Although I had taken the family on a previous visit to Monkey World and thoroughly enjoyed it, I wasn’t aware that they were also a Dorset wedding venue. I would have probably remained unaware had it not been for Emma & John approaching me and asking for me to document their upcoming wedding!
But boy am I pleased that they did find me, as it is such a unique and amazing place for anyone to tie the knot. Both Emma & John are keen animal lovers both having rescue greyhounds that they bought with them for the weekend, along with being members and supporters of the Monkey World charity and the work they do.
I was very interested to work at this venue as it was going to be a challenge to really get some great images that said it all, “A wedding at Monkey World”! Would we have the weather and would all the primates be out and about, in the right place at the right time, we certainly wouldn’t be able to choreograph anything , that was for sure. Such instances are exactly what documentary wedding photography are all about, I suppose – you take it as it comes and work with whatever is there in front of you, come rain or shine.
Well thankfully it was shine whilst the ceremony and camera’s needed it, and the primates were spectacularly on form. A small gathering of family and friends for the ceremony outside the Chimpanzee enclosure and a one to one guided trip around the park provided some great photo opportunities and fond memories for all.
I can honestly say that not only was it a fun day but it was also one of the hardest weddings to photograph. To capture the interraction and moments of connection between Emma & John and the primates, was all about getting the correct angle not only for the subjects but more importantly for the perspex! If you didn’t go with the light and get the angle right, then the perspex would act like a mirror and the monkey was obscured.
Here is a brief selection of images from the day, that I hope captures all the best of Monkey World Wedding Photography.
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Photofilms interweave the strong stills imagery of documentary / reportage wedding photography with recorded sound from the vows, speeches and background atmosphere. Photofilms allow me to present an emotive product & record of your day, containing timeless moments enveloped by the cherished voices of loved ones.
What a great setting for a wedding! I love that shot of the couple and the monkey looking at each other through the glass Linus….
Great selection of pictures. I like the black and white photo, and the monkey in the wedding is amazing. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Aw, loving the fact that the greyhounds were in the wedding photos! I have retired greyhounds myself, although mine couldn’t attend our wedding, seeing how it was in New York!
Great set of shots (although I am mentally blanking out the ones with monkey in, as I have a phobia of them!)