Jacqui & Martin’s free-spirited wedding in Turkey

As a documentary wedding photographer based in London, I never take it for granted when couples ask me to travel to document their day. But this one? This one was special.

Jacqui has been in my life since I was a baby, she was my hairdresser for most of my life while I lived in Cardiff, and has been cutting my hair since I was about one year old (I was born with a mop of thick brown hair, so she had her hands full early on!). She was with me through every hair phase in my 20s, including my perm era. During one of those long perm appointments, Jacqui casually asked, “Would you like to shoot my wedding in Turkey?”

I said yes immediately. I’ve always known Jacqui’s love for Turkey, so knowing she was tying the knot there felt so right. I had no idea that a few weeks later I’d be asked to shoot another wedding in the South of France too, but that’s a story for another day.

So, a year later, off I went with cameras in hand, trying to explain to airport security why I was carrying quite so many. Jacqui and Martin had booked me into the same hotel their wedding was held at Yonca Lodge, a peaceful, tucked-away gem in Fethiye. Think: whitewashed Turkish apartments, a private beach for breakfast and dinner, a pool, chickens wandering freely (and gifting us the best eggs in the morning), and the kind of sunset that makes you stop what you’re doing. It was magic the moment I arrived.

The day before the wedding, I joined Jacqui and the girls for the hen do, cameras on, sunglasses out. We spent the day on a boat trip, sunbathing, drinking, laughing, swimming, flirting with the staff, eating gorgeous Turkish food, and dancing to ABBA and YMCA as the boat glided back to shore. Everyone was buzzing by the end of it, tipsy, giddy, and full of love. They were loud, unapologetically Welsh and proud, and I adored every minute. That’s one of my favourite parts of documentary-style wedding photography: seeing people in their element, fully themselves, and getting to freeze those moments forever.

Before the ceremony and before anyone had even started getting ready everyone came together to decorate the beach. It was such a lovely, collaborative moment, especially after spending time with many of them at the hen do. Starfish, colourful ribbons, and little gems were scattered across the ceremony space, turning the private beach into a joyful, seaside celebration spot. It felt personal and a true reflection of Jacqui and Martin.

Later in the day, once the Turkish sun had eased off a little, Jacqui and her daughter began getting ready together. Their dynamic was so entertaining to capture: Jacqui with her playful, cheeky energy, and her daughter with more grounded, big-sister calmness. It was all love and low-level bickering.

The ceremony took place on Yonca Lodge’s private beach. Decorations were bright and ocean-inspired, with a relaxed, summery feel. Jacqui, ever the boho bride, walked down the aisle barefoot, wearing delicate foot charms, such a brilliant touch. Her dad was sadly too unwell to travel, so she was accompanied by a close friend, while Martin waited at the end of the aisle grinning from ear to ear.

Martin is a joker through and through. Like Jacqui, he has a childlike joy for life — they match each other so well. Their ceremony was short, sweet, heartfelt, and just the right amount of cheesy. There’s one photo from the ceremony that sums it up for me: Jacqui’s dress is blowing into the decor and her friend is behind her trying to rescue it, while Jacqui and Martin are blissfully unaware — totally in the moment, eyes on each other. That’s the kind of shot I live for.

As the sun began to dip and let me tell you, the sunsets at Yonca Lodge are something else, we snuck away briefly for a few couple shots. Neither Jacqui nor Martin were into anything overly posed or “romantic,” so we kept it chilled. I let them muck about on a wooden swing, laughing at how weird it felt to be photographed, and those images ended up being my favourites.

This is why they booked a documentary-style wedding photographer, they didn’t want anything forced. They wanted the real stuff; the sideways glances, the bursts of laughter, the in-between moments.

As the night rolled in, we ate incredible Turkish food and were surprised (all of us!) by a belly dancer. Soon, guests were donning hip scarves and giving it a go themselves. And then, in true Welsh fashion, things got wonderfully chaotic, dancing on tables (which was swiftly stopped), family sing-alongs, drinks flowing, and group dances that felt like ancient rituals and inside jokes rolled into one.

Their first dance was the one “cheesy” moment they embraced — soft, sweet, and soaked in love. And after documenting the joy, noise, and laughter of the evening, I crashed into bed with a full heart and very tired feet.

At breakfast the next morning, I spotted a few bleary-eyed guests holding their heads and nursing coffee, a sure sign of a great wedding. I hugged Jacqui and Martin goodbye, packed up my gear, and began the journey home, wondering when I’d next get to document something as beautifully offbeat as this.

I love shooting destination weddings, especially ones like this, relaxed, unconventional, full of spirit. Yes, they involve more time and travel, but I was born a wanderer, and this part of the job suits me down to the ground. It doesn’t get much better than making meaningful work in places that spark joy, both for me, and for the people I’m lucky enough to photograph.

Big love to Jacqui, Martin, and all the Valleys crew for letting me be part of it.

And just to prove I was really in the thick of it, here’s a shot of me in my “Bride Tribe” dress, camera kit over my shoulder, ready to capture the chaos. Part of the crew, but always with a lens in hand.

To explore more about Jacqui & Martin’s wedding venue visit the website below:
https://www.yoncalodge.com/en/