St Michael in Great Badminton Wedding Photography

St Michael in Great Badminton Wedding Photography

A Summer Wedding & Marquee in a Field

If ever there was an ideal setting for a picture perfect wedding, Manor Farm in Gloucestershire was it. The sun was shining and the swathes of cornfields reflected the golden light. Chris, the groom and resident farmer had yet to harvest and the field outside the farmhouse was beautifully picturesque with the spectacular wedding marque situated amongst the swaying crops.

I had visited Manor Farm earlier in the summer to take some engagement pictures of Becky and Chris, an excellent opportunity for us to get to know each other better, and a chance for them to get used to having a lens pointing towards them and feel more relax in front of the camera before the wedding day. You can see their engagement portraits here.

I also took the opportunity to explore the local setting and so as I arrived on the morning of the wedding, I already knew that the beautiful cornfield would reward me with a stunning sunset at the close this already promising day.

When ‘Badger’ decided it was a good idea to do her name justice, despite being freshly washed for the wedding.

I started my wedding reportage at Becky’s parents’ house, which was just ten minutes down the road in the neighbouring village of Nettleton. As the preparations started, the relative calm was somewhat disturbed by Badger, Becky’s adorable dog. She had already been washed, groomed and prepped for the big day, but whilst the bridal party started getting themselves ready, she managed to sneak off, have a good dig in the garden (honouring her name) and returned covered in mud! She did have the good grace at least to look pretty guilty and the laughter that ensued helped to relieve any last minute nerves.

The church is attached to the seat of the Dukes of Beaufort, Badminton House and was built in 1785 by Charles Evans, in the style of St Martin in the Fields in miniature.

With the bride ready and groom waiting we set off to the ceremony at St Michaels in Great Badminton. The grade 1 listed church on the estate of the Duke of Beaufort has a stunning interior with particularly high-backed benches, that you can just peek over. The traditional ceremony, touching and poignant, was followed by a few portraits in the church grounds, an idyllic wedding backdrop, before we headed to the reception marquee standing prettily in the  field.

The marquee really did look fabulous with beautiful decorations adorning the inside and I faced my fear of heights to take the group shot from the top of a cherry picker! I was delighted to get the picture without a trip, slip or fall!  My good luck didn’t extend to the videographer however, one of the couple’s friends using his drone to film the day. The battery ran out while the drone was flying over the middle of  the field. He did locate it but it took him a couple of hours and he found it just as the light, which was out of this world, was fading, and as I captured my farm-yellow sunshine, spectacular sunset.

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Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

With light on the horizon in form of several vaccines many people will ask themselves if they will (finally) be able to get married in 2021 and a lot of those couples will choose to plan a small wedding to ensure they can go ahead with it without too much fear to have...

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

This wedding took place last month and was my first wedding after the first 2020 lockdown. It was my first wedding that included face masks, blue gloves, social distancing and limited amount of guests. It was a wedding filled with tears, shock and hope. And those were...

Multi-Cultural Guyers House Wedding Photography

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...

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

6 + 8 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email    bettybhandariphotography@gmail.com

phone   +44 (0)7984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.

Rain on your wedding day (and how I deal with it)

Rain on your wedding day (and how I deal with it)

Every couple does it – keeping a close eye on the weather forecast. One bride once told me she had 5 weather apps on the phone!

Then the unthinkable happens: the forecast shows rain, a lot of it. Now what?

You panic. Rain means no outdoor pictures! Instead all pictures have to be inside! God, how do we take the group shots? A dirty wedding dress. Umbrellas everywhere. No light. You think that you have really bad luck with this one! After all sunshine represents happiness, right?

According to the UK Met Office, the average rainfall in Britain is 1,154mm per year. On average it rains for 156.2 days per year (data from 1981 to 2010).

Wrong. Rain on your wedding day does not have to be the end of everything. There is an important saying: “A wet know never comes undone”. Also In many cultures rain symbolises fertility, cleansing and good luck!

 

So how do I deal with rain on your wedding day?

Having photographed well over 100 different weddings, I have encountered all sort of weather situations and have extensive experience when it comes to getting the shot even if there is (a threat of) rain. Here are eight top tips!

1.) When it rains it doesn’t pour.

Let me say that in seven years of wedding photography I have never photographed a wedding where it rained literally all day and therefore made the outdoors a complete no-no. Unless you get married during the stormiest winter season of the year, it generally rains intermittently and there will be breaks in the rain. This is the absolute key! It is all about being flexible and seizing (photo) opportunities with an eye on the sky.

rain wedding day photography

The emerging storm is creating a very dramatic dark backdrop the the front that is still lit in sunshine.

