Great Fosters Hotel | Lucy & Stefan

Great Foster Hotel Wedding

Great Fosters hotel near Egham in Surrey and a wedding on one of the hottest days in the summer. Everyone wants good weather for their wedding day but sometimes the heat can be a bit intense. This was in Surrey but it felt like the summer heat of somewhere like South-West France, as at this wedding back in 2016.

It was Lucy’s father, Garry, who first enquired about my work. After I confirmed I was available for the date, he said he would check with his daughter. He came back the same day, last January, to say… with a confession…

“Hi Martin, The lady said yes. This is where I confess to being an Art Director in Advertising for 40 years. I know a good photographer when I see one, so I won’t be directing.”

The whole wedding took place at the Grade I listed, 16th-century mansion, now a luxury hotel. A Tudor Estate with 50 acres of grounds but exploring those would have to wait until late into the evening, given the heat of the day. As you will see in the pictures, sheltering from the heat outside was everyone’s goal.

Prep was upstairs as The Orangery below was prepared for the wedding ceremony. Luckily The Orangery is air-conditioned. Garry led his daughter down the aisle, towards an emotional groom. A kiss of his daughter’s hand and the ceremony began. More tears too. Confetti along the aisle and outside, into the furnace. Drinks were under an open-sided tarpaulin, everyone huddled inside trying to escape the direct sunshine. As the photographer you can’t escape that sunshine…

On hand to keep everything running smoothly was the Toastmaster, Neil Hunt. I last worked with him in 2004. A wedding at the Palace of Westminster for the son of the then Deputy Prime Minister. Neil was one of the few toastmasters who does the job well, without being centre of attention. Helping a photographer rather than dictating to them.

The dinner and speeches were in The Tithe Barn (tricky lighting around the top table…) before the dancing, preceded by the wedding bouquet toss, was held back in The Orangery. We even managed some quick sunset shots of the bride and groom in the grounds.

Here are a few images from this hot summer’s day at Great Fosters hotel…

Lucy was kind enough to leave me a Google review. Google rejected it and refused to reinstate it. If anyone has any clue as to what the problem with the review is for Google’s algorithm?? Explains why some don’t appear?