Forecast of showers. In some cultures it’s considered good luck if it rains on a wedding day. I do somewhat suspect that ‘some cultures’ are predominantly located around the Sahara and the Gobi but you know what, it never really matters; come rain or shine everyone gets on with the business of wedding days regardless. Nic & Tom certainly did. They married. They celebrated (with style and great gusto at that). It’s all about the people.
Nic & Tom were guests at Jennifer & Simon’s wedding a couple of years back. The photographers at that wedding were the fantastic Lancashire & Cheshire wedding photographers Pete & Laura Lawson of Lawson Photography (masters of the shoe hanging shot!) The Lawsons were already booked on Nic & Tom’s wedding date so when the latter approached the former, the former referred the enquiry which led to a thoroughly enjoyable commission for yours truly and for that my enduring gratitude.
Nic and sister Clare, also her Matron of Honour, are tickled when they discover they'd both decided to wear stripes that day.
The make-up lady arriveth.
I wasn't trying to be clever with reflections or anything, honest. It's just that being a rainy day and all, Nic was positioned as close as possible to the window to get the best light for the make-up session. This made it somewhat tricky for me to get any face-on shots of her being ... made ... up. Plenty of room in the front garden though!
Changing rooms. F.O.B. David, above left. Monica, below left. Both took a great interest in my welfare throughout the day. Good people. My heartfelt thanks :~)
Nic & Tom married at St Ann’s Church in Cheadle Hulme, a lovely, light, airy church overseen by the affable, accommodating and photographer friendly Father McCurry. The marriage itself was conducted by Father Lester whom Nic has known all her life.
Left: Tom's brother and Best Man, Robin | His good self, Tom : Right
Now this is something I've not seen in a marriage ceremony before. Not in a church of any denomination nor in a civil ceremony. The marriage was conducted with the Bride & Groom facing the congregation. I don't think I need to explain why I feel this was something of great significance, value and meaning. A triptych of synonyms should suffice.
And it is done.
Arley Hall. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. I can’t emphasise how brilliant a place it is. It’s not just that the hall itself is utterly marvellous and the surrounding 18 acres of gardens an absolute delight; again it’s about the people. Warm, welcoming, friendly. Particularly efficient and the degree of hard work put in back stage as the day progressed was a marvel to behold. A nothing is a problem attitude at every juncture.
Brilliant.
It was a bit like Upstairs, Downstairs but without the drama. I thoroughly enjoyed spending time during breaks in the company of managers, custodians and caterers and everywhere I went I overheard the staff saying, “They’re a nice couple in today”, “Yes, a lovely couple”, “A beautiful wedding”. Indeed, an astute lot.
Onto the subject of wedding day time-lines. If you’re married you’ll know this already. If you’re planning to marry then ready yourself to ride the time-line with a smile when it comes time to traverse it. A short visual essay on the topic ensues.
The wedding car (a beauty indeed) was due to arrive after the guests, across the private parkland drive. With some bemusement I encountered it arriving via the public drive before the guests turned up, then watched it recede down the parkland drive. Where it sat, looking beautiful, in the distance. For some 15 minutes.
The intention had been for the bus to drive down onto the forecourt of the hall from which position it would easily have been spotted from the end of the parkland drive. It wouldn't fit safely through the Tudor Barn entrance however so the guests disembarked and, the weather not being conducive to taking cocktails on the forecourt, proceeded into the hall via the side entrance (which is for operational purposes the main entrance, though not the grand entrance facing the park).
A perk of the job, so to speak, I at least had the chance to witness the rather poignant grand arrival. I really did enjoy the sight. Good thing I brought a camera. It's what happens on wedding days and it doesn't matter too much because...
... this is what it's all about!
Give me a Cluedo.
Tom invited me into his drawing room to share in enjoying his fine collection of art.
Time to pin people down for the group photographs.
I'm a people person, photographically speaking, but do certainly recognise the importance of documenting the details. I spent some time in the Gallery where the wedding breakfast was to take place ensuring a clear record was captured of how beautifully it had been appointed. I couldn't help but feel there was something missing though...
At home again :~)
Echoes of a Tudor nobleman.
Hand eye coordination.
"You're feeling highly humoured. Your mirth is bubbling up to the surface. You will laugh profusely at the forthcoming speeches."
