Come as a guest, not as the photographer

I’ll be honest, my heart sank a little when Ian said I wasn’t to be their photographer on their Wedding day. I was more nervous being a guest than I ever am as a Wedding Photographer. I’ve been photo shooting Weddings for so long now that it has become natural for me to be one step ahead; to pre-empt where the couple are going to be, what they are doing, searching for angles (etc..) BUT, as a guest I wasn’t sure what to do! However, I had a plan…bring my SLR along!!! (genius). I had something to hide behind, I had a purpose. I’m not someone who sits on his hands and let’s the world go by. I even played a small part as a roady lugging equipment out of the church and into the reception venue.

As it turned out, I’m so glad I wasn’t the photographer. I was able to talk to people I recognized from church but was never introduced, I was able to relax into the day. I had a fab day and yes I did take a few photos but I promised I didn’t frighten anyone with the biggest camera at the Wedding haha!! Okay, I may have frighten Ben but I don't think he's fully recovered from the Camera frenzy of the Stag Do a few weeks earlier!

I did mention to friends that I wasn't going to take my camera but I just couldn't resist! This thing I love is in my blood and in the future I'm not going to resist it anymore.

There was a downside though; I saw the official photos and they were very good especially the photos of Lucy who made an amazing Bride.

The Church service was awesome. I was surrounded by people I go to Church with. I had literally completed a wedding the day before so I was quite tired, but that did not dampen my joy for the Ushers.

There was no doubt that this was going to be a very special wedding and the evening reception really highlighted that.

Something amazing is going to happen

Once the speeches and breakfast had been done, Lucy surprised everyone by singing a song to Ian. She is a fantastic singer and regular participates in the Church worship.

To top the singing off, their frist dance was a very energetic choreographed routine that wowed everybody there! My instincts knew something was up when it looked like they got into dance position! I got some great shots of them. The light levels was poor to rubbish but my Nikon managed to get some shots which I know the couple are pleased with.

One final thing, Lucy look ab-sooo–lute—-ly stunning, and there was much pride on Ian’s face. During his speech something flew into my eye which made it very teary…(ahem). Anyway, enough boring waffling from me.

This gallery is unique in everyway, the fact that I was not the official photographer. The fact that I had to learn to be a guest and I had to take a very back seat during all the official bits. But most of all, some friends invited me to be part of their amazing day and more importantly they wanted me there as a friend.

Many congratulations to Lucy and Ian Usher.

---UPDATE---

21.4.10- The Ushers recently celebrated their one year anniversary. Ian approached me asking for the photo of them kissing on the dance floor so he could produce a large canvas as a 'surpise' gift. A few days later Lucy asked me for the very same photo also for a 'surprise' gift. I couldn't tell either of them what the other was thinking or doing In the end it was all sorted out.