.jpg "Bournemouth wedding photographer Phillip Allen photographs Louise & Nick")
In early April it was my great pleasure to document Louise and Nick’s marriage ceremony at Bournemouth Town Hall. The week had seen sporadic and often times rainy weather but I put my best neuromancy skills to work on the morning of the big day; the Met Office had predicted heavy rain for the duration of the afternoon. It turns out those skills had become somewhat rusty though; the rain at least did hold off but the Sun didn’t quite break through (which was actually great for me as the light cloud cover infused the area with beautifully soft light). There were plenty of smiles shining through on this side of the cloud layer though.
The ceremony took place in The Willows, appropriately described on the venue’s Web site as “a timeless and elegant room”. The event was streamed live over the Internet to friends and family in far flung places unable to attend on the day; all part of the service, so to speak.
My thanks go to the staff of the Bournemouth Register Office for being especially friendly and helpful on the day; in particular the officiating registrar took the time to show me the venue prior to the ceremony and advised on timings and positions to afford the best possible coverage for Louise and Nick.
My especial thanks go to Louise and Nick for providing me with the privilege of documenting their day and in the process allowing me to experience a truly touching wedding ceremony.
It was abundantly evident that Nick was excited, so excited in fact that his buttonhole was eluding him. His sister-in-law to be took this critical situation in hand with great aplomb and ensured the day could continue with tradition intact.
We had time for a quick group shot of Nick and his best men before they headed in to the Town Hall to await Louise's arrival, then someone passed comment on the stonework in the background.
Louise claimed during one of our pre-wedding consultations that I'd be lucky to catch her smiling in a photograph. I should have bought a lottery ticket that day as every time I pointed the camera at her (which was frequently; she was the bride after all! :~) she was beaming. Here, Louise is constructing a picture in her head.
The last ever photograph of Nick as an unmarried man (or technically speaking, the last ever photograph of him alone as an unmarried man as I did get a number of him with Louise as they went through the marriage ceremony leading up to their pronouncement as man and wife).
The exchange of rings. During my post-wedding consultation with Louise and Nick they told me that, having looked through the online proofs of their wedding photographs they often found themselves wondering how on earth I'd got certain shots, as they had been entirely unaware of my presence in taking them. They provided me with access to the video archive of the streamed webcam broadcast from their ceremony and indeed, I can't see myself even taking this shot :~)
... and part two of the exchange of rings, a little wider this time as from this angle I'd have needed to climb onto the ceremony desk to get a matching shot. My invisibility cloak might have snagged on the desk edge ;~)
They say a picture paints a thousand words; I don't need to read past the first two on this one: Happy Couple :~)
Little known fact: out of deference to the Data Protection Act all marriage ceremony venues (that I know of) forbid photographing of the signing of the register.
Beautiful family : beautiful venue
This wedding attracted only the most elegant and well mannered paparazzi.
This picture invariably holds me transfixed. Totally unstaged, I find it speaks volumes about the connection between these two people.
The award for Best Wedding Tie 2009 goes to ... well, I guess I'll never know; I was so transfixed by this fantastic little number I forgot to photograph the face of its wearer.
The newly weds emerge from Bournemouth Town Hall; another of those shots Louise & Nick weren't aware of my presence when I took.
A happy throng.
Louise & Nick in Bournemouth Gardens, a handily short hop across the road from Bournemouth Town Hall.
Louise carried something special that had belonged to her grandmother.
It's those two words again! I wonder what the other nine hundred and ninety eight read.
Nick's siblings, a bunch of smilers to the last. I've started to notice a recurring phenomenon whereby the people at either end of a group shot instinctively lean inwards. Maybe it's to do with people constantly being asked to squeeze in when being photographed with mobile 'phone cameras (my lenses range far and wide) though being so evidently close as a family in this case they might just be snuggling up :~)
At times I'll be taking a staged group photograph and will realise that a number of the group are looking off in a different direction. Conundrum solved! ;~) A nice jovial chap with an evocative photographer's stance.
Can a bouquet of flowers be described as looking delicious?
Louise, enigmatic like Mona Lisa in this one.
The entire wedding party was whisked off to the reception on a Wilts & Dorset bus, ecologically sound and of great benefit to a small legion of guests in a part of town with very limited parking. Everyone loved the little touch added to the sign by Wilts & Dorset.
Contact Bournemouth wedding photographer Phillip Allen : phill@misterphill.com : 07870 696248
by Phillip Allen
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Nick Hanlon-Brooks - My wife and I, and all of our family and friends have been absolutely delighted with the professional photography Phill provided for our wedding in April.
Phill took the time to visit the town hall with us a couple of weeks beforehand, to prepare for the best angles and to anticipate photographing our wedding in different weathers, should the need arise. It was clear he spent a lot of time on all the detail required and was thoroughly prepared. This in part comes from Phill’s training as a photographer, and partly from his obvious talent for capturing moments.
On the day itself, Phill was completely unobtrusive, professional and clearly caught the spirit and detail of our special day – we are incredibly grateful for his fantastic warmth, humour, knowledge and skill.
Thank you;
Nick and Louise Hanlon-Brooks
Phillip Allen - Thanks likewise Nick, and Louise, for involving me so closely in your big day. Whenever I look back through the images myself I remain struck by the profundity of the connection between the two of you and it genuinely is a privilege to be allowed to render images that aim to document that connection.