I may hazard a guess, if you've come across this page, you're likely engaged living in or around Plymouth in the South-West of England and looking for a wedding photographer.
Devon, Cornwall and Somerset have some of the most beautiful locations in the UK to get married.
Finding the right wedding photographer is a daunting challenge to put it lightly. Second only to finding that perfect wedding venue.
Devon, Cornwall and Somerset have some of the most beautiful locations in the UK to get married.
Finding the right wedding photographer is a daunting challenge to put it lightly. Second only to finding that perfect wedding venue.
Why am I writing this?
We recently got married in April 2023 and spent months looking for the right wedding photographer in Devon. We really did our research. It seemed every wedding photographer was an award winner and featured in multiple magazines & websites. Something didn't add up. I dug deeper and in short, it's all paid for recognition from hundreds of different companies. We also noticed that years of experience in the wedding industry wasn't always a good thing. Taking a long hard look at the wedding photographers photos was my biggest concern. I found myself skipping through the endless sentences of telling your story with photos and all that rubbish just to find their portfolios and prices. They didn't all have their prices displayed! which was a red flag for me. These were the most expensive photographers. I just felt like they were insulting my intelligence with their sales tactics. But it's not all doom and gloom.
We eventually saw Dave's Facebook ad. A former Royal Marine who's down to earth and transparent in his approach as a wedding photographer that treated us like his friends. We even became friends after our wedding as we live in Plymouth ourselves. We've been able to see him, Mary, and his little boy Leo on a regular basis.
We recently got married in April 2023 and spent months looking for the right wedding photographer in Devon. We really did our research. It seemed every wedding photographer was an award winner and featured in multiple magazines & websites. Something didn't add up. I dug deeper and in short, it's all paid for recognition from hundreds of different companies. We also noticed that years of experience in the wedding industry wasn't always a good thing. Taking a long hard look at the wedding photographers photos was my biggest concern. I found myself skipping through the endless sentences of telling your story with photos and all that rubbish just to find their portfolios and prices. They didn't all have their prices displayed! which was a red flag for me. These were the most expensive photographers. I just felt like they were insulting my intelligence with their sales tactics. But it's not all doom and gloom.
We eventually saw Dave's Facebook ad. A former Royal Marine who's down to earth and transparent in his approach as a wedding photographer that treated us like his friends. We even became friends after our wedding as we live in Plymouth ourselves. We've been able to see him, Mary, and his little boy Leo on a regular basis.
So, what was our experience like with Dave & Mary. Obviously a good one. I felt that a standard review wouldn't cut it. I learnt through my SEO (Search engine optimisation) knowledge, he wasn't easy to find. Which is exactly why I decided to write this about him.
From the beginning. Contacting Dave was very different to other wedding photographers we spoke to. He came across like we already knew the bloke. We had quite a few back-and-forth emails, half the time it wasn't even wedding related. We had a video call that lasted a good 40 minutes! It wasn't a forced conversation. we couldn't believe we spoke for so long! At this point we didn't know much about our day's details, and the conversation wasn't all about our wedding day. We also got to know him a bit better through general chitchat.
We cleared up some questions and in my wife's words
"Great to chat, made me feel much more at ease about the idea of a camera pointed at me for a day (not really my idea of fun!!) so thank you!!!"
Dave then left us to decide. We wanted to leave him hanging for a bit, but quickly gave in to tell him we'd love to have them as our wedding photographers.
We went for the premium wedding package which includes both Mary & Dave, a meeting in person and unlimited time capturing our wedding day. They spent 14 hours at our wedding! And Mary was pregnant at the time! She's a soldier.
"Great to chat, made me feel much more at ease about the idea of a camera pointed at me for a day (not really my idea of fun!!) so thank you!!!"
Dave then left us to decide. We wanted to leave him hanging for a bit, but quickly gave in to tell him we'd love to have them as our wedding photographers.
We went for the premium wedding package which includes both Mary & Dave, a meeting in person and unlimited time capturing our wedding day. They spent 14 hours at our wedding! And Mary was pregnant at the time! She's a soldier.
I'm getting ahead of myself. We had some more back and forth WhatsApp messages before our meeting. He was very helpful in ideas for our wedding day. From confetti, lawn games and my favourite. A book for your guests not only to sign and leave a message, but place a photo they recently took with each other using instax cameras that we provided.
When we met up in person, Mary came along as well. We decided to go for a pub lunch first.
We had a print out for our day's procedures and group photos which Dave requested. We went over this during our lunch. We then made our way over to our wedding venue with a good walk around inside and out. One vital point Dave made. During our speeches we couldn't decide where to have the top table. Large windows behind us or the other side of the room. Dave made a good point that the natural lighting from the windows to our front would make for better photos and we decided to go with that.
