A grey day with showers which did NOT rain on their parade… Laura and Drew came together with all of their friends and family to get married at the stunningly intimate venue in Southwell known as The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel.
The Old Vicarage Boutique Hotel
Designed for weddings with 50 guests or less, this super-luxe venue is a favourite to shoot at based on the team there, the aesthetics and the interiors — so I was as excited about the day as I ever am when shooting there. Add to that, Laura had chosen a breathtaking gown from Belleamme Bridal on Lincoln’s Burton Road which channelled Old Hollywood Glamour with its strapless fitted bodice and its feathered fishtailed skirt. Sublime!
Every detail of the wedding was beautiful, from the sage green bridesmaids dresses to the moss green suits worn by the Groomsmen. Laura’s whole approach was understated chic and she achieved that perfectly.
When the Rain Comes — You Roll With It
Something that no photographer ever hopes for on a wedding day though is rain — not only rain, but heavy, unrelenting rain accompanied by heavy, dark clouds. However, the weather is something totally out of our control, so it’s up to me as an experienced photographer to be able to take that challenge and work through it as though it was any other perfect wedding day. It is, after all, my priority to make sure the Bride and Groom feel like it hasn’t changed or affected their enjoyment of the day — after all this planning and preparation, I don’t want Laura coming away from her wedding day feeling like something was missing because the sun wasn’t shining.
How did I deal with the rain and dark skies? Firstly, I rewrote the narrative for Laura. I assured her that we can totally work with rain and that rainy wedding days are actually really romantic and can help create beautiful photographs — which is completely true!
Cosy Vibes, October Feels, and Making It Work
I then reminded her that the bar at her venue is gorgeous — and that it would have the fire lit! This meant that all the guests could cosy down with cocktails aplenty to enjoy the October vibes whilst their musician Mark Elliott Music played classic love songs to them whilst it rained outside. Yes, Autumn!
Finally, I remained wholly flexible as their photographer. In terms of the schedule, we did the group shots first — and did these inside The Old Vicarage’s Lounge by moving furniture and by positioning the couple next to the huge sash window, where I was lucky enough to still be able to shoot using natural light. I then introduced the bridal party and parents to the photos too for the Group Shots, by arranging them around the sofa with the window casting light from the back — and for this I used my flash with a flash diffuser which means the light is much softer and still allows for shadows.
A Perfectly Ceremony and Couple
I’d spotted on my many weather apps that a patch of dry skies were due at around 5pm which was after dinner. Waiting for this was a risk, because it was JUST before the October daylight would start to dwindle. However, I took that risk and it paid off! Come 5pm, the rain paused and I took the couple outside for their one-on-one couples portraits, without rain. We worked quickly and efficiently — Laura and Drew are so in love, so it was easy to shoot them and document their natural dynamic. We used a clear umbrella for some too, to include the rain narrative so that it became a positive part of their memories from their wedding day — clear umbrellas let the light through so they’re great for weddings.
What would I have done if, come 5pm, it was still raining but I needed to do their couples portraits? Again, I’d have made it work. That’s my job! I’d have taken them upstairs where the venue has a series of really stunning bedrooms and I’d have done their shots up there, free of people, in the windows or through doorways or by using corridors. Either way, as a professional, I’m there to create something absolutely beautiful regardless of what challenges come our way — and in this case, I love the results!
Rachel London Photography
Are you getting married at The Old Vicarage at Southwell? I’d love to photograph your wedding! Get in touch over on the contact page to check my availability for your big day.