One thing I love about my job is that I get invited to all sorts of new places and they are all cool places! Last month I got to shoot a big asian wedding at Manchester United Football Club and last week I was invited to Egerton Grey Country House Hotel in Porthkerry, near Barry where Rhiannon is marrying her long time partner Neil. As always, I arrived early to have a look around and scout the place for some ideas for later. The place was just too perfect for a small english wedding. The classic english style property was situated on a beautiful piece of land surrounded by a breath taking view. There’s a small garden and tarrace outside the property - perfect for outdoor portraiture. The only thing that worries me was that it was a cloudy day and I can see dark clouds moving its way closer towards us! Forecast says “heavy rain with patches of sunshine”. When I arrived, there were still sunshine but by the time Rhi and Neil arrived it was raining like cats and dogs and I was starting to think that this is going to be another indoor wedding…thanks to UK weather!

But being a UK weather..it was also unpredictable..the rain stopped and the sun came out just as the ceremony was about to get started. I was so relieved because otherwise, there won’t be much to shoot since it was only a 10 guests wedding! that’s including the bride and groom and their two children. And so all went as planned and I had a great time working with the couple and their families in and around the property. Being a very low-key wedding, Rhi and Neil only invited both parents, brothers and sisters and their partners and also their two cute little children Gwen (1) and Gareth (3). Rhi and Neil met at work 12 years ago. Rhi now works in IT while Neil is a manager at a legal firm in Bath. This time there were no fancy wedding car or cake.. just a nice family lunch after the ceremony in a very posh and classic dining room.

To Rhi and Neil, thank you so much for the trust and I hope you guys like the photos as much as I enjoyed making them! I wish you both a happy life together. Here are some of my faves from the day..I don’t normally post shots of the location too much but this time it was too good to be left out! So here’s a very long one, ENJOY..

Egerton Grey - you can see the clouds starts forming above

The tarrace and garden outside the property - that’s a train bridge at the background!

The hallway by the entrance - I am playing around with some textures

The stairs leading up to the rooms

The Dining Room

Some detail shot of the table

One of the lounge or reading room

The Conservatory

And next door is the Drawing Room - where the ceremony took place

Rhi having a quick word with Paul the House Manager

Then they quickly went to the room to get change

The Room - my wife would die for a bed like that!

Neil was first to get changed

And he was all ready in two minutes!

Then it was Rhi’s turn to put the make-up on

Rhi’s twin sister Siân doesn’t want to get left out

Owh..did I mention the beautifully restored Edwardian Bathroom?

A quick cup of tea to relax

Quick shot with the sister before putting the dress on

Something “new and blue”! I guess the hotel room would be the “old and borrowed” then..

Some more detail shots..

The Rings

The Shoe

I just love the colour and can’t resist taking another shot!

The Bouquet

A helping hand from Siân

Look at that blue eyes..

Gareth (3) was waiting downstairs with Neil and the other guests

Now I know where he got the eyes from!

Gwen (1) with Grandad

The walked slowly into the Drawing Room

Where the guests are waiting

The ceremony began - I just love it how the sun light falls onto the couple

Taking their vows

Exchanging rings

The first kiss

Signing the register

Finally husband and wife - They walked out with the children

Then we take advantage of the sun to go outside for a quick portrait

Rhi and Neil were very easy to work with..very relaxed and willing

Somehow Rhi and Neil finds it humorous to do this shot - but I think they look AWESOME!

I love this one too - they look so loving and natural

A quick group shot - what a view!

Just the family

Then into the Conservatory for some more portraits - my fav!

and this one

this one too..

And then its time for lunch

Rhi really needed a drink after all that session

Same goes to Neil

Even the cute Gareth needs a sip

Some details of the food..

The hot bun

The beautifully crafted butter

The starter - Chicken liver parfait, homemade chutney and Melba toast

And that was the smallest wedding I’ve done so far - a lovely one too!

CONGRATULATIONS To Rhiannon and Neil..

I went to the GenQuip Stadium on Friday to cover a WPL game between Port Talbot and Llanelli AFC. The match ended in a 0-0 draw. For a full match report go here. Here’s the best shot of the day..

Neil Thomas of Port Talbot Town (in blue) trying to put in a cross during their 0-0 draw with Llanelli AFC at The GenQuip Stadium, August 21, 2009.

