COMBERMERE ABBEY WEDDING

Combermere Abbey! What an incredible place for a wedding. This wedding venue is nestled in the rural borders of Cheshire and Shropshire in the Northwest of England. This place is a real treat! I took another road trip to Shropshire to shoot the wedding of Kathryn and Jack along side my best buddy Teresa. My main job was to focus on the groom and assist capturing the day in my usual documentary style. Anyway, that is enough chatter. Here are some highlights!

See more wedding inspiration on my Instagram feed and feel free to pin your favourites on to your Pinterest Board. If you are looking for a wedding photographer who is more about capturing your day in a natural, fun and unobtrusive way, then you are in the right place. Get in touch and tell me about your plans.

CHRIS & SARAH'S FENNES WEDDING

Today’s feature is all about Chris and Sarah’s outdoor wedding at Fennes in Bocking Essex. This lovely couple booked one of my half day packages which focused on capturing Sarah getting ready at Fennes, the ceremony and the drinks reception out on the lawns. We were treated to glorious sunshine which helped to keep everyone in good spirits.

The wedding party headed out of the manor house on to the lawns for the wedding ceremony beside the lake.

After the ceremony, drinks were served in the gardens whilst the guests enjoyed the good weather.

For more outdoor wedding inspiration, check out Dilys and Phil’s wedding at That Amazing Place.

See more wedding inspiration on my Instagram feed and feel free to pin your favourites on to your Pinterest Board. If you are looking for a wedding photographer who is more about capturing your day in a natural, fun and unobtrusive way, then you are in the right place. Get in touch and tell me about your plans.

POSTPONING A WEDDING: LIZ & LUKE SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE

The topic of wedding postponement remains high on the agenda at the moment. The majority of my scheduled weddings for 2020 have been forced or have made the choice to postpone to late 2020 or 2021. The decision for many was complex and not easy.

There is currently no certainty on when weddings will be permitted in the UK. However, when the government does announce the guidelines specifically on weddings, myself and others across the wedding industry are preparing for the real likelihood that weddings will slowly return but with restrictions in place on both ceremonies and receptions. This is likely to include restrictions on guest numbers, social distancing measures and even the possibility of the need for wearing masks. For now, we can only wait.

In May, Jessica and Pete kindly shared their experience of rescheduling their wedding to 2021 which was originally due to take place in mid-April. Today Liz and Luke are sharing their experiences too and I extend a great thanks for taking the time to help other couples who are also grappling with wedding postponements at the moment.

Big cheery hello to Liz and Luke

1. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR SITUATION

Planning for 6 months, we had a pretty short turnaround between engagement (Sept 2019) and the wedding (planned for 1st May). Roughly 100 people all at one venue.

2. WHEN DID YOU FIRST START TO THINK THAT YOU MAY POSTPONE?

Initially we were keen to have it regardless. We underestimated the severity of the situation. When the decision was made to limit numbers at social gatherings it became clear that it was going to be taken out of our hands. Our Hen and Stag dos were cancelled pretty much within the same couple of days. 

3. WHAT MADE THE DECISION CERTAIN FOR YOU IN THE END?

We felt there would have been worry in the air for everyone there and we would have hated for our wedding to be the cause of any of our loved ones getting ill. 

4. WHO DID YOU CONTACT FIRST TO TALK THROUGH POSTPONING YOUR WEDDING?

We contacted our venue about a week before the decision was made to postpone in mid March. At that time they assured us things were not likely to be moved/cancelled! 

5. HOW DID YOUR SUPPLIERS REACT?

All the suppliers were excellent, very understanding and we've been able to have everyone originally booked for our new wedding date.

6. WHAT WAS THE REACTION FROM YOUR GUESTS?

Similar to the suppliers, very positive and we think a lot of people recognised it was inevitable. One of the best things to come out of the postponement was that Luke's sister (and one of the bridesmaids) arranged for our guests to send video messages which she collated into one video. We were able to watch this on the day our wedding was due and it was incredible - such happy messages to receive which made us feel excited for the new date rather than sad we weren't getting married.

7. AS A COUPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE OTHER COUPLES THINKING OF POSTPONING THEIR WEDDING?

Try and focus on how short a few month's delay it is in the context of spending the rest of your lives together. 

8. HAVE YOU SET ANOTHER DATE?

Yes later in the year (Dec 2020)

9. HOW DO YOU FEEL NOW THAT YOU HAVE POSTPONED?

The season of our wedding has changed a lot but we've been so lucky in that nearly everything we had planned will still be relevant for December. We are, like everyone, excited for lockdown to be over and for some semblance of normality to resume. We know that there are people who have been affected a lot more by Coronavirus than we have and we are just feeling grateful that we will still be able to get married.