When it comes to the business of marriage a good set of speeches reveal the core material of a SWOT analysis, and these were a good set of speeches. A very good set of speeches indeed. As I’d already deeply sensed through my initial consultation with Nic & Tom, our pre-wedding planning meeting and shoot in London and subsequent discussions there’s a great deal of Yin and Yang going on between this couple and the speeches clarified this as being the case. A great fit at work.
It also of course helps when the speeches are highly hilarious!
The one with a brick in it.
The Sun broke through during the wedding breakfast. Hopes were high for a pleasurable portrait session in the neighbouring gardens. Speeches rounded off the rain returned, initially in the form of a light drizzle.
Ah well. We braved it, brave Nic, brave Tom and my weather sealed cameras.
We really weren’t going to have much time at all before the rain got heavier so I suggested to Nic that we start with one particular spot I’d surveyed the evening before, the Ilex Avenue, then take in more of the gardens as the weather allowed (which it didn’t). On first seeing the avenue it had immediately reminded me of her; neat and organised yet fully rounded and colourful (I’m sensitive to shades of green). On relating my interpretation to Nic she told me it was the spot that had most attracted her to the place.
It pays to spend time growing to understand one’s clients indeed.
Rain now bouncing off umbrellas there was certainly a story still to be told, to be read down the years to come.
And on to the evening party Bride & Groom headed, carefully...
I seem to have acquired a prototype Quantel. Eighties Top of the Pops all over again. Every wedding I've photographed this year has featured LED up-lighters. They look quite funky in a fun kind of way. At the same time, they do the craziest things with digital camera sensors and skin tones! My 'favourite' encounter yet has been with a set placed adjacent to the wedding cake. Oh yes indeedy. Editing that cutting of the cake set was fun :~)
The Atlantics. Fantastic band. Great psychedelic look under the influence of LED.
- Make-up: Vicky Adamson
- Wedding reception and evening party venue: Arley Hall
- Band: The Atlantics
If you were a guest at Nic & Tom’s wedding (thanks for being such a friendly bunch and being so good in front of the camera by the way!) and would like to be notified when the full gallery has been uploaded, please do drop me a note, perhaps even in the Comment section below :~)
Contact Bournemouth wedding photographer Phillip Allen : phill@misterphill.com : 07870 696248
by Phillip Allen
show hide 16 comments
Laura Lawson - Absolutely wonderful! You have truly outdone yourself, Nic and Tom will undoubtedly adore every one of these images. We knew you would do a great job, and that you did, bravo!
Peter Lawson - Gorgeous! As Laura said, you have definitely outdone yourself – every image is really special and Nic & Tom will be delighted with these!
Sam Shepherd - These are fantastic as ever – and what a dapper F.O.B!
Brittany - WOW! What a wedding! I practically feel like I was there. Absolutely stunning.
Caroline Anne - Great work here, love the shots with the doors and that last one cracks me up!
Tobiah - Brilliant Images! You captured the fun of the day so so well. Great stuff. Well done
matt shumate - You’ve told a story with these images that is so clear that I feel like I was there celebrating with Nic & Tom.
Besides the fact that they’re absolutely beautiful photos.
Becca - Your commentary is very enjoyable, as always. A fine complement to your gorgeous images which say plenty of words all on their own.
The angle you got the view of the changing rooms from is wonderful and I enjoyed that series very much.
There are so many exquisite images it is impossible for me to pin down a favorite.
Surely the bride and groom must be thrilled with their decision to have you there on such a special day.
Razvan - Your photos tell a beautiful story! Well done!
Carrie - You write as well as you photograph Phill – both amazingly well! These photos are fabulous I bet they’re over the moon. I’m intrigued about the brick! :)
Joseph Yarrow - Every one of these is an incredible picture Phill.
I love how you really emphasised how much a lovely couple they were, yet there was no need for you to do that with words, your pictures showed that to us.
This is exactly what I’ve come to expect from you now Phill, just quality work that is easy to love.
LisaF - Phill, I really like how you use a sequence of images to tell a story – your blog is one of the few where I really feel that the feel of the whole day comes across in your posts. Looks wonderful all ’round – bride, venue and details are all stunning.
John Parker - Another epic series of shots – are red buses this year’s telephone boxes? :-)
Peter Hearl - Looks like a great fun day, I also love the shots with the doors.
Phillip Allen - Thanks all :~)
Jen deVos - Wow, so many fantastic photos. The pics of them getting ready in the two rooms are really unique and beautiful!!