Sussex Seaside Wedding | Sarah & Jason
Quick Coronavirus wedding update!
It's all relative in these Covid times, but I've actually been pretty busy since last month's blog; I've been fortunate enough to shoot three intimate weddings in July. At my last one, which was yesterday at the time of writing, the couple and their immediate family were permitted to have canapés and a wedding cake, and the bride could even have her make up professionally done!
Two of my August weddings will now be going ahead with 30 guests and small, socially-distanced back garden receptions. So things are progressing, but it seems unlikely that larger weddings will be back on the agenda before October, and will couples even want to go ahead if music and dancing are still off the agenda? I still have no idea what my diary will look like in the Autumn, but right now I'm really enjoying capturing weddings again and have plenty of engagement shoots lined up for the weeks ahead. Do watch this space (or check out my Instagram) for updates!
Wet feet = happy photographer!
Today's wedding story is of an absolutely wonderful Summer's day last August, when Sarah and Jason tied the knot at Worthing Pier's Southern Pavilion. These two super chilled people wanted a fun and relaxed seaside wedding and that's exactly what they got. Complete with ice-cream vouchers for guests to use on the Pier, a wade out to the sea at low tide, and a ride on the dodgems at the fair.
In the interests of camera wellbeing, I declined the offer of a dodgem ride myself, feeling it safer to shoot from the sidelines, but there was no way I was staying on the beach whilst the couple and their friends headed out to sea. The evening weather was amazing, and shoes and even trousers in some cases (!) were left at the shoreline as the newlyweds walked across rockpools and sandbanks with their besties. Regular readers of my blog will know how much I enjoy beach weddings, and I was totally in my element, happily ruining a pair of leather shoes and getting my feet soaked through as I ran to get in position for the best candid shots.
For a fun, not-too-posed group photo, the swim buddies were up for my idea of a leap in the air from one of the sandbanks, with the reflection captured in the pool in front. And we couldn't pass up the opportunity for a few couple photos with the sunset and big wheel in the background.
Chocolate salted caramel anyone?
We headed back to the Pier just as the evening guests were arriving and, after stopping several times to release stuck heels, Sarah and Jason enjoyed an impromptu welcome arch from the newcomers. Once the congratulatory hugging ended, we piled inside for the cutting of their semi-naked wedding cake by talented Brighton cakemaker Bunston Bakes.
I can't remember which flavours they had, but Bunston Bakes also made the cake for the weddding I captured yesterday - chocolate salted caramel in case you're wondering - and it was absolutely delicious!
How I created the final shot of the night
After the first dance that followed, I headed outside to capture the venue from the end of the Pier. The colours of the sky were magical, so I decided to set up some flashes with coloured gels in reds and purples to provide a contrasting light on the dancefloor. Just as I did so, Sarah and Jason appeared outside to say their goodbyes to one of their guests and I seized the opportunity to add them to a 'final shot of the night', separating them from the background with an additional light positioned behind them.
For my photographer readers, I use Magmods for my lighting modifiers, as for me, everything needs to be quick, portable and as unobtrusive as possible, especially when tired after photographing for 10-12 hours (and possibly have wet feet too!)
As is often the case during wedding season, I went home totally exhausted but very, very happy.
Thank you card gratefully received
Sarah and Jason were happy too, and I received a lovely thank you card with the aforementioned 'final shot of the night' on the front, and these heartfelt words inside:
Dear Jenny,
Thank you so much for capturing our special day so perfectly. We feel very lucky that we found you!
The photos are so magical and we still can't stop looking at them.
Thank you again,
Love
Sarah & Jason xxx
I caught up with Sarah and Jason in November to deliver their stunning wedding album, with many of the photos above having pride of place. There's nothing like seeing your images in print for the first time, and their faces lit up as they turned the pages.
On that note, if you're one of my 2019 wedding couples reading this and haven't got round to choosing your images, expect an email nudge from me soon! Or if you haven't pre-ordered but would like to, now would be perfect, as with large weddings off the agenda, I have plenty of time to design albums :)
And if you're planning a relaxed wedding and have stumbled across this blog, please do follow me on Instagram @jennyrutterfordphotography for all the latest.
Jenny xx
Sarah & Jason's wedding team
Venue: Worthing Pier
Florist: Arlette Florist Peacehaven (a family friend)
Bride's Dress: Opulence & Grace
Bride's Make Up Artist: Becky Rosebud
Cake: Bunston Bakes
