Marwell Hall in the zoo was the setting for our first wedding of this wonderful late summer weekend, and Hampshire was blessed with good weather again this weekend of the year, ideal for wedding photos. Gemma and Dan are a lovely couple and it was great to finally get the opportunity to photograph their wedding.
Starting at March Hair and Beauty at 8am I met up with Gemma and her three lovely bridesmaids, Sam, Hannah and Kerri and Dan’s mum. I spent a couple of hours getting some great images of them having their hair and makeup done as well as getting to know the bridesmaids a little better before the day kicked off formally. Once everyone was ready I headed off to the Marwell Hotel to meet up with Dan and get a few relaxed images before getting onsite in the zoo up at the hall and prepared for the arrival of the guests and then the groomsmen, and finally the bride.
It was great to be working again with the staff at Marwell, and also Pav aka Alexander Michaels, a fantastic toastmaster who makes everything run smoothly and adds some real magic to a wedding day, he is a regular feature at Marwell weddings.
After a swift but fun ceremony we were back out into the sunshine for some large groups photographs and then the more intimate family ones after which we were whisked off to feed the giraffes in their new location near the African valley. Dinner beckoned but not before the speeches which were both tearful and full of joy and then with the soft light falling I managed to get some time with Gemma and Dan and made the most of Marwell Hall’s lovely interior and impressive front entrance. Darkness fell and with the DJ and band set-up the first dance was upon them and having captured some images of them and the band I slipped quietly away.
Here are some images from the day. Take the jump to see them all.
The bridal party and wedding car outside Marwell Hall
Gemma gets her bridal hair done at March hair and beauty
Gemma takes a look at her finished hair
Gemma arrives at Marwell Hall in her wedding car
Some laughter during the ceremony at Marwell Hall
Dan is looked on by his parents in-front of Marwell Hall
Gemma feeds Kismet the giraffe as part of their wedding day at Marwell Zoo
The father of the bride makes his speech in the marquee at Marwell
The bestmen reveal a photo during their speech and whilst Gemma is amused I'm not so sure about Dan
Some time alone using the rear of the Hall at Marwell for a more relaxed wedding photo of the bride and groom
The soft evening light, and the large windows at Marwell Hall make for a classical wedding photograph of Gemma
Dan and Gemma's first dance photo brings the coverage of this wedding at Marwell to a close
And finally, a small montage of what happens when guests and family forego their cameras for a few short minutes on leaving the ceremony room and actually go and congratulate the happy couple moments after getting married. So much better than standing around them getting a quick photograph wouldn’t you agree ?
Dan and Gemma get congratulated by friends and family in the porch of Marwell Hall
by Mike French
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