Hayley & Lance, Ocean Kave wedding, Westward Ho!
Hayley and Lance, Ocean Kave Wedding, Westward Ho!
Hayley and Lance's wedding was my first of a very busy 2014 season and what a great way to kick things off. Ocean Kave is still a relatively new wedding venue in North Devon, but since I shot there in June last year, when it first opened it's doors to weddings, things have changed quite a bit. For instance, there is a spanking brand new reception building next to the Kave called The Sunset Rooms and the grounds have been beautifully landscaped around the Kave, making a stunning wedding venue by the sea even better.
My photography coverage for the day began at Westward Living's Star Cottage, in the grounds of Ocean Kave, where Hayley and her bridesmaids, Becky, Hannah and Chloe were getting ready. Everyone was nicely relaxed and chilled when I arrived, especially Hayley, who was getting her make up done.
One of many important things a wedding photographer needs to capture at any bridal prep is the brides dress before she gets in it, preferably hanging up somewhere to show off all it's splendour. I have to say, this is one of the most beautiful wedding dresses I've seen. Very elegant.
Hayley's parents, Ruth and Roy, aka Jammer (I never did ask why it's his nickname!) were staying in one of the other nearby cottages, so Roy (Jammer) came over to see his daughter for the first time in her dress. This is always one of my favourite moments at any bridal prep, seeing the reaction of Dad. It's often an emotional time for any father, seeing his daughter about to be married and looking beautiful in her wedding dress. Hayley made her entrance........
After I captured Hayley and the girls applying a bit of last minute lipstick, I hopped next door to the cottage where groom, Lance was staying with his brothers, Karl and Justin. I rarely get the opportunity to capture the groom getting ready before the ceremony. Something that is not always possible, given that the bride and groom often get ready miles apart from each other, which means I cannot get to cover his preparations. Though I do find most grooms really flinch at the idea of a photographer being around them on the morning of their wedding, a few do actually ask for coverage. Lance didn't really ask, but Hayley wanted me to go over and do a few shots anyway!!
Then it was time to get to the Kave and wait for the guests to arrive. I didn't mention earlier, but the weather was quite miserable. From the moment I arrived to start the bridal prep until after the speeches and meal was finished, it rained.....and rained...and then it rained some more. It was so wet, the grassland around the Kave was literally waterlogged! Good job my camera and lenses are all weather proof! Hayley was understandably quite disappointed with the weather conditions, but I tried to reassure her a rainy day in Westward Ho! often ends in a dry evening with beautiful skies. Anyway, more about the weather later.....
After an emotional ceremony, Hayley and Lance defied the rain and had a few photos outside the Kave. At this stage there was a heavy drizzle of horizontal rain rolling in from the sea, so thick, you couldn't even see the sea which is only a few metres from this spot! The look on their faces clearly shows they don't care about the weather, good for them!
Then it was time to walk the few metres to the Sunset Rooms (with umbrellas) for the speeches and wedding breakfast.
Roy (Jammer) said a few words to start off the speeches and was quickly followed by Lance. Then Hayley stood up and gave a beautiful and emotional speech which caused quite a few tears amongst the guests. Then it was time to sit down for the wedding breakfast. I stepped outside for a breather, as its the one time of the day I actually put my camera down, as nobody wants their photo taken with a mouthful of food! By now the rain had stopped and there was a bit of promise in the sky as the clouds were clearing. We had previously planned to go down onto Westward Ho! beach for the bride and groom shots which we had to delay due to the poor conditions, but now things were looking promising!
I was so pleased for Hayley and Lance when it was time to go to the beach for their photos, as the weather had finally cleared. When we met a few months ago to discuss their wedding, Hayley mentioned she really wanted to have some photos at Westward Ho! beach. So we got into my car and drove the short distance to the beach. Unfortunately, when we got there the tide was almost in, but that didn't stop us from getting some stunning shots....
....by the time we got back to Ocean Kave, the sun had even made an appearance, so we grabbed the opportunity to get more photos in what turned out to be a beautiful sunset. I love a happy ending, don't you?
I just wanted to say congratulations to Hayley and Lance and wish them all the very best in their newly married life together. They are such a lovely couple and made me feel more like a guest on the day, so thank you very much. Both sets of families were ultra friendly too and were a pleasure to be around.
If you are getting married at Ocean Kave, or anywhere else in North Devon, please feel free to contact me to see what photography package I can offer you!