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Get inspired. Check out Ruth and Juan’s outdoor wedding.

See more wedding inspiration on my Instagram feed and feel free to pin your favourites on to your Pinterest Board. If you are looking for a wedding photographer who is more about capturing your day in a natural, fun and unobtrusive way, then you are in the right place. Get in touch and tell me about your plans.

CHRIS & LEI'S NORFOLK WEDDING

This is the gorgeous sunkissed June wedding of Chris and Lei, who got married last weekend in Norfolk. The reception was held at The Barn at Woodlands in Norfolk. We were treated to glorious weather all day and had a whole lot of fun in the company of Chris and Lei’s family and friends. Here you go, check it out.

Chris and Lei’s ceremony was held at St Stephen’s Church in Norwich with family and friends who had travelled across the globe to be there. Talk about commitment!

After a whole lot of confetti throwing, the guests hopped on the buses, equipped with gin and hula hoops, to the reception venue at Woodlands Farm in Stokesby. We even got to pass over the Norfolk Broads on the journey. The reception drinks were held in the sunny gardens of the farm.

The barn was beautifully decorated with tokens to Chris and Lei’s travels. We made the most of the stunning golden hour taking Chris and Lei on a wander around the gardens at the end the day.

Chris & Lei’s Awesome Supplier List
Ceremony location - St Stephen’s Church Norwich
Reception location - The Barn at Woodlands Norfolk
Wedding planner - Natalie Solanke Wedding Planner
Makeup - Eleanor Harnden
Hairdresser - Cara Hubbard
Florist - Crown House Flowers
Bridal dress - Love Always Bridal, Brisbane Australia
Bridesmaids’ dresses - ASOS
Groom’s Suit - Saba and ASOS
Wedding bus - Bus & Us
Wedding cars - Eastern Chauffeur and Norfolk Chauffeur
Venue Decor - Belles and Beaus Wedding Styling, and Boomting Bunting
Photography - Anesta Broad Photography accompanied by Megan Elle Garratt
Videography - Konjo
Caterer - The Barn at Woodlands Norfolk
Cake baker - Figbar

For more summer barn wedding inspiration, check out Mike and Steph’s wedding at The Essex Barn.

See more wedding inspiration on my Instagram feed and feel free to pin your favourites on to your Pinterest Board. If you are looking for a wedding photographer who is more about capturing your day in a natural, fun and unobtrusive way, then you are in the right place. Get in touch and tell me about your plans.

SARAH + STEVEN'S CRONDON PARK WEDDING

My last winter wedding just a few days before last Christmas was Sarah and Steven’s Crondon Park Wedding in Essex. Sarah and Steven incorporated plenty of rich wintry colours and nods to Christmas into their wedding day. The Baronial Barn was seasonally dressed with plenty of golden fairy lights and a huge beautifully dressed Christmas tree, plus the couples love for North London football team Tottenham Hotspurs was incorporated into the day too. Enough talking, check it out for yourselves.

Sarah & Steven’s Awesome Suppliers

Venue - Crondon Park
Florist - Stock Florist
Makeup Artist - Le Charlemagne
Hairdresser - Katie Petrie
Cake Baker - Linda Tattoo
Bridal Gown - Grace and Lace
Bridesmaids Dresses - David’s Bridal
Groom’s Suit - Next
Live Band - The Somebodys
Magician - Tony Steward
Guitarist - Glen Parish
Caterer - Crondon Park

MIKE & STEPH'S ESSEX BARN WEDDING

I am taking you back to the summer for Mike and Steph’s wedding at The Broadfields Essex Barn in Upminster. Prosecco, miniature ponies, a bright red MG, confetti, sunset, smokebombs and sparklers….that just about sums up their day!

Mike and Steph got married at Church of St Laurence in Upminster, which has a pretty cool history dating back to the 14th century.

After the ceremony, we had time for confetti and some portraits whilst the guests jumped on the double decker bus to the reception venue. Mike and Steph drove themselves in a kick ass red MG, after being coerced into photographs with some miniature ponies who just happened to be outside of the church.

Essex Barn Wedding Reception
After the short journey through Upminster on the double decker bus, the guests were dropped at the Broadfield Essex Barn nestled in the woodlands of Thames Chase to kick off the afternoon reception. Dinner, speeches and a whole lot of prosecco ran into the early evening.

