Mad, isn’t it.

Whenever I shoot a venue for the first time it’s a little bit like Christmas. This is because you don’t really know what you’re going to get out of it photographically, who you’ll be working with or what you’ll have available.

But whenever I do go somewhere new I try to do my very best… and I think I did with Wiston House.

This day was Victoria and Tom’s. It was an all day affair for me, covering the prep to the first dance. It was also a shoes in the fridge, floral head dress on the lampshades kind of day too.

They tied the knot at St Andrews Church in Steyning and spent the rest of the day at the House.

Wiston House is a venue full of potential which opens up in front of you the more you explore. The grounds alone are beautiful, but there is the Church aside the main building, the Orangery which to be honest I had far too much fun with, the garden, maze plus the main hall…it rocks.

We used pretty much everywhere for photos. But as it was a bit chilly the formal side of things were completed indoors…and just to prove you can do a large group shot indoors….

It can be done.

This was a great day with a fun couple. Special thanks goes to Amanda for holding my hand on the day. I really appreciated it because whilst you can take a lot of experience with you to somewhere new, nothing beats local knowledge.

The final part of the day was the star shot (first image on the post). This was a culmination of 80 individual shots overlapped and blended together. It only took 2 minutes of Victoria and Tom’s time but a few hours for me!

Here are some more images from the day:

Yes, that white furry thing is the dog.

I don’t know, they said to stand here….

Lovely lady

The address of Wiston House is:

Wiston House, Mouse Lane, Steyning, BN44 3DZ.

Matt and Eva

Going by the above image you’ll probably suspect Eva and Matt’s wedding at Old Luxters Barn wasn’t a standard affair…and you’d be right.

They’ve been together for years and with two little ones alongside them everyone got ready as a family and to hell with tradition. Which isn’t a bad thing.

There were vintage touches throughout, retro furniture was brought in and the flowers, table decorations and pom poms, ( as well as other things) were supplied by the lovely Jay Archer http://www.jayarcherfloraldesign.com/

This was my first time at Old Luxters Barn and the B+B opposite was simply stunning and proved for photos. Even on this slightly chilly day the grounds were great to work with and the inside of the barn was well lit and spacious.

Other credits go to A Cup of Vintage for the China hire and the cakes were from The Yellow Bee Cake Company.

It was a great wedding and here are some more images from the day:

The address of Old Luxters Barn is:

Old Luxters Barn, Hambleden, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 6JW and it is very easy to find with a Sat Nav.

Lindsey and Paul

Here’s the lovely Lindsay and Paul from a couple of weeks ago.

I have a few other blog posts to do but I’ve brought this one forward because it has snow and it’s April…and I can’t post it in July, you’ll all think I’m mad.

Because of the weather this was also one of the my most challenging weddings.

It was really cold, 0 degrees, a bit windy too. When I wanted it to snow it didn’t and when I didn’t want it to it did and so on.

I also challenged myself. I believe no matter what, I should be able to deliver in every single situation, with no excuses and we did.

So there was a walking confetti throw indoors, Check:

The formal shots indoors with Paul throwing me a ‘Hey Handsome’ look, Check:

Then there was the magazine lighting in the rose arch, in the dark, in the snow, Check:

I then drove the groom to A&E (almost):

and finally did the must have Cath Kidston flashlit umbrella shot with the Mansion in the background:

So I was busy. Most of this stuff I’d never done before and just because it was a challenge doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy every minute of it.

Being taken out of my comfort zone is a great way to grow and learn new things. Sometimes it works, sometimes not but it’s an excellent way to turn out original work and break new ground.

It helps to have a great couple to work with. Lindsey and Paul were a class act all day if I’m honest and were rock and roll throughout from when Lindsey rocked it down the aisle to when they both rocked out on the dancefloor.

A truly ACE day.