I was really looking forward to this event! Not only it’s the biggest wedding I’ve done in the UK so far, it’s also happening at one of the most famous and grandest place in the world..Manchester United Football Club! Ok..ok..I know I’m not a United Fan but hey, come on..who doesn’t want to be there?? Right, enough about me..Irfan on the other hand is Man United’s BIGGEST fan! And what makes this event even more special is that we were allowed by the officials to go inside the stadium! Like a private tour..just for us. Although it’s just for a short while (about 5 mins I think), it was awesome! I would like to say my thanks to both Irfan and Amina and also to all their families for having me there on that special day. You really make me feel like I’m part of the family. Thanks for the trust guys! To Irfan and Amina..I wish you both a happy life together. Enjoy the pics..

Amina’s getting ready

The make-up kit

Bling Bling

Irfan was getting ready in another room

Getting some help from his brother Usman

One of my fav shot

Yummy creamy light

We did some ‘Hindi Movie’ pose by the stairs

The couple’s cool ride

A quick shot in the car

The venue - Manchester United

The entrance to Manchester Suite

Families already waiting at the Stadium

Irfan and Amina arriving via the Premier North Gate

Amina was greeted by mum-in-law

Getting ready to enter the hall

They both walked gracefully to the main stage

The main stage

The view from the stage

A lovely couple

Amina with some of her friends

The ladies side of the hall

The men’s side of the hall

Irfan at the main table

Asian traditional band plays while waiting for the food

Food is being served to the guests

Some detail shot

The ladies section

Amina’s parents and sisters

Irfan with dad-in-law

They went back onto the stage a second time (this time Amina’s in green)

Joined in by the families

Everybody wants a shot of the bride and groom

Happy tears..

The cake cutting

Then we went into the stadium for a quick portrait

That’s one happy couple!

A sweet one too..

One big happy family..

As for me, it was the best wedding job I’ve ever done. Congratulations to Irfan & Amina!

ps: feel free to leave your best wishes to Irfan and Amina below

Yup! I just got my WPL accreditation approved and my Photo Bip together with the Media Pass came in the post yesterday. The pass gives me total access to the Press Box, Press Room, Mixed Zone and the Photographers Zone at all WPL Grounds. Finally I get to cover the BIG games. Having said that, I’ll still go to the lower leagues once in a while if I feel like it. So if I am not busy doing weddings, I’ll be at one those games. Owh, keep a look out if you’re watching Sgorio on S4C, I might be by the pitch..very excited about it!

The (very bright!!) Photo Bip, the Pass and a note from Football Association of Wales

I spent my birthday this year in Manchester..not to celebrate but to shoot my first UK Asian wedding. I’ve known Irfan and his family for about 5 years now (we were renting their flat in Manchester back then). We’ve stayed in touch ever since and have become close friends with random visits whenever the opportunity arises. About a month ago, I was told by Irfan’s Mum that he wishes to have me as the photographer on his wedding day. I was more than happy to do it and it would certainly add to my portfoilio. So on the 29th July, 2009 I took an early morning train to Manchester to meet Irfan and his wedding party. As I was approaching the house, from inside the black cab, I could hear the load noise of asian drums and by the road side I could see a long strecthed Rover Limousine! As I expected, It was a BIG wedding with plenty of reds and bright colours around and Irfan was very handsome in his traditional outfit - fit for a King. Irfan and Amina met while they were in college in Manchester about 5 years ago. Irfan is now furthering his studies while Amina is teaching at a local school in Manchester. Here are some shots from the day. More to come - their wedding reception at Manchester United Football Club!

The Asian Drummer outside the house

Happy Aunties

A short prayer outside the house for blessings

Irfan in his cool M5 BMW ride

The Rover Limousine I was talking about

A cool ride for the ladies and children

Irfan and his little brother Suleman

Waving money around the groom’s head for luck - a unique culture

More drums on the way up to the hall

The groom’s party was stopped by the entrance - another unique culture

The Banquet Hall at Nawaab Manchester

The groom’s party is then paraded to the main stage

A quick shot of the groom’s party before the Nikah Ceremony

Irfan was very cool as he waits for the Nikah Ceremony

The Nikah took place smoothly on the main stage

Irfan being congratulated by his dad after the Nikah

Irfan with his cool cousins

Amina being led onto the stage to meet her in-laws

Both Irfan and Amina looked very shy on the stage

With the groom’s family

Exchanging flowers garland

Saying farewells before going back to groom’s house

Amina safely arrived at Irfan’s house

Married at last..a happy couple!

Here’s a video clip I shot on my new EOS 5D Mark II just to summarize to day..

More to come..

Their Reception at Manchester United FC