After dinner we headed back outside of the barn for a little walk and some relaxed photos. The guests hit the photobooth in the beautiful cute form of Winnie the Vintage Caravan. Just before sunset, cutting of the cake took place outdoors and then we all hit the dancefloor. We ended the evening with colourful smoke bombs, sparklers and a pretty cool sunset.

Mike & Steph’s Awesome Suppliers
Ceremony venue - Church of Saint Laurence Upminster
Reception venue - The Essex Barn
Florist - Victoria's Floral Designs
Makeup - Vibha Mistry
Hairdresser - Hair and Make Up by Carrie
Bridal gown - Justin Alexander at Bella Sposa
Bridesmaids’ dresses - Dorothy Perkins
Groom’s suit - Moss Bros
Caterer - Leave it to Us
Bus - Ensign Company
Photobooth - Winnie the Vintage Caravan
Videographer - Rapid Image
Band - Dirty Water

MEL + PHIL'S CLISSOLD HOUSE WEDDING

I had a full December of winter weddings. All were completely different and amazing. First up, I was back in Stoke Newington for Mel and Phil’s London wedding at Clissold House. #melwedsphil These guys need to be my neighbours. There, I have said it. Not even sorry. They had me at “there will be lots of cheese”.

In the evening we headed over to the West Reservoir Centre for speeches, vodka, thai food, cheese and epic dancing. Hats off to those guests who tore up that dancefloor. You know who you are. Absolute legends. A mention has to go to Mark Daly Events who was Mel and Phil’s wedding planner. I am in complete awe of his skills and he is so lovely, a joy to work. Here are some of my favourite photos of the day. Enjoy!

KARL & KAYLEIGH'S GOSFIELD HALL WEDDING

Throw back to August for Karl and Kayleigh’s Gosfield Hall wedding. It was pure elegance and combined with the grand feel of Gosfield Hall, it was a day to remember. Karl and Kayleigh chose to have their first dance outdoors deliberately timed for sunset overlooking the scenic countryside views. So as you can imagine we got some cracking photos for them. I first met Karl & Kayleigh at a wedding in Morocco, so amongst their guests were plenty of familiar faces, as well as another bride and groom that I had photographed before! But enough of me talking, check it out for yourself. Get right to the end to see Karl & Kayleigh’s awesome supplier list.

Karl & Kayleigh’s Awesome Suppliers
Venue - Gosfield Hall
Car - Park Ward Carriage Company
Band - Soul Beat (Articulate Music)
Videographer - David Hughes
Bride’s hairdresser - Carly Williams
Bridemaids’ hairdresser - Catherine McCarthy
Makeup artist - Lightbox makeup
Wedding planner - Faye Headley
Groom’s suit - Oliver Brown London
Bridal gown - Suzanne Neville
Bridesmaids dresses - Ghost London
Florist - Atelier Emmanuel
Cake - Ann’s Designer Cakes
Light up letters - Celebrations Events

If you want a little more inspiration, check out Natasha and Stephen’s Gosfield Hall Essex wedding too!

AMY & JOHN'S STOKE NEWINGTON TOWN HALL WEDDING

Amy and John’s wedding at Stoke Newington Town Hall was an affair to remember. There is something awesome about London in the summer. The day started at the Rose and Crown pub were Amy and John got ready. Then we headed across the road to Stoke Newington Town Hall, full of art deco character, for their ceremony.

After the ceremony we skipped over to Clissold Park for their family photos and a short stroll before settling down in the quirky The Old Church for dinner and dancing. Enjoy some highlights from their day.

LISA & DAVID'S HOUCHINS WEDDING

Top notch speeches, a saxophonist, a hot air balloon and a whole lot of dancing! I was back at Houchins Wedding Venue in July for the summer wedding of Lisa and David. We were treated to some pretty glorious weather all day including a beautiful golden hour and sunset after dinner. I have shared a few highlights from their day, but in all honesty, I found it extremely hard to keep it short. So here goes, check it out.

David & Lisa's Awesome Suppliers
Florist - Elisha Floral Design
Cake baker - Pink Face
Caterer - Limeberry Catering
Videographer - Philip Smith Visuals
Bridal gown - Wed2B
Bridesmaids dresses - ASOS
Groom's suit - Marks & Spencers
Musicians - Saxophonist Rob Mach
DJ - Nick Geiss

HANNAH & ELLIOTT'S SANTORINI WEDDING

I am really excited to share highlights from Hannah and Elliott’s Santorini Wedding earlier this year. Photographing a destination wedding on the beautiful Greek island of Santorini has been on wish list for quite some time. This amazing opportunity arose, where I was able to photograph not one by two weddings with Teresa Cunningham out in Santorini. I covered the perspective of the groom, whilst Teresa covered the bride.

