incredibly touching surprise, and I was honored to capture that raw, beautiful moment between them.
Throughout the day, we experienced every kind of weather—sun, wind, rain, and clear skies. Looking back, it was the perfect reflection of the day itself: chaotic, full of surprises, but absolutely beautiful. Being there to document Natalie and Christian’s story was more than just a job; it was a privilege. They made me feel like part of their adventure, and now, they’ve made it clear—I’m stuck with them for life. Not that I’m complaining. As long as they bring the cheese, I’m in.
If you would like to bribe me with cheese and have me photograph your wedding day, then please do contact me as I’d love to have a chat!
