It's always special to photograph the wedding of a friend or loved one, so I was delighted when my old friend Jo asked me to capture her and fiancé Martin's beautiful day. Their ceremony was in their local church, St Mary's at Chidham, West Sussex, with the reception at home in their gorgeous garden, where they celebrated their union in the beautiful August sunlight.
Having already photographed Marina and Nick for their Autumn engagement shoot last year, I was very much looking forward to their summer wedding day, knowing it would encapsulate their warm and fun-loving personalities. This couple’s friendship, natural togetherness and excitement was so genuine that it was reflected on their beaming faces throughout the day!
Along with the close family and friends who made up the bridal party that day, were two honorary guests, the couple’s beloved pooches. As a professional dog walker, it was only natural for this bride to want her precious four-legged friends, Sky and Jet, to be very much part of the proceedings on the big day. Lucky for Marina the roles were to be reversed and with an aisle still to grace, this bride could look forward to one of her dogs walking her for a change!
Laura and James chose rural Hampshire’s Clock Barn to be the charming venue at which to celebrate their marriage and the timing couldn't have been better. It was a hot and breezy day in June and as every wedding couple would wish for, the skies were blue and the sun glorious. Judging by their engagement shoot a few months previous, I knew this easy-going bride and groom would be open to being photographed in a mix of styles. They embraced the elegant portraiture in naturally beautiful settings whilst also seizing a more contemporary approach, involving gritty industrial backdrops to juxtapose the traditional classic wedding look. The venue offered such diversity with its rustic barn features and neighbouring grassy meadows, but its hidden gem was what looked like an old abandoned aircraft hangar which turned out to serve as a strikingly cool backdrop. Having initially scoured the site and with my creative juices bubbling, I couldn't wait to get started on photographing the couple and capturing some of these amazing scenes painted with their unique memories.
