Craig and Melissa

Craig and Melissa's wedding took place on 15th August. They had booked us for our top level package so we spent most of the day with them. I went to the bride's to do the bridal prep pictures while Bob went over to the grooms house to get a few shots there. As far as we know, we are the only company who do both bride and groom prep. Why do we do both? Because we love it - and we are incredibly nosy and don't want to miss out on anything ( only half joking there!).

I know Melissa takes a look at the blog from time to time so - hello!!!!! Big wave!!!!

Bridal prep involves taking lots of pictures of the details of the wedding. I always think that it's the details that get forgotten. One shot of a small detail can trigger a whole host of nice memories. The number of times a bride says, "oh yes, I'd forgotten all about that." These times are intensely personal and we always feel it's an honour for us to be allowed in to peoples homes at such an important time.

It had been raining heavily all morning so the emergency bottle of liquid sunshine that had been brought back from holiday was opened. Guess what? It worked!! The sun was shining within minutes!

Here's the bride and groom with her Dad. The wedding was at a church in Knuzden and the reception was at Astley Bank in Darwen. Not far to go home then!! It's gorgeous at Astley Bank. The gardens look almost tropical and the house is a superb example of Victorian architecture. I love working there.

The weather held out for most of the day - except for one point while we were doing the special shots and then the heavens opened! We got stuck under the smoking shelter in the garden and eventually had to make a dash for the house. Bob used our big triflector as an umbrella to hold over Melissa while she picked up her skirts and made a dash for the house. The photo below was taken later in the evening when the sun had come out again - along with the midges!

This was one of those weddings where everyone just decided to get on and enjoy themselves. The atmosphere was lovely. Bob and me were kept busy as guests came and requested extra group shots of themselves with family and friends, everyone just threw themselves into it. Brilliant!!

These three images below are my personal favourites from the day. Sometimes (stop reading Melissa) we sneak in a few pictures for ourselves when we do a wedding. I loved the light coming through the window and the flare which gives this first shot it's low contrast, dreamy look. When we take a shot we can visualise how we want the finished article will look and I knew this would look great with an antique finish. The technical imperfections have worked to our advantage to create the mood I wanted. Not that I am comparing my work in any way to the work of one of my favourite photographers, Julia Margaret Cameron, but the influence is certainly evident.

It would look a bit incongruous in the album - but do you know what? I love it.

This next one is a bit gothic. I'm a fan of vignetting, from hardly noticeable light touch to draw attention to the centre of an image or, as in this case, a whacking great dollop of it. A lot of my personal work is quite dark, it must be bringing out my inner Goth!

Bob took this image. We enjoy playing with the light and often decide to shoot straight into it. The warmth and glow as well as the low contrast are what makes this a favourite. What do you think?