Now, Friday 13th is often considered unlucky for some but for two very special people, Friday 13th August 2010 was quite the opposite.

I was delighted when Nigel & Martyn asked me to photograph their civil partnership – I’ve known them for many years now through a mutual friend and knowing how important this day was to both of them I was honoured to be their to document it. It was the most moving ceremony with not only tears from lots of their guests but also from Martyn himself, who only just about managed to get through his vows without a croaky voice! It was so lovely to see two people so sure about their decision.

Wanting a relaxed day to simply celebrate the start of their new life together, after the ceremony Nigel & Martin walked down the road to a gorgeous ‘gastro-pub’ for champagne and nibbles followed by a three-course meal for their closest family and friends. Their was lots of fun, love and laughter.

Nigel & Martyn – thank you so much for letting me share your special day. It was fabulous watching you make your commitment to each other and I hope you have a wonderful life together filled with the same fun, love and laughter (with a little bickering along the way about holiday destinations!!).

Venetia xx

Here is a sneaky peek of one of the photographs to keep you going until the full album!

I like to think that I go above and beyond the call of duty for my clients. It’s not something I try hard to do, or for any ulterior motive but it just feels natural to me. If my clients want it, they can have it (well within reason!!) and if it needs doing, I’ll do it (unless it’s reaching something from a tall shelf as I’m pretty short!). They come first and that’s just the way it is….no fuss, no ’show’, it’s that simple.

So, when Rich & James asked for a lift from their wedding ceremony to their wedding reception this weekend, my only thought was ‘Oh my god……the car is full of empty Starbucks cartons and sandwich packets!’. Or when the ice-cream van got lost on the way to their wedding reception (ice-cream for pudding….how much better could you get!), I immediately offered my services to go and track it down. I set off in the car, round the Kent countryside, while they were eating main course, in search of it. I never once thought ’should I’, ‘could I’ or ‘I’m not getting paid for this’…..I just did it. If it makes them happy, it makes me happy.

Richard and James’s civil partnership this weekend was full of surprise and fabulous touches all of which I’ve been desperately trying to ‘keep under my hat’ for the last few months following our pre-wedding meeting. Being ’slightly quirky’(!) themselves they decided they didn’t want anything traditional for their civil partnership and opted for a personalised celebration with lots of fabulously different touches. From the emotional blessing in the church (complete with a reading from ‘Winnie the Pooh’), to the amazing tee-pee’s they had their wedding reception in (complete with hay bales and checked picnic blankets), the gourmet picnic they had for their wedding breakfast (complete with your own cool-bag) to the ice-cream van with ‘all you can eat’ ice-cream…..the day was a photographers dream.

It has been such a pleasure getting to know Richard & James over the last year and the thought that we will be ‘doing dinner’ when their wedding album is complete, makes me very happy.

Richard & James – you both know how much I think of you. Thank you for being such open and welcoming clients and for letting me share the ‘fabulousness’ that was your civil partnership. I know were not going to lose touch so here is too many more evenings of ‘lying on the grass drinking wine’.

Venetia xx

P.S I found the ice-cream van by the way…..and the look on Rich’s face when I arrived back with ‘Mr Whippy’ in tow was the only payment I needed!!

Here’s a sneaky peek from their big day……..I love the relaxed feel on this photograph and it’s probably one of the only ones I have where they are being serious!!