Huge congratulations Ria & Chris! Have a fantastic time on what sounds like an absolutely incredible honeymoon (I'm extremely jealous) and I really can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you on your return.
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If you are currently planning your Bowood Hotel wedding and would like to know more about my photography services, availability and package options, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions - I'm only too happy to help out however I can.
I hope you enjoyed this little taster of things to come and thanks, as ever, for reading,
Stephen
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Bridal preparations took place at the very pleasant Hambro Arms pub in the neighbouring village, a leisurely trot away if you happen to be arriving in a horse-drawn carriage! More on that in a moment, but as Faye and horses set out on their journey I was able to catch up with our groom as his guests arrived - he'd been keeping himself occupied that morning by playing a spot of croquet on the lawns (rather than indulging in a round of golf on the school's private golf course, some of which you can just about see to the right of the image above. How come my school didn't have its own golf course?).
As the guests took their seats for the start of the service, the horses and carriage swung into view at the far end of the drive to make their way down to the main entrance of the Abbey. Faye made her way down the aisle on her father's arm, led by their absolutely gorgeous little daughter, and the ceremony was in motion. It's a magnificent building, and looks particularly impressive from the rear as you look down the aisle towards the high altar - what a setting in which to make your vows!
Back out and into the summer sunshine (albeit with some very heavy and dramatic clouds rolling in from the west), and an opportunity for guests to explore the grounds and get started on the canapes as our bride and groom headed out for a tour in the carriage. I don't know much about horses - my wife's the specialist on that score - but these were some real beauties, and what a lovely way to take a few moments after the ceremony to soak it all up.
Drinks and canapes were served on the lawns overlooking the cricket pitch, with those heavenly Dorset views stretching off into the distance, and then for the wedding breakfast we headed in to the school's dining hall. So many beautiful spots, wonderful angles - check out the quadrant for a group photo location - to play with here, I think I could photograph a hundred weddings at Milton Abbey and still be finding new things to work with.
As the evening drew in at the end of a gorgeous day I headed back out with Faye and Collins into the grounds for a final few photos of just the two of them, surrounded by the peace and calm of the countryside and that wonderful soft late summer evening light.
Huge congratulations Faye & Collins on an absolutely wonderful wedding, and wishing you many very happy years together.
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The images above are just a small selection from the full set. Friends and family can view all of the others, and the slideshow, in Faye & Collins' private gallery (but you'll need to ask them for the password first).
If you are planning your Milton Abbey wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
I hope you enjoyed this little blog post, and thanks - as ever - for reading. Come back soon for more images from a whole bunch of stunning summer weddings.
Stephen
]]>A quick preview for the moment, and hopefully a fuller blog post to come because there are going to be plenty of photos from this marriage which I'd love to share. A little glance at the following should give a good idea of what's to come...
If you are currently planning your Winchester wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography options at the Basing Room and other locations around the city, please do contact me with any questions you might have - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
I hope you enjoyed this little taster from an absolutely gorgeous Winchester Registry Office wedding. Thanks as ever for reading, and come back soon for many more beautiful Hampshire wedding photos.
Stephen
]]>So here's a little preview from the day to get things started... Many congratulations Lisa & Ali - can't wait to share the rest of them with you very soon!
If you are planning your Petersfield wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to get in touch - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
I hope you enjoyed this little taster from a wonderful Hampshire country wedding, and thanks as ever for reading. Come back soon for more blog posts, and many more photos!
Stephen
]]>Well, troopers that they are Claire and Rob soldiered on down with me and, lo and behold, down at sea level it was all rather lovely. Great fun to chat away to and to photograph, and very willing accomplices, we're going to get some absolutely gorgeous photos in that magical wintry December light - can't wait!
Oh, and we even managed to find the step that Rob was intending to propose to Claire on all those months ago - the very reason that this little stretch of coast means so much to them. Turns out that however rotten the weather was today when we were stood on the top it still didn't come close to that which faced them when they were last here, but happily one way or another the proposal was both made and accepted, and now it's full steam ahead!
Roll on December...
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If you are currently planning your Dorset wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please do contact me to talk about your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos, and thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
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If you are planning your wedding at Avington Park and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages, prices and availability please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed this little taster of things to come. Thanks, as always, for reading.
Stephen
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As a change from the usual experience of squeezing into a hotel bedroom with any number of bridesmaids, hair and make-up artists, flower deliveries and so on, the bridal preparations were taking place in one of the larger function rooms down on the ground floor. They still managed to completely take over the room however, so it's probably just as well Hannah had taken that opportunity when it was presented! It was actually Hannah's mother in charge of hair and make-up, and she was just wrapping up after what must have been an immense job as I started to photograph. Everyone was looking absolutely stunning - some real talent there for sure!
The ceremony was to take place in Basingstoke, specifically St Michael's church, right in the centre. I'd only ever seen this church from the outside (it's the one near the Anvil Theatre) and how no idea how absolutely gorgeous it is inside. And huge too! What a hidden gem this church is - definitely an absolutely wonderful choice if you are considering a church wedding in the area. James was there and keeping himself occupied when I arrived, with guests milling around outside and starting to come in and take their seats. A quick couple of photos of him with his groomsmen, and then he was delivered safely to his place at the end of the aisle, ready to receive his bride as she made her entrance...
Immediately after the ceremony (well, once the bride and groom had emerged from the church to a barrage of confetti) we returned to the hotel as we had a pretty tight turnaround between wedding and wedding breakfast. We still managed to squeeze in drinks and canapes, as well as a large group photos of all of the guests, though before everyone was ushered into the main dining room, which was to remain the focus for the rest of the day's events. Happily however, and despite looking clouds and reports of thunderstorms further along the close, we were able to make good use of the extensive and beautifully-kept grounds front and back, not least the gentle hill on which the hotel sits with its views back across what must be most of Hampshire. Amongst these beautiful corners around the venue one space in particular stands out head and shoulders above the rest; the Folly. I already knew that this was high on Hannah & James' list of priorities for the couple photos, and they had gone to a whole load of extra trouble decorating it up for the occasion. It looked absolutely fantastic, and I understand that it's also licensed for outdoor marriages which is a bit of a rarity in the UK, so well worth keeping that one up your sleeve if that's on your wedding wish-list!
So whilst the other guests were still seated in the dining room we nipped off to make the most of the quiet grounds - Folly included. A good measure of the photographic variety available at a venue is if you can cover both the pre-wedding shoot and the day itself there, and still come up with different couple portraits each time, and Highfield Park ticks that box, I'm happy to say. As we rolled on into the evening we took the opportunity to capture some family and group photos (pro tip; don't feel that you always have to try and fit these in to the time between ceremony and wedding breakfast, just because it's how things are usually done. Doing it slightly later in the day, as Hannah & James did, can relieve a lot of time pressure if things are a bit squeezed earlier on). And then before we knew it we were throwing bouquets, cutting cakes, and - erm, dancing firsts. A heaving dancefloor soon after the first couple of dances is always a good indicator of a fun party crowd, and it looked like Hannah & James' celebrations were set to continue long into the night...
Many congratulations Hannah & James on an absolutely wonderful day - wishing you many happy years together - and huge thanks to the couple and all their family and friends for being such fantastic, willing and natural photographic subjects!
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The photos above are just a small selection from the day. Friends and family can view the full set in Hannah & James' private online gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are currently planning your Highfield Park wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please do drop me a line to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos from this gorgeous Summer wedding, and thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>Very much looking forward to a gorgeous mid-summer wedding at wonderful Sopley Mill with this beautiful couple!
If you are currently planning your Dorset wedding photography and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have (except whether I can guarantee sunshine, although I'll do my best!).
Hope you enjoyed the photos from this lovely summery little shoot, and I'll be back with another post soon so watch this space...
Stephen
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The Metal Works is a seriously funky venue right next to the Angel, Islington. Most often used as a music venue, it's stuffed with crazy details (bar in a tube carriage, anyone?) and has bags of potential with all sorts of rooms, spaces and corners, all of which had been decked out by Becky & Andy to the Mexican max. Flowers, skulls, pinata... all present and correct. But before we get to all that, a quick re-wind to their flat, where Becky and bridesmaids were getting ready while Andy waited at the venue greeting the arriving guests...
The stage was set, the lights were dimmed, the sound system was primed... Our bride and groom had actually performed the legal side of their nuptials the day before, which meant that they then had total freedom to put together a one-off ceremony exactly the way we wanted with a sing-along to Madness ("It must be love...") and a really rather touching and poetic reading of Method Man's "You're All I need" (which I won't be re-printing here), before a beautiful hand-fasting ceremony led us to the exchange of rings. The whole occasion was led by Susan Rae, a humanist celebrant who also happens to be a presenter and announcer for Radio Four and who has such a gorgeously soft Scottish accent that I could quite happily listen to her read the ingredients off a bag of crisps.
Freshly married, Becky and Andy headed back down the aisle before stepping outside to walk through a tunnel of bubbles on their way to the main entrance, ready to kick off some serious latino celebrations. Cue the mariachi band and the margaritas - it's fiesta time!
Speeches completed and wedding breakfast served, Becky & Andy stepped back out with me into the street for some couple photos as the evening light started to draw in. This venue properly goes to town with its decorations; it's the first one I've photographed at with a tank parked just outside the front door. Up at the other end of the street, a massive mural which was also high on the photo wish list. Back indoors the (excellent) band had warmed up and the evening's party was getting into full swing. Cake was cut (decorated with over 1000 individual pieces of sugar-work, if my memory's correct) and the first dance was danced. And then the party proper was go, and it was one which looked like it had some very long legs...
An absolutely immense day and an incredible wedding I've got no doubt everyone who was there will carry with them for a long time! Many congratulations Becky & Andy. Muchas felicidades. Que Fiesta. Que Boda!
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Massive thanks go to John Erskine for his excellent work as second photographer on this very busy day.
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If you are currently planning a London wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to ask any questions you might have and talk through your plans. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
I hope you enjoyed looking through just some of the photos from this spectacular celebration. Friends and family can view the full set in Becky & Andy's personal gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
Thanks as ever for reading, and come back again to see many more wedding photos from what's already an absolutely incredible season.
Stephen
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Huge congratulations to you both, Hannah & James. Wishing you a wonderful, sun-filled honeymoon, and I can't ewait to share the full gallery with you.
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If you are currently planning your Highfield Park wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have; I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed this little preview - do make sure you come back to see the full blog on this wonderful wedding - and thanks as ever for stopping by.
Stephen
]]>But before all that, bridal preparation further down the coast in Bournemouth. Nima, friends and family were already looking gorgeous when I arrived ready to cover the finishing touches. So much colour, and loads of laughter (interspersed with a few happy tears - this was obviously going to be an emotional day). A surprisingly busy morning, with various wedding guests coming and going en route to the ceremony, but Nima just sailed calmly through it all (although she did have the advantage of a small army of bridesmaids to support her).
Craig was ready and waiting at the castle when I got there, keeping himself nice and busy greeting everyone as they arrived. A huge smile on his face, Craig is one of those people who just projects a sense of being relaxed and at ease (I've no idea how calm he actually was under the surface, but he looked great). The day was slightly overcast, with the threat of some rain to come at some point, but this was no cause for concern; as I've often pointed out poor weather can make for wonderful photos, and with our couple's choice of venues we were absolutely spoilt for choice photographically both indoors and out.
The room started to fill in anticipation of Nima's arrival, and Craig was ushered to the front along with his best man, ready to receive his bride...
At Highcliffe the wedding car usually pulls up right outside the ceremony room, so the bride only has a few small steps to make before she is walking down the aisle. Nima took a little moment to compose herself in the car before taking a deep breath and opening the door...
She walked down the aisle on her mother's arm - Mum really couldn't have looked any prouder as she accompanied her daughter on this hugely important walk, and what a look she gave to Craig as she passed Nima's hand to his when they met at the front of the ceremony room. Eye contact between people tells such a story in a wedding photo - I can't get enough of it! And then, as the ceremony began, I was able to tuck myself away between one of the huge potted plants which provides such a convenient screen at the front of the room, meaning that all the right angles can be covered without my having to make myself obvious to our congregation; all eyes remain firmly on the bride and groom without any other distractions.
After a few more (very happy) tears, Nima & Craig were married to huge cheers and massive applause, and they practically galloped down the aisle ready to start the celebrations. Nima, Craig and friends are - it became apparent pretty quickly - big on their parties. Following the ceremony, this main room along with a lovely old adjoining one become the focal point for drinks to be served, and as guests chatted and either caught up or started to make new friends, we took advantage of the wonderful steps which lead from the ceremony room towards the rose garden for some formal photographs. And then, as everyone else started to move back towards their cars and on to the next part of the day, Nima & Craig started their couples shots using some of the features around the Castle - not least the absolutely enormous door on the north side which looks like it was rejected from Game of Thrones for being too over the top! The first few drops of rain chose this moment to make their appearance, but no matter - we were covered, quite literally, and then had a reception venue with a stack of beautiful indoor corners to make use of coming up next; lovely Sopley Mill.
And now the party could really start. Food, drink, speeches, more photographs, and then music, music, music.
Just in case the point needs making, music and partying are a big deal for Nima & Craig, and I can't imagine that Sopley sees too many parties like this one. The DJs' decks took up the entire far end of the party room, and the dance floor was heaving from the start. Just as the set was getting into full swing it kicked into another gear, with a special surprise appearance arranged by the bride and groom of singer Kele Le Roc, who had travelled all the way down from London to give them a party to remember. And that's some voice she brought down with her..!
I'd had so much fun with Nima & Craig at their pre-wedding shoot - they really are a fantastic couple - and had long been looking forward to this wedding. And it totally exceeded expectations; an absolutely unforgettable day, and a bride and groom who so obviously have a wealth of happiness ahead of them. And they absolutely deserve it. Massive congratulations, Mr & Mrs Hackshaw!
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The photos above are just a small selection from the day; friends and family can view the full set, plus edited highlights slideshow, in Nima & Craig's online gallery... but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at Highcliffe Castle or Sopley Mill and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
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Hope you enjoyed looking through the photos from this absolutely magnificent wedding, and thanks - as ever - for reading.
Stephen
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One of the big attractions, from a photographer's point of view, of covering a wedding at a venue like this is that with everything happening on site through the course of the day I can scoot around covering all sorts of bases: bridal preparation, guests arriving, establishing and detail shots... which means a lovely, rounded set of photos at the end. Covering the bridal prep in particular is a real treat here as the bridal suite - accessed up a spiral staircase at one end (or a more conventional one at the other) is absolutely massive. Possibly bigger than my whole house, in fact. Here, hair and make-up took place downstairs where the huge windows in one of the rooms allow that natural light to flood in, before everyone relocated upstairs to the suite to dress and add finishing touches...
You've even got a choice of ceremony locations here. Catherine & Craig's wedding was to take place in the garden room across the lawn from the barn, which plays the central role for the reception. Craig was there and keeping himself occupied as guests started to arrive. And then it all started to happen very quickly - a quick check of the cufflinks, straighten the button-hole and face forward, as Catherine was at the door and ready to walk down the aisle to meet her groom.
A really beautiful ceremony - you could really see how much it meant to these sweethearts to be marrying each other. With vows made, rings exchanged and registers signed, Catherine & Craig practically galloped back down the aisle to start their celebrations. Technically it wasn't quite yet Summer, but the weather outside told a different story and in conditions like this, and in such magnificent surroundings, what could be more quintessentially English that Pimms and garden games. I've made a mental note that I'm going to have to brush up on the rules and techniques of croquet at some point, as I get asked about a dozen times a year. Throw-the-beanbag-through-the-hole though I can pretty much grasp as a concept.
Bride and groom made their way up sweeping steps to the barn, to a barrage of confetti, just before the wedding breakfast. The seating plan was a great touch - an individual (and often rather compromising) photo of each of the guests which they had to track down from the board in order to find out which table they were sat on. Cue absolutely everyone cracking up when they spotted themselves and their friends - long-lost memories obviously coming flooding back. And as an extra little touch Catherine & Craig had hand-written a message on the back of every single one. It must have taken them ages... I'm so often reminded that it's the little touches which really personalise and make a wedding.
Into the barn, and the next stage of the day started with speeches (and it turns out that Catherine's father in particular has a bright future as a stand-up comedian - absolute gold in that speech, I had to steady myself a couple of times to get a sharp shot, and I doff my cap still to the 'Meet the Fockers' joke).
As everyone else made their way back outside to enjoy the late evening sunshine and kick back with drinks on the terrace, I stole Catherine & Craig away for a few photos in and around the grounds of the estate. Increasingly at this time of year I really love to take the couple off later on in the day - things are generally so much more relaxed and it relieves a lot of pressure on the more traditional window between ceremony and wedding breakfast when photos are very often taken. But more importantly, the light is invariably gorgeous as you approach an early-summer golden hour - that last little part of the day before the sun dips down over the horizon, and great light makes for great photos...
The band had set up as we returned, and our bride and groom kicked off the evening's party with the cutting of the cake and first dance, before they and all of their friends then proceeded to absolutely tear up the dancefloor in between bouts around and under the limbo pole! And as the night drew in one final photo presented itself: Catherine & Craig stepped briefly back outside the barn to savour a magnificent sunset: the perfect end to an absolutely beautiful day.
Huge congratulations, Catherine & Craig, and I'm delighted that you're so happy with your photos. Wishing you many very happy years together!
The images above are, once again, just a small selection from the day: friends and family can view the full set and slideshow in our bride & groom's private gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
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If you are planning your wedding at Wasing Park and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please do get in touch any time to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have; I'm only too happy to help however I can.
I hope you enjoyed looking through the photos from this magnificent wedding. Thanks, as ever, for reading,
Stephen
]]>So many wonderful touching moments to share from this one, so do come back in a few weeks for the full blog post. A little preview in the meantime of this gorgeous couple as they tied the knot in style - huge congratulations Catherine & Craig!
If you are currently planning your wedding at this magnificent parkland venue and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have; I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos (plenty more to follow) and thanks, as ever, for reading,
Stephen
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If you are currently planning your wedding at Highfield Park and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have.
Thanks as ever for reading, and see you again soon for the next blog post (with plenty to come over a very busy Spring and Summer!)
Stephen
]]>A little preview for now, hot off the press, and many many more to come...
Huge congratulations to you both, Amelia & Aaron, and I can't wait to show you the rest once you're back from your honeymoon. Have a fantastic trip!
Big thanks also to John Watson for his excellent work as second photographer, and all the creative ideas and additional photos he has provided.
If you are planning your wedding at any of these locations and are interested in knowing more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to ask me any questions you might have - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed this little taster set of photos, and make sure to come back in a few weeks to see the full blog post in all its glory. Thanks, as ever, for reading,
Stephen
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I was tipped off a couple of years ago about Virginia Water Lake - a really beautiful spot just outside the M25 to the East - as a location for a pre-wedding shoot. It's a huge expanse of landscaped and more natural countryside, with woodland, parkland, little streams and of course the eponymous (and massive) lake itself. I hadn't been back there for a fair while, so it was lovely to return and make use of it for Becky and Andy's pre-wedding shoot at the weekend.
This of course is all in preparation for the big day, which will be upon us in just a couple of weeks and is one which which I'm really looking forward to. A new venue for me, right up and across the other side of London at Islington Metalworks. A quirky enough venue anyway, I've got a feeling it's going to look absolutely incredible when they're Mexican-themed wedding hits it, and my poor cameras are no doubt going to take quite a pounding when there's a couple like this who are obviously such naturals in front of the camera! Happy days.
So all that's to come, but at least we have the pre-wedding shoot photos to keep us occupied in the meantime. Many thanks Becky & Andy - I had a fab time catching up with you both. See you very soon!
If you are currently planning your London wedding, or simply fancy an outdoor photoshoot with your partner now that Spring is finally upon us, and would like to know more about my photography packages and prices please feel free to contact me any time to discuss your plans and requirements. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos and, as ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
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And just as a little cherry on the top, right at the end of the session we suddenly found ourselves bathed in sunshine and blue skies - a little reward for pressing on regardless. In all seriousness, the weather is of course one thing we can't control on a wedding day, but little shoots like this are a timely reminder (especially in April Shower season) that it can still be worked around, and indeed with. Now very much looking forward to a fantastic wedding on the south coast in a couple of weeks - stay tuned...
So many photos to come from this fabulous day, but just a little taster for the moment while I work on the rest. Big kudos to our couple for braving the elements in the name of moody skies, and for generally just being as much fun and as lovely (and loved up) together as I could possibly hope for in a bride and groom! Hope you like these ones, and I really can't wait to share the full set.
If you are currently planning your wedding at Highcliffe Castle or Sopley Mill and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to check availability and to ask me any questions you might have - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for many more photos with a busy wedding season to come...
Stephen
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Bridal prep in the stunning main suite at the hotel (and a very welcome opportunity to catch up with the hugely talented MUA Pamela Moss who just happened to be there doing the hair and make-up). I absolutely love this room - there's so much to play with photographically; so many lines and angles, and the view across the grounds from the large bay window is magnificent. The view today, it has to be said, happened to include some rather moody and dramatic skies. Little smatterings of rain would make an appearance on and off, but nothing which would impact on the day (other than to add even more drama to the photos, as you'll hopefully see a little further on into the blog). Caroline was serene and beautiful in the middle of it all as family members started to arrive (including our almost-too-cute flower girls who took up residence and positioned themselves perfectly at the window for a photo which really just made itself), and how about that dress...
The ceremony took place in nearby Brockenhurst - a short and extremely pleasant drive along the forest back roads amongst the autumn colours. Really, the New Forest looks great at any time of year, but this particular part of it I believe is at its best at this time of year - a real riot of golds, oranges and reds. St Saviours is a lovely church on the outskirts of this famous Forest town, and Alex was there ready and waiting as I pulled up. We managed to take a few moments to capture some shots of him and his best man - also his brother - as guests started to arrive and take their seats, and Caroline wasn't far behind (in fact, I believe the car had to go off and do a little extra tour of Brockenhurst while the last few guests joined the congregation, so keen was she to get down the aisle!). The choir was in place, and as the organist piped up Caroline made her entrance on her father's arm, looking - it has to be said - absolutely stunning.
After a beautiful ceremony and a quick few family photos outside the church while we could be sure that the weather was still on our side (in conditions like this, where it's all a bit changeable from one moment to the next, it's often wise to be a bit flexible and take your opportunities as they present themselves to be certain of capturing those photos which are most important to you, and I always try to ensure that there is a little contingency time and some alternative locations available just in case...) is was back across the heathland to Rhinefield to start the celebrations. But just before we get into the wedding breakfast and the speeches, a little time out with our bride and groom in the grounds of the hotel, and in particular in front of the iconic blue gates at the far end of the lake...
One of the major attractions of Rhinefield House as a wedding venue is having the stunning banqueting hall for your wedding breakfast. This towering, wood-panelled room with its huge stone fireplace makes a wonderful impression, especially when viewed from on high up in the gallery (which is where I took the main group photo from on this occasion). It's beautiful enough on its own, but when it's laid out for a grand meal it really comes into its own. And as a bonus it then forms part of a suite, meaning that you and your guests are all in one place for the rest of the day, so you can kick back and celebrate in style.
Towards the end of the meal Caroline and Alex were also treated to the sight of me hurtling towards them with a big grin on my face, to tell them that I suspected there was just about to be a very serious sunset outside (I've become a bit of a connoisseur of these things over the years and I'd already tipped them off that I had a suspicion that I might be taking them outside for a moment or two. Lo and behold, as the remnants of some very brooding storm clouds swept away to the east a massive double rainbow burst through to our left, while over to our right the sky suddenly lit up like it was on fire. I've seen a few sunsets in my time, but this one really was something else. It just got better and better, more and more incredible, until finally - just as soon as it appeared - it was gone. The whole thing lasted perhaps a few minutes at most. But we got it. Oh yes, we most certainly got it!
As day turned to night, the bride and groom cut the cake in the dining room before leading their guests through to the adjoining room to start the evening party off with the first dance. The first of many dances in fact - turns out Caroline & Alex's friends are a definite party crowd! So nice to see a dance floor rammed with people all the way through the night - this celebration most certainly had legs.
What an absolute belter of a wedding, and what a truly fantastic couple. Huge congratulations Caroline & Alex - I can't even begin to say what a treat it was to be there and capture your special day. Wishing you many happy years together!
The wedding season is fast approaching - hurrah! - and that means that pre-wedding shoot season is already upon us! The first signs of life are just beginning to make an appearance out in the countryside if you look closely enough: buds on bare branches, tiny green shoots and snowdrops poking through... Winnall Moor in Winchester provided the backdrop for Nima & Craig's shoot as it's an area I'm very familiar with and which I have watched and studied closely through all the seasons. I know that it has a wonderful wintry beauty which can match any vibrant green summery nature scene.
This gorgeous couple have an absolute peach of a wedding lined up too: Highcliffe Castle, right down on the coast, and wonderful Sopley Mill. So two magnificent locations then, but I firmly believe that it's the people which make a wedding photo, and a quick glance at this little selection should tell you everything you need to know about what a wonderful match Nima & Craig are, and how happy and comfortable they were in front of the camera. So much fun from start to finish... I'm champing at the bit!
If you are planning your wedding for 2016 and would like to check my availability please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have.
Hope you enjoyed this little set and thanks, as ever, for reading. I've got so many incredible weddings lined up for this year I hardly know where to begin... roll on 2016, and brace yourself for many more blog posts (and more importantly, accompanying photos) to come!
Stephen
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One pretty fail-safe way to guarantee that you'll always remember your wedding anniversary (and, for that matter, ensure that you'll always have friends up for a celebration) is to get married on New Years Eve. Anna & Nick did precisely that, with what can only be described as an absolutely epic party in the heart of London, at the very cool Hixter Bankside restaurant, just down the road from the Shard. As if that wasn't enough in itself, this also happened to be the very first wedding ever to be held there, the restaurant having gone out and secured the licence especially for the occasion! And it was very cool indeed...
Bridal preparation took place in Dulwich, an area I'm getting to know pretty well now after several weddings where some or all of the day has happened there, and then it was straight into the centre for the wedding itself. The ceremony was scheduled for late in the afternoon, so dusk was falling as I crept across town. (One thing I've learned about New Year's Eve weddings in London: allow plenty of time for travel. The roads are busy enough anyway, but as you get closer to the centre you also have road closures to contend with!). No problems reaching the restaurant though, and it was looking fantastic as I entered, all set up and ready for our bride and groom.
Nick was already on site, greeting the guests as they arrived and very quickly started to fill the corridor and bar area. We successfully grabbed a few moments downstairs with best man and ushers for a couple of photos, but with Anna not far behind me (in a huge limo, no less) we were soon back upstairs and taking our positions ready for the first ever bride to walk down the Hixter aisle!
