LGBTQ+ WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER HERTFORDSHIRE – HARRY & STEPHEN’S PERFECT PUB WEDDING IN ST ALBANS

same sex wedding photographer hertfordshire

As a proud LGBTQ+ wedding photographer in Hertfordshire, I feel very honoured my same-sex couples trust me to photograph their weddings exactly how they want them. Harry & Stephen had a very clear vision for their wedding day, which included ripping up the rule book for St Albans wedding, & it was incredible!

LGBTQ+ WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY HERTFORDSHIRE

To start with, the wedding venue was a Ti pi & a pub. And a pub wedding is a big thumbs up from me! I mean, who doesn’t love a pub garden in the sunshine?

But more importantly, their venue set the tone for the wedding day Stephen & Harry wanted for themselves.

ST ALBANS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

I have photographed wedding receptions at the Holly Bush Pub in St Albans several times. With all the character charm you’d expect from a countryside pub. However, the fantastic vast garden is the real win here. With plenty of space for the ceremony and hay bale seating, the reception Tipi and three street food stations.

RIPPING UP THE RULE BOOK

This was a wedding with a difference. Removing many of the tick-box traditions that couples feel obliged to subscribe to on their wedding day. They wanted to celebrate their love & commitment in a way that was authentic to them, which meant…

No getting ready photos
or Confetti
Table plans were out
Zero speeches
There wouldnt be a cake (& therefore no cutting of the cake)
Hardly any formal photos
No first dance

All of the above traditional ‘must do’s instead replaced by the sound of constant chatter, full belly laughter, and a buzz of excitement that felt well…. magical really.

Sausage Dog Murrie took on the VID (very important dog) role of Flower Girl and did a fantastic job of mingling with her Dad’s human and dog wedding guests.

SAME SEX WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY HERTFORDSHIRE

The ceremony took place in the pub garden under the blazing sunshine with guests sitting on hay bales with their drinks charged. A toast with a pint replaced the confetti throw.

The reception continued in the garden as guests enjoyed live singing from Hannah Wildes-Barelli alongside their Pimms.

Table benches replaced the stress of table plans, and guests freely sat wherever they liked. Food stalls replaced the standard 3-course meal. With the opportunity to have a bit of everything from paella, to p izza, to hog roast.

The Swanvesta Social Club kicked off the post-dinner party. I have photographed this Anglo/Latin/Cuban band at previous weddings and they are amazing! Not that the guests needed much encouragement as the dancefloor was packed before the last slice of pizza was served.

It’s hard to sum up just how fantastic, and how much fun this wedding was. I walked away that evening with a huge smile on my face, as had every guest there.

More than anything the take-away was to encourage as many couples as possible to have the wedding THEY want, and not the tradition of the wedding dictates you should have.

HERTFORDSHIRE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

“Zoë is an incredible photographer. She understood what we wanted from the very beginning, and did everything she could to make sure we had a wonderful day. We will be forever grateful for Zoë & her expert skills.”