Capturing Love at the Imperial Hotel, Torquay: A Wedding Photography Journey

On the last day of July, I found myself at the Imperial Hotel in Torquay, ready to photograph what turned out to be one of the most heartfelt weddings I’ve ever worked on. It was one of those days where the summer heat is almost tangible, the kind of day where you don’t just feel the temperature, you wear it. The sky had a hazy glow, the sort that adds a soft, almost cinematic filter to every moment, making the couple’s big day feel even more special.

The groom, Joe, and his groomsmen were all decked out in three-piece tweed suits, which, given the heat, was both an impressive and somewhat heroic fashion choice. I found myself silently rooting for them throughout the day, especially during those longer, outdoor stretches. But to their credit, they wore their suits with pride and managed to look effortlessly cool, even when the sun wasn’t being particularly kind.

The bride, Andie, was a picture of elegance, but it wasn’t just her dress or the way she smiled as she walked down the aisle. There was an emotional undercurrent to this wedding, which hit me while photographing one specific moment. Andie’s father had passed away, but she carried a photo of him in a locket on her bouquet. Now, I’ve captured countless emotional moments in my time, but this one gave me goosebumps. The bouquet had lace wrapped around it, and I managed to position the couple’s wedding rings in the lace in such a way that it appeared her dad was looking down on them. When I saw the shot in my viewfinder, I had to take a breath, this wasn’t just a photo, it was a memory in the making. I’m sat here with Goosebumps just writing about it…

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Heart-Shaped Group Photos: More Complicated Than It Sounds

As any wedding photographer will tell you, there’s always that one shot that proves trickier than anticipated. For this wedding, it was the group shot. Andie and Joe wanted their guests arranged in the shape of a heart. Simple enough, right? Not so much. Herding a large group of people into any formation is akin to solving a Rubik’s Cube in the dark, everyone is convinced they’re in the right spot, but no one is. Thankfully, the Groom Joe was an absolute star and helped me call out names and direct people into position. It was a bit of an exercise in patience, but by the time we got everyone sorted, the shot was totally worth it. Seeing all their friends and family shaped into a giant heart felt like a fitting tribute to the day itself;full of love, effort, and, yes, a bit of controlled chaos.

A Secret Location with a Stunning View

After the group shots were done and dusted, I whisked the bride and groom away to a secret spot I discovered years ago, but rarely reveal. Now, the Imperial hotel in Torquay is known for its grand architecture and beautiful views, but this little gem of a location is something I haven’t seen anyone else use for wedding photography. It’s tucked away enough that you feel like you’ve stumbled upon a hidden treasure, yet offers the most breathtaking panoramic view over Meadfoot Beach and Torbay. For about half an hour, it felt like we’d left the wedding entirely, and the couple could simply enjoy the first few moments of their married life together in peace. Those are the moments I love capturing, the ones where they forget the camera is even there.

The Cake(s)

Now, I’ve seen my fair share of unusual wedding cakes, but Andie and Joe took it to another level. They had not one, but three cakes. The first was a conventional wedding cake, but the other two were far more intriguing: a biscuit cake, made entirely of different kinds of biscuits all layered and positioned together. I’ll be honest, part of me was tempted to put the camera down and grab a piece. The cake was such a talking point among the guests, and it added a fun, quirky touch to the day.

Wrapping Up with the First Dance

As the evening rolled on and the sun began to set, the atmosphere became even more electric. There’s something about that golden hour lighting that just enhances everything, and the first dance is always one of my favourite parts of the day to shoot. It’s that mix of anticipation and happiness that translates so well into photos. Andie and Joe didn’t disappoint, sharing a sweet, simple dance that seemed to make time stand still, even for a brief moment. After capturing that, I knew my job was done for the day.

The Gear That Made It Happen

I know some of you might be curious about the technical side of things I use for my wedding photography; what gear I used, how it all came together, so here’s the rundown.

I used two trusty Sony A7IV cameras. These have been my go-to cameras for a while now, as they offer great flexibility and image quality, even in tricky lighting conditions. For the wider shots, I worked with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 lens. This lens is incredibly versatile, perfect for everything from group shots to wider venue shots. When it came to the more intimate moments, like the shot of the locket on the bouquet, I switched to the Sony 90mm f2.8, which is a dream for close-ups. For those moments where I needed some extra reach, like during the ceremony, the Sony 85mm f1.4 and the 70-200mm f2.8 V2 were perfect for capturing the couple’s expressions without having to be intrusive. Finally, I used the “use-sparingly Sony 16-35mm f4” lens to capture as much of the panoramic view as I could.

My second shooter, Brandon, was a star as always. He shot with a Sony A7IV and a Sony A7III, giving us that extra coverage from different angles. It’s always a relief to have someone as reliable as Brandon on the team because it means we don’t miss any moments.

As for lighting, we had Godox V1 speedlights mounted on all our cameras, which worked brilliantly for controlling the additional lighting setups. We had two Godox AD200s set up around the venue, providing a nice, even light that worked well in both indoor and outdoor settings. For the more dramatic bride and groom shots, we brought out the big guns: the Godox AD600 Pro. This powerhouse really helped us capture those stunning panoramic shots at the secret location, even in the fading evening light.

Final Thoughts

Weddings like Andie and Joe’s remind me why I love this job. Sure, it’s hard work, and yes, sometimes you’re sweating alongside the groomsmen in three-piece suits, but the moments you capture are timeless. From the emotional locket shot to the heart-shaped group photo, this wedding was packed with memories that will last a lifetime. And at the end of the day, that’s really what it’s all about; capturing moments that matter.

So, if you’re planning a wedding and looking for someone who’ll sweat the small stuff (literally, in this case), I’d love to chat. Whether you want heart-shaped group shots, panoramic views, or even an unconventional cake, I’ll be there with my camera, ready to capture it all.

Simon Day

If you have a wedding, portrait, event or festival coming up please contact me. Likewise for portraits. Check out my social media channels: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter