Sometimes a wedding really is different, and Kenny and Megan’s Aylesbury Waterside Wedding was certainly that! It was a truly wonderful day and one of the most enjoyable weddings I have had the pleasure to photograph. I have known Kenny and his family for quite a few years now and photographed his sister’s wedding back in 2012. I was really excited when they asked me to be their photographer. That excitement only grew when they told me their plans! The first ever Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Wedding and some very exciting ideas on how to make it extra special!
Why an Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Wedding?
The theatre is very special to the couple, and Kenny used to work there. They had the idea of getting married there so approached the theatre. They readily agreed and went through the process of getting licensed for wedding ceremonies. In May we met up there and walked around the theatre talking through the plans. While we were there, we did a very relaxed pre-wedding photoshoot with them. The more I found out about the plans, the more excited I got! I got a feel for just how different and how spectacular the day would be.
When the wedding day itself came around I was up and at the Aylesbury Waterside Theatre nice an early. The theatre itself is an imposing and quite stunning, modern structure in the centre of Aylesbury.
Backstage Megan, her Mum, her six bridesmaids, and two flower girls were all getting ready in one of the dressing rooms. Later in the morning Kenny and all his seven groomsmen arrived. We went on stage to take in the spectacular theatre all set up for the ceremony. The stalls had all be retracted to create a huge flat floor in front of the stage. The auditorium is one of the most spectacular rooms you could have as a modern wedding venue! A quick check of the lighting and a walk through the entrance and we were all set for the ceremony.
The theatre was closed to the public so as the guests arrived they could gather in the foyer waiting to enter the auditorium. The buzz was very much like an eager audience waiting for a big stage show to start. Once all the guests were seated. the curtains parted slightly to allow the registrar to come to the front of stage. She introduced herself and gave the usual instructions regarding the ceremony itself. Briefing complete, the curtains parted to allow her backstage again. We were all set for the first ever Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Wedding!
The ceremony
The music started and the curtain went up revealing the beautifully decorated stage. Kenny made his entrance to cheers and applause. He was followed by the groomsmen and bridesmaids making their entry from stage left and right. Each pair met between the pillars centre stage before taking their seats on stage. All this was accompanied by applause from all the guests. Finally, it was time for Megan to make her entry from the back of the stage between the pillars and big cheers and applause from the guests as Kenny made his way over to meet her and escort her to their place at the front of the stage. All in all a spectacular entry for the first ever on stage Aylesbury Waterside Theatre wedding!
The ceremony was conducted on stage, as was the signing of the register, before the new Mr. and Mrs. Walker made their way off stage and up the aisle to the back of the theatre followed by the parents, bridesmaids, and groomsmen.
We grabbed a few key group photos on the stage before retiring up to the upstairs bar area where we did the rest of the family and friend group photos.
Finally, we went outside to grab a few shots with the spectacular Aylesbury Waterside Theatre as the backdrop before a tremendous rainstorm arrived.
The Wedding Breakfast
While all this was happening, the auditorium was being transformed for the wedding breakfast. By the time we all returned to the auditorium the transformation was complete and it looked absolutely amazing! The top table was on stage, whilst the auditorium floor was filled with lots of round tables for the guests. The space between the tables meant there was plenty of room to move but was just right to complement the spectacular grandeur of the room.
The speeches were a great mix of emotion and hilarity. With emotional tales of the past and the obligatory tales from the stag do!
After the speeches, we all retired back to the bar. I managed to catch up with a few old friends who were guests for the day. The storm raged on outside, but the lighting in the foyer/terrace area is stunning. I managed to capture one of my favorite shots taken from one landing across to another with the hanging lights creating a very special foreground and background.
The Evening Celebration
While we all chatted and the many evening guests arrived. The Aylesbury Waterside Theatre staff were hard at work to transform the auditorium once again for the evening. Meanwhile, the amazing Blue Rinse Band were setting up on stage and doing a sound check with the technical team from the theatre. Once that was ready all the guests came in and we had the first dance and the party really got underway.
The storm ended by the time the first dance had finished. We quickly went outside and got some more stunning shots. I asked them to stand in front of the iconic theatre which really comes into its own after the sun has gone down.
At the end of the day, I was exhausted, but very happy! It was very special to be a part of a truly amazing day. The first ever Aylesbury Waterside Theatre wedding had been an amazing success. One that will be remembered by everyone who was there to witness it.
I have to say, if you are looking for a spectacular wedding, I can thoroughly recommend an Aylesbury Waterside Theatre wedding! The venue is unique and the staff were absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to return!
If you are planning your wedding at the Waterside Theatre, or anywhere else in the UK or beyond, and are looking for a photographer, I would love the opportunity to chat to you about how we can get amazing memories captured for you to look back on for years to come. Please do contact me and we can meet up and chat through your plans for your special day.