Mr and Mrs Wileman

Darren was the first supplier that we booked after the venue and date was confirmed. We were both particularly anti-cheese; the prospect of posing for super awkward photographs was quite daunting for the both of us, so choosing the right person was of the utmost importance.

We booked four appointments to meet with photographers when we were up in Leicestershire one weekend and Darren went out of his way to meet us at a location convenient for us. Within a couple of seconds, we felt immediately at ease with Darren and ended up sitting by the fire chatting to him for almost two hours.

At the time – as this is going back a couple of years ago now – Darren had only fairly recently established himself as a full time photographer and as such, had a handful of weddings in his portfolio; however what he had done was exactly our style and he was so endearing as an individual that once we had said goodbye and before we had even left the car park, we decided to cancel the other three appointments and chose to work with him.

In the lead up to the wedding, he kept in frequent contact and a month beforehand, met me at the venue to run through the final photo list, have a look around the hotel to decide on shots and meet with the videographers to define how they would work together. He was so excited for us and for the big day and was so forthcoming with great ideas of specific photos, that it made me even more excited.

On the day of the wedding, Darren and Hamish turned up at 6:30am, bright and breezy and not only did they get all of the important pictures, but it was like they were members of the wedding party! Everyone loved them and they engaged with and got involved with everyone (Darren had to listen to some fairly dubious chat in the bridal cottage too, SORRY DARREN!). Numerous people have commented on how wonderful they both were and that Darren by far was our best supplier.

Darren was there to snap every single natural moment – I remember thinking a couple of times, “I hope we caught that!”, but he always did. He instinctively sees things unfolding and ensures that nothing is missed and captured for your memories.

Darren also came with us when my new husband and I went to visit my Nan at her home directly after the wedding, as she couldn’t attend the actual ceremony. Many bog standard suppliers would have charged extra for this – for their time and for the extra travel – but Darren absolutely insisted that it was not to be missed and would not hear of not being present. He interacted so well with her – she’s 94 and hard of hearing – and managed to get some really beautiful pictures that we will treasure forever.

Darren and Hamish were the very last suppliers to leave and were with us until around 11pm. They only left once they were confident that the night was winding down.

A week or so after the wedding, we received a small selection of edited photographs as a sneak peak of what was to come and they were absolutely stunning. The quality of the pictures and the natural shots that he caught were so much more than we could have hoped for. One in particular that he caught of our fireworks, looked like something out of a movie/magazine.

We recently received the final edited pictures and they were so much more than we could have hoped for – I cried from the first picture, right through to the last.

The only bad thing about our experience with Darren was him leaving – I was so sad to say goodbye that I could have cried! He really and truly made our day the most special that it could have been. He is excitable but not overbearing, modest, kind and has a calmness that helps you to keep grounded on the day.

I would absolutely recommend that you book Darren/Reality Photography. Even after 12 paragraphs, I don’t feel I have done him justice. I cannot express how wonderful he is and can only assure you that you will not regret it; I am so jealous of all the fun you have in store with him!