SAILING AWAY… ANDRES & JESS (RUTLAND WEDDING)
THIS WEEK’S WEDDING HAS A BOAT INSTEAD OF A WEDDING-CAR, A HALF SUBMERGED CHURCH, AND THE LOVELIEST OLD PUB I’VE VISITED IN QUITE SOME TIME. THROW IN AN ADVENTUROUS COUPLE AND SOME CRAZY WEATHER AND YOU'VE GOT QUITE THE WEDDING STORY...STILL READING? I THOUGHT SO.
Important Note- Should any suppliers wish to use or share these photos, please contact me directly at gemma@thewardettestudio.com. Any unauthorised commercial use of these images is in breach of copyright. Any personal use of these images must be fully credited to The Wardette Studio, with no cropping of logo.
Lakes have long been steeped in romance. The idea that you can happen across huge bodies of water in-land; that through a clearing of trees you can be greeted by the sound of water lapping up to the bank, and swans gracefully gliding across the horizon. I grew up nowhere near a coast, and lakes were the closest thing we had to a beach. As a kid,
I REMEMBER WATCHING THE BREEZE PEEL RIPPLES OFF THE TOP OF THE WATER;
I remember walking against the cold wind which made the long grasses and trees all lean together. It felt dramatic and sort of romantic, even the harsher weather.
I remembered all these feelings as I breathlessly rushed up to Normanton Church on the wedding day. The weather was giving us a sample of every season.. clouds, sunshine, crazy wind and a rainstorm. My usual obsessive weather checking was doing no good, and the forecast for showers kept moving time. We got it all in the end, sunshine, clouds, super fast winds AND a rainstorm.
ALL OF IT PAINTING INCREDIBLE SKYCAPS ACROSS THE LAKE’S HORIZON.
If it weren’t for the fact that I desperately needed dry weather for photos, I might have really enjoyed that view. I’m sure every other wedding photographer will know what I mean.
The rain held off just long enough for a few couple portraits after the ceremony. The wind was already pulling the skirt of her dress here and there (which I loved), and the sun shining hard through the gaps in the clouds. In it's own way, it was perfect. Until it wasn't...
The Fox & Hounds Pub was a very welcome cosy and characterful building. It’s faced onto a gorgeous village green surrounded by idyllic cottages, and behind it’s front door hid a quiet historic pub,
COMPLETE WITH DRIPPING CANDLES, OIL PAINTINGS IN GOLD GILT FRAMES AND ARM CHAIRS DOTTED ABOUT BIG OLD FIREPLACES.
Once the heavens did open (mid-groups incase anyone was wondering, exactly when I needed it dry) we all gathered up under jackets and umbrellas and ran into the pub.
You know, when you shoot weddings here in the UK, you have to embrace this weather. And if a couple are totally trusting and up for anything, you can get some super romantic rainy photos too.
BUT ALL TOO OFTEN, BRIDES ARE TOO WORRIED ABOUT THEIR HAIR OR THE HEM OF THEIR DRESS,
or too disappointed that the weather wasn’t what they had pictured, to really enjoy it.
Thankfully, Andres and Jess were my ideal clients. They followed me out into the rain quietly; shoulders raised up and heads touching, sheltering from the cold drips under a dusky purple sky. In that moment the village was totally silent, except for the sound of the rain in the trees. This moment felt like something I had pictured in the romantic novels I read as a kid, something Thomas Hardy might have described.
LISTEN GUYS, IF IT RAINS ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, DO YOUR COUPLE SHOTS IN THE RAIN.
Don't worry about your dress. If it gets muddy, then laugh. It’s all memories, it’s all stories, it’s you guys being totally present and soaking up every second of the day. And if it’s rainy, soak up the rain.
HIKE UP THAT DRESS, GET SOME BOOTS ON, AND SNUGGLE UP UNDER AN UMBRELLA, OR HIS JACKET.
If you’re together, and you’re in love, the weather and the scene will always be the perfect backdrop. Trust me.
Huge thank yous to Andres and Jess for having me shoot such an epic and fun day. I’ll never tire of a boat at a wedding!
GWx
Suppliers:
Venue & Catering: The Fox and Hounds, Exton
Church: Normanton Church Museum, Rutland Water
Music: Matt, Bang Disco's
