DUNHAM FOREST GOLF CLUB WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER - REBECCA and CHRIS

Our Bride and Groom

My first meeting with Rebecca and Chris was brief, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t get too much of a feel for the kind of people they were. I was nonetheless very happy when they decided to book me as their photographer (I’m always happy when people decide to book me as their photographer!).

As their wedding date drew nearer, Rebecca requested that we skip bride and groom prep photos and that I stay a little later instead, as they were hoping to do a little dancing and wanted it captured. That’s absolutely fine by me! Every wedding is different so I like to be flexible and work around whatever arrangements the couple have made. And when it came to dancing, Rebecca and Chris didn’t disappoint……but more on that later…..

Dunham Forest Golf and Country Club

It was my first time shooting at Dunham Forest Golf and Country Club (not to be confused with Dunham Massey) and I was pleasantly surprised! The venue currently doesn’t have too high a profile online (I hope this blog post can help it out a bit there 🙂 ), but let me assure you, it’s a great wedding venue. The ceremony room in the members lounge is bright and spacious, with large windows that circle round the front of the room, casting great natural light on the whole room, but in particular the bride and groom as they go through the ceremony. The bar is in close proximity for anyone who’s ‘feeling eager’ and the staff are very nice indeed. Finally, the golf club grounds are fantastic for a few couple photos, your formal family photos and just to hang out. There’s enough ‘free’ area around the club itself that you don’t need to worry about golf balls flying overhead, and the golf carts are available if you fancy a little excursion round the course (Rebecca and Chris opted not to).

The ceremony

The day started with Chris and his best man hanging out in the ceremony room and having a few drinks at the bar. It quickly became apparent that Chris was a really chilled out guy who took everything in his stride. They soon disappeared to get ready and I took a few shots of details and the room setup as usual. Shortly after they returned the guest started arriving and there was a flurry of tie-tying, with Chris lending a hand to all who needed it.

Suddenly the room seemed busy and Rebecca was arriving in a campervan! I’d been forewarned of the campervan but it was still awesome to see her rock up in it. The ceremony was lovely, a few thumbs-up from Chris and lots of emotion. A very happy time J. Afterwards everyone moved outside for a bit of a natter and a few formal photos. The golf club balcony was a great place which I could shoot a great group photo.

Confetti Campervans and a little Dabbing

Everyone began preparing for the confetti photo, the guests sharing the confetti amongst themselves. I was pleased to see that there was plenty of it! Rebecca brought a big smile to my face when she warmed up for the confetti with a little dabbing! I would learn that this was somewhat of a theme for the wedding and would make many an appearance on the dancefloor. Thanks to the amount of confetti and enthusiasm of everyone present, Rebecca and Chris’ confetti shot was perhaps one of the best I have taken so far. Just as I thought it couldn’t get any better, Rebecca and Chris both decided to run back through the confetti Gauntlet. Why not make the most of the moment!??!?!

A few unposed photos with the campervan and then the wedding breakfast began. A little break and then onto the speeches…..where it became apparent that Rebecca and Chris were rock fans and many of their guests were members of their university’s rock society! I grew up on the likes of Nirvana, Metallica and Rage Against the Machine so is got me a little excited. Were we going to get some rock classics on the dancefloor……? The speeches were ended with an interesting game of ‘Never have I ever’ with Chris as the subject. I’ll spare you the details…..

photobooth and party

With the end of the speeches I quickly setup my photobooth. It’s an easy set up, a plain backdrop that makes people stand out, a camera on a tripod and a load of props for people to root through. The props can also be used on the dancefloor….which they were to great effect by Chris and Rebecca and their guests.

What can I say about the evening reception. The first dance and cake cutting were of course great, but they were incidental compared to the party that erupted on the dance floor and stayed that way for the rest of the evening. I said that Chris and Rebecca didn’t disappoint and I’ll say it again. They did NOT disappoint. I love taking dancefloor photos and it was so easy with these guys. The rock was flowing and I reverted back to my youth. It was VERY HARD not just put the camera down and get my groove on. Interspersed in the rock was a little Gangnam Style too. Fantastic stuff!

I had an awesome time being Rebecca & Chris’ Dunham Forest Golf Club wedding photographer and I wish them all the best for the future!