The day at Pegwell started with rain. You can never guarantee weather in the UK but we’ve had a long dry spell so although gardeners were happy with the forecast, no couple getting married would relish the prospect of rain.
Pegwell Bay Hotel is located, as you might guess, in Pegwell Bay. It’s cut into the cliff side and I always get confused about where to get out of the lift … it is beautifully situated and has the most stunning views across the English Channel.
Back to Lucy and Scott. As with all my couples, we’ve kept in touch since our first consultation and in the lead up to their Pegwell wedding. I know the venue very well but each wedding is unique to the couple and their wants and needs are different too. It’s my job to interpret what they want and to translate that into a set of images which tell their story. The laughter and the tears. The fun and the giggles.
I popped in to see the girls to see how their preparations were going and it was full steam ahead. A picnic lunch … little ones getting excited about the day, nails being sorted, make up being applied, hair being styled. It really was all go!
Then back to find the boys. Guests were arriving and it’s alway challenging to keep hold of the groom’s side as there is the lure of the veranda overlooking the sea but I managed to coerce them into having a few photos.
I think it was worth taking the time to get these images. Then back to the girls …
And an extremely emotional “dad reveal” …
Then back across the road and down several flights to stairs to be in place for Lucy’s arrival … by this time, the sun had come out and was showing the outdoor ceremony area at Pegwell at its finest.
The steps down which our bridal party walks are steep … but this group had no worries and sped down … Lucy taking it more slowly with her dad.
And Now Scott was able to see his wife-to-be for the first time … both sides of the family told me that they would get emotional … and they did.
It was windy but inside the pergola where the wedding took place was calm and out of the wind. I don’t think anyone minded as the sun was keeping everyone nice and warm. And no rain!
Commemorative certificate signed. And now time for confetti. The wind took it everywhere but luckily I had my pro-confetti throwers who threw it over my head so that it comes down in front of the camera. I think it worked well!
Drinks, canapes, hugging, formals. I take candid photographs of people catching up with each other, of photos being set up to be taken in phones, of people enjoying the chance to relax and enjoy.
And then on to a few portraits … we were able to make use of the time during the wedding breakfast to get some different images for Lucy and Scott. It’s worth taking the time if you can.
Then it was time for speeches and a wonderful rendition of “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” from my couple’s daughter. At four years old, she held court. Everyone sang along and there was a huge round of applause at the end. I’ve been photographing weddings for 14 years and I’ve never seen that before! Well done, little M x
And then, all too quickly, it’s time for cake cutting and first dance. Lucy and Scott’s daughter wanted to stick close by to her mum and dad. It must be an emotional day for little ones too.
And then it was time for me to leave … as the weather was so good, guests had spilled out on the veranda and were enjoying the evening whilst looking over the sea. Perfect!
Thank you for having me, Lucy and Scott. It truly was a pleasure to capture more memories for you.
Lucy and Scott’s Little Black Book is below:
Photographer: https://www.samanthajonesphotography.co.uk/
Venue: https://www.pegwellbayhotel.co.uk/
Wedding co-ordinator and stylist: https://thanetianevents.co.uk/
Florist: https://www.ramsgateflorist.co.uk/
Cake artist: https://lizziebizziecakes.com/
Make up artist: https://www.ebonysbridalhairandmakeup.com/
Hair stylist: https://www.instagram.com/carlas_hairandnails/
Mens suits: https://www.suited-well.co.uk/
Bridal gown: https://www.bijoubridalstudio.co.uk/
