I always love getting recommendations from suppliers I’ve worked with and this time it was from a photographer who I’d worked with way back in 2010 in Oxford called Nikki Perrin. She wasn’t able to do this wedding but wanted to make sure the couple invested in someone good to video their day. This bride really tugged at my heart strings and I knew she was worth the extra effort so before I knew it I was driving down to Windsor on my own to capture a wedding!
I always recommend having two cameras at any wedding, you get to see so much more and it means we can be in two places at once (like capturing both the bride and groom in the morning) but I felt that this was different and with all the personal things going on with the brides family it suited having just me there…
I stayed the night before so I could start nice and early filming the bride, Amy, get ready with her family and bridesmaids. I always love this part of the day (especially if you’ve not had chance to meet them beforehand) as you really get to know everyone and can capture some really nice moments in front of the camera once everyone has relaxed around me!
The bride was picked up in a friend’s vintage, British racing green Rolls Royce (oh to have a friend with one of those…) and driven to the picturesque St Andrew’s Church in Windsor. The ceremony was very personal and even had her Dad’s choir there to sing a for the guests. Her Dad even joined them to sing The Rose which gave me goosebumps it was so beautiful.
After the service guests showered them in confetti before they headed off to their reception venue, Monkey Island Hotel in Bray. Surrounded by the River Thames, and only accessible by footbridge or boat, it really was the perfect secluded hideaway!
Guests were treated to the smooth vocals of a Frank Sinatra impersonator and looked after by their Master of Ceremonies while nibbling on some very delicious canapes (I should know, I was allowed to sneak a few of my own yum) before being ushered in to the wedding breakfast. Speeches were fun and I loved that Andy’s son shared Best Man duties and got a few funny stories in about his Dad!
Guests were then treated to two cake cuttings as it was Amy’s parent’s wedding anniversary too. All this before a gorgeous first dance and surprising guests with a fireworks display in the gardens…
Wedding Ceremony – St Andrew’s Church, Windsor
Wedding Reception – Monkey Island Hotel, Bray, Maidenhead