Lianne & Craig

What a lovely day we had for this delightful young couple.  Their wedding had a certain style, which wasn't unexpected after I had worked with them for their engagement book.

Lianne got ready at The Venue where the reception was to be held later.  Sun streaming through the windows and little free space added a few challenges to the photography, but I still have to come up with great results whatever the conditions.

Craig appeared calm and jovial as he chatted to his brother and best man.  The ceremony at St. Peter's Church was pleasant and sensitive, taken by Reverend Strike.

Quiet weather was just right for people to mingle out in the garden at the reception before we went inside for the meal and speeches.  These were eloquent and amusing, good fun to listen to.

Afterwards there was time for a stroll around the gardens for some pictures before the evening entertainment commenced with a Michael Bublé style singer, perfect for this couple.  Their closeness and enjoyment was quite evident.

I'll finish off this preview with a picture of the last dance, something I had previsualised but just had to wait for the right moment for all the elements to come together.  One of my favourite pictures for a while.

Serena & Steve

This was a different wedding day, well two days actually.  Serena and Steve had planned a relaxed and casual event.

Day 1 saw everyone getting ready for the formalities at the Greffe.  Serena was at home and Steve got ready at his best man's house.

Then each group had a drink prior to the Greffe, the bride and her mum with  the bridesmaids at the OGH and the groomsmen enjoying the sun at the Prince of Wales.

Then it was off to enjoy the wonderful weather, first stop was to the Clarence Battery for a cool box full of champagne.

Afterwards we went off for a few more pictures with the newly weds, before catching up with everyone else at La Fregate Hotel for a meal.

Of course the view from the dining room is quite special.  It was nice to capture the bigger scenes as well as other more intimate moments that I am always on the look out for.

The evening was beautiful with a full moon and Castle Cornet glowing in the dark as a backdrop.

Day 2 - an early start saw me meet Serena & Steve at the hotel before making our way back to their house as they got ready once again.  Serena is a great sports fan, especially of rowing in which she has had a fair bit of success.  It proved tricky for her to have the make up done at the same time as some very exciting rowing finals in the Olympics!

Then it was onwards to Les Douvres Hotel where we were going to have an outdoor ceremony, meal and dancing to finish off the day.  A few decorations had to be taken care of first.

This was a clear instruction to the guests!

Someone was in a hurry to see where the party was...

 Once all the guests had assembled we had a lovely outdoor ceremony.

Then it was time to relax in the sun (apart from one brief shower), listen to the speeches and have some fun.

Not quite sure what this sporting display resembled, possibly a cross between Taekwondo and water polo!  Forunately it all passed injury free.

Night fell and some had a quiet chat while another crowd had found a TV and watched Jessica Ennis win her gold medal.

The pool proved useful for those dancing in less than comfortable shoes...

As I left at close to midnight, the hard core party enthusiasts seemed to be going strong and heading for the bestman's house to continue the celebrations!

Natalie & David

Having started an engagement album with Natalie & David a year prior to their wedding, I felt we knew each other pretty well and was looking forward to their big day.

With Natalie getting ready literally just around the corner from St. Matthew's Church, it was nice not to have to travel too far on the morning of the wedding.  Natalie's sister also did the make up.

Natalie wasn't the only one getting some special attention, Ellie the flower girl was excited to get a little gift too.

At the church the groomsmen sorted out their button holes, a bit of nervous pacing from David, then it was time to go inside to await the bride.

After the ceremony we made our way to the Farmhouse Hotel for the reception, with speeches before the meal.

The weather was perfect for lounging about in the garden and terrace in the early evening, then the music and dancing began.   Natalie and David had a lovely first dance then everyone else joined in,  with DJ Carl Ward keeping the floor busy.

Natalie's mother and step-dad had recently completed one of my photographic courses, so hopefully they could see me practice what I preached!

We sneaked outside for some pictures briefly and the night was seen out with more dancing.  A wonderful day and a pleasure to cover for Natalie and David.  

