Lindsay and Les

Hyde House / Hyde Barn Wedding Photography

I met Lindsay last year through a photography friend, another wedding photographer Kelly Weech. Lindsay is her second shooter and Kelly was to have the day off due to her Bridesmaid responsibilities, so this is where I came in! Lindsay is the 5th photographer to ask me to photograph their wedding which is always flattering and also a little un nerving as you never know if you can live up to another photographers expectations. I suppose 5 photographers in, I must be doing something right!?

I met the Jopson/Bishop family in September for their pre-shoot, it was an ideal time to meet their gorgeous children as they will play a huge part of the big day too, so we headed up to Cleeve Hill in Cheltenham to grab the last of the summer and get some great family photographs. You can see their photos here on my Facebook page.

My day started with the usual drive from Cheltenham out to Stow-on-the-Wold around 10 AM, the weather was looking a little grey and rain clouds were looming, I had shot a wedding here only a few weeks back for Lucy and Jonathan Whitby,  the weather started the same, unfortunately their ceremony didn’t make it outside as was too much of a gamble. The weather seemed to be following suit, so I was hoping and praying for the clouds to part and allow us the outdoor wedding planned by Lindsay and Les. As the morning progressed with giggles by the girls as they got ready and gentlemanly banter as the chaps suited up the weather was moving in the right direct. As I went from the Bridal suite over to Fosse Manor and back capturing the Bride and Groom, documenting their  big day items, the girls surprised Lindsay with photographic album and a basket full of little gifts, this was always going to bring on the tears… of happiness of course!  With the day moving along nicely the clouds where too, so the great news was the scene was about to be set with the chairs on the lawn!

As with most weddings, 99% to be precise, this was running late too, which was keeping the Les the groom sweating a little,  as everyone took their places ready for the grand entrance. The bridesmaids and bride walked out in the the glorious day on to the carpet and down the aisle to the ceremonial spot, they all looked stunning. We had proud parents, a very happy husband to be, a fantastic crowd of guest, blues skies and a little wind playing havoc with the vail all adding to the fun of the day. As the ‘I do’s’ were sealed it was time to signed the register, with a few cheeky cows photo bombing the frame, before they headed back up the carpet for the confetti showers. I love this moment of the day as everyone has such fun throwing the confetti and the new Husband and Wife tend to be really animated with joy, they make such happy photographs.

The great thing about Hyde Barn is that it has all the ingredients for great photo opportunities, so with few tent pegs and a length of twine I pegged out a heart shape for the whole party to gather around, nothing beats better than a heart full of love! Formal shots embedded in to digital cards it was time to whisk the couple away for a short time. Perfect time for Les and Lindsay to have a few moments to themselves and to get some romantic shots, again Hyde Barn has a wealth of great spots to use and all within 30 seconds walk of the venue. I will leave the photos to talk for themselves here…

Anyone that has been married before will tell you,  “savour every moment as the day goes so incredibly fast’ today was no different, before we knew it, the getting ready and the ceremony, only seemed like 10 minutes ago but already the the sun was setting and people were already bum shuffling ready for the speeches. The speeches are always full of tears, smiles and laughs, this was no exception, and the best-man speech was on top form, even to the point I am now thinking of have a page on my website with the best best-man jokes! Some were a little un PC, but that’s comedy and we all need a bestman cringe joke, wondering if to laugh or not, that box was ticked! Talking of boxes being ticked, it just left the cake cutting and the first dance to be checked off. It always seems such a shame to cut in to the beautifully crafted cakes, this cake looked fantastic but the knife sunk in with loving hands so made it all worth while. Before the guests formed the ring around the dance floor like an old school disco we had to take advantage of the gorgeously light arboretum outside, covered in twinkle lights. a perfect romantic setting for the end of the day.

Dancing shoes on Les and Lindsay take centre stage and the cameras flash away, and who could possibly rival the bride and groom? The two adorable children copying them to the side!

This was a fairytale wedding, the day was perfect with two beautiful people with two amazing children and a lovely group of friends and family, I very rarely have a favourite wedding as I enjoy them all immensely, but it must be said I loved this wedding, the photographs say it all and that has to be down to the beautiful couple, I want to wish them all the best for the future and a big thanks for allowing me to be part of the day. Congratulations Mr & Mrs Bishop.