Southampton Sunshine - November 4th 2006

I always make sure my bride and grooms get first look at their pictures, which is why from time to time you will find a delay in getting a wedding online on my blog, so apologies for that.

Becky & Dan got married in a real hidden gem of a church called Off Bar Church, on Southampton's main busy shopping street, at first glance you'd never know it was there, but once inside the church, it opens up into a very modern and inspiring place of worship.

An emotional, fun and very personalised service was punctuated with a Christian rock band, readings and a brilliant slide show to keep the guests entertained whilst Becky & Dan signed the register.

Afterwards the reception was held at Botley Park Hotel where we had run of the grounds for photos. Once again the weather was incredibly kind for a November wedding with sunshine all day long. A lovely personal wedding to compliment a very sweet and relaxed couple.


The bridesmaids and ushers await the brides arrival

Becky glances across the aisle during one of the readings

Bridesmaids and Becky's Mum enjoy the couples slideshow

Becky & Dan take a walk through the Autumnal colours

The bride and groom all alone for their first dance

Nice Idea - Polaroid Guest Book

As part of a family tradition, Katie and Chris both American, were married in Bracknell, Berkshire with the reception held at The Ivy in London.

Instead of having a traditional guest book, Katie provided a polaroid camera with the peel off and stick variety of polaroid picture. The guests then shared the camera amongst themselves during the course of the day taking self portraits (or getting someone else to take pictures of them). These were then stuck into the guest book next to their special message for the couple.

A brilliant memento for the couple of everyone at their wedding and another view of their day in pictures.

Nice Idea - Photo Montages

At the reception of Lisa & Lee's wedding in France they had dedicated a wall to memorabilia from their life as a couple together. Consisting of photos from holidays and major events and even down to the music they grew up loving being part of the table names and layout.

A very personal touch that was enjoyed by all the guests as it gave a focal point of interest and fun and an insight into the couples life before the wedding.

Nice Ideas

In an effort to make my blog not just a place where you can view my latest work and find out what I've been up to, I thought it might be useful if I created a section of the site that is devoted to all the nice ideas I come across whilst photographing my weddings.

I know that when I go and see couples to discuss their wedding plans, they often look through my books picking out all the details as inspiration for their wedding day, so I figure it might be useful to put a resource of them online for everyone. I'll put a link on the sidebar and try to build as diverse a range of ideas as possible with as much detail about each one as I can.

I hope they provide some inspiration for your big day.



Starting with my recent November wedding for Becky and Dan (which will have it's own post very shortly). The table cards were painstakingly created by using glass tea-light holders, hand written in gold paint with each guests name they not only were an unusual and stunning way to guide the guests to their seats, they were also given to each guest to take home as a keepsake from the day. A lovely gift and permanent reminder of the wedding day for every guest.

Matt Williams, Ancestral Mountains

I was recently commissioned to photograph portraits of Matt Williams who runs the Kung Fu school I now attend. He was after a friendly face to conteract peoples preconceptions of Kung Fu being all about hitting and kicking and aimed to use the portraits as part of a campaign to get people through the door to experience all the mental and physical development side of Kung Fu that aids fitness, relaxation and general well being as well as being a useful form of self defence.

He did not however want to appear too soft either. We ended up shooting a series of straight kung fu greeting poses and some more elaborate styled images with the swords.

Father's Portrait

I have been fortunate enough to have my recently retired Dad help me out at some of my weddings this year, allowing me to focus only on the pictures and not where each of my bags are amongst other things. Making my life easier is something he's well practised in.

During the course of one of the weddings I spotted him relaxing by a window at the Liberal Club in London and quickly took this portrait of him. The light from the window was absolutely perfect and I knew I had made the portrait of my Father I had long been looking for.

Linda & Dave Wed in Reigate

On a surprisingly warm and sunny October Saturday, Linda and Dave got married at The Reigate Methodist Church.

