Here’s one of my favourite weddings from last year – Rachel and Ali’s fantastic wedding at St Peter’s Church Berkhamsted followed by a reception at The Gatsby – a stunning old art deco cinema dating from 1938. If you’re getting married at either of these stunning venues, do please get in touch to discuss coverage.
I’m lucky in that all my weddings are fantastic couples whom I get on well with, however this wedding was fantastic – a chilled out bride, three people at bridal prep in a magnificent house, with great light, a beautiful dress, a picturesque church and service, followed by an elegant reception in a stunning venue!
I started the day at Rachel and Ali’s amazing, spacious house in Berkhamsted, photographing all the details whilst Rachel was still having her hair done in a local salon. This gave me plenty of time to photograph all the lovely details, not least of which was her stunning Stewart Parvin bespoke wedding dress – ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’, a corded lace column gown with a puddle train and a sweetheart neckline. Rachel teamed this with a Knightsbridge lace off-the-shoulder jacket and a cathedral-length veil.
Rachel arrived back with hair already done, and then proceeded to do her own makeup. Sometimes this means standing two inches away from a bathroom mirror, but Rachel applied her makeup in such a stunning natural light location that produced amazing photographs. The whole morning was just so chilled out, as it was just Rachel, her one bridesmaid and her mum in the whole house.
Once Rachel’s makeup was finished (and after a glass or two of champagne) it was time for her dress to go on – which, as it was made-to-measure, fitted like a glove and showed off her amazing figure. As we were ready in plenty of time and the atmosphere was lovely and calm, I took Rachel back to her makeup station for some quick bridal portraits in the lovely directional light coming through the window – amazing what you can do with a blank wall and great quality window light (not to mention a stunning bride in an amazing dress!).
I then made my way to St Peter’s to meet Ali, his son and all the boys for some quick groom portraits and then to await Rachel’s arrival.
Once everyone was ready, I made my way into the stunning church for the start of the service.
After the service we made our way outside onto the green for a few quick group shots, before the guests made their way over to The Gatsby. Whilst the guests made the short walk to the reception, we photographed some bride and groom portraits before I hopped in the car to beat bride and groom to the reception and get ready for their entrance.
As luck would have it, I just managed to beat the Bride and Groom!
Following drinks and canapes (and one final group shot of everyone from the gallery which used to be the entrance to the cinema from the ticket hall), the guests made their way to their seats from the wedding breakfast.
During a break in the meal, I took advantage of the guests being seated in the top half of The Gatsby to quickly grab some bride and groom off-camera flash portraits in the bar area.
After the wedding breakfast, the guests enjoyed some amazingly touching speeches.
Following on from the speeches, the by-then slightly wonky cake (hope they don’t mind me saying that!) was very, very, very gingerly moved into position for the cake cut and then onto the dancing and party!
I finished the evening with one quick off-camera shot of the happy couple outside the venue, then hopped into the car a very happy, but tired wedding photographer!
Congratulations once again to Rachel and Ali, and congratulations on the forthcoming arrival! (it’s taken me way too long to blog this one!!!)
If you’re getting married at The Gatsby, please contact me to discuss your wedding photography.
All photographs copyright David Burke Photography 2015