East Meets West at Portsmouth Register Office

Raymond and Sam were married at Portsmouth Register Office at the end of May 2015. Many of their friends and family only spoke Chinese (of one form or another) and some didn't speak any english at all.

But this day was a very English affair. It was the legal part of their marriage conforming to UK law but also very English in its traditions and dress.

Sam looked fabulous in her white wedding dress, veil and flowers...

 ...and looked absolutely perfect against her sunlit venue with its beautiful gardens together with blue skies and fluffy white clouds.

Being the end of May meant that the wisteria was out and what a pretty picture it made framing the faces of the gorgeous newly-weds.

Whilst this day was very English in its traditions, the following week Raymond and Sam would have another wedding, this time with full Chinese traditions including a red wedding dress, a dancing lion (looked like a Chinese New Year's dragon to me), nearly 300 guests and a twelve course meal.

But this day was very English, quiet, reserved and wonderfully tender. Raymond and Sam were a gorgeous bride and groom and are lovely people and their friends and family treated us as though they'd known us forever. It was a really lovely day at so many levels.

Congratulations Raymond and Sam and we both wish you the fondest wishes for your future together.

by Steve Dunster

2 June 2015

Sailing Club, London Bus & Jazz Wedding

Jon & Fiona had their evening celebrations in a sailing club and were rewarded with the most beautiful evening sky, perfect for portraits on the sailing club slipway.

Fiona's day started with bridal prep in a local hotel. Her room was wonderfully spacious, light and airy which really helped to set her up for the most fabulous of weddings.

Fiona was given away by her father at the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Portsmouth.

Her Flower Girl never put a foot wrong and her bridesmaids were stunning.

The Cathedral's architecture is magnificent and imposing, a total contrast to the ceremony itself which was intimate and friendly.

Just before the ceremony started the weather was appalling with thoroughly unpleasant rain. By the time Jon & Fiona were married you would never have known the weather had been so bad, it was bright sunshine and calm winds.

Then it was off in their car for their Reception meal...

...and speeches.

Then it was off in the big red London bus to the sailing club for their evening celebrations.

It was a fabulous evening and perfect for some evening sky portraits on the slipway...

...they're such a lovely couple it was so nice the weather was perfect for them.

...and their sense of playfulness permeated the whole day...here's a moment re-enacted from a famous film.

...and here's a lady absolutely determined to catch the bride's bouquet.

At the sailing club, the couple had booked a fabulous jazz quartet...the music was absolutely brilliant...

...until the girls decided they wanted to play.

Eventually the bride was coaxed away from the double bass and Jon & Fiona took to the dance floor as man and wife for the first time.

They are a lovely couple who had a fabulous wedding full of fun and blessed with perfect weather. Congratulations Jon & Fiona, we wish you a very happy and long life together.

by Steve Dunster

16 August 2014

An Epically Musical Wedding - and James Bond

Brian and Maggie's wedding was a magnificently epic affair. Both of them are very active in the music aspects of St Mary's Church, Portsea in Portsmouth, Hampshire. It was fitting therefore that they were married in this, one of the most fabulous parish churches in the country.

Whilst we were waiting for the bride to arrive, we were listening to the beautifully played organ with its  flowing harmonies...then we were sure we heard something familiar, just for a moment...then it was gone. Then again...and again. We checked with the vicar. Yes indeed, the organist had been given the task of mixing into his normal ecclesiastical introductory music, as many James Bond themes as he could whilst waiting for the bride. AWESOME! Apparently it was the Fiftieth Anniversary of the first James Bond theme.

It felt to us that this was the nearest we will come (for some considerable time at least) to be the nearest thing we're likely to get to shooting a Royal Wedding.

Not only was the architecture fit for royalty but the wedding ceremony lasted over an hour...and the time flew by. There was so much going on that it was truly a magnificent experience.

The music was absolutely stunning. We've heard a lot of grand and splendidly played music at our weddings and was up there with the best of them.

Brian is not only the talented organist and choir master at St Mary's but composed and arranged all the music played at their wedding.

They had the organ playing, an orchestra on two levels and a stunningly good choir. You couldn't have asked for better music if you'd paid good money at a top concert venue.

Gorgeous architecture, fabulous music, a lovely couple and James Bond...it doesn't get much better.

But it didn't end there. The wedding moved to the Royal Marines Museum, Southsea in Hampshire.

Not only did the sunshine follow our talented bride and groom but so did the music.

A small band of musicians played delightful music to the guests as they enjoyed canapés in the afternoon sun.

This was undoubtedly an epic and memorable wedding of a talented and charming couple.