Two weeks ago I set off for Rebecca and Mike’s wedding in Portishead, wondering if we would get caught by the heavy showers that had been forecast. Rebecca was at her parents’ home getting ready with all the girls and was having her make up done when I arrived. While Rebecca’s mum Michelle had her hair done and the other bridesmaids Alex, Charlotte and Sam did their nails and got dressed, Rebecca’s sister and Chief Bridesmaid Abbey had nipped into town for a pretty last minute shoe shopping expedition and arrived back just in time with some sandals she liked to go with her dress – I think that is definitely the record for the most last minute wedding shopping trip I have come across! Keeping with the shoe theme, Alex’s little daughter Scarlet took a fancy to some of the older girls’ shoes and I got some great pictures of her toddling around in a pair of rather big heels! Rebecca had chosen a grey and yellow colour scheme which worked really well and was a great choice for a summer’s wedding – I really liked the flowers the girls had in their hair.
It was only just down the road from the house to Portishead Methodist Church, which is right in the middle of the High Street and, as I arrived, guests were being greeted by Mike, along with Best Man Jack and Ushers Simon and Matt. There was a really nice atmosphere in the church and the vicar was very friendly and let me take whatever pictures I wanted to in church which was really helpful. When Rebecca arrived, we discovered her bouquet was back at the house so Matt (who had only just passed his test!) rushed back to the house for it! I really like photographing church weddings as the pace of the service gives you moments of peace and calm as well as lovely opportunities to watch the guests’ different reactions to the couple saying their vows. Rebecca and Mike looked blissfully happy through the whole ceremony and as they came out of church to the bells it was really joyous.
We were a bit concerned about the ominous looking black clouds so decided to do their family pictures there before the rain started, rather than at the zoo and then everyone waved Rebecca and Mike off in their car. As we were the first to arrive at the zoo, we went for a wander around and did their couple shots while we were waiting for the guests to arrive. I have photographed weddings at the zoo for years and am always amazed at how different the pictures are; there are always different animals out and the gardens also have different backgrounds that work well over the seasons. As Rebecca and Mike had got engaged in a zoo and both love animals it was a very special place for them to have their wedding reception and they had wanted to try and get some shots with the seals in particular. We wandered over that way and just when they were in front of the glass in the seal tunnel – a huge seal swam past and blew some bubbles at them. It was quite amazing!
Back at the pavilion guests were enjoying drinks and canapés and soon headed off around the zoo to look at the animals themselves before coming back and sitting down for dinner. Here are some of my favourite images from their day:
