Laura & Barney's Wedding Story
Ooooo to be back at the Globe @ Hay on Wye! It is one of my all time favourite venues and actually one of the first venues I shot at since moving to South Wales. I feel so fortunate to have been able to shoot Laura and Barney's big day, when I received their initial enquiry they had just lost their original photographer and were looking for a replacement. We had some lovely conversations over email and phone and we seemed to be on the same wavelength. Then, I met them in person for their engagement session in Bath...
Oh my goodness, these two cuties are such fantastic people! So open to my ideas, enthusiastic and up for a laugh. They also took me for a beer so that also helped! After our day out it was safe to say that I couldn't wait for the big day itself! (Spoiler - it deffo didn't disappoint!)
Gorgeous Laura spent her morning getting ready with her bridesmaids and family at her parents home. Of course, it wasn't surprising that everyone instantly made me feel at home all the hot beverages I could manage. It also goes without saying that the guys have impeccable taste in suppliers (erm, they picked me remember ;)) as I shared the working space with a wonderful hair (Anna Williams or aw_bridal hair) and make up team (Sarah Waters Aesthetics).
L&B's vibe was all about having a relaxed day, picking the traditions and components of a wedding that worked for them - THIS IS WHAT I LOVE SO MUCH!!
As the gals got ready, sipping tea and a cheeky Prosecco I popped down the road to the favourite local to meet the boys! Conveniently - said pub, was actually located next to the church where the guys had chosen to get hitched. So after we downed the pints (SEE YOU AT THE BOTTOM), attached all buttonholes safely and made sure all shoe laces were double knotted, the lads hot-footed it from the beer garden to the church yard. With a little corral-ing from me so we could shoot some cheeky candids as well!
Promptly back to the girls just in time for dresses and 'first looks'. I bloody love a first look and this just goes to show that the bigger the better! Parents, kids, bridal party, grandparents, even your other half - It doesn't have to be limited!
Suited and booted, figuratively and physically - we all headed to the church ready for the ceremony. Churches seem a little unpopular with the "alternative wedding" community so I just wanted to take a small tangent to once again say...
YOUR WEDDING, YOUR RULES!
Laura & Barney chose to have their ceremony at their local church for reasons that were important to them. Not because of what tradition dictates or what anyone else wanted. Their church had a special importance and that is all that mattered! If you're considering a church ceremony, it's a great idea to chat with your vicar and photographer to make sure there are no limitations.
Luckily, minimal limitations here, and I was able to capture all the beauty that was their ceremony. There wasn't a dry eye in the house for the brides entrance and there were plenty of wonderful readings, and giggles to boot! Especially when everyone realised that they only know the chorus of all things bright and beautiful...????
Successfully hitched the new & happy Mr & Mrs shared confetti, well wishes and hugs with their family and friends before we settled into some group shots and a quick round of couples photos in front of that gorrrrrgeous blue church door! What can i say, i'm a sucker for a colourful background!
Now the fun really begins!
Off we all absconded to (as I said) one of my favourite venues, The Globe @ Hay. We'd been lucky enough to have a dry day with some snippets of sunshine here and there so L&B joined their guests on the lawn for music, drinks and fun. They had told me during their engagement session how important is was to them for everyone just to be able to relax and take in the day and the change of scenery really helped provide that laid back atmosphere.
The Globe has space for weddings like this inside and out, creative, open and yet intimate with beautiful garden space for your loved ones to gather and a quaint, kitch village aesthetic that make for dreamy photos (See below).
After some fun in the sun it was time for a well deserved afternoon tea followed by the speeches.
As wonderful weddings can be, to be surrounded by all your favourite people all day and pretty things - it can be a little bit sensory overload. In these moments it's perfect to plan in a little escape off in wedded bliss with your new other half for some couple time, and of course - some photos.
My approach is that this time is allll about you. It should be what you need it to be in the moment, quiet and calm, a catch up, a swift pint, a breather, some fresh air...you get it, whatever. I'll suggest but you lead and i'll go with the flow to capture some creatively candid moments so you get the best of both worlds and can return to your wedding guests fully charged and ready for round two.
A great time to do this is between your wedding breakfast and your evening shenanigans so you're in the perfect head space to make a grand entrance for your evening guests!
Ahh and then its time...for...the...DANCEFLOOR!
And it was gooood! I love live music at a wedding, it brings a whole other level of fun and enthusiasm that gets your guests in the party spirit and ready for the disco!
All in all an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day was had by all!
Guys - Thanks for having such a fun time AND for having me capture it!