There's no other way to describe it - Anna looked stunning, in what I guess I would call a half-wedding-half-cocktail dress. I've certainly never seen one like it, and a quick glance in Nick's direction confirmed that he was pretty floored by it! And so to the marriage...
And then it was on to the party. Trust me, this is a couple which knows how to put on a celebration! And this is where Hixter Bankside really came into its own - what an absolutely superb space for an all-out wedding reception and New Years bash. Downstairs, a very cool cocktail bar, with drinks and canapes flying everywhere (try the chicken popcorn!), and upstairs a large modern restaurant, with stunning and very eye-catching modern art scattered around pretty much everywhere you look. Seriously, this place has got 'party'written all over it!
And the food. Oh my, the food! It turns out that Anna & Nick are very much into the culinary arts, and this had been a huge part of their decision-making process as they were planning the wedding. (Those who know me will attest to the fact that I'm rather into all things edible myself). The wedding breakfast was a meat-lovers paradise (I'm sure there were some vegetarian options too) with a couple of the restaurant's signature dishes forming the backbone: whole stuffed chickens sat perched on a bed of fries, and huge, beautifully rare bone-in rib steaks, all served family-style and in enormous quantities. Oh, and yorkshire puddings the size of footballs to get things started. The word feast is entirely appropriate in this blog post!
Meal and speeches concluded, there was still a party to be had, and a New Year to see in. Also, a few group and family photos, which we set up quickly back downstairs in the bar while the rest of the wedding guests stayed upstairs filling up any spare room with marshmallows, churros and chocolate fondu. And then things really got going - the band kicked in (excellent band, by the way!), the cocktails flowed, the dancing grew wilder and wilder, and midnight suddenly arrived with a bang! And as the party continued on into the early hours of 2016, I was able to sweep our bride and groom out onto the now largely-deserted streets of central London, with the iconic Shard building looking in the background, for a final couple of portraits before returning them to the buzz of one of the greatest celebrations I've ever seen. Way to get married, Anna & Nick! You did this one in serious style!
The photos above are just a small selection from the day. Friends and family can view the complete set in Anna & Nick's private gallery, but you'll have to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at Hixter Bankside and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos, and thanks - as ever - for reading!
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The house was very much base camp for the day, and I caught up with Clare and the bridal party there early in the afternoon to cover the final stages of the preparations (by this time I had already bumped into our groom down by the quayside, when we had both had the idea of grabbing a quick fish and chip lunch to power ourselves up before everything began in earnest). It was in an absolutely wonderful secluded spot, with a garden which backed down onto the waterfront (the vast majority of said garden being taken up by the mini tented village) and was most definitely a hive of activity by the time I arrived. Somewhere in the middle of it all I found Clare, grinning from ear to ear and clearly loving every moment of her wedding day so far! There's always something really charming about home wedding receptions, and it always seems like such a sweet touch when the bride can get ready in the very house she grew up in, surrounded by friends and family, in before heading off to the local church. And that church was to be the next stop, after a quick trip down the garden path to take family photos with the Island in the background. One of the hardest things here was to not get too carried away and use up all the spots, as I knew we'd be coming back here again later for some time-out photos with just Clare and Gareth. Easier said than done, though, when it's such a beautiful spot and the soft light was just perfect!
St John the Baptist Church in Boldre really is out in the sticks - down long winding country lanes a distance from the village, which is pretty small and tucked away in it its right. And it's absolutely gorgeous - really, the quintessential rural parish church. Gareth, his best man and ushers had safely arrived by the time I got there and were keeping themselves occupied while they waited for the first of the guests to arrive. We were able to take a few moments to set up some shots before the Ushers were called upon to start performing their duties, at which point I was able to slip into stealth mode and focus on candids as the church began to fill.
An advantage of the long approach to the church is that there was plenty of time to make sure that everyone was safely inside before the wedding car pulled up to the gates. Clare arrived and stepped out of the gleaming Rolls on her father's arm looking absolutely radiant, and as she and her bridesmaids took a final moment to catch their breath I headed down to the front of the church to position myself ready for her to make her entrance...
And so, back in convoy to the house and marquee for the wedding reception, with drinks and nibbles around the pool and some time-out photos with our bride and groom down on the waterfront. It was a beautiful summer's afternoon and evening, with soft warm gentle light. The mid-afternoon ceremony meant that the light was already starting to fade as guests seated themselves in anticipation of the speeches which were to start the wedding breakfast, and as the dark encroached the log fires were lit to add an extra dimension to the beautiful, intimate sense of occasion...
As the wedding breakfast drew to a close and the cake was cut, guests were directed across the gardens and (carefully) around the pool to the next marquee, complete with band, for the start of the evening's partying. This was definitely a party crowd - the dancefloor was absolutely heaving right from the start, and it certainly looked as though Clare, Gareth and all their guests had a long night ahead of them. And most deservedly so - what an absolute belter of a wedding! Fabulous bride and groom, wonderful friends and family, stunning food, gorgeous locations... this is a couple who really know how to do things with style!
A wonderful, wonderful day - huge congratulations to you both, Clare & Gareth, and wishing you many very happy years together!
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The photos above are of course just a small selection from the day: friends and family can view and purchase the complete set, along with a slideshow of edited highlights, in Clare & Gareth's wedding gallery... but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning a New Forest wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
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I hope you enjoyed the photos from this magnificent celebration. As ever, thanks for reading!
Stephen
]]>Just a quick preview for the moment as I couldn't wait to share... plenty more to come. Huge congratulations Caroline & Alex, have a wonderful honeymoon, and looking forward to sharing the rest of the photos with you on your return!
If you are currently planning your New Forest wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
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But before we got to the ceremony we had some bridal prep to cover first and Bijal, bagging himself top old romantic points, had a little trick up his sleeve and had arranged as a surprise for his wife to spend the night in the stunning Cora Pearl Suite at the Grosvenor Hotel. Good work! As a result, this fabulous room was our location for the start of the day, as our bride, bridesmaids and assorted family members got ready. Amidst a whirlwind of activity and flower deliveries Janel was playing it cool and radiating an air of serenity. And looking absolutely beautiful...
As the finishing touches were applied at the hotel, it was time for a quick sprint across London to catch up with Bijal and the guys as the guests started to arrive. We had use of much of the Town Hall for most of the day; the main ceremony room (also to be used later for the absolutely epic meal), reception rooms downstairs and various other little suites and hidey-holes, so absolutely loads of variety to make the most of around the venue, inside and out. It also meant that once Janel arrived she could hide herself away up beyond the grand central staircase until everyone was settled, ready for the ceremony to begin.
The main hall is, it has to be said, a fair size and you'd need a lot of family and friends to fill it. Fortunately, Janel and Bijal most definitely have a lot of family and friends! As the final few seats were taken, the bride and her father made their way down the stairs ready to make their entrance, as Bijal stood grinning at the far end of the aisle. Bridesmaids first, and then it was all eyes on Janel as she made her way down on her extremely proud-looking father's arm...
Part-way through the ceremony, as the bride and groom were sat together, they were suddenly illuminated by an amazing beam of light which flooded in through the large circular window at the front of the room. I don't think I've ever seen this before - it lit them up like a massive spotlight; absolutely gorgeous lighting - I love it when nature does the hard work for you! Shortly afterwards, ceremony complete, they were walking back down the aisle together as husband and wife, and out onto the Town Hall steps to be greeted by a barrage of confetti.
And as the day ran through into the evening, and with formal photography out of the way, everyone made their way back into the ceremony room which was now set up for the main meal. And wow, what a meal - huge, enormous quantities of the most fantastic Indian cuisine. Endless portions... it's a minor miracle that anyone was able to make it onto the dancefloor later (although party they most certainly did!). Speeches, cutting of the cake, the first dance... and as the light dropped the evening's celebrations kicked off in earnest. What can I say - Bijal and Janel know how to put on a celebration! What an absolutely fantastic day, and a really, really lovely couple!
Very many congratulations to you both, Janel & Bijal - what a wonderful way to start your married lives!
The above photos are just a small selection from the day - friends and family can view the full set, plus a little slideshow of selected highlights, in Janel & Bijal's private gallery (but as ever, you'll have to ask them for the password first).
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If you are currently planning your London wedding and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions or simply to talk through your plans - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos from this fabulous day, and thanks for reading,
Stephen
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Milford-on-Sea is a lovely little village right on the coast, on the edge of the New Forest. The wedding had largely taken it over for the morning: groom preparations at one end, in the Beach House Hotel; bridal preparation at the other, in Jo's family home, and the very charming All Saints Church right between the two ready to host the ceremony. I do like it when all the preparations are taking place nearby - it's such an advantage when it comes to re-telling the story of the day to have photos from both sides, when you're able to nip between the two. Both the bride and groom were surrounded by various friends and family - absolutely loads going on, plenty of laughter and smiles, and an absolutely gorgeous day outside. Summer sunshine was definitely making an appearance today!
With Jack confirmed as being safely at the church greeting the guests, I hot-footed it back around the corner to catch up with Jo ready for the bridal party to begin their walk to the church. Walks to the church are always good fun - the little toots of the horn as drivers shoot by, and also I always get the feeling that it gives the bride just a few extra moments to gather her thoughts and relax into it all. Anyway, this was a lovely little stroll and really, what could be sweeter than walking from your parents' house to the church to get married? And it's a beautiful little church as well. Actually, not so little, now I think about it; in fact just the right size for a wedding with this number of guests - still small enough to feel intimate, but even so with enough space and - my favourite! - side aisles to allow me to stay out of the way and not draw attention to myself.
So Jack & Jo were now husband and wife, greeted by their cheering guests and a barrage of confetti as they stepped out the church. Stunning Sopley Mill was our destination for the celebrations, but - as the guests departed on the Routemaster bus for a little tour of the Forest en route, we had a little planned stop to make first. A couple of stops in fact, as there was no way that we could have a wedding so close to such fab beaches on a day like this, with sweeping vistas across the Solent to the Needles and the Isle of Wight, without catching a few seaside photos ourselves. Jack and Jo already had it all planned and knew exactly where they wanted to go. And just as with the cars tooting as our bride walked to the ceremony, now we were surrounded on every side by holidaymakers cheering and congratulating them both as they made their way down onto the sand. And then, photos taken and sand in my shoes, it was on to Sopley...
As the speeches ended and the beautifully soft evening light started to roll gently across the Mill, we took the opportunity to nip out and capture a final few photos of just Jack and Jo, before returning to the rest of the wedding party for the evening's celebrations. There are many things I love about Sopley Mill; as a venue it's absolutely charming, it lends itself so well to the flow of a wedding, it has so many interesting little features to explore (absolute gold for a photographer)... but one of the best bits of all for me is the countryside right on the doorstep - a perfect spot to steal away with the bride and groom, just for a moment or two. A little opportunity for them to catch their breath and let the whirlwind of the day sink in, and a great opportunity for me to provide them with perhaps just one or two little gems to remember their day by...
As we returned to the Mill the duck race was very clearly imminent. One duck per table had been prepared (some, it has to be said, rather creatively decorated) and at the end of something approximating a countdown they were all lobbed into the river to float firstly under the bride, pooh-sticks style, and then - if they were lucky - to continue to bob past the swirling eddies and snagging reeds to the finish line. As the evening drew in the bouquet was tossed (and caught, very importantly!), the cake was cut, the first dance was danced... And just to cap it all, the summer sunshine tipped its hat to us as it left for the night in a final little blaze of glory.
What an absolutely stunning summer wedding. Huge congratulations to you both Jack & Jo, and I hope you're both loving every minute of married life!
The above photos are just a small selection from the day: friends and family can view the full set, plus the slideshow, in Jack & Jo's private gallery... but you'll need to ask them for the password first, of course.
If you are planning your wedding in the New Forest or at Sopley Mill - or, for that matter, fancy some wedding photos on the beack as part of your day - and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
I very much hope that you enjoyed the photos from this fabulous seaside wedding. As ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
]]>Quite a few clients who I've been meeting up with recently have been asking me about the pre-wedding shoot; what's involved, what they can expect to come out of it, what to wear... Hopefully this will give you a pretty good idea. I'd say it's fairly typical of the sort of photos we would aim to capture, but of course really it's all about what you fancy. If you want to dress up to the nines and visit a local manor house that's fine by me. If you're more of a city type, don't mind being in a crowd and would like to make use of urban and architectural backdrops - no problem. If you like to keep things relaxed and casual out in the countryside, maybe down by a river or at a favourite viewpoint, we can certainly do that (and that seems to be what a lot of my couples prefer)... and of course if you want to bring your pups along, well they're more than welcome!
You don't have to be getting married to have your photo taken - I also offer engagement shoots, family and couple portrait sessions... or if you're feeling adventurous following your wedding and have the urge to get back in front of the lens, why how about a Trash The Dress shoot? If any of those capture your imagination, feel free to contact me any time to discuss your plans and ask about packages and prices.
Hope you enjoyed this little taster of a pre-wedding shoot, and as ever thanks for reading.
Stephen
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Dulwich is a lovely little corner of London, and everything was happening very close together (which can be a huge relief if you've ever tried covering a multi-site wedding on a busy traffic day!) - Imogen and her bridesmaids getting ready at her old family home (right across the road in fact from the prep I covered for another wedding this time last year), and Bobby and the guys (and wow, there were a lot of guys) down the road at their new house - all practically around the corner from both the ceremony and reception venues which are essentially two sides of the same coin. Imogen was looking absolutely beautiful and already beaming by the time I arrived, and there were plenty of opportunities to capture photos through the preparation stages and up to the point (one I really love) when she came down the stairs for her parents to see her in her wedding dress for the first time. Huge smiles all round at that point! And it's so nice to have the opportunity to capture candid photos of other family members at this stage of the day as well - so much is always happening in the build-up to the ceremony and there are hundreds of little stories to tell.
Christ's Chapel in Dulwich is a real gem; a very beautiful, interesting and unusual building both outside and in - its roof reminded me of a French chateau - it sits on a little triangle of land next to the Picture Gallery (more of that later) at the top end of Dulwich Village. It's all very calm and tranquil; a far cry from the hustle and bustle of the city centre. I'd already managed to catch up with guys earlier that morning, and met them again here as they greeted the arriving guests. Bobby was in a pretty much permanent state of being hugged by everyone who passed him by but I was still able to grab him for a few moments with his best man for a quick couple of photos as everyone chose their seats ready for the bride to arrive. And Imogen wasn't hanging around - no exercising her perogative to make the groom wait a bit before she made her entrance at this wedding!
Imogen walked down the aisle on her extremely proud-looking father's arm. One of the real charms of this wonderful church is that, pretty much wherever you happen to be, all seats are orientated towards the action; aisles facing inwards at the front, and forwards from the back. So not only does everyone get a wonderful view of the ceremony, it also creates a fantastic sense of the wedding being at the heart of everything (which is just as it should be!). How to make it more personal than that? How about if the bride's friend just happens to be leading the ceremony as well! It was such a touching occasion, with beautiful and heartfelt words spoken. And the choir? Perhaps use the choir that she used to sing in when she was younger. (And wow, they really can sing - the music was stunning!). In amongst all of this, and the lovely readings, vows were also made, rings exchanged and registers signed. Bobby and Imogen were pronounced husband and wife, and practically skipped back down the aisle together.
Everything had been so perfect up to this point, I was left wondering quite where you could possibly go from there. Well wonder no more - literally walk around the corner and you'll find yourself at Dulwich Picture Gallery, the setting for the exclusive-use drinks reception. Now I like a gallery, but on my travels up to London I have to admit that I tend to confine myself to the central zones. No more however - if this is anything to go by I'll be venturing far and wide because this place is wonderful. Stunning classical paintings, beautifully displayed, and the soft light flooding in to show it all off... wow. The whole reception had a real buzz about it, and you could tell that the guests genuinely appreciated being in such a superb space.
Before heading off though we took a few moments to capture our group photos of family and friends, plus of course the big group photo of all the guests. When you've got this number of people attending your wedding you need a space which can do the group photo justice, and guess what? The steps and cloisters of the Chapel just happen to do very nicely indeed.
I stepped out for a few moments with Imogen and Bobby as their guests headed through to the reception marquee, so that we could capture some photos of just the two of them (it's incredible on a wedding day how little the bride and groom often actually get to spend any time alone together; sometimes the photo session is the only occasion - with me shooting very discreetly from a distance away and with a long lens on my camera, of course). The gardens and grounds around the Picture Gallery are certainly lovely, but the highlight for me are the wonderful carved stones which feature in the first photo you'll have seen, right up there at the top of the page. I love love love textures and contrasts in images, and as soon as I saw them I knew that they had 'black and white couple portrait' written all over them.
I returned the couple to their guests in the marquee, to see them welcomed in with a huge, very intense and enthusiastic haka. This one was a wedding first for me and it was excellent. What a way to be announced into the room! And so began the evening celebrations... speeches, the wedding breakfast, the cutting of the cake... everywhere I looked people were having an absolute riot (except for a few moments during Bobby's speech where I spotted a few eyes welling up at his beautiful and so obviously heart-felt message) and there was little question that this spirit was going to be carried over into the party. I've said it before and I'll happily say it again - I really do enjoy seeing bands at weddings, and especially when they are of the standard of these guys. The floor dancefloor was heaving from the very moment that the other guests decided that the bride and groom had had enough of the floor for themselves during the first dance, and quite frankly I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them were still there throwing shapes even now...
Crikey - I've exhausted myself again just writing this! Well done if you made it to the end, but hopefully you've been well-rewarded in photos. Such a superb wedding - I can't begin to say what a treat it was to be there and to photograph it. Huge congratulations to you both, Imogen & Bobby, and here's to many many happy years together!
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The photos above (believe it or not) are just a small selection of the fulkl set which Bobby and Imogen received, and which friends and family can view in full - along with their edited highlights slideshow - in their private viewing gallery. You'll have to ask them for the password first though.
If you are planning your wedding at Dulwich Picture Gallery (or anywhere else for that matter) and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have and to discuss your plans for the day. I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos from this wonderful day and, as ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
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It's actually a pretty rare occasion when I have a Saturday free for shorter wedding coverage, but every so often through the course of the year I find myself with one open for a last-minute enquiry, and luckily that was the case with Faye and Richie, who had got in touch at short notice just a couple of weeks earlier. The day they had planned was a very small and intimate affair - the ceremony itself, a few time-out photos and a quick couple of groups for the record, and a little capturing of the story as the wedding party then strolled through town on their way to a celebratory lunch at Rick Stein's recently-opened restaurant towards the bottom end of town.
So that's exactly what we did, starting not with the wedding itself, but with a few portrait and couple photos just around the corner in lovely Peninsula Barracks (with Richie's sister on-hand and kindly providing a babysitting service for their bobby wee baby boy) before heading down to Castle Avenue in time for the formalities of the interview. As Faye & Richie were whisked off to the interview room, I got to meet up with the other family members as they arrived, and after a few hugs and kisses (between them, not for me) it was time to get seated before the doors opened to let our couple walk down the aisle together to start the ceremony...
One of the things that I really like about the Basing Room are the rich colours - the whole room itself really is beautiful and has seen a huge attention to detail (at the official launch of the new premises a couple of months ago I got into a conversation with the person responsible for the refurbishment and I was amazed to hear quite how much work went into it, from the design of the wallpaper to the sourcing of the bespoke carpet, and the hanging of the chandelier - they've really done a superb job). It photographs fantastically, especially in the afternoon once the sun has passed to the other side of the building and the whole room is filled with sift, indirect light. All of the photos you see here were taken without the need for any flash, which is perfect as it means I can do my best to blend into the background (well, as far as possible - it's still not a huge room) rather than draw attention to myself or distract from the ceremony.
The rich, warm colours theme continued for the final little part of the day, as the bride, groom and wedding party processed down through town in the direction of their restaurant for their celebratory meal. Having what I would consider to be a fair bit of local knowledge I had offered to take them on a little route which took in some of the back-streets and sights along the way, winding down towards the Cathedral and past the Dean Garnier Garden - where we stopped off briefly for a final couple of family photos. And as the other guests made their way to Rick Stein's, I took Faye & Richie off in a slightly different direction to wrap up with just a final couple of photos of just the two of them before they headed off to the party and the rest of their day's celebration.
A really lovely, charming wedding... and an absolutely beautiful couple, I'm sure you'll agree! Many congratulations to you both, Faye & Richie - wishing you many happy years together.
The above are just a selection of photos from the day... friends and family can view the full selection in their private wedding gallery, although you'll have to ask the happy couple for the password first.
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If you are planning your Winchester wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
I hope you enjoyed looking at the photos from this lovely little wedding, and - as ever - thanks for reading.
Stephen
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Both bride and groom were getting ready a little distance away in Fareham - not in the same place, but happily close-enough together that I was able to capture a little of both sides of the story. It's always nice when it's possible to do this, as it's one part of the day which the partner very rarely gets to see. The men were keeping themselves occupied with guitars and the intricacies of cravat-tying (this is a skill that I really should make the effort to learn, as I get asked how to do one at pretty much every other wedding I attend. If you need a button-hole pinning though, I'm your man!). Hannah, bridemsaids, parents and a few others were meanwhile at her family home, coordinating hair and make-up around flower deliveries and the many and varied other components of pre-wedding preparation. I'm always impressed how cool and calm people manage to stay in amongst all this, and Hannah was no exception - simply breezing through it all. Simply put, she was looking absolutely stunning, and as the dress was laced up it was clear that she had chosen one which would look perfectly in place in such spectacular surroundings. This wedding was most certainly going to be a feast for the eyes for the lucky guests there to share in it.
And as the absolutely gorgeous Rolls Royce wedding cars pulled up to the drive ready for the bridal party, it was on to Winchester (and all the excitement of trying to find a central parking space on a Bank Holiday Monday - experience has taught me to allow a little extra time for things like this!) and up to the Great Hall to capture images of the guests arriving and exploring the hall, and of course Frank and his groomsmen there to welcome them. The whole venue, inside and out, was looking resplendent in the beautiful Spring sunshine, and even the short walk across the cobbles of Castle Avenue felt special as I approached the arched doorway.
One of the things which struck me most about the Great Hall whilst I was covering this wedding was how it so effortlessly manages to combine a real sense of grandeur in terms of its scale, and intimacy at the same time. I've photographed in some very large churches and other venues over the years and while they can feel very grand, you can sometimes feel just a little bit lost in them. Not so here - the set-up really does give you the best of both worlds.
The guests arrived and settled, and as the wedding cars pulled up outside Frank took up his position at the front of the Hall - directly underneath King Arthur's Round Table no less (if you like a bit of myth and legend with your weddings) and there aren't many couples who can claim that as a back-drop - ready for Hannah to make her entrance. And it most certainly was an entrance; the enormous wrought-iron gates were opened revealing the staircase beyond (this is a rare sight indeed) and Hannah crossed the ancient hall floor on her father's arm...
One of the nice things about using the Great Hall for your wedding ceremony is that you and your guests get to enjoy it and Queen Eleanor's Garden - the little spot just outside - afterwards as well, with drinks and canapes served right there. We had a good amount of time here, meaning that we didn't have to rush straight into the photographs before heading off to the reception; much better this way - everyone wants to give you a kiss and a hug and congratulate you on your marriage, and I always think it's a great shame when the couple has to disappear immediately afterwards and no-one gets to see them. We did indeed get to take plenty of photos as well though - in and around the Great Hall (including on that magnificent hidden staircase), out in the garden and also up in Peninsula Barracks, an architectural gem which backs on to the Hall. And then back out to the front for group and family photos in front of the lovely arched doorway, and a few more candids with friends and family before the wedding cars filled up and moved on to our location for the reception - the gorgeous restored barn at Norton Park Hotel.
I've photographed several times at Norton Park, and it's a wonderful hotel with all sorts of options and plenty of variety for wedding photographs. Hannah & Frank had chosen the barn as the setting for their wedding breakfast, and were also foregoing any evening celebrations as they moved straight on to the honeymoon, but we still had plenty of time to take further photos inside and out. The seating plan in particular caught my eye as I explored the room taking photos of the decorative details - each table was named after a hill or mountain they had climbed together. I'm a bit of a hill-walker myself so I was feeling very pleased with myself being able to walk around muttering "done that one", "done that one too..." as I strolled from Tryfan to Pen-Y-Fan to Scafell Pike, before the top table pulled the rug from under my feet - Kilimanjaro. And it was all going so well. Hey ho, that's another one to add to the 'to do' list then.
The speeches in particular are always one of my favourite parts of the day to capture - I love the expressions and reactions on the faces of family and friends. Frank's best man took his speech to a whole other level with a song that he had written specially for the occasion which had me as well as all the guests in stitches (I'll do everyone a favour by not re-printing the lyrics here!). And following the speeches, the wedding breakfast and the cutting of the cake, a final opportunity for a couple more time-out photos with Hannah & Frank. A few little spots of rain towards the end didn't deter them in the slightest, which was great news as we were also able to head out into the grounds by the Manor House and the lake beyond for the last few frames. And as sun set and darkness started to encroach, the newly married couple prepared to make their exit and set out on the next chapter of their lives together...
Many congratulations to you both, Hannah & Frank, on an absolutely amazing wedding - what a treat to be there and to capture it for you. Wishing you both many happy years together!
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The photos above are just a small selection from the day - friends and family can see many many more, and order prints and downloads, in Hannah & Frank's private viewing gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at Winchester's spectacular Great Hall or at beautiful Norton Park and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have.
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I hope you enjoyed the photos - feel free to leave any comments or messages of congratulations to the happy couple below - and thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>Here's a little preview from the day - check out the absolutely amazing space inside that barn; it's huge! Many congratulations Hannah & Matt - very much looking forward to sharing the rest of them with you.
If you are planning your wedding at the Tithe Barn and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
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If you are planning a London wedding and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Hope you liked this little taster; there are plenty more to come! Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>It's always a huge excitement to be back in the big bad city with a camera or two in hand, and I had the added pleasure, after a Saturday in Dulwich (covering the most incredible wedding at its Chapel and Picture Gallery - loads more about that to come. ..) of catching up with the absolutely charming Jack & Jo and taking in a few little local points of significance as part of their pre-wedding shoot.
Well lucky me: as if the prospect of covering their wedding in a couple of weeks at beautiful Sopley Mill near Christchurch wasn't enough, I also got to spend time with them in a completely different environment; up in the city, having fun exploring and learning about all the little spots along the Thames which have such significance for them as a couple. They very kindly hosted me from start to finish, gave me a guided tour (and a lesson in the technical advances in London Transport (and I'm not kidding - for my readers down here in the sticks, progress is moving in the right direction ;) ) and left me buzzing with ideas about the photos I'll be taking for them very soon.
