Documentary wedding photography - praise for Guy Collier

I photograph incredible people

I'm blown away by what they've said about me

And the hits keep coming. Day after day of utter b

And the hits keep coming. Day after day of utter brilliance is the story of 2023 and today was all about Sally + Alex and the majesty of Coombe Lodge in Somerset…

I first met Sally + Alex back in 2017 when I shot Rachel and Barry’s wedding, and it was so good to see them again today (Rachel on bridesmaid duty today). Somerset holds special memories for me as it’s where my late grandparents lived and today was just a few miles from their home. Today though was all about the couple you see here, and a terrific group of family and friends. And once more I was lucky enough to photograph two people who could not be more right for one another. Perfect days in perfect places for perfect couples.

My first time at the lovely Coombe Lodge, and special thanks to Martha for all her help and for running the day so smoothly. Also to Leah on hair and makeup for being a delight to work with!

To Sally + Alex though - it was so so special to be there with you, and those piggy-backs were worth it for that sunset eh? Thank you both so much.

Venue: @coombelodgeblagdon
Hair & Make-up: @leahtoomeyyourmakeupartist

Some days you arrive at a wedding and immediately

Some days you arrive at a wedding and immediately feel like you’ve known your couple for ages. Today was one of those days, and August was kind enough to give us another dry day and warmth for the splendid people that are Claire + Dale.

West Sussex, and more specifically Brookfield Barn, was the setting, and after driving through some hellish rainstorms I arrived to soft skies, dry grounds and a room full of laughter. I don’t shoot here that often, but when I do it’s always a day with brilliant people and some lovely, lovely settings. Claire + Dale couldn’t have been more relaxed and spent the day laughing, taking the piss out of me and each other (always good things), and are very obviously made for one another. I was lucky enough to be there to watch it unfold. Also a special shout-out to Winston the dog for being most excellent. Please, more dogs at weddings. In fact just more dogs everywhere.

It’s the middle of a crazy busy month, and most people in the industry will tell you they’re living in a wedding bubble right now. In the middle of the chaos and sheer logistical challenges of maintaining creativity, workloads and some sort of work-life balance (ha ha) people like this are a constant reminder of why, when the weddings are coming thick and fast, this remains the best job in the world and why finding couples like this who trust you to do what you do, and fire back ray-guns of positivity, warmth and love, is why we do it. On balance maybe one too many sub-clauses there.

Find your people, the ones who connect with you, the ones who fit with what you do, and everything falls into place.

People like Claire + Dale ❤️

So Saturday looked a lot like this, with the super

So Saturday looked a lot like this, with the superb Victoria + Jonathan throwing serious shade at the frankly horrendous weather that this summer seems determined to bring to every wedding that takes place in marquees in gardens. Over it? Yes, yes I am….

And yet. And. Yet. Once again I drove home amazed at the good grace and humour which these two smashers showed as their carefully laid plans floated away on weather that seemed to have been beamed in from January. A day that had been planned to make the most of the stunning gardens and landscapes of this beautiful home in Haslemere had to flex like a very flexy thing and shift at high speed from Plan A to Plan Z with stop-offs at every plan in between. No stops on the Struggle Bus. That the day came together as it did was due both to the people you see here who, led by Victoria + Jonathan, just got on with it and smiled under cover and umbrellas, and to my exemplary fellow suppliers.

Huge shout-outs to Rebecca and Ella who saw their exacting plans torn up but who showed what incredibly hard work and creativity can pull out of the bag when it’s really needed. To Jess and her brilliant team on the flowers who created a stunning layout for the ceremony in particular at the shortest notice possible. And to each and every one of those I worked alongside, listed below, take a very large bow. And a special shout-out to Jenny and Dyfed, guests today and whose wedding I shot 11 years ago. I love seeing previous couples at weddings down the line.

This industry is both beautiful and unforgiving, and days like these are the ones that test us all. No-one was found wanting and no-one came up short. Instead a team pulled together to give this lovely, lovely couple a most perfect day amongst the rainfall. Kudos to you all….

Now please August, can we have some sun and warmth?

Planning: @byrebeccabb.getwed & @ella.getwed
Flowers: @jessicaelizaflowers
Catering: @bringandbraai
Hair/MUA: @aliceportermakeupandhair
Marquee: @four_seasons_marquees
Furniture: @locatetocreate
Linen: @88eventscompany
Glassware: @blacksaucerstableware

A little trumpet-blowing post to say that I’m ab

A little trumpet-blowing post to say that I’m absolutely chuffed to bits to now be a recommended photographer at the sublime Cowdray House. It’s a stunning venue, and one that lends itself to every kind of wedding. Run by a superb team, and every one of my fellow suppliers also recommended is truly top-drawer.

So if you’re planning a @weddingsatcowdray wedding just get in touch. Extremely good things happen there, and maybe us working together will be one of them.

So yesterday was all sorts of special. A day that

So yesterday was all sorts of special. A day that took me to the gorgeous home of one of my favourite ever couples, Jess and Sammy, and their beautiful new baby boy, Jude. 10 years since I had the absolute privilege of photographing their wedding, two have become three and I could not have been more thrilled to have been asked. They are a fabulous couple, and I remember their wedding so, so clearly, despite it being around 500 weddings ago now. We’ve kept in touch via this platform and it’s been lovely to see Jude come into their lives after what’s been a long journey to get there. Their families have played a huge part in that, along with many friends (as evidenced by about 4 billion ‘Congratulations’ cards on display in the house!). So, so good to catch up properly after all this time.

Jude - you have two incredible parents, and you are no doubt in for a life filled with love and care. The potential you have will be huge, and with Jess and Sammy guiding your way, almost certain to be realised. It was an honour to be able to shoot you with them, and it’ll be wonderful to see your lives together grow.

Jess and Sammy - from the moment we met all those years ago my heart was full, and today you topped it back up. Much love to you both xx

It’ll come as no surprise to know that I’m not a baby photography specialist (and I have a new-found respect for those of you who are) so I approached this much as I would all of my shoots - documentary as much as possible, with an emphasis on emotion and meaning. I’m hoping that comes across as I was well out of my comfort zone here!

As they say, if you don’t blow your trumpet no-o

As they say, if you don’t blow your trumpet no-one will do it for you.

So forgive me as I pull that trumpet from its case, give it a chonky toot, and post about my new website, shown in the screenshots you see here. It came about after much thought about the direction I’m taking and the shop window I want to present to the world and those who choose me for their weddings.

My previous site was on an old platform and not particularly mobile-friendly, so I decided to launch a new site along with a total rebrand. All my own work and I’m very proud of it. I wanted a clean, elegant look where the photography is centre-stage and one that wasn’t written to please our overlords at Google. Instead it’s all been written by me, from the heart and showcases who I am as a photographer and a person.

As with all sites it’s a fluid beastie, and one that’ll evolve as it grows with me and my couples. For now I’m blogging much more again - something that I just had to pause amidst the chaos of the last couple of years - because whilst blogging might be seen as old-school compared to the endless avenues of social media that exist now, it does allow me to put the words alongside the photos of the people I am lucky enough to photograph.

Some of you reading this will see yourselves on there already, and some will in the weeks and months to come, and thank you all again for booking me. I hope you love the new look and branding.

© 2023 Guy Collier Photography

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