Rockin’ Autumn Wedding at Fulbourn Lodge
You know how your parents don’t officially have a favourite child, but secretly they really do prefer you to your siblings? Well, it’s very similar for wedding photographers, I’ve loved every wedding that I’ve been a part of, but Dan and Sammy’s wedding is one that will stand out in my memory as one of the best forever.
Despite the forecast for a continuation of the overcast and rainy days we had recently seen, the sun made a surprise appearance and had the autumn colours glowing all day, perfect for the vibe Dan & Sammy had chosen.
I always brace myself for chaos at bridal prep; excited bridesmaids, nervous brides and emotional parents are the perfect ingredients for a bit of morning madness, however that wasn’t the case for Sammy and her bridal party. The day started with some very cool, calm and collected preparations in the Cambridgeshire countryside. This, plus a strong coffee and some good ol’ vitamin D had me fully fully charged for the epic day ahead.
A few months before the wedding, Dan had had the great idea of meeting at one of Cambridge’s board game cafes, so we could go through a more thorough plan of the day. In actual fact, we spent most of the time playing the logo quiz and ______, but having seen Dan’s timetables and spreadsheets I knew there wasn’t anything to worry about. In fact, we had such a good time at the cafe, that it really felt like I was attending the wedding of a friend; my heart skipped a beat when I saw Dan standing outside Fulbourn Lodge, all suited and booted and ready to go. I was just as excited for them as their guests were!
Dan & Sammy legally tied the knot a few days before at the Cambridge Register office so, as rightly put by ____ their celebrant, today was less about formalities and more about celebrating their relationship, surrounded by their loved ones. The atmosphere was electric all day, full of laughter - everyone was having the best time.
Thanks to Dan’s lengthy Groom’s speech, we were chasing the sunset for some newlywed couples photos. Thankfully, these two were complete naturals in front of the camera and knew exactly how to make each other laugh and smile, so it was impressive the amount we could do in just 10-minutes before the sun dipped behind the clouds.
The daylight had faded, but the night was young, and there was still so much in store. A romantic first dance, an energetic set by the band, Glastonbury-esk lighting from Dan’s colleagues, a hilarious cake cutting and the grand finale, an epic performance by Sammy and the Groomsmen. It really was a pinch me I must be dreaming kind of evening; I was so grateful to be able to photograph this truly epic wedding for such a lovely couple.
To round the evening off, Dan had requested a photo under the trees on the raised gardens. It took me a little time to cook up something special, balancing the exposure of the flash, the up-lighters and the stary sky but I think it turned out spectacularly!
My rule of thumb when it comes to weddings is that I will match what the couple put into it; thankfully they always give it everything they have, so I do too, and this wedding was no exception. I remember driving home that night, fully spent of energy, but still buzzing with the excitement of opening up my laptop the next morning and reflecting on the day I just experienced and will never forget.