One of the things I really like about environmental portraiture - as opposed to taking photos in a studio environment - is the way you can be challenged and inspired by the surroundings. As well as considering the lighting and angles, you're also looking at the context, the colours... even the story of the place you're shooting in, and then balancing all of these to create something which only exists for a moment. It's exciting, it keeps things fresh, and it also means that every couple's photos will end up being totally unique.
Well what can I say? Roll on Sopley Mill - I'm counting down the seconds to this one... What a stunning couple, and if they're up for photos like this we're most definitely going to be capturing something special on the day!
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Please click here if you'd like to see a full recent example of wedding photography at Sopley Mill
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If you are planning you Hampshire or New Forest wedding and would like to know more about my photography packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me...
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Just a quick preview for the moment, but rest assured there will be plenty more where these came from once they've seen the full set and I put together the main blog post. I couldn't resist sharing just a handful in the meantime though...
Huge congratulations to you both, Hannah & Frank, and have an incredible honeymoon (can you guess where they've gone? The ring shot above might give a little clue...) - can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you!
I thought I would take the opportunity here to show a couple of group photos as they don't tend to appear in my blog very often (of course I do still take them and they are just as important a part of the day as any other to me) - this particular wedding was a bit different to my usual coverage which is generally all-day and to a large extent documentary photography. This time though it was a smaller session; just the family and group photos, a few time-outs with the couple, and the ceremony itself - it's something I can and do offer but it tends to only be for shorter-notice enquiries when I happen not to have a full-day booking already lined up. And as a further twist, Hannah & Tim had arranged their schedule for the day to take all of these - the groups and photos of the two of them together - before the ceremony. It's an increasingly popular approach in the USA and is finding its way over here now as well; I've got a couple of further weddings lined up this summer like that (the classic American approach is to combine it with a private 'first look' where the groom gets to see his soon-to-be-wife in her dress for the first time just before the ceremony). It certainly takes a lot of the time pressure away from the drinks reception after the ceremony.
And then on to the ceremony itself, up in the chapel. An interesting little feature of this venue is that, while it was originally a religious venue, it's now licensed for civil ceremonies. The little give-away here is that in the group photos above you'll notice the iconography in the screens in the background - for the ceremony itself these are covered up to remove any religious connotation. (The team at the University will take care of all of this for you, and I happen to think that the little gold panels they cover them with look superb as well). Hannah walked down the aisle on her father's arm, with the beautiful Spring sunlight flooding in through the tall windows to the chapel, accompanied by her sister playing the violin. We had charming readings and a beautiful ceremony, vows were made and rings exchanged, and Hannah & Tim were suddenly Winchester's newest husband and wife.
Before the Winchester University part of their wedding day concluded, we gathered everyone together for a large group shot on the terrace outside the link gallery. The sun was seriously blazing by now, setting the scene perfectly for an afternoon and evening of celebrations still to come...
Many congratulations to you both, Hannah & Tim, and wishing you many happy years together!
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If you are planning your wedding at Winchester University and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos of this wonderful occasion and, as ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
]]>Hannah & Frank, I have to say, are naturals in front of the camera. Roll on the wedding - I've got a great feeling about this one!
The wedding season is just about to kick off, so brace yourself for a flurry of blog posts over the next few months - I've got some absolutely great ones lined up!
If you're looking for a Winchester wedding photographer and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please feel free to contact me any time - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Thanks, as ever, for reading,
Stephen
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All the bridal preparation was taking place in a suite up on the top floor, and I was able to do a bit of hopping around and whisk Rob away from his guest-greeting duties for a few moments to capture a couple of portraits before the ceremony, while Tasha got into her magnificent dress. The, as the finishing touches were applied, it was time to head downstairs to the ceremony room to catch up with the groom's party in anticipation of that walk down the aisle.
It was quite a room-full for the ceremony - very nearly standing-room only, in fact. The cool winter light was flooding in from once side of the room (so much nicer and more interesting that electric hotel light) as Tasha and her bridesmaids made their way down the aisle to meet a waiting Rob at the front. Looking around the room as the ceremony progressed with the vows, readings and signing of the register I spotted more than a few (happy) tears - obviously this marriage meant a lot to many people, not just the happy couple!
And with rings exchanged, wedding register signed and one beaming couple safely down the aisle together it was on with the celebrations. As guests made their way into the lobby area and bar for drinks and indoor confetti (soooo glad I wasn't the one sweeping that up - there was absolutely tonnes of it and it got everywhere) I slipped into documentary mode, capturing the moments, the laughter and smiles as guests greeted Tasha and Rob and each other, before taking the opportunity before the wedding breakfast to cover some of the more formal group photos (and a few less-formal ones as well as the opportunities presented themselves). These started with a photo I'd had in mind from the very first second I'd walked into the hotel - the lobby is a huge, dramatic, architectural show-stopper with an enormous sweeping staircase heading up to the first floor, and above it level after level of perfectly spherical balcony looking down on the action below. After a little people-juggling on my part (it turns out that the wedding party was so large that in the end I had to arrange them over two floors rather than just the one I had originally aimed for) we got the shot from both above and below. I have to say that I haven't had the opportunity to take many group shots like this before, and it's so nice to be able to give the couple something a bit different when the opportunity's there. One for the portfolio, I think!
Very wisely - as while it was a beautiful, sunny day the temperatures outside really weren't amenable to groups of people standing around for too long - Tasha and Rob were happy to take the family photos indoors, and we had the perfect spot lined up in front of a modern fireplace with sofas, deep rich colours and modern art dotted around. The hotel's got so much to play with it seemed a shame not to make every use of it that we could.
Speeches before the wedding breakfast - often a popular option so that everyone can sit back and enjoy the meal, and well worth it on this occasion as the food looked absolutely delicious. And then, looking out of the window we suddenly saw possibly the sunset to end all sunsets (I seem to have been very lucky this year with sunsets in fact, but the depths of Winter seem to really throw out the best ones) so we just had to grab a couple of minutes before dessert with just Tasha and Rob so that we didn't kick ourselves that we'd missed it. (In fact, I'd clocked that it was on its way when I was outside doing a little reccy for later on, and the view through the tinted glass of the restaurant windows really didn't do it justice - I don't think it was quite what they were expecting when they stepped outside - braving the dropping temperatures, I must add!
And then back inside for the rest of the meal, before heading upstairs to the evening's reception zone for the cutting of the cake (a beautiful and very different cake, it has to be said, made by Tasha's extremely talented bridesmaid and with added lego characters to boot!) and general chilling out. At this point I grabbed the chance to take Tasha and Rob back downstairs for a few time-out photos (I increasingly enjoy doing these at this part of the day as it's so less disruptive than trying to squeeze them in along with everything else between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast) making use of several little locations indoors and outdoors which had caught my eye through the course of the day. And as we rose through the levels we started to meet up with other friends and family and build them into the photos as we went. My poor flashes had quite a work-out at this wedding!
And as the evening guests arrived we moved through from the top-floor gallery to another private bar for the evening party, which kicked off with the throwing of the bouquet (top tip: low ceilings require a low and gently-tossed bouquet) and first dance, before everyone else hit the floor. Clearly Christmas was just around the corner, as everyone was already in top party mode!
Tasha & Rob's wedding at the Aviator was everything that it had promised to be - an absolutely wonderful day for the two of them, their family and friends, and a fabulous end to a fantastic year of wedding photography for me. If 2015 kicks off anything like the way this one ended, I'm in for a treat!
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If you are planning your wedding at the Aviator Hotel and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me any time to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos and, as ever, thanks for reading.
Stephen
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Very often when couples approach me about winter weddings, one of their questions - perfectly reasonably - is what sort of impact the reduced daylight and possibly inclement weather can have from a photographer's point of view. Of course there's always the risk (and this is true for any time of year really) that the weather isn't going to play ball, and one thing you can certainly guarantee is that the sun will be setting much earlier and as a result any outdoor photos will need to take this into account, but I'm always keen to point out that an out-of-season wedding doesn't have to mean any compromise on the wedding images. Far from it - in many ways winter light is the most dramatic and exciting of all, with the sun that much lower in the sky and the potential for some incredible sunsets. And as Angela & David's beautiful wedding at Romsey Abbey, followed by a reception at the Beaulieu Road Hotel in the New Forest, so amply demonstrates you might just find that you're actually getting married on one of the most stunningly sunny days of the year anyway!
I'd been looking forward to this wedding for a long time - my first one at Romsey Abbey, which is an absolutely beautiful church in the heart of this gorgeous Hampshire market town. Bridal preparations were taking place at Angela's parents' house, a stone's throw from the town centre, and it was action stations with tonnes of people coming and going throughout the morning - all the while with Angela as an island of calmness and serenity in the middle of it all. A beautiful blue winter's sky outside and the sun shining... happy days. Much of the morning seemed to be taken up with the handing out of gifts before Angela suddenly realised once the house had cleared and pretty much everyone else was already on the way to the church that perhaps she'd better get into her wedding dress...
Meanwhile, over at the Abbey...
Happily, David was safely inside the building, which was a bit of a relief given that he'd apparently spent much of the previous 48 hours in hospital having a fair chunk of his ear sewn back on after a bit of pre-wedding excitement. It all seemed to be there again, so the worst he had to endure was an endless barrage of ear-related puns throughout the day. No matter - much more importantly he looked absolutely excellent in full Scottish regalia (have I mentioned before that I really like to see Scottish dress at a wedding? Once or twice, i suspect) and everything seemed to be running to plan. The sun was positively streaming in through the windows casting the most beautiful directional light over everyone. The Abbey itself is an absolutely beautiful building both inside and out; a real sense of grandeur and occasion - highly recommended for a visit whether you're actually planning on getting married there or not.
One exchange of rings, two sets of vows, two readings, several hymns and one signing of the register later, Angela and David were walking back down the aisle together as husband and wife. With daylight now at a bit of a premium for the rest of the day, we'd agreed to capture the main family and group photos outside the Abbey given that it was such a lovely location, which we duly did, before heading out into the New Forest en route to the reception venue - the Beaulieu Road Hotel - for some time-out photos of the happy couple. Now correct me if I'm wrong, but with that incredible warm light, the rich forest colours, the heathland and heather, and David's kilt it's only the absence of mountains which stops those photos from looking like they were taken in the height of summer in the Scottish highlands. Oh, and fewer midgies of course.
And on to the hotel, just a few hundred yards from our photo spot, for the reception - kicking off with a grand confetti entrance before drinks and speeches, the wedding breakfast and finally a few more group photos (all very relaxed and informal - I find that taking this approach really works well, especially for couples who are keen to have something a bit different with their friends compared to the perhaps more traditional family photos earlier in the day) and then - joy! - a Ceilidh! I've never seen a Ceilidh at a wedding which wasn't absolutely brilliant, and I love the way so many people get so into it right from the start. No danger of the dancefloor clearing one or two tracks after the first dance here - these guys were in for the long haul!
What an absolutely fantastic wedding, what a wonderful couple and what a day! Many congratulations to you both, Angela & David, and I can't wait to see how your photos look printed up in your album.
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If you are planning your wedding either at Romsey Abbey or out in the New Forest and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please feel free to contact me any time to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
I hope you enjoyed the photos and, as ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
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While Caroline was getting ready - and managing to stay more or less hidden from the guests as they started to arrive - in the huge dressing room on the first floor, Darryl was downstairs (looking appropriately calm and composed) to greet them all, and we were able to grab a few moments to nip into the building for a few portraits with his best man, taking advantage of the fantastic and very atmospheric old workings of the mill - all wheels and cogs and ancient timbers - before heading on up to the ceremony room. Meanwhile, everyone was enjoying the glorious sunshine and exploring the grounds, taking in the gorgeous views across the river Avon and the water meadows beyond. Eventually however, they were all assembled upstairs and ready for Caroline to make her entrance...
Immediately after the ceremony it was downstairs and into the sunshine for drinks served on the terrace, with the bridge spanning the Avon rushing below. Bags of space for people to spread out here, with seating dotted around the gardens and little hidden corners to explore. Also, plenty of options for group photos which is great news for me, including the holy grail of a fantastic vantage point at height, up on the fire escape, for the big group photo with the river and the Dorset countryside stretching out into the distance beyond.
Before heading up to the reception room for afternoon tea (another big tick - a whole separate floor for this meaning no need for a quick turnaround of the ceremony room) I nipped up to capture some of the details, and these were details well worth capturing: afternoon tea turned up to 11! Along with the beautifully coordinated crockery, tying in perfectly with the country feel of the day, there were cakes in abundance. The bride's mother had taken it upon herself to bake the cakes herself and had, well, approached this task with enthusiasm. I've never seen so many cakes in my life; there must have been at least half a cake per guest, or every shape and flavour, and these are ll, proper sized cakes we're talking about here, not fairy cakes and cupcakes. Along with the scones, sandwiches, scotch eggs and all the rest the tables (and, I suspect, quite a few of the guests!) were positively groaning! An absolutely incredible spread.
As the sun drew towards the horizon over the water meadows the light reach that wonderful stage - the golden hour - when, if your bride and groom are willing you can capture some truly lovely portraits in the soft evening sunshine. Joy of joys - for Caroline & Darryl's wedding we had the most perfect spell of sunshine, capped off with the most incredible sunshine, and they were more than up for heading off into the countryside for a few photos together before returning to their guests for the start of the evening party. Plenty of time for some more relaxed photos with family and friends, before heading back upstairs for the start of the evening party, kicked off with the first dance. And as the band kicked in the the guests hit the floor it was time to discretely slip away for the long, dark journey back to Winchester (and a huge pig pile of photos to edit!
There's no denying that Winchester is a wonderful place to get married - it's an absolutely beautiful city with something for everyone. And when you've a couple as beautiful and loved-up as Jai & Simon at your disposal, and they're up for taking a good amount of time wandering around the gorgeous town centre in their wedding gear to capture photos in all sorts of places (sometimes the classic 'big ticket' locations, and sometimes those just a little bit different) you know you're in for a great day!
With Winchester as my home town, I'm pretty confident that over the years I've photographed weddings at pretty much every venue going. And then Jai & Simon manage to present me with not one, but two which I haven't shot at before. The first - the Basing Room at the County Council's Castle complex at the top end of town - is an easy one to understand, as it has only just become available for use by the registry service as a wedding ceremony venue. And I have to say that it's a lovely spot - the room is gorgeous and interesting, the building itself is fantastic, it's perfectly located (just up by the Great Hall and walking distance from everywhere) - and I can see it becoming a very popular choice indeed for smaller and more intimate civil ceremonies.
The other spot I hadn't photographed at before was the Corner House, down on North Walls. I've certainly eaten plenty of pork belly there in the past, and now I can tick it off the list as another Winchester wedding reception venue covered. I like it - lots of colour and quirk; a great party place if you're after a more relaxed and informal celebration. But anyway, that's enough waffle from me for the moment - on with the photos from Jai & Simon's beautiful, intimate ceremony and celebration in the heart of this fantastic city...
The Basing Room is an extremely pleasant room in one of Hampshire County Council's administrative buildings up in what's known as the Castle Complex. If you're from Winchester it may well be one of those buildings which you instantly recognise, although you might not necessarily know what it is. It's one of the two beautiful stone buildings which stand either side of the cobbled roadway which stretches up to the Great Hall, and it's served in various guises in the past; hosting Council chamber meetings, receptions and functions... How do I know all this? Well funnily enough, in a previous incarnation I worked for the County Council and have been in there plenty of times before when we used it as a boardroom for meetings. I must admit, I prefer seeing it like this! A really lovely room with wood panelling, deep rich wallpaper and a beautiful stone fireplace in the corner - just recently opened as a ceremony room it's a wonderful addition to the Registry Service's options and if you're considering an intimate wedding at the Registry Office down the road, I would highly recommend checking it out.
Simon was there, ready and waiting, with his father by his side as best man - a very nice touch. This was a very small and intimate ceremony - essentially close family - and I'm always conscious on occasions like this that I want to be as discreet as I can. The ceremony itself was absolutely charming - full of smiles, a few (happy) tears and plenty of laughs. Perfect. I really do enjoy my job - what a pleasure to be able to see so many happy couples making such a great commitment to each other and knowing that I'm capturing moments which will stay with them forever.
One of things that I absolutely loved about Jai & Simon's wedding was that they were really up for putting aside a good amount of time for a tour of Winchester for time-out photos with just the two of them. There are so many brilliant spots and beautiful features to take advantage of, and while quite often couples want to find somewhere tucked away and discreet for this part of the day, on this occasion they were perfectly happy to wander right through the town, starting up at the top by the Great Hall and the Law Courts, and then winding our way down the high street and around the back of the Cathedral. It took a little while longer than a normal stroll along the same route might take with members of the public stopping to congratulate them and offer kind words, and the occasional toot of a car horn - possibly not an option for couples who don't like being the centre of attention - but time was happily on our side and they took it totally in their stride. And it meant that I was able to finally capture a few slightly different and alternative Winchester wedding photos which I had had in my mind for quite a while. As we wrapped things up and started to head to the Corner House for the reception the temperate dropped and a few little spots of rain started to come down. Simon, being the gentleman that he is, whipped off his jacket and offered it to his wife, which made for a couple of really cute shots at the end of the session.
And so on to the Corner House, at the far end of Parchment Street. Their faqmily had already arrived, and were joined by further friends as the evening progressed. Lots of hugs, laughter and smiles, delicious-looking canapes, the speeches and the cutting of the cake, before i finally put down my camera as the evening party got into full swing. This was a seriously wonderful wedding, and it was a huge pleasure to be there and photograph it for such a lovely couple, who couldn't have looked more in love if they tried!
Many congratulations Jai and Simon on an absolutely wonderful wedding, filled with laughter and emotion. Wishing you many happy years together!
If you are planning your Winchester wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and to ask any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos, and as ever, thanks for reading.
Stephen
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Bridal preparations took place at Jen's family home, a short distance from the church in West Dulwich. All very relaxed and informal - exactly what I like to capture in my images; the little moments, the details and the build-up with the bridesmaids and family members. Wonderful reactions and smiles everywhere as Jen came downstairs in her absolutely beautiful dress; the epitome of elegance. And as the few finishing touches were applied to hair and make-up it was on to the church to catch up with Dan and the guys...
Deceptively modern from the front, the church is a really beautiful building with an interior on a very grand scale, filled with light and - absolutely perfect from a photographer's perspective - bags of different angles and options for covering the ceremony discreetly. Dan, his best man and ushers had all arrived safely and were occupying themselves greeting guests and fastening buttonholes, while I nipped around indoors and outdoors capturing the details and little moments as they happened. Particularly lovely to see amongst the guests Ami & David, the happy couple from a wedding last year in Cambridge, and I'm sure it was just as lovely for them to be able to sit back and enjoy it all as a guests this time too! Outside the sun was blazing (this it turned out wasn't quite going to be the case for the entire day, but it put in a good effort for most of it!) and as the guests took their seats the bridesmaids arrived in the advance party, ready for the bride to make her appearance.
Back indoors, Dan was in position and ready for Jen to make her entrance on her fathers arm. This is one of the moments I absolutely love to photograph whenever I can - the view from the front of the church, with the groom in the foreground, and looking towards the back as the bride walks down the aisle. So often you are treated to wonderful reactions - and the occasional hint of nervous anticipation - as the big moment finally arrives and the ceremony begins. Needless to say both Jen and Dan were absolutely beaming! As the bride gets closer to the front I quickly make my exit to one side, so that I'm no kind of distraction once the ceremony begins, and this is where a big, wide church like All Saints can really make a difference as I can quickly and easily fade to the side and out of everyone's line of sight. The last thing I want to do during a wedding ceremony is be the centre of attention myself.
And then, just a few moments later, Dan & Jen were officially husband and wife!
Typically, at literally the moment they stepped outside, the day's little rain shower decided to make an appearance. Nothing serious and it quickly passed, but it did mean ducking back inside the church for the family photos (which is no bad thing, as the space and backdrop inside was absolutely perfect for them anyway, and the last thing you want on your wedding day - well, one of the last things, at least - is soggy guests!). It also meant that we were able to take a final moment before everyone headed off to the restaurant for a couple of shots of the couple in the exquisite Lady Chapel, just off to the side of the church. So there you go, every cloud really does have a silver lining!
On then - after a rather exciting drive across the centre of an extremely busy part of London - to the superb Coq D'Argent restaurant with it's wonderful rooftop terrace, perched on the edge of the financial district. The blue skies and fluffy white clouds were back in abundance by now, so it was straight onto the terrace for drinks and canapes (seriously good food here; definitely one to consider if eating is going to be an important feature of your wedding day!), loads of candids of guests admiring the views and playing 'name that building' and a few more informal group photos before heading inside for the wedding breakfast.
Into the evening, with the rest of the day's celebrations started as is tradition with the cutting of the cake and the first dance, but not before I had stepped outside one again for a few quick moments in the fading summer light for a final few portraits with the bride and groom, before the party swept them away. And it became clear very quickly as i ducked and dived, avoiding flying arms and legs in every direction, that this was most definitely a party crowd! Well, they picked the perfect place for it, out on the decking of the restaurant's bar as a glorious sunset capped an fantastic and very memorable day in the city...
Many congratulations Jen & Dan on an absolutely superb wedding, and one I will remember for a long time. Wishing you both many very happy years together!
If you are planning a London wedding at All Saints Church or the Coq D'Argent Restaurant and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
As ever, hope you enjoyed the photos, and thanks for reading,
Stephen
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So much to blog, so little time... It's been an amazing summer so far -I've been absolutely spoiled with the incredible range and diversity of the weddings I've had the good fortune to cover and the many, many wonderful couples I've worked with - but one of my biggest regrets is that so much time on the photo front has meant that things have slipped somewhat when it comes to sharing what I've been up to with you all. I've got so many wonderful weddings to share that I hardly know where to begin, but rest assured you'll be seeing plenty in the coming weeks! In the meantime though let's get started with a little preview of Jai & Simon's absolutely gorgeous wedding last weekend in Winchester. This one struck a real chord with me because I love this city so much and relish the photo opportunities it holds around almost every corner, and here I had an absolutely wonderful couple who were not only open to, but positively encouraged, a big walk-around through the whole town in full wedding gear, looking out for little spots where we could make the most of this wonderful place.
An absolutely lovely, intimate ceremony with family and friends at the Castle, followed by a big fat party at the Corner House... and such a sweet couple too. Anyway, I'll save all that for the full post, but I couldn't resist sneaking out a few teasers in the meantime. Many congratulations Jai & Simon!
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Southdowns Manor is a wonderful exclusive-use wedding venue which has very recently opened near Petersfield, nestled (the clue is in the name) on the edge of the beautiful rolling hills of the South Downs. I've been fortunate enough to be involved with them since their launch just before Christmas (if you would like to see photos showcasing the beautiful rooms and spaces that you can take advantage of on your wedding day you'll find plenty further back in the blog) and have been following its development and success keenly over the months since, so it was with much excitement that I joined Vicki & Matt for the first wedding that I was scheduled to cover there. What a wonderful day it was, and what a fantastic couple to share it with and to be there providing the photography for!
One of the huge attractions with Southdowns manor as a venue is that it's all yours - not just for the day, but right through to the following morning, meaning that you can cover everything in one place - bridal preparation, personalising and setting up the rooms to your taste with the help of the lovely team, guests arriving and relaxing in the beautiful lounge and out in the grounds admiring the views... - and then party right on through, crashing out in the many exquisitely finished bedrooms and finally emerge back downstairs the following day (possibly slightly bleary-eyed) for breakfast. The set up really does lend itself ideally to the full wedding experience, not least with the combination of the gorgeous bridal suite and a fully separate bridal preparation room (stuffed full of mirrors and comfy sofas). And the best thing of all about everything happening in one place, from my own slightly biased view: less time travelling means more time taking photos!
...and that's just the tip of the iceberg! The photos here in the blog are just a small selection from the full day: friends and family can view the complete set, and slideshow, in Vicki & Matt's online gallery (although, as ever, you'll need to ask them for the password first!).
Sharon & Sayu's wedding at Warbrook House near Hook, up at the top end of Hampshire, is just around the corner, so we hooked up a few days ago for a little pre-wedding shoot bathed in glorious sunshine. As an added bonus their charming - and extremely smiley - daughter joined us for some photos to complete the family. You'll often hear that the middle of the day in blazing sunshine is not an ideal time for outdoor portrait photography, but of course there are always ways and means - little pockets of shade to explore, and creative use of the lighting available. And when it comes to the wedding itself these are very often the conditions you'll be taking photos in as well because of the way the schedules for the day tend to naturally fall. Personally I enjoy the challenge, and I have to say that all three of them rose to it admirably. So here is a little taster for a few of the things we've got lined up for the day itself...
Come back soon for some photos from the wedding itself - I've got a feeling this one's going to be pretty spectacular!
Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
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The connection with St Cross is very straightforward - Chloe grew up just around the corner, and indeed her parents' house was to play host to the rest of the day's activity and festivities; starting with the bridal prep in the morning and finishing with the wedding breakfast and party in a marquee in their superb garden. I've covered quite a few home-based wedding receptions now and they're always a lot of fun - very relaxed, and of course they're all your own rules so you can run the day exactly as you please. It also made things much easier when it came to young Zac - Chloe & Simon's ridiculously cute baby - who spent much of the day boogying, absolutely lapping up all the female attention from assorted bridesmaids and family members, and generally trying to steal the show.
And so with the bridal preparations successfully completed it was into the car for the short journey down the hill to St Cross, to catch up with Simon and his best man as the guests started to arrive. It really is a lovely setting there - the church sits at one corner of a quadrangle, with accommodation for the residents - the brothers - making up other sides. The buildings are absolutely beautiful and wonderfully maintained; it's really worth a visit if you're in the area. The church is a real thing of beauty, somehow managing to be both imposing and intimate at the same time - what a scene to pull up to in your Rolls Royce!
After a few group photos outside the church (despite the slightly brooding clouds rolling in from the east to add some atmosphere to the photos it was absolutely roasting by this point!) everyone decamped back to the house to start the celebrations. Champagne and nibbles on the terraced lawn and in front of the massive marquee (oh, what I'd give to have a garden like this, although I suspect I wouldn't keep it quite as immaculate!) and lots of natural, candid photography of everyone enjoying themselves, with kisses and hugs all round. The wedding breakfast led into the speeches, and then as everyone relaxed into the evening I nipped off with Chloe and Simon to capture a few portraits of just the two of them before further guests started to arrive. The band was set up and ready to go (I love a live band at a wedding - there seem to have been loads of them this year!), the cake was cut, and the traditional first dance set off the evening's proceedings...
A truly wonderful wedding - a homecoming in every sense of the word and, with little Zac in tow, an absolutely delightful young family; what a fantastic day. Many congratulations to you both Chloe & Simon, and wishing you many happy years together!
