Tell me why…I DO like Mondays!
This was a first for me, shooting a wedding on a Monday. We are all used to attending weddings on a weekend and it goes without saying that Saturday remains the most popular day to tie the knot, but times are changing and it’s now a lot more common to have your wedding on any given day. In this case I was booked by Natalie & Oliver to shoot their wedding at the beautiful Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa situated on Wrexham Road in Chester, just a few miles away from the Welsh border.
So why get married on a Monday? Well, it’s entirely up to you of course. People have many reasons for avoiding the traditional Saturday wedding and in Natalie & Oliver’s case they told me it was because they both worked for the Police and due to their shift working commitments this particular date was simply the best suited for them both.
Natalie & Oliver had booked my top package which meant they got my services for the entire day from bridal preparation right until the end of the wedding reception at midnight. I love shooting the bridal preparation, it’s one of the best parts of the whole day for me as there’s usually a room full of excited (and nervous) ladies which makes for some fantastic shots. Emotions are always running high, and that’s what I love about being a wedding photographer; being on hand to capture these special moments that form such a big part of the story of the day. I’m the consummate professional of course, so as soon as I get the nod that people are about to get naked I’ll disappear for 20 minutes only returning when the bridal party is fully dressed and ready to go. The girls were on top form and it was a pleasure to be around to document this special time.
Thankfully, the weather was lovely so the wedding ceremony was conducted outside within the stunning grounds of the venue. I have to say, the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa is a wedding photographer’s dream; there are expansive gardens surrounding the venue to the side and rear as well as a really quirky Oriental garden situated next to the adjoining spa. Additionally, there are some really grandiose places inside the building which make for incredibly striking photos.
As is customary, after Natalie and Oliver had said their “I Do’s” we set aside some time to capture the traditional group shots in the gardens surrounding the venue. There are plenty of places at the Grosvenor Pulford Hotel & Spa where a photographer can set up the group shots; Natalie & Oliver chose to do them on a wooden bridge that spanned a beautifully quaint pond. It was a great choice, the pond was covered with water lilies and there was a stunning weeping willow tree to provide a little shade from the sun.
When the wedding breakfast is served I put down my cameras and take a break, this is the only part of the day that I’ll not document as I find that the last thing people want is having their photo taken whilst eating; besides I don’t recall ever taking a flattering photo of someone with a fork in their mouth! Natalie & Oliver had kindly pre-paid for a meal for me at the restaurant in the main part of the venue, which was so lovely of them. I opted for the gourmet burger which I have to say was utterly magnificent and set me right up for the evening reception. But first it was time for me to pick up my cameras and shoot the speeches.
After the speeches I took Natalie and Oliver away from their guests for an hour or so to get some shots of just the two of them. It’s always nice for the bride and groom to have this time, it gives them a moment to reflect on their day and I generally find it’s the perfect time to shoot the couple shots, plus they’d both had a couple of drinks by now and seemed incredibly relaxed! I took them to various parts of the hotel grounds and I’d also timed it just right for a sunset over the rear of the venue in the Oriental gardens. It had been a fantastic day!
So, after the sun had set it was time for the evening reception. When Natalie and Oliver booked me they were keen to ensure the full evening party was covered by a photographer, it was clear they both loved to party and capturing their friends and family having fun on the dance floor was obviously very important to them. With this in mind I set about documenting the party in full flow, I find the best way to do this is to join in a little and get on the dance floor with my camera in among the guests. It was a great party!
A special mention must go to the manager who was on duty on the day, I recall his name was Maurice. He was fantastic and made sure the schedule ran perfectly. He was worth his weight in gold.
Finally, I’d like to thank Natalie & Oliver for booking me, it was an absolute pleasure to be part of your day. The happy couple left some kind words about me on my Google Plus reviews page, which you can read below:
Steve did the photography for our wedding. We cannot recommend him enough, from start to finish he was so professional and so easy to get on with. Throughout our day he worked tirelessly to get the perfect shots, including waiting for a gorgeous sunset to get some stunning pictures. Many of our family and friends commented on how hard he worked and how professional he was. From viewing the final shots it only confirms what we already predicted, what a talented photographer he is. We could not be happier that we chose Steve to capture our special day. From speaking with others who have recently got married, Steve went above and beyond what other photographers provide. We cannot thank or recommend him enough.
Thanks again, Oliver and Natalie
Thanks for taking the time to read about Natalie & Oliver’s wedding. You can read more reviews about me and my work by clicking here.
Peace and love
Steve x
