Matara Wedding Photography - St. John the Baptist Church, Kingscote / Matara Centre

Anthony & Lydia - 9th Aug 2009

Sunday saw me back at Matara for another relaxed wedding with fine weather. I really like the vibe at Matara, the couples that get married here suit my style of photography, leaving me to capture the day with little direction.

Generally adopting a documentary approach to my wedding photography means you don't need to spend ages in front of the camera posing.  I still appreciate the need to cater for some group shots and also couple portraits, but the amount of time assigned to this is entirely up to you.

Lydia wasn't actually there when I arrived at 1 pm, so I had a good opportunity to walk around and photograph the fabulous house where the bridal preps were about to take place and a few guests were also staying - perfect.  

Relaxing in the house at Matara....possibly 10 mins to the ceremony no doubt, but as all good men know, getting a smart suit on really only takes two minutes!

Lydia had the smallest mirror you could imagine to apply make-up. I'm not sure where the mirror I saw on the wall last time I was at Matara has gone, but a handbag compact really isn't great for your wedding day - doh!

Note: two in one here - wedding dress photo AND make-up application - wowzers!

Pop!

Jimmy Choo Wedding Shoes made an appearance and I decided they should be shot in the bath.....of course! Lovely details on Lydia's wedding dress too.

"Ok, who knows how to tie one of these". If I had a £1 for every time I hear that line I'd be in the Maldives by now. I still don't know myself though, as all I do is photograph the boys giving it their best shot!

Love this pic. Simple, strong lines, scale and best of all great light........eh voila - into my favs!

The next frame out of camera - sweet too.

Back to the ladies.....now they're not in their undies! Bridesmaids dresses on, bride ready, final tweaks then off we go!

Ta na - "how good do I look ladies?"....

..."yep, you look good, but you need a necklace."

"ohhhh...this Champagne's making me all giggly!"

I'd not been to St. John the Baptist Church before, but it's in Kingscote and on the doorstep of the Matara Center. Most guests walked down as it's literally 5 mins. So for those of you who ask me about a good venue, well, Matara (with it's accommodation on site) and St. John the Baptist Church (down the road) is pretty much as good as it gets.

The calm before the storm - Anthony looks pretty relaxed here huh - calm on the outside, hot under the collar though. PS - Anthony os the one on the right - should you wonder!

"Now then....you can't take photographs for here, here, there, over there, or down there. You can however take some from the balcony 5 miles away from the couple with their backs facing you"

Excellent. Ahhh, I jest, this vicar was actually pretty reasonable and I did get a few frames from the balcony of the important parts....like Anthony quibbling a little!

Uh oh! Not a dry eye in the church. FWIW I may have had the same trouble at my own wedding (being the emotional type). As cool as school as you may be.....when up front with all the emotion of the day, it gets tough!

Bravo.

I was in two minds whether to keep this photo, but I really rather like it. Let's be honest, how many guests do you have coming to your wedding with three arms? One for your handbag, one for the order of service and one for a card - clever thinking. I could shoot with three cameras if I had three arms. There must be a niche market for this multi tasking individual out there somewhere.

Ah ha. Now I've seen a mirrored table plan before, but not at one of my own weddings - how cool is that. I give it 10/10. Good work. Kinda hard to take photos of, but also challenging, which produced some quirky results.

Ohh yeah, and the dude on the left - well you can probably guess what he was doing - the clue is in the shades! (and no mum, they are not his eyelashes)

So, I really believe Matara has 'special' light, as it has to be said, this shot rocks for sweet, sweet light. Taking wedding photos at Matara is great!

Ohh yeah, not only does it have fantastic light by the pond, the woodland is also pretty magical.....just love these few photos.

Back to the mirrored table plan. How often am I able to shoot the table plan and couple walking in to be seated? This time I could.

I now have a new website with more Matara wedding photography, including this stunning summer wedding.

Please take a look, and if you are considering a wedding at Matara or simply looking for a Gloucestershire Wedding Photographer, then get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.