Mercure Great Danes Maidstone Spring Wedding with Steven & Sam

Sam is an old friend of mine, so I was thrilled when she got in touch with me after following my work on social media to photograph her wedding. Having caught up with her and Steven beforehand and even doing an engagement session with them both, I was really excited to get the chance to help document their big day - which was actually on Good Friday - and it certainly was a good Friday!

On the outskirts of Maidstone, the Mercure Great Danes hotel is set in some lovely surroundings, and the blossoms were all in bloom this time of year. Steven and Sam was intent on having an outdoor ceremony, and the wooden gazebo was getting set up as I arrived before making my way upstairs to see Sam and the girls getting ready during bridal preparations.

Unbeknownst to me, Sam had actually opted to get ready first, so her hair and makeup was nearly finished when I arrived and she even had her veil and parts of her dress on before much longer - clearly she was super keen to get married! She did the last parts of her own makeup, and put on a robe backwards to keep her dress clean as she put on the finishing touches before her bridesmaids helped with her dress and her beautiful blue ballet style shoes.

While the bridesmaids got ready I popped downstairs to see Steven and the guests beginning to arrive, before heading back upstairs for some last minute bridal portraits with everyone now ready, and a very emotional first look with Sam's dad. Then it was time to dash back outside as the ceremony was about to begin, with a nervous Steven even shedding a tear or two as Sam was walked down the red carpet by her dad.

The tears soon turned to smiles though, and there was such a great atmosphere after the ceremony, with the guests enjoying the warm weather with drinks between the odd group photo (with some very energetic ones from the groomsmem too!) Before long is was time to head in for the meal, with the tables set up with a comic/sci fi theme to them with little touches here and there.

After the speeches I took Steven and Sam back outside for some gorgeous photos of the two of them, taking full advantage of the blossoms on the trees and the rustic wooden gazebo, as well as a nearby small lake too. Then it was back inside for the first dance, after which Sam's dad had a father-daughter dance, which is a lovely idea you don't see often these days! The party really kicked off afterwards, with everyone pulling some great shapes on the dancefloor well into the night.

If you're planning your own wedding at the Mercure Great Danes, or anywhere in the southeast or beyond, head over to my wedding photography page for more details, or get in touch to check my availability for your date.