The photos above are just a small selection from the day. Friends and family can view the full set in Chloe & Simon's gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at St Cross in Winchester and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos, and - as ever - thanks for reading,
Stephen
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This was an occasion which had the bride and groom's personality stamped all over it, as all of the guests I chatted to agreed. No formality, no stressing over the little things - everything was simply geared towards bringing together all of their friends and family in a beautiful location and having a fantastic time. And they most definitely managed to tick all of those boxes!
Before heading on to the venue Sarah and her bridesmaids were to be found getting ready at The Pig in Brockenhurst, a restaurant with rooms in a beautiful manor house way out in the forest - somewhere I'd heard much about but hadn't had the pleasure of going to before, and which has since gone straight to the top of the list of places I want to stay for a couple of days doing nothing more than eat and relax. Excellent choice! As I captured a few photos of the bridal preparations family members started to arrive and the activity increased, building up to the grand departure of the bridal party in a very funky old Ford Prefect (you don't see many of those around these days) and relocation to our home for the rest of the day.
And so on to the venue. Weddings in The Woods is literally the name of this beautiful little spot a few miles outside Lyndhurst, and quite simply it does exactly what it says on the tin. It's the most charming, down-to-earth location for a wedding; huge, towering trees bursting with vibrancy and standing tall over a clearing, in which you'll find a gorgeously rustic barn and marquee, shepherds' huts scattered around the site which serve as accommodation for the guests (an easy stagger back to your bed at the end of a hard day's celebrating), a huge fire-pit, and - if you're quiet and patient enough - little glimpses of the fauna which makes the Forest such a special place (well, I saw a couple of deer crash through the undergrowth in the distance on this occasion, and I've definitely seen wild pigs in this neck of the woods before). It's always nice when you get the chance to use a word like idyllic. I've got no hesitation in rolling it out for this one - it's a wonderful spot, off the beaten track, and for anyone looking for something slightly alternative and very chilled out as a wedding venue in Hampshire I'd highly recommend throwing this one into the mix.
And before you know it (believe me, it all happens very quickly when you're the one stood there at the front; I can speak from experience here!) they were husband and wife, and walking back down the aisle together. With a thoroughly charming - and very personal - ceremony behind them, they and all of their guests could turn their thoughts to the rest of the day; namely, celebrating! With the summer sun roasting down on us, and plenty of people ducking for shade whenever the fluffy white clouds parted for a while, we squeezed in a few family photos (and a few more with that very cool car) amongst the many hugs and kisses that they spend their time receiving. And then, as afternoon moved into early evening people started to retire to the marquee in anticipation of the speeches and wedding breakfast - a family-style spit-roast lamb buffet with all the trimmings (I completely understand when people opt for chicken for the meal; a path-of-least-resistance crowd-pleaser naturally, but a whole sheep on a spit wins hands-down in my book every time!).
I'm not sure I can remember the last time I saw so many people having fun at the same time - what an absolutely fabulous wedding! Huge congratulations to you both, Sarah & Neal; you really did it in style!
If you are planning your Wedding In The Woods in the New Forest and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me at any time to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have.
As ever, many thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this little story from the day,
Stephen
]]>Just a little preview for the moment while I work on the rest, but if you want to get a feel for how Southdowns Manor scrubs up in wedding photos - it certainly ticked all of my boxes! - here's something to give you a little flavour of what's to come...
Many congratulations to you both, Vicki & Matt. What an absolutely superb day, and i can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you. Have a fantastic - and very well earned! - honeymoon.
If you are planning a wedding at Southdowns Manor and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have.
Thanks as ever for reading, and hope you enjoyed this little taster,
Stephen
]]>Just a little blog post for the moment to offer a little preview of what's to come. We had an absolutely fantastic time out on the course taking portrait photos, and trust me - once you see what the landscaping is like down there you'll understand why I wanted to squeeze every moment out of that session that I could! In the meantime though, here's a little taster...
Huge congratulations Hannah & Josh - hope you've enjoyed what you've seen so far, and really looking forward to sharing the rest of the photos with you when you get back from your amazing honeymoon!
If you are planning a wedding in Odiham or at Bearwood lakes and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you may have. I'm always happy to help!
As ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
]]>Bridal prep at Rebecca's parents' beautiful house, deep into rural Hampshire (we'd met up here a few weeks before for the pre-wedding shoot and it was just as lovely as I remembered), comfortably filled with assorted bridesmaids, family members, hairdressers and make-up artists but still managing to keep a sense of calm (I'm always impressed with how relaxed this stage of the day can be for so many brides - it's all in the planning, I guess!). Rebecca looked absolutely beautiful, even before she was made up and dressed, and there was laughter and smiles everywhere I looked - everything had come together perfectly for the big day.
A quick spin down the road to the church - I love a country wedding for many reasons, but one in particular is that (tractors permitting) there isn't any traffic to worry about as you race to get to the church far enough ahead of the bride to catch up with the groom and his entourage, the arriving guests, and of course the vicar - or in this case (an unusual one for me) both of the vicars! By now the sun was absolutely blazing. The rural scenery looked at its absolute finest and everything was bursting with early summer colour. As the guests settled themselves inside, and Paul took his position at the front of the aisle, I headed back outside to catch the bridal party as they pulled up en masse in a wonderful vintage bus. As the bridesmaids made a final few adjustments ready for the big moment I nipped back in (the photographer heading back down the aisle is, I believe, now the modern traditional signal that everything is about to happen) and then it was all eyes on the church door as Rebecca made her entrance on her father's arm...
Many kisses and hugs for the newly married couple outside the church, before everyone crossed the road to Old Alresford place, the scene for the rest of the day's celebrations (stopping by the entrance gate to the church for a barrage of confetti, very enthusiastically thrown!). Old Alresford Place is a lovely old manor house with wonderful gardens - perfect for making the most of on a sunny day like this, with garden games set out, drinks and canapes, and plenty of time for Rebecca & Paul to let it all sink in and spend time with their guests (and a few family and group photos outdoors) before heading into the beautiful dining room for speeches and the wedding breakfast. The speeches are always one of my favourite moments of the day from a photographic point of view, always full of laughter and smiles, sometimes a few happy tears, and lovely candid moments. And as the delicious-looking wedding breakfast was served I discreetly took a step back (I find that people don't generally tend to want too many photos of them eating) and start planning for the time out photos with the couple later in the evening...
As we arrived back at the venue ready for the evening celebrations, the band was set up and ready to begin with the first dance. The superb ballroom had been decorated with huge numbers of balloons floating against the ceiling, trailing long strings down to the dancefloor, which I have to say made for a very cool effect - it makes the space feel much less empty during those first few moments, although those moments didn't last very long anyway: Rebecca & Paul's friends are most definitely party people!
Many congratulations Rebecca & Paul on an absolutely wonderful wedding - what a treat to be there and capture it all for you - and wishing you many happy years together!
The above photos are, as ever, just a small selection from the day: friends and family can view the full set and slideshow in Rebecca & Paul's private gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at Old Alresford Place and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans; I'm always happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos and, as ever, thanks for reading.
Stephen
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See you soon, Jen & Dan!
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Bridal prep took place at Helen's parents' home, a short drive along the back-roads (it's a seriously lovely part of the country round there; I'd have been very happy just bimbling around all afternoon and checking out the houses if I didn't have a wedding to get to!) and - joy of joys - when I arrived all the hair and make-up was taking place in front of a beautiful big mirror set up against a huge window. I'm such a sucker for natural light, and this is the ideal set-up. Loads of activity everywhere i looked, with guests and family members coming and going, bridesmaids getting ready, cars arriving... Eventually (and slightly reluctantly) it was time to move on to the main event. Time had run on slightly, but fortunately Helen was exercising the bride's perogative of being ever-so-fashionably late, so still plenty of time to catch up with Bradley and his best men (plural) at the venue...
Bradley was impressively calm and collected at the venue as he waited for his bride to arrive, spending time with his guests but also grabbling the occasional moment of calm for himself. Those few extra moments as Helen made her way towards the venue gave us a perfect opportunity to capture a couple of images with him, both with his best men as they gave him the final once-over, and also alone in the absolutely stunning Marble Hall, one of the huge attractions of this magnificent venue (if you're photographically-minded, this room is like shooting in a perfect 30m cubed softbox; the light just bounces around gently and flatters from every angle). And then the nod came; Helen had arrived, and the moment had arrived...
So there we had it - Helen & Bradley were officially married, but there was still plenty to come. Normally, immediately after the ceremony I advise the couple to take some time for themselves and to see their guests, rather than worrying about jumping straight into the photographs part of the day. Everyone naturally wants to give them a kiss and a hug, the bride and groom have definitely earned their glass of fizz at that point, and also it gives them a little time to let everything sink in a bit and to enjoy the moment. From my own perspective it's also a lovely time of the day to capture those natural, candid photos of the wedding guests as it's all big smiles and laughter, and people catching up with friends they might not have seen for years. And then, once everyone has caught their breath a bit, we can get started on the specific group photos they have requested so that everyone can relax again by the time of the wedding breakfast (everyone that is except those who still have their speeches to worry about!).
The last time I covered a wedding here the reception and wedding breakfast took place in the very cool vaulted cellars in the main building, but with the size of the guests list for this one that wasn't an option, so this next part of the day was out in the huge marquee set up in the rear gardens. The room itself looked great, with tonnes of beautiful touches (not just the flours; check out the excellent beaded-animal wedding favours!), and garden games laid out on the lawn outside. Speeches actually took place in a few different shifts through the course of the evening: a welcome from the bride's father at the start of the reception, the best men and the groom's speech after the meal, and as a lovely touch the month and brother of the bride later in the day - once the additional evening guests had arrived. Many touching words, huge laughs, and a few tears as well.
As we moved in to the evening, and further guests started arriving, we took the opportunity to capture a few more portraits with the bride and groom back in and around the stunning grounds. There are so many little locations here it would have been a crying shame not to take advantage of them, especially as the soft evening light was set up perfectly for some album shots. It was also a final opportunity for the bride and groom to take a few moments alone to reflect on the day so far, before the party kicked off in earnest. And what a party! The bride's step-father is a member in a seriously good band, and you can't beat live music at a wedding reception. Especially when the bride and bridesmaids all end up on the stage belting out Mustang Sally! And still there was more going on: some further photos with friends who had recently arrived, a slideshow of the couple (nothing too embarrassing from what I could see, although I did spot them squirming a bit at some of the images projected), the throwing of the bouquet, and an absolutely heaving dancefloor.
An absolutely incredible wedding - this one really had it all. Looking back over this now, it looks as though I've written a rather large blog post, but really the photos you've seen here only scratch the surface! The good news for friends and family is that they can view the full set in Helen & Bradley's online gallery, but as ever you'll need to ask them for the password first.
Many congratulations to an absolutely wonderful couple, and wishing you many happy years together!
If you are planning your wedding at Clandon Park and would would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and to ask me any questions you might have: I'm always happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed seeing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them, and thanks for reading!
Stephen
]]>While friends and family applied the finishing touches to the rooms at the venue, bride and groom preparations took place just across the road at the Wessex Hotel (bride and groom just about managed to avoid seeing each other before the ceremony, but it was a close thing on one or two occasions, especially when Learoy and the guys were down in the lobby for photos just as the bridal party started to de-camp to the Guildhall). The Mayor's Parlour was the location for the final bridal prep, whilst Learoy - now fully suited and booted and, quite frankly, looking absolutely razor-sharp - greeted his guests in King Charles Hall, the lovely wood-panelled room which was to host the ceremony...
Their friends and family had done a great job - the King Charles Hall looked superb, bursting with spring flowers matched to the gold and blue colour scheme of the wedding. Guests were assembled, Learoy was where he needed to be at the front of the hall (and still looking very composed!) and the flower-girl was in place... everything ready for Zoe to make her entrance.
The bride and groom were greeted on the steps of the Guildhall by all of their guests to a riot of confetti, and then - after a series of group photos with friends and family outside the charming Mayor's House next door - we took off for a few moments to capture some portraits in the many beautiful little spots which surround the venue. This is one of my absolute favourite corners of Winchester, especially the lovely hidden water garden tucked away behind the Cathedral, and it never fails to disappoint when it comes to couples photographs - there's so much here to play with, and the real beauty is that the couple are never more than a few steps away from the Guildhall so we can capture a wonderful variety of photographs without this part of the day feeling like it's imposing or taking them away from the celebrations.
And then on to the reception. This is where the party really started: it was actually scheduled to continue through to 4am (!!!) - I have to confess at this point I didn't make it through to dawn; in my experience there comes a point where the guests appreciate that the (offical) cameras are down, but if it continued in the same vein as it started this must have been one epic party! Bride and Groom entered the main hall and swept down the steps to live electric violins, amazing backlighting, and and huge applause, reuniting in front of an absolutely incredible fifteen-tier (yes, really!) wedding cake. As the wedding breakfast was underway, family members started the speeches before a roving mic took it to the floor so that other guests could also contribute, before Learoy and then Zoe wrapped things up and kicked off the evening with a cutting of (one of) the cakes, a slightly impromptu first dance, and an exploration of the rest of the Guildhall where further things were going on; a barbeque and the best part of a cheese shop in the vaults, DJ-ing and general partying both upstairs and down, and the rest of the evening guests arriving and getting very much enetering into the spirit of it all - as if anyone needed anyone persuading!
WOW - what a day, and what an absolute treat to have met Zoe and Learoy, and be there to capture such an incredible wedding. Many congratulations to you both, and here's to many happy and, no doubt, extremely fun-filled years ahead!
The above series is of course just a small selection from the day: friends and family can view the full set of photographs and slideshow in Zoe & Learoy's personal gallery, but as ever you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at Winchester Guildhall and would like to know more about my photography packages and prices please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Hope you enjoyed the photos from this magnificent day and, as ever, thanks for reading.
Stephen
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So while I work on the rest of the photos (and there are going to be plenty!) here's a little taster of what's to come. Many congratulations Helen & Bradley - enjoy your extremely well-earned honeymoon, and I can't wait to share the rest of them with you when you get back!
If you are planning your wedding at Clandon Park and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and to ask any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help.
As ever, thanks for reading, and come back soon if you'd like to see the full set from the wedding in all its glory!
Stephen
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If you are planning a Hampshire wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices, or indeed about engagement shoots, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have.
Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>Everything was taking place very locally, which meant that I had the added advantage of being able to catch up quickly with Tom and the guys at Marwell Hotel (the scene for the reception later in the day) on my way through to the bridal preparation. It's always nice when I'm able to capture some shots of this side of the day as well, so things were already off to a great start. Sophie meanwhile was getting ready at her Mum's house - both bride and groom seeming impressively calm and relaxed. Beers for the boys and fizz for the girls always helps, of course...
And so, to the Cathedral. It was an absolutely beautiful day - the sun was blazing, and the great and the good of Winchester were out and enjoying the very popular Cathedral grounds (note - this is not the place to get married if you are looking for a discreet and unobtrusive ceremony - you will get noticed when you arrive!). Tom was already inside, greeting guests as they arrived and generally doing an excellent job of keeping himself occupied, and as I went down to find him the grandeur of this spectacular place hit home once again (funnily enough, it's one of the places that I really cut my teeth practising with my camera when I was first properly getting into photography - it's an excellent spot for a photograph and I would highly recommend a visit). Meanwhile Sophie was pulling up outside with her mother and bridesmaids in an extremely funky turquoise camper van, ready to be greeted at the massive central door and take a final few moments to compose herself before the very, very long walk down the aisle...
Now happily married in, quite frankly, spectacular style, it was on with the rest of the day - a big group photo and few smaller ones captured in the lovely Dean Garnier garden just to the side of the Cathedral, and back into that funky camper for the short journey to Marwell Hotel for the reception. And the party... oh yes, and the party!
The wedding breakfast started with the speeches, the first from Sophie's mother, and the celebrations were under way.
And it was very clear that the party was going to keep going for a long old time after I had finally packed up my gear and left them to it.
What an incredible day! Many, many congratulations Sophie & Tom, and what a pleasure to be there and photograph it for you. Wishing you many happy years together.
- - -
The photos above are just a small selection from the full gallery Sophie & Tom received. Friends and family can view the complete set in their online gallery, but as ever you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning a wedding at Winchester Cathedral or Marwell Hotel and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me any time - always happy to help however I can.
Thanks as ever for reading, and I hope you enjoyed viewing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!
Stephen
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If you're recently engaged and right at the start of your wedding planning, why not test the water with an engagement shoot at a location of your choice to mark the occasion? It works exactly the same way as a portrait session, and who knows - you might just end up with the perfect photo for your wedding invitations! Feel free to contact me to discuss any time.
As ever, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed the photos,
Stephen
]]>Many congratulations Kelly & Lee, have an amazing time on your absolutely epic honeymoon, and very much looking forward to sharing the rest of the photos when you (eventually...) make it back! In the meantime, here are a few to keep everyone going...
If you are planning a wedding at Steeple Court Manor and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please feel free to contact me any time to discuss your plans.
As ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
]]>It was an interesting day for me for one other little reason as well; despite everything happening within a very small area - from the top to the bottom of Pimlico - I was buzzing around all day. There was just so much going on, from the buys' lunch to the girls' prep, the ceremony to the reception, and a whistle-stop taxi-tour of the big sights across the centre of London. If ever there was a wedding which captured the spirit of the City, this was the one!
The wheels started turning as the doors opened at midday for lunch in the restaurant Andrew had chosen; everyone looking very cool, calm and collected but with the occasional checking of pockets for rings and repositioning of button-holes just to be sure. Confident that I could report that the guys had successfully brought themselves together and that everything was in hand at their end, it was off to the Isabel and Andrew's absolutely beautiful mews house in the heart of Pimlico for the bridal prep. Eerily calm and composed as I walked through the door it soon became apparent that it was just my good fortune to have arrived at the right moment and managed to bag a few shots in the calm before the storm, and the house almost immediately started to fill with friends and family, children, parents and grandparents... and of course that's where the real fun begins!
The ceremony was taking place at the absolute beautiful St Gabriel's Church - the interior here is absolutely spectacular on its own; with the addition of the enormous floral arrangements Isabel had chosen it really was something else. It's a wonderful church to photograph in - with its size and the two side-aisles, plus a gallery at the back, there was so much scope to capture a huge array of angles without drawing any attention to myself (just the way I like it)! Andrew was looking very relaxed and ready for his big moment, the guests were arriving thick and fast, and Isabel was only a couple of moments away and about to make her entrance...
So, Isabel & Andrew were successfully married - but there was still plenty to come, starting with a whistle-stop tour of some of the sights in the heart of the city for some photo opportunities (Houses of Parliament? Check. London Eye? Check. Westminster Abbey? Check...) all courtesy of our London cabby and his knowledge, before moving on to the reception venue: the absolutely excellent 45 Millbank, bang on the Thames and next to the Tate. This place was an absolutely excellent find (although sadly I understand that they are no longer taking bookings for weddings, with the University of the Arts London instead preferring to keep their stunning dining room for their own use) - splendour is a word I think I can comfortably use here! And so the celebrations began...
And then it was party time! Isabel & Andrew's first dance (almost a secret first dance, as they had pretty much finished it before most people knew it was happening!) kicked off proceedings, before an evening of live music, DJs and extremely enthusiastic celebration...
What an absolutely amazing wedding! Many congratulations to you both, Isabel & Andrew, and wishing you many very happy years together.
The photos above are just a small selection from the day; friends and family can view many more in the online gallery (but you'll need to ask Isabel & Andrew for the password first).
If you are planning a wedding in or around Pimlico and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please feel free to contact me any time to discuss your plans.
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My first visit to Steeple Court Manor, soon to be the venue for Kelly & Lee's Spring wedding, and what an absolute gem of a place, tucked away just a couple of minutes outside the centre of Botley but with the feel that you really are in deepest rural Hampshire. The set-up is a beautiful, privately-owned manor house with wonderful gardens which will be bursting with life and colour this time next month, and an absolutely excellent marquee (and I've seen a fair few!) which will be the centre of festivities for much of the day (when people aren't outside playing lawn games that is!).
So that's all good then. And as a bonus I've got the absolute pleasure of photographing this beautiful couple there as well. I always enjoy a pre-wedding shoot; it's the perfect opportunity to catch up with the couple I may well not have seen for several months and hear how the plans have all come together, to talk through the finer details of the wedding and really get a feel for their vision for the day, and of course to see how they are in front of the camera. Well, Kelly and Lee are both absolute naturals - that was pretty clear right from the start. More importantly though (and this is the thing I've really got my eye on during a photo session like this) they work together so well as a couple. You could see the warm, natural smiles just breaking out between them all the way through. As we walked and talked, we were presented with inspiration and wonderful little corners pretty much everywhere we looked (I resisted the temptation to use them all up now, so that we've got something different up our sleeves for the main event) but here's just a little taster: we've got lakes, flowers, old brickwork, archways and deep rich colours to play with. Roll on May, and thank you Kelly & Lee for being such willing participants!
There's so much to show in the grounds at this beautiful venue, I don't really want to spoil the surprise before the actual wedding photos are taken. They'll be up here soon enough so make sure you return to the blog in May to see Steeple Court Manor in all its glory.
If you are planning a wedding here and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your day and ways that I might be able to help you take the most of this wonderful place from a photographic point of view.
As ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
]]>This was a very small wedding indeed - one bride, one groom and three witnesses in total - but that didn't for one moment mean having to compromise in any department; Olga looked absolutely stunning in her dress, the gleaming Rolls which transported them for the day was magnificent, the flowers, the food... And the huge advantage of an early ceremony and cosy celebration was that we had bags of time for photos - an opportunity we certainly made the most of!
With time to spare before lunch, Olga was keen to visit a church to bring a religious dimension to the day, and we were very fortunate to have received permission to take a few photos in the beautiful church in the village of Cheriton. The journey out there, with the rain still lashing down against the windows, also meant that Dennis & Olga were able to enjoy the car that they had booked for the morning, and some glorious views of Hampshire as we headed out into the countryside (at least, those views which they could make out through the clouds as we crested the hill at Cheesefoot Head).
Many congratulations to you both, Olga & Dennis, on an absolutely wonderful wedding.
The photos above are just a small selection from the day - friends and family can view the full set and slideshow in Olga & Dennis' private online gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first!
If you are planning a wedding at Lainston House Hotel and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please feel free to contact me to discuss your plans and check availability - I'm always happy to help however I can.
As ever, thanks for reading and hope you enjoyed the photos,
Stephen
]]>And what an absolutely lovely and beautiful family they make. This was so different to so many of the weddings I photograph - the usual rules and ways of working went out the window, and we really grabbed the opportunity to make the most of the time we had available, the gorgeous locations, and the perfect Spring sunshine. I've mentioned in previous blog posts that I'm a sucker for warm sunny backlighting when the opportunity presents itself - hope you enjoy it too as it's here in abundance today!
No bridal preparation shots - just straight into the brief ceremony in the smaller ceremony room at the Registry office (it's really worth mentioning here that the registrars in Winchester are absolutely wonderful and always make the occasion feel very special and personal, and appropriate to the occasion) and then off for photos. Lots of lovely photos!
We had the luxury of time - and a taxi driver at our disposal - following the ceremony, and I was keen to present Lucy & Dimitris with a set of time-out photos which captured something of the two different locations for the day. We started in Winchester, at the top end of town, in the area around the Great Hall (also now available for weddings) before nipping through to Peninsula Barracks, a superbly landscaped residential area tucked away just on the other side. I absolutely love this spot (it appeals in particular to my sense of symmetry) and has a real air of grandeur and splendour - the photographic opportunities here are pretty much endless. We did bring them to an end eventually however, as this was followed by a quick relocation to Romsey where we got busy with the camera again in the vacinity of beautiful Romsey Abbey. The sun came with us in all its glory, the daffodils were out and the whole world seemed to be smiling. What kind of a wedding photographer could ask for more than that?!
Finally, it was time to reveal to the rest of the world that Lucy & Dimitris were now a married couple. All credit to their cunning plan, they had invented a whole new Greek Holiday which they had told their friends it was important that they came and celebrated with them, on the principle that the cover story needed to be persuasive enough that their guests couldn't refuse while at the same time not giving the game away before they had a chance to share the news themselves. And it worked. One after another their guests walked into the bar area of the lovely White Horse Hotel in Romsey to be greeted by the image of a grinning Lucy flashing her ring at them, although by that point on most occasions they actually got trumped by their daughter shouting out that Mum and Dad got married this morning as soon as they got within earshot. Extremely cute, and big smiles all round!
The room was set up for private dining, so after a final few candids of the big announcement and some group photos with Lucy, Dimitris and guests, I crept quietly away and left them to the start of their new loves together. I had a big grin on my face for the rest of the day though - a wonderfully memorable occasion, and a delightful family who I'm over the moon to have had the opportunity to share such a brilliant story with!
Many congratulations Lucy & Dimitris, and wishing you many happy years together!
This is, as ever, just a selection of photographs from the day - friends and family can view the full selection in Lucy & Dimitris' private viewing gallery, although you'll need to ask them for the password first.
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If you are planning a wedding in Winchester, at Romsey Abbey or the White Horse, and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me any time with any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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I'm going to try not to get too carried away for now as it's only a little preview, but rest assured there will be no shortage of photos to come when I put up the full blog post. One thing I did learn from the experience though - a Cathedral marriage means the most epic walk down the aisle ever - I was exhausted by the time we got to the front!
Many congratulations to you both, Sophie & Tom, and here's a little taster for you while I work on the rest...
If you are planning your wedding at Winchester Cathedral or Marwell Hotel and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have.
Hope you enjoyed this little preview and, as ever, thanks for reading.
Stephen
]]>But I'm giving all the secrets away now, and this is only meant to be a quick preview, so I'll crack on with a few photos for the moment and will be back a little further down the line with a full post. Many congratulations Isabel & Andrew - hope you're enjoying a brilliantly hot and sunny honeymoon, and very much looking forward to presenting you with the full set of finished photos!
If you are planning your London wedding in and around Pimlico and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always only too happy to help.
Plenty more where these came from... as ever, thanks for reading
Stephen
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Jenni & Ben were great fun and wonderful company as we exploited a rare and very welcome break in the weather, managing to stay entirely dry for a whole hour (!) in central Winchester. I'm sure I could never get ired of photographing couples in this wonderful town: there are always so many different scenes to play with, beautiful backdrops and interesting little corners. Okay, the flooded river scuppered a couple of my plans, but no matter - there's always another gorgeous spot nearby. We approached this particular shoot as a little walk-around through town, starting up at the iconic viewpoint on St Giles' Hill at the bottom - a Winchester classic - and winding our way through to the Cathedral bang in the centre of the city. I have to say they were both absolutely brilliant in front of the camera, and i can't wait for the wedding itself. Here's just a few photos from the shoot as a little taster of what's to come...
If you are planning a Winchester wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>I couldn't resist putting a few up now though as a little taster. Plenty more to come!
