Elton Mogg Photography

Some more lovely feedback

2009-11-06T16:16:00.004Z

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?

2009-10-31T12:29:00.002Z

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

2009-10-23T12:58:00.002+01:00

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

2009-10-15T11:02:00.002+01:00

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

2009-10-15T09:33:00.004+01:00

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

2009-10-10T16:52:00.002+01:00

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.

Some lovely feedback

2009-10-07T19:28:00.003+01:00

Being the typical Englishman I've never been that comfortable with singing my own praises but when I got this email today I had to post it here. Feedback like this is what makes my job so rewarding and so enjoyable.

This is from Kat Elton, now Kat Brown (hence the note about being related below, just a wild coincidence that we share the unusual Elton name)

Hi Elton

I just thought I'd send you some snippets of emails I received after sending out the photos, I know how important testimonials are when you have your own business, so here you go...enjoy:

“Wow Kat, absolutely stunning photos, you must be completely thrilled with them!! Good luck with selecting your favourite hundred or so, there are so so many gorgeous ones to chose from! Is the company a family connection? If so, what a talented photographer you are related to. There are some beautiful ones of you, and I love the ones of you and Steven with the fabulous Richmond/London backdrop behind you... so lovely. So many fabulous natural friends and family shots too, wonderful!” Lucy

“WOW, how fab are those pics” Mel Kinsman (make-up artist)

“Wow, those photos are amazing! You look so stunning and the whole wedding looked so romantic! Just beautiful!” Bree

“WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW. They’re just so overwhelmingly beautiful!” Amy

Lots of “wows!” And two of my friends said they were the best wedding photos they had ever seen (and they are married!!)

This weekends wedding was hosted by Chateau des Conde in France

2009-10-06T14:15:00.004+01:00

I've just got back from photographing a fabulous wedding in Vallery, France. Vallery is a small village about an hour and a half from Paris in the champagne region. Katie came on this wedding with me and with all the kit you want to take for a destination wedding, if you can drive, you drive. We left on Friday and stopped off for a night in Reims to break the travel up. Reims is very pretty although I warn you that it is currently being dug up and has roadworks pretty much everywhere. They are installing a tram system to be ready for 2011 so do not expect clear roads for a while yet.

After our stay we had a leisurely drive onto Vallery and met up with Hamish and Helena the day before the wedding. We joined a tour of the venue, the beautiful Chateau des Conde and stayed to shoot the evenings wine tasting in the cellars.

The Sunday was the big day and the couple were a dream to photograph and the venue was magnificent. A beautiful chateau that was exclusively the wedding parties for the weekend. Grand rooms, lovely gardens and their own church made this a truly special and memorable wedding. After a day of endless photo opportunities a bonfire was lit and we all warmed up with a glass of port. Very civilised.

So you can get an idea of the venue I have broken my one shot rule and put a few more images in.

Here's the chateau.

One of the rooms

A montage of the gardens (the bride and grooms room is the circular building), the bridal suit complete with glass star gazing ceiling and a side view of the chateau.

And then of course there has to be a detail shot from the wedding, so to complete the set, I went for another room, this one hosted the wedding breakfast.

As ever, the full story and pictures from the wedding will follow shortly.

Thursday & Saturday's Weddings

2009-09-28T15:02:00.002+01:00

On Thursday I photographed the lovely wedding of Amaleena & Chris at Loseley Park near Guildford. They first had a civil service followed by a blessing in the Great Hall of Loseley House and then after a quick stop for pictures in the garden we went to celebrate a Hindu service in a marquee by the Tithe barn. A gorgeous sunny day, some lovely guests and a great couple helped create a very special day.

Here's Amaleena's shoes

Then after a day off (if only) I travelled up to Bath to photograph the amazing wedding of Kate and Ivor. They were married in a local church in Combe Down on the edge of Bath and then it was on to the beautiful Assembly Rooms in the heart of Bath for the first stage of the reception. After food the couple and their guests walked down through Bath high street to the Roman Baths and Pump Rooms for the evening reception. Some amazing photo opportunities in a venue that just takes your breath away.

Here's a night shot of the baths which were the couple and their guests exclusively for the night.

As usual their full wedding stories with lots more picture will follow soon.

