Mickleham Church Box Hill wedding photos | Gemma & Simon
Gemma and Simon were blessed with perfect weather for their wedding day – not a cloud in the sky! With autumn weddings you never know your luck – the day before it had been pouring with rain…
I started my coverage at Gemma’s parents’ home with photos of Gemma’s hair and makeup preparations, before heading to St Michael’s & All Angels Church in Mickleham, near Dorking. It’s not a church I’ve shot at before, but it’s just across the road from Box Hill School, whose Speech Day I have photographed for several years. And by a happy chance, organising the church sound system was a familiar face – St Michael’s churchwarden and Chairman of Box Hill School Governors, John Banfield…
Once all the guests (and Gemma!) had arrived, the wedding ceremony was very ably conducted by the Rev. Ian Stonehouse, who was kind enough to let me shoot from the floor of the church as well as from the choir loft, which gave me several great vantage points.
Photos at Mickleham Church
After the ceremony, we did the family group photos first, and then I took a few moments to get some photos of Simon and Gemma on their own, as the sun was setting. Meanwhile the bridal party, family and guests made their way the short distance down the road to Burford Bridge Hotel for the reception.
Reception at Burford Bridge Hotel
The staff at Burford Bridge gave everyone their usual friendly welcome, and served drinks and canapés as everyone arrived. The couple cut the wedding cake, and then everyone went into the Tithe Barn for the wedding breakfast.
After a splendid meal, we had speeches by Gemma’s father Peter, the groom Simon and best man Sam. Then while the guests enjoyed coffee and more drinks, Burford Bridge staff rearranged the barn for dancing.
While this was going on, I took Gemma and Simon outside to get a few extra photos, using the hotel’s outside lights and also my flash to illuminate the autumn leaves in the garden. It was getting quite cold so we didn’t linger very long!
Gemma and Simon’s family and friends were a happy and friendly bunch and as you can see from the photos they had a great time on the dance floor!
Here as always is my selection of images from Gemma and Simon’s special day (slideshow first):
Mickleham Church Box Hill wedding photos | Gemma & Simon
If you are planning a wedding with a reception at Burford Bridge (or anywhere else for that matter!) please do get in touch to chat about the options for photography.