Alex & Geoff

Alex and Geoff's wedding was held over two very full days.  So many of the guests had travelled great distances to attend and it was good that the weather allowed them to see Guernsey at its best.

Alex's preparations with her family were followed by a carriage ride to Sausmarez Manor for the ceremony.

Geoff was very relaxed and people were having a good time waiting for the ceremony to start.

As the bride arrived she had a quiet moment with her father before proceeding downstairs where everyone had assembled.

A little time for themselves after the ceremony before emerging out to cheers, confetti and a traditional cake.

The Manor gardens were the perfect place for such a sunny afternoon. 

An evening meal was arranged for the Cobo Bay Hotel and on the way we stopped briefly for some pictures on the coast.

Always on the look out for unusual angles and picture opportunities, this shadow picture took a while before I was able to capture what I had envisaged.

Day 2 was all based at the Bon Port Hotel, the preparation for the girls included some dance practice as well as the normal hair and make up.

Geoff could have a drink on the patio before he got ready and the guests started to arrive.

With a backdrop like this we could only be at the Bon Port, overlooking some of Guernsey's amazing south coast.

The Denis Burns Band played music for the afternoon and even got everyone to have an impromtu dance!

Then it was into the beautifully decorated marquee for the meal and various speeches.  These were great entertainment and came complete with translators.

As night fell we all moved into the hotel for the first dance.

After the first dance things really took off, in fact they got rather wild!

An incredible couple of days, I am sure Alex and Geoff needed their honeymoon to relax.

Sinead & Jonathan

After the extraordinary wet weather recently and a particularly rainy wedding the weekend before, it was quite a change to have such nice weather for Sinead and Jonathan's special day.

After the hairdressers we photographed Sinead getting ready at the Farmhouse where the reception was due to be held later.

Naturally Sinead looked stunning.

Dad thought so too...

It was quite a busy morning for everyone. The groomsmen were having a good time as they got ready before making their way to the Castel Church.

Not quite sure what was in the hip flask, but it must have been pretty powerful!

Space was tight outside the church with the cars by the door.  But this gave me the chance for an interesting shot of the bride before they left for the reception.  With a little stop for some pictures on the way to the Farmhouse.

After a few family pictures we were treated to some humourous speeches.

The dining room was beautifully decorated, with lots of lovely details, especially the wish tree.

There was plenty of time after the meal for everyone to enjoy the evening sun out in the garden or terrace.

Soon it was time for the first dance, an emotional moment before things became a lot more lively for the rest of the night.

The bridesmaids took a quick dip and the groomsmen were a bit less adventurous as they enjoyed their cigars.

Back to more dancing to the music of City Limits, a great finish to a wonderful day.

Michelle & Andrew

This was a wedding close to home, both to the couple and for us.  Michelle & Andrew live a little walk away from St. Saviours Church, as we do too.  With the reception at the Farmhouse Hotel, we didn't have to travel far all day.

The rough June weather dried up, leaving us with blue skies and, at least to start with, moderate to fresh winds.

Michelle got ready with her bridesmaids, doing their own make-up.

The best lacing up I have probably seen, but then Katie did sell the dress and so should know!

Andrew got ready at the Farmhouse, enjoying a glass of champagne.

It was a nice coincidence that the wedding took place during the Church Flower Festival.  There were lots of stunning displays throughout the church.

Grooms don't come more relaxed than this, Andrew's twin brothers helped to keep him laughing.  The Bel Canto Choir treated us to their beautiful singing during the service, setting a lovely mood.

When we left the church, the wind suddenly whipped up to what felt like gale force.  It was hang on to your hats time and forget about keeping the hair in place.

We did some group shots in Michelle & Andrew's garden, where it was marginally more sheltered.  Then a short drive to the Farmhouse.

More amazing flowers and decorations were at the reception.

Speeches were rather expressive, Andrew's brothers certainly went to a lot of effort to bring up some funny stories.

Then as night fell the dancing began, followed by the cake cutting.  However the cake did have a wobbly moment!

The wind did abate a bit in the evening, but then it rained a touch instead.

