When you start a blog, the first thing you ought really to bear in mind is to not make it be about yourself, right? Well I’m gonna fall at the first hurdle, because while all weddings and all couples get you in the feels, some really do feel like people you’ve always known in a place you’ve always loved.
So first up – Clevedon. What’s so special about some little satellite town south of Bristol? Antique shops, a bit of beach, a view across the Severn Estuary. And? Well Clevedon Pier for a start is one of the loveliest old piers in the country. Or arguably, according to the poet Sir John Betjeman, "the most beautiful pier in England" and was designated a Grade I listed building in 2001. I’ve visited a few times in the hope of getting a great landscape photography sunset, and it’s remarkably tricky, though always a pleasure. And the town itself? Charm personified. It is just lovely.
So when Adele and Paul said they wanted to get shots on the pier, I was already hooked. I had no chance. I was in.
I hit the road, the night before, coming down from North London – erstwhile home also to my lovely couple, who had spent a big chunk of their six years together in Highgate – and did a recce. I knew we probably wouldn’t be blessed with a sunset like this one which I did manage to capture, but at least I knew the sun would in any case be on the wrong side of the pier for us to get it into sunset wedding portrait photography. Like a good boy scout, always be prepared.
But that’s enough about me. Well probably not, but I’ll try. Let’s talk about the wonderful wedding of Adele and Paul, two excellent young people with adorable friends and family. So. The venue. Two minutes up the road from pier and sea front and you find yourself at the wedding venue, the striking Clevedon Hall. Only Grade II listing this time, but hey, pier, it’s not a competition.
Clevedon Hall, originally named Frankfort Hall, was designed and built in 1852 in a loosely Jacobean Revival style with a symmetrical seven-bay range to the front and, like many grand houses, has the kind of rich dramatic history you might find in a DuMaurier novel. Turbulent finances meant it was bought and sold, functioning as a hospital, a school, a luxury private home, until now, when it is a sumptuous, fabulous and incredibly successful wedding venue.
More importantly, Lara, the venue manager has the kind of outstanding soft-touch efficiency that is rare in the wedding industry; the day itself ran like clockwork. Confetti canon, smoke bombs, singing police, fireworks, a trip to the pier, a ceilidh band and more, all ran smoothly and on time.
More practically, with family coming from Ireland, London and the South of France, the venue was a perfect practical location. As Adele put it:
“Clevedon took a long time to find but it was the only venue that tied everything together for us. We were engaged for 6 years and wanted somewhere where our friends and family could stay with us, enjoy a whole weekend and that was accessible. It’s 2h30 from London/Milton Keynes, close to the airport for people coming from abroad. “
And so onto prep, which included some adorable wedding favours, the cutest dog, some cigars for the boys, and a lovely theme of green. As we were shooting wedding videography as well, and as the schedule was tight, there wasn’t really time for much by way of posed wedding portrait photography before the ceremony, though I did grab a few shots of Adele in her fantastic Oleg Cassini dress and Charlotte Mills shoes,with the beautiful window light.
“Green is my favourite colour hence the emerald but the ring itself was handmade in America as it was the only style I found that I liked. The green also ties into Paul’s Irish roots and we accidentally made an Irish flag with his green suit, orange bow tie and white shirt.”
Just to bring the conversation back to Adam, I did mention that Green had originally been the colour of the French Revolution, you know, Adele’s family being French, I thought that might be amusing. This is why photographers should not be allowed to speak. Or write. Just click that shutter and capture the story, ok?
The ceremony was short, sweet and touching, with two lovely readings and of course, the best ring bearer anyone could hope for, Juniper!
After the wedding ceremony, we bundled into the car and down to the pier for a whistle stop wedding portrait photography session. I tried to mix natural light reportage style photography with some more posed off-camera flash portrait photography. I know OCF is quite old school, but I had a vision of trying to make Adele and Paul look like they were in a painting, and maybe I think we might just have managed it.
Back at Clevedon Hall, we sped through the group shots, thanks mainly to awesome best man Dave, who rounded up the guests with awesome efficiency. Then we had still a few minutes for smoke bombs and some portraits down by the lake as the light fell.
Prior to the speeches, the police appeared. For a moment I wondered if my chequered past was catching up with me; was this that speeding ticket I didn’t pay from 2004? No Adam, do we have to keep saying it isn’t about you? They were of course wedding singers, and brought the house down with a medly of all the usual favourites.
