Although I photograph weddings across the Cotswolds, I’m principally a Gloucestershire wedding photographer and enjoy jobs on my doorstep here in Cheltenham. Gary & Gemma’s wedding at The daffodil was one such example. It’s so close I even considered walking there!
Gemma works in Cheltenham as a hairdresser (or is she a colour stylist – I don’t know exactly, I’m a man….I go to the barbers shop!)….anyhow I digress. I concluded this means she knows pretty much everyone in Gloucestershire and if you get to meet Gemma you’d realise why. She’s an amazing girl, one I could only describe as a human version of a bottle of champagne. Bubbly and waiting to burst! As a wedding photographer I knew this was going to make my day eventful :-)
Gemma was a bride who I had down as ‘maybe’ running a little late on her wedding day. However, I had the shock of my life when I rolled up for bridal preps at Cowley Manor to find she was already in her wedding dress…….2 hours before she needed to leave. After a brief chat, it was decided that perhaps that was a wee bit premature, so she reverted back to her dressing gown and we started the day over again in the proper order (with the bridesmaids getting dressed first – more on that another day).
So, sit yourself down, get a cuppa (or if you’re Gemmas friends a few double vodkas), and have a peek at her wedding photos.
If you went to this wedding, leave a comment below too, I’m sure Gemma would like to hear from you.
Froofing the many layers of fabric that made o the bridesmaids dress. Was it 7 layers in total?
Indeed, not one wedding dress, but two. Why was I not surprised. Doesn’t everyone have a change of dress for the evening wedding reception ;-)
The evening wedding dress was handmade by Cara Wagstaff at Coco Couture in Cheltenham, and the ‘daytime’ wedding dress was from the White Rooms in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire. Am I allowed to have a favourite?
The wedding shoes were from Primark and sprayed silver. I placed them on a YSL shoe box for this photo. (I am joking!)
This was showing mum how to stand.
The first of many occasions I got to see Gemma’s legs!
Cowley Manor has fantastic boutique style rooms, ideal for a wedding portrait, or two.
St Gregory’s Church, Cheltenham.
Gemma arrived in this obese white Rolls Royce Phantom and despite not a single drop of rain all moring, a light shower just had to happen at the wrong time.
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I love all the faces in this photo, plus the vicar stood at the church entrance. It has that sense of underlying commotion that typifies a brides arrival at the church.
St Gregory’s Church is a big place. Great to have this vantage point to shoot from too.
Three guests watching the ceremony, one day dreaming, the last checking his status updates on FB.
I’ve left both these photos in (although similar) as I love the way in the second shot (below) Gary has turned back to look at Germma.
I liked the way Gemma and Gary stopped here at the door to allow guests to leave before them. A great way to meet & greet (briefly) then have all your guests outside to throw confetti.
I’m thinking some confetti may have gone down Gemmas top?
I’m a quick learner and realised soon on that Gemma likes make-up.
As she got in the car she said (in her beautiful Irish accent) “I need me make-up, it’s all been kissed off”.
The red carpet, rolled out for arrival at The Daffodil restaurant in Cheltenham where they had their wedding reception. (With an Old Hollywood theme)
Now say after me (again in an Irish accent) “Aww the place looks grand”.
The wedding reception drinks were very popular…..how could they not be – just look at them…..like summer in a glass.
Wedding photos on the red carpet with black tie and Hollywood glam in bucket loads.
Ahhh……there’s always one who lowers the tone ;-)
The Daffodil used to be a picture house back in the 1920’s and still retains it’s original art deco style. It’s definitely a unique wedding venue in Gloucestershire.
Apparently spraying the cake with perfume to make it smell nice is okay. I had to smile. okay, so the bottom sections are fake, no need to worry!
With so much going on in the day, and Gemma’s change into her evening wedding dress there was very little time for posed photos. I grabbed this quick photo by the bar before Gary & Gemma’s big entrance down the Daffodil’s sweeping staircase for their wedding dinner.
Meanwhile, whilst sitting eating some food too, I took this photo of the cake (above). Then 20 mins later took this photo of the cake (below)……..
…yep, there had been a cake suicide. No finger pointing unfortunately, just a rare moment when the cake decided it’d had enough and simply toppled over!
If I had been quicker I’d have taken a photo of the expression on the bar tenders face as it happened too…..that was priceless.
I love this sequence of wedding speech photos. Gary needed a stiff drink to get through them, followed by some reassurance from Gemma – lovely huh?
I’m not sure who this lady is, but she stopped to speak with the bride and groom, then as they kissed she stood watching. It’s such a lovely moment, her face is priceless and to see her enjoying their moment too is very much what wedding days are about.
More make-up
Ummm does anyone think the cake looks a little shorter than before?
Roll on the evening entertainment with this Ice Sculpture…..although not everyone like the cocktails being poured in!
If you fancy having an Ice Sculpture for your wedding check out Ice Immediate who provided this one.
Boys will be boys…..and ladies take a more elegant approach.
If you have been searching for a Gloucestershire wedding photographer or are considering having your wedding at The Daffodil, then please contact me for a chat, I’d love to hear from you.