Every wedding has its own style, rhythm, and charm, and as a photographer, it’s always an adventure to see how each one unfolds. Recently, I had the privilege of photographing a wedding that started at the historic Cockington Court in Torquay and wrapped up with a reception at TQ Beerworks near Torquay beach. This day was full of laughter, tears, and some incredible moments that I’ll cherish, not to mention a few interesting challenges.
Bridal Prep: Torquay Seafront Views
The day started with the bridal prep at the Premier Inn on Torquay Seafront. From the moment I walked in, there was a tangible buzz of excitement. The bride and her bridal party were busy with hair, makeup, and those last-minute finishing touches. Bridal prep is one of my favourite parts of a wedding, as there’s an electric mix of nerves and excitement in the air. And who can resist those classic shots like the mirror reflection or the perfume spritz? They’re always winners.
Meanwhile, my second shooter, Brandon, was covering the groom’s prep at his house in Torquay. Having Brandon there meant I could focus solely on capturing the bride’s anticipation and her journey to the ceremony without worrying about missing those classic groom shots.
The Ceremony at Cockington Court: A Bit of a Twist
Cockington Court is a beautiful and timeless location, with a vintage charm that instantly sets the mood. But there was a unique twist to this ceremony setup. For the first time, the chairs were arranged to face the centre of the room, which threw me a bit of a curveball! Usually, I like to move around and capture different angles during the ceremony, but this setup had me fixed in one position, which made things tricky. It was in moments like these that I was especially grateful to have Brandon with me. His vantage point gave us the coverage we needed, and we managed to work around the unusual setup seamlessly.
Fun fact: Cockington Court reverted back to their original layout just a week later. So, it seems this wedding may have marked the end of their centre-facing experiment!
Rose Garden Group Shots
With everyone gathered in the Rose Garden, we captured the group shot and formal photos. Cockington’s Rose Garden is one of my favourite spots for wedding photos, as it’s simply picturesque. Unfortunately, we couldn’t do the confetti shot there, so we headed over to Cockington Church, where the lighting and open space gave us the perfect spot. Seeing the joy on everyone’s faces as they tossed the confetti was priceless, and the bride and groom looked thrilled, if not a bit surprised at just how enthusiastic some guests got!
Bride and Groom Portraits at Cockington Church
The church area at Cockington also offered a wonderful setting for the bride and groom portraits. It’s a lovely, quiet space where the newlyweds could share some intimate moments away from the crowd. For these shots, I switched to my Sony 85mm f1.4 to capture some close-up, romantic moments. The way this lens handles depth and focus is perfect for these kinds of portraits, giving that soft, dreamy background that keeps the focus on the couple.
Reception at TQ Beerworks: A Laid-Back Beachside Party
With the formal photos wrapped up, it was time to head to TQ Beerworks for the reception. If you’ve never been, TQ Beerworks has a relaxed, welcoming vibe, making it an ideal venue for a beachside wedding reception. The bride and groom had arranged a hearty spread for their guests, and the highlight was a Thai street food vendor, which was a delicious surprise! It’s these personal touches that make a reception feel special and memorable.
As people settled into the evening, the atmosphere was lively and laid-back. The speeches, which were both funny and emotional, had everyone laughing, tearing up, or both. Speeches are a great time for candid photography, and capturing those moments where people are fully engaged and emotional is what makes wedding photography so rewarding.
Sunset Photos in the Rock Walk Gardens
After the speeches, and with the light starting to soften, I suggested a quick stroll with the bride and groom to Rock Walk Gardens for some additional portraits. Going out later in the day is a photographer’s dream, as the light is softer and adds a warmer glow to everything it touches. The Rock Walk Gardens offered us some beautiful natural backdrops that contrasted nicely with the earlier formal shots.
I used my Sony 85mm f1.4 lens here to capture both the couple and the scenic surroundings. This lens has a gentle softness to backgrounds, allowing me pull the couple out from their backdrop. These images will undoubtedly stand out in the final album, as they reflect the relaxed, joyful vibe of the day.
Wrapping Up with the Cake Cut and First Dance
The day ended with the cake cutting and the first dance. The cake, a classic design, was beautifully set up, and the couple’s smiles as they cut into it were a lovely moment to capture. For the first dance, I relied on my lighting setup to get the perfect balance of ambient and flash, as TQ Beerworks’ warm, cozy lighting added a nice atmosphere but required a bit of extra light to get those crisp shots.
And that’s the story of this special day, which ended on such a warm, happy note. While every wedding I photograph is memorable, this one will stick with me because of its unique locations, unexpected surprises, and the joy that radiated from everyone there.
The Gear That Brought It All Together
For those of you interested in the tech side of things, here’s a breakdown of the equipment that helped me capture every special moment. I used two Sony A7IV cameras, which are perfect for both low-light situations and high-quality portraits. For the wider shots of the ceremony and reception, my go-to lens was the Sony 24-70mm f2.8, which offered flexibility in framing while maintaining sharpness.
For closer, more intimate shots, I used the Sony 70-200mm f2.8 V2 and the Sony 85mm f1.4, both of which deliver exceptional detail and depth of field. And let’s not forget those important detail shots, where the Sony 90mm Macro came into play for capturing the intricate designs on the cake, the rings, and other small touches.
Brandon, my second shooter, brought his Sony A7IV and a Sony A7III, ensuring we had full coverage of the day. Both of us had Godox V1 speedlights on our cameras, and I used two Godox AD200s along with a powerful Godox AD600 Pro to light the bride and groom shots beautifully, regardless of changing light conditions.
A Wedding to Remember
All in all, this wedding was a blend of tradition and fun, with a day that flowed beautifully from Cockington Court to TQ Beerworks. Each location added its own flavour, from the historic charm of the ceremony to the beachy, relaxed vibe of the reception.
If you’re planning a wedding and looking for someone to capture all the big and little moments, get in touch! Whether it’s a classic venue, a quirky setting, or something that brings a little bit of both, I’m here to capture every laugh, tear, and unforgettable glance.
