Sheena and Luke chose to have their wedding at the beautiful Bassmead Manor Barns! I started the day with Sheena at her parent's house where she got ready with her girls and her two children, Charlie and Lois. I loved the way Sheena chose to do her hair on the day, especially the gorgeous handmade floral hair pieces made by 'Love From Becky'. Sheena opted for an elegant strapless A-line dress for herself, and went for mismatch pastel gowns for her maids.
Sheena and Luke met in The Rickety Barn at Bassmead for their ceremony. The room was decorated to the max with pom poms, flowers, lace and tonnes of fairy lights, it was like a fairytale! As soon as the guitarist started playing, Luke burst into tears, and he turned to watch Charlie and Lois walk up the aisle before Sheena and her father. It was such a beautiful and emotional ceremony, who knew Luke was a crier!
After the ceremony we had a fun confetti walk and a group shot before I stole the couple off for a few shots on their own. I even managed to hitch a ride in their amazing VW campervan to the photo location! The long drive at Bassmead is an ideal spot, and in July, there were some gorgeous looking pale grass fields nearby! Sheena was keen to get back to the guests so we headed back in the van, she had a surprise in store! Once we arrived and Luke exited the vehicle, the family dog bounded over to greet him! Their friend, Jamie, had gone to the effort of bringing him along to make their wedding day even more special! She had even put a little bow tie on his collar, he looked adorable!!!
The reception room and foyer were decorated to an incredible standard, with gorgeous vintage shabby chic props and signage! I particularly loved the vintage ladder table plan and of course the sweet table! Everyone settled in for dinner and the speeches, where Luke made the sweetest speech to his new wife.
After dinner there was a small gap before evening guests were due to arrive, so we made use of the time with some more photos by their Love Lights by Summer Lily Love Lights before venturing outside again for some fun and casual shots down a country lane!
I was so excited to take the pair out for their engagement session and talk more about their wedding day! They chose the stunning Barton Hills as their spot, a place they visit frequently together. We took a sunset stroll through some nearby cornfields and then headed upwards onto the chalky Chilterns. The views were incredible from up there, I will definitely have to go back again some time!
The sun gave us some incredible light, and just as it dipped I got some super cute silhouette shots for the couple! Look out for their wedding on the blog soon!
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I love so much that Martin came to me with an idea. An idea to capture his girlfriend's face when he asked her to marry him. He wanted to freeze that moment forever as he knew it would go by in a blink of an eye on the day. We came up with a plan. His girlfriend Aimee was pregnant and it was also her birthday coming up, so we planned a family/maternity photoshoot for her birthday to put her off the scent.
On the day of the shoot, we travelled to a local woodland near Woburn, where the family take walks with their gorgeous doggy! They also brought along their beautiful daughter Grace, who was loving the fact that it had recently rained, so splashed around happliy in her wellies!
I could tell Martin was super nervous... but lucky for him, Aimee didn't suspect a thing! I gave him the nod when we got to a beautiful location, a gorgeous tree lined walk with stunning light. Aimee watched while Martin and their daughter hunted in the trees. After a little exploring, the pair emerged with a small bag! Grace ran over to her mummy with the little bag explaining that she had found some treasure in the woods. Aimee was puzzled and unsure what to do with this gift, but Martin took it instead and slowly opened it up. A ring!
As Martin sunk to his knee Aimee realised what was happening, and I got to capture one of the most amazing moments ever. The whole family was in the photo - Martin, Aimee, their daughter, their dog and bump, everyone could witness the moment when Martin asked Aimee to be his wife.
I deffo cried!
I am super looking forward to this gorgeous pair's big day in April! We get on so well and I love talking through their plans for their wedding decor as we walked around the gardens. I love using the amazing stone walls of the main house in my images as they bring a gorgeous tone to the backgrounds, but equally, I spotted a wall covered in bright red leaves which looked so vibrant and made a nice point of difference in the photos. Some of my favourite shots are the sitting shots in front of the conservatory windows - these two are so cute!
Oh and also can we get some love for Maria's stunning coat choice! In love!
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The old shell of Houghton house gives such a stunning backdrop to engagement and family shoots in particular, as its old pillars and archways make for great focal points. As well as making sure that I captured some great family portraits, it was important to get the bride and groom to be, in some photos on their own together, to get used to being in front of the lens as a pair!
The day began with me spending the morning with Kristina as she got ready with her girls. They were super lucky that their room opened out onto a beautiful balcony which was a great place to photograph the girls' details. Kristina's hair and makeup were done by the talented Ieva, and I was particularly in love with their adorable cake toppers which their friend hand painted for them!
The ceremony set up was so incredibly beautiful I think I let out a squeal... It was like something out of a movie. I love the house at Chippenham park, but the little hut surrounded by woodland, water and flowers was just incredible. I love that Kristina and her bridesmaids had a long and slow walk through the trees to make it to the ceremony spot, everyone was beaming as they came into sight!
When Kristina and Jamie booked me, they told me that their wedding day would be a Cornish/German/Russian/Jewish wedding with lots of personal touches, and it really was! It incorporated so many amazing traditions from each, some that I had never heard of or seen before! For example they both had to cut their way through a bedsheet after their ceremony and step through as a new mr and mrs, which was a lovely tradition and really got the guests hyped! I loved the fact that for their ceremony they had service cards written in both German and English so all guests could understand, and all the speeches were translated for all guests to enjoy! It was amazing and truly touching to see how many guests had travelled around the world to see them on their special day.
That evening the sun put on a show for us and we had the most beautiful light! I took Kristina and Jamie out for a sunset stroll and they got some much needed alone time. We even managed to sneek back into the house which was off limits that evening and we got told off ;) It wouldn't be any fun if we didn't break any rules like we did in their engagement shoot!
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Ciara decided to book in her hair and makeup trial for that morning, so when we met up, she looked absolutely stunning! I love the idea of having a trial before your engagement session, then you can see how your look will come out in the photos before your big day!
After initially telling me that they were terrible in front of the camera, they surprised me by being incredibly adorable, giggly and cute whenever the lens was pointed at them! I seriously love the shots in front of the cute red brick houses where Luke lifts Ciara, all the amazing laughing shots and oh my that incredible sunlight peeking through the trees!
When I photographed Jude for his first ever photoshoot he was only 11 days old, and oh what a sweetie he was! His lovely parents Raffaela and David booked him in nice and early to secure a slot, and when he arrived, I visited their home with all my backdrops and accessories ready to set up and shoot! With newborns it's always best to get booked in whilst they are still under 2 weeks old for the best shots!
Jude was super well behaved and he drifted right off to sleep, the perfect little model! We chose some gorgeous natural colours in some beautiful textures to surround him whilst he slept. I particularly love his beautiful dark hair, especially when it peeks out under the cute hats!
This is the year that myself and Dan, along with so many others, GET MARRIED!!!!! I can't wait to see what this year has in store for us!
For now, I am sharing with you some of my favourite images that I took during my 2016 weddings! There have been so many amazing moments to capture throughout the course of the year: countless beautiful details, a multitude of emotional ceremonies and a huge abundance of happy couples! 2016 has been my best year of business yet and I can't want for even bigger and better things in 2017!
In September, I was super privileged to be asked to photograph my 'photography bestie' (Terri from Summer Lily Studio)'s wedding, which was a dream come true! When a photographer gets married, you know it's going to be beautiful and this was no exception!! I also visited Orlando with some of my best friends in the summer, and also began properly planning my wedding (sorry Dan 'ours')! You would think I would know exactly what I want for my own wedding, but I see so many beautiful weddings that I am super spoilt for ideas ;)
Thank you to all my amazing couples who booked me for their wedding in 2016, it was a pleasure sharing your special days with you and recording your memories for years to come. I have so many incredible couples booked in for 2017 and 2018 already and can't wait to capture your special days' soon! Bring on 2017!
But for now... sit back, pop your feet up and enjoy a look back at 2016 with me...
Meeting for the first time on their engagement shoot was so much fun, we all hit it off straight away and it's made me super excited to shoot their wedding! The pair were super giggly and smiley on their shoot which made for some gorgeous photos. Here are some of my faves from the session!
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Emma had made and piped a buttercream cake which looked incredible! She also brought along some amazing cake toppers, balloons and a gorgeous tutu for Lydia to wear!
We were unsure how Lydia would react to being placed in front of a giant cake, but as soon as she saw it, she wanted it! Tentatively placing her hand on it at first, she was soon taking fistfuls of cake and eating as much icing as she could handle! I loved seeing her explore and figure out that she could pretty much do what she wanted, it was a joy to capture!
So... cake smashes, messy but SO MUCH FUN! I hope to do more in future!
Eliza May is literally the most perfect, doll-like baby I have ever seen! After an initial struggle to drift her off to sleep, she was out completely for the rest of the session, meaning we could get all the shots that we wanted to achieve. I started out with her wrapped in a gorgeous wooden basket and then progressed into some more posed naked shots which I loved! I particularly loved the shots where Kerrie and Peter were involved, like Eliza sleeping on Peter's arm and Kerrie making a love heart with her hands around Eliza's feet. I also really love the fact that they bought her some little white converse to go with their matching pairs.
I really loved capturing this little family's journey from bump to baby and cant wait to see what the future holds for them! I hope to be visiting them again very soon for their next adventure.
The wedding itself was held at the beautiful Old Brook Barn in Navestock. The couple and their families had spent the entire day before decorating the venue and it looked... incredible!!! Lucy's parents had created hundreds of silk flowers which were scattered around the reception room and outdoor ceremony location and it literally blew me away! Lucy had designed all her own stationary and table plan, her aunt had bought all the real flowers and made up all the bouquets and buttonholes, and her mother had made their beautiful naked wedding cake! There were so many personal touches and family-made items that made the day all the more special to photograph!
The ceremony took place outside in The Secret Garden, with the vows spoken underneath a beautiful white bandstand. The look on Matt's face was so sweet when he saw Lucy walk down the aisle, everyone in the crowd were in tears! Once the ceremony was complete, I stole Lucy and Matt away for a few shots by themselves in the stunning surroundings. I loved that they hired an old vintage bicycle so we HAD to get it in a few shots along with their vintage Volkswagen Beetle! We even got a beautiful spring sunset that evening, so I took the couple out again for some romantic, dreamy shots. Sigh! After that, Lucy and her main girls all had a few sassy shots together as the sun dipped behind the trees.
The evening party did not disappoint, Lucy's cousin's band sang their first dance song acoustically, and then kicked off the party straight away with some classics! There literally was no room on the dance floor all evening, it was packed out! What should I have expected after the fun of Tristan and Emily's wedding only a week before!
I just wanted to say a big thank you to Lucy and Matt for having me capture their day, and for letting me dance the night away after! Love you guys! <3
This couple are so down to earth and fun-loving, we got on like a house on fire! They were great at coming up with plenty of ideas on how to make the shoot unique to them, which I loved! Once their baby was born, I went back to visit the couple for their newborn shoot, so keep an eye out for the session on the blog in the next few weeks!
As they met at the college, the pair were hoping to have some photos in the grounds, but due to exams, we were denied access. Lucky for us, Jamie spotted an open garage entrance with a door through to the college grounds... We ran through together in a flurry of adrenaline, managed to get some sneaky photos in the gardens and then made our way back to the back exit to escape. To our surprise it was now locked tight, we were trapped! The only way out was through the main entrance manned by a reception desk. We timed our exit perfectly and managed to walk through undetected as they were dealing with a large group trying to enter! I have never felt so relieved to be out of there, it was a hilarious experience!
Look out for this rebellious pair's wedding coming up on the blog in the next few weeks!
Only 11 days after their maternity session with me, baby Chase was welcomed into the world a little earlier than expected! Since he was out exploring early, his mummy and daddy asked if they could have his newborn shoot on his due date - 25th March! It was so lovely to meet this teeny tiny man and dress him up in the very hungry caterpillar outfit too!
I joined Emily in the morning as she did her bridal preparations at her parents house in Ewell. It was just her, her parents and her brother and his husband, the whole morning was so chilled! I was in love with all her gorgeous details and all the gorgeous light in her parent's house!
I was delighted to find the same beautiful light followed me to the Lovekyn chapel, which was super intimate and cosy. The service was incredibly emotional, Emily shed a tear during the walk down the aisle and Tristan gazed lovingly into her eyes as he spoke his vows. The guests the followed the newlyweds our into the small courtyard for their drinks reception. I had to take advantage of the adorable mint green door outside the church for some bride and groom portraits before we headed off to the river side.
The New Southern Belle was waiting for us as we approached the docks. She was a charming vintage mississippi style stern wheeler boat in a bold blue. The couple had decorated the inside with pom-poms, flowers, bunting and vintage teacups! After some amazing afternoon tea, we set out to the front of the boat for some more bride and groom portraits with the river as a backdrop. It was definitely a first for me!
Once all the formalities were out of the way, the boat headed into full on party mode! Tristan's family are South African and MAN do they know how to party! The whole boat erupted into a dance floor with both young and old joining in the fun! A traditional South African song came on and everyone was singing and chanting and doing amazing moves that I had never seen before! Truth be told, I didn't want it to end!
Back in March I visited the family to take some newborn photos of Zara at just 7 days old! She was literally the most peaceful, sleepy baby I have ever met - very laid back just like her parents! Her big sister Heidi also took part in some of the photos and loved giving her new sister kisses and cuddles!
Emily had big plans for a large family, so you never know I might be back to visit them again for more newborn shoots in future ;)
Stacey and Chris booked me in for a newborn session once their baby boy was born, which will be up on the blog over the next few weeks! They have also booked me for their wedding day next year which I am super excited about! I love being able to follow my clients through the years and capture their special memories.
I love the photos we took together, especially the ones with the sweet multicoloured beach huts. Their amazing Kingston wedding will be up on the blog soon!
I arrived with Amy bright and early at Maxwells hairdressers in Biggleswade. The air was crisp but the weather stayed dry and mild considering how close it was to Christmas! I captured the bride and her maids getting ready in the salon before popping back to Amy's parent's house to capture some of her details. Amy had chosen a stunningly elegant A-line dress with beautiful beading to the waistline. She paired this with a winter white fur cape and a dusky purple bouquet to complete the look! I loved the fact that she had thistles in her bouquet to represent the scottish side of her family.
The ceremony took place at Cambridge registry office, which was small but perfectly formed. I love the fact that they had a little christmas tree in the corner to make it feel christmassy! The ceremony was really touching, Amy and her dad shed a tear on the walk down the aisle which set everyone else off too, including the groom!
Next stop was the John O'Gaunt Golf Club in Biggleswade for the reception. I stole the newlyweds off for a bit to capture some bride and groom portraits against the setting winter sun. I love the way that the photos came out with a warm and hazy backdrop. Just divine! I made sure we had the same beautiful backdrop for the bridesmaids and groomsmen photos too as these shots are also some of my favourites to take!
After the wedding breakfast, a local band called Karizma set up to play the couple's first dance and a couple of party sets! But first Amy did a quick bouquet toss which always goes down well! Karizma learned Amy and Elliot's first dance which I thought was amazing! They played their chosen song all acoustic and slowed down and it set the tone of the evening.
My second shooter for the day Mark spent the morning with Barry and the boys while I stayed with the girls. Unfortunately the weather wasn't playing ball that morning and there seemed to be no sign of it stopping for the wedding. We didn't let the weather dampen the spirits in the girls apartment as they laughed and smiled and took selfies all morning! Leyanne had chosen a stunning bright white wedding gown with cap sleeves, sweetheart neckline and cut out back! The bridesmaid dresses were asymmetric soft peach chiffon gowns with fabric flowers to the strap - I was in love! The flowers really complimented the gowns with ivory, peach and pink blooms and just a touch of navy ribbon to the stems.
The ceremony and reception was held at the gorgeous Eversholt Hall in Eversholt, very close to Milton Keynes and Bedford. A harpist played as Leyanne and her bridesmaids walked down the aisle to a waiting Barry, it was beautiful. After the ceremony, the rain looked like it was easing, and 15 minutes later it had stopped altogether! Perfect timing! I told Leyanne and Barry it was now or never for outdoor photos, and I took them off down the road for some bride and groom portraits. The road was littered with autumn leaves and made for a wonderful backdrop, even if we did have to keep making a dash back to the path every now and again when a car came along ;)
The room had been turned around in the meantime to host the wedding breakfast and it was looking beautiful. I loved the birdcage centrepieces filled with flowers and tea lights and the fairy lights dotted around the room created an intimate atmosphere. Once the guests had eaten, one of the staff noticed that a amazingly bright rainbow had formed outside! I dashed out the door and met Leyanne and Barry dashing towards me shouting RAINBOW! The ground was wet and it was beginning to rain softly but that didn't stop us. I managed to get some shots of the couple with the rainbow before spotting the sunset around the back of the building and opting to take some there too!
In the evening the couple had a fab photobooth which some hilarious props which kept all the guest busy for hours! Leyanne's Dad's band played a couple of sets which got everyone up and dancing before the first dance kicked in later on. It was an amazing day full of family, friends, fun and so much love for this couple. Thank you Leyanne and Barry for choosing me to photograph your day, I loved every second! (I even got in the photobooth, haha!)
The pair chose the beautiful Barton Hall in Kettering to hold both their ceremony and reception back in October. I thought the house was stunning, but when I saw the orangery that they were to have their ceremony in I was so excited! The theme of the day was based around a forest green colour palette and gingerbread men, which really suited the season! The orangery was decorated with rustic crates, potted plants, handmade gingerbread men and leaves lining the aisle! I was in photo heaven! I even took all the bridal details into the orangery to photograph and give the photos the same light and airy feel. Leanne opted for a strapless, white A-line, ruched dress that nipped her in at the waist and the bridesmaids wore forest green chiffon gowns. Their daughter Lucy also had a white dress of her very own, along with a little basket of flowers and a sign saying "daddy here comes mummy" !
The pair laughed and giggled their way through the ceremony which was simply adorable, and after their first kiss they seemed relieved and elated! I had so much fun taking bridal party shots afterwards, getting the whole party to do silly poses and even capturing the groom and groomsmen leaping into the air! I stole the newlyweds off for some bride and groom portraits with the beautiful autumn leaves as a backdrop, the colours really suited their day to a tee.
