PatB Photography

Wedding Photography from Karen and Will’s wedding earlier this year.  The wedding ceremony was held in Leiston St Margaret’s church, which as you’ll see is an amazing church both in terms of architecture and in being given full freedom with the wedding photography.  Their reception was held a few miles away at the Thorpeness Country Club in Thorpeness right on the coast at Thorpeness, which makes the ideal wedding venue if you want to be close to the beach.The weather started off quite threatening when I visited the wedding venue first thing in the morning but gradually improved through the course of the day to give some bright spells later on.  As a wedding photographer this suits me fine as a bright overcast day is about as good as it can get lighting wise with the clouds effectively becoming an enormous softbox.

It is always nice to get a few pictures of the wedding venue with no vehicles in around but the Thorpness Country Club is also a tennis club and hotel, so it would be extremely lucky to catch it with no obstructions in front at all.  However it is usually possible to get some decent shots with a little imagination and moving around to find suitable vantage points to take the photograph.  After photographing the reception it was off to the church, which as luck would have it was on the way to the Bride’s parents where Karen was getting prepared.  The church was already open and being prepared for the wedding so it possible to get some interior shots with no body around as well as some details before racing off to the Bride’s parents.

When I arrived at the parents house things were amazing calm, which is very unusual leading up to the wedding itself when nerves are running high.  As I soon discovered everyone was incredibly organised and running bang on schedule – think it must be a first!   This was fantastic though as Karen was ready soon after I had photographed the details.  We set up a few shots with the lady doing her hair and make-up and then had about five minutes to take some bridal portraits whilst everyone else were making their finishing touches.

Everything was running to clockwork with time to take some pictures of the bridal party and Bride’s parents before racing off to the church to meet Will the Groom and his Bestman.  I’ve included a picture of the bridal party as I’m pleased with successfully pulling these shots off.  Let me explain.  To camera left was the garden shed, which although it was in very good condition would not have added anything to the picture   Behind the centre Bridesmaid was the washing line at the bottom of the garden and behind the Bridesmaid on the right was a bird table!  Oh and to camera right was the back of their house.  As you can imagine finding the exact vantage point to take all these pictures was very important to avoid people having washing lines or bird tables growing out of their heads, etc.  Before leaving it just remained to take a few shots of the Karen with her father for a mock leaving.

I arrived in good time at the church to photograph the Groom and Bestman who were starting to get nervous at this time, as well as the arrivals.  The Vicar was very friendly allowing me to photograph where I wished.  The only condition was not to use a flash, which is normal and not a problem when using a tripod.  However I am always very respectful during a service and after taking a few picture from the back moved round behind the alter where I remained until after the register signing – only taking a few pictures at the critical moments like exchanging the rings.

After the service I took Karen & Will round the side of the church for a few quick shots while we allowed all the guests to come out of the church and mingle before doing the group shots.  When possible I always take the shots before heading to the reception as people tend to disappear and group shots can really drag on when the ushers are trying to hunt down people for each grouping.   This is another reason why I tend to stick to a minimal set of groupings unless the couple expressly ask for specific shots as this helps keep the time down so that everyone can get on with enjoying their day.

After the group shots it is time for the confetti, which everyone loves especially the children and uncles and aunties.  That leaves just a minute or two with the Bride & Groom for a few shots with and in the car before they leave for the wedding reception.  This is always a crucial time for me to get to my car quickly and race off after the wedding car so that I can meet them at the reception for a few more pictures.

Karen & Will were starting to wilt in the heat so I left them to go off and enjoy a drink on the area of lawn across the road from the Country Club.  I went back to the reception hall to photograph the table layouts etc. that were not finished in the morning.  It was then my intention to take Karen & Will to the beach for some more artistic Bride & Groom portraits.  The Bestman soon came looking for me requesting my presence on the lawn so after finishing up I went across to capture some candid shots keeping an eye  on the time. Before long requests for more group shots were being asked for so I took a few other groups as well as organising the traditional Groomsmen shot of them lifting the Bride.

About half an hour before the meal was due I was getting the Bride & Groom organised to go to the beach when the waiters came over and started ushering everyone across the road.  They had only started the Wedding Breakfast style greeting about twenty minutes before expected.  It was so annoying as there was not time to get Karen & Will alone again as I was only booked up to the meal.  I offered to stay longer but they were more than happy with the coverage they had received already.  Unfortunately it highlights what I point out to all couples who come to me and that it that it is so important to allow enough time between the wedding ceremony and the wedding breakfast/meal – not only so they can be photographed but more importantly have time to enjoy the day themselves.  Everyone says when they come back to see me, how quickly the day goes and how the wish they could do it all over again.  Even more so when it comes to the honeymoon

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PatB Photography offers professional wedding photography across Essex, Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and beyond. Our reputation is for relaxed, unobtrusive yet energetic approach to wedding photography that results in unique and evocative imagery.

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