2.) Don’t dismiss the outside

Take all the photographs inside you might say. I can do that but only if I absolutely have to. Keeping in mind that most venues do not offer the right kind of space for larger formal group shots. In my mind a good wedding reportage consists of indoor as well as outdoor pictures. Outdoor offers much better natural and non-directional light, more space, better settings.

One the left you see the family covered by the front of the venue, on the right the finished shot.

rain wedding day photography
beautiful group shot

3.) Be flexible.

I also monitor the weather and potentially liaise with you the day before the wedding to possibly change some of the stuff we had agreed on. For example if all formal group shots were planned for the time between the ceremony and the reception, but the evening promises  better weather than we can simply do those pictures later in the day, as long as you allow time for it (maybe push your first dance back by half an hour).

One October wedding I photographed had a lot of rain forcasted for the day. Thankfully Igor & Georgia were flexible and allowed me to take all necessary pictures in the gaps between rain showers. This meant they cut their greeting line short to rush outside for their confetti shot in order to get the shot in sunlight with black rain clouds approaching. Once it started raining they moved inside and enjoyed a few drinks and chats with guests. Half an hour later the rain stopped and we went outside for portraits. Everything was sparkling from rain!

 

rain wedding day photography

4.) Be quick & clever.

Umbrellas can be removed in the last second.

rain wedding day photography
rain wedding day photography

5.) Seek shelter that’s not obvious.

Couples can be positioned in sheltered spots for example in some woods where the trees protect from the rain.

rain wedding day photography

6.) Embrace opportunities.

Rainy weather can create some amazing and unique photo opportunities.

rain wedding day photography

7. ) Make space for comedy

Have some fun and don’t feel too miserable about the weather.

rain wedding day photography
rain wedding day photography

8.) Rope in helpers!

It was so nice to have someone kind to help me and my cameras stay dry. 😉

rain wedding day photography

 

Text and images Copyright © Betty Bhandari Photography 2019

More weddings you’ll love:

Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

With light on the horizon in form of several vaccines many people will ask themselves if they will (finally) be able to get married in 2021 and a lot of those couples will choose to plan a small wedding to ensure they can go ahead with it without too much fear to have...

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

This wedding took place last month and was my first wedding after the first 2020 lockdown. It was my first wedding that included face masks, blue gloves, social distancing and limited amount of guests. It was a wedding filled with tears, shock and hope. And those were...

Multi-Cultural Guyers House Wedding Photography

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...

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

7 + 15 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email    betty.bhandari@gmx.net

phone   +44 (0)7984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.

Roman Baths Sunset Wedding Photography

Roman Baths Sunset Wedding Photography

The Roman Baths is one of the most iconic places to visit and and many people still don’t know that you can get married in the area around the famous bath and celebrate your wedding within the premises. Due to the daily opening hours you can only book sunrise ceremonies at 8.30am or sunset ceremonies from 7pm.
 
I have photographed a beautiful sunrise wedding and you can find it here.

“We received the USB and prints and wanted to thank you – they’re really great photos, and really capture the fun that we were having! I must say that I really enjoyed myself – and everyone seemed to have a nice relaxed evening and love the ceilidh.”

Susan and Mark chose a sunset wedding with a ceremony set for 7.30pm. Following a short and humorous ceremony, everyone enjoyed a relaxed drinks reception around the baths, followed by a sit down dinner upstairs in the terrace. Speeches were short, but sweet and the ceilidh dancing in the Reception Hall started at 10pm. For me this was a real hands-off wedding which I hugely enjoyed, I was truly the fly on the wall to capture the evening’s enjoyments!

Suppliers:

Rings – Sipsons
Make up artist –
Groom’s outfit – Ted Baker
Wedding Cake – The Cake Architect
Flowers – Secret Garden
Ceiligh Band – Spill the Whiskey
 

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Thank you for making it to the end of my posy. 🙂

More weddings you’ll love:

Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

With light on the horizon in form of several vaccines many people will ask themselves if they will (finally) be able to get married in 2021 and a lot of those couples will choose to plan a small wedding to ensure they can go ahead with it without too much fear to have...

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

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Multi-Cultural Guyers House Wedding Photography

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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...

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

2 + 5 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email   betty.bhandari@gmx.net

phone 07984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.

