First Wedding of 2015
Wedding Date 2nd January 2015.
Ceremony at St Cuthbert’s Church N22, Reception at Theobald’s Park Mansion House.
Bride. Raheema (Rai)
Groom. Eric
What a fantastic wedding to start the Year off with.
It’s Not everyday that you get to photograph a Nigerian Tribal Chiefs daughters Wedding. Rye Gbadamosi is the Daughter of a Nigerian chief who is responsible for over 4 Million People in his town. Chief Gbadamosi was a pleasure to photograph as was his family and of – course his beautiful daughter Raheema referred to in my blog as Rai.
The photos started at 9 am. I arrived at Theobald’s Park to see Eric and Sam his best man and eldest brother. The boys were getting ready and were nice and chilled and looking very sharp. Eric is a Dr and his brother Sam is also well educated. His speech later on was amazing and very articulate.
I then went up to the room to see Rai. On the way there met her sister Tola who introduced me to a couple of the other 5 bridesmaids. Tola was also the maid of honour and a fantastic young woman.
I saw Maxine from Daisy’s, Maxine (maxine.starling@gmail.com) is a room dresser and florist. The flowers looked amazing and as usual Maxine was busy organising everything and more “she is the very best at what she does”.
I went up into the room to see Rai when i walked in she was very chilled, the hair and make up ladies were busy getting making her look even more stunning. At this point of the day all i do is blend in and take very natural photos from a distance to document the day. The time went on and as it was 10.20am I made my way to the church to see Eric and the guests for the 11am Ceremony.
The Church was lovely, it got to 11.00 am then 11.30 am and still no bride.. 12 midday no bride. Yes 12.10 pm and Rai arrived in true Nigerian fashion. I have photographed over 20 Nigerian weddings and everyone has been late. Guests were still arriving as she walked in. Eric was relieved to hear that she was here and the vicar started the service.
After the service we all headed to Theobald’s Park for the reception and the couple arrived in a beautiful 1960’s Classic Rolls Royce Silver Cloud. It was cold but the sun was out and the light was amazing. ..see photos below.
Myself and the bride and groom headed off around the grounds, the Italian gardens, the mansion house and then the back terrace. The grounds are fabulous as always and although Rai was cold Eric kept her close and warm.
Eric and Rai are a great couple, they went out into the cold and braved the chill, the love they have for each other was beautiful to see. The glances he gave her showed a mile off and he was constantly looking at her and she was him. The chemistry and love absolutely shone through “as did the sun”.
Even though the Bride was over an hour late, between myself, Maxine and the staff at Theobald’s Park, we got back on track and the couple sat down pretty much on time. The meal was amazing, the atmosphere during the meal was total happiness and people constantly got up to speak publicly about the couple, i love this type of atmosphere.
After the meal the couple had their first dance as a married couple to a beautiful slow song. Straight after they did a traditional Nigerian dance which had them dancing round the floor and really showing the guests how to move.
I set up a couple of pictures for the closing shot of the album (see my blog on the finishing photos on a wedding). this involved setting up for the interior pictures with Photographic lights. With weddings in January to April we always have a contingency plan and set up for pretty much the whole wedding to be shot inside. these are all important things with a wedding .. see our post on ten most important photographs on a wedding.
Eric getting ready.
Eric Getting ReadyEric at the Entrance to Theobald’s Mansion House.
Tolla, Nussie and Rachel.
Girls ExcitedRai. Bride and Hair Lady.
Rai Bride.
Brides Family (they did the Gele) Nigerian head scarf for the Bridesmaids.
wedding photos hertfordshire 06Page-boy and Flowergirl.
wedding photos hertfordshire 07Gele head scarfs being put on.
wedding photos hertfordshire 08Dress going on (hair and make up ladies).
wedding photos hertfordshire 09Rai. Looking fabulous 1.
wedding photos hertfordshire 10Rai. Looking fabulous 2.
wedding photos hertfordshire 11Top of the Staircase at Theobald’s Park.
wedding photos hertfordshire 12Bride with Chief and Lookman (brother).
wedding photos hertfordshire 13Eric arriving.
wedding photos hertfordshire 14Brides friend giving me the orders.
wedding photos hertfordshire 15Brides Siblings.
wedding photos hertfordshire 16Eric waiting 1 Hour gone.
wedding photos hertfordshire 17Bride and Chief Gbadamosi (dad).
wedding photos hertfordshire 18No photos during ceremony (oops).
wedding photos hertfordshire 20Happy couple.
wedding photos hertfordshire 20Yesssss done it
wedding photos hertfordshire 21On way to The Hotel.
wedding photos hertfordshire 22Theobalds Park.
Rai and Eric at Theobald’s Park.
wedding photos hertfordshire 24Bride and Groom with bridesmaids in Traditional Gele with mini Bride.
wedding photos hertfordshire 25Chief Gbadamosi.
wedding photos hertfordshire 26Complete Wedding Party.
wedding photos hertfordshire 27Eric and his brothers.
wedding photos hertfordshire 28Brides cousin in Tradition Nigerian dress.
wedding photos hertfordshire 29Little ones on the main staircase.
Bride in my Jacket (all part of the service).
wedding photos hertfordshire 31Italian Gardens.
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Italian Gardens. I love this type of image.
Stunning Bride.
Silhouette of couple.
wedding photos hertfordshire 37Back Terrace at Theobald’s Park.
wedding photos hertfordshire 38wedding photos hertfordshire 39
wedding photos hertfordshire 40
wedding photos hertfordshire 41
wedding photos hertfordshire 42
Theobald’s Staircase.
wedding photos hertfordshire 43Maxine hard work beautiful vintage theme.
wedding photos hertfordshire 44wedding photos hertfordshire 45
Lookman doing a speech to his sister.
wedding photos hertfordshire 46
Natural pictures during the meal.
wedding photos hertfordshire 47First Dance.
wedding photos hertfordshire 48The Mansion House at Night.
wedding photos hertfordshire 49Closing Shot. The Mansion House and the last picture I took.
wedding photos hertfordshire 50
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Photography and Blog written by John Paul O’Donnell
