The grounds at Brocket Hall are stunning, and we started our pre-wedding portraits session in the old formal garden area. Sarah and Ben weren’t sure what to expect, but we get on really well and within seconds they were relaxing with each other in front of the camera. I like to change the location frequently, so we moved on to the old barns that make a great backdrop whether you’re wearing a wedding dress or not!

Pre-wedding portraits are a great way to get used to being photographed professionally, and Sarah and Ben really enjoyed the session. They love their photos, and now feel much more confident being photographed on their wedding day. That’s that ticked off – now, about rehearsing that first dance…

You can see a further selection of images to download and share, here: http://steveshipmanphotography.pass.us/sarahben

As always, please get in touch to find out about how I can document your wedding day for you.

Kajal looked stunning in her traditional wedding dress, wearing symbolic jewellery and beautiful Menhdi designs on her hands. A fun tradition is to steal the grooms shoes, often with a financial arrangement to secure their return! There are seven vows including prayers for prosperity, wealth, and health, and to be blessed with healthy children. Both bride and groom promise to honour and look after each other, and pray for their love to grow and blossom over their many years of happiness together.

One of the most significant moments in the wedding ceremony is the seven Pheras. Kajal and Myles walk around the holy fire with the priest chanting mantras as they turn. Each Phera around the holy fire represents a vow. The couple exchange their marriage vows in presence of family and demi-gods bless them. After the vows, the groom fills the bride’s hair parting with a red powder called Sindoor which signifies that she is now a married woman. There is a lot of laughter during the ceremony, and one great moment is when the couple stand in front of their chairs, and on a signal the one that sits down first will have the upper hand in the marriage. In every Indian wedding I have attended, it has always been the bride who won!

As always, my photographic coverage of weddings is almost entirely documenting moments as they happen, with some relaxed portraits created with the couple during the afternoon. If you’d like to discuss your wedding day photography, please call me on 01727 865873 or contact me here.

After a break for drinks and an afternoon snack, Kajal and Myles were lead into their wedding breakfast by two vigorous dhol drummers, and after cutting their cake, the drummers set off the dancing with fabulous Bhangra music, with everyone joining in.

We drove to the nearby lake to start the session, then went on to Eynsford Castle, the old flint remains making a great backdrop for pictures, especially for a black and white treatment in post-production. Even in colour, the soft light gave everything a neutral palette, perfect for emphasising a feeling rather than a place.

I love shooting these pre-wedding portraits – there is no agenda, so we can just play, get comfortable with each other, and produce some very personal and meaningful images. I recommend having a session to all my couples, and without exception they say it is well worth doing. Here is Chris’ comment – “We are absolutely delighted with how the pictures turned out! Thank you!”

Here are a few favourites from our session together. I’m really looking forward to Kelly and Chris’ wedding day later this year.

There is some more info on pre-wedding portraits here.

Please get in touch to discuss booking me for pre-wedding portraits or wedding day photography.