Venue : Hadley Park House Hotel
A few weeks ago I shot a gorgeous wedding at Hadley Park House Hotel, Telford, this was the first time I'd photographed a wedding at this venue.
Before a wedding at a new venue me and my second shooter Kat usually visit the venue to determine how long it takes to get there and to have a look around the grounds and device a plan of where we are going to shoot the group and couple shots.
When we did our prep visit to Hadley Park House Hotel, Telford it was during the evening, even though we were losing light you could still see the beauty of the building and the surrounding grounds. Not only does it give you more of an idea of the wedding day to come but it also makes you excited to think of the beautiful pictures you're going to be able to create with the gorgeous surroundings.
Usually before a wedding we have a face to face consultation with the bride and groom so we can meet before the big day and go over the plans. On this occasion a meeting didn't take place so we first got to meet the bride in person the morning of the wedding. Jamielee was radiant, her and her bridesmaids had just finished their breakfast when we arrived and were having their make up and hair done in one of the Hadley Park House Hotel, Telford's rooms.
Once everyones hair and make up was finished we relocated into the bridal suite. The room was stunning, huge 4 poster bed, amazing bathroom with a freestanding bath. Perfect view out the window where the bride and bridesmaids stood spotting their guests arriving for the wedding.
My favourite part of any wedding is the moments between the bride putting on her wedding dress and waiting to go down to meet the groom. Throughout the bridal prep you see so many mixed emotions and it just reminds you of what love feels like, uncertainty, fear, excitement, nervousness and happiness all in one.
You can see their minds racing and the build up from the last few hours of getting ready, the last few weeks, months, years of preparation have come down to these final few moments before they're about to meet their groom at the end of the isle. The last few moments before they will become one, before they'll take someone elses name and be married.
During the ceremony one of the bridesmaids read one of the most hilarious, heartwarming poems before the rest of the guests. It seemed the most perfect thing to hear just before they said their vows. Emotions running high, it made everyone smile, laugh and relax and it was delivered with such confidence I can only imagine how proud the family must of been.
I've attended many weddings, both as a photographer and as a guest and I have never heard a speech so heart warming as the brides brother gave at Jamielee and Ciaran's wedding. There literally wasn't a dry eye in sight. I'm not usually one to cry easily and yet here I was happily covering my face with my camera as my eyes filled up and I don't know these people. It was truly special and it showed how close they all are as a family and how much they love each other.
It wasn't without it's funny moments too, Jaimelee is known for her love for Disney and Alton Towers and she was made fun of a lot during the speeches, a perfect balance of laughter and sadness to show that this family has been through a lot and yet they still manage to smile and appreciate each other.
I feel honoured as a photographer that I got to capture the day of a truly amazing couple, it was one of the best weddings I have ever attended and I wish the happy couple a lifetme of happiness because even after knowing them for a short amount of time I can see that they deserve it.
