When I was booked to photograph David and Violet’s wedding at the Toorak Hotel in Torquay, Devon, I knew it was going to be a memorable one. Not just because it’s always an honour to capture such an important day, but because it was going to be a little different than the usual wedding. Two ceremonies, an outdoor setting, and some last-minute surprises kept things lively from start to finish. But, as with most weddings, the unexpected makes for some of the best stories, and in this case, some great photos.
Two Ceremonies, One Potential Disaster
David and Violet’s wedding day was a blend of love, tradition, and yes, a bit of organised chaos. The couple had planned two ceremonies: one legal with the registrars and another religious ceremony with their pastor. The problem was they hadn’t told the hotel, the registrars, nor me.
I only discovered this days before the ceremony, when they gave me the shot list, and I saw the shot list included photos with Pastors. I’ve done a few mixed-race weddings before so I had a hunch they hadn’t told me this vital piece of news. A quick call confirmed my hunch was correct, it was going to be two ceremonies.
This should still be simple, right? Not exactly…
As the bridesmaids were already making their way down the aisle for the religious ceremony, the registrars arrived, only to announce a serious issue. They hadn’t been informed about the second ceremony and, by law, they couldn’t perform theirs if there is another ceremony. Panic levels rose, and there was a very quick reshuffling of the day’s events. The registrars had to go first, immediately. Cue some frantic shuffling and communication while the bridesmaids paused mid-aisle.
In the end, we avoided what could have been a total disaster. The legal ceremony was performed, followed by the religious ceremony. If you’re ever planning more than one ceremony on your wedding day, I beg you, please let your registrars know well in advance. It’ll save everyone a few grey hairs. It is also worth notifying the venue all the vendors that the day is different to what everyone is expecting 🙂
Sun, Smiles, and an Outdoor Ceremony
Luckily, the weather was on our side that day. The sun shone brightly on the Toorak Hotel and their outdoor ceremony setup. There’s something magical about an outdoor ceremony, and Torquay delivered a perfect backdrop of blue skies and warm breezes.
The formalities of the ceremonies went off smoothly (once we got over the registrar hurdle), and as soon as they were done, first the first time ever, I found myself becoming a human photo booth. Usually I have a ratio of 75% candids and 25% formal, details etc. For this wedding I barely managed a single candid photo as all of my time was spent in one spot taking dozens and dozens of different group shots.
With formal shots and Bride and Groom shots still to be done and the ever-ticking clock looming, I had to eventually call time. David and Violet needed to get their official photos done, and the day’s schedule was waiting for no one.
Racing Against Time for the Perfect Shots
Weddings run on a very tight schedule, and as any photographer will tell you, time can feel like it’s working against you. After the ceremonies, I had minutes to spare before we had to whisk the couple away for their bride and groom shots. Luckily, David and Violet had their hearts set on Thatchers Rock, a stunning location not far from the hotel.
Using my trusty Sony 24-70mm f2.8 and Sony 70-200mm f2.8 lenses, I played with the natural beauty of the location. I captured shots where Thatchers Rock stood grand and distant, and then, with some clever lens compression, made it appear much closer and more intimate in other frames. The different effects these lenses gave me allowed for a variety of photos that showed off both the couple and the scenery. Despite the time pressure, we managed to grab some stunning shots just before the light started to fade.
An Evening of Celebration
After the whirlwind of ceremonies and photos, the evening unfolded into a celebration full of joy, laughter, and dancing. The first dance and cake cutting happened later in the evening, marking the end of my official duties. But even then, I stayed a bit longer to capture the final moments of a fantastic day. It was my longest day at a wedding yet; 10 hours of shooting and moving around nonstop, but it was so rewarding.
David and Violet handled the unexpected with such grace, and it reminded me how important it is to go with the flow on your wedding day. Not everything will go exactly as planned, but that’s what makes each wedding unique. And for me, it’s about capturing those moments, planned or not, that tell the true story of the day.
The Gear Behind the Magic
For those of you who are interested in the technical side of things (or just want to know what gear I trust to capture such an important day), I was working with two Sony A7IV cameras. These cameras never let me down and deliver incredible image quality, even when time is short and the pressure is on. For the variety of shots, I used a mix of lenses: the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 for the wide shots, the Sony 70-200mm f2.8 V2 for those stunning compressed shots, and the Sony 85mm f1.4 for the more intimate, close-up moments.
Lighting-wise, I had a few tricks up my sleeve. My Godox V1 speedlights were attached to the cameras, which also triggered my off-camera lights. I used two Godox AD200s for some extra power during the ceremony and group shots. For the bride and groom photos at Thatchers Rock, the Godox AD600 Pro provided the perfect balance of light and shadow, helping me make the most of the natural light while ensuring David and Violet looked their absolute best.
The Takeaway
David and Violet’s wedding at the Toorak Hotel wasn’t just another job for me, it was a great reminder of why I love what I do. It was full of love, a bit of drama, and plenty of unexpected moments, but that’s what makes weddings so special.
If you’re planning your own wedding, remember: things might not go exactly as planned, and that’s okay. Your day will be beautiful, even if there are a few bumps along the way. And of course, I’ll be there to capture every moment, both the ones you expect and the ones you don’t!
So, if you’re looking for a wedding photographer who’s ready for anything, knows how to work under pressure, and can handle two ceremonies without breaking a sweat (okay, maybe a little sweat), I’d love to chat!