The day finished off with everyone having a good laugh and much dance floor fun.  A fantastic day for all, especially for those who had travelled from so far away to take part in this wedding.

Penny & Matt

Penny & Matt's wedding was an eagerly anticipated day, a lot of preparation had gone into this and their excitment was quite evident from a long time beforehand.  Somehow this wedding even managed to squeeze into a window of sunshine in this so far exceptionally wet June.

There was quite a crowd at the hairdressers, the veil was fitted and looked quite special.

I enjoyed juxtaposing a reflection of the wedding dress against a framed little girl's dress.  Pretty shoes too!

Penny looked so pretty and bubbly, with plenty of time on hand they could enjoy a chat and relax in the garden.

With the groomsmen getting ready at the other side of the island it was good to rely on my assistant Karen to cover their preparations before they headed to St. Saviours Church.

Reading from the pulpit ticked off one of Matt's dad's ambitions!

Just where did this beautiful sunshine come from?  Perfect for a little stop for pictures on our way to the marquee and reception.

Great attention had been paid to all sorts of details at the reception, and what an unusual and effective cake.

Drinks outside in the sun went down perfectly before the meal.  Somehow we managed to fit everyone into a picture round the pool.  Thank you Mo for helping to organise people throughout the day.

We were also treated to a rare diffraction ring around the sun.

Speeches preceded the food, set against the beautifully decorated marquee.

What a first dance!  A melody of different tunes and Penny and Matt gave a pretty dramatic show to an appreciative audience.

City Limits provided the music after, they played a long and continuous set and the dance floor was heaving throughout to their great music.

It was inevitable the pool got some attention later that night...

It was also good to make use of the stunning gardens for a bit of photography, followed by more dancing until the coaches arrived.  A fitting event for a wonderful couple.

Michelle & Stephen

What a day we had for Michelle & Stephen's wedding.  It was also nice to have everything contained in St. Peter's, preparations, ceremony and reception all close to or in the parish church.

Michelle had her hair and make up done at home, there was a very relaxed atmosphere and everyone was ready in plenty of time.  Good from my point of view so I could take a few portraits and get to the church without a rush.

What an absolutely stunning dress.

The scene was quite different for the groomsmen, a house bustling full of people and a fine lunch under preparation.

Someone still has to do the hard work.

St. Peter's church is one of my favourite places, full of character and of course we got married there ourselves (over 23 years ago now!)

The Bel Canto Choir treated all present to their wonderful singing, and gave me a tight view of Stephen's final moments as a single man.

Reverend Strike gave a very moving ceremony, quite appropriate as Stephen's family have a long and close association with this church.

No time to stop after, literally a couple of minutes for pictures and a walk to the marquee for the reception.

The marquee had been decorated with such stunning flowers and attention to detail, clearly great effort had been taken over all the details.

There was a great atmosphere as everyone had a chat and a laugh, or a game of football.  Then a shower of rain forced all inside for the speeches and the meal.

Looks like a lot of notes there, but the speeches were not too long, being hilarious and touching as appropriate.

 

"What's this for Dad?"

The cake was so pretty is was a shame to cut it.

The remainder of the night was given over to dancing, some pretty frantic dancing too.

The Big Blue Gipsy Experience provided the music, they had all present rocking and the floor bouncing to their distinctive sound.  The dancers were disappointed when they stopped playing.

All in all a pretty spectacular wedding.

Eliane & Shaun

Blazing sun and blue skies greeted us at the start of the day for Eliane and Shaun's wedding.

Shaun's groomsmen were his two sons, Dominic and Alex.  They obviously have a bit of fun together and we did a few pictures of them together.  Shaun was keen to demonstrate his sporting prowess and karate skills!

Eliane got ready at the St. Pierre Park Hotel, with a service at noon there was little time to spare through the morning.

This was our first wedding that we had covered at the Shiloh Church, I was impressed by the vibrant community that attends this church.

After the ceremony we had a quick stop at the nearby park for a few pictures before heading to La Grande Mare Hotel for the reception.