Many congratulations to you both, Olga & Dennis, on an absolutely delightful wedding. Can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you!
If you are planning your wedding at Lainston House and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
]]>This really was a wedding to put a smile on anyone's face - a wonderful couple, their two absolutely beautiful (and incredibly photogenic) children, and guests young and old having a great time everywhere you looked. Everything was taking place at the hotel, which is always a treat for me as it means that I can roam, catch up with different members of the wedding party, and capture even more of those little moments right from the start of the day.
I've blogged about several weddings at Audleys Wood already, but I don't think I've mentioned the rooms there before. Now would be an appropriate time, as Kim, having stayed before, was getting ready in the Lavinia Fenton Suite, which is an absolutely fantastic space (especially when it comes to photographing the bridal preparation) - a huge main room with large mirrors and natural light, plenty of space to spread out, and - the icing on the cake - a separate lounge area right at the front of the hotel looking out over the grounds (this is where the dressing shots [and what a dress!] of both Kim and the children were taken). It's just one of several great suites there, and looks like an extremely pleasant way to start your wedding day...
Meanwhile equal care was being applied to the finishing touches downstairs with out groom and his best men - note in particular the excellent peacock-feather corsages! Guests had been arriving through the course of the morning,either getting themselves checked in straight away or taking the opportunity to relax in the lounge and bar areas. Both of these spaces are particular favourites of mine when it comes to photographs, and particularly more candid ones of wedding guests catching up or meeting each other for the first time - everyone just seems to quite naturally relax and unwind here (despite the building excitement of the day going on around them).
As everyone made their way through to the ceremony room, Kim was ready to go, and as the last of the guests was seated they came down the magnificent staircase, and the ceremony and celebrations began...
The celebrations began back in the lounge and bar area, before moving on later in the day to the Hotel's permanent marquee towards the rear of the gardens. Before that though we had plenty of time to take photos both indoors and out; formal group shots of the families and other guests in front of the huge, wood-panelled fireplace, the big group shot (in front of a magnificent display of autumn colour), and many candids of guests, as well as - whilst the guests made their way to their seats for the meal - some time-out portraits away from the crowds with Kim and Darren, taking maximum advantage of the absolutely wonderful soft light we get to enjoy at that time of year...
The marquee is one of the crowning glories at Audleys Wood as it gives the wedding couple and their guests a completely private, self-contained venue for the party. It's a pretty substantial beast as well, being a permanent marquee rather than one of the flimsier summer ones (I've been in it in the middle of a winter storm and, trust me, it'll take a lot to blow this one away!). Kim and Darren had opted to hold the wedding breakfast in there, rather than back in the main hotel, as well as the evening party so once we were in there we were pretty much there for good (except for a few moments which we took advantage of after the meal to return to their suite for some family photos with just them and the children). Speeches, dinner, evening guests and party time... (and it was already shaping up to be quite a party by the time I was quietly packing up my bags after the cutting of the cake and the first dance)...
Many many congratulations to Darren and Kim, and their family - an absolute pleasure to work with and be around on their wonderful wedding day.
The above photos are just a small selection from the day - family and friends can see many more in Kim & Darren's private online gallery, although as ever you'll need to ask them for the password first!
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If you are planning a wedding at Audleys Wood and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Once again, thanks for reading...
Stephen
]]>I haven't got a clue how many photos I took over the course of the year (perhaps 40,000 - 50,000?) so inevitably whittling this down to a manageable size is quite a daunting task. For this reason, I haven't created this post with any particular pattern or flow in mind. It only touches on the huge range of weddings I've covered, each of which I can honestly say I've absolutely loved photographing. These are quite simply a few of the images which have stuck with me or which sprung to mind when I looked back at everything that's happened.
In some cases I love them because they are simply beautiful, classical wedding photos. More often however they are here because they captured a moment which makes me (and hopefully the wedding couple) smile when they remember it. Some of them have a story attached, some were planned and others were a matter of being in the right place at the right time and spotting something interesting or touching as it unfolded. What they all have in common however is that, to me at least, they represent the hundreds of wonderful people I met last year, the fantastic places I've been fortunate enough to visit, and the beautiful and touching moments I've been a party to.
Anyway, enough gabbling from me and on with the show...
...and that really only scratches the surface!
It's been an enormous pleasure going back through my many and various weddings from 2013 - many memories have come back to me as I looked again at the photos (and I guess that's the whole point, isn't it?!).
And to wrap up, once again many congratulations and huge thanks to all of the couples who got married in 2013 and who so kindly chose me as their wedding photographer. Wishing you all a happy and prosperous 2014!
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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Update: Click here to see the blog post from a full real wedding at Southdowns Manor.
Exciting times when a fantastic new exclusive use wedding venue opens up pretty much on my doorstep, so I was delighted to be present at the launch of Southdowns Manor, nestled on the edge of the beautiful national park from which it takes its name in the rolling countryside just outside Petersfield, on the West Sussex border with Hampshire, last weekend. I had been asked to attend both to see the hotel for the first time in all its glory after an incredibly extensive refurb, and to capture some photos of the event: the hotel itself, and some of the couples who were attending who have already booked to hold their weddings there in 2014 (lucky people).
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyVenue exterior with gazebo for outdoor humanist ceremony options
Naturally, as I looked around the hotel in its finished state for the first time (it was all coming together nicely when I toured it a few weeks ago but the transformation between then and now was remarkable to say the least!) I was considering it all very much from a photography perspective, and it didn't disappoint. Quite frankly, I can't wait to cover my first wedding here. The whole place is so flexible and versatile, with beautiful soft natural light pouring in through the huge windows, bags of space, beautiful finishing and little touches, and stacks of interesting corners, angles and features everywhere you look. It's been designed as an exclusive use venue, so the wedding party effectively moves in and takes over their own manor house for 24 hours, and to my mind the accommodation available to them upstairs is one of the crowning glories. I was envisaging the opportunities for bridal preparation shots in the dressing room, portraits of the bride and groom in the stunning bridal suite... It's all got a real boutique hotel feel to it which I've got no doubt is going to tick a lot of boxes for people in Hampshire, Sussex and beyond in the coming years.
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyView over South Downs, and alternative angle of venue
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyImpressive and spacious entrance lobby
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyThe magnificent bridal suite
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyBridal dressing room
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyOne of several further guest suites
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyThe enormous lounge area with stunning fireplace
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyVersatile ceremony and reception area
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyCakes and details
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyVisitors at the launch event in bar area
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyThe central part of the venue set up to demonstrate ceremony options
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyLaunch guests in the bar and lounge area
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyMulled wine on offer
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyFuture weddings exploring the venue
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyVenue interior in black and white
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyCandid photography at launch event
Southdowns Manor Petersfield wedding venue photographyBlack and white landscape across the South Downs National park
And add to all this the wonderful countryside on the doorstep, with views straight across to the South Downs (which brought back memories of last year's multi-day slog when I walked the South Downs Way with a group of friends), and the many more photographic opportunities that all this presents, and quite frankly I think they're on to a winner!
So that's the venue, now open and taking bookings, and I'm very much looking forward to seeing it in full wedding flow very soon!
If you are planning your wedding at Southdowns Manor and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have; I'm only too happy to help however I can.
As ever, thanks for reading,
Stephen
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So this was the scene for Madeline & Matt's wedding in November - a fantastic couple, very cool and a whole load of fun. An absolutely brilliant wedding with lots of traditional touches but at the same time loads of other points which really made it unique (and a few firsts for me in my career as a wedding photographer, including a longbow arrow-launching ceremony across the river). But before all of that came the preparations, the gathering of the guests, and of course the small matter of the ceremony...
Madeline was upstairs getting ready in the bridal suite (which offered a wonderful view of the rain absolutely hammering down onto the Beaulieu River that morning), while Matt very sensibly set himself up downstairs in the hotel's excellent pub. The poor weather wasn't a problem - they're really not the sort of couple to let a little thing like that spoil the day - as long as we managed to get outside at the appropriate time for at least a few quick shots - and in fact as the morning rolled on it began to clear up nicely, giving me the chance to nip outside and capture some lovely establishing photos of the surroundings with dramatic wintry skies.
With guests having safely arrived, buttonholes pinned (check out the superb forest-theming going on in the buttonholes and the bouquet in the photos above: very nice touch!) and bows strung, it was through to the ceremony room. This was my first time photographing as lead photographer at the Master Builders Hotel (I had been here the year before assisting another photographer with a photobooth) so I'd done a little recce and very much liked what I saw. Big windows down at the far end to let that gorgeous soft winter light to flow in: to my tastes this is just about perfect as a set-up for photographing a ceremony as it really helps the action at the front of the room to pop out of the image, and then a feeling of intimacy and warmth as you go further back into the darker corners of the room. Plus, I had a big floral arrangement to hide behind right at the front - happy days!
Newly married, Madeline & Matt walked back down the aisle together and - with a brief stop to pull on some wellies (the rain had just about stopped but the ground outside wasn't exactly ideal for a pair of Louboutin wedding shoes!) the celebrations were kicked off with a small ceremony which culminated in the launching of arrows across the river from their longbows. While conditions were in our favour we also grabbed the opportunity to take some portraits of the bride and groom outdoors, while the rest of the guests warmed themselves through back indoors before the wedding breakfast.
...and then on into the evening (with the guests looking very glad of some very comfy sofas to lounge on after mountains of bangers and mash to gather themselves before the next stage of the celebrations kicked off in earnest). As what seemed like hundreds of additional guests began to arrive it was on to the cutting of a fantastic-looking cake of cheese, and then a first-dance with a difference (I won't give the game away - scroll down to see it in all its glory!). And then on with the party, late into the night...
This whole wedding was so much fun to shoot: an absolutely fantastic couple, so many little touches, thoughts and ideas, a few firsts for me, and all wrapped up in a wonderful venue down in one of my favourite places in the workld, the New Forest. I wouldn't have missed this for anything!
Many congratulations to you both, Madeline & Matt, and wishing you many happy years together!
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The photos above are just a small selection from the day - all the rest are up and ready to view by friends and family in their private gallery, although as ever you'll need to ask Madeline & Matt for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at the Master Builders at Bucklers Hard, or anywhere else in the New Forest, and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans - I'm always happy to help however I can.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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Normally I'm shooting alone as the main photographer as a wedding, but I do also on occasion work with other lead photographers as a 'second shooter'. The benefits for the bride and groom if they have chosen to have multiple photographers on the day are self-explanatory: more angles covered, additional moments captured, and more photographs. But beyond that it's also something that I really enjoy doing; it's nice on occasion to work alongside another professional, to see how they work, and also it frees you up slightly to get a little more creative with ideas at certain times of the day. And of course it means that I also get to photograph at magnificent venues like this!
On this occasion I was working with the excellent and highly talented Christopher Martin - great fun to spend time with and a photographer with an uncanny eye for an image. The coverage was actually part one of a two-dayer: a more intimate ceremony and reception with close family and friends on the day that I was there, and then a much larger reception and party in the city on day two. So I won't get carried away telling the story of the wedding (that's Chris's job!) - I just thought it would be nice to put up a few of my photos in the blog to share around (with Chris's permission, of course).
If you are planning your wedding at Osterley Park and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help.
Thanks for reading, and hope that the photos have taken a slight edge off the winter chill!
Stephen
]]>Congratulations Kim & Darren - enjoy your 'minimoon' and I can't wait to share the rest of the photos with you!
If you are planning your wedding at Audleys Wood or in the Basingstoke area and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans.
Just a small handful of preview photos for the moment, with plenty more to come... Many congratulations Madeline & Matt on a fantastic wedding! Can't wait to show you the rest of them.
If you are planning your wedding in the New Forest and would like to know more about my wedding photography, packages and prices, please do feel free to contact me any time with any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help.
Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>Bridal preparations took place at Vicky's parents' house, while the boys were getting ready back in Winchester, which conveniently meant that I could call in on my way past and make sure that I captured photos of both bride and groom before the wedding. And then on to the church itself; absolutely bursting with character and charm. It's certainly a cosy little one - perhaps the smallest church I've photographed a wedding in as far as I can remember - but absolutely perfect for an intimate ceremony with family and friends. And more of those little touches; funky cars, including a classic old army jeep with driver in uniform, and 'resplendent' is the word which comes to mind when I look back again at John in his jacket!
Post-wedding celebrations were taking place back in Winchester, at the Royal Hotel, and while the guests went on ahead by the more direct route I followed behind Vicky and John for a more leisurely jaunt through the countryside and along the back-roads, so that we could stop off and take in Vicky's favourite viewpoint (and capture a few photos with just the two of them into the bargain). And then the reception was calling so I took the lead and sped off to the hotel (pretty secure in the knowledge that the speed their old Rolls was capable of would buy me a good amount of time to get parked up and inside, ready for their arrival).
And then it was drinks in the gardens and a final few photographs before heading inside for the wedding breakfast, speeches and cutting of the cake. As the daylight faded we made our way downstairs where the evening guests were starting to arrive, and the real party kicked off in earnest (started with a seriously Rock! first dance!).
An absolutely fantastic wedding, and enormous fun to be a part of. The party looked like it had some serious legs to it by the time I packed up and tucked the cameras away for the rest of the night, and the bride and groom, of course, were right in the middle of it all!
Many congratulations, Vicky and John - it was a real pleasure to be there and capture the day for you, and I hope that you've enjoyed viewing the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them!
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If you are planning your wedding in Romsey or Winchester and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have and I'd be delighted of course to help.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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Up to the beautiful views across the fields at the top of the grounds for a few portrait photos with each of them individually as a little ice-breaker first, not - as it turns out - that it was really necessary as both Viki and Chris seemed to take to it like ducks to water. Whatever the starting point, one of the most important things I aim to achieve with a pre-wedding shoot is for the couple to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera. It means that come the day itself they've already 'been there, done that' and nothing comes as a surprise - they know exactly what to expect and, as a result, it's one less thing to have on their minds in those final few days and come the wedding itself. Somehow, I don't think it's going to be an issue for this beautiful couple.
The wedding itself isn't far away now, so there will plenty more photos to follow before long. In the meantime, thank you both, Viki and Chris, for being so generally willing and great in front of the camera on a rather fresh Sunday morning, and see you both very soon!
If you are planning your wedding at Audleys Wood and would like to know more about my photographic services, packages and prices, please do feel free to contact me with any questions you might have and I'll be only too happy to help.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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Either side of the ceremony, base-camp for the rest of the wedding was the Potters Heron Hotel near Romsey, and it was there that I caught up with Alex and the bridal party during their preparations. Always handy when your hotel has its own beauty salon to commandeer for the morning (and it was also noted that it makes for a much less cluttered bedroom without the mountains of make-up and hair-curlers I usually have to tread carefully around!). Alex was looking absolutely amazing, everything was running like clockwork (with the exception of the occasional family member managing to lock themselves out of their rooms), and as the car arrived it was time to pack up and head on to the church to catch up with Glen and the boys...
It's always good news when a certain degree of freedom is permitted by the church when it comes to the photography. The last thing I want to do is become any sort of distraction, so I certainly won't be moving around a lot, but I do find that it really helps with the finished photos if I'm able to introduce a little variety by shooting from a couple of different positions. my usual tactic - and the one I used here - is to start at the front and then, during the first hymn, relocate to the back of the church to capture some photos down the aisle. Rownhams church doesn't have any side aisles, so you certainly don't want to be moving about outside of these opportune moments, but what it does have in its favour is a small area tucked away to one side at the front where the photographer can effectively stay out of the line of sight of the congregation, and as an added bonus from this spot there is also a staircase which leads up to a small balcony overlooking the whole church. Absolutely perfect - plenty of different and interesting angles, and opportunities to capture those lovely natural reaction shots of friends and family, without intruding on the ceremony at all.
The weather was starting to look at little ominous as the ceremony finished and Alex and Glen stepped outside the church as husband and wife. Maximum efficiency was called for with the formal and family photos outside the church, and we timed it to perfection - as they emerged through the confetti at the church gate and stepped into the wedding car, the very first couple of spots of rain began to fall. Thankfully nothing too serious, but it was good to be able to take the group photos outdoors while we had the opportunity (there are always options, but it's nice to be able to stick to plan A when you can!). And then back to the Potters Heron for the reception.
As it turned out, the weather made up for its earlier blip by gifting us some absolutely stunning evening light later in the day, just as we headed outside following the wedding breakfast and speeches to capture some time-out photos of the bride and groom. In fact by this time fortune was really smiling on us as the owner of one of the lovely houses at the end of a charming little country lane invited us to come and make use of his garden for the photos when he saw us approaching - everything we could have hoped for: a gorgeous location, total privacy, magical light and all just a stones throw from the venue. Sometimes it all just seems to fall perfectly into place!
And as the last of the evening light faded away we returned to the Potters Heron for the start of the evening party. As extra guests arrived the cutting of the cake and the first dance kicked off proceedings, and what looked set to be come pretty serious celebrating for the rest of the night!
Many congratulations to you both, Alex and Glen - it was a pleasure to be there and photograph your wonderful wedding!
The photographs above are just a small selection from the day: friends and family can view the full set and the edited wedding slideshow in Alex and Glens private online gallery - but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding in Hampshire and would like to know more about my wedding photography availability, packages and prices please don't hesitate to contact me with any questions you might have - I'm only too happy to help.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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Deans Court in Dorset is a breathtakingly beautiful wedding venue - a gorgeous private family home just a stone's throw from the charming market town of Wimbourne with fabulous grounds - and was a very grand and fitting spot for Hannah & Sam's marriage out in the gardens in the summer sunshine. From an entirely selfish point of view I have to say that it is an absolute photographer's paradise - I think it would be entirely possible to cover a hundred weddings here and never take the same shot twice, with so many hidden little corners of interest alongside the broad views and with effortlessly lovely backdrops wherever you look. Do I sound like I've become a big fan of this venue? I think I just might be!
The wedding party had taken over a couple of cottages (and a yurt!) right on the estate, so everything throughout the day was taking place right on the doorstep; Hannah and bridesmaids in one (with a quick mention for the very talented Pamela Moss as make-up artist) while the boys got ready next door, which meant lots of opportunities to nip between various stages of the preparations as they occurred. I'm always impressed when the pre-ceremony moments have such an air of calm - it's not always the case! - and everything here was running like clockwork. To be honest I think that just the general feel of the whole venue contributed to the calm of the morning; it's hard to get stressed when you look outside and see the goat and the chickens playing together! Everyone was coming and going, completing little tasks and duties through the course of the morning, and as the guests started to arrive over on the other side of the house the sun started to break through the clouds. Perfect timing.
Family photos after the ceremony as drinks and canapes were served, and this was the time - along with another small photo session later on in the day - where we really got to play with all that Deans Court has to offer: in amongst the wild flowers, stood looking over the enormous lake which runs down one side of the central grounds, ducking under fruit trees for some shade... and as before all very relaxed as we were never more than a couple of moments away from the rest of the guests as well.
And then on with the rest of the celebrations - a barbeque wedding breakfast, speeches and cutting of the cake, garden games (gravity-defying Jenga skills on display from the guys!) and more general relaxing in and around the grounds before the band kicked off with the first dance and the evening's party got under way.
An absolutely gorgeous English country wedding, and an absolute pleasure to be there and cover it for Hannah & Sam. Many congratulations to you both, and wishing you many happy years together!
The photos above are just a small selection from the day: friends and family can see the full spread and slideshow in Hannah & Sam's private gallery in the client area, but as ever you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at Deans Court in Wimbournbe and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices, please feel free to contact me any time to discuss your plans and ask me any questions you might have - I'm only too happy to help
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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I don't know if it's the same when you actually study at Cambridge, but as a visitor the colleges are amazing little oases of calm as soon as you step into them from the hustle and bustle of the city on the other side of the wall - suddenly you are in another little world. All of the preparations - bride and groom - were taking place in the college grounds; I always enjoy it when I have this luxury, meaning that I can flit back and forth between various sections of the wedding party, the venue itself and the guests as I arrive. It all contributes towards really being able to tell the story of the wedding day and provide coverage from a wide range of angles and perspectives (as well as make myself scarce at certain appropriate points so that I'm not getting in the way either).
The ceremony was lovely. Is it a feature of every college chapel that the seating is down the sides with everyone facing inwards? It's certainly the case at the ones I've seen, and I really like it! And then - something else which seems to be a regular feature of Cambridge weddings - a parade with the wedding party and guests through the manically busy streets as everyone moves on to the reception. No avoiding being the centre of attention at this part of the day, but rest assured the traffic will stop for you (even if the photographer ahead of you is constantly watching over his shoulder for fast-moving bicycles as he runs backwards down the roads!).
And then, courtesy of a beautiful old Routemaster bus, out of Cambridge and on to Little Bradley and the Garden Barn for afternoon tea, speeches, lawn games and general relaxing in the grounds of this beautiful little gem of a reception venue...
The countryside surrounding the Garden Barn, and the grounds to which it is attached, are absolutely gorgeous and we were able to make the most of them taking some time out with Ami and David for a few portraits. It's a perfect venue if taking some portraits is important to you as part of your wedding day, with plenty of options right on the doorstep, both inside and just beyond the grounds, meaning that you can see plenty of variety without having to leave your guests too far behind (so there's no need to miss too much of the party!).
A really lovely day, with a delightful couple. Many congratulations Ami & David!
The above is just a small selection of photos from the day - friends and family can view the full gallery and the wedding slideshow in the client area of my website, but you'll need to ask Ami & David for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding in Cambridge and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices please do feel free to contact me to to discuss your plans and ask any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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Before the wedding itself I had the added adventure of battling my way along the A27 from Worthing, where Katie and her bridesmaids were getting ready. Anyone familiar with this route along the south coast will know that a Saturday in the height of summer is not the ideal time to be on it, so it was just as well that I headed on to the church with some time to spare - Katie certainly wasn't planning on exercising her bridal perogative to keep Andy waiting at the altar!
I so appreciate a church with side aisles. While it's always great when photography and a bit of movement are permitted during the service (not always the case, so if you are planning a church wedding at the moment and have expectations for photographs of the ceremony it's well worth looking into this at the earliest opportunity), the last thing I want to do is be any sort of distraction. When it's possible to keep to the sides - and in the case of Boxgrove, tuck yourself away in some very convenient hiding places - and by timing any movement to coincide with the best and most obvious moments such as the hymns, I'm a very happy photographer indeed. It means I have total flexibility on the viewpoints and angles, without becoming any sort of distraction from the point of view of the couple and their guests. Long story short, this wonderful church ticks all of my boxes!
Time for my regular weather-watch: we'd been promised torrential rain and lightning storms for the day (oh goody!), so that fact that we started off with blue skies and sunshine was always going to be a bonus, and luck was on our side - while the rains did indeed arrive (and arrive in force), they very kindly held off literally to the last minute until we had completed the family and group photos outside the church following the ceremony. We had thirty seconds to grab a couple of photos outside the beautiful ruins - and thank goodness! What a shame it would have been to miss that opportunity - with just Katie and Andy after the other guests had safely moved on to the reception and then out came the umbrella for a quick dash to the car as the moody skies rolled in and the first few drops fell. Timing is everything!
On to the very charming Swan Hotel in Arundel for the reception - an excellent spot with a really warm, welcoming and cosy feel to it, and kitchens which were turning out some extremely impressive food - and on with the party. Following the speeches we were all primed to dash outside and down to the river should there be a break in the weather to take a few more photos but it had very obviously settled in for the day. No matter - there are always options, and the rooms upstairs with their boutique feel gave us plenty of opportunity to get creative with some portraits of the bride and groom. Back down to the bar and the whole place was filling up with evening guests as Katie and Andy made their entrance to cut the cake, take the first dance and kick off the evening celebrations.
A fantastic wedding, and an absolutely lovely couple - many congratulations Katie & Andy on a wonderful start to your new married lives together!
The above photos are just a small selection from the day: friends and family can view the full spread and slideshow of the day in their private gallery... but as ever you'll need to ask Katie & Andy for the password first.
If you are planning your wedding at Boxgrove Priory and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please feel free to contact me to discuss your plans and ask any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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As an added bonus from a wedding photography point of view, we had a very strong Scottish theme running through the day as Graham hails from very firmly north of the border, which meant kilts and sporrans galore (morning suits look great of course, but full formal Scottish dress really does raise the bar!) and an extremely energetic ceilidh later on in the evening. More on that later...
All impressively calm for the bridal preparations, and our groom was looking equally relaxed up at the church (which was absolutely packed to the limit). Laura looked absolutely stunning as she walked down the aisle, and with the blazing summer sun streaming through the windows the ceremony commenced. St Stephen's isn't an elaborate church, but then it's one of those which doesn't need any embellishment - it looked and felt absolutely perfect, filled with friends and family, and the ceremony itself matched it perfectly. Looking around, there were certainly a few tissues making an appearance! Finally, register signed and rings securely on fingers, and just before the 'formal' exit of the bride and groom from the church, we nipped outside with mum and gran to capture a particularly special photograph of the newly married couple together in front of the same door that each generation before had stood - definitely one for the album!
And so back to Audleys Wood, to make the most of the summer sun with drinks and canapes on the lawn before retiring indoors for the wedding breakfast and some extremely heart-warming speeches. One of the great things with Audleys Wood is that there are photo opportunities around every corner, so even in the few moments while we waited for the wedding guests to find their seats we were able to take advantage of the fantastic wooden staircase and the massive fireplace in the wood-panelled bar to capture a couple more. And then a few hours later, as the sun was starting to head for the horizon, we were able to pick this up again as we headed out into the grounds for some time-out photos of the happy couple. In between all of this there was frisbee (far too energetic in that heat!), a lot of lazing around on picnic blankets (much more like it!) and generally making the most of what i think is probably the finest English summer I can remember.
And finally to the marquee for the evening's celebrations - cutting of the cake, throwing of the bouquet (congratulations, miss catcher!) and a first dance which kicked off the start of a hugely energetic and enthusiastic ceilidh, one which looked set to run for a long time after I had said my farewells for the day! many congratulations Laura & Graham on a fantastic wedding, and wishing you both many happy years together!
If you are planning your wedding at Audleys Wood and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices, please do feel free to contact me to tell me about your plans for the day and ask any questions you might have.
Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
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Bridal preparations were taking place in the lovely, and very grand, private rooms in the house and I spent an extremely pleasant morning darting inside and out, capturing the details, the establishing shots and little moments from the early parts of the story of the day, before Neil arrived suited up and ready to go. The maim ceremony and reception rooms at Avington really are something to behold, and for me one of the things that really makes it is that you feel comfortable there as well (it also serves as a private residence, which perhaps contributes to that more homely feel) - the peacocks wandering around only add to the interest and relaxed air (although a note to wedding photographers who like to lie on the ground to capture some interesting angles: choose your spot carefully!).
