Jenna and David – Wedding Photography in Bury, Manchester

Do I love being a wedding photographer? Absolutely I do, and one reason is that I get to meet some really great people like Jenna and David. Jenna and David’s wedding was an unusual one for me because they only booked a week before so the first time we met was on their wedding day. It wasn’t a problem though because they’re both just so nice!

You could be forgiven for thinking that Jenna’s bedroom was some kind of wedding photography studio: Huge mirror – check Beautifully decorated – check Wedding dress casually hanging up – check Perfect amount of light streaming in through the window – check. And on top of all that a beautiful bride – Talk about making my job easy!

As usual I started by capturing the bridal preparations with Jenna. She was so relaxed that there was one thing she was panicking about when she got back from having her hair and make-up done – what do you think it was? Nope, not getting her dress on or what time the car was coming or any of the usual stuff… she wanted to eat her easter egg! At that point I knew we’d get on well! Then it was off to Bury Town Hall to meet David.

We had fun with David and best man Matt because Matt was quite wary of having his picture taken… So I just captured them naturally chatting to each other and Matt’s camera-shyness actually took the edge off David’s pre-wedding nerves. I’d been to the Town Hall earlier in the day to suss out the room and luckily there was enough light so that I didn’t need flash for the ceremony, giving a more natural feel to their photos.

Then Jenna arrived and I got one of my favourite photos of the whole day of her with sister and bridesmaid Natalie.

Then I kicked into journalist mode for the ceremony, taking up my previously arranged fixed position in one corner of the room facing towards Jenna. Even as a photographer who’d only known Jenna and David for a few hours, I could feel the emotion when David saw Jenna for the first time. Their love and happiness really shows in all their wedding ceremony photos.

After the usual group shots following the ceremony we headed up to the Pack Horse Inn at Affetside, just outside Bury, Manchester. On the way Jenna and David wanted to stop off at a special spot for a few private shots. I’m a sentimental guy, so I was more than happy to oblige.

The Pack Horse Inn is a traditional country pub, but with a gorgeous modern, bright function room at the back overlooking the rolling Lancashire countryside. Truly a superb spot. Jenna and David had it decorated simply but it looked stunning and really suited their relaxed personalities.

After dinner, and the speeches we headed over to the village pond for some private shots of the newlyweds. The sun was beginning to set so we had some really dramatic low light which made for some really atmospheric photos for Jenna and David’s wedding photography set. Even though I’m a huge fan of colour photography, I converted a few of these to black and white for dramatic effect.

In the late evening, before the first dance, Jenna and David and their guests let off some Chinese lanterns. This was a really nice touch, and although it had got pretty cold by this point of the evening most people stayed outside to watch the lanterns drift off into the distance.

Then they came back inside to have their first dance to Dice by Finley Quaye and William Orbit…

Congratulations Jenna and David… I had a great day shooting your wedding day and wish you a long and happy life together.