Saturday's Wedding

2009-09-23T11:11:00.002+01:00

A little later than normal on the update, but on Saturday I shot the beautiful wedding of Angie and Dominic at St Andrews Church in Sonning on Thames followed by a reception held at the Berkshire College of Agriculture in Burchetts Green. A very hazy warm late summers day helped create a lovely atmosphere and lots of photo opportunities.

The day's details were themed around the beach and as a surprise Dominic had shipped in two deckchairs for the couple to relax in later on in the day, here's the chairs and when their full story is blogged you'll no doubt see some shots of the lovely couple chilling out in them.

Perfect Wedding October 2009

2009-09-22T14:22:00.002+01:00

The latest issue of Perfect Wedding features another of my weddings, this time it's the lovely Rachel and Fergus who were married aboard the HMS Warrior in Portsmouth with their reception held just up the road at the Royal Naval Officers Ward Room. Their wedding story runs to four pages.

You can read Rachel & Fergus's full wedding story through the side bar links to previous featured weddings. Congratulations to you both.

Penshurst Place Brochure

2009-09-22T13:57:00.002+01:00

I was very happy to be asked if a couple of my pictures from the recent wedding of Valerie & Sean at Penshurst Place could be used for their latest brochure. Penshurst Place is a wonderful venue for a wedding with beautiful grounds to explore, a great history, the interiors are gorgeous and the staff are amazing. A photographers dream and a unique wedding venue. You can visit their website by clicking here or to see more pictures from Valerie & Sean's wedding click here.

Here's the shots they used, a wander in the gardens and the first dance image.

Laura & Daniel's wedding at Buxted Park

2009-09-16T09:27:00.002+01:00

The beautiful Buxted Park in East Sussex played host to the gorgeous wedding of Laura and Daniel. With four flower girls and one bridesmaid the getting ready of the lovely bride was filled with amazing photo opportunities. The service was held in the Coat of Arms room and was an emotional affair but once outside the couple and their guests made full use of this beautiful venue to create a very memorable wedding day.

The flower girl dresses

One of the flower girls

The beautiful Laura gets ready

The flower girls watch the progress

A sweet moment

I love this picture

Laura makes her way to the ceremony

I did say it was an emotional service

We're married!

Some time alone together

The wedding breakfast awaits

But first some competition for me on the day

The confetti steps

Kids just love to run

Beautiful detailing on the veil

A dramatic capture as the couple wait to enter the wedding breakfast

Speeches underway

Couldn't resist this one later in the day

Time for our dance

And now the rest of us too

Saturday's Wedding

2009-09-14T14:34:00.002+01:00

Beautiful sunshine graced the wedding day of the lovely Ange and Paul who got married at St Margaret's Church in West Hoathly with a reception held at the lovely Alexander House Hotel in West Sussex. Love, lots of fun and the sunshine made for great pictures and a very memorable day. For now here is a shot of Ange's gorgeous wedding dress and their full story will follow soon. (yes, I know I'm a little behind on the wedding reviews, I'll catch up soon, promise).

Windmill Wedding

2009-09-07T11:41:00.003+01:00

On Friday we traveled up to Norfolk to one of my favourite wedding venues, Cley Windmill. A beautiful and unique setting for a wedding celebration that only has room for 20 guests making a wedding here a truly personal and private event. Melanie and Paul were the gorgeous couple who got married here on the Saturday which after a dull and rain filled Friday turned into a lovely windswept late summer's day.

Their wedding was filled with love, fun, friendships and family that combined to create a wonderful atmosphere making capturing their wedding pictures an absolute joy. At the end of the night the couple told us that we had helped make their day better which is all any wedding photographer can ever hope to hear. Unfortunately though, it was demanded that I moonwalk out of the building at the end of the night, which I duly delivered on, fortunately no video cameras around so no youtube nightmares to worry about.

Here's the windmill and the full wedding story will follow shortly.

Emma & Jean-Phillipe at Ufton Court

2009-09-04T10:06:00.002+01:00

Ufton Court in Ufton Nervet hosted the beautiful wedding between the English Emma and French Jean-Phillipe. A celebration that brought together some of the traditions of both French and English weddings to create a unique and personal wedding day. After saying I do in the barn the couple and their guests enjoyed the gardens and played some lawn games before retiring back to the barn for a hog roast. Some French family singing, more games and the speeches kept everyone entertained until the party started.

Emma has a little help from her bridesmaid as her Mum looks on.

