When I arrived at Jess’ parents house to photograph her preparations, I felt instantly welcomed. As the wedding photographer, it is such a pleasure to turn up to a house where the family are warm and inviting as they prepare for the happy day ahead. It could be all too easy to treat the photographer as ‘hired help’ on the day but this was not to be today. I was greeted and treated as a friend.
Jess’ Dad Ian helped me carry the dress outside to their beautiful garden and we stood and chatted in the welcome morning sun about my work and his pride about the day ahead. It’s one of the best things about my job – meeting good people and sharing in their happy day.
Jess was surrounded by her loving family while getting ready and the smiles were plentiful. Meanwhile, a nervous Chris waited at St John’s Church in Shirley as the guests arrived. A lovely touch to their day was that the vicar had come full circle – he had also married Jess’ parents in the same church years before and this was to be his last ceremony. A fitting ode to love and its longevity.
It is a pleasure to photograph for such a young couple who are as clearly in love as Jess & Chris. During their couple shoot around the lake at Westerham Golf Club they needed little encouragement to share a kiss and a cuddle.
I’ve seen my fair share of memorable best-man speeches and Chris’ best man’s one was up there. A mix of sentimentality, groom-humiliation and gasps of incredulity from the guests ensured that the evening kicked off with a bang.
The day ended the way it started. With smiles, laughter and lots of love. Between a Bride and Groom. Between their families. Between their friends. And between them all.
