14TH August 2010
I had been looking forward to shooting Rachel and Richard’s Bix Manor wedding photography for a long time. Like many of my couples I first met Rachel and Richard when they were guests at another wedding I was shooting. We had clicked straight away and they loved my pictures as well as my relaxed approach. As many of the guests at that earlier wedding were on Rachel and Richard’s invite list I knew it was going to be a goodie!
The Great Tithe Barn at Bix Manor near Henley-on Thames is rather special and every bit as good as the website says. Gary Hall, the ebullient proprietor, is himself a bit of a legend. (He reminds me very much of Alan Rickman, but I suppose everyone tells him that!) He conducted the proceedings with great verve in his own inimitable style, ensuring that everything was just so and making sure that all the guests were happy. He even approached me as soon as I arrived to discuss the photography so our plans could synchronise and this enabled us both to achieve the max. A true professional!
The weather, well I think you would call it frustrating, with rain heavy enough to get thoroughly soaked, or dry and quite dazzlingly bright, and nothing inbetween. The heavens opened as soon the ceremony at St. Andrews in Chinnor ended but was squinty bright by the time we arrived at Bix Manor. After everyone had had a couple of drinks and nibbles Gary rallied everyone together for the group shots, whereupon the heavens opened yet again. The rest of the formal groups had to be finished inside, just before the call for the Wedding Breakfast. Quite brilliant guests made this the most productive time for candid pictures and buzz going round was memorable.
The almost tropical rain thundered down throughout the leisurely Wedding Breakfast but magically relented just after 7.30pm when at long last I was rewarded by lovely evening light for the Bride and Groom pictures, as well as some fun pictures of the Hens and Stags. A lovely couple, fun guests, fabulous venue, magic light. What a lucky man I am!