The reception room was also immaculately decorated with a gingerbread cake, gingerbread men favours, sweet tree centrepieces and handmade pom poms! After the hilarious speeches - the best coming from Leanne's father who really got the room going! - I took the couple outside for one more shot. They had requested a long exposure sparkler shot back when they booked me which I was very excited to do for them! I set up my tripod, lit a couple of sparklers, ran around the bride and groom and voila - A beautiful sparkler trail shot! Definitely a bonus of an autumn wedding :)
We have known Abbi and her family for years and years, frequently going on holidays together as families and spending many weekends at each other's houses when we were younger. Nothing could stop us from flying out to attend Abbi marry the love of her life, Luke. The pair are so totally suited to each other, they really couldn't be more perfect :)
Abbi and Luke chose to get married at the Hidden Bar in Cala San Vincente, an eclectic outdoor bar decorated with bizarre found items. It was an amazing backdrop for their day, as they could decorate it however they wanted and it had such a casual laid-back atmosphere. A small beach hut was chosen to be the ceremony location, it was decorated with multicoloured ribbons and crepe paper tassels. Inside on a table was a photo of Abbi's father, Peter, so he could be with his family throughout the day. Peter made an appearance on everyone's buttonholes too, which was a lovely touch. There were no flowers used for the bouquets or buttonholes, instead the family made them out of wires, beads and ribbons. Flamingos were a reoccurring theme for the decoration as well as moustaches which are Abbi's favourite!
After the ceremony, everyone grabbed jugs of sangria and rose wine and sat down to start the wedding breakfast! It was an amazing mix of tapas, starting with pasta, bread and salad and moving on to warm chorizo, a variety of cheeses and even shots of gazpacho soup! It was such a party atmosphere all day with someone different tending to the DJ booth every so often to change up the music.
Later that evening, everyone gathered around the DJ booth to listen to the speeches. They were incredibly hilarious and moving, with Adrian bringing along some paper masks, all of which had a different aged Abbi face on them! Luke had three best men who all did an amazing speech about their friendship with the groom. Abbi and Luke then cut their HUGE buttercream wedding cake, which turned out to be a massive rainbow cake inside! It was so amazingly tasty!
The newlyweds had their first dance under the stars, fairy lights and paper hearts. It was perfect to watch. After the first dance, no one left the dance floor and the party exploded into life. DJ Artwork even turned up to surprise the couple and everyone went crazy! What a party guys, what a party.
Becky and Tom were married back in late September at The Swan Hotel in Bedford. Considering it was September, the weather was amazingly mild and sunny!
I spent the morning with Becky as she got ready with her mother and bridesmaid in the bridal suit of the hotel. She had chosen a stunning fishtail gown with sweetheart neckline and see-through lace detailing to the front. I really loved the fact that the colour of the gown was more of an ivory with white lace on top, showing off all the beautiful patterns in the lace! Teamed with sparkly champagne coloured shoes and gorgeous blooms in pale pinks and ivories, she was ready to walk down the aisle.
The ceremony was held in the conservatory part of the Swan Hotel and was decorated beautifully with flowers by Tallulah and Rose, who also created the stunning bouquets and button holes! Becky's mother walked her down the aisle and it was touching to see her welling up as she walked through their family and friends.
Straight after the ceremony I led the guests out of the hotel grounds and across to the mound nearby where we organised a full group shot. I then stole the newlyweds away for about half an hour while we did some gorgeous bride and groom portraits down by the river. It was around 4pm and the sun was just starting to dip making the photos look hazy and romantic. I posed the couple with their backs to the sun in order to keep the light away from their eyes and create this dreamy, hazy look that I love! I walked the couple down one side of the river before taking them across the bridge and around the other side so we could get a photo with the Swan Hotel in the background. These really are some of my favourite portraits that I've taken so far!
I returned the bride and groom back to the party just in time for the wedding breakfast and the hilarious speeches! Guests gathered outside and I caught some couple shots against the backdrop of the fairy light lit embankment. The cake was cut and the newlyweds hit the dancefloor for their first dance, shortly joined by the three little flower girls in their pyjamas and onesies! One of my favourite moments was the bride and her mother sharing a dance together - just lovely!
I arrived at Claire's mum's house that mild September morning, and I was greeted with beautiful pastel details and friendly faces! My sister used to work with Claire's sister, Kim, and a couple of years ago I photographed her 30th birthday which was a blast! Since then Kim has had a beautiful little girl called Lily who attended Claire and Richard's wedding and stole the show ;)
I loved the fact that Claire had chosen different coloured pastel dresses for each of her bridesmaids, each with their own pair of matching shoes and bouquets! Claire herself opted for a strapless sweetheart neckline dress that nipped her in at the waist, teamed with blush shoes and a bouquet of mixed pastels - she looked simply stunning!
From the walk down the aisle to first dance, Claire and Richard never stopped laughing and smiling. Their ceremony was held at the gorgeous St Nicholas Church in Barton Le Clay and then on to the Cross Keys Pub in Pullox Hill for their reception. The pub was totally unrecognisable, with a big marquee to the rear of the building decorated in pastel colours to match the feel of the day. Some of my favourite details were the world map table plan which pinpointed all the places that the couple had visited when travelling for the last couple of years, and the signature board with one of their engagement photos in the centre!
After the first dance and the bouquet toss (which was hilarious!) the party really got started! These two really know how to throw a party - there was always someone on the dance floor and there were plenty of drinks to go around! Claire and Richard, I had so much fun capturing your day and I wish you every happiness together! x
Abbi and Luke chose to marry in Ibiza back in September, a place where they have both lived and worked, therefore very close to their hearts. However before they could marry abroad, the pair had to legally marry in England. I was so honoured to be asked to record this special day for them in the City with only their very close family attending.
For their legal ceremony, Abbi and Luke chose the beautiful Islington Town Hall, not far from their home together in Stoke Newington. Before the ceremony I met them both at their home and took some photos of them both on the cobbled streets. Abbi chose to wear an Asos mesh shift dress dotted with iridescent sequins, teamed with some white wedges. Luke went for a simple white shirt, black skinny trousers black leather belt and ankle boots - I totally love their style!
We caught a cab to the Town Hall where we met up with their waiting parents and grandparents. I could tell that waiting around was a strange feeling for them, so to take their minds off it, I took them outside for some pre-wedding portraits. They were a little bit apprehensive to begin with and their imminent ceremony didn't help with the nerves! However I did love getting some really casual, romantic shots of the two of them and I hope I really captured the emotions they felt at the time.
The ceremony was held in room 99, a small intimate room with two registrars. The whole ceremony was incredibly relaxed, with Abbi giggling most of the way through and Luke clutching her hand supportively. The pair chose to do the exchanging of the rings in Ibiza so the ceremony was short and sweet, but it was still really lovely and meaningful.
Thank you so much Abbi and Luke for letting me record part of your new adventure together, I am so grateful to be part of your lives!
Today I am sharing with you some of my favourite images that I shot during the course of the year - prepare for image overload! I shot just shy of 30 weddings in total for 2015, including a fair few that I second shot for the wonderful Summer Lily Studio! I love these images sooooo much, mainly because they are images I am proud to have taken. They mean a lot to me and to my couples and hopefully reflect me as a person and a photographer :)
I have been priveliged enough to photograph and attend many of my friend's weddings this year, along with having the honour of being bridesmaid for my friend Charlotte's wedding back in February! As well as shooting weddings, I travelled around America and also to Ibiza. During my time in America my boyfriend Dan proposed to me at the top of the Rockefeller in New York, and I am now planning my own wedding for 2017! Eeeeeek!
Thank you to all my amazing couples who booked me for their wedding in 2015, it was a pleasure sharing your special days with you and recording your memories for years to come. I have so many incredible couples booked in for 2016 and 2017 already and can't wait to do the same for you all! Bring on 2016!
But for now... sit back, pop your feet up and enjoy a look back at 2015 with me...
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The pair were married at St Bartholomews Church in Shrewsbury, a gorgeous old military church next to an amazing castle ruin! The church is incredibly close to their hearts as it is the place where Emily's granddad rests, so after the ceremony the family paid their respects, which really was beautiful.
The ceremony itself was gorgeous, I really loved capturing the christening as much as the blessing, Heidi was really good throughout the whole thing - it didn't phase her at all!
As the guests started travelling to the reception venue, I took Emily and Jonny off for some bride and groom portraits around the ruins. The heat was insane that day but the pair walked around the ruins with me like troopers. I really do recommend walking around or travelling out of the way just a little to get fab photos as these ones really did pay off! I absolutely love the moody photos that we got from the ruins alongside the softer photos that we captured in the adjacent fields, it really was the coolest location.
The reception was held at Little Wenlock Village Hall, which was completely decked out Pinterest style thanks to Emily's eye for detail! There was festoon lighting across the ceiling, hay bales lining the dance floor, jam jar mugs as favours, pimms, giant signs and letters, a sweet cart, and to top it all, a stunning naked cake! All the flowers on the tables and in the bouquets were bought from a flower market and put together by Emily's mum! It just proves that you don't have to spend a fortune on a wedding to make it beautiful and exactly what you pictured in your head.
Thanks Emily and Jonny for choosing me to capture your day and I look forward to the arrival of your second baby soon!
This wedding has to be one of the most beautiful weddings I've seen and the day really shows who Natalie and Davide are as a couple. These two really are full of love and devotion not only to each other but to everyone around them and it really does show in all the photos I took. Not to mention that they are a stunning couple, they could easily grace the covers of any magazine!
The day started out in Natalie's parents house where she readied herself alongside her 6 bridesmaids and two little flower girls. Even her baby nephew George joined the party for some photos! Natalie chose the most stunning, classically simple dress that fit her like a glove, plus a dreamy long veil! I was in heaven!