While there were a lot of speeches, each was small and perfectly formed, making what can sometimes be the part of the day that is a little long and dry, instead entertaining, moving, funny, with – yes, corny to say it but true – tears and laughter, particularly when Adele’s father, a Frenchman, offered a toast, adding “But not French Toast.”
Finally it was time for cake and first dance with possibly the biggest blizzard of confetti ever fired from a canon, followed by a wild knees up with a rollicking Ceilidh band.
Meanwhile, these two gave a whole new meaning to hitting the dance floor.
“Don’t mind us”, they said. “We’re the crazy Irish contingent.”
And to round things off, fireworks !! Many historians believe that fireworks originally were developed in the second century B.C. in ancient Liuyang, China…. Stop it, Adam…. And of course the phrase “hoist on your own petard” comes from the dangers of firing rockets during that French Revolution I mentioned… really Adam stop it now.
Where were we? Oh yes, fireworks. Who doesn’t love fireworks? Well the answer might be a recovering pyromaniac, but that was just a rumour about me, nothing was ever proved… Oh my God, someone stop him. So, yes, fireworks! Amazing! A blaze of colour on the night sky to mark the end to a truly awesome day and the beginning of a wonderful lifetime together for this fantastic couple
Adele and Paul, thank you for a brilliant day, I hope you enjoy your photos and film, x Adam
THE FILM
Imagine putting in eleven or twelve hours as a wedding photographer. Now imagine your wedding photography second shooter doesn’t turn up and you have to do the job of two photographers. Now imagine starting what has now turned into a thirteen hour day that begins with a round of golf and a five mile hike across a hilly golf course. On a hot summer day. In long trousers. Well I guess there must be two kinds of people, because while a lot might complain, I can’t think of a better start to the day. But then I was lucky here because if there ARE two kinds of people, then Lucy and Phil would fall into the “wonderful, warm-hearted, generous, funny, authentic and downright lovely and awesome” category.
So, it is Phil the groom, unsurprisingly, who is the golf fanatic. And this was the preferred start to the day, which is no doubt why they chose The Old Thorns Hotel in Hampshire for their wedding venue. With over 150 bedrooms, 18-hole championship golf course, state-of-the-art health club and spa facilities, as well as 51 self catering apartments, Old Thorns is one of the south of England’s most highly regarded resort destinations. They actually have two wedding ceremony rooms, though things are so well organised here, you can have two weddings going on simultaneously without them disturbing one another, which is quite a feat. The Old Thorns also boasts a luxurious day spa perfect for a weekend girl’s retreat or a Valentine’s getaway.
Back to Lucy and Phil, a truly lovely couple who have been in love for forever. Finally they decided to tie the knot and brought together the most wonderful, hilarious, warm-hearted friends and family, along with some fabulous singing waiters, for a day that was brimming with joy and affection.
I’ll confess, as a wedding photographer, my personal favourite part of the day is when we were taken around the grounds and up into the forest for our romantic couples wedding portrait photography session. Set in the picturesque landscape of the South Downs, the breathtaking views over the rolling Hampshire hills and lush, serene countryside complement the tranquil serenity of the surrounding woodland.
But it is true to say that was only just my favourite part of the day, because, from chilled prep in the beautifully appointed apartment rooms, to the simple but moving wedding ceremony itself, from the hilarious speeches to the cake cut and first dance with live band, every part of Lucy and Phil’s day was just awesome. Congratulations, guys x
THE FILM
FILM
Some call it early Spring, others might call it late Winter. Certainly Claire and John’s big day was grey and overcast. I might have shot and edited this establishing picture of the bridal suite and Claire’s beautiful bridal gown with a lighter, brighter, airier look, but the couple were quite keen on the darker look I sometimes do, so I lit and shot accordingly.
Situated in the heart of the Cotswolds countryside, The Frogmill Pub is well known as one of the best places to eat in Cheltenham. So even if you only fancy a visit, or a romantic weekend getaway, which was the reason Claire and John chose it, you couldnt ask for more. The bridal suite is light and comfy, the ceremony space is generous, and the pub itself is pure Cotswolds cosiness, all oak beams and real ales.
I went a bit overboard with bridal prep and groom prep photography, because these two brought with them such a lovely, funny, warm crowd of family and friends, and well, everything is in one place. At The Frogmill, they make it easy to have fun. And props to Claire for her efficiency, as there was even time for a little bridal portrait photography without running over schedule.
It’s always a wonderful luxury when there is time to grab a shot of Father’s first look at his beautiful daughter in her wedding dress, and this was certainly a moving moment.
