It is always nice to be recommended by couples whose weddings I have photographed. It gives credence to what I do. Confirmation that I got it right for that couple and that they want to tell their friends. And it’s always nice to catch up with the original couple. Lou & Alex recommended me to their friends Amy & David who were getting married at Brighton College. Amy had been one of Lou’s bridesmaids and now Lou had the same honour at Amy’s wedding, so it was nice to be asked to be the photographer once again. And lovely to see that Lou and Alex were expecting a baby!
I travel all over the country shooting weddings so it’s special when I get to go to work in my home town of Brighton. The beautiful Brighton College is just a stone’s throw from my old flat in Kemptown and is a lovely setting for a wedding with its Gothic Revival architecture. Amy & David’s ceremony was held in the intimate and elegant Hordern Room followed by a blessing in the Victorian chapel. It was a romantic duo of ceremonies peppered with contributions from their friends and family – readings were given by Amy’s Mum and David’s Mum and Sister, one of Amy’s friends played the piano whilst the register was being signed and one of Amy’s other friends sang beautifully as they both entered the chapel, flanked by the rest of their loved ones. One could tell that Amy & David had put thought into the proceedings. That they’d wanted to include their significant others. Wanted it to be a celebration not just of their love for each other, but also for their families and friends.
I knew Amy was creative and that she’d put a lot of thought and effort into the table decorations so I arrived early to photograph the Great Hall before the ceremony. I’ve had to include a larger than usual selection of the table decorations here as words simply do not do Amy’s creative eye justice. She created a decorative masterpiece, I couldn’t stop photographing it. I’ve not seen such a beautifully eclectic collection of retro curios pieced together so artistically for a wedding breakfast, even by professionals. And when the guests were seated it looked special. Not just around the tables but up above, Amy had hung strings of clear globe bulbs from each corner, leading to a collection of vintage lampshades in the centre of the hall, giving them a revival of their individual styles as they dangled over the afternoon’s proceedings. It was stunning.
After some cracking speeches, including David’s hilarious and romantic one, we left their guests for a few photos amongst the fishing boats down on the Kemptown beach with the pier in the distance. And when we returned, the Great Hall had been transformed for the evening party. Amy’s bridesmaid got up on stage to join the band for a rendition of Mustang Sally to top off a day that was special to Amy & David not only because it was a day that they declared their love and devotion to each other but because they made their family and friends, who obviously mean so much to them, integral to their day.