The ceremony took place at the stunning St Joseph's Church in Luton which looks totally deceiving from the outside! Inside its a beautiful pastel haven with high ceilings and gorgeous lighting. The pair opted for a traditional italian catholic ceremony including mass. One of my fave moments was when the entire bridal party joined them on stage for the exchanging of rings, it felt so intimate even in a large church!
The reception was held at Lodge Farm in Kings Walden, a cute little B&B tucked away on a farm. I really love this venue, you can dress it exactly how you like and make it whatever you want for your day. Natalie and Davide hired a marquee which was set up on in the gardens behind the house and decked out for their wedding breakfast. There were photos of the couple and their family and friends everywhere, including some lovely decorations and details throughout the marquee. Giant LOVE lights shone on the checkerboard dance floor and vintage bunting lined the walls. The cake was a gorgeous blue and blush tiered number with a cute china cake topper of two people hugging (aww!).
The newlyweds absolutely rocked their bride and groom portraits before rocking out to Years & Years on the dancefloor later on. Once the first dance was over, the party exploded as the band kicked in. Literally everyone in the room flocked to the dance floor and from what I hear, never left! What a party guys, I had so much fun capturing your day!
Early September came around and little Evie was born! Sophie was so excited to be coming along with me to watch the newborn session take place and we made lots of plans. However, nearer the date, Sophie had to drop out due to her shift pattern - she was gutted! Everything went ahead as normal up until the morning of the shoot, when I got a message from Sophie... She had managed to get the day off work!!! And, she was coming along to surprise Kay and Steven! It was such an amazing surprise for the couple when she turned up on their doorstep a few minutes after I arrived. Its really made the day even more special for them. We all had a lot of fun getting Evie off to sleep and helping pose her while I got some super cute shots. She was an angel through the entire shoot and we got some fab poses and expressions out of her.
So thank you Sophie for organising the whole thing, it really was a lot of fun! I hope to see you Kay, Steven and little Evie again in the future :)
A few weeks ago I took them out for their engagement session to get a few natural shots before their day. We visited a woodland area that they both visit frequently and are hoping to visit a lot more once they are married, move in together and get a dog to walk! The weather was misty and mild, the pair donned matching trench coats and we had lots of fun throwing leaves! A great session all in all!
The day was super casual with the bride opting to go barefoot and the groom and ushers donning white sunglasses for the majority of the day! Once the formalities were over, the newlyweds and their guests had free run of the house and gardens. The weather was so beautiful, so garden games were on the go, guests were chilling outdoors and drinks were flowing. I even captured the bride and groom running off into the gardens together - he atmosphere was so laid back it was amazing.
To top off the day, after the first dance one of the guests noticed there was a full moon in the sky, so we ran out to capture Shenade and David underneath it. A perfect ending!
The ceremony was very laid back and casual, with little ones joining in the fun! All guests took to the bar after the ceremony and before long everyone was outside drinking and laughing in the bright sunshine. The weather was so kind to us that day! I took Holly and Rob off for some bride and groom portraits in the surrounding fields before taking a few with their little girl Poppy. The light was incredible, peeking through the shade of the trees as I took their individual shots.
The absolute highlight of the speeches was the best man's speech (of course!). He stood and made the crowd wait for a good minute before bursting into his own rendition of "Let it Go" from Frozen, with all the words changed to include the bride and groom and the story of their love. It was incredible, and the reaction from the crowd was complete hysteria!
The newlyweds danced to "Kiss Me" by Ed Sheeran infront of their very own light up LOVE letters, which ended with all their close family joining them in a group hug in the middle of the dance floor! After all the formalities, the guests continued the fun by making the most of the Photo Booth and props, whilst propping up the bar very late into the evening - what a party!
Leyanne and Barry really are made for each other, they were so cute cuddling up together in the gorgeous setting of Stewartby Lakes near their home in Kempston. They opted for a sunset shoot which created some beautiful light for their photos.
Leyanne's job is all about caring for other people. She dedicates a lot of time to making other people happy and has the biggest heart of anyone I know.
I really cannot wait to photograph Leyanne and Barry's day, as they deserve a day that is all about them. I know that they will be surrounded by so much love from their family and friends and I can't wait to capture it all <3
Back in May I second shot with Summer Lily Studio on a fab RAF wedding at Gaynes Park. My boyfriend (now fiancé!) is in the RAF, so this wedding was a particular favourite of mine.
The couple chose a colour scheme of yellow and military blue to fit in with the groom's suit, which he was rocking with a multitude of medals and a sword!! Laura was dressed in an absolutely stunning beaded gown with a translucent back, which really suited her petite frame.
Gaynes park really is a beautiful venue, the couple were married in the conservatory and their reception was in the barn. The weather was good to them, with the sun shining all day! We even got an opportunity to take the newlyweds to a nearby rapeseed field which fit in really well with their colour scheme!
Thanks again to Summer Lily for having me along!
When I first met these two, I knew we were going to hit it off straight away. They are the friendliest and most down to earth people I've met, plus a little crazy, which I LOVE! The pair wanted to bring their pet Cockapoo, Oscar, along with them on their shoot which I happily accepted! First off we went down to their grandparents' back garden with Oscar, which opened up into a beautiful wood! Afterwards I took the couple on a stroll through some corn fields (which were a lot scratchier than I imagined!). The weather was kind to us and the sun shone brightly throughout the whole day! I hope the weather is equally kind to us tomorrow as I cannot wait to capture Becky and Tom's special day.
Kimberley and Francis were married back in April at the gorgeous location of Bassmead Manor Barns in Cambridgeshire. I really love this venue, and can't wait to go back there next year for another wedding in July! Kimberley and Francis had gone all out on the details and decoration for their day, everything was pastel colours which I adored! Kimberley is a crafty bride and handmade all the flowers for the day herself from felt! Incredible! AND the couple painted all names of their guests on to all of their individual drinks glasses!
The pair were married in the Old Barn on site which was super beautiful all lit up with fairy lights and grand chandeliers. After the ceremony, the staff handed out hundreds of pastel coloured balloons to all the guests for photos! We managed to steal some away to get some cool bridal party portraits and even got the pastel balloons in some couple shots too ;) Which are of course my favourites! As it was springtime, the yellow fields nearby were in full bloom, so we had to take full advantage of them!
The speeches were incredibly touching, especially the surprise that Kimberley received from her best friend. Halfway through the speeches, Nancy stood up and without any accompaniment, sang a beautiful operatic song in french. Time stood still during that song and tears brimmed in everyones eyes! It was beautiful.
I had a fab day photographing this wedding and I just want to thank Summer Lily Studio for having me along to second shoot :)
I can't wait to shoot their wedding this month, its gonna be a blast!!!
Baby Lydia was born on the 3rd June 2015, the daughter of the wonderful Emma and Jamie Rosen. You may remember this pair from their Maternity Shoot with me back in April! As soon as this little one was born, Emma emailed me asking for a newborn shoot and I was over the moon! I just knew that their new baby was going to be beautiful, and when I met her she was even more gorgeous in the flesh. She was so so good throughout the session, never once crying but instead making adorable sleeping noises. As soon as I wrapped her up and placed her in the basket, she was fast asleep. I managed to get a variety of poses from Lydia and even managed to get some family photos with both Emma and Jamie in too. I loved shooting this little beauty and her mummy and daddy, I just know she's going to get more and more beautiful as she grows.
Emma and Jamie, thank you for letting me record your special memories for you, and hopefully many more to come! xx
Our models for the day were Georgina and Paddy and they were completely amazing! Georgina is both a model and a photographer so knew exactly how to pose and where to look and aaah she was great! Paddy was so laid back and absolutely hilarious and made everyone feel totally at ease. Hair and makeup were created by Natasha and Mackenzie respectively. Watching them both work on a windy beach with no electricity with complete ease just goes to show how good they are at their jobs!
Our flowers for the day were by Lesley Mutz who really outdid herself with a statement flower crown for Georgina! It was fabulous! Which brings me onto the cake by Petals and Crumbs, styled up especially for the beach with shimmering shells and starfish all in nudes. In love!
The one thing that none of us expected to happen on the day was the horse! We noticed a girl arrive in full riding gear on her horse later on in the shoot and dared Mackenzie to go over and ask her if we could photograph her horse. Not expecting anything to come it, we were all completely surprised when she agreed to be involved! So thank you mystery girl for letting us borrow your gorgeous horse for a bit, he was so well behaved!
Just want to thank all our suppliers again and I want to point you in the direction of their websites/facebook pages down below....
Hair: Up do's By Natasha
Make Up: Make Up By Mackenzie Kate
Styling: The White Emporium
Flowers: Wood View Floral Designs - [email protected]
Cake: Petals and Crumbs
I hope you enjoy my photos from the day!
Natalie and Davide are real stunners! These two are due to be married in August at Lodge Farm in Kings Walden, so we held their engagement session there too! Despite being a little shy and nervous before we began, the pair eased into the session and by the end they were posing like true models! I particularly loved giving these two some fun tasks to do throughout the session, like Natalie dragging Davide along by his hand - it got some great expressions and totally helped them open up in front of the camera. We even managed to get some of the horses from the farm involved in the shoot!
Guys, I just know that your wedding is going to be beautiful and I can't wait to see you both again in a couple of weeks time!
Kat and Tom are such a sweet and kind couple, who happen to be best friends with one of my best friends! When they asked me to photograph their wedding in April I couldn't have been happier! The pair chose the beautiful South Farm as their wedding venue, which looked even more stunning with beautiful blossom trees framing the entrance in the Spring!
