Steve Gemmell
Sep 2, 20202 min
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Yes it rains a lot in England. As an English wedding photographer you have to be prepared for the worst even in the middle of summer. So far this year has been classic with the worst rainfall and storms since records started, it can only get better as we head towards the spring and summer months we hope. Do you remember the Queen’s procession down the Thames on June 3rd 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee? I was photographing a wedding at Brocket Hall that day. Needless to say we didn’t get a chance to venture outside. Amazingly, although we had some rain the next day I photographed another wedding at Hatfield House and we had some beautiful early evening sunshine for Devora & Simon. A beautiful day all round.
In fact I was back at Brocket Hall the following week for another lovely wedding with the ceremony actually held outside in front of the house. Such is the unpredictability of the weather for the English Wedding Photographer! The very first wedding I ever photographed was at Knebworth House on Friday 13th. Yes that’s right, who in their right mind plans their wedding for Friday 13th? Rained the whole day, although I did persuade the staff to let us into the gardens in the evening when the rain had eased slightly. Still got soaked.
The photograph of the bride with the umbrella on her way to the wedding ceremony was back in July 2007 , the 20th in fact, the day when we were reported to have had 10 weeks of rain in one day! The sand bags were out along the rear of the hotel as it backed onto a river. However, as is often the case, we did get some respite later in the day.
So if you have a wedding day planned for this year, don’t despair, whatever the weather outside just make sure you and your family and guests all have a great party!