Some weddings have a wonderful sense of calm from the moment you arrive, and Becky and Shaun’s wedding at Hogarths Solihull was exactly that.
With just their closest family and friends around them, the afternoon was never about rushing from one photograph to the next. It was about enjoying time together and letting the day unfold naturally.
These are just a few early highlights from their wonderfully intimate wedding.
Quiet Moments Before the Ceremony
Before the ceremony, I spent a little time with Becky as she finished getting ready in the bridal suite.
There was no need to turn those final preparations into a photoshoot. I simply documented those last few moments before she made her way downstairs and across to the island for their outdoor ceremony.
Meanwhile, their guests were arriving and settling into the afternoon, ready to share what felt like a very personal celebration.
An Outdoor Ceremony on the Island at Hogarths
The island at Hogarths provided such a lovely setting for Becky and Shaun’s ceremony, tucked away across the bridge and surrounded by greenery.
One of my favourite moments came as Becky arrived and I caught Shaun’s expression when he first saw her.
Later, during the ceremony, there was another lovely little glance from Shaun towards Becky. It was one of those fleeting expressions that needed no direction or posing — just a genuine moment between the two of them.
Lavinia Barnsley sang during the ceremony too, adding another really personal touch to the afternoon. It was lovely to see Lavinia again and photograph her performing as part of their day.
Confetti, Cocktails and Time With the People They Love
After the ceremony, there was no rush to move everybody on.
Becky and Shaun had deliberately planned a relaxed cocktail hour, with the first part spent around the island. It gave everyone time to congratulate them, have a drink, chat and simply enjoy being together.
Their informal confetti throw fitted perfectly into that atmosphere before everyone gradually made their way across to the gardens for the second part of the cocktail hour.
Rather than immediately taking Becky and Shaun away from their guests, I wanted them to have that time with their family and friends. With such an intimate wedding, those relationships were a huge part of their day.
Relaxed Wedding Photographs Without Disappearing for Ages
As we moved between the island and the gardens, I used the opportunity to take some relaxed photographs of Becky and Shaun together.
The late-afternoon sun gave us some beautiful backlight, but there was no lengthy photoshoot or disappearing from their guests for an hour. We simply made photographs as we walked, before they went back to enjoying their cocktail hour.
We also quickly worked through the handful of family group photographs they’d chosen beforehand, along with a few extra photographs they decided they’d like on the day.
Nothing needed to be rigid. If a photograph suddenly felt important to them, we made it.
Recreating a Photograph From 16 Years Ago
There was one photograph Becky and Shaun had specifically asked me to help them recreate.
It was their prom photograph from around 16 years ago, taken near the beginning of their relationship.
So, on their wedding day, we recreated the pose together.
I loved the meaning behind this one. It wasn’t simply about copying an old photograph; it connected two completely different points in their lives together.
A photograph from near the beginning of their relationship, recreated all these years later on their wedding day — another little piece of their story to keep.
Finishing the Story Around the Wedding Breakfast
Eventually everyone made their way inside for the wedding breakfast.
After a quick mock cake cutting — their actual cake cutting was planned for later in the evening — I concentrated on those last natural moments as everyone settled around the tables, chatting and enjoying each other’s company.
And then it was time for me to quietly slip away.
It felt like exactly the right ending to four hours of intimate wedding photography: no big production and very little interruption, just Becky and Shaun spending their wedding day with the people who mattered most to them.
That’s exactly what they’d hoped for.
And it’s exactly what I wanted their photographs to remember.
These are just a handful of photographs from the day. There are plenty more moments to view, including the people, reactions and little bits of the story Becky and Shaun may not even have realised were happening around them.
You can also browse more relaxed celebrations on my Real Weddings page.
Planning a Wedding That Feels Like You?
Your wedding does not need to feel like a photoshoot.
My approach is centred on quietly documenting the people, interactions and fleeting moments that make the day personal. We can still include the family photographs that matter, but I keep them organised and efficient so you can return to enjoying your guests.
You can read more about my documentary approach, explore my guide to stately home wedding venues or get in touch to check my availability