Kat and Tom met at a theme park and so they decided to pay homage to their first meeting with a few special details on their wedding day. Firstly they designed a cake based on a roller coaster with an adorable edible bride and groom in the coaster carriage! The pair also booked some amazing fairground stalls like a coconut shy and hook a duck to entertain their guests, along with choosing the brightest colour scheme possible to match their personalities! My best friend Steph from 15designs was commissioned to design and make the bridesmaids dresses for the day, which were in a stunning teal with sweetheart necklines and lace petticoats! Tiger Lily Beauty worked on all the hair and makeup for the day, creating some beautiful 1940's inspired up do's for the bridesmaids!
The pair chose to marry outside in the Summer House on the lake. As Kat walked down the aisle to meet her husband to be, Tom was overcome by emotion and couldn't help but let out a tear or two! It was so heartwarming I teared up myself!
The reception was held in the wonderful barn house, fully decorated in the newlyweds bright colour scheme. Fairy lights shone from the beams, cake pop favours were laid out on the table and a stunning flowerpot table plan really made the venue theirs.
At the end of the evening, Kat and Tom surprised everyone with the news that they are expecting!! Guys, I am so so happy for you both and I know you will make the best parents. I wish you every happiness in your newly married life and can't wait for you to make your own little family xx
I hope to take many more photos like this when I travel to America in August, especially around New York City. There's so many stories to tell. door,
For their engagement session I took them to the iconic Houghton House in Amptill. Not necessarily the first place you think of when you imagine a romantic venue, but oh my let me tell you, this place is beautiful. I just love ruined buildings - they have so much charm and history.
This cute couple started out shy, but after a few minutes they became naturals in front of the camera. I had so much fun capturing them exploring and enjoying each other's company. I really cannot wait for their big day, I just know its going to be beautiful.
Carly and William decided to marry on the 30th December 2014 at the gorgeous Offley Place. The pair had picked the most gorgeous details for their wedding all in a beautiful sage green. There were cute little jam jars full of flowers and resting upon wooden stumps, white lace tied to everything and the most beautiful wild flower bouquets. The sage green theme really made the brick conservatory at Offley place look stunning.
The ceremony was at 2pm, and in winter that means we won't be having much more light. So straight after the ceremony we stole the couple away for some couple shots in the remaining sunlight. Lucky for us, the sun was just setting and made for some stunning portraits. I really love this set of photos, the orangey glow really makes them special. Carly and William were just the cutest and we got some great expressions and emotions out of them at this time.
Thanks to Summer Lily Studio for having me along to second shoot at this wedding, I loved every second of it!
Our amazing models for the day were Rob and Denice who were so happy and easy-going, even despite the slight rain that we battled with throughout the day. Natasha and Makenzie did a fantastic job on Denice’s hair and make-up, giving her both a laid-back boho look while still keeping it sleek and chic.
Gemma from "The White Emporium" came along to help dress the beautiful set ups like the picnic area and that gorgeous rustic table setting. I absolutely love her wedding day props, she seems to have something new every time I see her!
I always say flowers make the wedding, and florist Lesley Mutz really made the day special with her beautiful wildflower bouquet and scattered foliage throughout our set ups.
The cake was a pure showstopper, covered in buttercream with a secret pink and vanilla layered centre - heaven!! Thanks to "I Cake You" for that beauty!
I love love love simple elegant wedding stationary, and Karlee Gould really glammed up our country shoot with her gold glitter calligraphy.
One last mention goes to Something New Something Blue who lent us some stunning accessories for the day like Denice’s gorgeous beaded belt worn in the second look.
All in all the day was a huge success and I had an amazing time being part of it and capturing so much prettiness! Thank you everyone for making it special.
Hair: www.updosbynatasha.co.uk
Make Up: www.facebook.com/makeupbymackenziekate
Styling: www.thewhiteemporium.wordpress.com
Flowers: Wood View Floral Designs - [email protected]
Cake: www.icakeyou.co.uk
Stationery: www.karleegould.co.uk
Accessories: www.somethingnewsomethingblue.co.uk
Welcome to the world Baby Theo, just 12 days new. Myself and my assistant Lucy worked on posing baby Theo along with capturing his family naturally in their home. His mummy, daddy and big brother Harvey were all involved, with 2-year-old Harvey having a mini shoot of his own. We managed to get some amazing shots of Theo wrapped up in a basket, some smiling shots and even some awake shots next to his big brother. Those two are going to be the best of friends when Theo is a bit older!
I think I really love this wedding. There's just something about all the gorgeous lighting at the venue and this laid back, fun-loving couple that I just adore!
Ciara and Matt chose The Church Restaurant, Northampton as their venue, an old church which has been revamped with awesome lighting and modern fittings. Ciara and Matt both dressed at the Hilton Hotel just down the road, myself and Summer Lily Studio split up and I headed for the boy's room and she headed to the bride. I spent some time with Matt, who opened his presents and card from his bride-to-be and then headed down to the bar to have a final drink as a single man!
I then headed over to the girls to see how they were getting on. Ciara looked so stunning in her fishtail gown with all her maids in black multi-tie dresses. When Ciara stepped out fully dressed, the look on Ciara's father's face was priceless. The venue is right in the centre of a ring road which meant that Ciara had to step out into the road to exit her car! However this didn't faze her one bit and made for some unique photos!
We whisked the couple away after the ceremony to the nearby Delapre Abbey which is an amazing stone building with vast grounds! We got some fab photos of the pair messing around and enjoying themselves as newlyweds. I just love the way Matt makes Ciara laugh and their willingness to try all sorts of silly ideas! Perfect couple!
Highlight of the speeches was the best man's speech. He brought out a huge floor to ceiling poster of Matt dressed in just a string vest on his stag do!!! Ciara was literally crying with laughter it was amazing! A lovely touch to the evening was an homage to Matt's father who sadly never made it to the big day. The guests all created little toy planes at their tales and then threw them into the air over the bride and groom. It was such a lovely sentiment.
Mel and Leigh chose the 8th November as their wedding date, and from the start Mel told me she wanted sparkler shots on the day! Now this made me super, super excited as I love a good sparkler shot but I had never done one at a wedding before!
The pair were married at the Mercure Hotel in Milton Keynes with the reception held at the same venue. The hotel looked out onto a lovely garden which backed onto a golf course! Mel readied herself with her best girls at her home in Leighton Buzzard. She looked stunning, especially with her gorgeous vintage drop headpiece and dress decorated in lace.
Leigh looked incredibly nervous when I caught up with him at the venue, he just couldn't wait to see his bride! I love the photos of Mel's smile when she sees her husband to be standing before her. After the ceremony, the sky was threatening rain so I whisked the couple away to the gorgeous back garden to spend a little time getting some bride and groom portraits. Unfortunately it started raining once we were out there so we had to take refuge indoors, but that didn't stop the fun!
The couple had hired a magician for the evening who was incredible! He worked the room with his amazing slight of hand tricks, making things disappear right in front of people's eyes and my camera! That plus a hilarious Photobooth meant the mood was never low!
The rain eased as the evening rolled on and the guests ventured outside again into the darkness! It was such good fun doing some long exposure sparkler shots, where I get to run around the bride and groom to make awesome sparkler trails!! I also managed to get a group shot of all the guests under the canopy outside! It just goes to show that even if it rains on your big day, it doesn't stop you getting amazing photos :)
Wowsa, another beautiful venue and another gorgeous couple!
You may remember Kay and Graham from a blog post I wrote a while ago now about beautiful baby Jack. I photographed this couple's gorgeous new son when he was only 6 weeks old! I also took some family photos for them for Christmas with Graham's daughter Ellie who was three at the time. I was absolutely thrilled when Kay asked me to photograph their wedding last September!
The pair were engaged last May, so only had a small amount of time to get everything sorted for their big day. Kay later told me that she was glad she had a time limit on planning as it helped her make decisions quicker and easier! They chose the gorgeous venue of Gosfield Hall in Essex, which I loved from the moment I saw it! Kay and her bridesmaids readied themselves in the stunning gold and cream bridal suite, while Graham and the boys dressed at the other end of the building in their own suite. I took a quick dash along the corridors to make sure that I got a snap of his accessories before the ceremony!
I met Graham in the ceremony room with little Jack, who looked like Graham's mini-me in his matching suit! The long, wood panelled room was a stunning room to hold the ceremony. The couple even took a post-marriage selfie on a selfie stick with the guest in the background! It was a beautifully sunny day for September so all the guests filtered out into the sunshine to relax. Instead of confetti, Kay and Graham opted to have ribbons on sticks that the guests waved like wands! I lined the guests up for the couple to walk through the centre and the results were incredible! I never knew ribbons could look so good!
During the wedding breakfast there was a surprise for us all! The father of the bride had hired Opera singers to dress as staff, who then burst into song during the main course! They really got the guests going by getting them to wave napkins in the air and join hands in time with the songs! It was amazing! The first dance was beautiful to watch, followed by a daddy/daughter dance which literally brought the whole room to tears! It was so emotional!
Kelly and Pat really are a gorgeous couple!
These two are good friends of Terri from Summer Lily Studio. Terri asked me to come along to Kelly's house to get a little bit of bridal prep in and then off I went to the local pub to capture the boys at their best! Pat and his ushers were all having a last drink at their local in Bedford and I was there to photograph the banter in action! I then sent them on their way to the local church (they walked!) and I drove down to meet all the guests.