The dining room at the hotel was beautifully decorated.

Speeches reflected the casual and relaxed day, Dominic did a great job at entertaining all present.

I suspect this was the moment the best man mentioned dad's Speedos!

After the first dance we headed outside for some pictures at dusk.

There were plenty of people catching up with each other throughout the evening, many of Shaun's sporting friends were there which also gave me the chance to see some people I hadn't seen for a while.

Eliane's relatives who had made the long journey from Brazil made the most of the celebrations.

The closeness between the couple was quite evident as the day finished with a lovely last dance.

Emily & Geoff

This was such a casual and relaxed wedding, right from the bride's preparations until the end of the event after midnight.

Emily was one of the calmest brides I have witnessed getting ready, with the minimum of fuss with a couple of friends.

  

This wedding also allowed me to photograph at one of my favourite churches, the 14th century St. Apolline's Chapel.   A charming venue that suited this wedding perfectly.  Geoff met Emily outside the chapel and they entered together for the ceremony.

It was surprising how many people did fit inside, complete with a choir of four.

After leaving we made our way to The Venue for the reception, via a quick stop at Fermain for some pictures.

The informality continued with the speeches, the star of the show was Finley reading a poem.

 A stunning cake and  rings were photographed while people had their meal.

 The young lads kept their energy throughout the day.

Emily and Geoff had a beautiful first dance before being joined for some fun by everyone else.

A picture that tells a story through showing only part of the scene...

We also had a chance to have a play at night to see what photographs we could come up with, an opportunity I always enjoy.  This was one of the resulting images.

Bright pulsing lights from the DJ can give some problems with getting consistent exposures, but they can also give opportunities.

Some more dancing saw out the wedding day with a finish after midnight.  This completed a truly beautiful day.

Sara & Patrick

With so many people coming to Guernsey for this wedding from Ireland it was always going to be a lively and amiable day.

We started at the hairdressers, my first chance to see the great new decor at Envy.

The boys seemed to have a lot to do to get ready, last minute showers and ironing being the priority.

Sara was ready in plenty of time, so we could take a few portraits.  Her brother arrived to go to the church with her and give her away.

 

The bride was perfectly on time, but a few circuits were necessary as we were left waiting for a couple of late guests.

 
Patrick stared resolutely ahead as Sara walked up the aisle.

 

Following the lovely service we stopped off at Petit Bot for a few pictures, an area with fond memories for the couple.

 

The Farmhouse Hotel was the venue for the reception.  There was plenty of time to mingle with guests and enjoy a glass of champagne.

I had to slip in a picture of Colin Falla, who provided some beautiful music for the reception.  Amusingly this was about the 5th time I had covered an event where Colin was playing within a fortnight!

While most enjoyed a chat and a drink, others engaged in less relaxing pursuits...

Speeches were thoroughly entertaining, with some obviously difficult to listen to moments for some!

We took advantage of some evening sunlight. It's surprising what pictures can be taken in the car park!

There's always someone keen to show off their skills.

The first dance was a lovely moment, then it was time for others to join in.

What a lovely day, characterised by such a friendly ambiance that the Irish so specialise in.

Sammy & Nick

Couples often ask me, "What if it's raining?"  The answer to that is to have a great time and it is up to us to deliver the best pictures possible whatever the conditions.

Sammy and Nick's wedding was a perfect example of this.  Heavy rain and wind throughout the day did nothing to dampen the spirit and fun of this wedding.  Let me share a few pictures below as a little preview of their day.

While all the girls got ready, Grandpa had a bit of quiet time in the kitchen.

As Sammy was laced up in her dress, she gazed out to the waiting cars.

We had very little time for any portraits.  The bride looked absolutely stunning.

A quick dash out through the rain for the bridesmaids made for a dramatic scene as we all made our way to the church.  The bridesmaids made use of the 1948 Rover and the bride had a much older 1934 Lanchester car, both special to the family and perfect for this occasion.

