Rain, sun and a Spitfire! Hodsock Priory wedding photography : Wes and Sam’s Hodsock Priory Wedding Photos
Wes and Sam were recently married at St Mary’s Church in Blyth Nottinghamshire before celebrating at nearby Hodsock Priory. With some exciting plans for the day ahead the weather forecast was showing a slight possibility of heavy rain clearing just before the 4PM sit-down for the wedding breakfast, fingers crossed we’d manage to make use of the grounds around Hodsock priory for some wedding photos of Sam and Wes before the meal.
Our day began at Wes’ parents home near Doncaster. Wes had organised for his barber to visit to style the guys hair before they dressed, probably the coolest barber we’ve come across, not only for his appearance but extra points for using an empty JD bottle for his water squirter!
Once ready the guys had some time to spare and managed a game a pool and beers before they had to leave for the church.
Above: Hodsock Priory photographed mid afternoon during the wedding breakfast.
Following the groom and groomsmen preparation photographs we made our way to Hodsock Priory for photographs of Sam getting ready in the bridal suite. An air of calm in the room as Sam had organised a second room for the bridesmaids to get ready. (Top wedding tip for any bride wanting a calm relaxed preparation).
Once ready and dressed Sam’s father arrived just jun time for us to capture the emotional first look at Sam in her wedding dress before we left for St Mary’s Church in Blyth to catch up with the guys again before the wedding ceremony.
Above: Sam’s father arrived in time for us to capture this once in a lifetime moment as he sees his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time.
Sadly for once the weather forecasters were being accurate in the forecast of heavy rain starting mid morning. Arriving at church to heavy downpours we managed to organise the guys for a few photos in the large doorway of St Mary’s. Thankfully cameras are reasonably weather proof!
Sam arrives at St Mary’s Church in the wedding car. Heavy rain prevented dropping the roof of the car.
Above and Below: Sam’s arrival at St Mary’s church. A nervous but excited Wes waiting at the front of church.
Thankfully a co-operative vicar was more than happy for myself and the wedding videographer to stay at the front of church whilst Sophie the second photographer was able to remain at the back taking photos of thee wedding ceremony. The dual view of the ceremony allows for dome great wedding photographs as we can capture both angles and capture more of the ceremony that may otherwise be missed by just one photographer.
Towards the end of the wedding ceremony we did a quick weather check as we had decided in the event of wet weather we’d photograph the family groups inside church. With the rain thundering down on the church roof during the wedding ceremony we didn’t hold out much hope of any outdoor photographs and so had started fetching our wet weather studio kit from the car when we noticed the clouds were breaking and rain easing……. Within five minutes it had slowed to almost a stop and the sky was turing blue, perfect timing as Wes and Sam walked down the aisle as husband and wife!
Photobomb by the Vicar! Waiting for the rain to clear fully and guests to prepare their confetti we decided to take a few photographs of the bride and groom at the altar. The Vicar, Kate took this as an opportunity to photobomb! Another refreshing change was the lack of rules about throwing confetti, all too often we are told it cannot be thrown in the church yard etc etc, not today, with three big baskets of the stuff to throw over the bride and groom we were sure of a good confetti photograph!
The wedding cars and bridal party outside the main priory building. Sam and Wes pose with the Aston Martin car that delivered the groom to church.
Spitfire! Wes’ father had organised a surprise for the wedding guests during the drinks reception with a flying display by a Spitfire. On cue at 1545 the Spitfire dived in over Hodsock to perform a superb display including rolls, loops and fast passes. With everyone looking skywards, big waves and lots of laughs and smiles aplenty it was a great opportunity for some candid photographs (as well as of course capturing the Spitfire).
The Pavilion at Hodsock Priory all set for wedding breakfast.
A further surprise for the guests during the wedding breakfast were the Singing Waiters. The three singers had appeared to be part of the service staff until eventually they broke into song much to the delight of the guests. A number of songs including the classic napkin waving That’s Amoré.
Following the speeches we took Sam and Wes off for a walk into the grounds for some photographs and video of just the two of them. Even in the early evening light Hodsock grounds looked amazing and made the perfect back drop to the photographs and video.
The lake at Hodsock Priory always makes for a great reflection and classic wedding photograph.
Darkness fast approaching as the bride and groom stand in front of Hodsock Priory.
Sam and Wes on the bridge over the lake at Hodsock Priory.
Following the outdoor photos Wes and Sam rejoined the wedding guests in the Pavilion for their first dance and disco. A live band providing the sounds for the evening party. With lots of dancing and happy smiles we were kept busy on the dance floor for quite some time.
Our photography day ended with wedding photographs of Sam and Wes outside in the courtyard. Using the floodlit Tudor Gatehouse as a stunning backdrop, the final photographs will make an amazing end to what will be a truly stunning storybook wedding album. There’s approximately 150 wedding photographs in this blog post alone, I don’t envy the job of choosing which images from the full selection will make the wedding album.
Hodsock Priory wedding photography : Wedding photographers Hodsock Priory.
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