10 Best Bath Wedding Venues Bath is a historic city located in the South-West of England and a popular destination to get married in. With over 2000 years of history, the river Avon running through its centre and the prestigious title 'World Heritage Site', you...
Multi-Cultural Guyers House Wedding Photography
Sue and Angelo were the wonderful bride and groom at this a fabulous culturally mixed wedding last October. Sue who is Chinese and Angelo, who is Italian-English, took elements of both of their traditions to create a beautiful and memorable day.
I met with the couple at Guyers House, a truly spectacular venue, a few months prior to discuss the plans for the celebration which would involve not one, but two wedding ceremonies! Sue and Angelo would first have an English ceremony, including all the usual aspects; a white dress, the walk up the aisle, a ring exchange, and then the couple would go and prepare for the next part of the day where they would enjoy a traditional Chinese tea ceremony and would both wear stunning, ornate wedding outfits in red, which is the colour of good fortune, vitality and happiness.
The bride’s two outfits as well as the groom’s Chinese outfit for the tea ceremony.
On the day of the wedding, as always I arrived early; I like to use this time to walk around the grounds to revisit my planned photo locations and assess any new options before the hubbub of the day begins. This preparation gives me the chance to consider the weather conditions, the colours and textures of the planting, the light and all the aspects that will play a part in the composition of my photos.
My thoughts were crystallised by the time I started unloading my equipment and set up ready to start photographing the bride’s preparations. Sue had her mum as well as Angelo’s mum and sister there to help her get ready and of course to offer support at this special but emotional time. Angelo had chosen his brother to be his best man and I think he did an outstanding job with the right balance of humour and distraction which eased Angelo’s nerves as he got himself ready for the day ahead.
“In a traditional Chinese tea ceremony the couple both wear stunning, ornate wedding outfits in red, which is the colour of good fortune, vitality and happiness.”
A marriage of cultures at Guyers House
The wedding ceremony was really beautiful with Sue and Angelo both crying tears of happiness. Sue’s mum was very emotional and all the parents were clearly extremely proud. To me, tears at a time like this show how much people care, these moments should always be treated respectfully but should in my mind always be acknowledged, they are a true reflection of the love shared and there’s no shame in that!
Following English ceremony the drinks reception took place outside in the grounds, where I photographed the guests showering the couple with confetti. The couple headed off for their outfit change ready for the Chinese tea ceremony.
Guyers House Wedding Photography
The detail in the bride’s and groom’s clothes was incredibly intricate and both looked stunning and so that the Chinese family members unable to make the trip overseas for the wedding could wish the couple well, the tea ceremony was streamed on social media. What a wonderful example of ancient custom marrying perfectly with modern technology, just like the two cultures of the couple joining in union that day. As part of the ceremony it’s tradition for the bride’s parents to give a golden ring to the groom and a golden bangle to the bride. Sue’s mum found it quite hard to get the ring onto Angelo’s finger and I took the opportunity to capture this very entertaining moment. I think it is little interactions like this that not only make a great photo but that deepen connections between the new family members and that will be remembered long after the wedding day itself has concluded.
After photographing the pretty flowers and delicious cakes at the wedding breakfast, Sue changed back into her white wedding dress we set off for a few quiet moments to take some photos of the couple. They are both caring, romantic people so I am really pleased that the shots of them together under the umbrellas and the portraits in the neighbouring farmer’s field capture that so naturally.
The evening party started first with the cake cutting followed by the first dance with everyone taking part in the wonderful celebrations; but the show was definitely stolen by Angelo’s gorgeous, glamorous Italian granny who totally rocked the dance floor!
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Why not get in touch to check availability and have a chat about your day?
I’m located in Bath, Somerset.
email bettybhandariphotography@gmail.com
phone +44 (0)7984 029 639