Some wedding days go exactly to plan… and some hand you a soggy golf course and say, “Let’s see how creative you can be, then.”

This one? Definitely the second kind. And I loved every minute of it!

The lovely Elfordleigh Hotel, just outside Plymouth, is a hidden gem of a venue; equal parts hotel, golf resort, and spa. But the real standout? The wedding team. Special shoutout to Leah, the wedding coordinator on the day, who absolutely smashed it. Efficient, friendly, organised, and always two steps ahead. She even chauffeured me around in a golf buggy. Living the dream!

The day started off in the bridal prep suite, which, get this, was bright, tidy and spacious. That combo is about as rare as cream before jam in Cornwall, so I was buzzing. The bride and her crew kept things chilled, and the atmosphere was full of excitement (and a few nerves, naturally). We even had a proper emotional “dad first look” in the room, and yep, I might have had a tiny something in my eye too.

Now let’s talk about the ceremony room. I have never shot in a space like this before. Imagine a giant conservatory made entirely of glass; walls, ceiling, everything. It was draped in white fabric, letting in all the soft daylight but diffusing it into a photographer’s dream. For the first time in my entire career, I didn’t need flash at all. I shot the whole ceremony silently, which added to the calm, romantic feel of it all. Genuinely magical.

Post-ceremony, we managed a confetti shot just before the skies opened again. One minute we’re celebrating, the next it’s a scene from Jurassic Park. Guests legging it for shelter, dresses flying, umbrellas flipping, but we got the shot. Totally worth the dash!

The forecast said the rain would stop by 5pm (thank you, weather apps), so we made the decision to delay the formal and couple’s portraits until later. And guess what? It worked. After a seriously heartfelt set of speeches; especially from the bride’s daughter, which had everyone tearing up, we finally got our dry window. It was go time.

Formal shots were a breeze with my trusty Godox AD600 Pro, which always makes people look beautifully lit, even under overcast skies. It’s like cheating, but legal.

Then came the couple’s portraits. We had exactly six minutes before the golf carts needed to be returned, and I mean exactly. Not a second to waste. But we nailed it. We got the smiles, the connection, and the little romantic glances that tell the real story. The bride and groom absolutely trusted me, and we made every minute count.

Big shoutout here to my second shooter for the day; my very own son, William. He’s been learning the ropes, and he seriously stepped up. His alternate angles and reactions gave us a brilliant second layer to the story. Proud dad moment? Absolutely.

So yes, the weather was a challenge. But the team, the couple, and a bit of flexibility turned it into something special. Honestly, days like this prove that rain doesn’t ruin weddings; it just changes the game. And I’m always happy to play.

Again, thank you to Leah and all the staff at the Elfordleigh Hotel for all their help and hard work. Everyone loved the day and how well you all looked after us all!

Planning your big day and worried about the weather? Don’t be. With a great venue, a bit of teamwork, and a plan B that doesn’t involve panic, you can still have the dream wedding!

Check out more real wedding stories and my packages at simonday.com – and let’s make some magic (with or without rain).