The groomsmen got ready rather quickly, it was pretty difficult following Nick around to take some pictures of him!

 

There was plenty of help for Sammy as she arrived at Delancy Church.  Luckily it was only a couple of steps from the car to the shelter of the doorway.

I wonder what Nick's final thoughts were as a single man?

One of my favourite pictures, (I have to admit it was taken by my wife and assistant Karen), shows a cleverly composed view of Sammy's profile against a pool of light in the corner of the church.

The service was delightful.  The couple both attend this church and Canon Michael took this emotional and laughter filled ceremony.

Then it was out into the rain again!  

 

We had access to what has to be one of the most spectacular gardens in the island, but unfortunately there was no way we could take advantage of it for any pictures apart from this shot.  Then it was onward to the Bella Luce Hotel for the reception.

 Everyone's having fun with their cameras, I don't mind that all as long as no-one prevents me doing my work properly.  Here I like the framing provided by the people ahead of me.

The marquee was a cosy place as people settled down for the meal and entertaining speeches.

 

There are always interesting details to seek out.

 

The dancing was back in the main hotel, with some rather lively activity.

 

Someone looks surprised...

It was still raining when we did a few photographs outside after dark, but again this can give some good opportunities.

The last dance rounded off a wonderful day.  

The honeymoon destination was a surprise for Sammy, hope you are having a lovely time if you are able to read this blog.

Lynne's 50th

I haven't put anything on my blog for a while and tend to keep it restricted to mostly weddings, but I couldn't resist giving people a sneak preview of Lynne's 50th birthday party.  This took place at the Auberge at Jerbourg and was packed out with a very energetic crowd on a rather windy night.

Lynne Kendal-Falla runs the hairdressers Bijoux, a salon I am familiar with due to many of my wedding clients going there.  I often meet Colin playing his saxophone at weddings too.  So it was great to be asked to record this celebration and catch up with them.

The weather had turned rather wild last Saturday but soon people were turning up for this popular couple and getting into the swing of things.

A great birthday cake, a brief few words and then onto the dancing.  Mike the Music Man was the DJ for the evening, with the Reelistics providing live music too.

One of my favourite photographs from the evening:-

There was much energetic activity until late.

Happy Birthday Lynne, what a fantastic way to celebrate.

Gemma & Brent

Gemma & Brent's wedding day was full of vibrance and energy.  The groomsmen were up really early and showed unusual levels of activity first thing on a wedding day.  Maybe this had a little to do with breakfast watching England against France in the rugby world cup!  A great way to start off the day.

Testing lighting conditions, looking straight into a very bright sun, also give opportunities to exploit a different look for some pictures.

Soon everyone was concentrating heavily on the match, with a few opinions about whether the ref was right or not!

There certainly was more urgency with the girls as they arrived from the hairdressers with lots to do.  They got ready at the Farmhouse where the reception was to be held later.  Again I enjoyed the atmospheric lighting conditions.

Gemma's dress had some exquisite detailing in the lacework.

The weather was perfect. I reckon out of all the weddings I have done this year, this was the sunniest and calmest day.  Strange that we had to wait until mid-October for this to happen.  The service was at St. Martin's church with Reverend Tracy Charmley.

Nerves?  No, I am sure Brent was more worried about Australia vs New Zealand the next morning!

Rory got everyone tapping as he sang and played his guitar during the register signing.

We had a very quick stop for a few pictures on our way to the Farmhouse for the reception.

The dining area was beautifully laid out, with a bright, white theme.

I must say that I found the speeches to be some of the most entertaining I have heard at a wedding.

James had a particularly humorous poem he had written, mainly about how the couple had met.

Rory's guitar was made by a very appropriately named manufacturer, so it was natural I photographed the rings on it.

 

After a bit of impromptu dancing, singing and guitar playing, the somewhat acrobatic first dance took place.  This was soon followed by further energetic displays on the dance floor!

What an amazing day this was, a great mix of people from opposite ends of the world who certainly know how to enjoy themselves.

Just a shame about the rugby the following day...

