We wanted someone who loved small weddings and most importantly was fun - Alice said she knew just the person. We wanted a relaxed wedding with a focus on our vows and photography to match, so when we met Karen and she talked through her approach we didn't hesitate in snapping her up. Karen was instrumental in helping organise the timings of our day and giving advice on when Rus and I had time together as well as building in time to chat to our guests - this might sound obvious but when there are so many things to consider, it's not, it made a huge difference to our day.
We'd accepted that with a January wedding, we would probably have thunder and lightening all day; one of the first things Karen asked us to do at our initial meeting was to think of plans A-D for photographs so that we had plans based on various types of weather (plan A being what we would love to do if it was dry - Plantation Gardens - and plan D for if it was hail and thunder - small amount outside and the rest inside the St Giles). This was fabulous as we all knew ahead of the day what we would do & everyone's expectations were the same. Rus and I wanted some outside photos so Karen knew that regardless of how bad the weather was, we'd be outside for at least some of it - she even bought umbrellas on the day just in case!
Rus and I are not ones for being the centre of attention so we were a bit nervous about our portraits as we didn't want them to look awkward - Karen knew this from our earlier meeting. Karen took charge in a beautifully authoritative way on the day and guided us from the second we left the ceremony and throughout the portraits. We really needed this guidance and Karen's skill, professionalism and fun clearly bought out the best in us. What we loved the most is that she was keen for us to enjoy our first moments of marriage; it was asthough she wanted to capture our happiness yet not intrude on our first moments as hubband and wificicle (as we call it!). From a couple who were nervous and apprehensive, we turned into a couple who had a really good laugh and massively enjoyed the experience. To top this off, Karen was at the ready with some fig rolls when we returned to the Hotel and suddenly became hungry after all the excitement!
Karen snapped away all day & we realised that we hardly knew she was there outside of the posed photographs - this meant that when we viewed our gallery there were masses of 'surprise' photos which were beautiful and really captured special & intimate moments (such as when Rus was having a little breath to himself before the ceremony started, and my dad coming through the door and seeing me for the first time, amazing!).
Having seen the photos in our gallery this week we can never thank Karen enough for her kindness, support and incredible style; how she got such lovely photos out of a pair who are not naturals in front of a camera we'll never know, but suffice to say we very, very much appreciate it.
We will be recommending Karen to anyone and everyone who will listen and no doubt friends will be booking up with her soon. We couldn't recommend anyone more highly.
Thank you Karen, you are quite simply, a very lovely human! x