Here are some more images:

Roxy and Jamie in a Poppy Field at Pangdean Barn

Bang, we’re here. There’s a sense of spring in the air and the 2013 wedding season is also starting to make noises at me, a slow rumbling sound that builds and builds up until April where it clobbers me squarely on the hooter screaming ‘I’m heeeeere!’

And that folks is what it’s like every year. January and February are usually really quiet, one or two weddings.

Then around the first week of March it hits you that you’ve two weddings next week…. (and they’re going to be awesome).

This blog post though isn’t for me to ramble about the year ahead.

This blog is for Roxy and Jamie. One of the biggest weddings from last year.

Now when it comes to a wedding, ‘big’ can be interpreted many ways. You can have the biggest venue, number of guests, most expensive dress but when I say big, I mean ‘right’.

This wedding had a lot more details than your usual one. Everything was clearly thought about, put together and double checked. No details were missed and it was clear the Roxy and Jamie worked HARD to make this day the stunner it turned out to be.

Getting ready just a few doors apart I was able to run between them both for photos before leaving for St Johns Church in Brighton (The one on Knoyle road), an emotional ceremony, a great confetti throw and they released some white doves before heading to Pangdean Barn.

Pangdean Barn is probably one of the best venues in the Brighton area, they really care and keep their staff. Everyone knows each other well and have a great duty of care to everyone on the day.

They have a Poppy field across the road from the Barn which I visited four times to make sure the farmer hadn’t cut them down. The effort resulted in one of my favourite images from the day .

From this point there were the photos, canapes and drinks before leading to a dinner of Chicken pie and mash. Awesome.

In the evening the families danced together and there was a special surprise for Roxy from Jamie, Joe Cox (from the X Factor).

A lovely lovely couple and a third generation referral from past weddings. Which is especially nice.

Here’s some more pics from the day…

1. We’re really nice.                                             2. See?                                                    3. Now you die!

The wedding world is changing. Years ago May-October was wedding territory and rarely did people step outside of those months to get married.

But now because of our really quite (bonkers / insane / crazy / unpredictable <- pick one) weather couples are tying the knot at all times of the year.

Other than the last two weeks of January that is…when the sun tends to be out.

The winter months tend to be problematic for wedding photos, cold days, early sunsets and getting a balanced light from a single flash, matching the temperature and ambient light correctly (like the image above) can be tricky even if you know what you’re doing.

And I never said I knew what I was doing.

Such was the case with Holly and Craig’s wedding. Winter lighting is different from the Summer months, it’s warmer, has a slight orange glow to it because of the mixed lighting and in some ways it perfectly suits the Winter months when we all want to be wrapped up somewhere cozy.

Holly and Craig chose Horsted Place in Uckfield as their venue. They took it exclusively and had everything there.

The whole day was a relaxed and happy one. It was like being amongst old friends. Even Santa turned up at one point to hands out presents to the kids (big kids too).

At the end of the evening I set up a long exposure shot of the house and the stars. We were fortunate to have a clear night.

Great day, great couple, great venue.

Becky and Tom

Oh so, bit of a biggie this one, huge in fact.

There are so many facets to Becky and Tom’s Autumn Wedding at Clarice House that I’m not to sure where to start other than from the beginning.

.

This wedding was covered by myself and Laura jointly. Laura covered Tom and the boys at Clarice House with myself covering Becky and Co at her parents down the road.

Because of the distance we stayed the night before at the venue, (No point starting a wedding after a long drive, hard to party with the camera later on) but it was an 8am start regardless, with lots to do.

.

The start of the day was very rainy and cold. My lenses kept steaming up from going outside to shoot the shoes and back in to cover the prep…. this time of year condensation is the enemy!

Becky’s shoes were from Kurt Geiger and the dress was an Elizabeth Fillmore number from Browns Bride.

I’m exceptionally careful with every wedding dress but…..it was only after I’d hung the dress up outside, from the Pergola, after it had just ceased raining, that someone had the kindness to tell me what the dress cost.

