Darrell and Vicki Mustard – Dumbleton Hall
Another wedding and another fantastic location.
I work with Vicky (when I am not being a photographer) so I already knew her very well and had also met Darrell a couple of times before.
They booked me to do their wedding early in January 2010. At the time Vicky wasn’t pregnant but then a month down the line the good news arrived – Vicky and Darrell were now expecting there second child! This was obviously brilliant news for them, but it meant that Vicky would be nine months pregnant on her wedding day. After re-checking the dates (and with a silent prayer) they decided the wedding would still go ahead and Vicki would keep her legs and fingers crossed baby would hold out for one more day!
A month before the wedding I went to visit Vicky and Darrell at their home in Birmingham. We discussed the wedding and the format of the day and how we could fit the photography into the precision operation that was the Mustard wedding!
Taking the points I learnt from the last wedding with me into this plan:
- As the wedding was going to be at Dumbleton Hall (near Eavsham), 2.5 hours drive away I had requested a hotel room for the evening as part of the fee. Note – see also the point further down about a hotel room for the night before!
- I suggested we do the portraits of Vicky and Darrell after the ceremony before the groups, allowing less risk of losing time to the groups but also a chance for the two of them to have some time together nearly alone after just going through the emotional marriage ceremony.
We agreed the timings, discussed any particular images they wanted and they showed me some photos they had seen on the Dumbleton hall website. Darrell had also taken some photos of the grounds on his mobile and suggested some places they would like to have their photos taken. Before getting to this stage of discussion detailing plans of shots indeed before the booking is even confirmed, I always make sure the couple are happy with style of imagery. Also when we discuss the finer points of the day I am always open to suggestions about shots they would like and I will see if it’s possible on the day and at the same time still be able to keep to my own creative direction.
Well the big day arrived and they had arranged for the ceremony to take place at 11.30am. Earlier than usual, but it worked really well. They had lots of time in the afternoon for drinks and photos and took “some” of time pressures away.
Here’s what Vicky had to say about the day:
“I wake up on my wedding day, feeling very excited, open the curtains and look out onto the grounds of the hotel, to see my photographer Mike Hubbard, scoping out the venue and taking some lovely shots of the hotel itself in the morning sun – what a great start to the day!
My wedding day was relaxed, happy and fun, and is reflected perfectly in the photographs taken by Mike, some of the best shots of all, are of people not knowing that he is taking a picture, totally natural pictures are notoriously difficult to achieve and Mike has managed to capture the day beautifully.
Mike was fantastic throughout the whole event, coming to see Darrell and i before the wedding to discuss what pictures we wanted, how the day would run and more importantly to get an understanding of how we wanted our wedding to be.
He arrived early on the day, scoped out the venue, worked out the timings, was vey unobtrusive and put everyone at ease, taking some great pictures of us all getting ready and our guests arriving. The ceremony itself was beautiful and I really wasnt aware of Mike snapping away, as you can tell from the brilliant natural shots he has managed to capture.
All of my guests commented on how natural and easy Mike made the formal photos (normally the most torturous part of the day for the guests!) and how he managed to some how blend in throughout the day, taking photos without making any of them uncomfortable.
Mike not only took the standard posed photo’s that we requested, but captured all the little details of the day, (pictures of the tables, flowers etc) and managed to get everyone on camera at some point and has managed to preserve my memories of the day beautifully, I couldnt have asked for more.”
With the ceremony at 11.30 and a 2.5 hour drive I needed to leave Shrewsbury early. I agreed to get to the bridal party for 10.30 then allowing me 30 minutes or so with them and then time with the boys before the ceremony. Allowing for half an hour for traffic and another half hour for my assistant, we left Shrewsbury at 7 am. Have I mentioned my assistant? For this wedding I took an assistant with me, in the guise of my girlfriend Jo. She is very interested in photography and so it was a great opportunity for her to see me at work. It worked out really well as she captured some brilliant reportage shots during the ceremony while I was organising the groups and taking the couple portraits. They complimented the overall wedding collection really well. Over the next year I plan to get some budding young photographers involved as assistants for various jobs as it helps me and helps them as well. I may be new into business but I know my way around a camera and can share that knowledge with them.
So with another early start and a 2.5 hour drive I came to another conclusion/learning point – if the car broke down now we’d be up the creak – the job would be ruined and the bride very unhappy!! From now on any jobs a good distance outside Shrewsbury request a room the night before as part of the package to prevent a disaster.
On arrival we drove up a sweeping drive way and we were presented with Dumbleton Hall in all its glory with the sun cresting behind it, “if the day holds out like this we’ll have a cracker!” (but what about the light – I hope it is not too bright). We pulled up and found Vicky walking out of the front door looking surprisingly relaxed for a 9 months pregnant bride just a couple of hours away from the ceremony.
Jo and I spent some time with the girls getting ready. Then Jo stayed with Vicky while I nipped of to get some shots of the Darrell and the best man, Marc. I caught Darrell putting the finishing touches to his speech and there was even some early morning whiskey flying around, which made for some nice shots.
The ceremony itself was held in a grand room covered with wooden panelling, the ceremony took place in front of some nice big windows so light wasn’t a big concern, Vicky came down the isle in a beautiful red dress. Vicky and bump looked amazing. I spoke with the Registrar before the ceremony and she explained she didn’t want any photos taken until they reach a certain sentence. The problem was that once they started I couldn’t for the life of me remember the words I was supposed to listen out for. Eventually, after racking my panic stricken brain, I remembered my cue. I stood there poised waiting. It was so frustrating as I kept seeing these great pictures forming in front of my eyes, but had to wait. Eventually they got to the sentence and I could commence shutter action.
With the ceremony over, I managed to prise Vicky and Darrell away from all the champagne and congratulations, it is very easy for the bride and groom to lose track of time so I needed to keep an eye on the time and usher things along. We had pre-agreed that it was a good idea to do the couple portraits before the groups. They had a nice walk together and some quiet time to reflect how now they are married. Except for me bouncing around and keeping them both entertained. Remember though, that it is these moments which will create the photos they will look at for years to come and have on there walls.
With the couple portraits and groups done, we dived straight into the meal and speeches. While this was going on I backed all my flashcards up and captured lots of candid shots.
Finally the first dance came around and I was ordered by the bride and groom to put my camera away and have a drink! So I followed orders and the rest is history! Sambucas anyone? Let’s just say I needed a fry up in the morning!!
Big thanks to Vicky and Darrell for a fantastic day! and congratulations! x
