Birmingham wedding photographer Chris Denner, of Artisan X Wedding Photography in Leicester, UK, says he had his work cut on for him during this November wedding of couple Bonnie and Anthony at Blackwell Grange hotel in the Cotswolds, as it was “equal parts blinding sunshine and torrential downpours.” Denner says that the couple had their hearts set on some dynamic and unique portraits and images, including a sparkler exit, which turned out to be the first one he has ever shot in the rain.

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“We had to light everybody’s sparkler under cover, then run out and go for it,” he explains. “I used a flash with a blue CTO gel behind the couple to contrast the bright sparklers and grab as much of that that rain with a back light so we could see it.” Turns out the image is a favorite of both Denner and the couple.

Another favorite is a portrait of Bonnie and Ant that Denner took as they stood in front of an interesting structure. “The venue has this great circle in the wall, so to create that shot it was a case of using an orange CTO behind the couple about 4 meters back to hit everything—couple, rain, wall—with lots of gorgeous light,” says Denner. “But what’s equally important is the connection between the couple, otherwise it’s just a technically great photograph. I know the couple loved that image so much.”

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Of course no wedding he covers without what Denner calls his signature veil shot (below). “I used a Godox on a monopod, camera right held close to the couple, as well as a Joe McNally Softbox for this kind of image. It’s got an inner cream baffle which softens the light further, and it’s just beautiful with the extra grid on it.”

Denner adds that the ceremony and reception were super emotional but was also a lot of fun, like when Bonnie and Anthony played a trick on the best man, giving him an empty ring box, then having an owl on hand to swoop down with the actual rings to Anthony’s waiting arm.

“The couple were very at ease during the day, laughing and joking with friends and family, and so when it came to their portraits, I was able to convince them to try a few dynamic images to compliment the more candid portraits and thankfully they ended up loving them,” says Denner in summing up the day. “I love shooting these alternative kinds of portraits that challenge my couple’s perceptions, and I’m super happy with the results!” (See more wedding images in the gallery at top; see the entire wedding here.)

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