Paula and Steve's wedding reception

Paula and Steve got married in an intimate ceremony in St Lucia with just a few close relatives followed by a reception back in the UK surrounded by friends and family.

The day was relaxed and entertaining, much like the couple, making it a fun to shoot and allowing me to get some great pictures of the bridal party, who feasted on a BBQ, followed by chocolate fountains and an array of deserts. While it had all the markings of a traditional wedding reception, with the speeches and the cutting of the cake; the couple admirabley also found time to raise money for Help for Heroes in a collection while the band played.

The setting was Appledore, in the heart of the Garden of England, allowing us to slip away into a near by corn field at sunset for these gorgeous, informal shots of the pair.

The reception allowed Paula and Steve to celebrate their marriage with loved ones before Steve had to return to Afghanistan the week after. Their day was so individual and heart warming, and I felt very priviledged to have been a part of it.

After the wedding I found out that St Lucia was  originally the honeymoon destination and they were supposed to be getting maried in Kent in August. However, Steve, a CPL in the Signals, got called to Afghanistan when the wedding was booked for, so they had to cancel. Not wanting to wait they decided to bring it forward and use their honeymoon destination as a venue (which was kept a secret from the bride until she landed!). All she knew is that she was going to be getting married on a beach! Steve told Paula he wanted it brought forward in case anything happened to him in Afghanistan, to ensure that Paula got her dream wedding to him.
Images all by Graham Young Photography