People often ask us how we cope when it's raining and we have a wedding to shoot.
My answer is always the same. As a wedding photographer in the north of England we have more than our fair share of wet weddings. Rather than wring our hands and complain bitterly about our bad luck we are more inclined to say. "Wow! We're going to get some lovely shots today. Bring out the brollies!"
We have a little stash of brollies that we always take with us when it wet so we are more than prepared to have some fun in the rain without ruining anyone's outfit (except ours).
Puddles, reflections, umbrellas and a good dose of creativity all help to give us photographs that are not only lovely but just a bit different to everyone else's.
Rain? Bring it on!
Matthew and Lynsey's day started off very wet. It was that really fine, summer rain, you know the one, the one that soaks you through.
Rainy as it was, it was still a warm day so Bob and me were stood out in it catching the guests as they arrived at the church, St Mary Magdelene's in Burnley. Not a lot to look at outside but stunning inside. The priest was lovely, warm friendly, welcoming and very photographer friendly as most Catholic priests are.
"Five second photo call!" Most of the guests were happy to stop for a five second photo call on their way into the church. I think they felt sorry for us with the rain dripping off the end of our noses.
I loved the blue umbrella with the pink dresses.
The groomsmen were on hand to help anyone who was brolly-less.
Eventually, all the guests were safely in the church and Lynsey arrived. I don't think the rain did much to spoil her day. She was radiant. She never stopped smiling.
Her dad was working really hard to keep that gorgeous dress off the ground though. While all this was going on, the bridesmaids watched from a safe distance.
While a groomsman peeped through the curtain to see if it had stopped raining.
The service started. I got in position at the front of the church, as normal keeping as low a profile as possible. To my horror, I realised part way through the service that I was actually steaming! Oh my gawd! That's attractive! Must have got wetter than I thought. Luckily, all eyes were on Lynsey and Mathew.
Aaawww, look at Lynsey's face. She's almost beside herself with joy. How lovely.
The picture below is my favourite one from the whole wedding. How I wish I'd taken it. Bob took it from the back of the church with his super duper long lens. I love this photo.
After the ceremony we set off to Mitton Hall for the reception and formal shots. You'll never guess what happened next.
The rain stopped!
Put the brollies away!
We managed to get all the formal shots done in the gardens. Wow! That was unexpected. I'd been mentally arranging all the wedding guests inside in the hall that was the main part of the old house. I was almost disappointed (almost).
We got some cracking shots outside.
I think Lynsey liked that car, she wasn't letting go of it!
Yay! It's not raining!
During a lull in proceedings, Bob came across Lynsey's dad having a quite moment of reflection. "You look deep in thought. We could have some fun with that." Between them they cooked up an idea for a photo.
Bad Bob, naughty Bob, cooking up schemes is wrong!
Hehe. Funny Bob.
While Bob and Lynsey's Dad were plotting and scheming in the garden. Matthew, Lynsey and me were in the hall on the gallery.
Lynsey's dress was stunning, as Lynsey is. I shot a few detail shots just as they were ready to go in for their wedding breakfast. This type of shot is one that only I can get away with, being a woman. Bob would get a slap (from me) if he did it.
The detail on her dress was amazing. I could have spent half an hour just photographing that. I didn't though, that would have been really boring for them - and it was time to go in for the wedding breakfast.
The room sparked, It was light, elegant, pretty and had an lovely ethereal feel to it. As normal, the staff at Mitton Hall had worked really hard to make sure everything was absolutely perfect.
Congratulations, Lynsey and Matthew.
