Christmas is creeping up increasingly quickly and usually, I'm on the wind down for the new year and settling into a bit of a hibernation until the spring when I wake up ready to hit the ground running again for the new year.
No such luck this year though, and believe me when I say, thats a good thing! Because we're pretty stacked right up untill our very last wedding of the year on the 23rd of December.
Between then and now, we've got so much to look forward to, but this week, I wanted to take the time out to talk about the wedding of Matt and Corin whose wedding I attended last week at the stunning Hogarths Stone Manor Hotel in Kidderminster.
Even though we're in that confusing time of year where is neither Autumn or Winter, Matt and Corins venue was bathed in a lovely hazy autumnal sunshine, which as a photographer is an absolute dream!
As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by a remarkably chilled out Matt who seemed to be taking the whole day in his stride. He really was just focused on enjoying his time with his 6 best men, and if there was even the slightest hint of nerves, he'd done an amazing job of keeping them under wraps.
After grabbing a few shots of the venue, the ceremony room and the various little touches Matt and Corin had arranged (I'm told special thanks go to temu for those!) it was time for me to head up to the bridal suite to capture what can only be described as organised chaos with endless giggles.
From the moment I stepped through the door Corin and her bridesmaids were a hive of personality. There was absolutely no shortage of giggles and smiles to capture as they all got ready, to make their way down to Matt and their guests.
Bridal prep completed, I headed down to meet with Matt, and his guests who were slowly making their way into the ceremony room. Credit goes to Matt as he was still as cool as a cucumber and remained that way even as Corin and the bridesmaids made their way up the aisle.
The grounds and architecture at Hogarths Stone Manor are incredible, and once we'd finished with the ceremony, there was no way I was going to pass up the opportunity to get their confetti shot surrounded by all their guests outside the Manors main entrance, before wrapping up the list of group shots the couple had provided me with before their big day.
As is always the case, I always like to make a point of spending some one to one time with the couple once we've wrapped up group shots. It's a fantastic opportunity for me to get some shots of them alone together without any distractions. Let's not forget that weddings are emotional days, and taking a little time for even just a quick walk around the grounds can be a welcome relief from the pressures of being a celebrity for the day.
Once we'd had a wander around the Manors grounds, it was time for Matt and Corin to be seated ahead of speeches and then their wedding breakfast.
What followed, was honestly some of the best speeches I've ever heard at a wedding. The first being Corin's sister, Chloe whoses speech which was honestly jam packed with laughter, emotion, and even its own rap to the prince of belair, she absolutely nailed it and really did Matt and Corin proud. Next up was Matt, and even though it was without a doubt an emotional one, he completely knocked it out of the park, spurred on by every single one of his friends and family. It was a wicked speech and he had he held the whole room like an absolute champ. Naturally having had no less than 6 best men, you could guarantee that each person would be able to provide at least one embarassing story, and beleive me, they all delivered! The whole room was in fits of laughter.
Whilst Matt, Corin and their guests sat down for food, I departed just for a few mins, popping up just ever so breifly between mains and deserts, for one final special event before I left the couple for the day. See, I'd been let in on a little secret, Matt and Corin had booked a secret singer!
For those of you who aren't aware, a secret singer turns up dressed in the venues uniform, acts like a member of staff (usually takes on the role of a waiter/waitress) then at a moments notice, purposely falls over flat on their face capturing the attention of everyone in the room, before bursting into song, leaving the whole room confused and amazed!
Honestly, it was amazing, It's been something I've wanted to capture for a while, and what impressed me even more was that he'd put in a good shift as a waiter, serving up starters and mains before he took the fall in the middle of the room. It was hillarious to see so many guests rushing to his aid, before he stood up, pulled a microphone from his pocket, and begun singing Queens, Don't stop me Now. It's got to be one of my highlights from the year so far.
Just before the secret singer was about to pull Matt, Corin and their guests into an impromtu conga line around the room, it was time for me to make my exit having had an utterly awesome time with them both.
Matt and Corin make the most fantastic couple. As a photographer, you really want to capture emotion, laughter and of course smiles, which was an absolute breeze with them both. They're a real salt of the earth couple who I've no doubt will enjoy many, many years together, none of which will ever have a dull moment.
Peace. Love and Photos.
Jono x
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