Russell & Tilly and all the good things in life : alternative wedding photography

So where to start? At the very beginning, kids. Russell & Tilly booked me back in March last year (Russell is an ace local videographer, go check out his page Bride & Zoom here) – their woodland wedding sounded amazing and I was super excited. Then 2020 happened, and they got caught in the haunted corona-coaster that is weddings this year, and decided to move their celebration to 2022, when their venue could have them and they could have the day they dreamed of. But that feels really far away, and in the words of Billy Crystal in ‘When Harry met Sally’ – when you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible. So me, they, and a few of their closest family & friends had a no-compromise 2020 wedding and I can’t even tell you how much it gladdened the heart. My heart.

We started at their Southsea home (which was a bridal prep treat, let me tell you – I go to whole venues with less photo potential), where make up was made, snorgels aplenty happened with the worlds cutest chonky doggo, they gave me the COOLEST Ron Swanson gift (which now lives on my lounge wall – affirming all my life choices), and general pre-wedding prep and passion. Tilly went to Portsmouth registry office in the sweetest classic Fiat with her beloved dad, where the deed was done. Something that was deeply lovely and quite surreal as a result of the incredible masks worn by the guests. Nanny Pat – looking banging.

Then outside to the best confetti storm ever, and the sound of drums and colour and holi powder and Tilly’s incredible friends from the samba band her & her mum Paula play in – Batala Portsmouth – BOOK THEM FOR YOUR WEDDING.

We went for couple shots at Clarence Pier due to cheeky monkey Russell pulling some strings (all hail Jimmy), fulfilling a couple of personal photographic goals for me (who else is going to follow my whim for a couple portrait involving a space invaders machine)? And then back to The Canteen for AMAZING food, speeches, cake and all the other things that make up a wedding.

Let me state now Tilly & Russell are brilliant shiny people who I am already super fond of. I can’t wait for their 2022 bash. But even in it’s own little capsule this day was perfect. I loved every second of their adventure, and I loved recording it in a way that aligned with their hearts and characters. It reminded me why I love my job so much, even at a time when it has been tough to do it. So thank you for the gift of that, my lovelies, and here is the first part of my gift back to you.

If you are looking for some slightly alternative wedding photography for your wedding in 2021, I have a few spaces left, so get in touch 🙂