I have to admit, I was more than a little bit excited to be a Wedding Photographer at Oxford University. Not only that but the photographer for a wedding at the city’s hugely impressive and grand cathedral which is also the college chapel for the prestigious Christ Church College, producer of no less than 18 British prime ministers and perhaps even more impressively, the set of various Harry Potter films. Throw into the mix a stunning bride in a stunning dress, a rockstar groom, a bunch of lovely people and a bright sunny day and what you have is a truly incredible wedding!

Lisa is a lovely friend I met at York University so I was particularly honoured to be her and Will’s wedding photographer. I met her, her bridesmaids and bridesman extraordinaire Alex on the day of the wedding at an Oxford city apartment they were renting through AirBnB. Alex was dishing out the champagne, coffees and Beroccas as the girls were getting ready. Lisa was remarkably cool, calm and collected for someone getting married in one of the grandest places imaginable! To be fair though she has always impressed me with her positivity and confidence. This was also reflected in her and Will’s decision to have their post-ceremony drinks and games in the Masters Garden at Christ Church College with no cover available in case it rained! Quite a gamble for 26th September, or indeed any time of year in the UK, but it was as if they knew the weather would be amazing regardless. Which it was.

The ceremony was the most grand I’d ever seen complete with one of Will’s best friends conducting a choir of angels and later singing an incredible falsetto piece (and later still drumming during the evening reception)! Will went to Oxford University as a member of Christ Church College along with many of his friends who were present at the wedding. I was later to find out during the speeches that Will had been Best Man for no less than 8 of his friend’s weddings!! He was without doubt well loved.

Following the ceremony we walked through Hogwartsesque college to the Masters Garden, a large plot of grass surrounded by pretty flower beds, old crumbly walls and the odd tourist peaking through ornate gates. The guests were treated to a live jazz funk band, bubbles, ice cream, sandwiches and a selection of garden games including, of course, croquet. It was incredibly lovely. Following a huge greeting line, cake cutting, group shots and some fun and games in the glorious Indian summer sun, Lisa, Will and I went for a wander to a few spots in the college for some photos. Normally this would have been enough to get some great shots of a couple at their wedding, and it was, but I was also treated to a clandestine walk with them to their reception venue through the city’s ancient streets stopping at famous spots such as the Bridge of Sighs and Radcliffe Camera to get a few quick shots of of them both looking amazing as we went.

The reception took place at the home of the world’s most famous debating societies, Oxford Union. The meal and speeches were held in the debating chamber, the same place that speakers such as the Dalai Lama, Mother Theresa, Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, Johnny Depp, Clint Eastwood, Michael Jackson, Rodger Bannister, Morgan Freeman, Buzz Aldrin, Reagan, Nixon and Carter, Judi Dench, Philip Pullman and possibly my favourite, Kermit the Frog, have all addressed audiences. And tonight it was the turn of Lisa, Will, Chris, Chris and Danny to tell their heart felt and humorous tales about this extraordinary couple. Following this, an amazing meal and pub quiz the guests retired to the main building where Will’s awesome band “Munkey” + guest singer entertained everyone until late into the evening. Will couldn’t resist singing a few himself which everyone loved, not least of which, Lisa whom I have never seen happier.

It was an incredible day. Here is a small selection of the shots I took. All images provided to the couple in both colour and black and white.