Jessica and Russell’s July wedding at Beaconside House in Bideford was one of the hottest weddings I have ever photographed. As a Devon wedding photographer, the combination of bright sun, deep shadows and an outdoor ceremony made it a brilliant setting for natural, cinematic summer images.

The morning began with direct, harsh light at 10am, which gave me plenty to work with for contrast and atmosphere during the preparations. Jessica got ready with her bridal party, and the living room became the perfect space for a first look with her closest people. The reactions from her bridesmaids, and from her mum and brother, were full of excitement and pride. It set the tone for the rest of the day.

The ceremony was held in the garden and led beautifully by Ceremonies by Rebecca, with Maggio Strings playing music as Jessica walked down the aisle. It mixed the elegance of a black-tie celebration with the warmth of a hand-fasting ritual. After reading their vows, Jessica and Russell kissed under the shade of an oak tree and walked back through a flurry of confetti with their daughters. Flowers by Bluejen Florist added the perfect touch throughout both the ceremony and later in the reception.

By midday the temperature had reached thirty-three degrees, so after the ceremony we kept the formal group photos quick and relaxed to make sure everyone stayed comfortable.

Guests then cooled off during a sunny cocktail hour while I took Jessica and Russell for a short couple shoot in the shady areas around the grounds. Sunglasses were a must, and it made the session feel fun and fitting for the heat.

Inside the reception hall, everything looked beautifully put together. Jessica and Russell kept their guests entertained with interactive speeches, an enthusiastic game of Mr and Mrs, football shirt photos, a multimedia presentation and plenty of laughter. Each table even had its own wedding cake baked by Mollie Makes, which was a brilliant touch.

As the temperature dropped, the light softened and guests enjoyed drinks outside. This was ideal for relaxed, candid moments and a few casual group shots on request. One of the sweetest parts of the day was when the children held a pretend wedding at the altar, complete with their own ceremony.

With golden hour arriving, we headed out onto the lawn and also to the front of Beaconside House for a second round of portraits. Knowing Jessica teaches cheerleading, we found a fun way to include it by having her cheer squad lift Russell while the groomsmen attempted to lift Jessica. The girls definitely won that round.

To finish the portrait session, Jessica did a bouquet toss, which always creates brilliant, energetic photos and often ends up being a guest favourite.

The evening party began with a great first dance and entertainment from Candy Jam, who kept the dancefloor full well into the night.

Are You Planning a Wedding in the South West

If you are getting married at Beaconside House or planning a relaxed summer celebration in Devon, I would love to hear more about your plans.

You can explore my:

• Full Day Package
• Portfolio

Or simply get in touch to check availability.