Andy & Sam’s “Glastonbury” inspired wedding at Matara
I’ve been friends with Andy and Sam for a while. I met Andy at a local photography meet up with the “Swindon Strobists” in 2009 and we have been friends ever since. I was shocked and delighted when one day, last year after returning from a wedding fair I found seven missed calls from them wanting me to shoot their wedding at Matara.
Andy met Sam at Glastonbury and being the anniversary of their meeting – and also Glastonbury weekend – the wedding was Glastonbury themed. Did I mention Glastonbury? Matara is a centre of wellbeing and is a very cool place, perfect for the occasion. Andy and Sam had handmade over one thousand origami cranes which took over their house. They decorated the main hall and created a unique curtain for their guests to walk though into the wedding breakfast.
There was a unique peacock colour scheme. The bridesmaids looking beautiful in their gorgeous dresses while the ushers looked dapper in their morning suits. Of course Sam was the star of the day and looked amazing in her white dress and veil while Andy had the largest wedding ring I have ever seen which was super cool.
Wedding photography at Matara can be a little tricky at times especially when you get stuck on the wrong side of the bride and groom during the ceremony (oops!) with guests on one side and a pond on the other but readings can give an opportunity for a dash out of trouble (or so I heard). On the other hand it presents an amazing number of opportunities for amazing wedding photographs. Carol covered the view across the pond while I got up close with the couple for the ceremony.
After the ceremony we got a shot of everyone on the lawn followed by a confetti tunnel and then everyone kicked back with ice cream and drinks on the lawn. Matara is a weding venue that keeps on giving in the summer. We took Andy and Sam over to the stone spiral for some portraits. Andy had requested that we shoot with the house behind me and fields in the background rather than the usual shot with the house. I used a fish eye lens with the camera pre focused and held high on a monopod to get as much of the spiral in as possible.
The day was awesome, the food was amazing and we were so pleased to be a part of their day. I must also mention that Sam was in tears as she watched the slideshow which is always a great sign that we have done a good job. It’s fantastic to be Cotswolds wedding photographers.
