I met up with Kylie and Tom for the second time back in March when we had a look around the venues on a fantastic, sunny, warm day. We all obviously remarked on how perfect the weather was and how we all hoped it would be like that on the wedding day on the 28th April. Looking back at it now, having had a couple of scorching weeks it’s hard to remember that April and most of early May were a complete wash out. All that rain seemed to arrive just as the drought order came in to force – the levels are now back to near normal – that’s how much rain we had.
Anyway, poor old Kylie and Tom did not have the fairest weather at the end of April. I travelled up from Kent on the train and the skies were grey and it started very wet. It’s the one thing you can’t control on a wedding day. If it rains, everyone goes inside. It’s as simple as that. Flowing dresses, veils, fascinators, heels are no friend of the rain.
Kylie and Tom are one of those lovely couples that really make my job such a pleasure. Kylie is from New Zealand and luckily had her dad and some other family and friends make the long flight over. Unfortunately Kylie’s mum hadn’t been able to make it due to illness and Kylie had been back to NZ a few weeks before to see her. It’s when you hear things like this, it makes you realise that capturing the day photographically (and the videographer that was also there) takes on extra significance in allowing those not there to see how the day unfolded.
Despite the fact that Tom is an Arsenal fan, he’s one of those sociable sort of blokes that gets on with everyone and seems interested in everything. He seemed to like to have a handle on everything and was very chatty when we met up in March, quizzing me on how I go about my job on the day. These skills were remarked on during the speeches later.
The Church of the Immaculate Conception, Farm Street is one of the those awe-inspiring places, which makes you look upwards as soon as you enter. The ceilings and stained glass are fantastic.
The rain eased a bit but it remained a bit miserable outside, so by the time the two Routemasters had bused everyone back to Chancery Court Hotel in Holborn, the drinks reception was always going to be an inside do. Kylie and Tom had the pleasure of a taxi ride back to the hotel with Cheema (the videographer) and myself. I’m not usually one to gate crash the departure of the bridal transport (this is usually a videographer type thing to do) but I seem to remember that it was positively encouraged and not at all a burden on them. We told them that they would laugh about it in years to come, especially when they think of Cheema’s waist coat and tie combo.
