Cotswold Wedding Photography - Robyn and Dan
I’m starting this blog with a big shout out to my Mum. It’s thanks to her that I met Robyn and Dan and booked this incredible, intimate wedding. Robyn is from Zimbabwe - like me! - and had put out a request for a photographer on a Zimbabwean Facebook group. My Mum saw it and sent them my way. They got in touch, we clicked the first time we spoke, they booked me and, well, the rest is in this blogpost.
Intimate, relaxed wedding at Gloucester Shire Hall
Robyn and Dan had planned a beautiful, relaxed micro wedding with their nearest and dearest. They’d booked one of my micro packages, so I was all theirs for around 4 hours and boy did we get a lot into those hours!
The whole wedding was an absolute dream. Robyn and Dan had decided to do away with the big traditional wedding and invest in the things that meant the most to them - great food, photography and being surrounded by the people they love the most in the world.
The day began with their ceremony at Gloucester Shire Hall, an impressive Greek Revival style building with huge stone columns, big windows and tall ceilings. They both couldn’t stop smiling and laughing together throughout the ceremony and there was a big cheer when they walked back up the aisle together as newlyweds.
Outside I got everyone lined up ready for a confetti aisle with a difference, bubbles! I loved this idea and it made for some fab photos, especially as younger family members were armed with bubble guns!
Candid, Documentary Cotswold Wedding Photography
After all the hugs, kisses and well wishes had calmed down we all made our way over to Gloucester Cathedral for their family photos. What a backdrop!
Now, group photos are generally seen as a tad dull, a little too traditional. There are horror stories of guests standing around for hours, missing out on the wedding reception. Well, I’m here to tell you you don’t need to settle for boring group photos! They’re important, they’re an amazing way to capture your favourite people in the world and they can be fun too.
So, here’s my guide to great group photos. I always suggest no more than ten combinations. Any more and we’re getting into ‘missing out on canapes’ territory. I’ve got this down to a fine art now and can run through them super quickly. I always do the more traditional “smile at the camera” poses first but then I like to shake things up a little, to capture the personalities and character of your loved ones. Take this fab photo of Robyn’s bridesmaid. I’d stepped back to get a photo of the entire group. They all posed for a photo then I shouted “Hug the person nearest you” and ran in. I love getting photos of all the group hugs, the mum hugs, the couple…but at this point Robyn’s bridesmaid realised she had no one near her to hug and pulled the best, most hilarious face! I love it! Oh, and my top tip, tell people if they’re going to be in your group photos. That way they know to hang round at that point and don’t dash off to the bar or disappear to the loo!
After a stop off at Pitville Park for some portraits of Robyn and Dan it was time for the reception. They’d booked the Storyteller in Cheltenham, the perfect spot for these two foodies!
I can’t rave about Robyn and Dan enough, they’re so much fun and just love to laugh together.
Are you planning your special day and looking for Cotswold wedding photography? I'd love to hear all about it - get in touch for a chat!
Suppliers
Dress: WED2BE Hair & Makeup: Jax-Glam Beauty
Cake: Cake Of The Day