As Dave waited at the front for his bride, the congregation were treated to a beautiful solo performance of a Luther Vandros song, concluding with the lovely brides entrance. After the service the bride and groom relaxed with their family and friends, were swamped with confetti by the kids and had a stroll in the park to the rear of the church with their close friends.

The bursting of a giant confetti balloon heralded the start of the evening festivities during their first dance.



Close up detailing on Linda's dress



The two young bridesmaids all bowed up



One of the beautiful flower displays at the church



Linda & Dave share a moment as they walk back down the ailse



A walk in the park

Centrecourt Wedding

CentreCourt Hotel in Basingstoke was the location for Catherine and Pete's wedding. With the bride getting ready just five minutes drive away, there was plenty of time for all the getting ready pictures and the build up at the location.

Again it was a lovely hot sunny day, three out of four is not bad for September! After the service everyone relaxed with drinks in the sunshine by the central tennis court and I took the couple off to Basing House. We were lucky enough to be granted access to the grounds and we took some great pictures as the lovely couple wandered around enjoying their first time together as husband and wife.

The evening was punctuated with a cool magician and band and when I left late on the party was still in full swing.



The bridal outfit awaits



Catherine rushing downstairs, only slightly late



The happy couple are applauded back down the aisle



I love this shot caught as they walk round Basing House grounds together



Hayden the flower girl was an absolute angel in front of the camera



The groom looks after his wife's train

Mary & Ray wed at Tylney Hall

A small and understated midweek wedding saw Mary and Ray come together at the beautiful Tylney Hall.

Thirty of their closest friends and family saw the couple tie the knot on a sunny if a little windy September afternoon. With plenty of room for the guests to play croquet and the kids to run wild there was plenty of scope for fun informal reportage photography, exactly what Mary and Ray had hoped for.



Mary waits in the hotel room for her call



Mary makes her way down Tylney's signature staircase



Sara, Mary's daughter looks perfect in pink



The wedding rings await their new owners



Flower girl



Croquet on the lawn, such hard work



The wedding ring in place

Lisa & Lee Wed in Montaigu de Quercy, France

It was a wet windy September wedding, but this time not in England, but in the Tarn et Garonne region in the South West of France.

Lisa & Lee knew the area through family and friends and had the wedding in a beautiful small rural church, on the edge of the small town Montaigu de Quercy. After the ceremony for which they shipped over their own vicar, the reception was held in a lovely French Chateax called Chateau de L’Hoste

As Lisa said in a rare and emotional brides speech it was a bring your own wedding - vicar, Sally Rice - make up artist, photographer and although invited, the sun unfortunately failed to show up. However as with all weddings, the day is more about emotions and fun and the coming together of families and friends and then embracing whatever Mother Nature throws at you.



Lisa's big day starts with the make up



Some finishing touches



A stunning bride



The ushers prove their worth as the rain sweeps through



The first kiss



Lisa models her beautiful dress.

Such a fun and emotional wedding, a lovely couple and full of great moments - a real pleasure to photograph.

Charlotte & Tim wed in Bordeaux, France

As fairytale wedding locations go you'd be hard pressed to beat Chateau lagorce. Arriving at this location I knew this wedding would be something special.

Charlotte and Tim booked the entire Chateau for a week long holiday with their wedding as the focal point. They then invited friends and family to share the accomodation with them for the week. This made the wedding one of the most relaxed and informal weddings I've ever covered, everyone was in the perfect holiday mode. Add to that the hottest day I've ever photographed in and the wedding was complete.

Here are are just a few of the 350 shots Charlotte and Tim got:



I love this dress shot with the baby asleep on the bed




Jimmy Choo's, need I say more



Lovely flower displays surrounded all the walkways



The page boys getting into the spirit



The dress goes on



Charlotte was so chilled throughout the preparations, you can tell



The longest promenade to any wedding I've ever photographed, fantastic.



Charlotte is guided down the steps by her proud father and the youngsters



The happy couple venture back to the lower level



Romance on the steps