What a day to photograph a wedding “happy valentines day”!
I had met Charlotte and Kris at the wedding venue on the lead up to the wedding. We walked through the day and I showed them places I recommended having their couple portraits, and talking about ideas if the winter February weather decided to show up.
It was a great meeting going through the wedding day photography. I find this really helps my couples understand the process and have a say in the days ideas which I really welcome.
My style of photography was to document the day more in the background than in peoples face, but I knew Charlotte and Kris were up for lots of fun and ideas that came up during the day.
Throughout the day I used my 2 Canon cameras, with 24-70mm lens, 35mm lens and 70-200mm lens, I do shoot with a Canon 5d MK4 and a Canon R6 (my new one, i love it).
Getting Ready Photos
The Windmill offers a fabulous room to capture the getting ready wedding photos, when I arrived Charlotte was having her makeup done, so I spent time capturing close ups of her make up and the artistry going on with the magnificent hair and make up artists!
The 4 bridesmaids were enjoying a couple of glasses of Prosecco so I had to get some fun photos of them together!
Not forgetting the all important dress shots, the details, the shoes, flowers, jewellery!
The Ceremony Photos
The ceremony was held in the Chapel, Kris was showing lots of nerves and his best people were doing a great job to make him laugh but the nerves were showing a little, I captured some great moments between the 3 of them at the top of the aisle.
The ceremony was a short 20 mins or so, capturing the very important walk down the aisle, first looks, vows, rings and the very important first kiss, thats the photo oportunity I love. All of the guests in the background clapping and smiling and the couple are just happy in love and in their own bubble.
As usual once the very important paper work is all signed, I asked the witnesses to stand at the side of the couple for some photos and then they sat down and we staged some signing photos with the couple.
As the couple are walking out I know the task of getting all of the guests in 2 lines ready for the confetti shot is next up… Sounds easy right?? You would be surprised how hard it is to get 2 lines for this shot, but its always worth it!
The After Cermony Photography
After the ceremony is the main time I capture some of the most important photos.
The photo groups we had decided that with the weather being so up and down with the rain, we were going to put 2 chairs on the dance floor and group by group send them to the couple to have fun and fast shots, It was hilarious and the couple loved this.
I took all of the bridal party, parents and grooms men to the front of the hotel for the traditional photos as we had a break in the rain, everyone was happy to get the photos finished as it was so cold.
And we had the use of the awesome Vault 52 bar! I absolutely love the photos that we do with all of the brick and dark moody atmosphere.
Wedding Breakfast
Charlotte and Kris entered the room for a first look and to check everything is ok. This is a great time to photograph the natural excited reactions of the couple seeing all of their ideas and hard work have come together.
Whilst we were in the room together, I photographed a mock up cake cut and some photos of the 2 of them around the flowers as they had asked me. Speeches were full of laughter I took many photos of everyone giving the speech and the other guests reactions.
This really was an amazing day to photograph, so much fun. The bride and groom were so lovely I ended up staying an extra hour as the 1st dace had been delayed. But it was my pleasure to stay to capture such an important part of your wedding day!
Emma Lowe - Wedding Photographer
Hi, I’m Emma Lowe, a Warwickshire Wedding Photographer specialising in natural, elegant and timeless wedding photography across the Midlands. I hope you enjoyed reading about Kris and Charlotte’s beautiful wedding at The Windmill Hotel and found plenty of inspiration for your own wedding plans. I love capturing relaxed, genuine moments at stunning Warwickshire wedding venues and creating natural photographs that couples can treasure for years to come.