Creative Destination Wedding Photographer

Lil and Jim’s Hong Kong destination wedding

I feel like 2013 has been a year of highlights, I’m in the process of pulling together 150 images for my end-of-year roundup blog post, and I realise just what a brilliant year of weddings this has been. So many amazing memories. I’ve photographed Lil and Jim more than anyone else this year though, as I had previously photographed their UK wedding day down at the beautiful Highcliffe Castle in Dorset, back in July.

But this was Hong Kong. I went to Hong Kong. To photograph a wedding. So cool!

This was the third and final stage of Lil and Jim’s wedding year, having already eloped to Paris (expertly photographed by the amazing Chris Mee), married and done the legal thing in front of their UK friends and family down in Dorset – Jim’s home county, and now doing the traditional Chinese wedding banquet and tea ceremony in Lil’s home city.

I feel like I’ve gained two new friends in Lil and Jim. It’s been a pleasure getting to know them this year, and I’m a little sad that they’re not having any more weddings that I can take photos of!!! I think three weddings is enough for them though!

There are a lot of photos here so I’ll break it up into chunks…

The Tourist

So I got there, had a little nap, met Lil and Jim then went for a wander as the sun was setting. Of course I went straight to Tourist central – the Avenue of the Stars…

The Pre-wedding Shoot

The following day we explored some of Hong Kong making some pre-wedding portraits… It was midday and we were working against the sweltering midday sun, but this city and these two look cool in any light. We started off at Avenue of the Stars and the Hong Kong cultural centre, and finished up at Kowloon Walled City Gardens, once the home of Kowloon Walled City, an amazing little chunk of Hong Kong history – look it up, it’s fascinating. We then went back to the harbour after dark for the city lights.

The Wedding Day

The wedding day took place at the quite stupendous five star Hyatt Regency hotel in Tsim Tsa Tsui. I was glad when I found out people called this area TST as I never did get to grips with the pronunciation! We had a good chunk of time before their tea ceremony and banquet to make some portraits in the beautiful restaurant and corridors of the hotel. Then they greeted their guests, had the tea ceremony followed by a twelve course banquet which I was lucky enough to also enjoy!

The Tourist part 2

I had a little time again to wander the fascinating streets of Hong Kong. I’m far from comfortable with street photography but I wanted to capture some of the personality of this city – the bamboo scaffolding, the street sellers, the grit and the beauty.

Tram Ride

Lil and Jim took me and their friends on a traditional Hong Kong tram for a night time tour…

Boat Trip

The final day was a chance to escape the city and see the other side of Hong Kong. The softer side I guess. The water and the islands. We sailed all day, stopping at Lamma Island for some lunch, and another little island for a swim and some time on the beach. It was amazing, and I really felt like this was a fitting end to my adventure with Lil and Jim, arriving back at Central Piers as the sun set behind the skyline.

Symphony of Light

I finished as I started, doing the tourist thing and watching the ultra cheesy, but must-see symphony of light down at the avenue of the stars. They play music and the buildings opposite perform a light show in time with the music. Way cheesy, way cool.

So that’s it. I can’t thank Lil and Jim enough for inviting me to be part of their wedding adventures. You guys have filled my head and heart with memories, and quite literally broadened my horizons. It’s been an absolute blast.