The other bridesmaid watches too

All hands

Dad see's his daughter for the first time

The guests and Ufton Court await

Emma makes her way to the service

You are now husband and wife

So cute

A lovely moment

Confetti time

Some garden pictures

Some male bonding

The happy couple

The beautiful bride

A fun French inspired shot, the bride actually arrived in this car too.

The barn during the reception

Not often you'll see this at a wedding, but Emma was guessing the groom from touching his face

Now lets dance

Bank Holiday Weddings

2009-08-31T14:11:00.004+01:00

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.

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.

Both wedding stories will follow on shortly.

Shella & Matt wed in Sparsholt nr Winchester

2009-08-26T09:13:00.002+01:00

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

The bridal bouquet

Reminded me of the James Bond cat this one

Shella slides into her dress

Bridesmaid and sister looks on

Shella's arrival at the church

The ring goes on

The beautiful flowergirl

A nice view of the church after the service

The happy couple

Shella's red dress made her bridal portraits really stand out

Off to the reception now

The aforementioned Bridal Suite

The cake was a replica of the marquee, a nice touch

The unusual reception venue

The boys do a rat pack

Some welly wanging

The speeches get underway

Time to lose some money

The groom and best man go and prepare for the first dance (all will be explained)

A field in the sun, what else should you do

Shella awaits the first dance

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.

The Weekend's Weddings

2009-08-24T14:50:00.003+01:00

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.

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.

As usual the full weddings stories will appear shortly.

The Weekend's Weddings

2009-08-17T17:58:00.002+01:00

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.

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.

As usual both couples full wedding stories will follow shortly.

Perfect Wedding September 2009

2009-08-14T14:42:00.002+01:00

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.

Laura & Dan were married at Warbrook House in Eversley, Hampshire back in May last year

and Catherine & Anthony were also married in May last year with their wedding held at The Royal Berkshire Hotel in Ascot, Berkshire.

You can read both couples full wedding stories through the side bar links to previous featured weddings.

Congratulations to you both!!

Happy Anniversary

2009-08-12T09:03:00.000+01:00

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.

I'm a very lucky man. Happy Anniversary sweetheart.

The Long Weekend

2009-08-10T16:42:00.002+01:00

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.

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.

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.

Carolyn & Martin at Barnett Hill

2009-08-10T15:13:00.002+01:00

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

and her gorgeous shoes

Martin and the boys sort out their button holes

The flower girls relax whilst waiting for the bride

I just love this portrait of the couples daughter

Carolyn making her grand entrance

The emotional service gets underway

Just married

The room layout for the Wedding Breakfast

One of the girls lost in a moment

The venue was a real haven for kids at a wedding

The lovely harpist allowed the younger guests a chance to play

Some time alone

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.

The imposing venue awaits their return

Time to relax

The speeches get underway

Apparently Martin was a bit of a child star in his younger days

A wonderful moment between Father and Son

One of my favourites

A later in the evening walk in the woods

Carolyn looking gorgeous on the staircase

Now that's how to start a party

Not to be outdone

Wendy & Marc at Northbrook Park

2009-08-04T11:42:00.002+01:00

The lovely Wendy & Marc were married at Northbrook Park in Farnham. A beautiful venue on a balmy day made for some great photo opportunities. After getting ready upstairs Wendy made a grand entrance following her series of flower girls, page boy and bridesmaids. A lovely ceremony followed and then it was out to enjoy the grounds, sunshine and Pimms.

Northbrook have adapted their large swimming pool conservatory into a new room to have your sit down meal in and with the lovely soft light it was wonderful to photograph inside. Once the meal was done the party began and to end the night the couple and their guests released hundreds of lanterns into the night sky.

The key to Northbrook Park

The flowergirls and page boy have a practise

Getting ready upstairs

Wendy having her hair and make up done

The beautiful dress goes on

The gorgeous bride

My favourite wedding mirror

Marc awaits

I love Wendy's expression as she see's Marc for the first time

In love

The glamorous bride caught in some lovely light

Northbrook's lovely background to the happy couple

A lovely bridal portrait of Wendy

Neat detailing on the cake

Some minor adjustments going on

Confetti corridor

The aforementioned swimming pool room

A nice picture after the cake cutting

This poor guy was mobbed virtually all day long

First dance

The bride and bridesmaid have a thank you cuddle

The lanterns go up

Fill the sky

and make a wish