Old Palace wedding

On a sunny morning in October I arrived at the Hilton hotel in Maidstone to meet up again with Izzy, who for a bride on her wedding day seamed very calm and relaxed.  As agreed I arrived at 10.00am meeting up with the hair and make-up girls who started work making up the bride and her brides maids. I like to capture these moments as it helps tell the story of the day and shows the groom a little of what goes on the morning of the wedding.

I also took the opportunity to photograph Izzy`s beautiful dress and yellow rose bouquet as well as some lovely moments as the excited bride chatted with her mum and bridesmaids.

Special photographs are created when events lead to emotions and dad seeing his daughter as a bride for the first time is always a great moment. With Izzy beaming the beautiful smile she had worn all morning and dad full of pride, they made their way to the limo waiting to whisk them off to the Archbishops Palace in Maidstone.

I spent a few moments photographing Izzy and her bridesmaids before heading inside to take some pictures of family and friends but more importantly to meet up with Sean and his best man Richard.

With the groom photographed and waiting nervously all eyes were on the door, a tense moment that was quickly eased as Izzy and her dad both tried to come through the door at the same time.

With a few pictures captured during the service, including the all-important first kiss it was time to picture the newlywed couple signing the register before heading out to take photographs in and around the lovely settings of the Archbishops Palace.

I arrived at the Orchard suite in time to change batteries and memory cards before Izzy and Sean arrived. I also took the time to chat with the toastmaster for the day John Oakley who helped coordinate the guests for the confetti throwing. Throwing confetti over the newly married couple is a tradition that’s been present in British Weddings for over two centuries. Not only does it make for great wedding photographs, it also symbolizes the wish of a fertile marriage.

It is great working with a toastmaster and a team all dedicated to making sure the wedding breakfast runs as smoothly as possible. The main reason that I like to visit wedding venues with the engaged couple if possible ahead of the wedding, the other reason is to discuss any possible photographs that the bride and groom would like. Being a preferred wedding photographer at the Orchard means I work with the team on a regular basis which again helps thing run smoothly.

I had spoken to Izzy and Sean about taking some sunset photographs in the beautiful countryside that surrounds the Orchard Suite. Very often the time the sun sets does not coincide with an opportune moment to whisk the bride and groom away for half an hour. This would have been the case had I not spoken to John the toastmaster who arranged via the team a 20-minute window for me between proceedings. I know Izzy and Sean appreciate the pictures captured during those minutes.

So with the speeches, cake cutting and first dance photographed it was time to leave Izzy and Sean to enjoy the rest of their evening with family and friends. Whilst I would be busy for the next week editing their pictures they were off to St Lucia for a romantic honeymoon.

Thanks to Izzy and Sean for choosing me to photograph their wedding and allowing me to share a few pictures here.

Congratulations and best wishes to you both xxx

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