For those of you that have been watching closely this year, you may have spotted that I have been transitioning from using Canon gear to Fuji at weddings. This destination wedding was an ideal opportunity to road test my Fuji gear in a different climate. Fuji cameras and lenses are significantly smaller and lighter than any other equipment I have used. I was able to genuinely travel much lighter, and also take my ninja shooting skills up to warrior level.

I have always loved travelling, even as a child. I am that person ahead of you in the passport queue who politely asks for a stamp in her passport. I still get a kick from flicking through my passport and totting up the country stamps. It’s a life long ambition to run out of pages before a passport expires.

I have been lucky enough to have photograph destination weddings in Morocco and Portugal. I will be heading out to Ireland next year for another. Cheers to more adventures and more cool stamps in our passports!

NATASHA & PETER'S QUENDON HALL WEDDING

"Just wanted to say thank you so much again. You made us feel so relaxed and the photography felt like fun - it was as though you were just another member of our friends and family."

A fun filled Caribbean Indian fusion wedding. That was the theme of Natasha and Peter's Parklands Quendon Hall Wedding. After a brief chat on Instagram, I knew I was in for a treat. We had glorious sunshine, a beautiful rose gold colour theme and plenty of banter to keep the day upbeat and light hearted. Full of fun, shared love, and laughter, it was a pretty awesome day! Check out Natasha & Peter's awesome supplier list at the end of the blog post!

Natasha & Peter's Awesome Suppliers
Ceremony flowers - Ismay Williams
Reception flowers - Essex Flower Walls
Makeup artist - Makeupology
Hairdresser - Sarah Wade
Caker baker - Bakealicious Jan
Videographer - Third Reel Films
Bridal gown - Wed2B
Bridesmaids dresses - ASOS
Groom's suit - River Island
Musicians - Adam Amor & Stacey McCarthy
DJ - DJ Anju

EMMA & MICK'S SWYNFORD MANOR WEDDING

Emma and Mick's Swynford Manor Wedding was a very memorable day for me. I had been looking forward to photographing my first wedding at this recently renovated Cambridgeshire venue. It has a wonderful luxurious decor and feel to it. We were treated to some beautiful spring weather, sunset and sparklers after dark! Superb day!

Capturing your guests truly enjoying themselves on the dancefloor is something I love to do. Don't miss my forty perfect dance moments captured at weddings during my travels in the UK and Overseas!

Emma and Mick's Awesome Supplier List
Makeup artist - Dani Rose
Hairdresser - Angel Cox
Florist - Tollys Flowers
Bridal Gown - Essence of Australia
Bridesmaids dresses - Sorella Vita
Groom's Suit - Moss Bros
Wedding car - Bentley Spur (Wallis & Sons – Cambridge Wedding Cars)
Ceremony Venue - All Saints Church Cottenham
Reception Venue - Swynford Manor
Caterer - Swynford Manor
Band - Get Carter
Venue decorator - Covers By Gill
Videographer - White Dress Films

CHARLOTTE & RICK'S MOOR HALL WEDDING

In the autumn, I returned to Aveley in Essex for another Moor Hall Wedding. This time it was the turn of Charlotte and Rick to get married. It was a beautiful day for so many reasons. Their three children were superb all day long, making me smile and laugh out loud. Not for the first time, there were familiar faces in the crowd. Guests from previous weddings as well as couples who have come to me for family portrait shoots too. It is becoming quite a regular occurrence. I owe many thanks to everyone for their continued support, kind words and for recommending me to your colleagues, friends and family.

For more Moor Hall Wedding inspiration, check out Victoria and Charlie's Spring wedding.

Charlotte and Rick's Awesome Supplier List
Florist - Flowers by Tracy
Hairdresser - Vanilla Rooms Hornchurch
Bridal Gown - Lottie Lew
Bridesmaids Gowns - Bromley Brides & Debenhams
Groom's Suit - Jack Bunneys
Wedding cars - PL Taxis
Caterer - Relish
Cake baker - Boutique Cake Studio
DJ - Love2Groove
Videographer - Spotlight Weddings

JAMES & RACHEL'S ISLINGTON TOWN HALL WEDDING

I always look forward to an Islington Town Hall wedding.  The ornate town hall set amongst the urban streets contributes to a very modern, cool atmosphere. Rachel and James had a relaxed intimate wedding at Islington Town Hall in November. Following, we headed to The Chapel Bar with their friends and family for their chilled out after party. Of course, being in London, we travelled on a traditional double decker red bus. Congratulations again to Rachel and James. 