While we walked the grounds together Dave got a few photos of us. It was very clear from that moment when it came to our wedding day, we'd have relaxing and enjoyable couple photos.
When we met up in person, Mary came along as well. We decided to go for a pub lunch first.
We had a print out for our day's procedures and group photos which Dave requested. We went over this during our lunch. We then made our way over to our wedding venue with a good walk around inside and out. One vital point Dave made. During our speeches we couldn't decide where to have the top table. Large windows behind us or the other side of the room. Dave made a good point that the natural lighting from the windows to our front would make for better photos and we decided to go with that.
While we walked the grounds together Dave got a few photos of us. It was very clear from that moment when it came to our wedding day, we'd have relaxing and enjoyable couple photos.
ingSo let's get straight to our wedding day at hand.
Dave & Mary arrived way before expected. He sent us a little text message the day before and the morning of our wedding. I found that really reassuring. Nerves are starting to hit and you find yourself worrying about everything.
Dave & Mary took photos of our venue and our set-up. My wife and the girls spent hours getting ready. They captured most of this! Once I made my arrival to prepare which took all of 20 minutes, Dave made his way over to me and left Mary with the girls.
I can see how before a wedding ceremony it can be a little hectic with the logistics depends on where you're both getting ready and if your wife is running late! Once I was ready to roll, I greeted our guests on arrival and Dave made his way back to my wife. He then sent Mary over to capture myself and my guests in the main reception area. My understanding is that Mary captures more candid photos from a distance and will get different angles to what Dave is going for when they're together. As a team they work seemingly. I guess that's the advantage of working with your wife.
Dave & Mary arrived way before expected. He sent us a little text message the day before and the morning of our wedding. I found that really reassuring. Nerves are starting to hit and you find yourself worrying about everything.
Dave & Mary took photos of our venue and our set-up. My wife and the girls spent hours getting ready. They captured most of this! Once I made my arrival to prepare which took all of 20 minutes, Dave made his way over to me and left Mary with the girls.
I can see how before a wedding ceremony it can be a little hectic with the logistics depends on where you're both getting ready and if your wife is running late! Once I was ready to roll, I greeted our guests on arrival and Dave made his way back to my wife. He then sent Mary over to capture myself and my guests in the main reception area. My understanding is that Mary captures more candid photos from a distance and will get different angles to what Dave is going for when they're together. As a team they work seemingly. I guess that's the advantage of working with your wife.
I didn't see Dave again until a little before my wife arrived for our ceremony as he spent time on capturing their final touches, Wife with her bridesmaids, my father in-law's first impression and so on.
During the ceremony Dave was upfront and Mary was at the back. Dave managed to move enough without us noticing to capture my wife's face as I gave my wedding vowels and vice versa. The same goes for our ring ceremony. The spacing available for your wedding photographer to move without disturbing your ceremony is something to take into consideration. That was another point Dave mentioned in our pre-wedding meet at our venue.
During the ceremony Dave was upfront and Mary was at the back. Dave managed to move enough without us noticing to capture my wife's face as I gave my wedding vowels and vice versa. The same goes for our ring ceremony. The spacing available for your wedding photographer to move without disturbing your ceremony is something to take into consideration. That was another point Dave mentioned in our pre-wedding meet at our venue.
As you can imagine, I could really go on about my wedding day, but I shall finish here. Dave & Mary adapt to your day, even if it doesn't go to plan like ours as it rained a lot! They are outstanding wedding photographers and genuine people that manage to capture not only us, but our guests so very well.
I feel this in-depth blog / review of their work is the least I could do to help them get more attention. They joke about being the hidden gems of the South-West because they still don't know how to use Google. But it's rather true. Dave funnels his audience so well to the right couples for him with his straight to the point Facebook ad that leads you to a very transparent, easy to navigate website that isn't plastered with reviews, awards and "featured in” with beautiful wedding photographs. You wonder why he doesn't charge more for the quality and professionalism. Thank you for your hard work Dave & Mary.
Thank you for reading my little blog about Dave & Mary.
I wish you all a very happy wedding and enjoy your preparations for it. Your wedding day will come around so fast! Take it all in.
Thank you
Tom.
Dave's website can be found here!
I feel this in-depth blog / review of their work is the least I could do to help them get more attention. They joke about being the hidden gems of the South-West because they still don't know how to use Google. But it's rather true. Dave funnels his audience so well to the right couples for him with his straight to the point Facebook ad that leads you to a very transparent, easy to navigate website that isn't plastered with reviews, awards and "featured in” with beautiful wedding photographs. You wonder why he doesn't charge more for the quality and professionalism. Thank you for your hard work Dave & Mary.
Thank you for reading my little blog about Dave & Mary.
I wish you all a very happy wedding and enjoy your preparations for it. Your wedding day will come around so fast! Take it all in.
Thank you
Tom.
Dave's website can be found here!
