This gem of wedding actually took place nearly two years ago, so I thought it was about time I got my finger out and finally blogged about it. Sarah and Jason are two of the loveliest people and their wedding day was a total pleasure to photograph. I knew Sarah from when I did some voluntary photography for the company she worked for, so I was made up when she got in touch years later to ask me to take some photos at her wedding to the very lovely Jason.
They chose the Bentley Brook Inn for the venue of their ceremony and reception, located just over the Staffordshire border in the beautiful Peak District, making this a nice local wedding for me to travel to with my cameras. The venue offers a warm, friendly welcome and the team there on the wedding day were all very experienced.
I first met up with Jason at his Mums home as I knew having some photos with their dogs was important to them both, after taking some getting ready shots, including several attempts at doing a Windsor knot (thankfully Google came to the rescue), me, Jason and their two dogs headed out into the garden for some fun photos! I can’t resist a wedding where I can get photos of dogs! I then made my way over to the Bentley Brook Inn to take some photos of Sarah as she was finishing up with her bridal prep. A few drinks to calm the nerves were shared as was a really special moment when Sarah’s Dad saw her in her wedding dress for the first time – one of my favourite parts of a wedding to capture and a really important memory.
After their ceremony, where Sarahs son walked her down the aisle, another really special moment, we headed outside for some group photos, – another part of the day that I knew was important to the bride and groom to have documented. Having chats with my couples before their wedding day is so important, as this is when I get to know them both and what is important to them photography wise. On the day then I can spend my time looking out for and capturing these moments and things. I don’t view your wedding as a photo-shoot but I am there to get the photos that you both want, so at Sarah and Jasons wedding I took time doing family group photos.
The sun/weather/wedding photography gods were then on our side, as all the guests were taking their seats for the wedding breakfast and speeches, the sun made it’s first appearance of the day! Perfectly in time for some relaxed portraits of the newly weds, during which time Sarah created one of my favourite images. She just so happened to slightly lift and move her dress, at which point I saw a great shot and captured the moment for them.
After speeches and a scrumptious meal there was some cake cutting, almost by a guest (!) and dancing along with a Neil Diamond tribute act. We also squeezed in a few more photos of just the two of them, using a bit of off camera flash for something different and creative.
This wedding was filled with lots of really special moments, personal touches and plenty of laughs, I defo should have blogged about it sooner! If you’re looking for a photographer to capture your wedding in Staffordshire, Derbyshire or further afield please get in touch.