Being a wedding photographer, I get to meet a lot of great people. I met Sarah and Nick at the wedding of Beth and Matt at Brockholes earlier that year. They were great to talk to. They had some reservations about the wedding photographer they had booked, so having seen me and my natural style, they cancelled the other photographer and booked me to photograph their wedding as well. They also liked the video I made for the other couple, so they went for the same package.
Bestwood Lodge Wedding Photographer
Bestwood Lodge Hotel is an amazing Nottingham wedding venue set in 700 acres of glorious parkland. On a dry day, this gives lots of great areas to photograph in. The hotel itself offers a variety of beautiful rooms for guests and the bridal suite is large, light and airy. There are plenty of interesting and quirky features throughout the venue that lends a sense of charm to the place. The staff are all polite and helpful and the food delicious.
The interesting interior and large rooms of Bestwood Lodge offer plenty of options for wedding photography for when it does rain, which it did.
Sarah and Nick’s Bestwood Lodge Wedding
I had first met Sarah and Nick a few weeks previously when I photographed the wedding of Beth and Mat. She had read reviews of the photographer they had originally booked and started to worry. So, having seen the work I had done for Beth and Mat, Sarah got in touch with me to see if I could cover their wedding. Fortunately, I was free on their date and we quickly made arrangements.
On the day itself, I drove down to Nottingham and got there early for a look around the venue and to get some setting shots. Sarah had booked me for my Photography with Highlights package so I would be photographing and filming throughout their day. At this point, it wasn’t raining too hard so I managed a few outside shots. I then went in to greet Nick and find where Sarah was getting ready.
Sarah and her bridesmaids, Laura and Hannah were in the four-poster suite and when I arrived, they were relaxed, eating pastries and Sarah was catching up with a spot of knitting. They stayed pretty calm throughout the prep, even when Hannah fired out the cork from the bubbly.
The Wedding Ceremony
The wedding ceremony was a lovely affair. Nick and his best man carried candles down the aisle first rather than waiting at the front (top tip for avoiding some of the nerves) then the rest of the wedding party came in. During the ceremony, Mat played the ukulele for them all and during the signing, he played Clair de Lune on piano, which I used for their highlights video:
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After the ceremony, we headed over to another wing of the hotel where they were holding their wedding reception. There was time for group photos and a bit of socialising. It stopped raining long enough for us to get outside Bestwood Lodge for the whole group photo and confetti. The rest of the group photos we did inside the Bestwood Lodge reception area.
Then it was a few games and partying until the wedding breakfast was ready. The wedding speeches were after the meal. These were fun and added to the special day. Especially when Sarah’s dad sang to all the guests. I think that was a German tradition. Either that or he just likes singing.
Meal and speeches over, we were surprised by an alpaca visit. These were gorgeous and everyone loved them. I was happy I got to say hello to them and I was pleased that Bestwood Lodge let them inside to meet the guests. By this point, it was raining hard.
Wedding Breakfast at Bestwood Lodge Hotel
Sarah and Nick’s dog made an appearance after the alpacas had gone, too.
The rest of the day was really fun, and Sarah and Nick were a pleasure to work with. The only slight downside to their Bestwood Lodge Hotel wedding was the constant rain which somewhat limited what outdoor shots we could do. There were some lovely extra elements to the day, such as plenty of games and even Sarah’s dad singing for them, and there was a general panda theme. I’d made them a panda wedding card which was a wonderful coincidence.
The couple portraits had to be shot around the hotel and that was a fun challenge. Later in the evening, more guests arrived and the evening reception began. Bestwood Lodge had turned the dining area around so there was now a dancefloor, ready for their first dance. I had a really fun time photographing their special day and wish them both the best in the future.
For other blogs with wedding videography check out The Mere and The Inn at Whitewell
To book me for your Bestwood Lodge Hotel wedding photography, please get in touch.
Check out my packages, portfolio and contact me.
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