Maz & David’s Hogarths wedding photography

Maz & David’s Hogarth Wedding Photography

This was DEFINITELY a one-in-a-million wedding and my first experience of both shooting Greek and Hogarth wedding photography, and what an experience it was. 100 mph, full-on, busy, loud, bright and soo much fun – I don’t think I sat down once for the whole time I was there, and I absolutely loved it!! It’s always an honour to be asked to capture a wedding within a different culture, and it’s fascinating to see all the different traditions and rituals that occur during the ceremony. My day started at Maz’s parents house and it struck me that it was a little bit like Piccadilly Circus – with comings and goings and organised chaos happening left, right and centre! It is Greek tradition that before the wedding, the brides’ family and friends all gather together and take part in the ‘dressing of the bride’. During this, Maz was blessed by many of the guests with a censer as a smoke blessing, and had a red scarf passed around her waist to symbolise fertility, all serenaded throughout by live Greek music. On the bottom of her shoes Maz wrote the names of any single friends – traditionally the names that have been worn away by the end of the night indicate the women destined to get married soon – the Greek equivalent of catching the bouquet! Meanwhile, David was busy getting ready in his tuxedo at his parents house with his two best men and groomsman. Maz’s wedding day present of a Rolex to David definitely went down an absolute storm (“No f&%$ing way has she bought me a Rolex”!!) and soon it was time for both parties to head to the imposing Greek Church – David in a Rolls Royce, and Maz in a vintage wedding car.

The Church, in the centre of Birmingham, was absolutely stunning. What a backdrop for a wedding ceremony – and what a ceremony it was too! Again, so many customs happened throughout, it was amazing to have an up-close vantage point to be a part of it. David desperately tried to hold it together as Maz was walking down the aisle towards him, lots of emotion definitely! The ceremony started with the registrar leading their exchange of vows and them signing the registry. Following that, they were adorned with wedding crowns linked by a strand of ribbon, drank wine from a cup and circled the alter three times – all linking to prayers and symbolism of the Greek wedding ceremony. Finally, they were announced as Mr and Mrs Hough and walked down the aisle as newlyweds!

We then all headed over to the reception venue in Solihull, and it was my first opportunity to capture some Hogarth wedding photography. The venue itself was lovely, with plenty of places for the happy couple to wander for some time by themselves (and me and my 2nd photographer Chris too!) with woodlands, beautiful lawns and bluebells aplenty – there was even an opportunity for some limbo dancing at one point from them both (I think Maz won hands down to be fair!). With Maz & David upgrading to my video highlights package too, there were lots of great mini film clips to capture and really tell the full story of their day. During the drinks reception, the guests were being thoroughly entertained by the incredible magician Jester, this meant that the formal group shots were relatively easy to arrange – even though with five bridesmaids and three groomsmen there was definitely plenty of outtakes to the photo album!

Following this, it was time for Maz & David to be announced as Mr & Mrs Hough for their wedding breakfast. Speeches were given before the food which were hilarious and lovely in equal measure, and then after the food I took the opportunity to capture some couple shots in the gorgeous Hogarth grounds. With their evening guests arriving and the band ready to play, Maz & David cut their amazing cake – made by one of Maz’s sisters – and then opened the dance floor with not one, but two first dances – the second one being a traditional Greek wedding dance which then turned into a massive giant wedding conga, pretty epic way to start a blooming awesome party into the night! With fireworks to round their night off, it is safe to say that Maz & David celebrated their wedding to the absolute max, and their day was absolutely amazing from start to finish.

Maz & David, thank you so much for involving me in your awesome day, it was an absolute honour to be part of it and experience a full-on proper Greek wedding. You two are perfect for each other, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness together. Congratulations!!

If you’re interested in booking me for your Hogarths wedding photography in Solihull then please don’t hesitate to get in touch here.