Hayley & Nick's Wedding

Here are some documentary wedding photographs of Hayley and Nick's wedding at St. Thomas of Canterbury RC Church in Exton Park, near Oakham, Rutland and at their wedding reception at the amazing Leicestershire wedding venue Stapleford Park near Melton Mowbray.

Hayley started her day having her make-up done by Sharon Chaggar before hairdresser Claire Buckley of Umberto Giannini (of Birmingham) created a very complicated and stunning hairstyle for the bride's big day.  The fourth photo below shows how Hayley's hair looked half-way though the process.  I was amazed and Claire's skill and I love seeing people working who are really good at what they do.

Hayley was taken to the church in style in a vintage Jaguar from Gladstone Carriages.  When one of the people who were supposed to be doing a reading during the wedding ceremony couldn't make it, Nick gallantly stepped up to the plate (or the lectern) and delivered a word-perfect reading.  It's the first time I have seen a groom do his own reading!  The church and reception room were adorned with floral displays by Flowers by Sarah of Quorn.  Stapleford Park is a beautiful country house hotel and Sarah's flowers really made it look elegant inside.  It looked fabulous outside too, especially as it was bathed in sunshine all day - something of a rare treat this summer!

While most of the wedding photographs I take are natural, candid and unobtrusive, I am usually asked to take a few formal group photos too.  This wedding was no exception and one of the shots I took was a large group shot of all the wedding guests, taken from an upstairs window of the hotel.  The guests were in fine spirits as they treated me as if I was appearing on the balcony at Buckingham Palace when I appeared at the window as they all sang the National Anthem to me!  It was brilliant.  I couldn't resist giving them a royal wave...

Nick and Hayley finished off their fabulous wedding day by dancing to a brilliant covers band called Funky Buddha.  I really enjoyed listening too them and I recommend them highly.  They have a really strong brass section and their lead singer Rosie has a very strong voice as she handled Amy Winehouse and Adele songs with ease.  A great end to a great day.

N.B. This blog covers just the wedding and portrait side of my business.  Please see my Commercial / PR Photography Blog for up-to-date news about the PR, commercial, corporate editorial, architectural and aerial photography and videography side of my business.