2006 was the year that we ...

Had a registrar who was not conducting the ceremony have a really good moan at us about the officious attitude of the registrar who was.

Had a wedding breakfast without a wedding cake and nobody noticed.

Had the banquetting manager at a gay wedding announce as usual at the end of the meal "Pray silence for the father of the bride" and both fathers stood up to speak.

Photographed a wedding in the French Alps.

Photographed a wedding at which the wedding breakfast was before the ceremony.

Watched a DJ at an upmarket venue produce a pro camera complete with long lens and flashgun then wander round doing table shots during the meal dressed in tee shirt, baggy shorts and trainers.

Watched a DJ take pictures after the meal and during the dancing despite being specifically told by the groom not to do so while we were still working.

Saw a registrar present the happy couple with a bottle of champagne along with their marriage certificate.

Had several clients who decided to make best use of the time and the light on the day by doing the pictures of themselves alone together before the ceremony.

Photographed a drinks reception on the London Eye.

Had the manager of a wedding venue which prefers couples to use its recommended suppliers give us glasses of lukewarm tap water to drink on a scorching hot summer's day instead of the chilled sparkling water which had kindly been organised for us and paid for by our clients.

Had the manager of a very nice venue indeed practically force us to eat a delicious three course veggie meal despite our protests that we'd already eaten!

Had Elvis make a surprise appearance at a reception. And you know what? He was actually very good indeed ...

Why has it gone so quiet?

Because it's been like Santa's workshop on Christmas Eve here, that's why! As of yesterday we've finally caught up after our six weddings in December and one on the first Saturday of the year. After tomorrow's in downtown Tunbridge Wells, though, that's it for four whole weeks. Well, sort of ...

We've got a lot of work to do on the website. The gear to get serviced. Our literature to re-write. The puter network to expand and update. Ann's admin system to improve still further. More ideas to try out with Art Prints. And loads more similar stuff.

We're trying to organise an intensive two-day workshop this summer with a seriously talented photojournalist we want to bring over from the States. We've been asked to give talks ourselves to fellow professionals in Norfolk and in Durham, and it looks like the Dan Johnson Photography Experience will also be Wessex bound before long. So we have to get our act together for those while we're not out shooting weddings and doing all the subsequent processing.

Then there's the meetings with potential clients. And all the usual routine admin. And Ann's new greenhouse to put together from an enormous carton full of interesting bits of aluminium and a bizarre collection of bad drawings and weird symbols that passes for The Instructions.

Hmmm. I'd better get on with it then ...

Ann's Pudding Picture #14

Our last but one wedding of 2006 found Ann in seriously arty mood for this shot of the Mulled Wine Poached Figs With Christmas Pudding Icecream going out to table at Alix and Malcolm's wedding!

The Bit You Don't See #4

Here's one of Leith's merry men in the servery finishing off the starters for Alix and Malcolm's wedding breakfast last month. If you're wondering why there are so many books in the servery, that's because after the wedding, this room reverts to being the library at the Law Society's Hall ...