Clifton College Bristol Wedding Photography

Clifton College Bristol Wedding Photography

Lydia and Andrew’s wedding at Clifton College in Bristol was special for a unique reason: Lydia is one of three siblings and I photographed all of their weddings! First Karis and Will’s wedding at Folly Farm in July 2014 and then Colette and Ed’s wedding at Aldwick Court Farm in April this year.

So needless to say, I was excited to meet Lydia’s family for the third time and to photograph stunning Clifton College for the first time.

Although it was mid-July the weather sadly didn’t cooperate, and the forecast was light rain – not ideal for an outdoor wedding ceremony! To my joy Andrew was undeterred though and proceeded with the plans for the outdoor ceremony.

After a short site visit I headed over to the Marriott Hotel Bristol to capture the bride getting ready. Lizzy Westney did an amazing job getting the girls ready. Once Lydia was ready we both rushed back to Clifton College and the ceremony started immediately. Yes, it was windy and yes, it was raining a little, but this did not stop the lovebirds from having an amazing and emotional time. Never have I seen a couple skip back down the aisle together, you could see it was pure joy (and a little relief I guess).

Sorry we were out the other night, so didn’t get chance to look through them but I have now and they are wonderful!! Absolutely love them. It was such good fun reliving what was such a fabulous day for us! Also, love the pics of you at the end! You have been to more Harris family weddings than you can shake a stick at!!

Thankfully the rain stopped, and everyone enjoyed the drinks reception outside, followed by the wedding breakfast inside the (grand hall). I think I have written about this before, my favourite part during weddings are the bride and groom portrait shoot and the speeches. The latter yet again didn’t disappoint with an enormous number of speakers: bride’s mum and dad, bride’s uncle, groom’s dad, bride and groom, and last but not least the best man! It felt fabulous to get a mention by the bride since it was third time lucky (see first paragraph). Ready for food, everyone enjoyed a few hours of socialising, followed by the first dance and joyful celebrations. And if you look carefully, you might even see me on one of the images!

 

Suppliers:

Bridesmaids dresses – Coast
Rings – made by the bride’s cousin Maddie Harris
Make up artist – Lizzy Westney
Groom’s outfit – Moss Bros
Flowers – The Rose Shed
Catering – Clifton College
 

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

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clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

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clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

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clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

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clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

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clifton college bristol wedding photography

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clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

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clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

clifton college bristol wedding photography

Thank you for making it to the end of this post.

More weddings you’ll love:

Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

Tips for planning a small wedding in Bath

With light on the horizon in form of several vaccines many people will ask themselves if they will (finally) be able to get married in 2021 and a lot of those couples will choose to plan a small wedding to ensure they can go ahead with it without too much fear to have...

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

Guildhall Bath Wedding Post Lockdown

This wedding took place last month and was my first wedding after the first 2020 lockdown. It was my first wedding that included face masks, blue gloves, social distancing and limited amount of guests. It was a wedding filled with tears, shock and hope. And those were...

Multi-Cultural Guyers House Wedding Photography

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...

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

4 + 9 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email    betty.bhandari@gmx.net

phone   +44 (0)7984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.

When Dad is missing at the wedding (a moment in pictures)

When Dad is missing at the wedding (a moment in pictures)

Over the years I have learnt to ask specific questions during the pre-wedding meeting, one of which is directed at the bride: “Who is going to walk you down the aisle?”

You can and should never take the answer to this question for granted as there are various family circumstances that might change the answer to the question. Most brides answer with ‘Dad’, but some brides might not have a good contact with Dad so chose mum or Dad might no longer be around to walk his daughter down the aisle.

“Such a special photo for you to capture ❤ Thank you Betty!”

This was the case at Ed & Colette’s wedding at Aldwick Court Farm last year. Sadly Dad had passed away after short illness when Colette was a teenager and her brother stepped up to walk her down the aisle. During the ceremony and shortly before Ed and COlette exchange vows and rings both mothers stepped forward to be with their children. Colette’s mum grabbed her hand and I saw the ‘Dad’ tattoo which made him very much part of the moment, the day and their wedding.

For more information & to check availability:

(or so simply say hi)

10 + 11 =

I’m located in Bath, Somerset.

email    betty.bhandari@gmx.net

phone   +44 (0)7984 029 639

I will get back to you within 48 hours maximum. In the unlikely event that you don’t hear back from me please check your email spam folder.