The reception was held at the stunning Woburn Abbey. The grounds are just to die for and made for some simply beautiful bride and groom portraits. My particular favourite are the ones where Kelly and Pat opted to sit on the stone steps that led up to a beautiful garden walk. If you can sit down outdoors in your dress on your big day, I really do recommend it as they make for some of the best couple shots!!
One of my highlights of the day were the giant light up LOVE letters that the couple hired for the day! They were plugged in indoors, but we managed to convince all the ushers to bring them outside for us as we knew they would look amazing in group shots! And we sure were right! The bridesmaids and ushers rocked those letters and they made for some unforgettable photos!
Mel decided to have her bridal makeup trial just before the shoot, which is a great idea as you can see how your makeup will look on camera! During the shoot, Mel let me in on a little secret.... she is expecting a baby! I'm so excited to meet their little one, and to show off their wedding on the blog soon! For now, put your feet up, grab a cuppa and enjoy their autumnal pre-wedding shoot!
First things first, this venue is absolutely stunning. Fion and Matt chose the incredible The Old Hall in Ely for their venue and what a choice it was! The venue alone is stunning, and when beautiful hazy mist surrounds the gorgeous countryside setting, it becomes a pure fairytale! The couple chose to marry outside in the amazing wooden pagoda, decorated in beautiful blooms and of course, cloaked in mist. Fion chose the most gorgeous dress I have ever seen - a beautiful lace V-neck with an absolute stunner of a back. I love drop back dresses and I love them even more when they are draped in beautiful vintage pearls and jewels! I literally couldn't stop taking photos of the back of her dress as it made me fall in love with it a little more every time!
I think that Matt agreed with me on that fact, as his face was glowing when he saw her walk down the stone stairs and between their friends and family toward him.
We took the pair off after the ceremony to allow them to have some alone time. We took them around the grounds of the venue with its stone walls, white roses and still lakes. There really are some breathtaking views which made for some stunning photos.
The reception was held in a marquee to the side of the main building, which the couple had decorated with adorable little features. Their colour scheme was a mix of tonal purples and blues which almost made the whole marquee feel as if we were beside the sea, especially with such clear views of the lakes surrounding.
FIon and Matt's wedding was an absolutely amazing day and Im glad to have been there to capture it alongside Summer Lily Studio! Hope you enjoy my photos from the day!
The weather really had it in for us that day with torrential rain and horrendous winds that almost blew our marquee away! Wellies were definitely needed! Despite this, our couple for the day, Billy and Chantelle, did not stop smiling and enjoying each other's company. The pair were perfectly intimate and effortlessly natural throughout the session, which made me grin like a madman behind my camera. It was a great success all in all, and I hope you enjoy my series of images from the day.
Thank you so much to the amazing suppliers involved and of course to our models, please check out their websites through the links below!
Flowers - Floral Elements
Hair and Make Up - Bambi Salons
Dress - Kate Beaumont
Suit - Frasers for Men
Bow Tie - Wooden Bow Ties
Favours - Cloud Nine Marshmallows
Cheese 'Cake' - Grey's Cheese
Now this wedding truly was beautiful. Danielle and Zak had a pure white wedding with white bridesmaids dresses, white flowers and white table decorations at the venue. Just a hint of lemon yellow was injected into their colour scheme, along with a pop of red lipstick and nail varnish to complete the look. These elements combined with Danielle's dark hair and vintage style lace dress made her look pure vintage glamour - stunning! Also, loving the Louboutin's!!!
The pair were married at the St Francesca Cabrini Italian Church in Bedford which was stunningly huge on the inside! I had never been to an Italian wedding before and this really showed me what I had been missing! I just loved the fact that the whole family was involved right the way through the day, just seeing the love and the support for the newlyweds was amazing. Confetti was scattered literally everywhere after the ceremony which I just LOVED. Then the bride and groom hopped into their horse and carriage and we headed to the reception!
The reception was held at the Bedford Swan so we took a little stop off at the river side for some couple photos. Once we entered the venue, the place was decked out all in white and lemon with flickering church candles at every turn. The atmosphere was just so romantic and really made the speeches out of this world. The best man, nicknamed Boris, was my particular speech highlight. He started off in what I can only imagine is his normal manner, by sending the entire room into absolute hysterics. He then proceeded to burst into tears as he told his best friend how much he loved him and how proud he was that he married the girl of his dreams. It was literally the most moving thing ever!
Thanks Summer Lily for having me along!
These two were just so in love. From the moment they saw each other in the church they held hands so tightly and they way they looked at each other throughout the day was so heartwarming. Amy got ready at her parents house in Amptill which was amazing, it had its own outdoor pool! It was one of those days where I could have jumped in that pool - it was so hot! The ceremony was held in the St John the Baptist Church in Flitton which had a little hidden gem - it had an amazing Mausoleum just off the back! We took some photos in front of the gorgeous window inside the Mausoleum and it looked stunning!! The reception was held at the notorious Woburn Abbey Sculpture Gallery! We took the couple off around the grounds which are so extensive and beautiful! We even got a cheeky little ride in the wedding car with the bride and groom on the way around! ;)
The weather was good to us all day and we got so many lovely shots outside of all the guests. The speeches were so full of love and the way Amy and Stewart held hands throughout - including Stewart's speech - was adorable! The couple had an amazing Photo Booth for the evening which was styled up like a London Phonebox inside and all the photos taken were shown on the outside of the box. Hilarious photos were rolled around all night it was great! The first dance was beautiful, confetti cannons were let off by family and friends which made it even more special.
Thank you Summer Lily Studio for having me along!
Nicola and Jay were our gorgeous bride and groom for the day, who are actually due to marry next year! Despite the bitter cold, and even a downpour of snow in the morning, the couple were all smiles and laughter! They were great sports and we are all truly grateful for them taking the time out of their day to mess around with us!
We had some fantastic suppliers involved on the day, from flowers to vintage props, please check out their websites in the links below!
Flowers - Stephanie Rose
Hair and Make Up - Belle's Beauty
Styling and Props - The White Emporium
Cake - Maisie Cakes
Light Up Love Letters - Summer Love Lights
They all did an incredible job and really made the whole look of the day come together!
We had two looks for the couple on the day, the first was a traditional and elegant winter look with peach detailing. Nicola's hair was styled in a twisted up-do with natural makeup and she wore a stunning pure white chiffon dress. Jay wore a very dapper grey check suit set off with a peach bowtie.
The second was a more relaxed and playful look that saw Nicola's blonde curls set free and topped with a beautiful flower crown. Jay swapped his suit jacket for a waistcoat and donned a stunning mustard bowtie which I LOVED! The sun even came out during some of these photos which really suited the look we were going for. Also, check out the amazing giant light up Love Letters at the end, aren't they amazing?!
The day was even better than we imagined and we made some great friends and contacts for the future. Can't wait for the next styled shoot now! Did somebody say Summer? ;) xxx
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Christina and John opted for the beautiful Whittlebury Hall orangery and pagoda to house their big day. I had only visited once before for Maggie and Tim's wedding back in February (wow times flies!). Christina and John were married in the stunning orangery with great big glass windows and glistening chandeliers. The sunflower bouquets popped against the navy blue bridesmaids dresses and shone in the sunlight of the day. We stole the couple away for a bit to do some couple shots around the side of the orangery, it has a stunning brick wall! The couple were so easy going and laughed the whole way through which was adorable. I love natural happy shots!
Thanks Summer Lily Studio for having me along to second shoot!
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Sim's makeup beautifully complimented her traditional outfit which was a stunning colour on her. Check out those amazing faux lashes as well! I particularly love the oversized hair, so elegant and perfect for turning heads on your big day! What do you think?
You may be thinking, a Pinterest inspired wedding? Just check out the gorgeous details that were part of Louise and Steve's gorgeous mint and coral themed day. As you can probably tell I am a lover of a minty green by the colour of my website.... so I was in love with this wedding as soon as it began.
The couple chose the breathtaking Harrowden Hall in Wellingborough to host their ceremony and reception, and it was decorated in the most gorgeous little details you could find. Before we even arrived I knew it was going to look beautiful, just by the way Louise decorated her house. There were cute little signs with inspirational quotes, old suitcases, decorative fans, and even macaron favours (my favourite!). Shortly after the ceremony the heavens opened and we were forced to take refuge indoors. As soon as the rain had stopped, we were all back out for photos as the rain had left behind a wonderful mist that looked amazing in the couple photos. I particularly loved the giant balloons that the couple had requested a few photos with! After the speeches and dinner, Louise snuck upstairs to change into HER SECOND DRESS!!! It was a stunning backless chiffon number by Estilo Moda, so obviously we had to go out and shoot some more couple photos!
Absolutely loved this wedding and I definitely took a lot of inspiration for my own wedding (even though I'm not even engaged...)
Thanks for inviting me along to second shoot Summer Lily Studio!
We trekked up to Sundon Hills Country Park with some fun props and a picnic blanket and found an amazing field overlooking the rolling countryside. A perfect location for a Pin Up Picnic!
Natalie and Ben were married at their local church in Bletchley back in August. Ben wore his military uniform for his big day while Natalie opted for bridal converse! The reception was held at Horwood House in Little Horwood, where myself and Darren shot their engagement shoot earlier in the year. Unfortunately the rain came down on us for most of the day, but it did nothing to dampen the bride and groom's spirits. The low sun shone brightly for us later on though and we got some beautiful backlit couple portraits. The first dance had both confetti AND dry ice which was fun to shoot!
