…and 2024 wedding season is GO!!

I love the start of the season. The weather is unpredictable, but usually plays ball. All wedding suppliers, including photographers like me, are so excited to get started, get out and get on with the wedding business!!

This year has got off to a fabulous start, with the wedding of Arianne and Luke at St Andrew’s Church in Chelmsford, followed by a reception at the Reid Rooms.

As it’s the beginning of the year, I thought I’d take you through a day in my life. Don’t get me wrong – there really isn’t anything “typical” about any day in my line of work. Every couple is so unique and every wedding is tailored to be just right for them, so every wedding day is different. Which is why I absolutely love it!

This gorgeous couple got married at St Andrew’s Church in Cheltenham. It’s the church they are members of and it was packed out with family and friends who love them!

But that’s skipping ahead… the ceremony is where the day starts for the guests, but as a wedding photographer, my day begins hours earlier!

I like to arrive nice and early… if the ceremony is at 1pm, then the bride starts to get ready at 8.30am. So I’ll be there before that starts! I love to capture every moment of your day. After all, when the confetti has blown away and the cake has been eaten, what you’ve got left is your album of images that document the whole day. Getting ready is an event in itself, for both bride and groom! Smiles, laughs and memories are bade in those rooms and I love being a part of it with my camera.

I photographed Arianne with her hair and makeup being done, whilst Jack, my second shooter for the day, was photographing the groom with his best man and the Dad’s. While the atmosphere is different, the underlying emotions are the same. Joy and celebration and a little bit of apprehension are all normal on your big day!

Once everyone is dressed, I like to capture the bride and groom both on their own and with their attendants. Taking a moment to allow bride and groom to take time for themselves creates beautiful images and really captures the way they feel. It’s the calm before the party and it’s a beautiful moment. Arianne and Luke had a “no look” moment too – they kept their first look for in the church, but held hands around a door for a tender moment together. And because it made us all laugh a bit, and broke any tension!

When the bride arrived, Luke was waiting at the front of the church and his face lit up as she walked in. The church was filled with love and support for the couple and there wasn’t a dry eye as they exchanged their vows! It wasn’t all serious though… the vicar got everyone to join in with a game of Mr and Mrs during the service. Something completely unique and wonderful that made everyone smile!

I grabbed some photographs of the happy couple, the signing of the register, the newlyweds leaving the church and the confetti moment… I even stole them away for a blink of an eye to grab some more intimate portraits of them together. We were so fast, the guests didn’t even notice we were gone!

The reception was held at the Reid Rooms in Chelmsford, which is also where the bride and groom got ready. Having a room to leave belongings in is super useful – especially for a lipstick top-up, or if anyone needs a tissue!

A gorgeous rustic interior and a lovely outside space too gave us loads of options for photography. I like to take the bride and groom away from the melee for a short time to capture intimate portraits, but also to give them a moment for themselves. To take a step back and to reflect on the excitement of the day so far, to reconnect as a couple and to spend a few moments celebrating together. I’m always on hand to photograph the speeches – I prefer them before the meal, but it’s really up to you. While you are eating I usually take a short break from my camera – no-one wants to be captured chewing their dinner! It also gives me an opportunity to make backup copies of your photographs so far so I know I have many copies, in case of disaster. I usually get to eat a quick meal myself at this point too – it gives me energy to prepare for the evening party!

As the sun set on Arianne and Luke’s day, we had a sparkler tunnel – which looks fab! Everyone can join in and it makes for some beautiful photographs. It’s just that little bit different to confetti, too! And then the party started… friends and family joined the happy couple on the dance floor and we had SO MUCH fun dancing to the music provided by Henderson Perry Entertainment. I said a quick goodbye after the first few dances, and made my exit.

Being a wedding photographer is hard work, but a truly wonderful thing to be involved in!

Other Suppliers:

Ceremony Venue: St Andrews Church, Chelmsford

Reception Venue: Reid Rooms Chelmsford, Margaret Roding

Bride’s dress – Wed2B; Anna Sorano

Bride’s shoes/accessories – Converse shoes

Groom’s suit – Dapper Chaps

Groom’s shoes/accessories – Dapper Chaps

Florist: Eden Florist 

Stationery: All designed and printed by Arianne, save for the front cover (only) of the Order of Service which is finishingtouchprints. 

Makeup Artist: Nicola Bonner Make Up  

Hair Stylist: Shelley – Rumour Hair

Bridesmaid attire: Jacqueline Louise Bridal

Groomsmen attire: Dapper Chaps

Caterer: Amaze in Taste

Cake: Jade Hughes – Fun Food Fix

Transport: SCN Occasion cars 

Band/DJ: Henderson Perry Entertainment