The candlelit wedding ceremony was a perfect mix of intimate and stylish. Everything at The Frogmill is tasteful in the most relaxed possible way, fitting for a couple who are themselves relaxed and tasteful. Their theme of Lilac for bridesmaids and blue for ushers, complemented the warm light and cream walls. And the ceremony itself was short, sweet and inspirational, with more than the odd tear, here and there.
After the group photographs it was, as is traditional, time for their wedding couple photography session in the grounds. While the dramatic sky begged for some dark and moody shots, here I did try to bring up the light a bit more in many of the edits. Your wedding day is after all, the most hopeful day you will probably have. I dont think that added sunlight flare in the edit looks too fake, do you?
John is quite the joker, and the wedding speeches were uproarious. No one would have expected less than a big barrel of laughs.
And happily, while the sky did stay moody, there was still a little gap of sunlight come sunset. I always ask my couples if they are happy to take a break during the wedding breakfast for sunset wedding portrait photography, and I am always so happy when they are glad to.
After the hilarious and affectionate wedding speeches, it was, of course, time to cut the cake. And then party time, and this gang hit the floor in no uncertain terms, making for a riotous shindig followed by fireworks to round off a fantastic Cotswolds wedding day. Congratulations Claire and John and thankyou for an awesome day! x
Take two tremendously successful people – Julie a well-known TV agent, and Dave, a highly respected music producer, take eleven years of solid commitment. Take a small but select party wonderful family and friends and stick them in the Groucho Club in London for a wedding, and you have the perfect recipe for warm, intimate and highly convivial classic Soho wedding.
During the ceremony, Dave’s daughter Lily read 'Love Listen' by Ann Gray, Phil Wilde read the lyrics to Let there be Love by Nat King Cole and a joint reading from Joanne Watson and Carol Bushell of 'A Vow' by Wendy Cope.
In addition Julie’s brother Dave sang 'For Once in MY life' By Stevie Wonder.
Dave's son Ed Lowe provided the music at the ceremony with his friend George. They're called Tangerine Swing
The Toastmaster at the dinner was Simon Darlow - and speeches were by Martha Hillier and Edward Lowe.
MC-ing in the evening with stentorian vigour was the esteemed Mr Alan Dedicoat, the voice of Strictly Come Dancing
And the high point of the evening was when Dave burst into carefully orchestrated “impromptu” song, surprise serenading Julie with the song he had specially written, 'Julie you’re the one!'
Julie’s beautiful dress and headband were from the Bridal Rogue gallery in Marylebone. Hair was by Jade and Ernie, Make up was by lovely Faye Quinton , and Dave and Juiie’s rings were both from Tiffany's
Dave's fabulous suit was made by rock n roll tailor Sir Tom Baker In Fitzrovia , The flowers were from Rebel Rebel Flowers in East London, and the cake which Dave and Julie never got a slice of was from Little Bear Cakery
For those who want to access the full set of these two total legends Julie and Dave tied the knot at London’s Groucho Club in Soho, click here
Deep in the heart of Hampshire, lies a town called Southampton, and deep in the heart of Southampton, lies a bijou and tasteful little wedding venue called Westgate Hall, and deep in the… okay that is enough with the deep in the heart business.
I got a very last minute call from a friend of mine who couldnt shoot this wedding due to illness and family bereavement. So it was in the car with my camera gear. Then remembered I needed to get dressed, so back home, put on some clothes, in the car and down the M3 to the jewel of the south coast.
Westgate Hall is indeed a very sweet and cosy little venue, with lots of nice light and just right for a small intimate civil wedding ceremony. With its picturesque vaulted ceilings, timber frame and exposed beams, it has been restored to create a picture perfect venue amongst the Medieval old town walls.
Just a hundred metres down the road, The Dancing Man Brewery is a real gem, tasteful, refined, subtle and beautifully decorated in muted colours and details.
Dancing man is a brewpub, with a 110-seater restaurant and 2 well stocked bars. Proud to be part of England’s micro-brewery boom their mission is to bring quality, craft ale Southampton. A totally independent company, owned by 2 friends and a team of 41 cheerful staff – they brew their award-winning ales, right there on the premises and have been voted, for the 2nd year running, Best Pub in Southampton.
And my couple, who I had never met before, Jo and Sam, were the warmest, sweetest two people who ever tied the knot in Hampshire, bringing family, friends and a big heap of love and laughter to their day, right from the start. Totally relaxed from ceremony to first dance, they were happy to be dragged away for a couple of intimate wedding portrait photography sessions, in between keeping their guests entertained at this fantastic venue. Congratulations Jo and Sam and thanks for an awesome day
