Where and When
I was given the honour of photographing Tim and Nadine's wedding day on Saturday 6th September at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar.
I've know Tim since he was two years old when his mum and dad moved in next door. He was the perfect playmate for my daughter Nicola, of the same age. Tim always had a passion for airports and aeroplanes and for him to realise his passion was a pleasure for me to be a part of.
Let me tell you more about how this amazing wedding came about... First let's go back to 2008, when Tim and Nadine first met as pilot cadets at Biggin Hill, where their relationship blossomed.
Fast forward five years, I was asked to photograph their wedding day. I suggested a few places they might like to visit as a potential venue for this glorious occasion. They remembered the early years and approached the managers at the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar to see if they could have their wedding in the hangar surrounded by Spitfires and to be transported back to a bygone era.
Hurrah this was going to be a wedding for all to remember for many, many years to come. This was the one and only wedding at this exclusive venue.
The Pre-Wedding Shoot
The photograph below was taken to mark the anniversary where Tim proposed to Nadine during a picnic at Wakehurst Place. It sounded very romantic, how by the side of a tree he knelt down on one knee and spoke those famous words "pass me a sandwich"... no not those ones the "Will you marry me" ones, and of course she couldn't refuse (she'd been waiting and hinting a log time, sorry long time). We went back to recreate the scene, to find the only tree that had been cut down was their special one.
The Wedding Day
The theme for the day was elegance with 1940s glamour. The Hangar was decorated to sympathetically reflect the 40s without overt opulence. And boy, oh boy, did they do well!
We started the day photographing the bride getting ready in her stunning Justin Alexander gown with her family and bridesmaids around her.
The ceremony took place at St. Mary's Church Westerham, with a Beauford to take the bride and her father from her home to church in style, and then the bride and groom to the Heritage Hangar for the reception.
We were entertained by the fabulous Nightingales with an army of authentically dressed ladies and gentlemen to entertain and dance with us. Perhaps the highlight of the entertainment was the Spitfire flypast, just before dusk the guests were interrupted by an air raid siren and ushered outside the hangar, only to be wowed by this spectacular display. It was breathtaking!
Everything Tim and Nadine had chosen for their day was excellent. From the food by Tom at Tourelle to the flowers by Chez Fleur that looked and smelt absolutely beautiful, all were exceptionally well done. The DJ entertained the guest until well after midnight.
My Photographic Kit
During the day Nikon cameras were used with an array of lenses from the 24-120mm to 70-200mm. I was also test driving a Leica S-System camera, which is know as the Rolls Royce of cameras, and used it for the photograph below. I have to say I love my Nikons' but was pretty blown away by Leica. Over the weekend I tested the Leica M-System also. They pretty much take you back to basics with manual focusing and have their place for static photography when you don't need to be quick (not ideal for shooting at weddings) but particularly well suited to my classic and supercar photography. The lenses are a piece of fantastic engineering.
Tim and Nadine's pilot's wedding was a flying success, I wish them many years of health and happiness.
Thanks for reading, if you would like your wedding photographed, please do get it touch. I am only able to take on commissions for a maximum of eight weddings a year.
My next newsletter will be in two weeks time about my exciting day at The Goodwood Revival.
Bye for now.
Stella