An incredible, heartfelt and full of emotions with lots of humour thrown in! Yes, that’s how we’d sum up Holly & Raquel’s wedding in Reading, Berkshire.
It was a full-day wedding and we started the day with bridal preps. The great benefit of having 2 photographers booked for your day is that we can pretty much photograph both sides of the wedding story.
Holly and Raquel had separate bridal suites at The Roseate Hotel, Reading. As a photography duo, we made our way to our brides with each staying with a bride throughout their bridal prep.
Bridal preps, first look and relaxed couple portraits
Both bridal preps were full of joy, fun, excitement and special moments. One of the unforgettable moments we photographed were the reactions from the letters handed to Holly’s family from Holly herself.
Letters of gratitude, honesty and appreciation stirred emotions in the room that was already high. Each family member; mum, dad and sister, made their own little space to read their letter. It was intimate, loving and yes, emotional. Holly’s mum was full of tears reading her daughter’s letter.
It was inevitable – there were hugs given that could have lasted a lifetime.
Raquel’s bridal prep had champagne bottles popping and music blasting. Iron boards out in every corner of the room. MUAs and friends were scattered across the large room with cufflinks, dresses and shoes carefully laid out on the bed like a museum piece, of course, with the wedding dress being the centrepiece – do not touch!
One of the highlights between Raquel and her friends were those moments where friendship was celebrated. Raquel handed gifts to each of her friends with her friends gifting Raquel some beautiful jewellery just before leaving the hotel to give way for Holly’s and Raquel’s first look.
Down the staircase of the art deco floor of The Roseate Hotel, both photographers followed each of them, photographing both the nervousness and excitement intertwined as one. The warm embraces continued throughout the relaxed, fun and intimate couple portraits which is ‘couple time’ in our eyes.
Wedding ceremony and reception at The Narrowboat, Reading UK
It may have been October but it certainly didn’t feel like it! Once at The Narrowboat, the sun broke through the clouds and heat and sunshine covered the venue like a gold blanket.
Guests arrived and we could feel the excitement building up for the beautiful wedding couple. The ceremony soon begun with Holly & Raquel’s friends walking down the aisle one by one ending with Raquel walking down to meet Holly’s eyes.
Rings were exchanged and celebration of the newly-wedded couple started with bright and colourful confetti. Drinks were served just before group shots.
Wedding speeches and party time!
We love a good wedding speech. For us, a good wedding speech reveals something special about the person (or a couple!). A good one evokes a reaction and we relish in those moments. The bursts of laughter over an embarrassing story, the tears over those who couldn’t be here and a little quiz thrown in too to get the guests thinking. Holly & Raquel’s wedding had just that!
Of course, there was a reward after the emotional rollercoaster for the guests and that was party time. After the cake cutting, music started pumping out of the stereos and everyone got on the dance floor to show their best moves (or not!).
Thank you Holly & Raquel for choosing us to be a part of your wedding day!
