L&J // Cas Mila - Wedding

Updated: May 15, 2020

Ibiza

I met Lucy & James for a coffee a few days before their big day at El Chiringuito, A rustic beach bar just below their chosen venue to the west of the island which boasts the longest and widest beach on this side.

After months of emails and whatsapp's, we got to know each other face to face to break the ice and go over all of the final teeny tiny details. Group shots, portrait shots, the getting ready shots ( I LOVE taking the prep shots! So much to play with and fun to have).

We were all super excited for the big day to arrive, even more so as the weather was beautifully sweltering.

When I rocked up to Hotel MiM Ibiza Es Vivé on wedding morning, I was directed to the experience bar! Lucy had swung it so that we'd be using the large, cool as hell main floor bar.

I knew I'd just walked in to a photographers playground from the get go and Lucy made a stunning bride and as sweet as her bridesmaids were mad! What a blast we had that morning.....

James and his boys were in a room upstairs from the girls so this gave me a great opportunity to pop in for a little visit.....

James and entourage grabbed a taxi for the 30 minute trip to their venue in time to welcome their guests while I shot back to see how the girls were getting on with the finishing touches.

I always feel that time stands still while I'm capturing the fun, frolics and all the little details of the preparations, but when I see that the bride is ready to finally ready to step into her dress the adrenalin really starts to kick in. The excitement and nerves are palpable as we edge nearer toward ceremony time. I don't know why but i'm never desensitised to the unique energy of a wedding morning. Eeek!

A hundred buttons expertly fastened, shoes on, perfume spritzed.....Deep breath.

Cas Milá's in house planner is already waiting for Lucy's arrival to promptly whisk her away to a cute little hideaway above the ceremony area where all of their guests and loved ones are already seated and her groom nervously in place at the altar awaiting the grand entrance.

Knot well and truly tied, it was time to let the celebrations really begin!

L&J chose a great saxophone player for cocktail hour straight after the ceremony and a few aperitifs later and everyone in great spirits we took this time to grab some cool group shots. It was stifling hot in the sun so we chose a shady area to rid any chance of a squinty eye situation for the formals.

The expression 'Times flies when your having fun' surely was thought up at a wedding. How else do you explain that 5 minutes ago we were walking out of the hotel entrance ceremony bound.... and suddenly we find ourselves at the bridal table waiting on our delicious wedding menu to be served to us while we watch the sun gradually lose the fight to the horizon.

Far from the day drawing to an end, I take my cue and lead the newly-weds down the winding steps to the beach bang on golden hour for their bridal portraits.

Holding the record as one of my top 3 breakneck couple shoots coming in at around 13 and a half minutes, we smashed it and then some!

Perfect sunset, perfect light, perfect location and a perfect day to be honest.

Having got used to each other throughout the day, the three of us worked together like a well oiled machine in the most relaxed and natural way having a laugh and nailing the shots one after another.

Although Lucy admitted to feeling a little worried, as we were chaperoned back to base, that we hadn't had enough time to capture everything we needed being so against the clock, (this particular venue runs a tight ship but the sun is boss here and waits for no man), Understandably as for many a bride, definitely for Lucy and 100% for me, the portraits are some of the most important of the day.

But after sneaking a glimpse of what was going on behind my LCD she was well and truly calmed, even shedding a tear and to say the least well and truly ready to let her hair down...On to the speeches it was then.