With Emma looking beautiful in her dress and applying now finishing touches, and the guests having made their way upstairs to the ceremony room, it was time to begin the proceedings...
Back outside, the sun was by now absolutely blazing. I really can't emphasise quite how hot it was - we headed to the shade of the trees for drinks, (excellent) canapes and group photos while others made themselves comfortable on the covered terrace or explored the grounds, before heading into the library - an absolutely gorgeous room made all the more beautiful with the french doors flung open to allow a slight breeze to circulate - for speeches and the wedding breakfast.
As the day passed to evening and the sun sank lower we headed back outside to take a few portrait photos with the bride and groom alone. I really enjoy this part of the day, and in the height of summer it makes a huge difference if it can happen later in the day when the sun isn't so harsh and the shadows are longer and deeper. The grounds at Avington are rich in opportunities - I think I could shoot here a hundred times and still discover new opportunities every time. Finally, as the sky darkened we returned to the library and the start of the evening celebrations. A really beautiful day, with a lovely couple. Many congratulations, Emma & Neil!
If you are planning your wedding at Avington Park and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask any questions. I'm always happy to help.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
]]>So without further ado, a little selection of preview photos from the day, with plenty more to follow! Congratulations to you both, Hannah & Sam - have a wonderful honeymoon, and catch up soon!
If you are planning your wedding at Deans Court and would like to know more about my photography options please do feel free to contact me for a chat about your plans and I will be only too happy to help.
I had a great day with them both, and couldn't wait to share a few preview photos. This will have to do for now as I don't want to spoil the surprise with all the others. Congratulations Emmie & Joe!
If you are planning your Winchester wedding and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please feel free to call me or drop me a line any time to discuss your plans and to ask any questions you might have.
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But that's not what the day was about, of course, so I'll let the photos do the talking instead. A handful of preview photos for the moment, with many more to come. Congratulations Katie and Andy and wishing you many happy years together!
If you are planning your wedding in Chichester, Arundel or anywhere else in West Sussex and would like to know more about my wedding photography options, packages and prices, do please feel free to contact me any time for a chat and to ask me any questions you might have. I'm always happy to help.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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If you are planning your wedding at Cambridge College and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please do feel free to contact me to discuss your plans any time.
If you are planning your Winchester wedding and would like to now more about my photography packages and prices, please do feel free to contact me to discuss your plans and ask any questions.
Many congratulations Emma & Neil - I'm sure you're enjoying a brilliant and well-earned honeymoon right now, and I can't wait to show you the rest of the photos when you get back.
If you are planning your wedding at Avington Park in Winchester and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans and ask any questions you might have. I'm always happy to help.
Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>Laura and Graham were the lucky couple to enjoy this particular session, and wow! was the sun out in force. This can sometimes be an issue, particularly when it's high in the skies and throwing strong deep shadows all around, but at the same time it also brings some great opportunities to do something different: maybe bring out some lighting kit, maybe get down low and shoot into the sun (which to be honest I love doing and will jump at the chance whenever I can, with the lovely backlighting which it can throw onto the subject to really make them pop out from the background)... so that's exactly what we did.
Laura and Graham were absolute naturals in front of the camera right from the start. I usually begin a pre-wedding photoshoot with some simple headshots and a bit of one-on-one just to warm things up, but in no time at all they were throwing poses, willingly doing whatever I asked of them (I'm not that bad really) and most importantly of all showing the absolutely delightful connection and intimacy that they have as a couple, the capturing of which on camera is basically my raison d'etre.
Not long now until the big day, and I have a feeling it's going to be a great one!
If you are planning your wedding at Oakley Hall and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, please feel free to contact me to discuss your plans, see some full examples from recent weddings, and ask me any questions you might have - I'm always happy to help.
Not as amazing as Stephanie and Kevin though, of course. I first met this loevly couple in the autumn of 2012, and right from the start had a really good feeling about it all; one which was borne out when they proved themselves to be absolute starts in front of the camera in zero-degree temperatures for our pre-wedding shoot. No such worries this time around - sunburn was the biggest danger facing us today.
Bridal preparations took place at home, meaning I also got to witness the finishing touches to the stunning marquee (tented village really) which had been squeezed with quite some ingenuity into the grounds (a reception venue incorporating a whole herb garden no less, which was a first for me). Meanwhile Kevin had wisely decided to occupy his morning with a round of golf before de-camping to the remarkably conveniently located pub directly across the road from the church which was serving as a meeting point for the day.
The church itself is absolutely gorgeous - very unique with a painted arched ceiling the likes of which I haven't come across anywhere else. It also has a very welcome little shortcut behind the organ, meaning that I was able to capture photos from several different angles through the course of the ceremony without needing to impose myself in any way. Given the choice, I'll always do whatever I can to blend as far into background as possible and avoid creating any distraction. St Mary's, I discovered, is absolutely perfect for this. The sun was streaming in through the windows as Stephanie made her entrance on the arm of her very proud-looiing father and the ceremony commenced.
And then back home again to the gardens and marquee for the rest of the celebrations. A charming herb theme (remember the garden in the marquee?) running through the decorations and place settings, and food and drink a major player from this point forward. All of Stephanie's father's efforts (not least with the lawn which was still receiving its final haircut just a couple of hours earlier) paid dividends. We were spoilt for choice with photo location opportunities and (a major advantage of a home-based reception) had a great lead-in time building up to the wedding breakfast, speeches and, after the sun had set and the stars had come out, a first dance to seal the deal and kick off the evening party.
Well, as you can see what we have here is a beautiful pair of people who showed themselves to be absolute naturals in front of the camera, and all I can say is roll on the big day!
If you are planning your wedding in Sussex or Hampshire and would like to know more about my photography packages and services, please do feel free to get in touch using the form on the contact page and I'll be delighted to answer any questions you may have.
]]>There's no denying there was a lot going on that day, and I was there to see it all - from the early preparations with some rather ominous clouds looming overhead, through the delightful church service and afternoon celebrations (blazing sunshine) to the evening party (glorious sunset and star-filled skies...).
Bridal preparations were taking place close to home: hair and make-up at the nearby salon - Harlequin Hair - and then finishing touches at base-camp down the road. Meanwhile, the Matt and the guys had cunningly persuaded his local - conveniently located right next door to the girls - to accomodate them for a pre-ceremony stiffener, whilst around the corner finishing touches were being applied to the reception venue... more on that later. So with some strategic planning, precision timetabling courtesy of Kate, and a little shuttling around I was in the enviable position of being able to cover all of the morning's activity!
The ceremony itself took place at Colden Common's lovely Holy Trinity Church, part of a network of local parish churches under the direction of the very pleasant Rev. Jonah Watts, who I'd last met back in December at Ann-Marie & Jim's winter wedding in Twyford. It's a church with a lot of character - from what I understand of the story, this was traditionally the 'workers' church, whilst Twyford's one further down the road was where the great and the good used to gather to worship. If that's the case, then judging by its beautiful classic looks the workers around here were doing pretty well for themselves too!
Kate exploited her perogative of being on-so-slightly and fashionably late, and then it was on with the charming ceremony - made all the more charming by their beautiful daughter Nancy's impeccably-timed comedy contributions an interjections! - followed by family photos outside the church (now with added sunshine!) before relocating to Highbridge Farm for the rest of the day's celebrations. The focal point here was a fantastic teepee-style tent - a very interesting variation on the increasingly popular marquee approach. A hog roast, real ale, cider (I believe - correctly me if I'm wrong) which had been brewed by Matt as part of his contribution to the planning and preparation, an extremely cool first dance where little Nancy once again made an apperance... and then partying long into the night accompanied by the sunset of the year and a fire pit.
One of the things I most like about weddings these days is that there is so much freedom for the couple to put their personal stamp on it. Kate and Matt most certainly did this - from the bigger picture right down to the tiniest detail - and there's no doubt that everyone there was having an absolutely brilliant time (not least myself!).
Many congratulations Kate and Matt (and Nancy!) on a fabulous and very unique wedding!
The above is as always just a small selection of photos from the day. Friends and family can view their full selection, plus the slideshow, in their private viewing gallery... but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are planning your Hampshire wedding and would like to know more about my photographic services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to chat through your plans and ask me any questions you might have.
]]>A lovely couple, great fun, very comfortable and natural in front of the camera, and another wedding to look forward to very soon!
If you are planning your wedding at Langrish House Hotel and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please do feel free to contact me for a chat and to ask me any questions you might have.
The full selection of images and slideshow from the day will be available for friends and family to view shortly.
If you are planning your Hampshire wedding and would like to know more about my photography packages and prices, please do feel free to contact me to discuss your plans and to ask me any questions you might have.
]]>(You can also see the photos from another wedding at beautiful Clandon Park here...)
A couple of weeks ago I had the great pleasure of providing the wedding photography for Julia and Kieran at the quite magnificent Clandon Park in Surrey. I had been looking forward to this one for ages, especially after we had such a great time at their pre-wedding photoshoot earlier this year, and I have to say it lived up to every expectation. This wedding was most most definitely a grand occasion; the couple looked beautiful, the setting was superb, and many of the guests had travelled half-way round the world to be there for it, but the real beauty of it was that throughout the whole day it was all so relaxed and fun, full of smiles and laughter, and for all the splendour it always felt so intimate and personal. That was what I was really trying to capture and reflect in the photos I took for them.
The bridal preparations actually took place a few miles away, at Great Tangley Manor - a gorgeous old residence just outside Guildford (with its own moat!). All very relaxed, no dramas or crises (despite a few rather ominous clouds moving in), and to be quite honest if we hadn't had a wedding to get to I could have quite happily stayed there all day taking photos. Huge rooms flooded with light, stacked with interesting corners and angles, and beautiful people everywhere I looked.
But we did have a wedding to get to so it was on to Clandon Park, a few moments ahead of the bridal party so that I could catch up with the groom, best man and ushers for some portraits, and also to capture the guests as they arrived. Having been there before with camera in hand still didn't lessen the impact at all as I walked back into that incredible Marble Room, and then through into the Tapestry Room where the ceremony was to take place shortly. These two rooms together are a photographer's dream, with absolutely breathtaking light and incredible backdrops wherever you looked. The guests settled, the bride arrived (well ahead of her bridesmaids in fact - I don't think she could wait any longer!) and then after a final few moments, Julia made her entrance...
The ceremony flew by, and in no time Julia and Kieran were walking back down the aisle as husband and wife. Back into the Marble Room for celebratory and well-earned champagne, and then (with one eye on the weather, which still had a few tricks up its sleeves) we took the opportunity to head outside for group photos. This is one area where Clandon Park really excels - the wonderful steps to the grand entrance are essentially a fantastic stage on which to arrange everyone, and when the first spots of rain did eventually make their appearance we simply ducked under the cover of the enormous arched doorway for the smaller and more intimate family photos. And as the rest of the guests made their way downstairs for the wedding breakfast and reception, we were able to take a few momets to capture some photos of Julia and Kieran alone (and - something I always very much believe in - give them some time to themselves to catch their breath and enjoy their first few moments together alone as a married couple).
And then downstairs for the meal, speeches, first dance, cutting of the cake and - inevitably with so many Australians in attendance - some serious partying. As the skies cleared and the sun burst through though, we were fortunate enough to be able to step back outside and capture a few more photos of Julia and Kieran, their friends and family.
I've had to fight hard with myself even to keep the amount of images in the blog post to this number, as there was just so much going on through the day and so many wonderful moments large and small. There are indeed plenty more though: friends and family can view the full selection, plus the slideshow of selected images, in Julia and Kieran's gallery (but as ever you'll need to ask them for the password first).
Many congratulations Julia and Kieran on a quite simply wonderful wedding, and I can't beging to say what a pleasure it was to be there and photograph it for you!
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If you are planning your wedding at Clandon Park and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me and I would be delighted to discuss your plans, show you some full examples from recent weddings and answer any questions you might have.
Thanks for reading
Stephen
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If you are planning your Hampshire wedding and are interested in finding out more about my wedding photography packages, prices and options, please do feel free to contact me for and I'll be only too happy to help.
Thanks as ever for reading,
Stephen
]]>Bridal preparations actually took place a few miles away, at the Menzies Carlton Hotel in Bournemouth (which looks like a fantastic venue in its own right) with enormous sea views providing a wonderful backdrop from the balcony, and a very cool bar area which we were able to make use of for a few moments to capture some photos of the bridal party. I walked into an absolute riot of activity - bridesmaids, flower girls and make-up cases everywhere you looked. Lindsey's wonderful make-up was courtesy of the lovely and extremely talented Emma Bowden at Eyecandy Make-up Services. Special mention also has to be made for the extremely cute flower girl dresses, made by Lindsey's own fair hands. In fact, Lindsey seemed to have made almost everything, including the absolutely magnificent cake - I can't quite imagine where she found the time to do all of this, but the effort certainly paid off; not even the tiniest detail was overlooked, and of course it's the things like this which help to make a wedding such an intimate and personal occasion.
Then off to the venue itself, a little hidden gem with sprawling, stunning and beautiful landscaped gardens and the jewel in the crown: the Italian Villa, wedding photography heaven! Mike and his best man and ushers were all there and ready to go. We were able to grab a few moments outside in the Italian garden for a few photos (Mike and the boys, it has to be said, exuding effortless style - that practice at the pre-wedding photo shoot just clicked right into place) before the bridal party started to arrive.
Following the ceremony it was out into the glorious sunshine for drinks, an opportunity to enjoy the gardens, and a few photographs: groups first (Compton Acres really excels here; there is quite simply so much choice, which is something that I personally really appreciate as it means that I can introduce some variety into these images without inconveniencing the guests as it's all right on the doorstep) and then I was able to whisk Lindsey and Mike away for a few moments to take a few photos of them together alone, and give them the opportunity to catch their breath a little. These time-out photos are a really lovely part of the day, usually the first bit of time that the couple gets to spend with each other since getting married, and I always make a point of giving them some space to relax and enjoy the moment. We popped around the corner to the Japanese garden (which I think is probably my favourite part of the whole site) for a little while, before heading back to the Villa for the next stage: the reception... and then the party!
And that's about it: Lindsey and Mike are happily married and as the evening celebrations kicked off I discretely left them all to it. The photos you've seen here are of course just a small selection from the day, and I really had to struggle even to whittle them down to this amount. The full gallery, plus a slideshow of selected photographs, is available for friends and family to view in their gallery. You'll have to ask Lindsey or Mike for the password first though.
Congratulations to you both, Lindsey and Mike - what a wonderful wedding from start to finish.
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If you are planning a wedding at Compton Acres and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and prices, do please feel free to contact me to discuss your plans and to ask me any questions you might have. As ever, I'm always happy to help in any way I can.
Thanks for reading,
Stephen
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If you are planning your wedding in Hampshire and would like to know more about my photography services, packages and options, please do feel free to contact me and I would of course be delighted to share some full recent examples with you and answer any questions you might have.
So here are a quick couple of images to get the ball rolling, with plenty more to come in the full blog post a little further down the line. Many congratulations to you both, Julia and Kieran - what a superb wedding and what a beautiful start to your new married lives together!
If you are planning your Surrey wedding and would like to know more about Clandon Park wedding photography, my packages and services, do please feel free to contact me - I'd be delighted to hear your plans, answer your questions and discuss how I could provide the photography service you are looking for.
Many congratulations Elena & Mike on a wonderful wedding!
While they're off on honeymoon after their wonderful wedding in the magnificent Italian Villa at Compton Acres in Poole, Dorset, I promised Lindsey and Mike a quick preview of just a very small selection of their wedding photography while I work on the rest of the images. Now that they've seen them I can also share some of them here for anyone interested in a little taster of the day or who would like to see what a wedding at this brilliant venue looks like. The full selection will of course be available to Lindsey & Mike's friends and family very shortly, and I'll follow that up with another post with plenty more photos from the day, but in the meantime here are a couple to get you started...
Congratulations Lindsey & Mike! Wishing you a wonderful honeymoon and looking forward to catching up again soon.
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If you are planning your wedding or civil partnership at Compton Acres and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me for a chat or to arrange a meeting. I'm always very happy to help and answer any questions you might have.
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Rachel and Miles are the sweetest couple, and the whole day was a testament to how devoted they are to each other, and how highly everyone around them regards them and wanted to pitch in and contribute to the day. The main focus for the wedding was Over Wallop; the local church, and then the farm where Miles works, with the (enormous) barn which he recently built the main base for the celebrations. This is a seriously beautiful part of Hampshire; picture-postcard villages and rolling hills, but very much a working community and as could clearly be seen from the number of guests attending a place where people really do know each other.
The church is beautiful, and was absolutely packed to the rafters. As Miles and the guests settled themselves inside, Rachel and her bridesmaids were busy getting into an absolutely stunning horse-drawn carriage for the journey to the church - this was seriously doing it in style.
After a lovely, traditional ceremony and group photos outside the curch, it was back to the barn (I last saw this a few weeks ago for our pre-wedding shoot - what a transformation! It had doors now for a start, but had also been very beautifully and simply decorated by Rachel's sister in keeping with the country feel of the wedding) for afternoon tea (more pitching in, with an unbelievable number of cakes hand-baked by the bridesmaids). One of those occasions where 'charming' is entirely the right word to use.
Having waited for months, I wasn't planning on letting a little sunshine go to waste and we make use of the fields and lanes around the farm to take some photos of the happy couple. I'm always doubly happy when it's reasonably dry outside as I seem to spend a large part of a day of photographs lying on the ground looking for nice angles. What a treat to only have to brush myself down afterwards rather than sponge myself off, which seems to have been the norm of late!
The barn (plans are underfoot as I understand it to make this available for weddings on a more permanent basis, but this wedding will go into the history books as the first one ever held there) is seriously big; room enough even after sectioning a large part of it off to seat over 150 people and still have space left for a full sized stage and DJ booth. Just as well, following the speeches, with the size of the band providing the evening's music and the number of people on the dancefloor. It was well into the night when I left, but the party looked like it had plenty of legs left in it yet.
What a beautiful, traditional, spirngtime, countryside wedding. They say that you don't really get weddings like this any more; well evidence would suggest otherwise. Huge congratulations to a wonderful couple, and wishing both Rachel and Miles many years of happiness together.
This is just a small selection of photographs from the day; friends and family are welcome to view the full story in Rachel and Miles' private viewing gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first!
If you are planning a Hampshire wedding and would like to know more about my photographic services, products and prices, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your day and ask me any questions you might have; I'm always happy to help.
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Everything was taking place under one roof, many of the guests having arrived the evning before, so while Lynne prepared upstairs in the incredible, enormous bridal suite, Sarah was already kitted (kilted!) up and downstairs greeting everyone. I'd been sworn to secrecy about the plans for her outfit, and it really was a sight to behold: full formal Scottish dress, everything present and correct down to the finest detail, and fitting perfectly with the red and black theme (more on that later) running through the day. Lynne meanwhile had chosen an absolutely beautiful full bridal gown, and I could see that when they saw each other for the first time they were going to take each other's breath away.
Ceremony time, and both brides were making an entrance individually down the aisle; Sarah first on her brother's arm, before Lynne followed alongside her extremely proud-looking father. The ceremony room - the ballroom - is beautiful; the sort of space that doesn't need any adornement whatsoever, and with beautiful soft light flooding in through the french doors the icing on the cake. The ceremony itself seemed to fly by, and in no time they were walking back down the aisle together and off to the dining room for celebratory drinks, photographs and the start of the party.
Despite the rather chilly weather we managed take a couple of the larger group photos outside (maximum effiiency to minimise any time spent stood around) but Maunsel isn't really a venue where you regret being indoors. To say that it's full of character is a bit of an understatement. From the stuffed animals on practically every surface to the eccentric collections of, well, pretty much anything you can imagine, thousands of paintings lining the walls, hidden staircases, suits of armour... certainly there is no shortage of fascinating corners and magnificent backdrops to make use of. Afternoon tea and speeches followed (a masterclass in speechmaking, in fact - I was struggling to focus through the tears of laughter), before the rather more energetic evening party really kicked off, with a casino in the library, hog roast in the dining room (the most generous servings of pork I think I've ever seen, and this from someone who's eaten a hog roast or two in his time!), dancing in the ballroom and, in case that wasn't enough, the house's own private pub, which saw a fair bit of action through the course of the day.
It's honestly very difficult to describe in words how fantastic this day was from start to finish - the beautiful ceremony, the tears and laughter, fun and emotion... Many many congratulations to you both, Lynne and Sarah. What an amazing couple, and what a perfect start to your married lives together!
The photos above are just a small selection from the day. Friends and family can view the full series in Lynne and Sarah's private online gallery, but as with all of my wedding photography you'll need to ask them for the password first
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If you are planning a civil partnership or wedding at Maunsel House and would like to know more about my photography, services and options please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans - I'm only too happy to help.
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The whole wedding was absolutely charming from start to finish - a real local wedding, a DIY affair with everyone pitching in, from the making of the cakes for afternoon tea to the magnificent decorating of the barn. Add in a horse-drawn carriage, a picture-perfect country church and a huge local community where everyone seemed to know absolutely everyone and you've got a wonderful recipe for a magical day! Many photos of all of that to come in the full blog post, so in the meantime here are just a quick few extra preview photos for now.
Many congratulations to Rachel and Miles on a fabulous country wedding, and best wishes for many years of happiness together.
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If you are planning your Hampshire wedding and would like to discuss how my wedding photography packages could capture the story of the day for you, from the key moments through to the tiniest details, please don't hesitate to contact me to arrange a meeting or simply to have an informal chat over the phone.
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The location was appropriately chosen, just around the corner as it is from Stepahnie's home village and the focal point of the wedding to come. This little corner of Hampshire is, I really do believe, one of the most beautiful spots around: one picture-perfect village follows another, and we were just down the road from the idyllic little church which will be the centre of attention on the day. Right in the middle of it all sits this superb manor house, no longer inhabited and open - the grounds, at least - to the public.
But it's not about the place, it's about the couple, and Stephanie and Kevin took to it all like ducks to water. The number one priority for me when shooting a couple, whether it's on the day of a wedding, on a pre-wedding shoot like today's, or a portrait session, is to try and capture that connection and warmth that they have for each other. I think we can safely say that we found that without too much difficulty! On top of that, everything else was playing ball: we had gorgeously soft, subtly directional light available to us so could shoot out in the open with confidence, and use the highlights to add some lovely gentle rim-lighting to the two of them. Glorious conditions! Fair enough, we had the odd snowflake to contend with, but nothing that we couldn't handle.
Many thanks Stephanie and Kevin for your very willing participation - a couple of naturals, to be sure!
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If you're planning a Hampshire wedding and would like to know more about my photography packages, or if you fancy a portrait session in one of the many other locations I've got up my sleeves, please do feel free to contact me to discuss your plans.
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But I'm giving way all the secrets now - best hold something back for the full blog post (not that I'm likely to run out of things to say any time soon!). So while I fire up the editing suite, and take my suit to the dry cleaner to seek assistance in removing all the peacock - ahem - stains - (my own fault, I do like to get down to grass level for a photo) I'll leave you with just a couple more photos for now. Plenty more to follow. Many, many congratulations Lynne and Sarah, on a fabulous civil partnership and my warmest wishes for many happy years together!
If you are planning your wedding or civil partnetrship at Maunsel House and would like to know more about my photography packages, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss your plans - I'd be only too happy to help.
When you've got such a sweet and charming couple as this to photograph, quite frankly it's never going to matter what nature throws at you - the images are going to look great because there's just such a simple intimacy and connection between them, and that's something that can't be bought and that no amount of sunshine is going to make any warmer. One of my biggest loves when I'm taking photos of a couple is when a big smile suddenly appears on a face while I've got the lens pointed at it, and it's nothing to do with me; it's because they've just caught the eye of the other person somewhere over my shoulder and they just light up. Those are the natural moments which count so much - my job is to look out for them, and to capture them when they happen.
A gorgeous couple, and absolute naturals in front of the camera - I'm buzzing with ideas for the wedding photos already. Popping down to Compton Acres in a couple of weeks for a bit of a look-around as I've not yet had the pleasure of shooting there. But with a couple like this I think that basically every single moment is going to be a beautiful photo opportunity. Can't wait!
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The Wallops are in a beautiful corner of Hampshire, just down from Andover. This is real farming country (as demonstrated by the state of my boots by the end of the shoot) - the South Downs have flattened out a bit but you still get wonderful rolling hills, crystal clear chalk streams and gorgeous little picture-postcard villages tucked away down winding country roads. Everything's set for a perfect day: the ceremony to be held in the local church, and then on to the (massive!) barn for the celebrations, with everyone pitching in to finish and decorate it (hopefully including putting the doors on).
The whole place is basically a photographer's adventure playground, and happily Rachel and Miles are both very willing accomplices. No final decision yet on whether the dogs - or the pet pig, or the pony - will be there on the day but one way or another I suspect there will be some animals in attendance. But anyway, that's for another day - for now it's a few pre-wedding shoot photos, a bit of fun and a thousand ideas for photos we can take.
And if they can keep smiling on a day like that, then whatever the day itself may decide to throw at them I know that it's not going to faze them in the slightest. The indoor photo opportunities at either end are wonderful, but I have a good feeling that we will be spending plenty of time outdoors as well. As the rain began to ease, we were able to relax a little and complete the shoot at a slightly more leisurely pace, discussing some of the finer details of their plans for the day as we went. Suffice to say, we've got a few great locations identified for various photos which will really capture the essence of a spring wedding in this historic city. So no further spoilers for now - we'll be saving those shots for the day itself. In the meantime, a few more images from the shoot below, with Elena and Mike safely under cover!
The Boating Base is an excellent all-in-one venue - I hadn't come across it before but it's bang in the middle of London, with fabulous views up and down the Thames, and set up tonight with a dining room on one side and a private nightclub on the other.
When I was younger I used to mess around with a few magic tricks myself, but having seen Matt in action I don't think I'll ever bother picking up a deck of cards again - seriously impressive stuff, and an absolute hit with the guests. You can keep your big props and fancy stage sets, for me close-up and table magic is where the real talent lies; nowhere to hide, and while I flatter myself that I can spot the trick every once in a while, this time I was totally defeated!
Then it was music time. Fresh from a UK tour with Joan Rivers no less, and taking time out from various radio appearances and theatre bookings, Kit and Mcconnel had pulled together a bespoke little number to celebrate the back-story of the birthday boys, a large part of it probably not appropriate to repeat in print!
The photos above are just a small taster - the full spread of images is available to view and purchase in Nicholas and Andrew's online gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
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If you're planning a wedding or event at Westminster Boating Base and are looking for a photgrapher, do please feel free to contact me to discus your requirements.
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I won't start waxing lyrical about the venue now as I'll only be stealing my own thunder from the actual wedding blog post to come, but it really is quite a place. We were fortunate enough to have access to it in the morning while the staff were preparing for a wedding later that day (my congratulations to the happy couple!) so we also got to see it in full wedding mode, with tables laid out, flowers in abundance and the peacocks going through final rehearsals. Okay, maybe not actually trained peacocks... but if we can get them to play ball on the day...
