Wedding photography and back on familiar Surrey turf this weekend at The Lensbury Club with bride and groom, Stuart and Nuch…
Within the first few minutes of the two of them excitedly telling me about their wedding plans, I knew they were in for a great day (well, days actually…) and I was going to get some really memorable shots in to the bargain.
Nuch was from Thai descent and the two of them had therefore organised a wedding that encapsulated a brief early morning Thai ceremony as well as traditional English white wedding festivities a day or two later. Originally, they hadn’t budgeted for both occasions so when I told them that I would happily capture both days for them at no extra cost, they were understandably thrilled. I am a great believer in adding real value to my wedding clients and this seemed the perfect opportunity to secure the deal and give them something way beyond their expectations. I knew I’d also get some great shots too.
As I’d imagined, the Buddhapadipa Thai Temple in Wimbledon provided a memorable setting for an intimate Thai wedding. This was the first time I’d been asked to take pictures at such a ceremony and capturing monks being served breakfast by a wedding congregation was a definite first. Following this was a traditional Thai ceremony and then outside for some family shots in front of the temple. A fascinating Saturday morning that was over by 10.
On to Monday and after a fun morning taking pictures of Nuch getting ready at home with her family, it was time to head over to St John the Baptist Church in Isleworth for the traditional English wedding ceremony. Nuch was looking really relaxed and full of smiles and this was already starting to pay off with some nice shots I knew were now in the bag. Wedding ceremony and family pictures outside the church now over, we all then made our way to the Lensbury Club – a splendid hotel with a picturesque location set alongside the banks of the River Thames in Teddington.
I must say the weather was absolutely perfect: sunny but not too bright so outdoor shots were looking good – no dark shadows and ‘panda eyes’ as we call them in the trade!. Having already paid a visit to the Lensbury Club a week or so before, I’d already singled out a few prime spots which always makes life easier come the big day. To all brides out there who may be reading this – insist your photographer visits your venue beforehand. There simply isn’t enough time on the day to find the location hot spots and get all the shots…
Of course I managed to take the customary wedding pictures of the speeches, cake cutting, first dance, etc but like all weddings it’s the unplanned moments that always seem to resonate the most and Stuart and Nuch’s wedding had plenty of these so I knew they (and me!) were going to be happy. Just sent the finished pictures over to the happy couple who now have the difficult task of selecting their favourite eighty or so pictures for their wedding album from over three hundred equally memorable ones – a tough job but I’m sure they’ll manage!
