Fay & Edd, wedding at The Cleve Hotel, Wellington, Somerset

I was delighted when I was asked to shoot Fay and Edd's wedding, as I have known Fay for a number of years with her being my brother's step daughter. I would have happily been there as a guest too, which in a way I was! Due to the amount of family and friends I knew in attendance, the difficulty you face when shooting a friend/family wedding is to remember you are there to capture the wedding and not stand or sit around chatting to guests, much!

Fay and Edd chose the wonderful surroundings of The Cleve Hotel in Somerset. If you look/squint closely at the photo below, you might just make out the Wellington Monument at the top the hill in the background. Originally built in the 1800's to commemorate the Duke of Wellington's victory at the battle of waterloo. History lesson over and time to get on with the story of the wedding!

As you can see from the photos, Fay chose to have an outdoor wedding, always a risky prospect in the UK, but I was delighted for them as the sun shone pretty much all day. Fay and her bridesmaids decided to get hair and make-up at a nearby salon, so I followed them down to shoot the preparations there. Everyone was in remarkably good spirits and Fay was her usual cool and calm self. I then headed back to the hotel to say hello to Edd, and take a cheeky shot of him getting ready.

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By now, the guests had all taken their seats awaiting Fay's arrival, which was my cue to leave Fay and head to the ceremony myself. When I got there, seeing all my family there in attendance felt a little strange to me, but it made a nice welcome change from most weddings I shoot.

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After the ceremony and confetti line, Fay and Edd mingled around chatting to guests before heading inside to their wedding breakfast. The room really looked amazing, kitted out in pink and orange decor, creating a rather unusual light in the place. Fay's Dad started off the speeches, followed by a few words from Edd and finishing with one of the funniest Best Man speeches I've heard, which had everyone in stitches.

Fay and her Dad started off the evening celebrations with a dance, which was lovely and quite rare to see these days, followed by the newlywed's first dance. Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington Wedding at the Cleve Hotel, wellington

 I had a great time shooting this special wedding, there was always something going on throughout the day and there was always lots of fun and laughter. As I mentioned earlier, with so many family members there, it was sometimes hard for me to stay in 'wedding photographer mode' throughout the day, but I know Fay and Edd were happy with their photos which is the main thing. Eventually I put the camera down and actually went to bed earlier than I'd intended, completely knackered! Light weight I know......

I wish the very best to Fay and Edd in your married life together.