I am not a heavy handed user of Photoshop, at least I try not to be. This is a good example of how I can enhance and image to direct the eye and avoid distractions. This is one of Dana’s photos of Albert, (Becky and Albert’s wedding is here) taken during the getting ready stage at the beginning of our day’s work. The shot was a little compromised – the rather large owner of the bike was right behind Dana, and she wasn’t about to push her luck and ask to have the bike moved further into the shade!

Without being too technical, we always shoot RAW files, so giving ourselves the maximum amount of information in our digital files. The retouching consisted of gently lightening areas in the RAW image (using Lightroom) and after exporting as a JPG, opening the file in Photoshop to do the detailed stuff. I’m not a purist, and I do have to work quickly, so I work on the background layer only, using the clone tool to eliminate anything that is distracting to my eye – the railings and wooden shutter on the left of the image, the discoloured black wall behind Albert, spotlights, and general specks that appear anywhere. I have been known to remove chewing gum from pavements – digitally of course!

I like the guy in the doorway, and deliberately kept him in the shot, brightening him a little. Finally I gave the image a bit more colour saturation and contrast, and it’s done. About fifteen minutes, well worth it for a fun and quirky shot.

Before

After

Becky and Albert were married in St Clement’s Church, right in the middle of the Old Town of Hastings. So central, in fact, that I took a taxi, as parking in the holiday (and Hastings Festival) season is impossible! A fabulous, hot and sunny day, we had made time to walk into the lanes, firstly to do our family group shots, and then to have an hour or so of photo time with Becky and Albert. We reprised our pre-wedding shoot and found locations we knew would look great in their wedding outfits! Becky and Albert’s beautiful wedding rings were made by Harriet Kelsall.
We then went off to Bodiam Castle and as the sun began to set we clambered about within the ruins to create some stunning images for their album. Becky and Albert’s reception was in a marquee in an adjacent field, and the party went on well into the night. An amazing day…

Poppy and Boz had a spectacular wedding, the ceremony taking place in an ancient candle-lit chapel in Dode, in deepest darkest Kent. Later at the reception, there was an oyster bar, an aerial stunt display piloted by Poppy’s brother Ed, a hot air balloon and fireworks!

The Norman chapel at Dode is a rare and magical place, apparently looking almost exactly as it did 900 years ago when it was first built in the reign of William Rufus, the son of William the Conqueror. The Village of Dode was destroyed in 1349 as a result of the Black Death and afterwards the building was abandoned until re-discovery and partial restoration in 1901.
Poppy and Boz’ wedding day was full of excitement and emotion – Poppy smiled all day and looked amazing in her Lusan Mandogus dress, and it was Boz who shed a tear during the speeches. One of the bridesmaids, Jill, sang a song during the ceremony that she’d written specially for them. Poppy is an artist and designed and created all the place settings, signs, table decorations and cake herself.

Hair and make-up by Matthew Alexander

Poppy’s dress by Lusan Mandongus

Floristry by Laura Broad

General artistry by Poppy Cyster

I’m delighted to say that Poppy and Boz’ wedding has been featured on the wedding blog Whimsical Wonderland Weddings!

Simone and Mike’s wedding took place in sunny South Wales and as we’re a long way from Hertfordshire, I chose to stay the previous night in Carmarthen, to make sure we were there on time! Simone and the girls got ready at the reception venue, the fab boutique hotel The Grove, in Narberth. As you’ll see, Simone was supported by her gorgeous bridesmaids, dressed in the bold red of the colour scheme. Mike is a designer, and his touch was evident in all the stationery, seating plan and table decorations.
I’ve included a couple of group shot in this post, just to show that they are an important part of the photographic coverage of the day, and also that they can be fun and involving.

Crystal and Daniel’s wedding was unconventional in many ways – which I love! They both got ready in the same place, and travelled together to a tucked away location where Daniel gently lead Crystal to a horse and carriage. They were then taken to a tucked away river bank, where they boarded a punt on the River Cam, and were gently guided downriver to The Doubletree Hotel. Daniel and Crystal were married there, in the sunshine, on the river bank.

Poppy was travelling home with her mum, trying to make their way through the crowds at Clapham Junction station. At the same time, looking in a completely different direction, was Boz, carrying three large kit bags, his and her paths crossing amongst the crowds. They bumped into one another, apologised, and moved on. Crowds closed in. Except that a glance had been shared, a brief moment, yet somehow they were now far across the station from each other.

It was Boz who turned, and racing back as quickly as his bags would allow, barging through people to find the beautiful blond girl who had held his gaze. A decision – right or left? ‘When in doubt, turn left’. Boz turned right, and incredibly, he saw Poppy at the end of the platform. He caught up with her, trains departing around them, bemused mum, people running, gave her his number.

That was two years ago, their wedding is this summer, and you can see what a perfect match they are.

Do you believe in fate?