"Being a great wedding photographer requires far more than simply being able to take beautiful photographs. It requires warmth, patience, professionalism, humour and, when necessary, a certain degree of command. Matt has all of these qualities in abundance.
It simply would not have been the same wedding without Matt. He is phenomenally talented at what he does!
We have also received numerous messages from family members echoing the same sentiment. It is surely rare that you talk about a photographer so frequently after a wedding, but Matt is special — we could not recommend him highly enough."
Andrew & Zak
Andrew & Zak's Gay Wedding at Balcombe Place
It's pretty tough to put into words just how amazing Andrew & Zak's wedding at Balcombe Place was, but here goes! I knew going into it we were going to have a great time, but this one goes straight into the Hall of Fame. Two beautiful souls, surrounded by a brilliant group of family and friends, in one of the most gorgeous settings in Sussex. And let's face it; Gay weddings are the best fun, aren't they?! Well, if you keep scrolling, you'll see why I think that.
Right from the get-go, Andrew & Zak knew exactly what they wanted from their wedding at Balcombe Place; maximum fun, minimal formality, and photos that documented the energy and atmosphere of the weekend. Dreamy! If you're a regular here, you know that emotion is my favourite currency on a wedding day, and it's fair to say it was flowing freely all day here.
We kicked off with some relaxed prep before getting stuck into a beautiful and emotional ceremony in The Drawing Room. Keep scrolling to check it out...
A Relaxed Same-Sex Wedding at Balcombe Place
I'm not sure it's possible to have anything other than a relaxed wedding at Balcombe Place. Grace is incredible, the venue is unreal and the fact you get the place for a whole weekend, and the whole vibe has a destination wedding feel about it. Being able to spend a whole weekend with your favourite people really de-pressurises the wedding day itself and means you have nothing but time to spend with everyone there. That's just the perfect recipe for a relaxed wedding day.
Speaking of time, after their ceremony, Andrew & Zak had a tonne of time to go and spend with their nearest and dearest. I always like to work this way; let my couples go and enjoy their drinks reception after the ceremony, rather than spending too much time doing portraits and groups and all that other stuff. There are times to get that stuff done, but the priority is always to give my couples as much time as possible to go and be present with everyone else. Why? Because their experience will always be better if we do things this way, and that's what I care most about.
Why Balcombe Place Is Perfect for Documentary Wedding Photography
Balcombe Place is a truly special place to spend time. As I mentioned already, the fact you're there for a whole weekend really takes the pressure off the wedding day itself, and having Grace working hard to make sure everything runs smoothly really allows you to go and be present with everyone. And trust me, this has a huge impact on the photos. Documentary wedding photography is built around the idea that your wedding day should be exactly that; your wedding day! Not a photoshoot, not a day condensed into a bunch of posed photos and 'plandid' moments (yuk) - documentary wedding photography is all about capturing the REAL, raw emotion, getting all those laughs when they actually happen, and leaving you to go and enjoy this weekend you've spent all this time planning and creating. It's about the experience. And if you have that freedom to enjoy the weekend as it should be enjoyed, surrounded by all the people who really mean something to you in the world, in a setting that encourages you to do all those things, you'd better believe the photos will reflect that!
Planning a Gay Wedding at Balcombe Place
So, if you're planning your own wedding at Balcombe Place and this all sounds like the kind of experience you're looking to have, I'd love to come and be a part of it with you. If you'd like to chat more, get in touch and let's get something in the diary. You can check out my portfolio and the blog to see more of my work and read a bit more about my approach to documentary wedding photography at Balcombe Place too.
If you've made it this far, I'm so grateful you've taken the time to check in and read. But the truth is, the photos do a much better job of telling the story than I ever could, so here's the party! Thanks for stopping by guys, it means a lot. Massive thanks must go to Andrew & Zak for having me and letting me be a part of such an amazing weekend. I'll be forever grateful for them and all my couples for trusting me to document their weddings.
Cheers guys. Party time...
FAQ
Do you cover the welcome drinks on the Friday evening too?
Absolutely, if you want me to. Being a part of a wedding day is a brilliant thing, but being a part of the whole weekend experience is even better. There are so many stories to be told and getting to know your people and their stories before the big day is a lovely way to kick things off.
Is Balcombe Place good for same-sex weddings?
100%. Balcombe is such a warm and welcoming place. It's one of those places where you feel instantly relaxed when you walk in the door, because you know you're going to be looked after. And the suppliers that Grace recommends are all like-minded people, and we're all there to make sure you have the best time.
How much time should we allow for portraits?
With me, honestly, it doesn't take long. My priority for every one of my couples is that they get maximum time with everyone they've invited. There are windows and pockets of time in the day where we can sneak out and grab some gorgeous, relaxed portraits without me taking you away from spending time with people. Short answer; 2 X 10 mins is plenty. If you want to know more, go have a read about my approach.
Do you photograph weddings across Sussex?
Yes I do. I will go anywhere and everywhere if the people are right and the connection is there. I've worked at Balcombe a bunch of times now, along with other venues across Sussex and beyond, so you're in good hands :-)