And no, I can’t tell you how much it was.

Once everyone was ready and I’d taken the portraits of family that I usually do:

.

I ran ahead to Clarice house and on the way it started snowing.

I’m often asked what the best weather to have for a wedding, for me at least it’s a case of ‘as long as it’s not windy’, which it wasn’t

.

Once there I rejoined my beloved Laura to take stock of what had happened so far and planned ahead for the rest of the day.

What followed was a beautiful ceremony and dinner. There was even a letter from the Queen saying she was unable to attend:

.

Becky and Tom also had a friend paint a canvas where a little piece of each was given to each guest. The intention being to piece the puzzle back together again.

During the evening there was a cake competition where everyone brought their own. I found out the difference between Macaroon’s and Macaron’s and we all had a dance to the most Awesome Wedding Band I’ve seen this year, Brass Roots.

.

This is the point in my blog where I usually say, ‘and here are some more photo’, not so on this one.

You see we took over the Swimming Pool, with ‘That dress’ after the first dance…..

.

I’ve really only just touched on some of the fabulous and amazing things from the day.

Becky, Tom, everyone in fact were superb to be around, I’m sure I danced with Becky’s mum at some point, briefly, before running off to capture Becky going ‘Gangnam Style’ on the stairs.

.

If you’d like to hear more of Becky’s story, she’s blogged it quite a lot here: http://lady-bakewell-park.blogspot.co.uk/

But that’s it from me for now, here are some more photo’s from the day……

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Throughout the formals, these chaps at the back held Becky’s dress from the floor. Kudos to you boys, Kudos.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Brass Roots were just the best!

.

.

.

.

.

.

Credits:

Venue, Food and Drink: Clarice House, Bury St Edmunds
Dress: Elizabeth Fillmore stocked at Browns Bride
Cake: Anges de Sucre
Band: Brassroots
Flowers: Myrtle and Mint
Shoes: Kurt Geiger
Suits by Giles at Six Whiting Street 

Nicky and Paul at Nonsuch Mansion

I knew at the time I took this booking that Nicky and Paul’s wedding was going to be detailed.

Nicky and Paul had so many ideas bouncing around when I met them many many months before that I kinda knew what to expect and they completely delivered.

Cool Retro Rock would be how I’d sum it up. Personalities were full of fun but relaxed, There were friends running around filming on Super 8, on the tables there was Box Brownie cameras, vintage folding cameras (all with film) ready for people to use. They took an accepted standard and raised the bar completely.

.

Paul arrived early with the boys to complete a sound check ready for the set they were going to play later (which was immense).

Special mention goes to Jay Archer Floral design for doing that 120% that she always seems to do with her floral work. It seems distinctly personal to her.

There were small details everywhere, great big white globe balloons outside, lanterns, wedding signposts, little miniture stags…you name it, it was there.

This was my fourth outing at Nonsuch Mansion and every time I try my very best to deliver something unique to the couple. It helps to have an excellent team there running the show. I can’t really say enough nice things about them to be honest.

Nonsuch Mansion

This was a late October Wedding, night came along quickly but nobody cared. The evening was full of entertainment.

After the wedding breakfast Paul played an awesome set with Laura running a Photo Booth after, the images of which are on my Facebook page.

Lovely day, lovely couple.

Here are some more images from the day:

.

The Orchid Room at Nonsuch Mansion

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Nonsuch Mansion

The Orchid Room at Nonsuch Mansion

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

It’s important to get everyone involved

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Nonsuch Mansion’s Address and Postcode:

Nonsuch Park
Ewell Road
Cheam
Surrey SM3 8AL
Tel: 020 8786 8124

Angela and Chris at Stanmer Park

Meet Angela and Chris. Last July I had the pleasure of shooting their wedding at Stanmer House.

It was midsummer and HOT, some 30+ degrees. So hot in fact the speeches had to be held outside of the Marquee!

