Picture Box : Helen and Dean at The Bond Company, Birmingham. 18th June 2016.

Helen and Dean at The Bond Company, Birmingham. 18^th June 2016. Over the years that I have been a wedding photographer I have done weddings in all sorts of different venues, most of the weddings have been at a church or hotel. Today was just a little different, The Bond Company at first glance would not appeal to most but is definitely a venue for couples who want do things a little different and I wouldn't have expected anything else from Helen and Dean.

I first met Helen and Dean about four years ago at Swinfen Hall when Helen was a bridesmaid for her sister Claire and Dean was best man for Craig his brother. Then again a couple of years later at The Events in Alrewas when Helen and Dean were bridesmaid and usher at her sister Fran and Richard’s wedding. Now it was time for Helen and Dean’s big day, well they actually snook off to New York on their own to get married so today was a ceremony for family and friends, and it was time for Fran and Claire to be bridesmaids, Richard to be an usher and Craig as best man. So I was looking forward to today as I had already met quite a few of the guest over recent years.

The day started at La Tour Hotel Birmingham for some getting ready photos, and a bit of a catch up with some familiar faces, oh and a bit of photo bombing from Helen’s dad before heading up the road to The Bond Company. I got to The Bond Company and the lads were already there so I got a few photos of them while I waited for Helen to arrive. Unlike most weddings where there is a official that has another wedding to get off to today there was a celebrant performing the ceremony and a relaxed air and none of the frantic goings on when the bride turns up late, as Helen did.

After a relaxed ceremony which included a short film of the New York wedding filmed by Dean with the help of a selfie stick, a hand tied ceremony and the exchange of rings which they had made themselves it was time to head out for a few drinks for the guests and some family photos, not before Helen and Dean got photo bombed by Fran and Claire this time. Normally at a wedding when you are photographing bride and groom you try to find some picturesque settings, but today there was some nice old factory buildings so it was good to have something a bit different for photos. Before long it was time to head inside for the wedding breakfast, and the speeches .

As the light started to fade, the evening reception got underway with Helen and Deans first dance a rendition of The Lumineers Hey Ho preformed by Stanley Park.

I’d like to say a big thank you to all of the family and friends of Helen and Dean for making me feel welcome and an even bigger thank you to the Kovacs and the Walkers (and Rich) for letting me be a part of your families big days over the years.

Congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Walker.