I love photographing weddings at The Roslin Beach Hotel in Southend. The views of beach and the Thames Estuary are fantastic. It’s a view I’ve seen so many times having lived by the sea for so long but I never tire of it. It feels like home. This wedding felt like home too.
Like me, Kelly and Richard grew up in the area and being near the beach was a big factor in deciding on their venue. Kelly and her bridesmaids got ready at her family home in Benfleet where there a real buzz in the air, a heady mix of nerves and excitement. I also have to mention the garden. It was one of the most perfectly manicured I’d ever seen. Kelly’s parents have created a real masterpiece there.
The ceremony was conducted at the Roslin by two of Southend’s relaxed and humorous registrar team. There were plenty of laughs and maybe a few tears too. After the ceremony we were treated to some perfect weather to go and spend some time on the beach.
Speeches are always a highlight of any wedding for me and these were no different. Every single one was heartfelt, emotional and very funny speeches. In a break from tradition, Kelly made a speech which drew many of the biggest laughs. Then listening to her father’s speech I can see that some of his humour has rubbed off on her. Best man Dave did a fantastic job of suitably embarrassing his brother Richard, telling stories from their childhood and the stag do in Sweden.
I always like to taking my couples for a few portraits around sunset to make the most of that lovely warm light. When Kelly and Richard had their engagement shoot at Hadleigh Castle a few months before the wedding we were lucky to get an amazing sunset. On the day of the wedding there were some clouds around so I wasn’t sure if we were going to get one. I nervously kept an eye on the sky as sunset approached. Then, it happened, the clouds broke enough to reveal some beautiful warm and dramatic light, so we rushed back out to the beach to grab some final portraits before the party started. Perfect.
So then the party, and what a party. Kelly and Richard had always said that they wanted the evening to start early and finish late. I love being there to capture this part of the wedding for my couples especially with dancing as good as this.
I left feeling part of the family.
A big thank you to Kelly, Richard and everyone else at the wedding for making me feel so welcome. I’d also like to thank the staff at the Roslin for their hard work as always and Steve and Jenn at Unique Films for being so great to work with. Hopefully this won’t be the last time we work together. Here are my favourite shots, I’d love to hear your comments at the bottom of the post.
Ceremony and Reception: The Roslin Beach Hotel
Videography: Unique Visuals
Hair: Holly at Strangeways
Make up: Cheryl Foreman
Flowers: Belgravia Florists
Lovely captures Matt. Flowing narrative & great sunset portraits!
Corr blimey Matt, you are getting good!
Very nice Matthew, love the cake cutting. Story telling is strong as well.
Cracking set dude. I love the ‘Look’ portrait; inspired! 🙂
Great looking wedding man. Documented so well
These are really great, love that black and white dancing shot.
Killer shoe shot! Beautiful coverage, so many great moments.
beautiful details and moments… what a happy bride! love how much joy you’ve captured here.
This couple (and their guests) look like really fun people! You captured a lot of joy and silliness at this wedding – perfect.
Excellent work Matthew! I really love the one in the beach shelter. Did make me smile!
Awesome how you captured reactions!
Great work Matthew. The reactions during the speeches are awesome and I love those dusk/dark portraits. Awesome job!
ah got to love a beach for wedding portraits..and love their cake too with the deckchairs..fun wedding very well documented
Love the brides expressions! So much fun! And the emotions and reactions are priceless 🙂 Great dusk portraits too!
those night portraits are money.
Quality, really nice work – great backdrop for a wedding that you’ve captured beautifully.
they look like they didn’t stop laughing. excellent candid work and interactions of the bride and her father in the speeches.
When Kelly had just put on her wedding dress, her reaction, your capture = perfect.
Great work! So many creative angles and framings. Love it all!
Some really great natural smiles captured! I love how relaxed and natural their day seemed!
Beautiful. Love the portraits and the energy of your night time pictures. That cake is super cute too.
Nice coverage as always Matthew, some lovely portraits! Great job!
Simply stunning evening shots Matthew! I really liked the bridal party in the beach shelter too, great work my friend!
So many extra special shots here Matthew, they just kept on getting better. (Especially starting from when Kelly and Richard are walking back up the aisle!)
Love the flash lit beach shots Matthew, great wedding!
Holy smokes! that first shot is off the hook!
I was won over by the first 3 frames. Incredible work Matthew! So many exceptional photographs!