Monday, August 31, 2009

Bank Holiday Weddings

The August bank holiday weekend usually results in a fairly wet United Kingdom but fortunately both of my weddings this weekend escaped any rain. Saturday's wedding was between Victoria and Elliot and held at The Old Library in Dulwich College with a reception held at the Cinnamon Club in Westminster. The lovely couple and their guests enjoyed the beautiful surroundings of the college before making their way to Westminster on a London tour bus, taking in the embankment on the way. Here's a shot of Victoria and her bridesmaids shoes.
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Then on Sunday I was at Loseley Park to capture the wedding celebrations of Gabrielle and James. Loseley's famous gardens were in full bloom which helped create some beautiful pictures of the loveley couple and their guests. Then it was over to the Tithe Barn for the wedding breakfast, speeches and a late night party. I'm always looking for interesting places to put the wedding rings and could not resist this one.
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Both wedding stories will follow on shortly.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Shella & Matt wed in Sparsholt nr Winchester

A glorious summer's day was a most welcome guest at this very personal and beautiful wedding. Shella and Matt were married in Sparsholt Church and held their reception in a farmers field nearby. A large marquee had been set up, welly wanging, coconut shy's and casino's entertained the guests, most of whom then camped out overnight in the field, including the bride and groom in a tent bridal suite. Yes a tent bridal suite!

Shella's fabulous red wedding dress
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The bridal bouquet
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Reminded me of the James Bond cat this one
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Shella slides into her dress
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Bridesmaid and sister looks on
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Shella's arrival at the church
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The ring goes on
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The beautiful flowergirl
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A nice view of the church after the service
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The happy couple
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Shella's red dress made her bridal portraits really stand out
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Off to the reception now
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The aforementioned Bridal Suite
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The cake was a replica of the marquee, a nice touch
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The unusual reception venue
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The boys do a rat pack
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Some welly wanging
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The speeches get underway
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Time to lose some money
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The groom and best man go and prepare for the first dance (all will be explained)
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A field in the sun, what else should you do
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Shella awaits the first dance
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After a bucks fizz routine the boys trousers were ripped off to great applause, a very unusal but in keeping with the day very fitting first dance.
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Monday, August 24, 2009

The Weekend's Weddings

On Friday I photographed the wedding of the beautiful Kat and Steven at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park. A Swedish bride and English groom brought the best out of a lovely venue and once the early morning rain had cleared, a gorgeous sunny day was enjoyed by the couple and their guests on the terrace with fantastic views. Here's a late evening detail shot as the party was in full swing.
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Then on Saturday I shot the lovely wedding of Sian and Mark at St Mark's Church in Englefield with a reception held at nearby Bradfield College. Another day of summer sunshine was enjoyed by the wedding party and a Ceilidh band carried the party through the night. Here is Sian's veil.
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As usual the full weddings stories will appear shortly.

Monday, August 17, 2009

The Weekend's Weddings

On Saturday I traveled to Oxford and photographed the beautiful wedding of Anna-Marie and John in Mansfield College. A gorgeous venue where after the service the chapel doubled up as the reception room and gave the guests an enviable dining experience. The equally gorgeous couple met at the college which made this a wedding day filled with fun, memories and a lot of love. Here's Anna's shoes.
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Then on Sunday it was the long awaited marriage of two of our best friends in Samantha & Scott. They tied the knot at The Four Seasons Hotel in Hook, a beautiful venue to host what was a wonderful day. Sam & Scott met at work which is where they met Katie and hence me. It was a very special experience and indeed privilege to be able to witness up close their wedding day and share in their celebrations. There were lots of details at their wedding but I particularly liked the flowers entwined in the back of the chair covers.
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As usual both couples full wedding stories will follow shortly.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Perfect Wedding September 2009

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This months Perfect Wedding magazine features two more of my weddings and also uses one of my images to introduce the real life wedding section.
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Laura & Dan were married at Warbrook House in Eversley, Hampshire back in May last year
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and Catherine & Anthony were also married in May last year with their wedding held at The Royal Berkshire Hotel in Ascot, Berkshire.
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You can read both couples full wedding stories through the side bar links to previous featured weddings.

Congratulations to you both!!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Happy Anniversary

Today I celebrate my 9th Wedding Anniversary with my beautiful wife Katie. We went for the Millenium wedding (nice and easy to remember which anniversary it is) although we have actually been together for over 17 years now which confuses things somewhat.

As part of Katie's pressie she had a make over and make up lesson by the very talented Tania of TSO Bridal Beauty (you can read about her in my supplier interviews on the side bar) as well as the obligatory trip to Toni & Guy for a full on hair pampering and a few other little things too. After dedicating herself to bringing up our kids and helping me with the business she sure deserves some me time.

I took this picture after she returned from her make up and pampering session.
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I'm a very lucky man. Happy Anniversary sweetheart.

Monday, August 10, 2009

The Long Weekend

So where do I start about the last few days. On Thursday I drove round the wonderful M25 to photograph the pre-wedding party of Anika & Nelson in Gants Hill. This was a fabulous party full of love and celebration and we were even treated to a history of Indian courtship through dance by Anika's friends and family. Pictures of some of the entertainers below.
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Then on Saturday I photographed the beautiful wedding of Hannah and John in Pyrford, Woking. They were married in St Nicholas Church with their reception held in Hannah's parents home and garden within a large marquee. A very relaxed and joyous celebration lead by the Anglo and American joining of the couple (John being the Texan) made for some beautiful and unusual photographic opportunities. Much cooler than a hat stand I think.
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The final event of the weekend brought me back together with Anika and Nelson to celebrate first their civil service and then their Hindu Marriage Ceremony at Orsett Hall in Essex. It is fascinating to see how different the two services are but the common theme of the couples love runs through out both ceremonies and capturing their moments in love during the course of a very hot and sunny day was a great experience.
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Carolyn & Martin at Barnett Hill

A gorgeous hot sunny day greeted the lovely Carolyn and Martin at Barnett Hill in Surrey. A fabulous venue with large grounds, beautiful views and lovely interiors allowed the couple their children and all the guests to have a truly memorable wedding day. It is a testament to the couples love that it is the first wedding I've been to where the registrar ended up in tears during the service as the emotions got to her.

This was an emotional and beautiful wedding to photograph.

Carolyn's diamond earings
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and her gorgeous shoes
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Martin and the boys sort out their button holes
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The flower girls relax whilst waiting for the bride
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I just love this portrait of the couples daughter
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Carolyn making her grand entrance
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The emotional service gets underway
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Just married
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The room layout for the Wedding Breakfast
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One of the girls lost in a moment
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The venue was a real haven for kids at a wedding
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The lovely harpist allowed the younger guests a chance to play
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Some time alone
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A wooded walkway in which we took a wrong turn ended up giving me a beautifully abstract shot of the couple, a happy accident if ever I saw one.
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The imposing venue awaits their return
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Time to relax
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The speeches get underway
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Apparently Martin was a bit of a child star in his younger days
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A wonderful moment between Father and Son
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One of my favourites
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A later in the evening walk in the woods
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Carolyn looking gorgeous on the staircase
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Now that's how to start a party
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Not to be outdone
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