Hayley and Julie, what can I say? Two people utterly perfect for one another!
When I met this couple in a local coffee shop to have a chat about their plans, I just knew they’d be so much fun to photograph! They told me how they both proposed - Julie first, and then Hayley made a 'counter-proposal' - and how they loved my natural, candid style and how I have fun with my couples and their guests to make sure personality shines through in each picture. There is no need to pose or stage a single moment on your wedding day I say: the best way to look blissfully happy and head-over-heels in love in your pictures is simply to have a brilliant time and I always promise to fit in just like one of your friends... a friend who has been to 150+ weddings and takes everything in her stride!
On the day, Hayley and Julie had a 'first look' on the beach before walking hand in hand to Portobello Town Hall for their fun-filled wedding ceremony. I adore first looks and always find they help ease those post-wedding nerves. There's nothing like seeing how amazing your bride-to-be looks dressed up to get you feeling excited, and having the chance to whisper some encouraging words together and have one last kiss as fiancees before it all gets going is a great idea.
Portobello Town Hall was transformed with colourful paper lanterns, fresh flowers and mementos from the couple's adventures together in the run up to their wedding day, so everyone immediately felt immersed in their story as soon as they came inside. Both brides had their families escort them into the room for their marriage celebration to begin. Conducted by celebrant Linda Keys, their vows were wonderfully personal and Hayley's youngest sister blew the guests away with her beautiful singing performance.
When their friend surprised them by performing her own version of 'Hey Jude', little did they know she had also given each guest a rainbow flag to wave with pride for the final chorus! The bright, vibrant colours and love in the room was amazing. Green Cockatoo Events kitted them out with vintage mismatched plates, glasses and cutlery and they had all their friends bring homemade desserts to create an amazing dessert buffet feast!
The weather was incredible in the afternoon, but this meant the usually-quiet seafront was swarming with tourists when we had planned our portrait session. So after dinner we snuck back to the sandy beach when all the other people had gone home, and these two had their favourite place all to themselves. They even ran barefoot on the sand! A ceilidh followed by a disco got everyone up and dancing the night away.
"We booked Natalie as our photographer for our wedding in Portobello in April. From the very beginning it was such an easy yet professional experience and we felt we were in great hands. Natalie worked with ideas we had as well as making sure we didn’t miss things we maybe hadn’t thought about. We had beach photos, couple photoshoot around the venue and lots of candid pics throughout the day. We absolutely loved working with Natalie on the day. She put us totally at ease and effortless led us without us feeling ordered around. In group situations we barely noticed Natalie as she was being so discreet but now looking at other people’s photos we can see how much diving around she must have had to do. As a same sex couple it was also really important to us that the photographer would be relaxed and there’d be no awkwardness. Natalie was amazing and clearly realises that each couple is unique and will tailor the experience to them rather than have a set way of doing things. We just received the photos back and are delighted with how she managed to capture the colour, joy and playfulness of us and the day. We would thoroughly recommend Natalie for any special occasion"
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