Cherwell Boathouse Wedding in Oxford

A Beautiful Oxford Wedding

It's always a pleasure capturing a wedding day, no matter who the couple is. To be able to witness and preserve all those precious moments is a real privilege, but even more so when it involves family - even if the familial ties are somewhat tenuous.

I don't know if there's such a thing as a "cousin-in-law," but that's what Peter would be to me if it ever existed. Peter is my cousin's-wife's-brother... like I said - it's tenuous. Even so, it just makes the whole day so much more enjoyable when your own family are involved. People automatically relax around you, making the shots easier, more authentic and - cue the Disney music - heartwarming.

Heartwarming is absolutely the right word for this wedding. In every frame, in every moment LJ & I captured you can see the genuine affection Peter has for Emily, and how Emily couldn't stop smiling whenever he's near. It makes our jobs so much easier when the couple are so wrapped up in each other, they barely notice we're there! Yes, we work hard to get the most out of every shot, but it's just a joy to work on shots like these.

Let's not forget the beautiful backdrop the couple had chosen to stage their special day; Cherwell Boathouse... what a place! LJ & I were thrilled when we heard the reception was going to be held at a boathouse. But not just any boathouse; this exact one! Why is this one so significant? It's kind of a funny story, actually...

A few years back some friends of ours invited us to go punting with them in Oxford - as one does. Punting isn't really a past-time in the gentle city of Newport, but as we're not the types to shy away from a challenge, we happily took up the poles with zeal; how hard could it be? Turns out, unacceptably hard! Considering all you're actually doing is pushing a boat down a gentle river with an exaggerated stick, it was insanely difficult. I mean, we've kayaked across the Irish sea enough times to be called "competent" boat people, so this just didn't make any sense. Needless to say, we won't be taking part in the Oxford and Cambridge boat race this year.

While we were flailing about like a couple of inebriated penguins, we saw a bride and groom sitting in one of the punts with their friends and family looking on adoringly. It was a lovely moment and the whole place was decked out beautifully. LJ turned to me and said, "Wouldn't it be amazing if we shot a wedding here?" To which I replied, "Yeah! Don't get your hopes up, though."

Isn't life funny...