Friday last week was 08-08-08 the luckiest day of the year to get married, if you are Chinese, and no doubt Philippa and Alistair felt pretty lucky as well despite some drizzle for their lovely wedding at St Barnabas, Dorking and reception at the Gate Street Barn.
The day started at Philippa’s, getting ready with her two bridesmaids and of course me getting some images as hair was done and make-up applied before the short trip to St Barnabas to take a look at the interior (it had been locked when I did my pre-wedding visit), and speak to the verger and vicar to organise a complex manouver at the start of the ceremony. Shortly after the guys arrived and as usual we captured a mixture of formal and contemporary images before allowing them to mix with the arriving guests and to await the arrival of the bridesmaids and then Philippa herself.
The weather held with only light drizzle and after capturing Philippa’s arrival I made it down to the front of the church with the vicar, as arranged, and got some images of Philippa and her father walking down the aisle before swiftly exiting out of the side door and out round the church the the rear where my tripod and longer lens were waiting to get unobscured photographs in this tight, and candlelit church without disturbing the wedding ceremony itself.
After a confetti tunnel we made our way to the Gate Street Barn , beautifully decorated with floral arrangements from Gill Pike , for the reception and completed the family groups and formal photographs before stealing 10 minutes to get some relaxed portraits in the secluded garden area before returning to the barn in time for dinner to be served. With the speeches captured, and some wonderful food from Just Jane caterers inside me, the weather picked up and blue skies came out allowing the happy couple and their guests to go out into the garden and enjoy themselves whilst I picked off some documentary images of the laughter and smiles, and making sure I got images of many of the guests who didn’t make a formal group, or who had just arrived for the evening reception which began with a rehearsed and well performed first dance !
As usual a mixture of images from the day are below. Select (more…) to see the rest.
Some time alone before the wedding breakfast for this intimate, and natural image
Alistair and best-man John using the architecture of the church to give a more contemporary feel to this portrait
Philippa and Alistair steal a moment as Father Stuart Peace completes the signing of the register
Time to leave the church, and acknowledge some of their guests on the way
Philippa is helped into the wedding car by one of her flowergirls as guests look on
The happy couple at the Gate Street Barn
Philippa with her two bridesmaids and two flowergirls. Set-up with the full intention of getting a nice triangular shape to this classical group photograph
The two flowergirls distract pageboy Sam, allowing me to get this lovely candid moment during the gap between the wedding breakfast and evening reception
And another documentary image - it's not about snapping everyone quickly - but getting great expressions that show everyone enjoying themselves
And now time for the first dance, and some concentration as they confidently dance through the routine to cheers and whistles
Finally a food shot, included this time in the main blog entry. A lovely warm goats cheese and parma ham starter.
by Mike French
no comments