This weeks wedding was an incredibly special one. Sandie and Simon were officially married in June 2012 but sadly their wedding marked the beginning of a very long and difficult journey of ill health for Sandie. I met Sandie through networking and when I heard her story and that she and Simon were planning a renewal of vows to have a proper celebration not only of their marriage but of her return to good health, I wanted to record the day for them. That day was yesterday and having known Sandie as a friend for some months I was fully aware of how much the day meant to her and just how much she was looking forward to renewing her commitment to Simon who has been her rock and constant companion.
I met Sandie and the girls at the Changes Clinic at North Harbour in Portsmouth where they were getting ready. There was such a lovely atmosphere with those closest to Sandie including her gorgeous daughter, Heather, best friend Ann and her very amusing Mum all enjoying the chance to relax and be pampered and made beautiful. Barrie in the meantime joined the boys at the Hotel where Simon was getting ready with their four sons. Arriving just 15 minutes late for the ceremony (which is apparently pretty good for Sandie!) they exchanged heartfelt vows, several tears and a few laughs! Once the ceremony finished, the brightest smile planted itself on Sandie’s face and never left for the entire day.
We were fortunate enough to be able to take the group photographs outside thanks to a break in the weather before sitting down to a lovely meal in the intimate private dining room at the Hotel. After the meal, Sandie’s Father, Simon and her son, Darrell all gave short but very moving speeches and I think we all shed a tear or two along the way. After the meal, there was some time to we took Sandie and Simon down to Gosport Pier for some photographs together and I think it is safe to say they loved the time together and completely forgot there were four other people with them! Before Sandie froze completely we headed back to the hotel for some more intimate photos in the bar and quite unusually the swimming pool before the evening guests arrived.
I have rarely seen a couple look as content as Simon and Sandie during their first dance. It was clear that their life together was beginning for real and that the future is just going to get better and better. Congratulations guys, we love you and we wish you every happiness and thank you for letting us share your incredible day.
Barrie and Bev x
About the Solent Hotel – Hampshire wedding photography
the Solent Hotel – Hampshire wedding photography combines the polish of a dedicated hotel wedding venue with the warmth of somewhere that functions as a hotel day in, day out. Rooms for guests to stay over, bar service that doesn’t miss a beat and reception spaces that have seen enough weddings to run smoothly.
I find hotel weddings reward a subtle approach. The architecture and interiors do a lot of the heavy lifting, so the photography can focus on the people rather than the venue. That usually means tighter framing and more reportage than you’d shoot in a country house.
