Michael and the guys got ready in an apartment opposite the hotel.

Here are the guys giving their best ‘Blue Steel’.

And here they are after being told that actually it looked more like ‘Apache’. (You have to see Ben Stiller’s ‘Zoolander’ to get the reference.)

Meanwhile, the bride Samantha was getting ready in the hotel.

As the guys were also to go from the hotel to go to the ceremony, Sam had to make sure the coast was clear.

Michael and Sam had a handfasting ceremony up on the mountainside.

This part of Bulgaria is incredibly beautiful and it was wonderful to see the ceremony with a mountains as a backdrop. The rainclouds you see in the distance did bring the rain but it didn’t stop everybody from enjoying setting.

As all the guests were arranged in a circle, it made for some shots you can’t normally get during the ceremony.

As a surprise, the couple had arranged for a horse drawn cart to take them to the reception.

Where we got the couple to practise their first dance in front of the Pirin Mountains.

The speeches were hilarious and suitably embarrasing for Michael.

This is Sam’s version of ‘trash the dress’: Get everyone else’s outfit wet while they protect her beautiful Vera Wang dress!!

Michael and Sam’s first dance was by far the very best we’ve ever seen. Their friends sang and played guitar while the couple twirled, spun and generally wowed their guests. There was hardly a dry eye in the house, including many of the guys (Richard assures me he hid behind his camera to take a photograph, but I’m not sure I believe him!!).

The sunset was stunning.

Followed by an amazing firework display:

And, oh yeah, very possibly the nicest newlyweds on the planet!

Here are some of our pictures of Bansko before the wedding. It’s in the Pirin Mountains near the borders of Macedonia and Greece and apparently is a fantastic place to ski in the winter months.

Here’s the Groom Andy,

and the beautiful bride Kate.

The ceremony was in the garden of the hotel with the mountains as a backdrop.

The couples first kiss:

The registrar who conducted the ceremony couldn’t speak English and so had a translator. After telling the couple that their love would be as lasting as the Pirin Mountains she said that she also hoped they would become like pigeons!! After much laughter we all concluded that she must have meant doves.

Doesn’t Kate look gorgeous?

The balcony at the hotel gives a wonderful view of the mountains.

Kate’s stunning dress is from Pronovias.

The weather for the wedding was over 40ºC so it was great to take advantage of the air conditioned and beautiful interior at the Kempinski.

On to the reception on the terrace.

You can find more details on the 5 star Kempinski hotel at their website:
www.kempinski-bansko.com

Hilarious speeches (naturally at Andy’s expense) added to the enjoyment.

This was the first time we’ve ever had the first dance outside.

Then all the guests went inside for the rest of the night’s dancing.

Kate and Andy kindly agreed to get dressed up again a few days later and take a trip into the mountains for some more pictures.

Here’s Richard at work:

With these results:

And here’s Sarah at work:

With these pictures:

Many, many thanks to Andy & Kate for being such a joy to photograph and for allowing us to visit such a beautiful country. We look forward to seeing you again soon.