.

This was very colourful and stylish wedding. An Alfred Angelo Dress (I think, readers please correct me), Ted Baker suits, shirts and …. flip flops.

Angela and Chris really pulled out the stops in the small details department. The inside of Stanmer House was well dressed with photos from the past, in frames, little tea lights everywhere but even these were wrapped in ribbon.

The cake was a Choccywoccydoodah number and the band they had in the evening were ‘The Daggers’.

.

If anything was memorable it was Angela’s dress kept being stepped on! As illustrated above

As always the staff at Stanmer House did an awesome job, a well decorated and smartly run venue.

Here’s some more images from the day:

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Address and Postcode for Stanmer House is:

Stanmer House
Stanmer Park
Brighton
East Sussex
BN1 9QA

Tel: 01273 680400

Mary-Anne and Stephen

Say hello to Mary-Anne and Stephen. This fab couple were married in August at St Peters Church in Marlow with their reception at the Henley Business School in Oxfordshire.

This was a lovely day, the beautiful church had ornate mosaics in the registry area and with Stephen being a Scot many were in kilts.

.

One of the highlights of the day was the Singing Waiters that were left as a surprise for after dinner. There were quite frankly, awesome. They really got everyone going and involved. I strongly recommend them!

Henley Business School sits right beside the Thames. People passing by in boats waved at us throughout out the day screaming a distant ‘Congratulations’ whilst we were taking photos near the Lavender, the Foxgloves and all the other flowers that occupied these ornate gardens.

The Singing Waiters went down a storm

What was especially nice, comforting in fact was there was a Bagpipe player not only at the Church but he followed us to the Reception where he carried on playing in the distance right up until the start of the wedding breakfast.

A great summertime wedding!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Seetal and Minesh at Cripps Barn

Today I’d like to show you Seetal and Minesh’s wedding from November.

This amazing couple tied the knot at Cripps Barn, Gloucester near the start of the month.

Because of the distance I stopped overnight a few miles down the road at the Lamb Inn. It rained all night, and did so pretty hard too. When I awoke and left for the prep address, (which was Cats Abbey some 5 miles away) it was still throwing it down.

The weather forecast said it was going to be clear later and so off I went thinking it couldn’t get any worse… only to find the temperature dropped a couple of degrees and there was heavy snow for the first few hours.

Beautiful, but slightly unwelcome.

Now I’m not complaining, I like snow, really I do. But I had plans, plans involving De’Loreans, Vintage Buses and smoke bombs in no particular order.

Everyone got ready at Cats Abbey. A 1950′s enamel blue vintage bus was taking everyone except Minesh to Cripps Barn whilst our Groom was heading to Cripps in a Back to the Future De’Lorean.

My plan was for the De’Lorean to arrive in a cloud of smoke. I bought some Enola Gay smoke grenades from Airsoft World, (just the small ones) and the lovely Corinne at Cripps Barn allowed me to run loose with them.

The results of which are further down, it’s nice to be creative.

.

So the weather was sucky until it was time to leave for the venue. Then, as if someone had thrown a switch, strong sunlight cut like a knife through the clouds and lit Seetal up just as she was boarding the bus.

We even had a little rainbow too, nice

Cripps barn is truly a great venue. It’s a photographers dream inside and out with lots of angles to bounce light from. Plenty of light fell on Seetal, Minesh and the whole wedding party due to the position of the window above them.

Cripps is very well kept, huge barbeque, a massive bonfire in the evening and small touches everywhere that when put together show just how much the owners care about the place.

It’s fab.

Inside Cripps Barn

I loved this day, it went from ‘Uh Oh’ to ‘Whoa’ pretty quickly and it was great to be there. A day that will stick with me for a long time. With pictures that will remind me for years.

Here are some more photo’s from the day:

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Great Scott!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

The Cripps Barn postcode is GL7 5BA – It’s all you need.