As a recommended Sopley wedding photographer I get to cover so many wonderful occasions but this one was particularly special, and pretty unique too – Tom & Jonny’s wedding with a naval theme. Check out some of the uniforms at this one!
Glorious Spring sunshine down on the River Avon for Tom & Jonny’s wedding. I caught up with the grooms as they arrived with ‘best man’ and ‘best friend’ in tow and headed up to the dressing room for finishing touches. Meanwhile guests started to assemble downstairs, finally getting to enjoy some warmer weather as they looked out across the view after what felt like an interminably cold and grey Winter.
Up then into the beautiful ceremony room, and all eyes on the grooms as they walked down the aisle hand in hand. There were a few tears shed at this one, bless. Obviously I’m doubly biased as from a Sopley wedding photographer perspective I always like to see some real emotion as it makes from a cracking photo, but also it’s always so lovely to see how much a wedding means not just to the couple but also to all the friends and family they have gathered around them. From a discrete vantage point at the front of the room I (and the camera) get to see a lot more of this than many others do on the day too. It’s moments like these that can often provide the photos that the couple didn’t even know were happening around them until they get to go through them all later.
On a day like this the outside space really comes into its own, with post-ceremony drinks served on the decking by the side of the river, and acres of space for kids to run around and burn off a bit of energy after the excitement of the day so far. I was feeling pretty confident that the best of the light would be there for us after the wedding breakfast, so after the group photos I just stole our grooms away for a couple of photos as everyone else headed upstairs for the wedding breakfast. (Loving the way the tables were decorated, especially when I clocked that there was an HMS Duncan hat sat right in the middle of one, just begging to be tried on… Won’t be sharing photos of that though; I prefer to stay firmly on the other side of the lens). Superb boozy seating plan too; a bottle of spirits for each table laid out by the entrance to the room with the names of everyone sat there on a label tied around the neck. Good to see the rum make an appearance, just to further reinforce the naval theme…
Meal finished, speeches made (excellent job; just the right side of embarrassing enough) we headed out over the bridge to those wonderful water meadows for a few more photos. Not often I get to play with trying to get star-bursts of light shining off medals, but today was just one of those days! And then as the evening drew in and the light started to fade, back in and up to the party room for cake cutting (hugely impressive rainbow layer cake courtesy of Jonny & Tom’s friends down in Bristol – chapeau!) and dancefloor action. Oh, and a quick final bolt back outside for one of those famous Sopley sunsets.
Wonderful day, gorgeous couple, beautiful friends… oh, I do like it when I get to be a Sopley wedding photographer. Massive congratulations Jonny & Tom, and wishing you many very happy years together!
– – –
This is just a small selection of images from the day. Friends and family can view the rest of the photos and the slideshow in Tom & Jonny’s private viewing gallery, but you’ll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are currently planning your Sopley Mill wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please do get in touch to check availability and ask me any questions you might have. I’m only too happy to help however I can.
Thanks as ever for reading, and come back again soon for many more photos from many more beautiful weddings!
You might also like
