We are absolutely thrilled with the photos. They have exceeded all our expectations and you’ve really captured so beautifully the little details we hadn’t noticed on the day. I cant stop looking at them and smiling. I cant thank you enough for everything you and the team did for us, you really helped make it a perfect day.
A massive thank you again
Natasha and Richard
Natasha and Richard’s wedding was a stunning two-part event taking place within the magnificent and grand surroundings of the country’s second largest cathedral, St Albans Cathedral, and at the nearby St Michael’s Manor Hotel. For me it’s always interesting to see how couples plan and theme their ceremonies and receptions, and in this case it was certainly a pleasant surprise. Although the two venues are completely different to one another – one an imposing structure dating from the 11th century and the other a contemporary luxury hotel – Natasha and Richard were able to create a theme that fitted in effortlessly with both environments. Think pure simplicity, mixed with an exciting hint of vibrancy.
St Albans Cathedral is a Hertfordshire wedding photographer’s dream, and that’s because it provides the perfect backdrop for wedding photography come rain or shine. Whatever the weather, there’s always some way to capture the couple against the incredible gothic architecture that makes for an amazing photograph and long lasting memory. On this occasion, the sun was shining, so I was able to make use of the beautiful scenery surrounding the cathedral. Had the weather been poor, the darkness of the skies would have provided the perfect backdrop for some very dramatic wedding photography.
Once inside the cathedral, there were opportunities to experiment with some different photography styles, including black and white. Some couples prefer black and white pictures for their wedding, others prefer colour, but I always like to have some in monochrome because the venue works so well for this type of venue. The classic interiors mean a black and white photo could be a picture from history – it’s completely timeless and classic.
The couple and their guests then moved to St Michael’s Manor Hotel, where they held their wedding breakfast and evening reception. On arrival I was greet by the restaurant Manager, Arek who was extremely helpful and friendly.
The breakfast was held in the light and airy Orangery, which offered breathtaking views out towards the gardens, the summer house, and the ponds which help to shape the wonderful landscape surrounding the building. The Orangery was the perfect venue for this wedding, as it opened up to a dance floor and live music area for the evening entertainments. Although the hotel is very grand, it’s not over-the-top, and is very much a blank canvas. This was ideal for Natasha and Richard, as it allowed them to carry over their less-is-more theme to the reception, once again just adding a splash of colour, this time through candles and cake decorations in a golden yellow colour.
Despite the differences in design and atmosphere, these two venues worked so well together, and the whole day flowed as one. It was a true pleasure to photograph such a classic ceremony, which gave way to a fun and exhilarating celebration at the end of the day.
I’d like to thank my assistants Chuck and Nigel for all their help on the day and of course Natasha and Richard for asking me to photograph their wedding day.
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