Back in July, Rayna and Mark were married at The Abbey Church in Elstow. Terri from Summer Lily Studio went with Rayna for bridal prep in the morning whilst I arrived at Mark's house in Bedford to shoot some groom prep! Mark is a fireman and is a proper lad, his ushers were over at his house with him to help get ready. Being lads on their own, they could not figure out how to put on their button holes, so naturally I helped out. Now I think I have become some sort of button hole specialist...
I got some shots of the boys outside of Mark's ride to the church - the firetruck!!! I wish I could have gotten a ride in that!
Terri and I met up at the church and we watched Rayna walk down the aisle. Mark was speechless. So much so that he couldn't get his words out in the vows!
After the ceremony we took Mark and Rayna off to a nearby cornfield for some couple shots. It was an absolutely beautiful setting and the couple looked so good together. We got a beautiful veil drop photo which is one of my favourite shots.
The reception was held at The Mill House in Sharnbrook, a cosy but lovely venue by the riverside. It was another gorgeous day and by the river it felt almost tropical. The meal was in a marquee which was decorated with adorable vintage chic details like teacups, old books and suitcases. It was like something off Pinterest! A Photobooth with a twist was set up at the venue, instead of a booth it was a wall with photo frames, a great alternative!
The speeches were hilarious and heartwarming, I even got a mention in the best man's speech for helping them get ready that morning (cringe). The first dance was spectacular as the guests set off confetti cannons and the couple danced with their initials in the background. The DJs were absolutely INSANE and we really did not want to leave as the party was just starting! Loved this wedding, hope you love my photos from the day!
Back in July, Alice and JJ, a young couple from Leamington Spa, were married in their local church. The christian ceremony was beautiful, with many of their friends stepping up to give readings or blessings. The pair had asked for couple photos by their favourite spot in the world, an old windmill. The weather was good to us and we got some beautiful sunshine for the couple shots. The reception was held at the lovely Ettington Chase hotel, where the couple hung their names on a tree which is traditional for that venue.The speeches were truly wonderful to listen to as there was so much emotion in the words. JJ gave a really heartfelt speech which was injected with bursts of the couple's favourite songs on his iPod, something I had never seen before! After dinner the sun was still shining so we took the bridal party off to do some silly group shots, they were really up for anything and everything! The sun was just dipping as we finished up, so we took Alice and JJ off to do some quick sunset couple shots to make the most of the beautiful sunshine.
Before the first dance, an open mic was offered to the guests, who sung songs and gave more blessings to the newlyweds. The first dance surprised us all when during the slow dance, the bride and groom's friends jumped in and started doing a flash mob dance! It was amazing! Straight after, fireworks were let off on the grounds, a grand finish to a fun filled day!
Corrin and Nathan's wedding day was during the height of summer - the sun was out and the weather was very warm. The pair were married in a gorgeously quaint church in Stondon called The All Saints Church. It had wonderful light inside from the elaborate stained glass window, which made for some beautiful portraits during the ceremony. The reception was held at Mount Pleasant Golf club nearby which had some lovely grounds and some great lighting set ups for the first dance!
Lydia and Rick were married at the beautiful Shortmead House in Biggleswade at the end of June. The couple were married under a thatched roof pagoda around the side of the building near the outdoor pool, and the reception was held in the Marquee on the lawn. The grounds had been beautifully decorated in dusky pink flowers, photos and pom poms. Despite it raining pretty much constantly for the first half of the day, you wouldn't really be able to tell from the photos, except for the odd umbrella here and there! The sun shone later on and even made Shortmead look like a holiday destination!
I was absolutely delighted to be able to shoot this gorgeous Cotswolds wedding alongside Summer Lily Studio, the whole day was so beautiful. The wedding was held at the beautiful Caswell House, amidst its gorgeous sand coloured stone walls and summer blooms. The ceremony took place outside under a stunning brick archway, white balloons were strung everywhere and the sun shone all afternoon. It honestly felt like a destination wedding (and looks it from the photos!) The vows were so heartfelt and the couple were so visibly in love, it was a pleasure to photograph them together. The bridesmaids wore a deep coral, with the flowers and tassels tying the colour scheme together with mint greens and pinks. Some of my favourite features were the adorable cake topper (complete with the couple's doggies), giant white balloons and the top hats adorned by the male wedding party guests.
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Back in May, Terri from Summer Lily Studio asked me to photograph her best friend’s wedding alongside her, as she was to be a bridesmaid! It was to be a local village wedding in the bride’s home of Blunham, with the ceremony taking place at the local church and the reception at The Horseshoes pub next door! The bride’s home was so close by, that she even walked down the street to her ceremony, it was a breathtaking sight! The wedding was overall very traditional but with a few twists, the ushers wore suave burgundy suits, and the bridesmaids wore black wiggle dresses with 1950’s beehives! Another adorable feature were the flower girls, the bride’s daughters, who wore white feather wings and they looked like little angels. It was such a laid back and friendly wedding and I enjoyed every second of the day, even if I did only stay until the wedding breakfast!
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Just a little tutorial post for my clients out there! Some of you may have purchased an album from me and wondering how you go about designing and making your album from the photos that I present you with.
First things first, I will design the layout of your album for you, so you don’t have to worry about that part at all! The part where I need your input is choosing what photos will go into the album. With my standard album package you will get a 30x30cm 40 page album, therefore you need to choose around 70 of your favourite photos for me to include. I will then lay them all out in order of your day, maybe add in a few more that tell your story well, and then send the proofs back to you to review. Once you have had a look and made any changes, I will redraft, send the final proofs back to you and your album will be ordered! Hooray!
So, below is a guide of how to choose your photos for your album from your private online gallery:
Go into your gallery and click the “Select photos” button at the top right of the page:
Then select which photos you would like by simply clicking on them and making sure they are all ticked in the corner as shown below:
Once all the photos you want to include are selected, click the “Add to Favourites” button at the top of the page:
All the selected photos will now be sent to your “Favourites” folder in the top left corner of the screen. To see which photos you’ve selected you can click on the “My Selection” button next to it, or hit the “Edit my Selection” button from the drop down menu:
This will take you to your “Favourites” folder. To send all the photos directly to me, click the “Send to…” button at the top left of the page:
A little box will then pop up, please write in “My album selection” in the title and then type in your details below. In the message box please write any extra instructions, like which photo you would like as the front cover. Make sure that the top of the box says “Sent to Photographer” so that it comes straight to me. Then hit “Share” and it will ping directly to my emails.
You’re all set! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me directly. Happy album designing!
Lauren x
On a beautiful sunny day in May, I second shot for Summer Lily Studio at the gorgeous South Farm in Hertfordshire. The lovely couple, Janine and Tom, decided to marry outdoors in the little wooden pagoda on the lake behind the farmhouse. It was a beautiful location and all the guests were really moved by the stripped back and heartfelt ceremony. The couple laughed and giggled and whispered in each other’s ears throughout, it was a pleasure to capture. We completed the ceremony with some beautiful backlit confetti shots, and then stole the couple away for a few romantic shots alone. South farm really is a beautiful location and there were some amazing hideaways where the couple could have a few secluded moments together. The reception took place in the barn, lit with fairy lights and decorated with cute, rustic details. The speeches were incredibly moving, and during the father of the bride’s speech, he revealed where the couple would be flying to on their surprise honeymoon. The look on Janine’s face was priceless. The day ended with a beautiful sunset and some rather hilarious drunken bridesmaid photos! It was an amazing day.
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Victoria and Carl were married on the 30th May this year. I photographed this wedding alongside Summer Lily Studio, and I was privileged to be able to shoot groom prep by myself while Terri covered bridal prep. The day was like something out of Pinterest, there were gorgeous little DIY details everywhere! The pair were married at a old school hall and their reception was held at the gorgeous Buckettsland Farm. A few things I loved about the day: – the groomsmen wearing super hero socks, the bride’s floral crown, the cake table where everyone brought their own creations, the adorable bunting hanging in the school hall and a homemade kissing booth! It was an absolutely beautiful day with some incredibly heartfelt speeches, a bride who didn’t take herself too seriously and a groom who you could tell was madly in love with his new wife. I loved photographing every second.
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May was such a busy month for me and Summer Lily Studio. The third wedding in May that we shot together was that of Lauren and Chris, a stunning blonde from Letchworth and a handsome greek boy from Enfield. In the morning, Terri visited the bride at her mother’s house and I headed off to the groom’s parents house in London. The groom prepared for his wedding day by taking part in a traditional greek ceremony, where they used a cut-throat razor to shave his face and each family member dressed him in a different item of clothing. Meanwhile a band played greek music and everyone sang and danced, the atmosphere was incredible! The pair were then married at the Jehovah’s witness church in Letchworth, and the reception was at the gorgeous Sopwell House. These two were honestly the most beautiful couple I have ever seen and so kind hearted too. I hope you enjoy my account of the day below.
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In May, I had the pleasure of second shooting for Summer Lily Studio once again. I love working with her! The gorgeous couple were Emma and Jamie, and they were seriously one of the cutest couples ever! Whenever you saw them together, you could just tell how much they loved each other – the way he made her laugh and the way she made him smile.The ceremony took place at the beautiful Meppershall Church, with the bride arriving in a vintage museum owned car! The reception was then held at Beadlow Manor Golf Club nearby, which looked absolutely gorgeous soaked in sunshine. We took the newlyweds off for a wander around the golf course and gardens where we caught some amazing moments. The sun was bright, but it really did look magical shining through the trees behind the bride and groom. It was a warm and beautiful day all round, hope the weather stays this nice for the whole summer!
