I’ve been so lucky to photograph so many different kinds weddings, from decadent stately home soirees to laid back bohemian tipi celebrations. Kalo & Daniel’s Animal themed wedding, (yes you read it right!) was totally unique and another first for me too. Those of you who know me (or if I’ve photographed your wedding!) will know that I’m a bit of a blubber. The emotion & enormity of a wedding still moves me almost every single time and I usually end up with a lump in my throat while snapping away. Each wedding is unique and special and emotional in it’s own way, but I have to say Kalo & Daniel’s wedding was probably one of the most emotional I have witnessed. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Now, I don’t know why this was, maybe because they’d been together for over ten years, and maybe it’s because they live in Singapore (where Kalo runs an amazing wedding stationery business- seriously check her out here if still you need invites!!) so they don’t see their family all the time so the day was even more precious, but it was more than that.

Their day worked a little differently, starting bridal preparations at The Grand Hotel in Brighton, this was followed with a small civil ceremony of just a handful of family & closest friends and then onto Pangdean barn where all the guests witnessed a hand fastening ceremony. Each ceremony was full of love, whimsy, music played by the grooms family, and the moment the groom played his version of The White Stripes ‘I can tell that we are gonna be friends’ just about everyone lost it. Kalo & Daniel are full of fun, they’re quirky, and unique, creative and totally, made for each other. Every wedding you sense the love between the bride & groom and the history that’s bought them to this moment but with Kalo & Daniel there is this tangible bond, both ceremonies completely reflected that as well as their individuality and their personality.

It’s always flattering when another wedding supplier chooses you to shoot their wedding, as we all look at wedding photos all the time, so for me it’s a big seal of approval in terms of the quality of my work. And as soon as I started following Kalo on pinterest I knew this wedding would be good. (If you’re into pinterest you really need to follow her– and her blog is DIY heaven!) When Kalo told me the theme was animals- as she and Daniel are both animal lovers I was so excited. I couldn’t quite envision what it would be like, but I knew it would be different to anything else I’d shot before and I wasn’t disappointed. Of course the stationery was amazing with the barn/animal theme running through, and Kalo had used her amazing skill for calligraphy on the table plan and sweet place names with individual cut out animals. They also had an animal themed quiz on the tables alongside little model animals whimsically placed around the table centres. Kalo even designed a bespoke cake topper where she and Daniel are pictured as foxes! SO cute. As well as this there were little animal cut outs around the barn along with pom poms and photo garlands and animal confetti cones designed by Kalo with the confetti cut by hand! The barn/farm theme continued into the evening with a ceilidh dance, called by Daniel’s brother which was so much fun!

I really fell in love with Kalo, Daniel and their friends and family that day.  It’s impossible not to warm to them. It was such a perfect day, everyone smiled all day long, and was so warm & friendly, the staff at Pangdean were also so accommodating and the food was to die for! When it came to getting in a taxi back to Brighton to pick up my car for the long drive home I found myself hugging everyone goodbye. I hope that Kalo & Daniel will remain friends of mine for a long time, I certainly am sure that they have a life full of adventure ahead of them!

PS. If you haven’t seen it, you can check out their engagement shoot here.