What a wonderful Winter Wedding at Portchester Castle and The Solent Hotel and it had everything you could dream of for a spectacular wedding day. There were gorgeous Christmas Trees, beautiful handmade favours and a buzz that only a wedding so close to Christmas can bring. This was my last wedding of 2014 and what a way to finish the year.

I first met childhood sweethearts Becky and Alex at their home in Hilsea back in January this year and we hit it off instantly. I loved their ideas for the wedding and knew that it would be an incredible wedding to photograph and boy was I right.

Fast forward to the day itself and I woke up to a bitterly cold and windy day but it was a day that was full of excitement and anticipation, and one that was to be incredibly memorable for everyone involved.

I arrived at the Bridal preparations in Portchester nice and early to see the girls already in full swing with hair in grips and bubbly on the go. I captured some beautiful fleeting moments of Becky with her Bridesmaids giggling away whilst they were being pampered and before long Becky’s make up was finished and it was time to head over to Hilsea to meet Alex and his Groomsmen. When I arrived the boys were dressed in the most exquisite three piece Navy suits by Ted Baker and this may well be a purchase that I make for myself in the New Year, I loved them that much!! Once I got some lovely natural photographs of the Alex with his Groomsmen I nipped back to photograph Becky getting into her dress and then it was time to head over to Portchester Castle for the ceremony.

The ceremony was at St Marys Church which is set within the Norman keep of Portchester Castle and is always a pleasure to photograph at. The ceremony was a wonderfully spiritual affair with a quite stunning moment as Alex saw Becky for the first time and had to turn away in disbelief as his beautiful Bride walked down the aisle toward him. There was a lovely moment too when Becky reached the Alter and a rush of emotions nearly brought a stream of tears as she met Alex’s eyes for the first time. One of the two readings from the ceremony was a personal favourite of mine – ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ which is a story I read to my little girl on Christmas Eve every year. It was read by Alex’s Dad during the ceremony and he too read it to his children, and to Becky, every Christmas Eve as well.

Once the ceremony was over and we had a new Mr and Mrs Hill it was time to head over to The Solent Hotel for the wedding reception. It was the first time I had photographed at this lovely Hampshire wedding venue and it did not disappoint. They looked after Becky and Alex, and their guests, exceptionally well and nothing was too much trouble. The food was apparently exquisite and once the Wedding Breakfast had ended it was time for Becky and Alex’s Time Alone with me to get some personal photographs together. I chose a couple of locations within the venue as it was dark and bitterly cold outside. I used the Christmas Tree and fairy light to give a very festive feel to the photographs and a beautiful roaring fire place to give a more intimate feel. Both areas provided a beautiful backdrop for Becky and Alex’s photographs.

The last duty for me was to capture the couples first dance and with twinkling lights, a live band and a Christmas tree as the setting it made for some stunning photographs.

If you are considering a wedding at Portchester Castle, The Solent Hotel or anywhere else for that matter, please feel free to contact me to discuss your wedding photography requirements. It would be a pleasure to have a chat about the ideas that you have for your wedding day.

For now though please feel free to view the small collection of photographs below that document the beautiful story of Becky and Alex’s wedding day.