Julia and Martyn at Wandsworth Registry Office.

“Claire was brilliant at capturing our day, had great ideas for photographs and managed to make everyone look amazing! We’ll treasure these photos forever!”

The race is on!

So, this wedding started slightly differently to most in that I first came into contact with the bride through her lovely cousin Ria who was helping her pull together their wedding. Julia and Martyn had decided in January to get married in the February; the race was on! Looking back at the day you would never have believed that it was pulled together in a matter of weeks!

Julia and I had a catch up over the phone to chat about their day and answer any questions. We then arranged a date for the three of us to meet in the pub where the reception was going to be taking place. I liked Julia and Martyn from the off, conversation was easy and most of all they were just so relaxed about everything. I instantly felt like they trusted me to do my job and were happy to go with the flow on the day.

A leap day wedding.

February 2020 was not blessed weather wise. I think we had more ‘storms’ than we care to remember. As the wedding was happening on Leap Day, I was crossing my fingers for a bit of fortune to come our way.

Arriving nice and early at Wandsworth Register Office, Julia turned up rocking her bump, killer heels and the most stunning sequin dress. Deciding to shun the white dress, in short, she looked phenomenal. As Julia and Martyn both went for their pre ceremony interviews the guests started to arrive, everyone was in fantastic spirits and I was made to feel so welcome. I already knew we were in for a good day.

After a few musical hitches from the registrar, which broke some of the pre ceremony nerves, we were under way. Learning a little bit about Julia and Martyn ahead of the day, and how long that had been together, it felt like this was a bit of an ‘at last’ moment for them. The ceremony itself was full of smiles and laughter, topped off with a reading from ‘The Amber Spyglass’ which I’ve heard before but always gets me!

London transport at it’s best.

After they were announced as husband and wife, Julia and Martyn were welcomed by their guests and an epic confetti tunnel! Julia had told me ahead of the wedding that she had bought ‘garish’ coloured confetti that would show up on an overcast day, and it worked a treat! The weather played a blinder. Even though it was a bit grey and windy, the rain held off allowing us to get some group shots and for everyone to board the route master. Then the heavens opened, but who cared. We were on a route master (it was like a big school trip!) and everyone was having a great day. As I was photographing Julia and Martyn on route to the venue, they were admiring their wedding rings with the biggest smiles on their faces, which just gave me the biggest warm and fuzzies.

Couples portraits in a chilly Wandsworth Common

Pulling up at the County Arms, the rain stopped, the skies cleared and the actual sun comes out. It’s like a weather miracle and I knew a bit of fortune was coming our way. Once everyone was inside the prosecco started flowing, canapes were served and the congratulations hugs started coming thick and fast. We had chatted ahead of the day about couples’ photos and playing by ear with the weather and also Julia and Martyn’s mood. I did a quick check in on where their head was at and as the sun was shining, we all felt it would be a shame to waste the blue skies. Even though the sun was out if was still bloody cold so when we were between shots I gave Julia (and bump) my coat to try and keep them as warm as possible. We a fun 15 minutes in the common before heading back to the pub for the speeches.

As with a few other things at the wedding, the speeches broke with tradition going ahead of the meal and that Julia made a speech. Which I loved! A self-confessed feminist she delivered a knock out speech which had a few guests, and myself, having to wipe away a tear or two. The father of the bride, groom and best man all also did a sterling job mixing humour, anecdotes and sentiment perfectly. Which I feel summed up their wedding day perfectly.

All of the nosh at the County Arms, Wandsworth.

After the speeches were finished and the final toasts made the food was served by the fantastic team at The County Arms. Not a pretentious portion in sight! Suddenly I was hungry. A personal thank you to the team there for being so friendly and polite to me on the day. It really does make my job easier.