![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding002-003.jpg)
The bride and groom contacted me when researching their wedding, after coming across photos that I had shot at previous couple’s wedding in the Gambia. I also will be returning to The Gambia in early Spring 2014 to photograph a Gambian wedding for another couple.
Their chosen wedding venue – Coco Ocean Hotel – is this magnificent luxury hotel in the Gambia in West Africa. The couple themselves are based in the UK, but have family connections to The Gambia, so it was the perfect choice for them. I stayed a full week, so was able to capture their cultural wedding ceremony – based on traditions in Sierra Leone – as well as general pics of themselves around the hotel prior to the actual legal ceremony in their private Royal Suite by their private pool, followed by a religious church-style ceremony outside by another huge swimming pool next to the sea.
This combined wedding and honeymoon, is a popular solution for many couples, particularly for those with family connections abroad, as it guarantees lovely weather, and a fabulous location for the wedding pictures. In this case it also made it easier for their family and friends who live in Sierra Leone to travel to a nearby country within Africa. By booking Reel Life Photos for their wedding they also were able to get the quality of storybook album their wedding deserved. Hope you enjoy looking, as there are many lovely portraits of all their special people, and unusually for my brides and grooms, I was given complete creative freedom, not only to create the design, but also to choose the images I knew they would like. Most couples spend hours choosing, but they trusted me to choose for them, which was wonderful.
If you are planning your wedding abroad or a multicultural wedding in the UK contact Elaine – wedding photographer at Reel Life Photos .
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Cocoa Ocean Hotel wedding in the Gambia - night time view towards the sea](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding000-Cover.jpg)
cover of storybook showing the main avenue from the hotel down towards the sea at night
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia photos of Cocoa Ocean Hotel in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding004-005.jpg)
Inside the Royal Suite
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia pictures of Coco Ocean Hotel in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding006-007.jpg)
Bride and groom’s family enjoying their holiday at Coco Ocean
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Exotic sunset pictures](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding008-009.jpg)
Romantic sunset and palm trees – what more could you want!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia private pool in Royal Suite at Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding010-011.jpg)
private pool in Royal Suite at Coco Ocean
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Civil marriage ceremony in the Royal Suite at Coco Ocean in Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding012-013.jpg)
Civil marriage ceremony in the Royal Suite
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia getting ready for the wedding in Royal Suite at Coco Ocean in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding014-015.jpg)
The couple’s daughter helps her mummy get ready for the wedding
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia contemporary wedding storybook album design at Coco Ocean in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding016-017.jpg)
Love this page in as it floats in black and white and a touch of colour.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia The Royal Suite at Coco Ocean on wedding day](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding018-019.jpg)
bride leaves the Royal Suite with her father to go to her church style wedding ceremony by the pool at Coco Ocean
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding by the sea in an exotic hotel abroad at Coco Ocean wedding venue in The Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding020-021.jpg)
The bride is given a lift with her father and children to the poolside where the wedding blessing will take place
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Coco Ocean - magnificent wedding venue in The Gambia by UK photographer](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding022-023.jpg)
wedding guests waiting as the bride arrives and joins the groom
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding outside by the sea and pool at Coco Ocean in Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding024-025.jpg)
This is just magical! Everyone seated as if in a church – but outside in brilliant light of day, protected by white parasols, with the water sparkling alongside the guests and a see view.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia church wedding in the Gambia but at Coco Ocean Hotel](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding028-029.jpg)
The reverend conducts the wedding blessing by the pool
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding abroad at Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding030-031.jpg)
Getting married here by the side of that pool , facing the sea, must be a dream come true
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia getting married in the Gambia at Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding032-033.jpg)
pictures of Coco Ocean wedding in The Gambia
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding blessing the rings at Gambian hotel, Coco Ocean.](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding026-027.jpg)
The rings are blessed.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia exchange of rings at wedding by the sea in Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding038-039.jpg)
So romantic!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding bouquet of bougainvillea at Coco Ocean in Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding034-035.jpg)
Bridesmaids hold a bouquet of simple bougainvillea as hymns are sung and the couple’s children watch impatiently.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia romantic wedding abroad by the sea at Coco Ocean in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding036-037.jpg)
