MARWELL HALL12th MAY 2007 Sometimes photographers are handed a "gift" of a wedding.

We'd already been the wedding photographers at Marwell during August 2006, that time is was to a "Sarah & Paul" from Glen's work - this time it was another Sarah & Paul who contacted us over the internet.

Unusually for us we didn't meet in person until the day of the wedding - this was explainable because they both live in Spain and Sarah only arrived in this country the night before the event - having taken a gamble on the last plane out being available and staying at her Dad's house overnight.

Mike and Glen stayed overnight at a B&B close to Petersfield where the couple were due to have their ceremony at 12:30pm.

Glen made an early start (after a hearty belly busting breakfast!) and travelled the twenty something miles from the B&B to where Sarah was due to get ready at her Dad's house -

Sarah had already left for "Whispers at Wickham" which was just down the road - so Glen found Sarah and surprised her with a few shots taken at Whispers hair dressing salon at Wickham - when he arrived Sarah was having the finishing touches to her bridal hair-do, her Dad was waiting outside in the car.

Sarah had some very specific ideas for the types of shots that she wanted for her wedding day experience.

This one has something blue, something borrowed, something old (the sixpence), something new... it also has components of her personality - the perfume she wanted to wear for the event, the style and detail of the lace handkerchief, the designs on the wedding shoes.

The Wedding Dress was stunning. A Pronovias, from Spain, Naturally! Trying to get a decent shot of the dress detail proved to be a difficult task, but the results speak for themselves.

After tinkering with the dress and artefacts, the photographer wondered back downstairs to find Sarah administering her make-up. She was a good model and allowed the photographer to reposition the table, chairs, mirror to accommodate the right lighting.

An establishing shot of the bride getting ready - the clock reads 10:45am, the Rolls arrives at 11:15 - better get a shift on Sarah! you're not even in your dress yet!! It's amazing how fast the time goes during the early preparation, I bet the other photographer was in the pub with the Groom and best man by now!

We can see Sarah enjoying a moment with her Dad, finding it difficult to tie the knot in his neck-tie. At least he looks almost ready for the off.

He's been at that tie for at least five minutes!

Sarah had gone upstairs to get dressed and these were the make-up left on the table

A lovely traditional Wedding Photo of the bride with a maid, fluffing up the designer wedding dress showing off its form and beauty.

Sarah was not short of a few helpers who wanted to get in on the act and this is another traditional shot of the buttons being done up on the wedding dress

A lovely necklace to complement the colours and style of the dress and other wedding accessories. It's great when a bride gets it right - a pleasing spectacle.

Just enough time to grab a last minute shot of the bride with her father - in their finery before the car arrives. They look so happy and content even if time is ticking - the ceremony is over twenty miles away in Petersfield.

There will be plenty of time to take pics of the car later on, so here is a nice "look back at Dad" shot as Sarah climbs into the carriage assisted by doting Dad.

It had started to rain (lots) by now, so the photographer taking this shot was getting a soaked back! but it's worth getting the interior of a Rolls with bride and dad ready to depart

At the request of the bride, via email, it was established that profile hat shots were going to be important, Sarah's Nan being a perfect model - taken outside Petersfield Registry Office.

The Rolls Royce was such a lovely specimen, in pristine condition, it felt such a shame not to record some "bit's n pieces" - more later.

A wedding photographer should be able to anticipate when a shot looks right - it doesn't matter that none of the people are looking camera bound, their interaction says it all in this candid

The short walk from the car to Petersfield Wedding Registry Office proved amusing to the onlooking guests as the petticoat was hoisted - luckily the heavens stayed firmly closed but Dad had his umbrella just in case

This won't be one for the wedding album! it shows the tight timing taking place - as Sarah was being wed another photographer sets up to take a picture of the last person to be married, not more than a few minutes ago!

These images show the beauty of Petersfield Registry Office with its warm brickwork and landscaped greenery. It truly is a lovely period building.

An unusual shot taken through Petersfield Registry Office window as Sarah and Paul were in the middle of their ceremony.The second photographer was inside taking extremely candid photographs with his quietest digital camera on a tripod (against the wishes of the registrar).

The newlyweds - congratulations Sarah & Paul - off to Marwell Hall soon for the wedding breakfast and group shotsThis is a fake signingThe inside of the registry office is just as lovely as the outside - Petersfield is a great place to get married.Sarah & Paul flanked by their respective fathers as witnesses, overlooked by an ornate chandelier

One photographer was allowed to travel with the "Husband and Wife" as they travelled through Marwell Zoo to the splendour that is Marwell Hall

Might as well make use of the car whilst it is still at the Hall! - some traditional and establishing shots of the newlyweds with the car and Marwell Hall as a backdrop

The weather just about held off but the wind was picking up - too cold to take a group shot - so straight to the champagne reception and the wedding breakfast

Time to grab some "cameos"

Before the guests sat down, both photographers got to work in the "Long Room" which comfortably seats 50, recording the detailed table settings - so much effort takes place designing the layouts and it makes sense to pick out the best of the details for the couple to remember in their coffee table book or perhaps their wedding album

Although it was unnecessary, the newlyweds opted for a fake cutting before their guests arrived - it has worked artistically - the other photographer was getting the full length shots.

Paul and Sarah greeted their guests before joining them for the Wedding Breakfast, this shot was quickly grabbed between those time-frames.

The photographers would like to express their thanks for allowing them to eat with the guests - the cuisine was wonderfully prepared.

We aim to record as many shots as we can during the toasts, speeches. With any luck these pictures will be treasured for many years to come and portray family and friends enjoying the celebrations.

Time to dish out the presents as thankyou's to a past life, and momentos for a future life.

Tradition in Spain is to favour their guests with cigars for the men and pins for the ladies.

Because of the restriction of smoking, these ingenious cigars are fake, if you blow into them they "smoke" a trace powder that looks uncannily like the real thing!

Giving out favours to their guests ensures that they make polite chat with each other, mingling, catching up on distant friends, and it gives a chance for their guests to wind down after the meal and play act for the cameras

The rear of Marwell Hall is a good place for afternoon group shots - being in the shade helps the photographer no end. The "Long Room" is behind those three windows.

After the group shots had been taken, the guests departed for the Marwell Hotel - the photographers then got to work on the specific "intimates" and fun shots requested by the newlyweds in advance of the wedding.

It is another Spanish tradition to allow coins to drop from the mans hand to the womans - it has a significance to material wealth and the promise to look after his new wife and to share in each others wealth

On the way back from the Marwell Hall to the Marwell Hotel we got off our golf carts and stopped by the Snow Leopard - apparently all the other major exhibits had been put away for the evening - initially the big cat was purched on top of a tall log - unimpressed by its surroundings, that is until the newlyweds approached - the cat's face lit up and it bounded over to investigate the bridal dress from the other side of the perspex - we reckon it has something to do with the "snowiness" of the dress that makes it behave like that! - good for us though!!

The reception took place at the Marwell Hotel in the Orchid Suite. They had a caricaturist and a couple of casino games along with some music and a bar and a chocolate fountain.

Let the new couple show us their enjoyment amongst friends and family as they have their first dance

The photographers left at around 9:30pm approximately a 12 hour photo shoot.