The Mere Resort Wedding Photographer

A short drive away from me is the stunning venue The Mere Golf Resort and Spa in Cheshire with breathtaking views overlooking a lake with green fields and serene surroundings.

When Bashar and Asel asked me to be their wedding photographer I was thrilled, Iraqi weddings are one of my favourites! 

Bashar and Asel had their civil ceremony at the Mere with their close family and friends. The room was beautifully decorated with hanging white and pink flowers. Candles were also dotted around the room in candle holders filled with flowers. It had such a magical atmosphere so when the guests walked into the room, they  couldn't help comment on how pretty the room looked. 

The ceremony was quite emotional and tissues were being passed around. Even the men present in the room had lumps in their throats!  

Whilst Bashar, Asel and I made our way around the grounds for their portraits, the guests enjoyed canapes, ice cream and games, before making their way to the main hall for the Reception. 

The main hall was adorned with the beautiful candle holders that were present at the ceremony.

As with many Arab weddings, the Bride and Groom were escorted by a Dhebke band, a traditional band with drums and tambourines and the guests clapped and cheered the couple in.  Bashar is a very popular guy amongst his friends and was immediately brought to the dance floor for a dance, and tossed in the air a few times as is customary in Iraqi weddings

You'll notice the interesting sihouettes on the cake. Spreading over four tiers, they show how Asel and Bashar met. Asel grew up in Eastbourne, and Bashar in Manchester.  It turns out that the pair actually knew each other as children and the familes were old friends.  Bashar and Asel met after many years of not being in touch, and well the rest is history! The cake tiers show the couple's cities, their childhood, their professions in Dentistry and Medicine. 

After a crazy night of dancing, and delightful dessert including Kunafe served by Manchester's very own Mr Knafah, the couple left the venue in a traditional 'zeffah' procession, and in true Arab style beeping horns and dancing in the streets of Cheshire before returning the couple to the Mere with with a farewell in echoes of football chants and songs. 

Big shoutout to Nathan, the events Manager, who went out of his way on many occasions on this day, (the guests even gave him a special chant at the end!).

Wedding Dress: The Knot, Eastbourne
Venue: The Mere, Cheshire
Decor and florals: Qube Events and Productions, Manchester
Wedding Cake: Bloomsbury, Altrincham
Hair and Makeup: Revive, Hale
Kunafa: Mr Knafah, Rusholme