It was off to Oxford the other week and Trinity College for the wedding of Ian & Fei. Ian was at Trinity during his student years and wanted to hold his wedding at his alma mater. With everything on site, from the beautiful chapel, well kept gardens, spacious dining hall and the "beer cellar" for evening dancing, the location was perfect. Especially when you threw in the backdrop of the college itself, from a photography point of view I really was spoilt for choice!
Ian started off the day getting ready in the college's Pig & Whistle room, conveniently close to the college chapel (no excuse for being late!) whilst Fei was in the Randolph Hotel just over the street having the finishing touches done to her hair, make-up and dress (the 1st of four different outfits worn during the day!). Oh yes, the dress. I've seen quite a few during my time shooting weddings but this was absolutely stunning with a veil that must have been 10-15ft long. A real statement piece, there were times during the photos outside where a gust would suddenly catch it and it would float majestically on the wind as I pressed the shutter.
When shooting weddings you're a slave to the weather. I'm always checking the forecast, from the moment I wake up in the morning when I open the curtains to the evening when I know that we're all safely inside for the night, I become rather obsessed. When it came to the outdoor photography aspect of Ian and Fei's day I have to say that I was a little nervous as the heavens had decided to open up during the morning and didn't seem like they were going to close at any point. But as soon as Fei was ready the sun came out and, with the exception of a few drops here and there during the day, it stayed out.
The chapel at Trinity really is eye catching and, unlike most places of worship, all the congregation are on benches facing each other and running the length of the chapel. A layout like this makes moving around hard but with the beautiful oak panelling as a backdrop it made for some great pictures.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, the group photos were seamless and it was time for one more large group photo of all the guests in the quad before they headed in for the wedding breakfast (another situation where I found myself hanging out of a second floor window, all in the line of duty.)
After dinner we were lucky in that we were able to wander around the streets of Oxford to take in some of the sights and that it was late enough to be able to take pictures unencumbered by the usual throng of tourists. Standing outside the Rad Cam, beneath the Bridge of Sighs, we almost had the town to ourselves.
It was soon time though to head in to the depths of Trinity and the beer cellar for an evening of dancing. There was a short break however as Ian insisted on taking everyone back outside into the street for a celebratory kebab at the world famous (apparently) Hassan's Kebab Van. As Ian liked to remind us, his kebabs were voted the second best in the country. When and by whom? I've no idea. But Ian was very excited and the smile on his face was well worth eating my first kebab since 1997.
The night soon drew to a close and Ian and Fei, the consummate hosts, packed me off with a large box of cake. They were so much fun to work with and I was honored to be able to capture their special day for them.
I have to say a special thanks to their wedding planner Emma Joy who kept the day running like clockwork. She was easy going, organised and offered great piece of mind knowing that she was around to help with anything that came up.
Also thanks to Chris at Perfect Moment Films for being so great to work alongside. Never in the way, accomodating and always with a smile on his face. His company really does produce first rate work and you should check them out.
Ian started off the day getting ready in the college's Pig & Whistle room, conveniently close to the college chapel (no excuse for being late!) whilst Fei was in the Randolph Hotel just over the street having the finishing touches done to her hair, make-up and dress (the 1st of four different outfits worn during the day!). Oh yes, the dress. I've seen quite a few during my time shooting weddings but this was absolutely stunning with a veil that must have been 10-15ft long. A real statement piece, there were times during the photos outside where a gust would suddenly catch it and it would float majestically on the wind as I pressed the shutter.
When shooting weddings you're a slave to the weather. I'm always checking the forecast, from the moment I wake up in the morning when I open the curtains to the evening when I know that we're all safely inside for the night, I become rather obsessed. When it came to the outdoor photography aspect of Ian and Fei's day I have to say that I was a little nervous as the heavens had decided to open up during the morning and didn't seem like they were going to close at any point. But as soon as Fei was ready the sun came out and, with the exception of a few drops here and there during the day, it stayed out.
The chapel at Trinity really is eye catching and, unlike most places of worship, all the congregation are on benches facing each other and running the length of the chapel. A layout like this makes moving around hard but with the beautiful oak panelling as a backdrop it made for some great pictures.
The ceremony went off without a hitch, the group photos were seamless and it was time for one more large group photo of all the guests in the quad before they headed in for the wedding breakfast (another situation where I found myself hanging out of a second floor window, all in the line of duty.)
After dinner we were lucky in that we were able to wander around the streets of Oxford to take in some of the sights and that it was late enough to be able to take pictures unencumbered by the usual throng of tourists. Standing outside the Rad Cam, beneath the Bridge of Sighs, we almost had the town to ourselves.
It was soon time though to head in to the depths of Trinity and the beer cellar for an evening of dancing. There was a short break however as Ian insisted on taking everyone back outside into the street for a celebratory kebab at the world famous (apparently) Hassan's Kebab Van. As Ian liked to remind us, his kebabs were voted the second best in the country. When and by whom? I've no idea. But Ian was very excited and the smile on his face was well worth eating my first kebab since 1997.
The night soon drew to a close and Ian and Fei, the consummate hosts, packed me off with a large box of cake. They were so much fun to work with and I was honored to be able to capture their special day for them.
I have to say a special thanks to their wedding planner Emma Joy who kept the day running like clockwork. She was easy going, organised and offered great piece of mind knowing that she was around to help with anything that came up.
Also thanks to Chris at Perfect Moment Films for being so great to work alongside. Never in the way, accomodating and always with a smile on his face. His company really does produce first rate work and you should check them out.
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