A Wedding Years in the Making | Damo & Marie
Some weddings are special because of the venue, the weather, or the celebrations.
This one was special because of the people.
I've known Damo and Marie for a long time, so being asked to photograph their wedding wasn't just another booking; it was a real privilege. Watching their story unfold over the years and then being trusted to document the biggest day of their lives meant a lot to me.
The day started bright and early at Marie's house, where I was welcomed by the sound of drinks already being poured at 8 a.m. The atmosphere was exactly how a wedding morning should feel: relaxed, full of excitement, and plenty of laughter.
While the incredibly talented hair @elle.ginge.hair and makeup @jessicas_makeup squad worked their magic, I got started on the details. The bridesmaids had already hung the dress up for me (which every photographer secretly loves!), so I could dive straight into photographing the little touches such as the gorgeous flowers from @stemsbykerry, before capturing all those natural moments as the morning unfolded. Despite knowing me for years, everyone suddenly became a little camera shy, but it didn't take long before they forgot I was there and just enjoyed themselves.
Watching Damo waiting at the front, glancing around every few seconds, built so much anticipation.
After a chilled morning with the girls, it was time to head over to see Damo.
When I arrived, the lads were only just climbing out of the shower... although, to be fair, I was a little early! There was plenty of banter while everyone got suited up before I handed over one of the most meaningful parts of the morning, a watch and handwritten note from Marie. Watching Damo read her words was one of those moments that says everything without anyone needing to speak. You could see the emotion hit him instantly, although being surrounded by his mates probably helped him hold those tears back.
Before long, I was racing back to Marie's to catch the final preparations.
One of my favourite moments from the morning came when her brother, Rob, arrived early with the little ones. Seeing their faces light up as they called Marie a princess in her dress was genuinely heartwarming. It's moments like that which make wedding mornings so special.
The ceremony at St Thomas' Church in Wyberton was full of emotion from start to finish. I loved the way the bridal party entered together, with each bridesmaid walking arm in arm with a groomsman before Marie made her entrance with her Dad.
Watching Damo waiting at the front, glancing around every few seconds, built so much anticipation. And when he finally saw Marie walking towards him, the emotion on his face said everything. He did a pretty good job of holding it together. The ceremony itself was beautiful, led by a wonderfully down-to-earth vicar who made everyone feel relaxed from the very beginning.
Afterwards, we headed outside for family photographs. Now... I can safely say this was probably the longest group photo list I've ever photographed! Thankfully, Jamie, the best man, absolutely smashed it. He had everyone organised before I even had a chance to ask, meaning we flew through what could have taken forever.
Then came the confetti. Rather than a traditional confetti walk, everyone gathered around Damo and Marie as they shared a kiss in the middle. The amount of confetti that filled the air was incredible—it genuinely looked like it was snowing.
It made for one of my favourite moments of the day.
From the church, everyone jumped aboard the bus and headed over to Springfields Events & Conference Centre in Spalding for the celebrations. One thing I absolutely loved was that Damo and Marie didn't disappear straight away for couple portraits. Instead, they wanted to spend time with the people they'd invited, hugging family members, catching up with friends, and soaking up every second before everyone sat down for the wedding breakfast. Those are the moments you'll never get back. It also meant I was able to capture loads of genuine, unposed moments as everyone celebrated the new Mr and Mrs.
The speeches brought exactly what you'd expect from a room full of people who love each other: plenty of laughter, a fair few tears, and some brilliant stories.
While everyone enjoyed the meal, I sneaked away to edit a handful of preview images before sending them straight over to the newlyweds. I honestly love watching everyone crowd around a phone, seeing photographs from a day they're still living. It's one of my favourite things to do for every wedding.
Before heading off for portraits, we quietly slipped away for a quick cake cut without drawing a crowd. Then it was time to explore the gardens at Springfields.
The gardens are full of greenery, hidden pathways, and peaceful corners, making them the perfect backdrop for some relaxed portraits. Along the way, we were followed by a family of ducklings and spent far too long investigating what we all thought was a shark swimming through the lake... which turned out to be a very large fish! Between Damo, the videographer Tom @marvellousvideo, and myself, we were determined to solve the mystery.
As the evening rolled around, the celebrations really kicked into gear.
Outside, the live band @jackanddanacousticduo had everyone singing along, with family members of every age getting involved. One particular uncle stole the show with an instrument that definitely wasn't a tambourine, but whatever it was, he gave it absolutely everything.
With the weather still being beautiful, Damo and Marie chose to have their first dance outside. It couldn't have been a more perfect setting. Their friends and family surrounded them under the evening sky while the band played live, creating one of those moments that everyone will remember long after the day was over.
From there, the dance floor did what dance floors do best: filled with laughter, questionable dance moves, flowing drinks, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you, Damo and Marie, for trusting me to tell your story. It was an absolute honour to be part of a day that meant so much, not just because it was your wedding, but because I've been lucky enough to watch your journey together over the years.
As a Lincolnshire wedding photographer, I love documenting relaxed celebrations in Surfleet and across the UK, capturing the genuine moments without turning the day into one long photoshoot.