As you might just have noticed, the weather recently has been - to put it politely - challenging, but we chose our window carefully and managed to nip outside for a few minutes to get the measure of the exterior opportunities (abundant, in a word). Really hoping that the sun-gods are smiling on us come the wedding as the grounds are beautiful - there are plans for garden games, the flowers will be blooming, blossom on the trees, fabulous details dotted all over, from the Maori House one one side to the folly beyond the lake, and what looks suspiciously to me like a man-made cave which requires further investigation)... and all of this with the backdrop of the beautiful rolling downs which define the landscape in this gorgeous part of the country.
So, all is good. But ultimately it's not about the place, it's about the people, and Julia and Kieran were quite simply so much fun to spend time with (and, I have a suspicion, are so wrapped up in each other that they hardly even noticed me snapping away which is why the photos look so natural) that I'm counting the days to their wedding.
Thanks so Much Jules and Kieran for your time and willing participation! There are plenty more photos up in their gallery for friends and family to view, although as ever with any of my photo galleries you'll need to ask them for the password first.
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If you're considering Clandon Park as a wedding venue and would like to know more about photography options please do feel free to contact me any time.
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I like to keep things relatively simple for the pre-wedding shoot and travel light, so stuck with the one 24-70 2.8 lens which gives a nice range and beautiful soft backgrounds, but we did take a few moments to have a play with some off-camera flash using a new grip and umbrella which I've just added to the kit-bag. It wasn't the sunniest of days so a bit of extra punch in some of the photos was welcome.
They've got a great day lined up with two beautiful locations, and seem extremely composed and on top of it all. Can't wait for the day itself - not long now..!
The old ruins are a bit of a photographer's playground: arches, doorways, pillars, rough textured stone walls and strong, vibrant brickwork - no worries about any two shots looking the same. True, as the Abbey seems to be very popular with dog-walkers I did have to take a bit of extra care when hitting the deck for those low-level, wide angle shots, but it was worth the risk!
Quite often the first part of the pre-wedding shoot is an opportunity for the couple to get comfortable in front of the camera, with a few standard head-shots and individual body shots of different length - trying out differerent angles, seeing whether anyone has a best or preferred side - but both Lynne and Sarah were completely at ease from the start so we were quickly able to move on to trying some more creative photos making the most of the surroundings. All good fun, an ideal opportunity to talk through some of the finer details for the day itself, and a few bonus photographs for Lynne and Sarah to boot.
If you are getting married and starting to think about the photography side of things, an engagement or pre-wedding photoshoot is a wonderful way to try yourself out in front of a professional camera and see what a difference it makes. If you'd like to know more about photoshoots and wedding packages feel free to contact me for a chat any time.
The day started with a quick visit to Jim's house to make sure that the bacon sandwiches were on schedule, and to catch a few photos of the rings before heading round the corner to Ann-marie's parents' house where the bridal party was getting ready. The weather had decided not to play ball today so capturing any establishing photos was really a question of diving outside whenever there was a bit of respite from the rain. No real issue as the house, the church and the venue were all very attractive inside, with lots of indoor photo opportunities (especially welcome at the church, where the thought of inviting all of the guests to step outside for group photos was very much a no-go. So much better to let everyone stay warm and out of the wind - at least the rain had eased up by then - and not have to rush through every photo. I don't think there would have been much smiling happening...)
Special mention goes to Ann-marie's mother, who made the absolutely beautiful bouquets. The colours of the flowers complemented the theme running through the wedding perfectly, and the gorgeous church set them all off magnificently - there was a lovely warm, rich feel to the whole occasion.
Then on to the reception at East Horton Golf Club; carols, mulled wine, speeches, dinner, dancing (very enthusisatic dancing!) and as the evening drew in even the sun, rather apologetically, turned up and treated us to a golden sunset.
A new year, and a newly married (and absolutely charming) couple starting their lives together as husband and wife. Many congratulations Ann-marie & Jim.
Friends and family can view the full photo selection, and the wedding slideshow, in Ann-marie and Jim's private gallery... but you'll need to ask them for the password first.
If you're thinking of getting married in Twyford and would like to know more about my photography services, please feel free to get in touch - you can contact me using the message form, or alternatively just give me a call if you fancy a chat.
]]>I'd like to give a bit of background purpose of the award as I think it's particularly important. When I started to really take my photography seriously and want to take it forward I joined the Socieity of Wedding and Portrait Photographers - the SWPP - and one of the many great features of this particular professional body is a very active forum. It's a real community, and home to some quite incredible talent - without question some of the finest photographers around across a whole number of disciplines - but at the same time extremely welcoming and encouraging to newer photographers like myself who have so much to learn and so many things we hope to achieve.
Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of knowing David through the forum, as he very sadly passed away before I became involved, but I know for certain having spoken to other members that he was a huge and positive presence, and that his many contributions and words of kind encouragement have touched and had an enormous influence on many, many people. So much so that the Forum members were inspired to create an entirely new award as part of the Socieites programme in his honour, with a specific purpose: to encourage newer photographers and those who didn't tend to enter competitions or who had not won awards to put their work forwards and to get involved.
The standard of photography entered in the SWPP competitions is consistently remarkable, and the thought of trying to compete at any level is - I can say in all honesty - extremely daunting, to the point that I had completely shyed away from doing so. Then, suddenly, this particular competition arrives, and having read the story and the principle behind it I finally felt ready to take a deep breath and submit a photograph. It was an open competition so could cross many genres. The image I chose was a favourite from last year, taken as part of a family portrait session in the late summer light out in the Hampshire countryside.
The entries were judged by David Routledge's family, which makes it even more special to me to have been fortunate enough to have been chosen, and it really was an honour to meet Nicky and her and David's family on stage and receive my award from them - a beautiful glass trophy which had been provided through the kind contributions of Forum members.
An incredible moment, and something that I know I will always look back on fondly and with great pride. I'm determined to keep it up now and start entering the various other competitions, but whatever happens this one will be right there at the top! Thank you Nicky and family, SWPP and Forum members - you've made me incredibly happy and the award is very gratefully received, I hope very much in the spirit in which it was created.
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After the weather we've had over the last month it seems like a miracle now that the skies were a brilliant blue and the sun was out in all its glory for this one. It was the first (but not the last - looking forward to a return in a few months) time I've photographed at this superb stately home on the river Itchen in the heart of Hampshire and, well, what can I say? It's absolutely stunning!
The reception and ceremony rooms were bathed in that wonderful light that you only get this time of year and simply oozed timeless class and quality. It's a real testament to a wedding venue when even in the depths of winter the grounds still look beautiful, and even the peacocks saw fit to put in a bit of an appearance (although not quite to the extent of a recent wedding at Greens Barn in Surrey when a chicken tried to steal the limelight in the middle of the speeches!).
Just because the sun's out doesn't mean it's warm however, so after a lovely and intimate ceremony, champagne and a few photos around the house we moved swiftly on to the Hotel du Vin for drinks, canapes and the wedding breakfast. You don't see many proper banqueting tables these days but it really is a way for a smaller wedding party to celebrate in style, and the cozy corners, low lights and wood-pannelled walls created a wonderful sense of warmth throughout.
...and then another relocation for the evening party, down to the other end of the city to No. 5 Bridge Street for music and - another first for me - magic! It might sound a little cheesy to say that, impressive as it was it didn't quite match the magic of the rest of the day, but I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true!
An absolutely beautiful wedding making the most of Winchester's many treasures! Many congratulations Miranda and Alan, and a Happy New Year to you both.
Friends and family can, as always, view the full wedding gallery and slideshow in the client area but will need to ask Miranda and Alan for the password.
If you are planning your wedding in Winchester, whether at Avington Park, the Hotel du Vin, or any other of its many beautiful wedding venues, do please feel free to get in touch to discuss your photography and ways in which I may be able to help you.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you liked the photos. Back again soon with the story of my final wedding of 2012...
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I've been a member of the SWPP for around 18 months now, and among the many excellent services it provides to photographers is a series of qualification standards to work towards. Initially I had in fact put forward a selection of images just for independent mentoring and feedback - a great way to challenge yourself and gain the insight and critique of a number of well established and experienced professionals of the highest standard. The report came back, and attached to it was a cover letter saying that on the recommendation of the judges it had automatically been put forward for Licentiate consideration, and approved.
I'm extremely proud to be able to put the letters LSWPP after my name. It's confirmtion from a professional body that my photography is of a standard they are happy to put their names to, and hopefully demonstrates to my clients the standard and consistency they can expect from my services. It also gives me a very valuable insight into my own position within the photographic world. It does however mean I'm going to have to get some new business cards printed!
The process required me to submit a panel of 20 photographs from weddings I had photographed which demonstrated my imput as a photographer, technical application of photographic skills and techniques, composition, lighting and creative interpretation. I made my selection from three of the weddings I covered this summer - I wanted them to be recent and true to my standard to that the feedbak would be entirely relevant - and tried to show a wide range of photographs from different scenarios: bridal preparations, formal posed group shots, indoors and outdoors in different lighting conditions, black-and-white and colour. I won't put all 20 images up here as they'll take up a fair bit of space, but I've added a quick selection from the panel to give you an idea. I suspect that if you've been following the blog you'll recognise some of the photos from other posts.
So a big thank you to the SWPP, to the four different judges and assessors who viewed my submission and kindly provided their feedback and insight, and also to Dominique & Matt, Jane & Tom, and Kirsty & Scott, whose weddings together provided the photos I submitted.
If you're thinking of having your wedding at Avington Park please do feel free to contact me to discuss photography packages and options.
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At the same time however I very strongly believe that the photography doesn't need to dominate or in any way take over the day. With good planning and an understanding of every couple's needs and wishes it is perfectly possible to put together a schedule for the day which ensures that all of the photos you want are captured, whilst at the same letting you and your guests focus on the most important thing: the celebration of your wedding and the start of your new lives together.
I thought it might be useful to give an example of a wedding day from my side of the lens. This is taken from a real wedding in 2012 - one I consider to be a good example of a 'typical' wedding (although of course there is no such thing) with regards timings, features, guests and photographic requirements. Of course nothing is set in stone, and as I only ever take on one wedding on any given day and am entirely at the disposal of the bride and groom I can easily accommodate all sorts of schedules, but if this raises a few useful points and provides some areas for consideration as you plan how to fit the photography into your day, then it's served its purpose. For the sake of variety I've illustrated it with a selection of images from a number of different weddings, but if you'd like to see the full set from the particular day I've described you are very welcome to contact me and I will make them available to you.
Fair warning: this is going to be quite a bit longer than my usual blog posts, but then a wedding is a long day! If you make it to the end, then I hope it made for an interesting read. Id be interested to know your thoughts - feel free to comment below.
Breakfast... A guilt-free pile of things fried and grilled; I'll be burning up a lot of energy today! I double-check my preparations from the night before: batteries charged, memory cards formatted, lenses cleaned and everything in the bag. The a final run-through of the photo checklist which the couple returned the week before, and I re-read my notes once again from the meetings and conversations we have had over the last few months (I'll have all my notes with me through the day for reference but like to have it all planned out in my mind), then it's time to get moving - not far to go, just a 20 minute drive to the hotel.
10:00 - Arrive for initial bridal preparation photos... A quick visit at this stage. I'm holding back on the key hair and make-up shots until later in the morning, once the hairdresser and make-up artist have worked their magic. Arriving at this early stage can be really useful however: I really enjoy capturing the relaxed and informal moments, the little bits which all count as part of the build-up, and of course it's also a great opportunity to meet some family members, bridesmaids and very often children running around. Taking photos of them all later in the day is much easier if they've already met me, albeit briefly. Now is also the time to take some early detail shots which might not be available later on: the dress hanging, the shoes, jewellery still in its box... There's a real excitement building as the day gets started - cards are arriving, close family members try and pop their heads around the door to get a glimpse of the bride. Lots of smiles, and lots of opportunities for intimate, candid photos. I try not to stick around for too long though and to stay out of the way, so I'm there in the background for perhaps 20 minutes, satisfy myself that I've covered the first part of my list, and then time to step back and let the bridal party get on with it.
10:30-11:15 - Establishing shots... While the bridal preparations continue I nip outside to get a few early photos of the venues before they start to fill with guests. The church and reception venue are both nearby but not quite walking distance, so I do a tour in the car. I photograph the church from several different angles, and make sure that I capture details as well as the bigger picture: the church sign, the flowers which have already been delivered and arranged... Similar at the hotel, but it won't have been fully set up yet for the wedding breakfast so just some outdoor shots for now. All the time I'm keeping an eye on the weather. I visited the church at the time the wedding will be taking place a couple of weeks ago as I haven't photographed there before, and we've agreed a plan for the group photos, but of course a break in the weather can change everything on the day. Happily today the skies are clear. In fact the sun is blazing, and if anything it's the direct sunshine rather than rain which might cause a problem as the light might just be too strong and cause excessive shadows on peoples' faces. The spot we've chosen for the groups has lots of options though for shade as well as open space, so it won't be a problem, and I know that we'll definitely be taking them outside!
On the way back to the hotel I've just got a few moments to spare to call in on the groom, getting ready at his own house - it wasn't specified as a 'must have' in the photo list but it's an opportunity to say a quick hello and take a few photos of some moments which the bride and other guests wouldn't have seen otherwise. Also a good chance to meet the ushers before the ceremony as they are they ones who will be helping me to round up friends and family for the group photos later. It always makes me smile how, if anything, the groom's party is if anything more nervous than the bride's at this stage (the obsessive checking of the best man's pockets every five minutes to be certain he hasn't lost the rings is probably a big part of this!).
11:15 - Back to the hotel for the last of the bridal preparation photos... Finishing touches are being applied now to the bride's hair and makeup; the bridesmaids are done and in their dresses. Now's the time for some more creative shots making use of the hotel room - natural light at the windows, mirrors, doorways for framing, and the bride is looking stunning. While the dress goes on I take the opportunity to photograph some other members of the wedding party, and then it's attention focused back on the bride as she comes back into the room in her dress. I take a few of her on her own, then we head outside into the hotel's gardens once the final guests have left for the church to take a few with her and the bridesmaids together, and with her father (one of the important shots specified on the list). At this point I go on ahead to the church - we'd agreed that photos of guests arriving and mingling, and the bride arriving in the car there were more important to them than photos of the wedding party leaving the hotel (but I do take a moment to get some images of the car on the way past). The it's back on the road...
11:45 - The church... A good number of guests are already mingling outside and the ushers are at their posts by the entrance. I pop inside to say a quick hello to the vicar and take a few photos of the church interior before it starts to fill up. We spoke about what's permitted from a photography point of view through the ceremony (I've got quite a free reign as long as I stay to the back and sides of the church unless I'm invited forwards for key moments - great news as it means I can cover several different angles which will make the photos more interesting and varied, and give me a line of sight on all of the guests at some point through the ceremony). Then back outside for informal photos of the guests - I'll take more of the guests inside once it's fuller - keeping a look out for the bridesmaids turning up. A really busy part of the day for me here - I've got a good half-dozen different things to cover in a short space of time, so I'm moving around a lot, making sure I've got all of the key photos covered but also always on the look-out for a little moment; a hug between old friends and family who haven't seen each other for a long time, an interesting angle... As people move inside I head to the front where the groom and best man are stood trying to keep themselves occupied, straightening buttonholes and chatting with some of the closer guests. A nod from one of the ushers tips me off that the bride will be pulling up outside in a minute or two.
I get myself into position for the car arriving, take a quick few photos with everyone outside, and then I'm back in the church and heading to the front ready to capture the important moment of the bride walking down the aisle. I've only got a few seconds here before I have to step to the side, and then we're into the ceremony. Timing is important here - I'm anticipating what's going to happen when and getting myself into position for the readings, the exchange of rings, the kiss... If I move to a new spot, I try and do so while the congregation are singing so it's not disruptive at all, and although my camera is quiet I'm also making sure that the shutter isn't firing during the quieter parts of the ceremony. In what seems like no time at all I'm back up at the front for the signing of the register - I take a couple of photos here as requested and then step to one side so that everyone else can get their own cameras out. During the final hymn I head to the back of the church, ready for the bride and groom to walk back down the aisle, and that's it - they're married.
We've planned to take the close family photos and 'time-out' photos early. While the church was lovely inside, as it's near the centre of town they didn't want group photos immediately outside, but there is a lovely spot just around the corner which thy were keen to make use of so, after some time spent with guests (another great opportunity for me to capture some candids with loads of natural smiles) and the big confetti shot, we head over there with parents, brothers and sisters. Family photos first, and then as everyone else makes their way to the reception venue I stay back with the bride and groom and we take another 20 minutes to take some photos just of them with the beautiful backdrop. Then they're off, and straight away I'm back into my own car and looking to get to the reception venue before them (the driver has been asked to head there at a leisurely pace, which gives the couple some extra time alone to let it all sink in before the rest of the celebrations begin. They've got a bottle of champagne in the back and a couple of glasses... I'm sure they'll be fine!).
13:45 - Drinks, canapés and the rest of the group photos... We've got a good amount of time here before everyone sits down for the wedding breakfast as the couple are keen to spend as much time as possible with their guests so I leave them to it for a while. Now's the time to head into the dining room - it's all set up and looking fantastic, a beautiful oak-panelled hall with a top table along one side and round tables throughout the room for the rest of the guests. It's nice to get some photos of the room at this point before everyone comes in, and I'm also on the look-out for little details: place names, flowers, wedding favours, the cake... The light in the room is superb, streaming in from high windows - great choice for a reception venue!
Then it's back outside for the rest of the group shots in a charming little garden area. The ushers are invaluable, finding people and bringing them over just as they're needed, so we can work through the list really efficiently without causing too much disruption, but still without needing to rush the photos at all. Really pleased with how these ones are looking. To finish we bring everyone together for the main group shot, which very conveniently means that all the guests are in one place to be invited into the hall for the wedding breakfast.
15:00 - Wedding breakfast, speeches (and some time to review)... I'm in the hall ready for the bride and groom to be announced and make their entrance. Speeches are taking place after the meal, so I take some table shots as people sit down and the wine starts flowing, and then I'm in and out of the room in short bursts while the meal is served. No need to be too intrusive; photos of people eating aren't necessarily flattering but at the same time there are lovely reaction shots to be had as people start to relax so I'm very much choosing my moments and scanning the room from afar with the large zoom lens. When I'm not in the hall taking photos I take a few moments to bolt some food down and restore the energy levels, and also have a good review of the photos taken so far, working through the photo checklist, making sure that I've caught everything and everyone I had planned to by this stage. As I see the desserts come out I round up all my kit and head back in ready for the speeches.
The speeches go really well - lots of laughter and smiles, some really touching moments, and I get some very sweet photos of the bride and groom catching each others' eyes as the best man shares a few choice anecdotes. The cake is cut as a finale to the wedding breakfast, and we're approaching the end of photos specified on the list. I'll be around for a few more hours though...
17:30 - Time to relax (for the wedding party)... Everyone leaves the hall so that it can be turned around for the evening party. There is plenty of space for people to spread out in, and as the sun is still blazing many head outside. I'm back onto the candid shots, but also have a quick check with the bride and groom if there are any other people they would specifically like photos with which weren't on the list. As we've got some time they suggest a few more, and as additional evening guests arrive we're able to catch some with other friends who weren't present for the ceremony. The band's setting up downstairs and I nip in as the sound and lights are being tested to check the lighting levels or later on. It's quite dark and there are going to be a lot of colourful lights around the room so I decide that the flash will be coming out later on - double check the batteries are fully charged as they can absolutely eat power when you're in the middle of the action. Lots of fun around the bar area, and people are starting to pull themselves into groups and asking for photos - very happy to oblige!
19:15 - Start of the evening party... All the guests from the day and those who have arrived for the evening are asked to return to the hall to receive the bride and groom. This gives me a final few moments alone with them so we have a little chat about the day - everything's gone perfectly for them, and like so many couples I speak to they find it hard to believe how quickly everything flies by. Not to worry - I can remember from my own wedding how it only really starts to sink in once you're on your honeymoon and have some real time to remember it all. I tell them I'll send through a few sneaky peek photos which they should receive by the time they touch down in the States which will no doubt help bring back a few of those memories. Then I'm back in the hall, they're coming down the stairs to huge applause, and the first dance kicks off the rest of the celebrations.
I stick around for another hour or so - there are new guests to photograph, the buffet's coming out and the dance floor’s packed so some really fun action shots to be had - another chance to get creative with colours and camera techniques. A final run through the checklist to assure myself that everything's been covered, and a quick final word with the bride and groom so see if there is anything else they would like. They can't think of anything, so I congratulate them once again, hunt down the ushers and other members of the wedding party who have been so helpful and accommodating throughout the day, and leave everyone to enjoy the rest of the evening. Shame to leave the band though - they sounded excellent!
Home... First things first - food, and the luxury of sitting down for a while! I've still got a few jobs left though, most importantly downloading and backing up all of the day's photos. That's about an hour and a half, but apart from switching cards over I can leave the computer to get on with it. I'm keeping one eye on the photos as they download though, watching for any which leap out at me which I could pull out and send through as a quick preview. A quick check through my kit as well - I've managed not to leave anything behind, and no nasty knocks or surprises. That will do for now - the photos are safe and secure, I'm happy with what I've seen from my first glance, and tomorrow I've got a whole lot of editing to look forward to!
It's a great location for a shoot, definitely one I'll be using again as there are so many options (as long as you don't mind your feet getting a little muddy) and I managed to get into some interesting positions without falling in the river once, so a big success all round as far as I'm concerned!
I'm really looking forward to this winter wedding - it sounds like it's going to great fun, with a real Christmas-ey feel (carols at the reception at East Horton Golf Club, and the church should be looking superb with Christmas itself only just out of the way and all the decorations lighting it up). Short winter days mean that the sun will be hanging low in the sky when we get to the main photos after the ceremony, and we're keeping fingers crossed for a lovely warm light - one of the great advantages of a wedding at this time of year; even if there's less daylight available, that which is can be absolutely beautiful.
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In an interesting twist, I was asked to over the groom's, rather than the bride's, preparations this time, so slightly fewer hairdressers and make-up artists present and slightly more checking that the rings were indeed still safe. The first view we got of Sophie - looking absolutely stunning in an elegant white dress - was when she arrived at the church with her father in a VW camper, by which time Tony was safely inside. The church itself looked great and was filled with light - great news for a photographer - and as an extra bonus had a balcony area above the entrance looking right down the aisle which meant a real variety of shots from different angles, wide and close-in.
We took smaller family and group photo outside the church immediately after the service, before hitting the road for the 45 minute journey to the reception venue. The Old Greens Barn has very recently been renovated and opened up as a venue - in fact I think Sophie and Tony are one of the first couples to use it - and I can see it becoming very popular. The barn itself is stunning and has been very sympathetically converted, and it's set in the most fabulous grounds. Add to that the fact that you have the whole place to yourself (and the added excitement of the occasional chicken wandering into the marquee from the farm) and it makes it somewhere very special. The old wooden beams gave heaps of character to the main room as the meal and speeches took place, and the rolling Surrey countryside provided the backdrop to more outdoor photos before the sun set on us and the party relocated to the marquee.
A beautiful couple, a beautiful day and with their new home moved into the week before, a perfect start to Sophoe and Tony's new married life together. Congratulations Mr & Mrs Cook - it was an absolute pleasure to be there with you on such a wonderful day!
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If you are thinking of getting married at St Mary's or the Old Greens Barn and are considering your photography options, please do get in touch for a chat and a quote and we would of course be only too happy to discuss your requirements and answer any questions you might have.
]]>It's always really refreshing when you have the opportunity to photograph somewhere different, and this was a wonderful opportunity to set myself a bit of a challenge and take a step outside the usual comfort zone. Having been to Venice a couple of times before I've already got stacks daylight, colour photos of gondolas bobbing about, twisty alleyways and all the rest, and while it's difficult to go wrong with a camera out there really as there is beauty and interest everywhere you look, I've tried to capture some perhaps more unusual shots. So out came the Infra Red lens during the day, and then in the evenings and into the night proper it was long exposures, light trails from passing water taxis and an attempt to convey some of the atmosphere. I'll let you be the judge of whether I've actually managed that or not...
The first three are a quick taster of what I was trying to achieve, and then I've thrown in a couple of extras from the job itself to give a little context.
Getting maried in Venice? I'm happy to travel!
This wedding actually came to me at pretty short notice after their original photographer was unable to make it on the day, but fortunately we still had enough time for all the preparations and the pre-wedding shoot, and by the day of the wedding itself we had got to know each other very well, which is always the ideal situation - I really like to feel that I know what a couple is looking for from their photographs, what their tastes in images are, how they feel and act in front of the camera and so on. It certainly helps me, but more importantly it means that on the day there is nothing for the bride and groom to worry about on the photo front, and they can concentrate on the most important thing: the celebration of their marriage.
Kirsty's preparations took place at the hotel, which only gave one cause for concern: Elmers Court is in Lymington, and the ceremony was taking place in Romsey, which - and those of you who know the New Forest will fully appreciate this I'm sure - meant a dash right through the Forest in peak holiday season. The good news was that while my car isn't exactly a Ferrari, the wedding party was travelling in a vintage bus which (just about) gave me the advantage!
The it was back to Elmers Court for the rest of the day - an intimate meal with close friends and family in a beautiful banqueting hall, plenty of time-out phots with Kirsty and Scott in and around the hotel's fabulous grounds, stretching right down to the Solent and offering views across to the Isle of Wight, and building up to a big party in the evening.
Anyway, enough words from me - I'll let the rest of the photos do the talking from here...
All of the images (and there are plenty!) are now up in Kirsty and Scott's gallery to view along with the slideshow, but you'll need to ask them for the password.
If you're considering Elmers Court Wedding or any other New Forest venue for your wedding and are looking for a photographer, do please fel free to get in touch and discus how I may be able to help you.
And now I'm off to pack my bags - next stop Venice! (Looking forward to blogging that one when I get back).
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Everything was scheduled to take place close-by: preparations at the Winchester Hotel, the ceremony at Christ Church in St Cross (right next to the main University campus, where Becky and Matt met), and the reception up at the University's superb West Downs Campus - great news at it meant we were really able to make the most of the time through the day. We were also able to pop in to Peninsula Barracks, just around the corner from the church, for some family and time-out photos on the way. The Barracks do make a lovely backdrop, but we had been warned that it's quite a popular spot for wedding couples which can wind up the residents a bit, so we didn't stick around more than was necessary. Plenty more to be getting on with anyway!
With main photos out of the way it was on with the celebrations, and more guests arriving for the evening (where they had an excellent band playing - forgive me for not remembering their name).
