Nia & Matt

This was a wedding I had been looking forward to for a long time.  This delightful couple had booked me quite a while ago and despite them living outside Guernsey, we got to know each other pretty well.  What helped a lot was the full day we spent together shooting a whole variety of pictures earlier in the spring for their beautiful engagement album.  I never actually blogged the engagement shoot, I may catch up with this in the quieter months coming up, but some of the images were on display with the projection at the reception.

There were some lovely details, so we start with a little grouping of some of these.

The groomsmen were very relaxed and jovial as they got ready, it took Matt a little while to get fully into his uniform.  He really did cut a dashing figure.

There was a lot of activity back at the Grande Mare Hotel where the bride was getting ready.  The couple have five sisters between them, just perfect as the bridesmaids.  They all looked great together.

I am sure all the bridesmaids look to be in step with each other, this would not have been accidental!  I wonder if Matt planned this?

A moving ceremony followed, the choir was a really nice touch.  Colour co-ordinated too!

A brief stop for some pictures along the coast, then onto the Grande Mare for the reception.

We were treated to some eloquent and amusing speeches.

The first dance was another special time.  I like the way the red lighting complimented Matt's sash.

We broke off briefly for a few minutes to take some pictures across the road.  I had being wanting to shoot something like this image for a long time, so it was great to be able to do so and to come away with something that matched my vision so well.  As the best man can attest, no photoshop trickery involved, these images are really straight as shot.  I am a firm believer in getting as much right in camera as possible.  A couple of the compositions we achieved are below.

Back to the dancing to see the evening out.

A fabulous day that lived up to the high expectations.

Mandy & Peter

What a fun wedding Mandy and Peter had.  They planned something a bit different and it all ended up as a perfect day.  They got the legalities completed at the Greffe in the afternoon, this was then followed by a drink of champagne at the OGH. 

You won't see any happier couple walking down the steps.

The next day we all started at the beach first thing in the morning for more champagne.

Then the preparations started for the remainder of the day.

The Humanist blessing took place at the Clarence Battery, what a spectacular and beautiful location!  The wind from the previous day's rehearsal had died away, the sighs of the sea accompanied the ceremony.

 

One can get a good idea of the location from this fisheye shot, I had to be careful and remember where I was.  This was the circle when the rings were passed around.

A pretty dramatic kiss ensued!

It was then onto Mum's place for the reception.  A tight squeeze around the garden but a lovely atmosphere.  I love the next photograph, I always get excited with the possibilities given some beautiful light.

  I think you'll all agree it was worth the effort of rounding up this crowd for a group photograph.

The speeches took place outdoors after dark.  It was a challenging day for us with harsh, contrasty conditions early in the day, then this.  But the conditions also gave some different opportunities.

Mum - you gave one of the most heart felt speeches I have ever heard.

Once again the first dance was exceptional, full of emotion.  This was how the tango was meant to be done.

The onlookers were delighted.

A few things may have been a bit of a last minute rush, but Mandy and Peter you truly had a special day.