Don't worry about wedding day weather

Let me introduce Harry and Jo and let you in on a bit of a secret. That’s not actually the sun!

Whaaaaatttt (i couldn’t work out how to add gif’s to a blog post so that’s the best i can do!

Let me Explain

Before each wedding I plan some of my shots. I ask my clients to create mood boards and fill out a questionnaire so I can really get to learn what they love about photos and how they want their wedding photos to make them feel. Jo had her heart set on those beautiful fading sun golden hour photos you get just before sunset.

So we had planned this in for the right time, but when that time came their little baby (just four months old) was struggling, he wanted cuddles and feeding and by the time he was settled the sun had dipped below the horizon.

Jo was so heartbroken

For each wedding I always bring along all my equipment and said (imagine me in a superhero stance!) “don’t worry I will recreate it”. So I set up a flash, i added a warm gel to the front of the flash and added a sphere to diffuse the light. That was all placed behind the couple and I got down low and started shooting. As i was shooting and checking the exposure I could see how gorgeous they were looking. If someone else took this - i wouldn’t have a clue it wasn’t the real sun.

So never worry about the weather or if things don’t quite go to plan - as long as you have a photographer who can deal with any situation then you can still get the photos you dreamed about.

Missenden Abbey wedding photographer

Sometimes things just come together on a wedding day - and this was one of those days.

Aby and Mark decided they wanted an engagement shoot to try and get comfortable in front of the camera - to the point that Aby even briefed me on a call ahead of the shoot about things I can consider talking to Mark about to try and get him to loosen up - you needn’t have worried Aby!! You were both absolute naturals and that came across on the wedding day as well.

All i need to do as a photographer is make you feel comfortable, be able to make you laugh, pick the perfect light and location for photos and the rest is easy. That’s why Aby and Mark’s couple photos look so natural and relaxed - because they were. Have a look at the one where Mark is cracking up and Aby rolls her eyes - vintage.

The day started well, an early visit to the venue to get the lay of the land and do all my location scouting, a check of how long it takes to get from the Abbey to the church - I nerd out on my logistics - but it makes the day go so much smoother if i can do as much planning as possible.

Bridal prep was providing soooo many good documentary moments - especially Alice who was either eating/drinking/blinking - and mostly a combination of all three. Abys’ timings were absolutely spot on as well - to the second - means we didn’t miss a single photo.

The church was gorgeous and I managed what was quite possibly the longest confetti line of all time - I really must start measuring them - maybe even set an annual competition. After eating the majority of confetti it was a short walk to the Abbey - lots of candid photos and a thoroughly enjoyable couple walk - THANK GOD we went out ahead of speeches for a sunset stroll - the light was perfect and we definitely would have lost it behind the high tree line.

Then to top of the night - Fireworks. With a flash set up to highlight the happy couple I shot away, every firework provided something different - different colours, different light levels - It was wonderful. When i was editing i saw one firework that was in the perfect shape of a heart - i mean perfect shape. It was really bugging me - how on earth do you build a firework to do that - i google, i googled and i googled again, even Alexa didn’t know. I had to call Aby to ask - apparently a total fluke said the fireworks company - no tech involved, just right place at the right time.

I think it was more fate - but you decide.

Thanks guys - all the best for the future on your journey.

Rochester castle wedding photographer

I LOVED SHOOTING THIS WEDDING!

When i met Luke and Taylor last year, they knew exactly what they had in mind for their wedding - with the guidance of Taylors mum they had everything planned and their vision was clear - they wanted to OWN Rochester - and i think they did.

For the couple photos we went up to Rochester Castle, where we photographed some more intimate photos of the two of them. Then we went up and down the high street to see what photo opportunities we had to get some unique images - I LOVED doing this. Honestly loved it. Luke and Taylor were up for anything i suggested and some of those photos up and down the high street maybe my favourite for the year.

Sometimes you get a couple who can truly portray real love by what they do, how they act, how they smile and how they are together - you don’t need to be a photographer to see that flooding through in these images -from couple photos all the way up to the first dance.

I am also really proud of the light-painting photo I managed to achieve for these guys, with my friendly helper (young lad from the wedding helping me light up the trees) we managed these photos in one go - light-painting combined with sparkler and a steady hand from yours truly!

Thank you guys - truly thank you - it was an absolute pleasure

Matt

Taylor says:

“What can I say other than that Matt was brilliant! From the moment I saw his previous work I knew he would be the best photographer for our day and he went above and beyond my expectations. He made me and my husband feel at ease right from the moment we met him, was incredibly prompt with responses and clear too. He worked well with my mother (an ex-photographer) and was an amazing presence on the day. Matt is very patient and easy going and very skilled at his job. Our wedding photos are beautiful, honestly he captured the day in the most perfect way. I cannot recommend him enough! 12/10”