I’ve photographed more Kettering Park Hotel weddings than any other venue. Mark, the groom, called me with less than three weeks to go ahead of his wedding to Vera.

It was never going to be a long booking. Mark described it as being a very minimalist wedding – they weren’t even going to exchange rings! For most of the lead up, they were going to do it without a photographer at all!

Mark & his now wife Vera are heading off overseas to celebrate their marriage in style with family and friends, and that was what their main focus was on. But, they eventually came to realise that they would like some pictures of the important people in their life on their official wedding day. And that’s where I came in.

Here comes the bride – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Kettering Park Hotel – Wedding Build-Up

A day out from the wedding, the forecast was absolutely horrific. The apps gave a 70%+ chance of precipitation every hour until 7pm. The ceremony was scheduled to take place at 4pm.

Kettering Park Hotel – Wedding Day

As the day itself progressed, though, there was hope. It would be tight, but it looked like it might even be dry enough for the ceremony to take place outside!

By the time I arrived at Kettering Park Hotel, the sun was shining and there were large patches of blue. All the weather apps were saying that once it stopped raining, that would be it for the day.

I met Mark and his family in the bar area. In all my many instances of photographing weddings and events at Kettering Park Hotel, I’d never done one in the Harrowden Room before. Mark showed me the way.

The Groom and his Best Man – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

As we walked back out from the room, he noticed the sky for himself, and we wandered up to the outdoor ceremony area to work out just how much effort it would take to make it outdoor wedding ready – they only had 15 guests after all.

Mark went off to try to find the KPH person responsible for running the day with a view to asking them to switch to outdoors. As it turned out, he hadn’t managed to do so by the time the registrars were ready to see him, so that ensured it was an indoor ceremony.

Kettering Park Hotel – Bride’s Arrival

Vera and her girlies were still to arrive, but they weren’t far behind. We did some arrival shots and they then shared a bottle of bubbles in front of the fire place.

Vera shows off the back of her wedding dress outside Kettering Park Hotel

The Bride and her Maid of Honour – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Black and white shot of Vera posing on the Kettering Park Hotel stairs

Pre-ceremony bubbles – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Pre-ceremony chill in front of the Kettering Park Hotel fire place

Unannounced, the Father of the Bride appears from nowhere and gets his first look at his daughter on her wedding day

The Father of the Bride grabbing a quick pre-wedding ceremony picture of his daughter – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Then it was Vera’s turn to be interviewed.

I headed back in the direction of Mark and the rest of the party, all of whom were outside and loving the sunshine.

Kettering Park Hotel – Harrowden Room Wedding Ceremony

It wasn’t long before they were all seated in the Harrowden Room ahead of the wedding ceremony. The gorgeous flowers on the registrar’s table had been lovingly put together by the family.

Beautiful flowers curated by the families of the bride and groom

Being German, Vera had asked for both herself and Mark to be seated for the formalities – apparently this is the norm for German weddings!

A cheeky peck on the cheek from the Groom – Kettering Park Wedding Photographer

Reassuring hand holding during the wedding ceremony

Mark had promised that it would be a short and sweet wedding ceremony, and it certainly was, but, before it had concluded, the heavens absolutely opened outside! What a lucky escape we’d had!

We did it! – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Arms were raised in the air as the newlyweds prepared to head back down the aisle, and out into the under-cover garden area, where more bubbles awaited them.

Yes! Bride and Groom celebrations – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Kettering Park Hotel – Outdoor Wedding Drinks Reception

The rain continued to fall, but we remained optimistic we’d be able to get outside and get some shots in the garden.

An arm around the shoulder from the Groom to his new Father-in-Law

I’ve got competition! – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Post-ceremony catch-ups – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding

Happy Couple & Group Shots

The optimism waned a little for a time, but eventually it did stop, and we got some very cute couple shots and all the necessary group shots before it started to rain again.

Mark & Vera were great sports and really good fun on their wedding day – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

Mark & Vera were great sports and really good fun on their wedding day – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Relaxed couples pictures – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photographer

The Groom holds his new wife aloft on their wedding day – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

A brief break in the rain for some quick group shots – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Back under cover, where people chatted and caught up, and a few more pics were taken.

As things started to wind down and guests started to head off towards the venue where they’d spend the rest of the day, the sun put in a proper appearance.

Vera holds her stunning artificial bouquet – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

Mark and Vera were keen to take advantage. Vera assured me that the sun being in her eyes (something I would normally try to avoid due to the usual squinting that ensues), she was more than happy to “burn her retinas out”, so that’s what we did!

The bride shows off her beautiful outfit – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding Photography

“You’re next!” – Kettering Park Hotel Wedding

Always Book a Wedding Photographer!

It had only been a booking of a couple of hours, but it delivered a lot, and I’d like to think that Mark & Vera were happy that they’d decided to have a photographer present after all 😊 Once it’s gone, it’s gone!

It was lovely to meet Mark & Vera on their wedding day. Here’s wishing them all the very best for the future!

Looking for a Short-Duration Wedding Photographer?

While I’m not able to accept such short bookings a long time in advance, please don’t be afraid to get in touch to enquire about my availability if you’re still searching for a wedding photographer with only a handful of weeks to go before your big day. If I can help, I will!

More Information

If you’ve not already done so, please take a look at my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES – Karl Drage, Northampton Wedding Photographer.

For more information on what happens when you decide you want me to photograph your wedding, please see: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Karl Drage – How I Work

While every wedding is different, there are certain elements which are usually broadly similar. Take a look at a typical wedding day to get a feel for the primarily documentary wedding photography style I’m likely to employ for your big day.

There’s much more work involved in photographing a wedding than just rocking up and taking the pictures. I’ve put together this guide to explain why wedding photography can seem expensive but it’s really not.

And if you are still on the hunt for your perfect snapper, here’s a list of questions you should ask a wedding photographer before making your mind up.

Try Before You Buy Wedding Photography – For a limited time only