Seas the day!
November 30, 2017
Lucy & Niall's Wedding onboard the HMS Warrior
Lucy and Niall enjoyed a grand wedding of a nautical nature on a clear sunny mid-summer August day this year. Married aboard the spectacular HMS Warrior 1860, Britain’s first iron-hulled armoured battleship, this couple brought their nearest and dearest to witness them tying the knot in an intimate ceremony held in the charming Captain’s Cabin!
Located at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the famous ship in all her antiquity is outstanding in design and workmanship, and offered a variety of interesting and artistic backdrops against which to photograph the bridal party, whilst making for an unparalleled wedding experience for the guests. This truly unique venue benefitted from the lovely light and airy decks on which to mingle and absorb the fantastic views over the harbour, and most memorable was that the bright blue sunny sky interspersed with delicate wispy white clouds couldn’t have been more perfect against which to capture this happy bride and groom.
It just so happened to be the morning that the brand new HMS Queen Elizabeth Carrier arrived in Portsmouth and fittingly I was up the road at The Queens Hotel, a stunningly grand Edwardian building close to the seafront. There to photograph Lucy, I found her mid-bridal preparations looking sophisticated yet girly in her strapless princess style gown with classic sweetheart neckline, beaded detail bodice and wonderfully full organza skirt. Alongside the bride, the ‘getting-ready’ on this wedding morning was an occasion that had been reserved for the bride’s mother, three sisters (who were bridesmaids) and two daughters - the designated flower girls. The girls carried little posies of pink roses, perfectly replicating in miniature the pink palette of the bride’s bouquet and I felt they looked wistful as they stood in the window daydreaming against the billowy clouds behind.
Lucy’s fabulous shoes bought sparkles and a hint of pink detail which tied the whole style and look together whilst also perfectly showing off her bracelet - it was as if the shoes were made to specifically display it! As a wedding photographer, I think that lovely details always deserve a bit of attention as, on the day itself, these are the things that can be easily overlooked and overshadowed by the more obvious style choices made with the wedding dress and hair design.
As the ceremony was to be held on board the restored HMS Warrior, we left one impressive smart venue to venture to the next, and what a treat it was to be on board a ship full of history and caliber on such a important day in the naval calendar! A simple and romantic ceremony took place in the cosiness of the Captain’s Cabin (with challenging spacial dimensions for photography due to low beams, cannons everywhere and lanterns hanging at head-height!). Yet we had fun capturing those special unforgettable moments.
As well as photographing the beautiful new Mr and Mrs Hatton, it was an honour to note some beautiful creative details of the ship itself. Lengths of rigging coiled up and strung up and through great big pulleys, attached to the towering masts provided great textures and interest as part of the scene of being on board. Even chains anchoring the huge boat into the harbour revealed a raw strength and offered a glimpse into the sheer scale and extent of this significant battleship.
The bold orange funnels were also fabulous features on the upper deck, necessary due to the ship originally being powered by steam as well as the sails. Lucy, Niall and their lovely daughters made the most of these quirky features when posing for some family pictures. I always enjoy composing a reasonably classic wedding scene against a very untypical, unexpected background! In contrast to these orange curved tubes we also had the tall straight masts of which taught ropes were strung, giving triangular shapes and geometric interest to the bright sky backdrop of the bridal party pictures.
We were all overjoyed for the sunshine radiating down on the bride and groom as they stood under its warmth on the deck for some portraits. I loved seeing the dainty fluffy white clouds and pretty contrails decorating the blue canvas above, as if randomly painted by hand and looking billowy like Lucy’s veil in the breeze. The juxtaposition to this scene was Portsmouth’s landmark Spinnaker Tower that stood sharp and proud in the background, a location marker and well known tourist attraction.
Lucy and Niall had decided to travel in style and had arranged the ultimate in vintage transport, heading to their reception back at The Queens Hotel in a classy 1930s Vintage Beauford. As they stepped out of the luxury of this classic convertible, another statement vehicle, an eight seater vintage Asquith Wedding Bus supplied by Hamilton Wedding Cars, awaited at the entrance with bridal party in tow. Everyone was now ready to experience a little more luxury within the Elizabeth Room as the reception commenced at this striking Southsea based Hotel.
The reception was in theme, decorated with pinks and creams and the attention to some personal details gave the lavish traditional room a warm and inviting vibe. Coordinating flowers and pink organza sashes decorated the backs of chairs whilst favours and table games were laid out at each place for a little pre-dinner entertainment.
Lucy’s pride and joy was designed and created by Willow & Bloom Cakes - her bespoke pink and gold tower of cake-pops! Displayed beautifully amongst more fresh flowers, this centrepiece was very fitting with the sympathetically renovated Edwardian style room that also boasted stunning crystal Italian chandeliers.
Lucy and Niall’s final portraits were shot in the ground floor lounge of the hotel, whereby an incredible black and white checkered marble floor had been recently revealed, having being hidden under a red carpet for over 50 years! The newly-weds looked suitably dignified as they took to the shining feature floor. Notably very much in love, they took a moment to reflect on the day before hitting another floor, the dancefloor, to end the night in yet more style.
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hatton and thank you for having me as part of your fun and fabulous family-filled day! I enjoyed your unique style and taste for all things full of history and charm. We were so lucky for the beautiful sunshine that day, but no matter the weather, I hope your future is always smooth sailing!
Love Kelly x
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A