Ohhh arr.  Time for our yearly trip down to the West Country (is Devon considered the West Country?).  We enjoy going trekking down the A303.  We all stay with friends in Honiton as its a good base for locations down that way.  Devon reminds me of southwest Virginia (not where I’m from, but my parents).  Sudden hills and beautiful farm land.  The pace of life and the things that matter seem slightly different.  There’s something romantic, nostalgic and heart warming about it.  Perhaps the grass is greener (and from all accounts, it was).

Yovana and Dan are a little younger than my average client.  Most of my clients are nearer to 30 (a few years either side).  These guys are both 22.  My wife pointed out to me that she was 22 when we got married.  I couldn’t work out how we’ve been married for 13 years and she still insists she’s in her 20s.  Math was never my forte.  22 or 42…its not matter as these guys seemed well into each other — not that I’ve really ever had any clients who weren’t.

Whilst the wedding was at their local church the location that stuck with me with the Barnstaple Hotel.  A wickely cool (well, for my kind of photography) place that was a little bit kitch — although I’m now informed by Wikipedia that kitch is a derogatory comment meaning inferior or in poor taste.  Let me redifine kitch as having period features which help define an era of flares and disco.  Of course quite a lot of the place was modern but I saw the things in it I wanted to see.  Given the distance, I don’t know if I’ll be back (there are local venues I’ve never seen).  But I hope I do…I woke up the next morning with a few more ideas :)

‘B’ stands for…well, her sister, but let’s not get picky about it eh..

Shoes in the bath, shoes in the microwave…now shoes on a wall light – TOP THAT!

Yovana plays Bride and MUA

Sometimes when I wander around (and this time as a result of a ‘comfort break’) I come across ‘stuff’.  Not sure which wedding but I liked it.

Funny…I have the same list at home

I kind of realised after I did all my selections that there wasn’t much ‘Yovana’ from the blogged preps…its not intentional, I just have a quirky sense of ‘look-see’.  This is, in fact, Yovana…or rather a quarter of Yovana’s face

Tough man…cuddly cup…bless

Once I had a client say “there are lots of dark things in your photos”.  I was bemused.  I finally concluded that I do often show ‘darker’ images on the blog.  Mainly because I’m often quite pleased with them because often times they are a record of things that most photographers would have simply said “can’t do that” and walked away.  There are, in fact, plenty of light things in my images as well.  Check out a full gallery sometime to see.

Tie me up (I like it)

Dan (right), Best Man (left), Photographer (he’s behind you…no you…not them)

Don’t worry Yovana…we get to see lots of you SOON!

Shame little’n also wasn’t looking right…

D*** Vicars…yep, once again, nada in the church.  Dan’s sister gives him a hug but bottles out of placing a ‘kick me’ sign on his back

4 Brides for 7 Brothers — there’s gonna be a fight — The Sisters Edwards

This chap just turned, looked and smiled.  Probably the most natural smile of his life…I just like it.  It ain’t extraordinary…just nice.

Oh so Trad

Rivendell — I’m the Hobbit

Well..I guess that’s me off the Christmas card list then

The following should only be viewed by those over the age of 18 and only after 9pm

Hank Williams Jr sang all about Family Tradition.  Generally, these are good things.  A few years back in a fit of sponteneity a few of the chaps picked out some table favours with the Bride and Grooms name on them, and with the help of a few glasses of wine etc they decided to leave their mark on the table cameras.  A good laugh was had by all.  More of a ‘concern’ are the events of Saturday.  Knowing that the table decorations had nothing with the B&G’s name on it ‘someone’ had the foresight to bring their own…with double sided tape to boot…3 copies.  Imagine my surprise when asked to come to the toilet with 2 grown men and an 8 year old boy…with my camera.  Duty or simply madness.  You be the judge.

Yes…the yellow bits are part of the uncensored picture

Its like the Beverly Hills Hotel…only in Barnstaple

The place had some awesome bitties

Like this entry way…Add your own Close Encounters of the Third Kind quote here

Roadhouse!

Adding the fairy lights did make all the difference (I’m actually being serious for once)

Hey..Macarena!

Y                  (mca)

What are the odds?