PIP & LYDIA’S WEDDING

Pip and Lydia’s was pretty much our perfect wedding and we loved photographing it! They tied the knot in our university town of Aberystwyth in a wonderful church full of their friends (and some of ours). Then they headed up to Aberystwyth Golf Club for their wedding reception with incredible views across the bay from the golf course. But that’s me getting ahead of myself…

Getting ready

Let’s start our story in the morning with Lyd’s huge and eclectic squad getting ready at an Airbnb up in the hills. She had the hair team come to her which meant all her girls could be around getting ready and help her with makeup and putting together their bouquets.

Meanwhile, down in the town, Pip’s family were in together in another Airbnb and Malc joined them there as they got ready to head out to church.

The wedding service

We love Alfred Place Baptist Church, it’s full of old school welsh chapel charm, but it's still alive and kicking, actively part of the community in the town. Lydia’s Mum drove her to the church, with her little brother and me. The girls were waiting for us outside and there was a funny little moments pause as Lydia’s Mum realised she’d forgotten her earrings and ran up to a stranger to ask to borrow theirs.

With earrings sorted the girls walked calmly down the aisle and the service got underway. We loved that both Dad’s were involved in the formalities- Pip's Dad taking them through their vows after Lyd's had given her away. They had friends lead the singing, read from the Bible and give share thoughts on marriage. Then they signed the registers downstairs, a chance for a private moment with some of their close family before heading up and outside with all their guests and a heap of confetti.

In a bit of classic timing from the British weather just as we headed down to the beach for some photos with Pip & Lydia it started to rain. We had an umbrella with us (a key part of our photography kit!) but it wasn’t going to cut it for long against the wind, so we scrapped that plan and headed up the hill to the golf club. After some time to chat with the guests the sun was back so we were able to take group photos out on the green.

The wedding reception

Inside the tables were laid with presents for the guests; instead of favours Pip and Lydia had provided a "Blind Date with a Book” by wrapping a second-hand book thoughtfully selected for each person attending. Everyone around us was delighted with their choices. Dinner was served and the top table made speeches (always such a fun insight for us as we’re just getting to know our wedding couples).

The evening was warm so the guests chatted on the lawn and took walks along the clifftop to enjoy the views. We snuck a few minutes away with Pip and Lydia for photos of the two of them- the views more than made up for the bad weather earlier!

The lovely evening made it tricky to drag everyone back inside for the band but the dancing soon got started, you can trust an Aber crowd. Everyone let their hair down, and some even donned a wig to join us in the photo booth. Later everyone headed outside to wave around sparklers like mad. The whole thing was a lot of fun. The night ended with Pip & Lydia making their getaway in a car packed full of balloons and surrounded by the most loving crowd.

Thanks for having us around guys, we loved it- Nom

“You two really impressed us with the sheer bucketfuls of friendliness & calm you displayed on the day”