So congratultions Mr and Mrs Coe - a fantastic wedding and a wonderful start to your married lives together!
Friends and family can view the full set of photos and the slideshow in Becky and Matt's private gallery, but as ever you'll need to ask them for the password.
If you're thinking of using West Downs as a wedding venue and are looking for a photographer, why not get in touch and I'd be delighted to talk through the options with you.
]]>But that's all for the future - in the meantime here are just a couple of photos from the shoot to whet your appetite.
We did quite a bit of shooting into the light to really accentuate the warmth of the sun, and gorgeous little Isla was having a whale of a time rushing around the cornfield. With my portrait sessions, much as with my wedding photography, I really like to capture the connection between people (and on this occasion the connection between Isla and her bunny as well!) so there was lots of messing around and generally having a good time.
The photos in amongst the trees are part of the path which forms the South Downs Way stretch between Winchester and Cheriton. It's got some real atmosphere and the trees seem to wrap themselves right around the path offering wonderful framing for images. And then to wrap up, a quick hop across the road to catch the last of the light as the sun set and a bit of a play with silhouettes.
A lovely way to spend a summer evening, and thanks Isla for all the twigs and sticks of corn!
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Plenty more photos to come...
Congratulations Kirsty and Scott, it was an absolute pleasure being your wedding photographer and I can't wait to show you the rest!
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Cheryl had spent months planning everything down to the final detail, and when it all came together everything looked fantastic. The ceremony room had a total makeover - unrecognisable from the time that we visited as part of their pre-wedding shoot. This was due to a very large part to Cheryl and Edd's mothers, who had spent hours that morning covering chairs, tying sashes and tucking silver butterfiles in around the hotel.
I have a suspicion that a big part of Edd wanting to get ready back in the centre of Bude was so that he could have a good long ride in the vintage Mustang he arrived in - a beautiful classic car, all gleaming chrome and deep red leather, with Edd looking extremely cool posing behind the wheel. So cool in fact that everyone else wanted photos posing with it too - we took a lot of photos of that car!
Despite the interesting Summer weather we've been experiencing this year, the sun still managed to put in an apearance or two through the course of the day. It wasn't the case all the way through though - in fact as I was driving back from meeting up with Edd earlier in the morning the rain had come down so hard that I'd had to pull over, as the windscreen wipers couldn't keep up! However, if anything the moody skies and the wind seemed to actually add to the photos when we were able to get outside for some shots of the two of them, providing some really strong backgrounds and colours and very in keeping with drama of the coastline.
Although it wasn't a late-starting ceremony by any means - Cheryl swept down the aisle on her father's arm at around midday - the rest of the day seemed to absolutely fly by. Probably a big part of this was due to the wonderful group of friends and family they had invited who were having a great time wherever you looked. Group photos were taken inside; the rain had been blown away by then but the wind was too strong to really think about asking everyone to come outside. Luckily the venue had some nice interesting corners and backdrops which meant that we were still able to draw all of the groups together and keep the photos interesting too - we'd discussed all this when we'd met up before so we already had the plans in place.
And before we knew it we were on the the party, with live music and DJ, the pool table (and Freddie the dog!) making a guest appearance. The whole wedding was huge fun from start to finish, a really beautiful day for a fantastic couple. Congratulations Cheryl and Edd - wishing you many, many years of happiness together!
Friends and family can view the wedding slideshow and the full selection of photos in Cheryl and Edd's gallery at http://www.stephen-duncan-photography.co.uk/cornwall-wedding-widemouth-manor-cheryl-and-edd (but you'll need to ask them for the password first).
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So this is just a taster for the moment - plenty more to come, but of course no-one gets to see them before Mr and Mrs Coe. Friends and family can also view all of the preview photos individually in the wedding gallery, although you'll need to ask Becky or Matt for the password.
Congratulations on a wonderful wedding Becky and Matt - it sounds like you've got an amazing honeymoon lined up, and I can't wait to show you the rest of the photos when you return!
Kirsty and Scott had asked that we met up at Lepe for the shoot as is a particularly special place for them - it was here that Scott proposed, and we were able to go right to the spot (or at least the point closest to it, as the tide was in this time) to mark the occasion. We took in a few other viewpoints while we were there, with deep blue sea waters, the occasional seagull, and the Isle of Wight in the background. There are all sorts of fantastic angles and details there - it's a great place for photography. I hadn't been there for ages, but I'll definitely be back!
After a good amount of time exploring a few different points up and down the waterfront we were also able to take a few moments to pop down the coast to their reception venue - Elmer's Court in Lymington; a beautiful country house hotel in the New Forest with grounds sweeping down to the solent and yachts bobbing in the background. Dark wooden panels on the walls, huge stone fireplaces and gorgeous secret gardens across the grounds... it's only a couple of weeks away now and I can't wait! We cooked up a few ideas for some of the group shots which should make them stand out a bit, and also time out with the two of them - it's going to be a lot of fun! I won't give away any of the secrets now but it's going to be rich in photo opportunities from start to finish...
But anyway, enough from me - here are just a select few more from the shoot. There are plenty more photos up in Kirsty and Scott's gallery, but you'll need to ask them for the password. And don't forget to come by again in a few weeks for a selection of photos from the day itself.
A Winchester Guildhall wedding on the day of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. I've had to split Dominique and Matt's wedding blog in two as it was such a fantastic day - and I got so carried away with the cameras - that I ended up with a huge set of photos to choose from. I was with them from the early preparations - the arrival of the flowers, the hair and makeup, the bridesmaids trying to cope with the logistics of threading and tying about a mile of ribbon for their dresses! - right through to the first dance and the party, and everything in between. So this post covers the build-up and the ceremony itself, whilst in part 2 you will find photographs from the time out we took with just the two of them, the wedding breakfast and speeches, and the first dance.
You might just have noticed that there were some Diamond Jubilee celebrations taking place recently. In Winchester the main street party happened to be arranged for the day of the wedding, and right outside the Guildhall. Local radio, rock choir, street entertainers... the works! I'd been lying awake thinking of contingency plans to make sure that Dominique and Matt would get all the photos they wanted with everything else that would be going on around them, but thankfully on the day itself it didn't really affect things at all (except for the huge bonus shout-out from the DJ on the stage outside and massive cheers and applause from hundreds of Winchester residents when they emerged onto the Guildhall steps after the ceremony for the confetti!).
In fact the whole day was really relaxed and fun, very largely due I think to how at ease the bride and groom were and how well they had planned it all. The preparations took place out near Marwell in a house full of bridesmaids, family, shoes and dresses, and then it was a quick drive across the back lanes of Hampshire to Winchester for the rest of the day.
The Guildhall is a great venue for weddings - very grand with high ceilings and wood-panelled walls, and everything you would need in one place -with all sorts of different options for the ceremony, the reception and the party. The room where the wedding itself took place was a photographer's dream, bathed in light from the massive windows.
The bride and groom both looked simply stunning and the ceremony was beautiful. And then they were Mr and Mrs Hancock, emerging onto the steps outside to be bombarded with confetti - husband and wife!
After a few more photos? Just click here for images from the rest of the day - portraits of the bride and groom, wedding breakfast, speeches and first dance...
Family and friends can also access the full gallery which includes the slideshow of the day (but you'll have to ask Dominique and Matt for the password first)...
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It's wonderful when a bride and groom really want to make the most of their wedding photography and head off for some time alone and some special shots just of the two of them, and Dominique and Matt certainly fall into this category. Despite it being a very full day with lots of guests present, they made sure that they had set aside a good amount of time (it doesn't have to take over the rest of the day - here half an hour was easily enough and then it was straight back to the celebrations) between the ceremony and wedding breakfast to head out into Winchester, moving away from the city centre and avoiding the chaos of the Diamond Jubilee (fortunately, after more than a decade living in the middle of the city I know a lot of great little hidden spots across Winchester and the surrounding areas). The weather was great, the flowers were in bloom and the bride and groom looked quite simply beautiful!
And then it was back to Winchester Guildhall to continue the celebrations - the wedding breakfast and speeches, cutting of the cake, the first dance... (all down in the Courtyard Restaurant) and then on into the party. The colours and decorations were amazing, the cake looked wonderful, the guests were most definitely up for a good time... A brilliant wedding from start to finish. Combine this with a fortnight's honeymoon and you've got the recipe for a perfect start to a long and happy marriage, and no doubt in sixty years' time when Dominique and Matt hit their very own Diamond Jubilee the memories will still be strong!
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hancock - it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of your day!
Dominique and Matt's family and friends can acess the full photo selection and watch the slideshow set to music here - but remember, you'll need to ask them for the password first.
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A really fun day from start to finish, and with everything happening in one place they were really able to make the most of the Guildhall and its surroundings. Despite happening on a Sunday it wasn't exactly the quietest of days in the city centre as it just happened to coincide with Winchester's jubilee celebrations - cue the local radio DJ giving them a huge shout-out as the newly-married couple arrived on the Guildhall steps after the ceremony, to the cheers of hundreds of members of the public! The celebrations however didn't intrude on the day, and as well as managing to get outside for some family group shots (especially important with so many of the family having travelled huge distances to be part of the celebrations) we were able to sneak off and get some lovely photos of just the two of them in some tucked-away corners.
So just a couple of photos for now: the bridesmaids, the ceremony, the Guildhall steps and some time out. Plenty more to come!
Congratulations Dominique & Matt on a wonderful start to your married lives together!
If you like what you see it would be great to hear from you.
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(Friends and family can log in to view the slideshow and the full selection of photographs in their wedding gallery - Password protected)
We had travelled from Winchester the night before so that we knew we could be there right from the start as this promised to be a stunning day from start to finish, and we didn't want to miss a moment. After days of heavy grey skies during the build-up, we awoke to blazing sunshine, and those early shots really show off the venue in all its glory.
The ceremony was to take place at Pembroke College - as alumni of the University Tom had the opportunity to use the chapel and the college's grounds for the wedding and they were without question absolutely beautiful! The chapel itself was an interesting room with the seating arranged along the sides and facing inwards - as slightly different perspective to the pews we often see in church weddings. And then all around were arched doorways, cloisters, hidden corners and old stone, superbly kept and oozing character.
With Tom staying in the College's rooms we were able to join him for breakfast (and sneak in a few photos of him getting ready - looking impressively cool and collected!) before relocating to the Double Tree Hilton Hotel a short walk away (the same walk that Jane would be doing with her father in a few hours' time) for the bridal preparation shots.
By the time Jane was ready and in her magnificent wedding dress (perfectly achieving the few extra minutes of fashionable lateness which is her perogative!) her father was on hand to escort her to the Chapel. The walk between the venues was great fun, and a literal traffic-stopper (apologies to anyone who was trying to drive through the middle of Cambridge at the time!). And then the grand entrance, the charming ceremony with Brian the Chapel's priest adding a lovely, personal touch to proceedings, the kiss... and married!
We were able to capture a few photos around the grounds after the ceremony but by now unfortunately the blue skies had drifted away and some rather threatening-looking clouds were drifting in to replace them, so the whole wedding party walked in procession to the Double Tree Hotel for the rest of the celebrations.
Champagne, canapes and a string quartet, confetti, wedding breakfast, some really touching speeches (with Tom taking the opportunity to try out the i-pad onscreen speech note approach, which I can confirm works extremely well) - it was an absolutely classic wedding from start to finish. And then it was time for the party. It started with the first dance (very nicely choreographed - well done guys!) and then the rest...
I mentioned back in my blog about Jane and Tom's pre-wedding shoot that Jane is pretty handy on the dancefloor, and the salsa crew she dances with had a little something up their sleeves with a special routine to kick off the evening's celebrations. Now when a large proportion of your wedding guests are also extremely talented salsa dancers, you're going to end up with a pretty crowded dancefloor and - lo and behold! - that's exactly how it happened. The party went on waaaay into the night (doubly impressive considering they'd all - Jane and Tom included - been out in the salsa clubs the night before as well!).
An absolutely stunning wedding - far too much to squeeze into this little blog post, so I'll leave it here and let you scroll down into (just a very few of) the photos from the day. If you ask Jane and Tom for the pasword you can see the full set in their private viewing gallery, including the slideshow selection which we've put together for them.
Thanks again Jane and Tom for letting us be part of your fantastic wedding day, and wishing you many many happy years together!
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(If you're looking for the client area with all of the photos from the day you can find them here).
The venue itself - it was the first time I've photographed a wedding there - was an inspired choice. A classic country house hotel deep in one of the most picturesque corners of Hampshire (the sort of place where perfect little villages and idyllic country pubs lie just around every corner), it's full of dark old wooden panels and hidden corners, landscaped grounds and then a superb, high vaulted ceiling in a ceremony room which simply lets the light flood in. Throw in a few peacocks (at least I think that's what they were - I know what the colourful blue males look like of course but the brown females I'm not so sure) wandering around the grounds and a huge marquee for the party and you've got a recipe for success! Oh, and the shoes of course. More on those later...
Lindsay stayed over the night before so her preparations were taking place up in her room, while Richard took care of the 1000 (! - yes, really!) origami paper cranes that they had made by hand for distribution around the venue. The story is that this number of cranes brings good luck to your future married life, and they've certainly earned it putting that many together. They turned up as place names, as hanging decorations, in amongst the flowers... pretty much anywhere there was a flat surface. A really nice little touch.
The bride looked stunning, sweeping down the hotel's grand staircase with her father in a beautiful white dress. Richard didn't know quite what to expect (Lindsay and I had had a quick chat about it when we did the pre-wedding photo-shoot) but I think I can confidently say that he was left pretty speechless when she entered the room. The ceremony itself was lovely, made all the more personal by the fact that Lindsay knew the registrar conducting it through work. I've seen this a couple of times now at other weddings and, while in my experience registrars are always extremely lovely people, you can definitely see it when there is an extra special connection there.
Glasses of Pimms, group photos, speeches and the wedding breakfast - it all seemed to fly by. And then while the rest of the guests kept themselves busy in the marquee in anticipation of the evening's hog roast, and yet more guests arrived for the party (just as well it was a large marquee!), we were able to sneak off and take some special photos just of the two of them making use of the grounds and the colourful fields beyond. I didn't ask Lindsay and Richard to wade into the middle of the field by the way - that was my job (and just as well as it wasn't exactly the driest field in Hampshire!) - but what a backdrop!
And so to these shoes. Now I don't think I'm giving any secrets away to anyone who knows Lindsay that she's quite a fan. I won't repeat here quite how many pairs her father revealed she owned in his speech, but Imelda Marcos will be looking closely over her shoulder if she wants to retain her crown. The reception kicked off with a shoe showdown, with guests warned in advance to be wearing something special. As judge, and demonstrating remarkable impartiality, Richard had to choose a winner other than himself (for the record I personally thought his red and black cowboy boots stole the show!). By now Lindsay was well into her second pair of the day, and I'm not sure how many more she got through before the evening was through. Or on the honeymoon for that matter.
A fabulous wedding, with a genuinely lovely couple surrounded by equally wonderful friends and family. Exactly the start to their married life that Lindsay and Richard deserved. Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Mallinson, and wishing you many years of happiness ahead!
ps - if you're reading this blog post it means that all of the photos of the day are up and available to view and purchase in Lindsay and Richard's private section on the website. As with all of my wedding photography, you'll need to ask them for the password.
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The grounds of the Barracks are ideal - in fact it's apparently a very popular choice for wedding couples - with various ponds and fountains, landscaped lawns, neat rows of bushes, all of which means fantastic lead-in lines, a real sense of scale and interesting perspectives. We should have a good amount of time on the day to pass back through on our way up to the reception at the University of Winchester (looking forward to going back there again) so everything looks set for a great day's photography as part of a great wedding.
We'll be taking some in a few other spots as we go, not least up at the West Downs Campus which has some great corners inside and out with funky staircases and balconies, gardens and corridors - lots of fun to be had up there getting creative, and as a midsummer wedding we should have bags of daylight to use as well. Perfect!
Friends and family of Becky and Matt can log in to their private gallery to view the full shoot from today - you'll find it in the client area. Just make sure that you ask them for the access code first!
Thanks for your time today Becky and Matt - I really enjoyed catching up again and can't wait for the big day. Not long now...
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Brides offers a wonderfully personal service - something that was very evident by the number of current clients of theirs who popped in through the evening in search of the special something to really set off the dress they had already chosen. Without exception Michele and Laura remembered every little detail of each person's wedding as they came through the door: colour schemes, styles, venues... seriously impressive stuff and a huge testament to the principles on which they have founded their business.
Also in attendance: Jay Archer, wedding florist extraordinaire. The whole shop was scattered with the most beautiful flowers - tucked into shoes, bursting out of crystal vases... A lot of these Jay grows herself from her base in Basingstoke. Not only does this give her total control over quality and choice (seasonality is big right now - very big! - and you'll struggle to find more seasonal and original arrangements anywhere else with fruits, herbs and various scented blooms on offer), it also ticks a big box on the eco-wedding front, keeping the mileages and carbon emissions down to a bare minimum. And check out her absolute beast of a candelabra below!
Now I have to admit that as a lowly photographer shoes are slightly alien territory to me (except when I'm taking photographs of them of course), but yesterday evening was an unparalleled education. Perhaps I'm the only one out there who didn't know that the silks and satins can be precisely colour-matched to the dress, or to whatever else you fancy for that matter. The fashions and trends are fascinating - the wedding shoe industry is clearly one which sits on the cutting edge of contemporary styling.
I'm really pleased that I had the opportunity to be a part of the open evening at Brides - it gave a great insight into th amount of thought and planning, the attention to detail, which goes into creating a wedding day. There are so many people and so many different elements which go into creating the perfect day, and the key thing I saw was just how much the people here involved in the process put into making that happen.
Keep following the blog and I'll let you know the next time Brides of Winchester hold another open evening - they're a pretty regular occurrence. Congratulations to all of the brides I met yesterday - sounds like there are some superb weddings lined up around Hampshire in the next few months, and who knows, perhaps one or two of them will end up with their photos displayed here and in the client galleries in a little while?
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A beautiful couple surrounded by wonderful friends and family - a fantastic start to their married lives together. It really was a pleasure to be there and be a part of it, and if you like these just wait until you see the rest of them (sorry but no more sharing until the happy couple have seen the finished product)!
Congratulations Mr and Mrs Mallinson!
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I've really enjoyed getting out and about recently for all sorts of jobs and photoshoots - certainly racked up the miles and I've been to some fantastic venues which I hadn't visited before, but it was lovely to do this particular shoot right in the middle of town as it's my old stomping ground, having lived in Winchester for over ten years, and I think I know it pretty well. As a result we were able to go to some of my little hidden gem corners and locations and really get a feel for the sort of backdrop and scenery they might like to feature in their wedding photographs.
You're really spoilt for choice in Winchester, from the beautiful Cathedral and its surroundings, through the old winding streets around the college, little gardens tucked away out of sight, and of course the riverside walk to name just a through. A little circular tour took about an hour in total (probably a bit longer than necessary because we spent so much time chatting as we went!) but we managed to squeeze in perhaps half a dozen spots in total, without having to stray more than a few hundred meters from the Guildhall.
They're a really sweet couple, and very accommodating when it came to trying out some poses and combinations. I appreciate that it can feel a bit strange having a huge camera pointing at you like that for the first time, but they got straight into the swing of things, and while we tried our best to tuck ourselves away from the prying eyes of the general public as we went they didn't seem troubled when we had others around us as we shot.
Just a few of the images here for you to see - plenty more in their private viewing gallery (please ask Dominique or Matt for the password if you want to access these). I'm not sure we'll have quite this long to take the photos of the couple on the day - naturally they'll want to be getting back to the party - but the good thing is that now, having seen some of the locations available, we can get straight to them and we know what we're doing. Who kknows though, perhaps we'll all get so into it that we'll have even longer. In that case I've got a few other little spots up my sleeve too...
She has carved a place out at the top of the industry through an uncanny ability to isolate and capture the moment, and essence of the subject, creating powerful and often highly poignant moments, and the photos on display here display a sort of intimate beauty which also double as a sort of who's-who of pretty much anyone who has acheived some sort of fame, celebrity or notoriety from the 50s onwards.
Shooting in strong blacks and whites, and varying between portrait and landscape formats, the first thing you notice is the remarkable consistency across the series. The second is the way that whilst each image hangs together within the exhibition, each also has its own little touches, arrangements and impact which makes them unique. Sometimes staring boldly and directly at the camera, somtimes glancing subtly out of the frame in a way which seems to further heighten the intimacy of the portrait, many of the subjects seem to reveal something about themselves in the way they have interacted with the camera and the photographer.
Of course I've never met Michael Caine, Zsa Zsa Gabor, John Lennon or Richard Nixon so I've no idea how the photos actually do stack up against the personalities, but certainly the photos leave you with a sense that you have seen something elusive of the person in question. Partly I think this is the power of black and white photography and why it's so popular for portraits - distractions are removed and you are left to focus directly on the person.
One of the things which particularly struck me seeing all of these images together is how low-key many of them are in style. In commercial portraiture there has for a number of years now been a fashion for high-key photography - clean, bright backgrounds, highlights and skin tones. Here every crease, wrinkle and fold of the face is emphasised, and the subject stands out in stark contrast to the surroundings.
In one corner of the room there is a film playing in which Jane Bown talks through some of her shots and the way that her career evolved, from the very start of it all when she was packed off by the editor of the Observer in 1949 to photography Bertrand Russel and his wife having breakfast. This is the first photo you see as you enter the room, and as you move on through the perhaps 50 or 60 frames you follow a chronological progression which takes you right through and into the 21st century.
Interestingly, and as is explained in the short speil as you enter the exhibition, many of these photos are on display for the first time. These are her own choices from the frames she took at a shoot rather than the editors - many of them similar to the ones which made it in to print but persumably from her own perspective subtly different and, well, better. Apparently the editorial decision wasn't just based on the strength of the image - use of space, cropping and so on could also determine which one they went for.
So which ones did I particularly like? I'd say Ertha Kitt, Spike Lee and Orson Wells are the ones which most caught my eye. The first two are lovekly examples of the out-of-frame glance I mentioned above which captures them looking reflective and contemplative, almost lost in a private moment. Orson Wells is quite the opposite, staring boldly and directly at the lens from a side-on profile. His eyes absolutely pierce you, and the strong black background means that your own eyes can't help but keep returning to them. To be honest there were very few images there which I wasn't wowed by. I guess it also goes to show how personal portrait photography is - no doubt if you go along there your own choices would be very different from mine.
And I would urge you to do so. It's only there for a couple more weeks, so you'll have to be quick. Kudos to the Discovery Centre for putting on another fantasic and high-end photographic exhibition. If this was on show up in London I would have been tempted to go up and seek it out, so to have it right here on my doorstep - and to have it for free - is a real bonus. I remember last year going there to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition which was also fantastic, and I'll be keeping an eye out for what they bring to Winchester next.
]]>It's a fantastic little town, and the soon-to-be-wed couple are in a fantastic location, a stone's throw from the beach and surrounded by glorious countryside and rocky coastline. The wedding itself is taking place a few miles out of town, at the Widemouth Manor Hotel, so we hit the road, taking in a few locations as we went, starting with a very sweet little photography session on the clifftop where Edd got down on one knee (he stayed standing this time).
The sun was blazing and the colours were fantastic - is it possible for a sky to be too blue? - and with a bit of reflector work the images were practically leaping off the screen on the back of my camera. We took a few more photos up on the top before wandering down to the beach, out on the flats of the sand and then in amongst the rocks. Hard work to get a photo of either of them separately as they're such a close couple they stick to each other like limpets to the rocks which surrounded us. Very cute.
And the off to the venue, sat up on the top of the next headland. Views over the beach, across the bay and all the way out to Lundy Island in one direction, rolling green hills dotted with newborn lambs in the other - what's not to like? Keeping all fingers crossed for good enough weather to get down on the sand (taking maximum care of the dress, of course!) on the day itself - they've built a great amount of time into the day for photos and we're going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to locations.
A good look round the venue and a chat about plans and ideas. Cheryl's firmly in control of the decorations and I've no doubt it's going to look fabulous on the day, and Edd and I even managed to squeeze a quick game of pool in, purely in the interests of researching some other photo opportunities of course, before heading back outside as the sun started to head towards the horizon, where they very gamely assisted in playing with a few sunburst kissing shots.
Great day!
The rest of the edited photos are up in their private viewing area, but as ever you'll need to ask Cheryl and Edd for the password to access them. Roll on June and a summer beach wedding!
Everything up there is absolutely beautiful and maintained to within an inch of its life. Even the cobbles in the alleyways were gleaming. The lawns (which we were only allowed to admire from the edge on this occasion) would shame pretty much every golf course I've ever played on. Tom's priviliges extend to the rare honour of guests being permitted to congregate on the lawns after the ceremony, so we'll be making the most of that one. And then it's all little passages, columns and archways, statues and flowers... I have a funny feeling I'm going to need to pack a stack of memory cards for this one!
And in case that wasn't enough, the reception and party is going to be full of some of the finest salsa dancers around as this is where Jane reigns supreme. I'm expecting some serious shapes to be thrown and even more serious outfilts to be worn. We had a little test run with some spins and drops in the chapel (in the hope that they can be persuaded back in there for a few shots after the ceremony - I don't remember ever seeing a wedding photo quite like that before!). The Death Drop is a little alarming from where I was stood so we might have to ease up a little, but there's no denying they know what they're doing.
So, we ended up with all sorts of photos from the shoot, with a golden sun blazing throughout. So much so in fact that we had to scuttle for the shade as it was all getting a bit too much in the end. A lovely couple, really up for trying all sorts of different combinations and so naturally at ease together in front of the camera that I just can't wait to see it on the day. The only thing left to plan is how I'm going to nail the shots of them arriving by punt at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel for the reception. Might need to pack my speedos for that one!
If you'd like to see all the photos from the shoot you can find them in Jane and Tom's private gallery, but you'll need to ask then for the access code first.
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Incredibly, for all the years I've lived in Hampshire the drive to the venue was the first time I'd passed through the little villages south of Basingstoke - usually it's a case of a quick bomb up the motorway but as it was a nice day I thought I'd try the scenic route. Well, when they say scenic they're not kidding - wow! The Candovers, Cliddesden, Axford... picture postcard England. Extremely lucky to live and work in this part of the world.
And then tomorrow it's off to Cambridge for the next test shoot. It's a good few years since I was last there but I can't wait to get the cameras out up there in anger (hopefully we'll just about beat intense tourist season).
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It's also an opportunity to expand my range of services, so we will now be offering portraiture alongside my wedding photography package - for individuals, couples, families and children. There are too many things going on to list right now, especially as we approach the 2012 wedding season, so I'll keep this page updated regularly with news on weddings and other shoots, new products which we will be offering, and special offers through the course of the season.
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