Summer Wedding at Thoresby Hall

Wedding at Thoresby Hall

I only take on a few Weddings a year – and with a definite caveat that reportage and candid images are the way I do things!

Beth got in touch through a recommendation from a mutual friend and after a couple of phone calls, we decided that it would work and the date was penciled into the diary. I popped up to Thoresby Hall a few weeks before and we wandered through the gorgeous grounds, chatting about the day and spotting places that might work for images. The grounds were stunning, and there were lots of places where we could potentially squirrel Josh and Beth away on the walk back from the church to the Hall for a few more private shots.

A few weeks before the Wedding, a slight problem was that my knees decided to play up and I had to make a call to the couple to explain that I was able to shoot, but I wouldn’t be able to walk / climb up the trees / jump about as much as I usually would hope to. Beth was totally brilliant (although I’m sure there was a different side that I didn’t hear when the phone went down – and rightly so!) and we made a few adjustments to the plans – so thanks again to the best man and Beth’s dad for lifts across site!

The weather had been beautiful, in some cases far too warm but was showing signs of raining on the day – thankfully, apart from a show just before the ceremony, it cleared up and allowed everyone to arrive peacefully and gather at the church. The orange light turned out to be my nemesis ! No flash allowed and changing sunlight through the showers, shining through the windows high up above, meant set up, fingers crossed, trust instinct, let the service begin and just go with it!

Afterwards, the weather played nicely, the rain lifted and the sun even started to make an appearance. Perfect! Guests made their way across the beautiful estate to the reception venue and we pondered through the woods, capturing some lovely moments. For some brides (and grooms!) this is one of the best times of their day, just married, nerves out of the way, relaxed and calm, time with each other, away from guests – but if you would like it captured, then choosing that photographer who works with you both and that you both feel comfortable with is oh so important. For others, time in front of the camera, alone, is what they are dreading – and I’d say, if that’s you, choose that photographer wisely. Someone who creates amazing images is always a pull with your choices, but the feeling of safety with them is paramount; that you can be yourselves and not a model, putting on a face and adding to the stresses of your day.

I don’t usually take so many ‘posed’ images at a wedding, but with Beth and Josh, it just felt like they were happening. A gentle comment to nudge them a metre or so one way or the other and the rest was all about how they were feeling and moving naturally. Josh even apologied for being in the moment! No way! That is totally what it should be and I was privileged to be there. (Another wedding I shot later over the Summer, the bride and venue were just perfect to create some beautiful ‘gently posed’ images, but, and a very important but, taking that step out in the spotlight, on that day, was enough and standing in front of the camera more than was necessary, was going to take a wonderful day into the realms of stress and discomfort, so I snuck around the edges, capturing shots of them interacting with guests and the odd planned group shot. Planned from the initial conversation, knowing their boundaries and needs was essential.)