Joel and Juliet | Boxgrove Priory | Chicester, West Sussex Wedding Photographer

Weddings

August 10, 2015

It was a nerve-racking start to September. They packed their belongings – just what they needed for a year – said goodbye to their families and traveled North and South towards Coventry, West Midlands. They walked into the building that would be home for the foreseeable future. They were given name tags and were offered a cup of tea or coffee, but let’s be honest, they only heard the word, “Tea”.

As they looked around the room, taking in their surroundings, they caught each others eyes and gave a shy smile. They were asked to take their seats, so they did. They listened to a welcome speech followed by an introduction into what their year was to hold. Practical notes were given about living arrangements and class schedules… time ticked on. Who knew that two people in that room, the guy and the girl who exchanged a quick smile in September 2011, would soon become best friends. Who knew that the guy would one day ask the girl to be his bride. And who knew that on the 4th July 2015 they would say, “I do” and commit to loving each other and being by each other’s side for the rest of their lives. God knew.

Joel and Juliet met at Nexus Institute of Creative Arts in 2011. My life was instantly blessed with being in the same year alongside them. Juliet and I studied vocals while Joel studied guitar, all of us strangers in the concrete jungle we called home for that year. It was a life-changing 12 months for all of us… to say the very least. ;)

When it came around to the proposal and quick start to planning the wedding, Juliet set up a Skype call with me and asked if I could photograph their wedding ceremony in Worthing and their reception at Boxgrove Village Hall. We talked it through and worked out a custom collection which had me photographing from the ceremony through to the speeches. I couldn’t have been more overjoyed! I was not only invited as a photographer, but also as a friend, and that meant the world.

The day itself overflowed with Joel and Juliet’s character and relationship. From the songs sang in the ceremony to the tea and scone picnic in the garden to our friends taking turns performing beautiful background music. It all reflected the pair of them perfectly.

Joel and Juliet, I know I’ve already said it, but once again thank you for trusting me with such a responsibility as photographing your wedding day!! May these photos remind you to love, to laugh, to be patient and kind, to endure and to enjoy every moment of every day. I am so excited to see what is in store for you.

Love,

Hannah