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A late summer wedding
Zak and Leah

A Late Summer Wedding – Zak and Leah

by Raphael Lionel | May 8, 2020 | Events, Weddings

A late Summer wedding birmingham

Late summer weddings can be difficult to prepare for and not just because of the weather. After busy summers, the perspective is that September means back to work, back to school and a distinct come down from the hazy holiday feel of August. Every once in awhile, however, we get an Indian summer and that August feeling just rolls on. For Zak and Leah’s wedding last September that was the exact flavour for friends and family who were excited to see them take their vows. Blue skies and wide smiles made for a great backdrop and the day flowed with ease.

A warm relaxed affair

Both Zak and Leah were relaxed which made for some great natural images. From Leah, getting ready through to the wedding ceremony at the packed Kingdom Hall, the happy group shots and modern portraits at Aston Hall, the day kept that laid back summer wedding feeling. Shooting at the New Cobden for the second time in a few months, it was surprising how different the venue felt. The speeches were entertaining and enjoyed by the guests and the night closed out with some great back-lit embraces.

Aston Hall and Lady Holte’s Gardens

Photographs for Zak and Leah were taken at Aston Hall which is an impressive Grade 1 listed Jacobean house not far from the Aston Villa ground in Birmingham. Dating back to the 17th century, the house is steeped in history and impressive with its red brick appearance. It is common to see group photographs taken on the doorsteps at the front of the hall. The local council has now opened up the old houses/museums for weddings, so it is possible to reserve the Great Hall inside for the wedding ceremony. Wedding parties of all sizes can be accommodated.

For me, however, shooting images in Lady Holte’s gardens are a must for any bride and groom planning to visit here. This must be booked in advance but it is well worth it. With its fountains and channeled waterways, crisscrossing the patterned shrub planting, and smoke trees, it is a serene location for informal portraits. Groups can be shot there too and I have done that for several weddings over the years. In fact me saying that, Aston Hall was where my wife and I had our wedding pictures, many moons ago. It’s still got it for me. A firm favourite place to shoot and Zak and Leah’s wedding was another to add to the list.

The Wedding day story

Often looking through wedding photography blogs, you will find a few highlights of a wedding day. These are good for getting the measure of your photographer as regards stand out images and the things a photographer does well. It makes sense to demonstrate our strengths as photographers. However, for someone planning their wedding and searching out a photographer to trust with their day, it is important to also get a view of what a full day’s cover would look like.

Below, I have chosen to give an example of just that. A summer wedding day in full which could easily be viewed as an album in blog. Zak and Leah’s wedding day story, that I hope you will enjoy.

Wedding Dress and Shoes - the morning of the wedding Birmingham

Make up time for the new bride early morning

Make up under the lights - Bridal Makeup

Wedding details and some of the bridal party, early preparations

Getting ready - The bride gets into her dress with a little help from mom

The bride, ready for her vows poses window light

The Groom and his best man, relaxed and laughing at the hall

The groom, his father and mother before the VOW

The Arrival of the bride with her veil blowing in the wind

The Bridal Party before the Ceremony and a focus on the bride and her bouquet

Entrance of the bride to the Kingdom Hall

The wedding talk and wedding guests at the hall

The expectant bride and groom close up and her bouquet

Natural laughter for the bride and groom

Taking the wedding vow - the bride and groom make their oaths

Exchanging their wedding bands - the bride and groom take the vow

Informal meet and greeting after the ceremony with guests and friends

Family and friends for the new bride and groom

The bride having fun with friends after the ceremony

The Bride and groom leave the hall for the gardens

The Bride and Groom pose in front of Aston Hall in a scenic shot

Just the Groom and his Bride outside Aston Hall

Family shots at Aston Hall in the Gardens

Happy family group shot in the Aston Hall Garden

Family and the bridal party with their back to the sun Aston Hall

The ushers and the full bridal party atop the steps in the gardens for Aston Hall

Just the bride and groom on a picturesque walk through ASton Hall Gardens

The Bride and groom portraits by the fountain in the setting of Aston Hall

Bride and Groom Portraits in the shade outside Aston Hall

The bride and groom in a classic post outside Aston Hall

Under the veil - the bride and groom informal - Aston Hall

The bride with her veil flowing and her groom - Aston Hall

Leaving the gardens on a scenic saunter the bride and groom - Aston Hall

The bride and groom depart the gardens at Aston Hall Birmingham

Arriving at the New Cobden for the wedding breakfast and details

Entering the Wedding Breakfast at the New Cobden Birmingham

Wedding Breakfast guests at the New Cobden

Speeches at the Wedding Breakfast New Cobden

Wedding Speeches fun at the New Cobden BIrmingham

Wedding Speeches from the bridal party - New Cobden

Hilarious moments during the speeches at the New Cobden

Moving and humorous - speeches at the wedding breakfast New Cobden

Eat Wedding cake. The Bride feeds the groom or stuffs his face

That first dance for the happy bride and groom

The evening dance as guests join the bride and groom - new cobden

Final back lit images at the New Cobden - Bride and Groom with light flare

Final back lit image at the New Cobden - Bride and Groom

Click below to see other examples of weddings shot in central Birmingham. Feel free to reach out to me for a copy of my pricelist via my weddings contact page.