Sarah and Mark married at The Holt Fleet, beside the River Severn at Holt Heath in Worcestershire, with a small, close group of family and friends. I'm Paul Hickey, their Holt Fleet wedding photographer, and their day had the relaxed pace that suits documentary wedding photography best.
An intimate riverside wedding
The Holt Fleet sits on the Severn next to Holt Fleet Bridge, built by Thomas Telford in 1828. For a smaller wedding, that setting does a lot of the work: the river, the bridge and the venue's steps give variety within a few minutes' walk. Sarah and Mark spent their day with the people closest to them, and the photographs reflect that.
Getting ready at The Bell Inn
Sarah's morning began at The Bell Inn, a bed and breakfast near Ombersley. She got ready with her bridesmaids in a room full of laughter and natural window light. I photographed quietly from the side, so the jokes and quiet moments stayed real.
Later, I photographed Sarah waiting for the wedding car, the short pause before everything starts to move quickly.
A ceremony by the Severn
Sarah arrived in a classic Bentley under an overcast sky with occasional sunny spells. Soft cloud is kind light for a ceremony, with no harsh shadows on faces. Sarah and Mark exchanged vows with Telford's bridge visible in the distance.
I stayed at the edges through the ceremony, watching for family reactions as much as the vows. The venue team kept the timings running smoothly, which let the day unfold without rushing.
Drinks, canapés and family photographs
After the ceremony, guests moved on to drinks and canapés while I organised the family photographs. The full group went on the venue's steps, which give enough height for every face to show. Smaller groups worked by the river, and I kept the list short so nobody was away from the drinks for long.
In between the formal groups, I photographed the guests as they were. A group of groomsmen with cigars and drinks in hand is one of my favourites from the afternoon.
Couple portraits and the drone
For their couple portraits, Sarah and Mark walked hand in hand along the riverbank. I kept direction light and let them talk, which is how natural portraits happen.
I also flew a drone over the river for a wider view, showing the couple, the water and the venue together. It's a perspective you can't get from the ground, and it shows how the venue sits on the Severn.
Wedding breakfast and speeches
The wedding breakfast was a three-course meal, followed by the speeches. One of my favourite sequences came from the page boy, who checked his notes carefully and then stood up to give a speech of his own.
During speeches I photograph the listeners as much as the speakers. The reactions around the tables often tell the story better than the person holding the microphone.
Cake, first dance and the evening
As evening came, Sarah and Mark cut their cake and shared their first dance, finishing with a kiss on the dance floor. DJ Ric James kept the floor busy, and a photo booth and LOVE letters gave guests plenty to do between dances.
Inside, the venue's neon sign makes a fun backdrop for evening photographs.
Evening portraits
To finish the day, we stepped outside for creative night portraits. I used off-camera flash alongside the venue's exterior lighting, so Sarah and Mark stand out against the dark while the building still shows behind them. It took a few minutes and gave them something quite different from the daytime photographs.
Looking back on Sarah and Mark's day
Small weddings give me time to notice the details: a page boy's speech, a quiet wait for the car, groomsmen relaxing by the river. Sarah and Mark's day was full of them.
More real weddings at this venue: Carianne & Thomas, Katie & Fenner and Becky & Kurtis.
Planning a wedding at The Holt Fleet?
I know The Holt Fleet's ceremony spaces, photo spots and light from weddings I've photographed there. My Holt Fleet wedding photographer guide covers locations, timings and FAQs.
Full-day coverage starts at £1,395; see my wedding photography packages for what's included.
Thank you, Sarah and Mark
Thank you for having me at your wedding. If you're planning a wedding at The Holt Fleet or elsewhere in Worcestershire, I'd like to hear about it. Check my availability and tell me a little about your plans.
About the photographer: Paul Hickey of Once in a Lifetime Photography is a Worcestershire wedding photographer, a multiple Wedisson Award winner and a Flashmasters Gold Award recipient. He is a recommended supplier at The Holt Fleet and has photographed more than 150 weddings since 2014.