Lucy & Brendan

Lucy & Brendan are a couple with whom I have a fair bit in common, a love of the sea, climbing and photography.  So we were really looking forward to this event.

Lucy and the bridesmaids were a bit late back from the hairdressers,  but there was no panic and everyone got ready in time for the cars to take them to the church.  I love pictures like the one I start this blog with, it tells a story as well as being a fascinating image. 

The dress and accessories were beautiful, in particular the shoes!  Notice the anchor, there will be other images following the nautical theme later.

Meanwhile my wife and assistant Karen was photographing the groomsmen who seemed to be enjoying their hats.

The dress required those nearby to be careful where they stood.

Matthew, the pageboy, led everyone into St. Joseph's Church at the perfect pace.

 

 

We are always on the look out for those little details that can make a strong picture.

A breezy day meant the veil was in constant need of some prompt action!

Is the dress all in yet?

 We had a brief stop at the park for pictures, then onward to the Farmhouse for the reception.

Once again the dining area had been decorated in stunning fashion, a few more anchors to continue the theme.

Speeches drew a few tears and many laughs.

The Boulangerie was responsible for this skilfully made cake, no surprises about the decorations.  An attractive cheese tower was there for anyone who felt hungry later that evening.

No, you don't want to use that toy knife - try this instead!  A sword was offered up by one of the bestmen...

Lucy's time in America was recognised with the USA themed pick 'n mix table, some great details there.

The first dance kicked off a busy last few hours as the dance floor saw some energetic activity.

Being a keen photographer Brendan was interested to see what I could create later that evening, we got some stunning images of which this is one.

The day wound down with a slower dance, an intimate way to complete the celebrations.  Have a great time on honeymoon Brendan and Lucy, you had an amazing day.

Donna & Stuart

Donna & Stuart got married on a rather blustery day this month. But, except for the odd shower, this didn't affect the day.

I am always on the look out for any off beat compositions and details, so I was pleased with the way this scene tells a story.

The dress and accessories were fun to cover, with lots of exquisite detailing.

Donna was ready in plenty of time, giving us the chance for a few portraits before I had to make my way to the church.

 

The groomsmen met at the Longfrie and then had a short stroll to St. Peter's Church for the service.  There has got to be a message in this picture...

The interior of the church had been decorated in spectacular fashion, clearly a lot of effort had gone into this.  We were also treated to a brass band, this created a great atmosphere.

A heavy shower blew by quickly so we could emerge from the church.

Thank you to Rena & Jim for the use of their  meticulous garden for a few pictures on our way to the Farmhouse for the reception.

The Farmhouse had been decorated with similar attention to the church, well worth the effort.

This gift certainly seemed well received, we try very hard to capture these precious and fleeting moments.

I couldn't resist adding this image to the blog, it illustrates perfectly the events that we are constantly on the look out for.

Some danced while some sat outside and enjoyed the conversation.

Now I thought his dancing was pretty good...

A breath of fresh air gave us the chance to take a few pictures in the gardens.

Back to the dance floor - which Stuart had managed to avoid so far.  But as the last song was played he was dragged onto the floor amidst much cheering.  A great end to a beautiful day.

Dawn & Darren

This wedding was characterised with a really relaxed feeling all day.  Things were running a touch late with the preparations but everyone arrived at St. James in good time.

I couldn't resist this little juxtaposition of dad...

By co-incidence at virtually the same time as Dawn came downstairs, Darren walked into St. James after a quick drink with his groomsmen.

The reception was at a marquee at Les Cotils.  Fortunately, we had a nice quiet day weather wise, a big contrast to the gales and rain earlier in the week.  The interior of the marquee was delightfully decorated.

Now if you put a jokey comment about special dietary requirements for your menu choice, don't be surprised if your wish is granted!

Speeches took place between courses and contained some rather emotional moments.

Did he really say that...?!!

Dawn and Darren's daughter Hope was beautifully behaved all day, quite a notable feat.

A tranquil scene outside, a busy and noisy scene inside.

