This was my first wedding at Watergate Bay Hotel in Newquay and I hope I have the privilege to shoot there again as it’s a stunning wedding venue.
When Ben & Melissa enquired I was actually heading that week to London where they live, so it was great to meet them in person after a few emails back and forth. I’ve photographed quite a few very small intimate weddings which I love to do as I almost feel like I’m part of the family.
Newquay wasn’t too kind to the weather, with most of the day forecasted for rain. Bad weather never really bothers me as I try to embrace the weather and conditions and to use it to my advantage, in my photographs.
After the usual bridal prep photographs, that lead us into the lovely and emotional wedding ceremony overlooking the Watergate bay beach. After the ceremony, we headed into the bar where Ben & Melissa had laid on “flavoured processo” for their friends and family. With a small break in the weather, we took full advantage and headed to their favourite rock where Ben & Melissa visit every time they come to visit Cornwall, so it was only fitting that we had the group photographs there as well.
Wedding at Watergate Bay Hotel
We then headed back to the Zarchy restaurant for the wedding breakfast and the speeches, on the route we walked past the swimming pool and decided to pop as it just happened to be empty. I think we were in there all of the 3minutes due to the heat, but we came away with one amazing image.
Once again there were some pretty emotional speeches with the boys shedding more tears than the girls, I think lol. After the speeches, we had just enough time to head back to the beach before it got completely dark so we could capture some creative Flash shots.
As a surprise, Ben & Melissa had fireworks planned which I was quite excited about, as I love capturing fireworks at weddings. The weather wasn’t so forgiving and it was absolutely pouring down with driving onshore rain. Stood outside with my camera on a tripod in one hand and clutching an umbrella with the other Ben dragged Melissa out for the display. I actually quite like the effect the rain on the lens gives, and it really helps tell the story of the day.
As usual, here is a selection of favourite from Ben & Melissa’s wedding at Watergate Bay Hotel. Please feel free to share on social media, or leave a comment.
If you would love a wedding at Watergate Bay Hotel then please do not hesitate to contact me or to view more photographs head over to my blog.
You’re amazing! These images are beyond gorgeous!
Your work is so beautiful. Every image is a masterpiece!
Being part of the wedding (Groom’s Mum), I can only add what a talented Photographer you are Paul. You captured every moment perfectly in what can only be described as one of the happiest and most emotional days of my life. The images you captured were beyond mine and my Husband’s expectations….fantastic! ….and I know Ben and Liss feel the same :-)
Awww thank you for the kind words, it means a lot. It was such a beautiful day and I almost felt like one of the family with a camera as everyone was so welcoming. :-)
Love this set of images and your work. Great colours, couple and those night time beach shots :o are Amazing!
Gorgeous photos and those images on the beach at night are wonderful! Nx
Every wedding should end with fireworks!!
Looks like a really fun wedding, great couple :)
Great set of images Paul! shooting here later in the year so very excited now, looks like a nice venue! :)
Awesome photos Paul!
Small weddings are the best weddings! Great work dude – loving that Jetski shot and the beach content!
Thanks mate, I was gutted as there was meant to be a Zapcat race taken place that day but it was cancelled. I would have loved to get a shot of the couple with a Zapcat flying off the waves.
Gorgeous wedding! These people look so fun and those shots on the beach are stellar!
That sillhouette by the swimming pool is killer! Great set of images in a really fun location
Thank you, it was so hot in there and coming from the cold outside my lens keep steaming up. I think we were in there all of 3minutes.
The black and white photos are stunning. love the emotion you have captured.