I've come to the conclusion that blogging is a bit like exercise - you miss a week or two for lack of time, and then another week, then another, and before you know it, it's been a month or two and it's hard to get back into the habit. The problem is, when you blog and then don't blog, it looks to the casual observer like you haven't got anything to blog about. Of course, as a Sussex wedding photographer, not least during the summer months, the opposite is actually true. To help put me back on track after my busiest summer ever, I actually wrote "BLOG - no more excuses!" in my diary. When I got to my desk this morning and read it, my heart sank as I thought of the thousands of wedding images on multiple hard drives still to be edited, but I'm quite motivated when I have a list, and actually decided not to procrastinate further.
And what a happy, sunny wedding to re-ignite my blogging! I actually met Sarah's parents before meeting the couple themselves - at Belles Events Valentines Fair at the Worthing Dome. They were checking out wedding suppliers on Sarah & Jason's behalf, given that the couple were then still living in Glasgow. Happily the bride-to-be and her fiancé put their trust in Sarah's parents and booked me for their wedding shortly after, but it wasn't until September on their return to the South Coast that we met face to face. It seemed logical to meet at their venue, so we enjoyed a bit of sustenance at Worthing Dome's Vintage Tea Rooms whilst excitedly discussing plans for their beach themed wedding.
We got on famously, and I was looking forward to their big day. I knew they were up for a walk along the beach for their couple photos, come what may weather wise, but, being February, I expected cloud at the very least, and umbrella options had been discussed. As it turned out, they had picked one of the loveliest, sunniest days of 2017 thus far, with not a cloud in the sky, and a fair bit of warmth. For readers not familiar with Worthing Dome, this quirky wedding venue is topped by a Whispering Gallery, hexagonal in shape, and with a stunning 360 degree outlook. Sarah and Jason's 50 or so guests were bathed in glorious winter sunshine throughout the ceremony, while the couple said their vows looking out to the sea. It was perfect.
After drinks, Sarah, Jason, myself and many of their guests headed across the road to the beach. Confetti was thrown, stones were skimmed, and I simply enjoyed capturing the moments and the happiness. I gently directed the newlyweds to make the most of the light and capture some lovely starburst shots that work best with low sun, but most of the time, I simply stood back and observed the emotion through my lens. The couple opted for half-day photographic coverage, which we timed to finish with the wedding breakfast, squeezing in a cake cutting before they sat down. This was my first wedding of 2017, and a wonderful way to kick off my wedding season. Thank you Sarah and Jason for your lovely feedback too:
'Thanks so much for taking such beautiful wedding photographs for us. Your suggestion of taking natural photos rather than staged ones was absolutely the right one. The collection of photos reads like a movie - it's really special to have so many natural images of close friends and family as they enjoyed the day.
Thanks again Jenny - will be sure to recommend you to anyone we know who is getting married down here'
All the best,
Sarah and Jason X
Are you planning a Winter wedding?! I can't promise sun, but I do receive very few enquiries for dates in November, January and February, so often have late availablilty. With daylight hours being shorter, you may find that half-day photographic coverage would suit, like Sarah and Jason. And at that time of year I can also offer 2 or 3 hour coverage - giving you images from the ceremony, family photos, and couple photos, plus plenty of candid images of your guests enjoying themselves. For smaller weddings, sometimes that's all you really need.
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