Ah, Bickley Mill; one of those venues where everything feels like it’s been sprinkled with just a little extra magic. I’ve photographed weddings here many times before, and each time, it brings its own charm. But Hannah and James’ day? Well, this one had a few surprises up its sleeve.

For starters, I arrived the Bickley Mill to find something almost unheard of in my line of work: the bridal prep room was tidy. Not just “someone did a quick sweep with a laundry basket” tidy, but actually clean. Floors you could see. Makeup not exploding from every surface. You’d think I’d walked onto the wrong set. Naturally, I took a moment to recover from the shock 🙂

Of course, bridal prep is never complete without one key ingredient: heat. That room could have doubled as a sauna. But spirits were high, the Prosecco was flowing, and Hannah, who looked absolutely radiant from the moment I walked in, was already tearing up before her lashes were even on. A sure sign it was going to be an emotional one.

That Dreaded Dress Moment

Now, let’s talk about the wedding dress. There’s always a moment, and photographers reading this will nod in solidarity, where I have to move the wedding dress to photograph it somewhere more flattering. It’s a beautiful, flowing piece of art. But also: one wrong tug and I’m the guy who ruined the wedding. The internal panic is real.

I put my watch and keys away, check myself for anything sharp, did a trial walk to where the dress would hang, checking for any sharp objects, or anything that could mark the dress. Only then did I pick it up, like it was made of antique glass, positioned it with surgical precision, got the shot… moved the dress back from whence it came, and exhaled like I’d just defused a bomb. Crisis averted. Let the day begin!

The Outdoor Ceremony – With a Touch of Emotion (and a Dog!)

The weather, to everyone’s delight, mostly behaved itself. It was overcast, my favourite lighting conditions as a photographer, with the occasional splatter of rain, but nothing dramatic. The ceremony took place outside, on the grass, on a lovely patch surrounded by lush greenery and those gorgeous stepping stones that feel like something out of a fairytale.

And that’s when things got really emotional.

It was one of those rare ceremonies where every guest was completely silent, not out of politeness, but because they were in it. You could feel the emotion radiating through the whole garden. Even the dog looked moved.

Speaking of which, yes, their Alsatian joined the celebration! I love when couples include their pets. This one was well-behaved, looked amazing in photos, and frankly stole the show more than once. I’m not saying I took more photos of the dog than the cake, but I’m also not not saying that.

Confetti, Group Shots, and That Legendary Decking

After the ceremony, we moved to the wooden decking area for the confetti toss, one of my favourite moments of any wedding day. Everyone always goes a little overboard with the throwing, and I love them for it. If you’re not finding petals in your hair three days later, did you even get married?

We also used the decking for the group photo, and then moved to a beautiful spot at the foot of a little path, flanked by gorgeous trestles that arch overhead. It made for the perfect natural frame, one of those backdrops that looks like you’re being gently hugged by nature.

The Wedding Car… Was a Racing Car!

Now, here’s where things took a fast turn, literally. Both Hannah and James are racing fans and race themselves, and their wedding car? their actual racing car. I’m talking the kind of suspension that would make your nan nervous.

Naturally, we had to get some shots with it. I’m always up for something a bit different, and nothing says “just married” like a bride posing in front of a machine built for high-octane adrenaline. It was brilliant, and again, a photographer’s dream. The contrast of the white dress with the sleek, aggressive lines of the car was a real treat.

The Groom’s Injury (But Not His Spirit)

James had recently injured his leg quite severely in an accident just weeks before the wedding. We had to work around this, being careful not to drag him too far from comfort or make him tackle any tricky slopes or steps. But honestly, he was a total trooper. He stayed upbeat, cracked jokes, and even with the limited mobility, we got so many creative shots that you’d never know he was in pain.

I made sure the pace was relaxed, we chose easy locations close to the ceremony and reception areas, and we still ended up with a gorgeous variety of couple portraits. It’s proof that you don’t need to go hiking up hills to get stunning wedding photos, just a good eye and some thoughtful planning.

The Reception and That First Dance

The cake cut and first dance took place inside the main reception room. Bickley Mill’s interior gives off that warm, rustic vibe with twinkly lights and wooden beams, perfect for cosying up in the evening.

By this point, everyone was relaxed, the drinks were flowing, and I could feel my job winding down. After capturing their first dance, an elegant, sweet moment surrounded by their loved ones, I packed up and left them to party the night away.

I left with a full memory card, a slightly overheated camera, and a big grin on my face. It was a wonderful day from start to finish.

What the Couple Had to Say

Later that week, I received this lovely review from the couple, one that genuinely made my day:

Simon was absolutely amazing on our wedding day! He made us feel so at ease and was such a pleasure to have around! I would absolutely recommend him for your wedding photography you will not be disappointed! Everything went so smoothly and the photos are amazing!

Thank you, Hannah and James, for having me along for the ride, and thanks to your friends a family, looking after me as well as they did!

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