Sunlight and shadows, fan and foliage. Magic!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Coco Ocean romantic wedding picture by the sea of bride and groom and the rings](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding040-041.jpg)
Such a romantic place to get married!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia dream wedding abroad at Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding042-043.jpg)
This minute could last forever in their minds as we look at this picture of such a happy moment.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding storybook photography in the Gambia by UK wedding photographer](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding044-045.jpg)
Groomsmen take it easy during the ceremony.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia exotic wedding abroad in the Gambia by uk photographer who travels](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding048-049.jpg)
Love the sight of the yellow bridesmaids dresses against the exotic foliage as the bride and groom walk out together
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Happy wedding photography in the Gambia at Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding050-051.jpg)
Lots going on as the wedding ceremony finishes…
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia exotic wedding reception in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding052-053.jpg)
“Now what shall I choose”, thinks the bride and groom’s son, when offered an array of nibbles by not one, but two waiters.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding pictures by the pool at Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding054-055.jpg)
A big group shot all round the pool – so colourful!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding photos of muticultural wedding guests in Gambia around the pool at Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding056-057.jpg)
Such great colours and so many happy people!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Multicultural wedding pictures in Gambian hotel by the pool](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding058-059.jpg)
Perfect location for family wedding pictures.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Sierra Leone bride and groom and their family wedding pictures in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding060-061.jpg)
Family wedding photos at Coco Ocean
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia photos by the pool then off to the wedding reception inside Coco Ocean](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding062-063.jpg)
photos by the pool then off to the wedding reception
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia luxury wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding064-065.jpg)
Love this reception area with the dynamic stripey floor, so organised this pic of all the guests taken from the mezzanine floor above
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding photos inside Coco Ocean reception area](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding066-067.jpg)
bride and her family and close friends inside Coco Ocean reception area
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding photos inside Coco Ocean hotel reception in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding068-069.jpg)
Can you imagine having your wedding here? Such a brilliant family in an equally exciting wedding venue.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding reception pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding070-071.jpg)
The couple enter their wedding reception dancing, and gather their children to dance with them.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia bride and groom at their wedding reception in The Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding072-073.jpg)
Time to celebrate over a wonderful meal!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia wedding reception pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding074-075.jpg)
Amazing food and culinary delights at Coco Ocean. Just a shame I had to leave to catch a plane that evening on the last Thomas Cook flight out of the Gambia before the rainy season started, and also to photograph another wedding in the UK the very next day!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia evening wedding pictures at night in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding076-077.jpg)
Night has fallen so I grab the bride and groom before the dessert course and take pictures of them within the delightful geometric designs of the contemporary architecture.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia romantic wedding picture on the beach by the sea in Gambia at night](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding078-079.jpg)
With the whole day being behind schedule after the Gambian registrar arrived one hour late, the daylight hours vanished so night time pictures of the bride and groom were the only solution.
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia fun black and white wedding photography in the Gambia at Coco Ocean at night](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding080-081.jpg)
Such a happy wedding picture on the beach at night!
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia natural wedding pictures on the beach at night in the Gambia](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding082-083.jpg)
Fun wedding pic on the beach at night
![storybook wedding pictures at Coco Ocean in the Gambia Coco Ocean wedding at night](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CocoOceanwedding084-085.jpg)
The night air is warm and the ambience delightful, but the bride and groom need to get back to their wedding reception and I need to head off soon for the airport!
Goodnight! Time to say goodbye to this wonderful couple in this amazing wedding venue in the Gambia, to fly back to the UK for an Asian wedding in Bradford in the morning!
If you are planning your wedding abroad or a multicultural wedding in the UK contact Elaine – wedding photographer at Reel Life Photos or keep up to date with recent weddings on Facebook