Becky & James

This is a wedding I’ve been waiting to blog for a little while. A lovely, relaxed occasion back in late August with (now Paris based) Becky & James, whose main priority was that their family and friends had a terrific day to remember. It is safe to say it was a people day, the logistics weren’t overdone in any area and my feeling was that everybody was totally at ease – just how it should be.

It was one of those days when you get the best of both worlds weather-wise with the rich colour of late summer starting to slide into early autumn, bringing with it that golden feel to the light in the evening. Many would say the day was very British in its make-up with a spectacular private residence near Cranbrook, Kent for the reception and classic church atmosphere for the service.

The commission was also notable for the blanket ban on photography during the ceremony. This is relatively rare these days, but the Vicar was perfectly straightforward in his wishes. Apart from that small blip in the selection (slightly softened by me pinching the odd shot – sorry, Father) is was all well and good.

Both Becky and James had been very keen to collaborate on photographic ideas for their day, and while they had specific plans they kindly gave me the latitude to work away doing my own thing. It’s a shoot I’ll long remember for its depth, the happy atmosphere and that amazing staircase lined with guests during the speeches. Here are a few of the frames which I feel capture the spirit…

A (very) white wedding…

Dec 18th, 2010 – when the weather suddenly resembled a scene from the movie ‘The Day After Tomorrow’. Although the whole country seemed to be enveloped in the white stuff it was the speed and depth of the snowfall which surprised southern England. It became a real fight to get from A to B and then to C during coverage of this commission in central London. And not just for me.

Some fun, informal bridal prep shots were scheduled in Islington for late morning, then back onto the tube with all the kit to head down to the wonderfully atmospheric Somerset House, scene of the ceremony and reception. Earlier on I’d stood for ages at Angel tube station willing the snow to stop (it didn’t), then braved the elements walking down to Islington Green for a coffee, hoping maybe then the snow would ease (it still didn’t). Not to worry, get stuck in – ice is temporary, photography lasts forever! My clients on the day were Renee and Mark, a terrific couple from the USA who are based in town for work reasons. Right from our initial meeting we had a laugh, chatting and swapping ideas for the way their photography could come together. The wedding itself was a very small, personal occasion with just family and a few close friends, all of whom had flown in from America a few days before.

All was well as we approached mid-pm, and then for some reason (I’ll never understand) the cab firm cancelled the cars which would bring everybody to the Strand for the 4.30pm ceremony. Penny Merricks of Tigerlily Weddings had been brought in to organize the whole occasion and upon receipt of the news from the taxi firm lept into action, flagged down some black cabs and jolly well set off in convoy to collect the guests, groom, bride – everybody! Impressive work to say the very least and in true Tigerlily fashion the job was done in style, no matter what.

The rest flowed beautifully and I felt throughout it was a pure people day, with a few trimmings. I’ll always appreciate Renee and Mark’s trust in letting me do my thing and just stand back to shoot the day as it unfolded. Even the fact that come 11pm I was marooned in a very festive London for the night due to chronic travel disruption didn’t dampen the spirits. In the grand scheme of life it wasn’t an issue… it was Christmas!

Here are some of the shots I feel capture the day :