Bek & Corey’s Avalon Castle Wedding

When two fandoms collide and create wedding magic, you know you’re in for something special. Bek and Corey’s wedding at Avalon Castle was absolutely that – a celebration where Harry Potter met Star Wars, and somehow it all made perfect sense.

Let me start by saying that Bek is hands down the most organised bride you’ll ever meet. This woman had me locked in 17 months before the wedding day. Seventeen months! That’s the kind of forward planning that would make a military strategist weep with joy. Meanwhile, I’m usually getting calls three months out asking if I’m free “next weekend.” But Bek? She had spreadsheets. Colour-coded ones, probably.

And Corey? Well, he’s the kind of incredibly devoted partner who deserves someone with that level of organisational prowess. These two complement each other beautifully – she’s got the logistics sorted, and he’s got the unwavering support and love that makes it all worthwhile.

Now, here’s where things get interesting. Bek is a massive Harry Potter fan, whilst Corey’s allegiance lies firmly with Star Wars. In lesser hands, this could’ve been a recipe for themed disaster, but these two found the perfect balance. Elements from both universes were woven throughout their day with the kind of thoughtful touches that make guests smile rather than cringe.

The absolute highlight had to be the surprise visit from the 501st Legion – an elite Star Wars costuming group who showed up in full Imperial regalia. Watching wedding guests mingle with Stormtroopers whilst sipping champagne at a castle? That’s the kind of surreal moment that makes this job endlessly entertaining.

But the real showstopper came during the bridal waltz. Picture this: Corey’s swaying along to “Eternal Flame,” completely lost in the moment with his new wife, when Bek drops the bombshell that those weren’t just any vocals – they were hers. She’d secretly recorded herself singing their wedding song. The look of pure shock and amazement on Corey’s face when she told him afterwards? Priceless. That’s the kind of surprise that’ll have him bragging to mates for decades.

I had my wife Miranda along as second photographer for the day, which always makes for not just better coverage but genuinely more fun. There’s something brilliant about working with your best mate who also happens to be ridiculously talented behind a lens.

The reception slideshow featured 79 photos from their day, and judging by the crowd’s reaction, we’d nailed the brief. Nothing beats that moment when you see guests pointing at the screen, laughing at candid moments they’d forgotten about from just hours earlier.

But honestly, the best review of the day comes from Bek and Corey themselves. Their Google review basically says it all – from our first meeting through to the final delivery, everything clicked. They wanted candid moments captured alongside the traditional shots, and they trusted us to blend into the background whilst never missing the important stuff.

What struck me most about their review was how they mentioned we captured “minor details that would have escaped a lot of people’s notice.” That’s exactly what we’re after – those fleeting glances, quiet laughs, and spontaneous moments that make each wedding unique.

Avalon Castle provided the perfect fairytale backdrop for their geek-chic celebration, and honestly, photographing a couple this thoughtful and organised made the whole day feel effortless. When the bride books you 17 months out and the groom surprises you with his genuine reactions all day long, you know you’re documenting something special.