ENGAGEMENT PHOTOSHOOT - Edward & Leah

I seriously worry about myself sometimes. You'd have thought after 17 years of photographing weddings and hearing people's love stories I'd have been over it by now, but it's quite the opposite. I fall in love and get more inspired now than I've ever done. In a world following COVID, so much makes me fall in love with the human spirit. 

I was introduced to Leah and Edward through Sarah at Coombe Trenchard and I was “head over heels” from the word go. Now this is a story…

Leah and Edward met in a chatroom on a gaming website. Being someone who “detaches” from a screen at every opportunity, I knew things like that existed, but never considered you could meet the person you’d marry on there!

For both of them, it was pretty much "love at first message" and from the offset they knew there was a connection worth pursuing. With Leah living in Louisiana and Edward living in the north of England though, they couldn't have been further apart if they tried. 

Finally, they made the move to meet and Leah flew to the UK... The deal was pretty much done before they'd even met and exchanging promise rings on their first date, they vowed to take their relationship to the next level.

Meeting was both a curse and a blessing as so great was the pull to “be together”, they wanted to be “connected” every minute of the day. And when I say every minute, I mean, 24 / 7. Going to bed with their laptops on their bedside tables became a regular occurrence, so that that each other’s face would be the first and the last thing they both saw. 

Their relationship built momentum and knowing that he’d met the person he wanted to spend his life with, on just their second week together Edward proposed to Leah with the most beautiful ruby and diamond ring. Told you it was a story?!! 

Getting a visa wasn't an easy ride and at times throughout their wedding planning, it was touch and go as to whether Leah would make it to the UK before their big day. Thankfully, luck was on their side and a couple of months before their big day Leah had packed up her life and her five cats and set off for sunny Newcastle!

Edward and Leah – it’s been such a rollercoaster! Sometimes I thought we’d never make your preshoot, let alone your wedding day. Your persistence is a true testament to your love for and commitment to each other and I cannot wait to capture your next adventure…your wedding!  

Venetia xx