Congratulations to a lovely couple Pauline and Andy who tied the knot on 15th April! I was lucky enough to be their wedding photographer.
Their Wedding took place at the beautiful venue Hintlesham Golf Club in Ipswich. The venue has everything that is needed for a perfect wedding - a bright and light ceremony room which seats up to 100 guests, a sunny terrace where guests can enjoy their drinks, the bright Cedar suite that can seat up to 120 guests for wedding breakfast and 150-acres of countryside that is perfect for wedding photos.
As a wedding photographer, I usually start my day by familiarising myself with the venue, looking for some great spots for formal photos and couple's portraits and taking some shots of the wedding details and settings.
I then followed by taking photos of the arrival of the groom and first guests.
This is a very exciting part of the day. Everyone is a bit nervous and in anticipation of the ceremony. But it is also the perfect time for some candid shots.
The weather didn't look promising all week and it was raining in the morning but luckily the sly cleared up and the guests were enjoying their drinks on the terrace.
I had to make my way outside for bride's arrival. Pauline looked so beautiful and happy accompanied by her sons.
In the meantime Andy was waiting in the ceremony room for his beautiful bride with his daughter Vicky by his side.
And the time had finally come...
During the Ceremony I prefer to stand at the spot where I can face the bride and try to change the position a couple of times if possible to get shots from different angles. I shoot with two camera bodies and 24-70mm and 70-200mm lenses. I know from experience that everything happens super quick for a wedding photographer, and it was not the time to miss anything, swap lenses, etc. I always include close-up shots of the exchange of rings. My 70-200mm is perfect to capture facial expressions especially when I have to stand far back like during at the church ceremony.
Straight after the ceremony is the time for me to stand back with my 70-200mm lens and capture some candid shots of guests congratulating the new Mr and Mrs.
But eventually I move to every photographer's favourite group photos, otherwise guests will start disappearing and it will be hard to gather everyone together. Like many other wedding photographers, I find this part of the wedding day challenging. I ask my couples to send me the list of group photos they would like prior to the day. On the wedding day I ask one of the family member or someone from the bridal party to help with organising groups and finding the right people for each shot. Andy's daughter Vicky was super helpful with finding everyone and bringing them together.
After the formal photos we are moving to a couple's portrait. The majority of my couples told me that they don't like their photos being taken and they feel weird in front of the camera.
That's why I don't like anything too staged or uncomfortable and unnatural for a couple. I like capturing a couple's interaction. It's their first time in a new status and I just let them enjoy each other's company.
In the spring at Hintlesham Golf Club are a cluster of trees that are full in blossom which are beautiful for the perfect picture.
After the couple's portrait we had confetti shots on the terrace which was great fun!
This was followed by cutting the cake.
And the pressure was over, time for a wedding breakfast! Everyone is feeling relaxed.
Before I go I always ask my couple if there are any more photos they would like me to take.
It was a great day full of sunshine and laugher and I felt very proud to be a part of it!