Victoria & James – An Elegant Bird-Themed Wedding Full of Heart and Harmony
Three words to describe your day:
Traditional. Calm. Beautiful.
Victoria and James celebrated their marriage with a day that perfectly reflected who they are – elegant, thoughtful, and full of love. Their chosen date, 24th August 2025, was picked with family in mind: “It was a bank holiday so my brother Daniel could attend- he works so hard running his shop, and I wanted him to have a day off afterwards.”
The couple first met while working together in the emergency department- James as a nurse and Victoria as a doctor. “It’s a dramatic place,” Victoria shared. “You have to trust each other and work together through very difficult circumstances, and also find ways to cheer each other up. We already had a solid foundation to build upon.”
Their engagement story is as romantic as it is meaningful. James proposed on the cliffs of The Oa, an RSPB reserve on the Isle of Islay- a dream destination for the pair, who share a passion for wildlife. “It was already our dream trip with all the rare birds and insects,” Victoria said. “Apparently James had been planning the proposal for a long time and wanted it to be perfect.”
Their wedding day was inspired by their love of nature and birdwatching. The theme subtly wove through the day – from delicate details to soft, natural tones. They chose cream and peach-coloured roses, accented with gentle greens, creating an atmosphere that was both elegant and serene. A string quartet provided the soundtrack to the day, adding to the refined and romantic feel.
Not everything went perfectly, though- which only added to the charm. “James stumbled 15 minutes before the ceremony whilst greeting guests and decapitated the large rose on his buttonhole!” Victoria laughed. “Thankfully, Vicky the wedding planner saved the day and found a similar rose from the flower arrangements.”
There were many emotional moments too, including a beautiful performance during the signing of the marriage certificate. “My brother Joseph and cousin Josephine performed a piece for voice and piano. My cousin, who is only 14, was moved to tears by the ceremony but still managed to compose herself and sing beautifully.”
When it came to choosing their photographer, Victoria and James were drawn to Jess’s work from the start. “We looked for wedding photographers in Cheshire and were blown away by the quality of the photographs. When we spoke to our venue, Vale Royal Abbey, they mentioned how brilliant you were, which gave us even more confidence that we’d chosen the right person.”
Though they didn’t have a first dance or disco, the day was filled with music, laughter, and quiet moments that will stay with them forever.
Best advice for other couples?
“Make sure you plan a little time off before and after the wedding – it’s essential for recuperation!”
Victoria and James are planning their honeymoon for this autumn, when they’ll travel to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, ready to explore breath taking landscapes and wildlife together as newlyweds.
