A Picture-Perfect Wedding in Torquay
Alex and Carrie’s wedding in Torquay, a picturesque coastal town in the United Kingdom, was a momentous occasion filled with love and joy.
I spent the entire long summer day in Torquay, capturing every special moment. I accompanied Carrie with my camera as she prepared for the wedding. Then we headed to the church, and after the ceremony, we returned to the Imperial Hotel Torquay. This is an extremely brief summary—let the photos tell the story of the day!
A few days after the wedding, I went to the post office in Cardiff to send a USB flash drive with the photos. And here, a small problem arose. According to the post office, Torquay is not located in the UK! I had to explain for a long time that it actually is.
After returning home, I checked my passport because, in the rush of things, I might have missed that I was leaving the country. Unfortunately, I did not find either a visa to Torquay or any border stamps from that period in my passport. So, here’s the question: does a destination wedding photographer need a visa and passport stamps?
Wedding Venues Torquay – A Stunning Backdrop for Your Big Day
The Imperial Hotel Torquay – A Timeless Wedding Venue
Nestled on the cliffs overlooking the sparkling waters of the English Riviera, The Imperial Hotel Torquay is a dream wedding venue. With its elegant Victorian architecture and breathtaking sea views, it offers a truly romantic setting for couples tying the knot. Alex and Carrie’s wedding reception took place in one of the hotel’s grand ballrooms, where golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the celebrations. Guests enjoyed exquisite dining, heartfelt speeches, and, of course, plenty of dancing. As a wedding photographer, capturing the joy in such a picturesque location was an absolute pleasure.
All Saints Church Babbacombe – A Historic Wedding Venue in Devon
Let’s go back to Alex and Carrie’s wedding for a moment. Although I’m a photographer and tell stories with pictures, it’s only fitting to write a few words here.
The friendly vicar at All Saints Church in Babbacombe allowed me to use a flash in the church, which is not always a given. However, ultimately, wanting to preserve the atmosphere of the church interiors, I decided against it. He didn’t allow photography from various locations, though. He designated one spot where I had to stand and shoot. I wasn’t entirely obedient.
All Saints Church in Babbacombe, where Alex and Carrie exchanged their vows, is located near the former Gleneagles Hotel. It’s a shame the hotel no longer exists. If it did, the newlyweds would probably have celebrated there, making it a unique wedding venue in Torquay and Devon.
Unique Wedding Venues Devon – A Look at The Gleneagles Hotel
The Gleneagles Hotel – A Legendary Venue Lost in Time
The Gleneagles Hotel in Torquay, a charming establishment that opened in the swinging 60s, holds a special place in British comedy history. It was the unwitting muse for the legendary sitcom Fawlty Towers. John Cleese and his then-wife, Connie Booth, found themselves immersed in the eccentric world of its owner, Donald Sinclair, whose ‘unique’ management style provided endless inspiration. Sinclair, who sold the hotel in 1973, likely never imagined his antics would become immortalised on television.
A Torquay wedding photographer’s vision of a wedding
Imagine the chaos! A wedding at the Gleneagles, filled with Basil Fawlty’s frantic energy and perhaps a surprise appearance by a confused Spanish waiter (Manuel, anyone?). As a wedding photographer, capturing such a scene would be an exhilarating challenge. Picture the first dance—a full-blown Ministry of Silly Walks competition, with guests attempting increasingly ludicrous strides. Then, as the evening progresses, the best man, overcome with emotion, bursts into a heartfelt rendition of The Lumberjack Song, complete with impromptu tree-felling demonstrations.
It would be like stepping into a Monty Python sketch—where the unexpected is the norm, and laughter is guaranteed.
Sadly, the Gleneagles closed its doors in February 2015 and transformed into retirement apartments. But oh, what a wedding that would have been! I can just picture myself, camera in hand, capturing perfect moments amidst the delightful pandemonium. It would have been a wedding album like no other, proving that life, much like a good sitcom, is best enjoyed with a healthy dose of humour and a willingness to embrace the absurd.
Looking for a Torquay Wedding Photographer?
Finding the Perfect Wedding Photographer in Torquay
If you’re planning a wedding in Torquay and, for some inexplicable reason, would like me to be your documentary wedding photographer, I see absolutely no problem. I’ve already ‘paved the way’—which, in this case, involved a mild existential crisis at the post office and a thorough passport examination that yielded nothing but geographical confusion.
But hey, I survived! I now know how to travel to Torquay by land, which, let’s be honest, is a relief for everyone involved. Furthermore, and this is the best part, I don’t need a visa! Apparently, Torquay is still considered part of the UK, despite what Royal Mail might imply. So, rest assured, I won’t be detained at any imaginary Torquay border crossings. I’ll arrive, camera in hand, ready to capture your special day.
