A Destination Wedding…
Last year I was lucky enough to be Becca and Jason’s Madeira wedding photographer. One of the best things about my job is getting the chance to travel the world as a destination wedding photographer and this was no exception. Madeira is a beautiful Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean, situated 430 miles west of the African coast. It’s famous for a number of exports such as Madeira cake, wine and the footballer Ronaldo. It’s also a stunning location for a wedding abroad!.
Touch Down…
As the plane touched down in Madeira I was absolutely buzzing with excitement. I had met a few of the guests on the same flight and together we traveled through customs and made our way outside. On the taxi ride to the hotel it was like a mini trip back in time, with a real 80’s feel to it. It’s safe to say that the pace of life in Madeira is slow, but of course, that’s part of the appeal.
Check in and Check it out
After checking in at the hotel I met up with Becca and Jason. We went down to the pool and I got the chance to meet all their friends and family who had flown out. Next was a visit to the wedding venue, Quinta de Santo Antonio, a stunning town house in Funchal. After seeing the place, its safe to say that this Madeira wedding photographer couldn’t wait for the wedding to begin!
The Big Day
With a clear blue sky and a warm breeze the omens were good. I started bridal prep with Becca, her Mum and her two bridesmaids at the wedding venue. The room was beautiful with large, wooden shuttered windows and I managed to get some great shots. After a couple of hours here it was back down to the hotel to see the boys. After a few problems tying the ties (fixed by a quick Google), they were looking dapper and ready to roll.
Lost (and Found) in Translation
The wedding ceremony was emotional in a number of ways. The groom and groomsmen were relaxed and shared a few jokes as they waited. And then Becca made her entrance. “Wow” was the word on every ones lips as she walked down the aisle. She looked absolutely incredible and the bridesmaids didn’t know whether to laugh or cry! Jason on the other hand just beamed like a Cheshire cat… As the registrars conducted the ceremony there were a few mistranslated phrases that certainly caused a chuckle or two. However, the biggest smile was from Becca as she walked back down the aisle as the new Mrs King!
Madeira Wedding Photography – Couple Portraits
After the ceremony everyone mingled in the gardens and enjoyed some traditional Madeiran food. This gave the opportunity for some natural wedding photos of the family and guests as they mingled.
After this it was time for the couple shots of Becca and Jason together, and I couldn’t wait to get started. They looked so photogenic I knew that I couldn’t go wrong. I’d been to the venue the day before so had a few ideas for what I thought would work. As normal I started with something natural and relaxed, just letting their personalities and love for each other show through. We then moved on to some off camera flash shots which really brought out the gorgeous blue sky. Finally, we moved inside and I found a fantastic patch of natural light to round off the session with a different look and feel. This type of beautiful scenery is what makes being a destination wedding photographer so exciting.
Headers and Volley’s…
After some emotional speeches by the groom and the father of the bride, it was the turn of the best man. Sam was great and had everyone in stitches. He also put Jason on the spot with a kick up challenge. He had a good stab at it, but I don’t think Pep will be calling him anytime soon….
Party Time!
Jason and Becca had a beautiful first dance surrounded by friends and family. An equally wonderful father and daughter dance followed and then it was time to party. Trust me, these guys didn’t hold back! The Dad dancing on display was truly epic, as was the Greece mega mix dance off!
End of a Perfect Day
We finished off this incredible Madeira wedding day with a few creative night time photos , including a stunning sparkler exit.
Book Your Madeira Wedding Photographer
Are you getting married abroad? If so get in touch (click here to go to my contact page). I’m available to photograph destination weddings anywhere in the world and would love to be a part of yours!
Here’s what Becca and Jason had to say about me….
My husband and I were so incredibly lucky to have Pete shoot our destination wedding in Madeira recently. He truly felt like a friend of the family, making us feel so comfortable and at ease throughout the whole day. His vision and creativity captured some beautiful images of our wedding, and really reflected the beauty of our venue. Pete listened to everything we wanted, as well as making suggestions which gave us some of the best photos of our special day. Pete is professional, warm and friendly, inspired by what he does and so incredibly talented. We would highly recommend him to anyone getting married who’s looking for a photographer to capture their day.