Robin and Liz married at The Bull Hotel in 2021, as the world was beginning to open back up again and some of the wedding restrictions were lifted. Their numbers were small but they still went ‘all in’ to have the best day. It was the first time many of their family and friends had seen each other for a year due to the pandemic and it was so good that I left at the end of my six hours coverage but then went back! I’ll explain.

They were blessed with a gorgeous sunny day and were really able to make the most of the boutique venue’s courtyard for relaxed reception drinks. I had recently discovered a gorgeous field just a short drive away and they indulged me by hopping in my car and we zipped there for some really secluded wedding day portraits.

Liz was shoes off, arms up and you could see just how happy they were to finally be married to each other. Taking them just a few minutes from the venue really made it feel like a time out for a private moment.

Their wedding breakfast setup was a triumph, stunningly put together and styled by Locate to Create and the gorgeous soft pinks in their florals looked amazing on the rustic round tables. I left a short time after the speeches and drove the 5 minute journey to my house! (Living so close to such a gorgeous venue and restaurant is amazing let me tell you).

I began my back up process and even had some dinner but caught a glance of the sky as the sun was setting out of my window. I was immediately struck with a desire to go back to the field with that gorgeous warm sky, with orange tone.

Through 2020 and early 2021 most weddings had been dramatically reduced in coverage length and the last married couple that I managed to photograph at sunset seemed so long ago. Golden hour is my favourite time to shoot without doubt and I felt such an urge to do it again. I asked my husband if he thought Liz and Robin would think I were mad if I turned back up to see if they wanted to go for another 10 minute portrait session.

There was only really one way to find out so I popped my camera back in my car and nipped up to the venue again. Their wedding reception was in full swing but I managed to catch their eye. I basically said that it was a beautiful evening sky and that I’d really missed being able to shoot at sunset and that if they wanted to we could nip back to the field for a few more portraits. AND THEY SAID YES!

The sun had just dipped behind the Downs but we were still left with a gorgeous sky and it was such a lovely experience to photograph them together as they looked out over the fields and at the sunset.

It was quite a mad thing to do; to get home from ‘work’ only to want to go back but I am so glad I did it, for Liz and Robin and for me! I’m so grateful to have such amazing couples who trust in the love I have for what I do.

Venue @weddingsatthebullhotel⁠
Hair & makeup @perfectweddinghairkent⁠
Venue styling @locatetocreate⁠
Florist @cactiandwildflower

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Interested in finding out why I started photographing weddings? You can read all about it here.