Some more lovely feedback

As always after a holiday you have to play catch up, hence not many updates this week but when I received this feedback from one of my recent bride & grooms - Amaleena and Chris, I just had to find time to share:

"Dear Elton - these are absolutely beautiful. Thank you so so much! You've captured the magic and beauty of the venue and of all the emotions relating to our day so sensitively - these are very very special, and we're so glad we chose you!

I am getting so many wonderful comments about your photography from friends and family. Everyone seems to have been particularly struck by the natural beauty and atmosphere of the photographs, and several friends have said that they were so mesmerized that they just had to watch the whole slide show in one sitting (something, I get the impression, that they might not often feel compelled to do when confronted with a few hundred wedding pictures!) I particularly love all the garden shots, especially the ones in the vine, the lavender ones and the ones by the moat. I also like the shots at home and of Chris and his family at the venue before we arrived, where you can see all the excitement and nervousness. And how the whole day unfolds, you've captured (not in a fixed, but a very fluid way) all of the emotion. Thank you so much!".

What a great email to come back to!

Guess where we went?

Half term and off we went to Eurodisney for some family fun in some surprisingly good sun, for late October that is. As you would expect the kids adored the place and after five days exploring and spending we were all completely knackered.
Here's Dylan with his new Buzz Lightyear gun at the park

and Rheya with Minnie

Then to end the week, I had my belated Xmas pressie of an experience day at Thruxton race track. So although I spent most of the week on kids rides I got the best ride of all by racing an Aston Martin Vantage around the track. What a car and what a great experience. Obviously I now have to have one!
Suits me, right?

Getting up to speed

Michelle & Heath at Saville Court Hotel & Spa

Michelle and Heath were married in the lovely St Peter's Church in Burnham, followed by a reception held at Saville Court Hotel & Spa. After getting ready with her bridesmaids and children at the parents home, Michelle arrived by limousine. Heath had already arrived in an Audi R8 which then proceeded to give the rest of the boys quick drives round the block whilst most of the assembled guests enjoyed a drink before the off.

After an emotional service, the happy couple led the way to the reception where we all dodged the rain to enjoy the surroundings giving some great photo opportunities. Then it was onto the meal which the couple had actually invited me to (thank you again guys) and some good food followed by some excellent speeches.

So all that was left then was to party into the small hours.

The bridesmaids get each other ready

The bride had some final make up touches applied

Her daughter gets some hair styling

The guests enjoy the local next to the church

The page boy arrives

The guys are ready and waiting (groom on the left)

Michelle arrives and makes her way to the church, with a little help from her friends

The proud Father gives her away

A lovely reading by two of the children

The blessing

Great atmosphere in this shot as they leave the church

Romance

An instant favourite for me

and now another one (you might have seen this one on my website home page already)

Heath gets in on the act

and now the kids can play



I have heard of cue cards but...

Even though it's dark and wet outside there's still room for some bridal portraits of the beautiful Michelle


We did it, lets celebrate

Look at my dress Mum!!

Tamara & Alan wed at Oaks Farm

The gorgeous Tamara and Alan were married at a lovely venue in Shirley called Oaks Farm. A smaller venue with two reception rooms but lovely grounds and cottages to use throughout the day means this is a great place to have an intimate and exclusively yours type wedding. After getting ready in the cottage, Tamara made her way to the ceremony room with views across the lake. Once married the couple then celebrated again by having a small Jewish ceremony under the gazebo before heading to the gardens to enjoy some well earned Pimms.

A barbecue was stoked up for the wedding breakfast and after eating, some fun speeches set the tone for a great evening party.

The venue from the lake.

Tamara gets ready at the cottage

The boys check the plans for the day

Guests have some time to explore

Some final hair adjustments

and now the jewellery

Alan see's his bride for the first time

Who said that?

Getting ready to break the glass

Some fun in the gardens


One of the lovely bridesmaids

Tamara looking very glamorous


A lovely natural moment between the couple

Some parental congratulations

The guests were serenaded with the acoustic guitar

I like the contrasts of colours and textures in this picture

Speeches get underway


And then the dancing begins

Sunday's Wedding

A little bit late in the update but on Sunday I shot the lovely wedding of Caroline and Andy at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond. Being an Autumnal October day, the weather flitted between cloudy, misty rain and finally bright blue sky and sunshine. Luckily we were able to make use of the sunshine and the beautiful location for most of the reception and the couple and their guests were able to enjoy the views of the park, some lovely food and dancing until the small hours.

Here is a shot of the couples table plan, I thought this was a really cool idea and pretty painstaking in it's creation. Each tube line was a table and each junction the guests position on it.

Here is a slightly closer one so you get the idea.

As usual their full wedding story will follow.

Wedding Photographer of the Year

I've just found out I've been short listed for Wedding Photographer of the Year in the Perfect Wedding Awards 2010. Extract from email below:

"The new wedding looks and trends available promise to make next year one of the most exciting ever for the bride-to-be. We've been studying all the wedding photographers in the market looking for those that really stand out above and beyond the rest and I'm delighted to be able to tell you that you have made the prestigious Perfect Wedding Awards 2010 shortlist".

I'm absolutely delighted to have made the short list and have a chance at winning such a great award. The next stage is the magazine will list all the nominees in the January issue (on sale 2nd December) and also online at the Perfect Wedding website. The really great thing about this competition is that it is the brides and brides to be who will choose the winner by voting for their favourite.

Once the competition is live I may just remind you again and hope you have a look and vote for me.