Sally and I had the great pleasure to return to Portsmouth in August to photograph another wedding at HMS Excellent on Whale Island. Emily and Luke where married at St Anne’s church in the Historic Dockyard, before travelling by ferry across Portsmouth Harbour and then by vintage bus to the Ward Room at HMS Excellent for their reception. After signing in and getting our security passes at Trafalgar Gate, our day started at the home of Emily’s parents inside the Historic Dockyard and just around the corner from the church. After some time photographing the bridal preparations and being very well looked after by Emily’s family, we walked around to St Anne’s where the groom and guests began arriving in the vintage bus for the wedding service. We were lucky enough to have access to the beautiful gardens of Admiralty House for portraits of Luke and his best man before the service and again afterwards for the formal photographs.
I traveled on the ferry with the bridal party to capture shots of them crossing Portsmouth Harbour, while Sally drove around to HMS Excellent to photograph the guests arriving for the reception. After being greeted by their guests and enjoying a drink, the happy couple joined us in the Rose Garden for a few portraits and then returned for the wedding breakfast and evening entertainment. This was another thoroughly enjoyable days work for us, at a stunning venue and in the company of some very nice people. Here are a few of my favourite shots from the day.