Last Saturdays wedding was the third and final of three that week, and unfortunately it had the worst of the weather. Not to be deterred both Joanna and Graham had a wonderful day.
An early start ensured I was at the house of Joanna’s parents just before 9am, and in time to get some images of the dress, shoes and introduce myself to the family before Joanna arrived back from the hairdressers ready to have her make-up done. Protecting the identity and most importantly the colour of her wedding dress from her father we carefully opened curtains, shut doors and got some soft diffused light coming in to make for some lovely getting ready images. Just before I left we got some family portraits in the garden as I knew that by the time Joanna arrived at Marwell the rain would have settled in. In fact it arrived as I was driving back down the M3 and on arrival I got out my studio lighting fully prepared to have to cover the family groups indoors with some professional off-camera lighting.
I met up with Graham, his best man and the toastmaster Roy Austin and got some of the guys photographed, before checking some details with the venue’s excellent wedding coordinator Izzy, and ensuring that with the harpist in my normal position at the front of the long room I could still get great ceremony images from the other side next to the registrars table. With all of this preparation complete I had time to shoot some documentary images of the guests before Joanna arrived and was ushered in to the the officiant.
After a lovely ceremony we made our way to the front of the hall and I photographed the family groups in the large porch which was dry despite the weather, no worries about harsh light and with the porch giving shelter the groups were done outside and are great – and in my mind much better than doing them inside with studio lighting. Thanks to Roy though for some interim sheltering of Joanna with a brolly from the occasional spot of rain and wind and for his support through the day – an excellent toastmaster and highly recommended.
After an extended visit to feed the giraffes we returned and were in plenty of time for some room shots in the marquee and then the receiving line, and the entry of the bride and groom for the wedding breakfast. I got a short break during dinner and then was back in for speeches after which Joanna and Graham took the opportunity to get some relaxed photographs around the inside of this magnificent building, and ventured out for a photograph with the car.
The evening reception was still 30 minutes away and I used the time to good effect getting lots of great relaxed images of the guests and bridal party enjoying themselves in the marquee and then it was time for a first dance followed by a short set from one of Joanna’s bridesmaids after which I made my way quickly to the car, dried and packed my kit away and returned to back up everything !
A selection of images from the day follow, and I hope you’ll agree the photography didn’t suffer because of the weather, although it took all of my experience to get this wedding to the same standard as one done in good conditions……
Graham and best man at Marwell Hall
- Jo gets her make-up applied in the window light
A family group in the covered entrance to Marwell Hall
Despite the bad weather Jo gets a lovely window lit portrait in the library room
- Using the large staircase in this lovely Grade I listed building
The first dance took place in the Marquee at the rear of Marwell Hall on the lawn
The front of Marwell Hall is ideal for photographs
by Mike French
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