What can I say about Fern Sherratt-Wells and Martin? They are the most incredible photography duo. I initially spoke to Fern a year before my wedding to book for the following year. From the minute we first spoke, Fern was friendly and approachable and very professional. We agreed on a date and Fern sent me a contract immediately which was reassuring for me, as I had heard of many wedding photographers with no contract that ended in complications. Fern and Martin like to get to know their couples personally and work the photography around them, so Fern arranged a video chat with myself to go through every aspect of the wedding and our wishes. Following this, Fern, Martin, myself and my fiancé all went out for lunch which was such a good idea on Fern's part. This meant that come our wedding day, my fiancé and I felt that we knew Fern and Martin well enough to feel comfortable having our photos taken by them. Wedding photography can be intimate and stressful all at once and I can imagine this feeling would be enhanced if you and your photographer are complete strangers on the day.
Following this meeting with Fern and Martin, our wedding was on hold due to Covid-19 lockdown. It was very much a last minute decision to still go ahead with our wedding on 8/8/20. Fern and Martin kept in touch with us the whole way through and supported our decisions, whatever happened. Once we said we were going ahead, Fern and Martin enquired with the registry office about the rules regarding Covid safety and totally rearranged all the plans they had, last minute, to be able to still take all the photographs we wanted. On the day of the Wedding, the registry office kindly gave us 40 minutes in the garden to have all the photos taken that we had planned. Fern snapped more photos in that time than imaginable - over 300 to be precise! Under the stressful time restraints Fern and Martin were calm and laughing and making us feel at ease right to the end. Alongside this, Martin was filming the whole thing, in order to make us a video of the day. While Fern was taking photos, Martin stood back and captured all the amazing moments that are quickly forgotten in the blur of the day. Fern and Martin worked so well together to capture absolutely every part of the service, photos of everyone that was that there and some beautiful photos of the children. Fern and Martin have a natural way with children and managed to make them laugh so much, meaning the photos of the children are of genuine laughs and smiles rather than a 'I've been told to smile' face!!
After the day, Fern and Martin worked quickly on editing the photos and video and sending them to us. They kept us informed the whole way through about how long and when to expect them etc. Fern sent me 'teaser' photos throughout the few days we waited and Martin contacted us to ask for our favourite music to play over the video recording.
We received all our photos and the video on a personalised engraved, wooden USB stick. The quality of both the photos and the video are absolutely amazing. They are clear, colourful and perfect in every way. Fern knows I like black and white photos so made the effort to convert every single photo taken to a black and white version, and watching Martin's video was like reliving the day all over. Given the time restrictions given to us, Fern did not miss one single photo that we had asked for, she captured every one.
Fern and Martin are the most fantastic couple on a personal and professional level. We loved every minute of having them involved in our big day and we truly can't thank them enough for all the effort they put in and the beautiful memories we now have.
I would recommend Fern and Martin to absolutely anyone who is planning a wedding as they are just simply the best.