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Jade and Paul’s wedding day took place on the 3rd May this year, and was my first solo wedding! I was super nervous to begin with, but once I got into the swing of the day, it was an absolute pleasure to shoot!
Their day was very quiet and relaxed with only 20 guests in total invited to the ceremony alone. Jade and Paul are a modest and understated couple, they didn’t want a great big bells and whistles wedding, they wanted a day that was about them and their loved ones. They didn’t need to spend much to get the feel that they wanted and used the family’s talent in all aspects of the day.
Jade’s dress was made completely from scratch by her mother, and her hair and makeup was done by her younger sister. The ceremony took place at Hemel Hempstead Registry office, which was an absolutely gorgeous Georgian style house. The wedding breakfast was held at The Chequers Pub in Redbourne, and they even had me sit and eat fish and chips with the family! Because of the day’s relaxed feel, there were no speeches at the meal, but as it was such a small gathering and everyone was so close, they weren’t really needed. Finally their Reception was at Harpenden town hall, which was decorated with paper pom poms of all colours and rainbow bunting. It looked adorable! Their wedding cake was made by Jade’s mum (a woman of many talents!) and was pure white on the outside, but when cut, revealed a cakey rainbow on the inside!
The whole day was so beautiful and it was an absolute pleasure to be a part of. I loved every cute little detail and every emotion I captured on the day. I can’t wait for my next wedding!
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Back in April I was invited to second shoot alongside the lovely Marie Wootton of Marie Wootton Photography. The wedding itself was at the Felix Hotel in Cambridge and the lovely couple were Louise and Andrew. It was an incredibly relaxed wedding, with an outdoor ceremony where the whole family walked down the aisle together. It was a beautiful sight. The bride wore a gorgeous 1950s style ‘Marilyn’ dress and the flowers were all bight blues, purples and pinks. The couple opted in to have a ‘First Look’ as well which was a beautiful touch, watching the groom see his bride for the first time was truly heartwarming. It was a really amazingly emotional day and I am so glad to have been invited along to share in the experience. I had so much fun shooting alongside Marie and hope to work with her again in the future!
This adventurous couple’s engagement shoot covered three different locations around their new hometown, Leighton Buzzard. We visited the Bluebell woods, which matched Lucy’s beautiful blue stone engagement ring, next we visited some bright yellow fields to reflect their shining personalities. And finally we visited the gorgeous Rushmere Park, with many hidden curiosities that lay beneath the tall trees, to of course appeal to their sense of adventure.
This couple were up for anything and their shoot turned out to be so fun yet so intimate. I hope you enjoy!
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Last month, Linda Tookey from Tiger Lily Beauty invited me along to take some photos of her doing some bridal hair and makeup. We had three models for the day, all with varying hair lengths, colour and thickness. Linda had three different looks in mind, but ended up doing two extra than planned! Our first model, Aimee, had an absolutely gorgeous, almost Downton-esque up-do, with sweeping curls just at the nape of the neck, and some carefully placed sparkles. Perfect for a vintage wedding!
Our next model, Charlotte, started out with cascading curls, then Linda carefully wove a plait around the crown of her head – perfect for more of a casual country wedding! Then, to dress the do up a bit, linda twiddled all of the remaining hair up into the curliest most intricate side bun. The plait swept into the bun beautifully and added a little extra something to an elegant up-do.
Our third model, Rachel, had the longest hair to work with. Therefore Linda tried out a curly cascade look – perfect for brides who want to leave their hair down, but still want it styled. First Linda curled all of the hair, and swept it to the side. She then twisted up three curls at the back of the hair, to keep it in place and also to create some interest. The remaining hair was twisted and curled and backcombed into a relaxed side ponytail. A flower to the side of the twists completed the look. Rachel also had some bridal make-up done as well. Check out the beautiful natural look Linda has given her below!
Linda very kindly did my hair for me too! In a lovely curly side-bun with some added sparkle! I love the look and might well have something similar when I am bridesmaid for my best friend’s wedding next February! I hope you have enjoyed my photos and be sure to check out Tiger Lily Beauty‘s website for full details of her bridal packages.
Back in February I was invited to shoot alongside the amazing Summer Lily Studio for another beautiful wedding. I had already met the lovely Jenny and Steve at their Sunrise engagement shoot on Harpenden common. You can see my photos from the shoot here. The couple met whilst skiing in the french alps, and their wedding reflected this with a beautiful mixture of pure whites, sage greens and silvery tones. Wintery touches were everywhere – the bride was snuggled up in a white faux fur shrug and all the desserts were glistening in silver icing. One of my favourite touches from the day, was that the confetti was wrapped up in cones made from pages of the bride’s favourite book – The Princess Bride, which also happens to be one of my favourites too! I had such a wonderful day recording Jenny and Steve’s story alongside Terri. Hope you enjoy my photos.
Martin Gibbings, drummer from the band, wrote me this lovely testimonial below!
"We can't thank Lauren enough, she is always smiling and friendly and she takes amazing shots. She really captured the energetic atmosphere of the night and also used the lighting to great effect, we'll be asking her back soon! Thanks again!" - Martin The Blue Rinse
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So I thought I would talk you through how I edited these! When editing an item out of a frame, it tends to help when you take a photo of the scene before anything is in it. So before we started I took a picture of the doors without the person or chair:
Then when it comes to post production, you can easily place the empty image over the one with the chair in, to erase it out.I then used the clone tool and the heal tool to blend one image into another to make sure that it doesn’t look placed on. It helps to use the clone tool first to get the edges sharp, then use the heal tool to blend in the harsh lines.
I decided to also tidy up the background by cloning out the sign and doorhandles, so that the focus isn’t taken away from the person. Once all the big changes are done, I then put the image into Lightroom to edit the colours and the general feel of the photo. I wanted them to have a eerie, ghostly feel, so first I decided to convert my image to black and white, then play with the curves. I move the bottom left of the curve up to blend the blacks with the greys and give the image a more grungy feel. Then I add a split tone of blue/yellow to the image ti give it some subtle colour and add to the overall feel. I then finish off with a subtle feathered vignette around the edges, to help draw the eye in and highlight the figure.
So here is the before and after photos next to each other. I think I did a good job for my first levitation photos, but I feel there is a lot to still improve on. For instance a better outfit choice would have been good! If my top didn’t hang down it may have improved the look of the image, as you can still kind of see the lip of the chair through my top! A better pose would have been great, and a better location. But as a first attempt, I’m pretty pleased!
Have you ever thought about attempting a levitation photo? Let me know what you think!
Last month, I second shot for a beautiful half German, half English wedding, with Summer Lily Studio. Maggie, a german girl met Tim, an english boy when at Church together. Since then, they have been attending and preaching at their local church together in MK, so it was natural that they married in the same place. The ceremony was beautiful, the words were translated into english and german for all the guests to understand, and everyone sang along with vigour to the songs of praise. The couple wanted some natural couple shots after the ceremony, so we stopped off at a local woodland walk and caught some intimate backlit shots. Everyone at this wedding was so loving and welcoming, it was a pleasure to be able to attend and capture it all. I hope you enjoy my record of the day, and be sure to check out Summer Lily’s here.
]]>Since taking these photos, Callum and Charlotte are now engaged and planning their wedding for next February. I can’t wait to spend their special day with them!
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Back in September this year I was invited to second shoot again for my good friend Terri at Summer Lily Studio. The gorgeous couple that we met that day were Becci and Ben, and they were married in the beautiful location of Shillington Church, with their reception being held at The Sharnbrook Hotel. Right from the start they made us feel welcome and totally at ease, and we felt as if we were part of their family by the end of the day! They knew that they wanted beautiful photos and so made sure that there were many photo opportunities throughout the day! The day was beautiful and incredibly well thought out by the couple, from the bride’s jewel encrusted converse to the hilarious dinner games invented by the toastmaster! We worked alongside the wonderful videographer ‘Told By Video’ and you can watch his beautiful account of the day here. I hope you enjoy my photos and don’t forget to check out Summer Lily’s Photos too!
Back in August, Terri of Summer Lily Studio contacted me and asked me to second shoot a wedding with her! The gorgeous couple I had the pleasure of meeting were called Nikki and Ollie, and they chose the beautiful Hengrave Hall as their venue! The whole day was spent at Hengrave, with the bride and groom dressing in their own suites and the ceremony being held in its own adorable on-site chapel. The whole day was stunning with beautiful detailing, such as a bouquet covered with brooches, turquoise lace bridesmaid dresses, lawn games at the venue and three best men all with their own speeches! I had such fun helping Terri out for the day, check out her photos of the day on her facebook page here. Hope you enjoy!
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In early August I had the pleasure of being invited to shoot Mandy and Adrian’s beautiful destination wedding in the gorgeous location of Tuscany. Their family all flew in from England, to witness this adorable couple wed in the little mountain-top village of Radda in Chianti. The ceremony took place at 6pm local time in a small outdoor courtyard by the town hall. Just as the sun was setting, the bride and groom walked down the cobbled streets to their reception venue, a teeny tiny, family run bar called ‘La Bottega’. The whole village immersed themselves in preparations for the day, from the village children making a cute banner to the hairdresser’s father, who drove the bride to the ceremony in his vintage Fiat 500. The whole day was like a fairytale.