Having got married in February my new wife and I jetted off to enjoy a relaxing 10 days honeymoon at the Meeru resort in the Maldives. Obviously the camera bag made the trip too and I took every opportunity I could to capture this gorgeous part of the world. Armed with one of my Sony A900's and a bag full of Carl Zeiss lenses I took a few hours each day to wonder the island.

The one thing that strikes you about the Maldives is the colours; the sand, the sea and the sky. I was keen to avoid the standard 'postcard' shots and so on this particular day I left the room with a 10 stop ND filter and the tripod to try some long exposures in the day light. After an hour or so on the beach I was getting too hot so headed back to the room to change and cool off in the sea. But as I made my way I became aware of someone running after me. At first I assumed it to be a member of staff annoyed that I was taking photos (as often can be the case) but it was a fellow guest at the resort and he wanted to know about my knowledge and experience of photography; something I'm always happy to share.

As we talked, Vilius explained that he was here with his fiancee and due to wed on the island in a few days. Their perfect wedding was beginning to cause some stress and the hotel's promise of a 'resident' photographer was failing to meet the expectations of the bride-to-be. As a keen amateur photographer, Rita wasn't impressed with the example images of other weddings they had seen on arrival and without any friends or family to be in attendance the images were of even more importance than usual.

Having spoken to them about what they wanted (and agreed with my new wife that it was ok) I agreed to be their photographer for the hour around their ceremony on the beach.

A little concerned about the unfamiliar lighting (being British I rarely need contend with strong afternoon sunlight or bright golden beaches) we agreed to spend 30 minutes in advance of the wedding getting some practice shots. I like to do pre-wedding shoots with the bride and groom if I can anyway because it gets them comfortable and at ease in front of me and my cameras. It also adds a nice pre-text to the collection of photos and can often catch more intimate shots.

So we met on the beach at midday (the worst possible time for lighting) and I asked them to relax and enojy themselves. It has to be said they took to this like ducks to water and splashed about while I clicked away.

They were clearly very happy together and after reviewing the images I was pleased with how they had come out.

So on the wedding day itself I met Vilius at the spa on the resort where Rita was getting ready and took some candids of him before joining Rita for some shots of her prep too.

The couple were then taken in precession across the island to the beach where other guests had gathered and the ceremony took place.

Too see the photos from this lovely occasion, plus some shots afterwards, please go to the 'wedding' menu and select 'Vitkute Kucinas'. It was a fantastic day and I wish the happy couple all the best for the future.

Simon