We had time for a quick picture before Dawn and Darren had a short walk home.  What a marvellous day everyone had.

Danielle & David

One of the sweetest couples I have worked with.  We worked over the winter and spring together on an engagement book too, so by the weding we knew each other pretty well.  This certainly helps on the wedding day.

Conveniently the church, St. Peter's, was only round the corner from Danielle's parent's house where she got ready.   This made things much easier on the day.

Danielle really looked so beautiful.   I have to mention that she passed her final accountancy exams, the results came in the day before her wedding!  Well done, that must have been such a weight off your mind.

The groomsmen met close by at the Longfrie for a quick drink before the short stroll to the church.

It is always a very moving time when the bride and her father walk up the aisle.

An Uncle of Danielle's gave a sermon, this was very personal, touching and much appreciated by all present.

Cupcakes outside the church made a welcome snack for some!

The reception was held at The Venue, the gardens at the Fermain Valley Hotel are always one of my favourites.  The weather was still and dry, quite perfect for a drinks reception outside before the meal.

This could be described as the decisive moment...

The speeches took place before food was served.

Special mention must be made of the wedding cake, specially made by the groom's mother.

All too soon the first dance was upon us, the day seemed to go quickly.

The following picture carries a health warning!

Danielle threw the bouquet so far the first time that it landed well behind the DJ, so we had a re-run.

The wonderful day drew to a close with the couple's last dance, surrounded by all their closest friends and family.  A fitting way to complete a great wedding.

Sharon & Paul

Sharon and Paul got married last Saturday and this proved to be a long day, but rewarding from the point of photographic opportunities.

An early service time meant an early start at the hairdressers.  

This next picture is one of my recent favourites, some decorating work at the hairdressers gave me a juxtaposition I had to wait patiently for.

 

Back at Sharon's flat there wasn't much time to waste before they were getting into their outfits.

 

Kofi, Sharon's father was very excited to see his daughter.  Sharon was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful brides I have photographed.

How many bouquets can you hold in one go?

The service was at St. Stephen's Church.

The reception was conveniently just down the road at St. Pierre Park Hotel.

We are always on the look out for those moments that others miss.

Some last second adjustments as the couple are announced into the reception.

It was the bestman's birthday, but he took his duties seriously.  He delivered one of the funniest speeches I have heard at a wedding.

The evening entertainment started off with the first dance.

There was a very close call on the bouquet tossing.

This crowd danced energetically until well after midnight.  Sharon and Paul also rounded off the dancing with an athletic display.  A fitting end to a vibrant day.

Charlotte & Adrian

Another special day for the wedding of Charlotte & Adrian, a couple with a quite remarkable variety of backgrounds.  So it was no surprise to see things done a little differently.

Charlotte's was not the typical outfit, it suited her beautifully.

Now as a man I am probably not expected to get too excited about a bride's shoes, but these certainly  were stunning and I could have continued to find different ways to photograph them if time permitted. It seemed a shame for Charlotte to walk in them and mark those exquisitely detailed soles.

The morning was rather hectic, an early start at the hairdressers, then a trip to the Bella Spa for make-up, a further check at the hairdressers then back to mum's house to get changed.  Dad did some final tweaks to his speech as the girls finished their preparations.

At least the distances between locations was short, the ceremony was a humanist blessing conducted by Jayne White.  It was held at the Bella Luce Hotel, the weather was fine for the service to be outdoors and the setting was perfect.

A bit of amusement as a passing plane drowned out proceedings for a brief while.

The decor in the marquee was amazing, the tables were called after dinosaurs!

Justin, now it's your turn...

A big thank you to Justin for being an extremely good and useful bestman, from organising the family groups efficiently to holding some photographic equipment for me.

A quick trip away for an evening picture...

An enthusiastically announced first dance.

Guess who the band was?  Specially reformed by Matt, the bride's brother.

Not sure if this cup-cake eating contest was a good idea, I still don't know who won.

All the best for your future together Charlotte & Adrian, we certainly enjoyed your wedding day.