Rachael and Scott wedding at Chilston Park Hotel Feb 18
It was not a great start to my week, an abscess arriving over the weekend prompting a visit to the dentist on Monday with a face swollen so badly I could not see out of my right eye. Pain worse than any man flu symptoms I have ever experienced and no sleep resulting in a far from happy go lucky wedding photographer. A few antibiotics and a couple of days later and I am starting to feel human again and looking forward to Thursdays wedding shoot.
Thursday arrived after my first decent night’s sleep in several days. I was up early although having prepped all my gear in the few days before it was just a case of having a bowl of porridge, loading my gear in the car and driving down to Chilston Park to photograph Rachael and Scott`s wedding. The sun was shinning the wind had dropped and it was so warm I arrived to find Bridgett (Brides mum) and a couple of bridesmaids walking in the grounds in their PJ`s, had to grab a few pictures before I even started.
Off upstairs to meet Rachael and her bridesmaids, 12 in total and all having makeup applied by Nicole Dunkling or hair styled by Hair&Makeup Artist Southampton&Kent. I always like to introduce my self to the bridal party and have a quick chat over a coffee before I start getting camera gear out. With the help of my very able assistant Steve I was ready to start capturing the story of the day. Plenty of time for makeup and hair pictures, dresses and shoes and those funny little moments before the groom and his party arrive at 11.00.
A phone call signals the Grooms arrival in a lovely silver Hummer, plenty of time for pictures of the guys pretending to be the A team before it was time to take pictures of the beautiful flowers from Fleur du monceux and the amazing cake supplied by Corinne`s Cake Creations.
It is always calm before the dresses start to go on and then it all starts to happen very quickly. Before you know it everyone is ready and it`s time for dad to set eyes on the bride before walking her up the aisle to hand over to the very nervous groom as Nicola Veal played her harp.
With the ceremony shot, the register pictures done we moved outside on a bright but chilly day for a few quick group pictures and some quite time with the bride and groom together for some portrait pictures.
I think we where all glad to get back in the warm, although the photography session was less than 30 minutes it was starting to get very cold outside plus the food was almost ready.
After a wonderful meal it was time for the speeches where little Teddy had the last word and bought the guests to tears of laughter.
It seemed almost to good to cut but cut it they did and then Rachael and Scott enjoyed their first dance as Mr and Mrs 🙂
All in a days work for Mark Gray wedding and event photography
