Seems hard to believe we're just weeks away from the end of 2023 and we're about to head into 2024. It's crazy to think how quickly this year has flown by and how many fantastic couples we've had the pleasure of working with.
Before all of that though, this week it's all about the epic wedding of Tyler and Connor, who were the lucky winners of this years Win Your Wedding through Perfect Brides. For those of you who don't know about win your wedding, every year at the national wedding fayre (One of the biggest in the country!), couples are able to enter a competition to have their big day covered completely free of charge. We're talking, cakes, suits, venue, choreography, a wedding coordinator and of course yours truly who jumped at the opportunity to step in as their photographer.
We kicked off their big day with a little bridal prep, where I met with a slightly nervous Tyler ahead of the ceremony. Despite the nerves, Tyler looked amazing and between the make up and hairdressers making their final touches I grabbed some fantastic photos before her dad joined us for the obligatory first look. When I get the opportunity, it's a shot I always want to include. Bonus points if we get a smattering of happy tears from the dads too!
From there, I made my way down to the ceremony room where I met with Connor, and their guests as they were seated ready for Tyler's arrival. The room was dressed beautifully and as an extra treat the addition of a string quartet really amped up the atmosphere.
Once we'd finished with the ceremony, as the weather wasn't really on our side, we benched group shots, confetti and went straight through to reception drinks as I was hoping for a break in the rain so we could keep Tyler, Connor and their guests inside and in the warm as much as possible.
Thankfully, between breaks in the showers, I ushered Tyler and Connor outside for a smattering of shots on their own, before heading back inside to make use of some of the closed off areas of Ansty Hall. As with a lot of weddings this year, the weather can often impact the flow of a day, but I'm no stranger to going off schedule when needs be to still get the shots I want whilst still working with changing conditions. Bad weather, doesn't mean bad photos!
It sometimes means when it comes to group shots, I have to set up a bit of an impromtu studio somewhere indoors, which is exactly what I had planned to do just before the evening reception with Tyler, Connor and their guests. Not this time though, as a very quick window of opportunity presented itself just before everyone was due to be seated, so I was given the greenlight to go ahead with group shots out in the grounds of Ansty Hall. Its times like this where having a dedicated wedding organiser really does come into its own, and this time around it was non other than the fantastic Charlotte at Big Occasion Events.
Charlotte really is a must have addition to your wedding day. Not only does she take away all the stress and anxiety around planning your wedding, she also does a lot of work in the back ground on your big day ensuring things run as smoothly as possible. Charlotte, really is the queen of organisation, and as weddings often need to run to strict timetables, having that dedicated person there to worry about time keeping and any hiccups, which can and do sometimes happen is the key to you enjoying time with your guests and not running around like a headless chicken.
Group shots done and checked off on the list, we got Tyler, Connor and their guests back in the warm just in the nick of time, ready for speeches, from Tylers Dad, Connor, and of course Jake the best man. I always think when it comes to speeches, a bit of humour mixed with tradition is the perfect way to captivate your guests attention, and they all did exactly that.
Naturally no one wants a picture whilst eating, so I made my exit to the bar away from the action to tuck into the food Tyler and Connor had kindly laid on. I also take the opportunity to have a drink, change my batteries over, pop some fresh memory cards in the camera and also have a catch up with the staff and other suppliers in attendance ahead of the evening reception.
As well as being the queen of organisation, Charlotte is also the missing part of the puzzle when it comes to your first dance. Your first dance is without a doubt up there with one of the more fearsome events of the day, and I'd say 99.9% of all couples I photograph opt for the classic "gently sway and pretend no one is looking" routine. Not Tyler and Connor though. They'd gone for Frank Sinatra's - I love you baby, which was impecably planned and choreographed by Charlotte ahead of their big day. Honestly, they absolutely nailed it and there wasn't a single person in the room not impressed!
All good things must come to an end though, so once I'd photographed those final moments, it was time for me to head back home and leave the newlyweds to enjoy the rest of their day.
You'll all be thrilled to know, win your wedding is back again next year, and you can enter by heading over to next years national wedding fair, where I've offered my services up for a second year to another lucky couple!
That's it for this week.
Peace. Love and Photos.
Jono x
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