VOCO Oxford Spires hotel- Lockdown Weddings at this perfect venue.

Nestled just outside the dreaming spires of beautiful Oxford lies one of the city’s most contemporary hotels.

VOCO Oxford Spires is just a short stroll from the many historic Oxford universities and sits directly on the River Thames. You could be forgiven in assuming that the hotel was situated somewhere within the Cotswolds with fields and wildlife on either side of the hotel. It is ideally suited and equipped to your host your dream wedding.

I first met Craig and Emma a year before their wedding.

Little did we know that our discussions at that time would be enveloped by rules, tight regulations, and the threat that their dream day could be canceled altogether. Covid-19 would bring hurdles that would test the couple, their plans, and their special day.

Since Craig and Emma first met they knew immediately that they were suited. Originally starting out as housemates, an impromptu night out with other housemates led to romance.

As a couple, they immediately presented as a friendly approachable couple who were confident and had a clear vision of how they saw their ideal wedding day.

They overcame hurdle after hurdle with positivity and an “oh well we can’t change it”, let’s just “deal with it and move forward”, attitude. With only a few months before their special day, and after a call to their wedding venue they were informed that the pandemic had caused an issue with the supply of products for their reception.

The wedding was now, after months of planning and excitement, thrown into jeopardy.

Like many other businesses both big and small we decided to meet via a zoom call.

As the screens went live, I was faced with the smiling cohesive couple who, as always, had a plan on how to deal with the next new issue thrown into the pandemic cake mix !!

It was June 2020. Fortunately, the UK found itself in a post lockdown situation.

Feeling bruised and somewhat bewildered, as many businesses tentatively opened their doors again, wedding photography demand was a mere trickle. Many couples had decided that taking on the giant of COVID was too much to endure. With weddings cancelled altogether, wedding suppliers were feeling the financial pinch.

As a wedding photographer, I found myself reviewing my own ability to function and offer my services.

Getting to know my couples.

Here at Darren Weston Photography, my aim is to capture your moment in time.

To do so, I need to establish what are the couple’s expectations of me. What images are simply a must-have. For a photographer knowing these expectations are vital. Timings on the wedding day are also just as important.

Currently, my package 3 wedding photography bookings include a free pre-wedding engagement shoot. These times are always a good opportunity for me and my couples to increase our bond and develop a relationship that always benefits everyone on the wedding day.

Restrictions at the time allowed me to meet Craig and Emma at a location that was very special to them. Wallingford Castle gardens as the name suggests had a historic background that in the summer was a perfectly picturesque location to undertake an engagement shoot.

Our time together was as I anticipated was filled with giggles and laughs as Craig and Emma fed on each other’s warmness and fondness towards one another.

It was here that I learnt that their original wedding venue wouldn’t be able to cater for their wedding day.

Fortunately, there was a Plan B.

Plan B was the amazing VOCO Oxford Spires hotel.

This is a 4-star venue with a 5 star feeling about it. Its fresh contemporary exterior follows a similar pattern through its reception doors into its interior. The inside décor shows subtle reminders that the venue is located near to one of the UK’s famous cities. From Morses Murders to Sky 1’s, A Discovery of Witches, the beautiful Oxford city centre is within walking distance of the venue.

Walking through the gardens of the hotel towards the River Thames you will find yourself at the heart of another of Oxfords historical and famous sites.

The universities boat houses have formed a romantic backdrop to many of my couples wedding images. With congratulatory “hip hip hoorays” emanating from the choreographed rowing boats, my couples smile and feel centre stage next to the beautiful River Thames.

If you choose your wedding at VOCO Oxford Spires Hotel you will receive help support and guidance from Robyn, the hotel’s Wedding Coordinator.

Without doubt, as a supplier to your special day, if I have any pre-wedding concerns or questions, talking to a key individual at the wedding venue is key to resolving these issues before the big event.

As with Craig and Emma’s wedding, Robyn and I had met prior to discuss a number of measures that we could put quickly into place in case of challenges.

The “what ifs” of wedding day fears from a photographer’s point of view. These contingency plans needed also to take into account the unwanted wedding guest of COVID - 19. Where could groups of individuals go to be photographed in case of rain or in my couples case RAIN AND WIND? !!!

Little did Emma and Craig know, but Robyn and I had it sorted !! -with plans B, C, and D !!

