Ipswich Waterfront Wedding: Mel & Ed

Bride's Preparations: Melverley Heights Hotel, Ipswich, Suffolk
Ceremony: The Unitarian Meeting House, Ipswich, Suffolk
Reception: The Waterfront Bistro, Ipswich, Suffolk

I've known Ed for a few years now and I was chuffed when he and Mel asked me to photograph their wedding. The fact that it was being held in Ipswich was a bonus as I'd never been there before and it meant that we could make a weekend of it and explore a bit of Suffolk.
Mel left it right until the last minute before getting into her dress and it wasn't until we were leaving the hotel that we realised that no-one was sure how to get to the Meeting House (although we did have a vague idea having been to the rehearsal the day before).
I volunteered to lead the way, guided by the ever-reliable satnav, only to lose Mel 5 mins later in heavy traffic. We arrived at the beautiful historic Meeting House 10 minutes late to be greeted by some worried faces. Thankfully, Mel arrived shortly after, much to everyone's relief (especially mine!).
Ed's father conducted the ceremony, which made it feel really intimate and quite special and after a few formal photos in the nearby courtyard, we all headed for the Waterfront Bistro for the reception. The marina was full of boats for the annual maritime festival and there were loads of people about, which made for some interesting reaction shots as the couple walked along the quayside.

Congratulations to Mel & Ed and thanks for a belting weekend away!

Cumbrian Marquee Wedding | Ruth & Brock

Ceremony: Ulverston Register Office, CumbriaReception: Marquee, Leven Valley Sports & Community Centre, Haverthwaite, Cumbria



We finally arrived at the hotel in Barrow at just after 1:00am after a foggy, rain drenched 3.5 hour drive across from York - and then had to back up all the previous day's shots and re-charge all the batteries ready for an early start in the morning.

First job (after a hearty Cumbrian breakfast) was to shoot over to Haverthwaite to get some shots of the marquee and then it was a mad dash back to Ulverston to meet Brock. As it turned out, he was late and Ruth was early so there was only time for a few quick snaps before the ceremony.

The weather forecast was distinctly dodgy but as it turned out, it wasn't too bad and the sun even came out a couple of times, although the heavy overnight rain had left the field around the marquee completely waterlogged. That didn't bother Ruth, who came equipped with some Blackpool FC tangerine wellies (the whole family are nuts about 'The Tangerines', hence the day's colour theme.

Ruth had opted for a '50s style dress and we decided to make the most of the retro theme by taking the couple up the road to the beautiful Haverthwaite station on the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. They had also hired an old ice cream van, which came in handy!

It was nice to see so many familiar faces as well (we photographed Ruth's sister Jane's wedding last year at the Merewood Country House Hotel on Lake Windermere).

By the end of the day, I was absolutely knackered and there was still the 2.5 hour drive home to contend with but it was well worth it.

Congratulations to Ruth & Brock and thanks for another thoroughly enjoyable day!

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