A gorgeous Oxford wedding

Oxford’s a bit special, isn’t it? Everywhere you look, you are surrounded by the most beautiful gothic/ baroque architecture (Goroque? Is that a thing? It is now!). As an Oxford wedding photographer you can stick your couple almost anywhere and the shots would be stunning, and Liz and Ben were certainly up for squeezing every ounce of gorgeousness out of Oxford as we could!

The day began at Oxford Registry Office on Tidmarsh Street. Liz and Ben arrived together by black cab, the bride resplendent in a beautiful lace wedding dress by Northallerton Bridal Outlet and the groom equally resplendent in full ceremonial military uniform, complete with sword!

It was a really lovely, intimate ceremony with 20-or-so beaming friends and family members to witness the proceedings. In a taste of what was to follow, the group photo session was periodically interrupted by groups of passers-by congratulating the happy couple with whoops, cheers and applause.

Then it was on to the part of the day I was really looking forward to – the couple portrait session around Oxford City Centre! This had required a bit of planning on my part. We had about one hour to hit as many locations as possible but not so many that the session became too regimented and scheduled. It’s vital that a couple enjoy themselves on a portrait shoot as this is reflected in their photos, and thankfully Liz and Ben had a great time! Our walking tour managed to take in St. Aldate’s, the Radcliffe Camera, Bridge of Sighs, the Clarendon Building, Grove Walk, Christ Church and the War Memorial Gardens.

I was grateful for the small entourage of friends and family who joined us for the walk as they did a fantastic job of ‘crowd control’! Central Oxford on a Saturday is very busy and so having someone on hand to hold back the throngs of onlookers – or let them walk through as was required for one long-exposure shot – was incredibly helpful. Most people were very happy to watch our happy couple have tome photos taken – and lots of them took photos of their own! You become an A-list celebrity when you’re parading around Oxford in wedding attire and I made sure I captured these moments for Liz and Ben to look back on – as well as the photos of them, of course!

Wedding photography often requires creative solutions. Case in point: The Radcliffe Camera, one of the most beautiful buildings in the whole city, was surrounded on all sides by a ghastly blue construction fence! What do you do?! Luckily, the alleyway through to the Bodleian Library courtyard is elevated by a few feet and raises the couple up above the level of the fence (and the masses of people down on the main square). Photographically speaking, it also provides a beautiful frame for the Rad Cam in the background. I’m really glad we were able to get the shot as it is one of my favourites of the whole day!

There was more fun after the wedding breakfast and speeches at The Folly when the bride, groom and guests embarked upon a spot of punting in the afternoon sunshine, courtesy of Salter’s Steamers. Shooting from the jetty, the bridge and the riverbank (both sides!) certainly kept me on my toes. I was poised and ready for that golden moment when someone fell off their punt into the river, but alas (from a photographic perspective!) that never happened.

The evening was a lovely, informal garden party in the sun at a local residence, complete with a fabulous cocktail-making class provided by Tipsy Parties. Ben cutting the cake with his ceremonial sword was a particular highlight, as was the gorgeous portrait session we were lucky enough to have in the meadow across the road from the house when the evening was bathed in beautiful golden light.

A wonderful day full of love, laughter, fun, happiness and no small amount of exercise! One thing is for sure – I definitely hit my steps target…

My warmest wishes for the future to Liz and Ben!