I was really excited to photograph Jenny & Luke's wedding last October.
When they first approached me and told me they were planning on getting married in a an old Silk Mill turned pottery studio I immediately knew what the vibe would be.
Whimsical, colourful, artsy and relaxed.
Frome was the perfect town for this sort of wedding as well. I visited the venue with Jenny and her mum a week before the wedding and we chatted through best arrangements for lighting and talked through the schedule. Jenny settled on bright blue screen prints on the white brick walls, warm autumnal flowers (which her mum put together all by herself!), and let the natural lighting and rustic venue do all the talking.
I was buzzing when I left.
I then strolled into Frome and enjoyed the coffee shops, plant shops, and pottery shops. It's such a quaint place.
On the morning of Luke and Jenny's wedding, I arrived at the rustic Air BnB they were both staying in and started photographing Jenny's dress, rings and shoes while she relaxed and waited for her bridesmaids to return from the coffee run. The big Georgian windows created a stunning backdrop for Jenny's attire and the pops of colour in her flowery head dress and green velvet pumps coupled with the creaminess of her dress created the folky artsy look we romantics spend hours scrolling on Pinterest to find.
Pure magic.
Jenny and her bridesmaids got ready in front a bright window with lots of natural light and chatted amongst themselves while I discreetly captured them together, while occasionally sipping on the coffee they got me - cheers again for that ladies! There was a lovely moment where Luke had bought her a necklace with a note and I managed to capture her reaction and of course the priceless reaction of her dad coming into the room to see her for the first time - always a classic. Jenny looked utterly stunning once she had the dress, shoes, flowers, makeup, hair (and necklace) all together. I got some lovely shots of her on the staircase and just like that it was nearly time to head over to the Silk Mill.
What I loved most about Jenny & Luke's wedding was the little pockets of unconventionalities.
Jenny and Luke got ready in the same Air BnB, and after a brisk morning run it was Luke's turn to get into ... no not a suit... bright! blue! dungarees! It was fantastic! Luke was a little apprehensive about having his pictures taken, which is perfectly understandable, so we had a nice chat as I photographed him in his natural state, gently directing him here and there when he needed it. He relaxed in front of the camera so quickly and we got some lovely shots of him by the big Georgian windows with lots of natural light coming through.
Doesn't he look great?
Luke went on ahead to the venue and Jenny walked with her family through the lovely streets of Frome over to the venue. It was a warm sunny October day, and it was really sweet capturing Jenny chatting to her family as they made their way over to where she was about to get married. Despite the hilliness of Frome, and how out of breath I got running up and down the hills to photograph the family from different angles, it was a nice relaxed moment of the day.
The guests slowly started arriving and taking their seats. There was a lovely buzz amongst everyone, some guests had sunglasses on due to the bright sunny weather, and all were eager and ready for the ceremony.
Jenny and Luke walked down the aisle together, Luke's hand resting on Jenny's back for comfort, and it was a really beautiful moment when they emerged. We decided together that I would stand behind the guests, close to the entrance, so I could capture them entering the venue together and then capture the back of them as they walked down the aisle. Throughout the ceremony I quietly made my way round the venue, getting some close ups and wide angle shots and then got nice and central for when they were announced as husband and wife. I always make sure I'm not intrusive and am barely noticeable, especially in venues like this one where there is a bit of an echo due to the concrete flooring.
And just like that, after poetry readings and teary moments, Jenny and Luke were married, the confetti was flying, which was great fun to capture, and then everyone bundled outside for some drinks, hugs and chatter.
I like to mix things up with the family photos and include some of your expected posed photos where the family looks composed, Dad on one side, sister on the other, but this is also where I love those candid shots too. I had a little chat with Jenny and Luke's families, laughed with them and also captured those little awkward moments that caused everyone to giggle.
I like to make sure the photos with your family members are not just posed smiles to the camera, but you're interacting with each other. I sometimes ask family members to all look over at the bride or groom which, usually, causing fits of laughter and makes for a stunning picture. Before the big day, I ask the couple to provide me with a list of the family and friends they'd like in these photos and which order they'd like them in.
I usually appoint someone in the family to help me round everybody up so we can easily swap people in and out of photos, making the whole process a lot less painful and, dare I say it, enjoyable! I especially loved these family photos because I was living for the pops of colours! Really added some umph to the photographs.
Then it's time for those highly anticipated portrait shots of the couple. Depending on the schedule of the day, I prefer to plan this part after the family photos and roughly an hour after the reception has started. This also depends on what time in the year the wedding is. Spring and Summer weddings may have very bright direct overhead sunlight and can be too harsh lighting, Autumn and Winter weddings don't have long with the sunlight. Either way, as the sun starts to get lower in the sky this is a great time to plan the portrait shots.
Jenny and Luke really loved the rustic venue and round the side of the building there was a quiet corner with some wild vines, left over pieces from the workshops and peeling paint which created this stunning artsy backdrop. The way I work when it comes to portrait shoots is to allow couples to enjoy their time together, chat amongst themselves, embrace the fact that they just got married and I try not to be too much of a distraction. Once we find a spot that works, I'll gently direct to begin with and then see how the scene unfolds, directing when the couple move into a great position and just let them talk with each other and hold each other.
As they got more comfortable with me being there, you'd be surprised by how quickly that happens, then I start to get a bit more up close and personal and direct a little more, but I never like shots to look too posed. In other words, I won't be making you both create a love heart with your hands, it's not my cup of tea! Of course, I do love those silly shots, but if there are particular shots you want, this is something we discuss way in advance of the wedding. We may even walk round the venue together and plan the shots as we go, but I prefer to visit venues beforehand so I have shots already in my mind that we can jump into. I prefer not the take the couple away from the reception for more than an hour. Prior to the wedding, I always ask for the couple to provide me with example shots or a Pinterest board of portrait shots that are must-haves, some will reference previous photographs I have taken, which gives me a clear idea in my head of what you want.
Once we're all happy we've got enough shots, this is when I tend to take my break - girl's gotta eat!
Food glorious food!
You've spent an arm, a leg and a kidney on this food so I will make sure to make it look as pretty as possible when you're looking back on the day. I always ask if I can photograph the set up before the guests have tucked into the food, and make sure I've chatted with the caterers at the start of the day to talk through timings and to ask if I can get some shots of them preparing the food as these shots can tie the memories of the day together nicely (plus it makes for some great advertising content for your caterer!)
The evening draws to a close so there's only one things left to do ... dance dance dance!
Now I love a good boogie, chuck Amy Winehouse on and you've got me singing along. I find guests can sometimes see the empty dance floor as quite intimidating, but I have been known to be the first one on there, encouraging guests to kick off their heels and start the partying. I love to get up close and personal when everyone is dancing, capturing the pure joy in people's face as they sing along to that absolute TUNE!
Now, I'm only 5 ft 4, and guests do tend to tower over me, so you may spot me on the side stood on a chair to make sure I can get all the action.
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