The Salomons Estate Mini Summer Wedding with Danny & Yvonne
When I first met up with Danny & Yvonne at the beautiful Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells last year to discuss their big day, no one had yet mentioned the words 'pandemic', 'covid-19' or 'lockdown'. It's both amazing and incredibly sad how much of an impact on the wedding industry, and couples, this has had. Yvonne and Danny may have had to scale back their wedding day plans considerably, but despite all the stress and changes of plans, this was one of the most fun and joyous weddings I've photographed for a long time. It just goes to show you don't always need all the bells and whistles to have a great time. You just need 25 or so of your nearest and dearest, and the person you've just married by your side.
Located just outside Tunbridge Wells in Kent, the Salomons Estate looked glorious in the summer sun on the day of Danny & Yvonne's rescheduled wedding. In some ways, it's just as well they did end up postponing, as their original date was pretty wet and miserable by all accounts! With everything now scaled down dramatically, Danny & Yvonne only had a fairly modest day planned: with a short ceremony and a relaxed dinner with close friends and family in lieu of a large reception.
As the day was still going to be quite fast-paced, albeit a lot shorter, I had the help of Zoe with me to make the most of the occasion and be both my second photographer and lighting assistant at key times of the day. This is why it's so useful to have two photographers, as I was able to get on with bridal details and some pre-ceremony portraits of Yvonne, while Zoe was busy mingling and getting some lovely natural candids of the guests.
There were a few tears shed at the ceremony, but it was lovely to have this outside in the sunshine. After a few group photos on and around the steps and some time to down some bubbles, Zoe and I grabbed the happy couple for some gorgeous photos of the two of them in the grounds. Honestly, we were spoilt for choice at the Salomons Estate, but as I arrived a little early I already had in my mind what I wanted to do with Danny & Yvonne, and it all worked splendidly!
Because there would be nothing really happening after the meal, I suggested the speeches be done beforehand, so that Zoe and I could leave everyone to enjoy the food before departing. And boy were we in for a treat! Danny's best man had obviously spent a long time crafting a great slideshow presentation which, along with his narration in pretty good English despite it being his second language, had everyone in stitches! It turns out that Danny had done the same thing before when he was best man. But the day didn't end without a few more tears, and Danny finished off with some touching words for Yvonne, his new wife.
So whether you're planning a big lavish wedding, or something much smaller in light of what's been going on lately, and just want images full of fun, smiles, laughter, and tears, head over to my wedding photography page for prices and lots of information on how I can help make your day memorable and as awesome as possible! You can also get in touch to enquire about your wedding date to see if I'm available.