From my position, I must say that Robyn and her staff coincided with the restrictions and limitations of COVID -19 safety measures, with sensitivity and robustness to allow their wedding couples a safe but enjoyable wedding.

The big day was finally here.

After cancellations and difficult decisions of telling loved ones that they would now not be able to attend the wedding, Craig and Emma’s reduced number wedding finally got underway.

I arrived at a bustling bridal suite with the Bridal Makeup Artist. She bought an air of calm to the developments, quickly bringing some order to the excited group of girls eagerly awaiting make-up whilst sipping glasses of fizz.

The application of makeup started, again under the umbrella of face masks and caution.

Having shot a couple of images of this process it was time to visit the boys and grab some shots. Photographing the boys with their preparation always takes on a different feel.

Suit bags lie across the beds and there is always an air of nervous anticipation within the room.

Generally speaking, however the boys are more relaxed. Craig and his best man Steve were spending their pre-wedding times taking to YOUTUBE - on how to tie their ties…. Great photographic opportunities and smiles to look back on.

With 30 minutes left before the couples declaring “I do”, it was time to head back to the girl’s room.

The makeup artist had finished her makeup on Emma and she looked amazing.

This part of the wedding in terms of photography is a delicate negotiation of photographing the bride and her bridesmaids without tempting tears of emotion ruining the makeup.

The bride is keen to see her groom and her guests. Very soon she is to meet her father or the person who is taking on that role in the absence of her father - again tears of joy are potential and the important shot of capturing the bride’s father’s response to seeing his daughter in her wedding dress occurs.

Now it’s time for a quick check to ensure all the photography equipment such as lens and lighting is gathered up ready to move to the next location. Leaving that prime lens behind would be a disaster !!!

The ceremony

Whilst the bridal party has been preparing themselves and fluffing their wedding feathers to look their best, the staff at VOCO Oxford Spires hotel have been busy downstairs to ensure the ceremonial room was COVID secure, compliant, and yet looking as cosy and romantic as possible.

The guest’s chairs were socially distanced from one another and the registrar and her assistant were ready for their wedding party.

Even at this stage, despite his nerves, Craig and his best man Steve portrayed an air of calm despite the COVID requirements.

I had ensured that I had found my optimal spot to ensure the best images possible, given that I was limited in movement as any movement would cause unnecessary airflow around the room.

Despite the planning and the preparation even looking back at these images today seeing guests dressed formally in protective masks seems strange and will be one to remember once the pandemic has passed.

Thankfully the ceremony passed as planned with no hitches or concerns. The “I do’s” were done and the couple were now husband and wife.

With the formalities over, we all took a breath of fresh air - literally.

It was now time for those must get shots. Traditional in their format the guests were quickly rounded up by Steve the best man. Once in position and after a few directive tweaks in positioning the images could be taken. It is here that precious minutes can slip through your photographic fingers if you let them.

With some of the formal shots complete with and without masks, it was time to move to the next location.

Despite the threat of the wind and rain, at that moment the sun momentarily shone and the wind dropped. It was time for the couple to slow the pace down and take some time out, away from their guests.

These shots were taken down by the riverside - wellington boots donned and umbrellas at the ready we made the most of the break in the weather.

With traditional images complete, once the couple arrived back with their guests, it is the time where the couple can mingle with their guests in one of the many bar areas at the hotel. It is also time for me to snap some shots of the wedding party enjoying the day before we again move location.

The plan was to move to the next stage of the wedding ceremony. The wedding breakfast. With many guests now departing for the short journey to this location, it was time to capture Emma and Craig leaving the hotel. Unbeknown the Emma, Craig had organised transport in the form of a very nice Jag courtesy of one of the wedding guests.

Craig and Emma chose the amazing hotel and restaurant, the old bank for their wedding breakfast.

As the name suggests, this building has not always served delicious food to its many guests.

With Craig and Emma departed, it was time for me to take stock and take a breath myself.

Happy that I had achieved everything I had been requested to do so, my role as a photographer to the happy couple was nearly complete.

This wedding however had one final twist - It was now time to substitute my camera bag for a knife, fork, and napkin.

My lovely couple had kindly invited me to join them and their lovely guests for a stunning meal - and whilst my photography role was complete my trusted Nikon wasn’t too far away…