From the city to the beach, for something a little summery check out this engagement shoot on Mersea Island Beach.

James and Rachel's Awesome Supplier List
Makeup artist - Lisa Weal
Hairdresser - Sami Page
Bridal Gown - Monsoon
Bridesmaid's dress - Monsoon
Groom's Suit - Anthony Formal Wear - Billericay
Ceremony Venue - Islington Town Hall London
Reception Venue - The Chapel Bar
Caterer - The Chapel Bar
Cake baker - The Chapel Bar

40 Perfect Dance Floor Moments

A friend asked me recently how many weddings have I photographed. It dawned on me that I didn't actually know the answer but it wouldn't hurt to work it out. So I looked back and was surprised when the total came to 140! I have witnessed 140 couples get married across the UK and beyond. That is pretty cool!

With that in mind, it feels like a great time to pick out some of my favourite moments, starting with the dance floor.  For any couples who can't decide whether or not to have a photographer stay for the first dance and beyond, right here are 40 reasons why you should. Forty moments captured on camera from first dances with Elvis to brides getting their feet wet, to beer pints being spilt or guests doing the caterpillar! I love them all!

These are memories that everyone should have captured of their wedding day. Be sure to tell your family and friends to not be shy. Dance like no one is watching!

Get in touch to tell me about your wedding plans and to book your date in my diary.

VICTORIA & CHARLIE'S MOOR HALL WEDDING

Victoria and Charlie were married at Moor Hall Wedding Venue in Essex. It was my first visit to Moor Hall, even though it was very local to me. Moor Hall is a quaint modern wedding venue tucked away within Aveley, surrounded by pretty gardens and woodland. I love this venue and it's a joy to photograph at. Beautiful venue, fun atmosphere, plus Jodie and the whole Moor Hall team are absolutely superb. Victoria was a bridesmaid at a previous wedding of mine. So it was lovely to be there to capture her wedding day. And see the familiar faces of her close friends Tom and Mary who's wedding at Layer Marney Tower, I photographed in 2016. 

Victoria and Charlie's fantastic wedding supplier team are listed at the end of this blog post.

Cheers to Victoria and Charlie as well as their gorgeous two boys. Thank you for sharing your wedding day with me.

There is so much more to see. For more wedding inspiration, check out the Layer Marney winter wedding of Victoria and Charlie's close friends, Tom & Mary. 

Victoria & Charlie's Awesome Supplier List
Venue - Moor Hall
Venue decorator - Eden Florist
Wedding planner - Jodie Gray from Moor Hall
Florist - Maria Baker
Makeup artist and hairdresser - Boe Wright
Cake baker - Sophie Stratford
Bridal Gown - Belissima
Bridemaids dresses - Chi Chi
Groom's suit - M&S
Caterers - Leave It To Us
DJ - Love2Groove
Light Up Letters - Little Big Things

MILLIE & BILL'S OUTDOOR LANGTONS WEDDING

What an amazing privilege it was for me to photograph Langtons very first outdoor ceremony during 2017! We had fantastic weather for Millie and Bill's outdoor Langtons wedding. Millie and Bill got married in The Orangery within Langtons gardens. It is a beautiful Georgian structure which was converted especially for this special occasion. The day was full of smiles, laughter and a few tears too during the speeches. The images tell the story. Millie and Bill's chose amazing suppliers to help create their wedding, which are all listed at the end of this blog post. Take a look and toast to Millie and Bill!

Don't stop here. Planning an outdoor wedding? Then you need to check out Zoe and Adam's tipi wedding at North Hill Farm.

Millie & Bill's Awesome Wedding Supplier List
Ceremony location - The Orangery, Langtons House
Reception location - Langtons Hall, Langtons House
Florist - Daisy May
Makeup artist - La Charlemagne
Hairdresser - Shelley Fairs
Groom's suit - Jack Bunneys
Bride's dress - Serenity
Pianist - Danny Mills
Band - Scooby
Caterer - Leave It To Us
Videographer - Simply Wedding Movies
 

NATALIE & SHARDARNE'S HOUCHINS WEDDING

During their wedding, these guys made me cry, not once by twice! That takes some doing and is a reflection of the beauty and power of their marriage. I had been looking forward to working at Houchins Wedding Venue. They opened as a wedding venue only two years ago. Natalie got ready in Houchins farmhouse, a stunning Grade 2 listed building full of character and space for some guests to stay overnight.  I started the day with Natalie, whilst Jay started the day in Braintree capturing the final stages of Shardarne getting ready with his bestman and ushers. After an emotional ceremony at St Peter ad Vincula Church in Coggeshall, we headed back to Houchins for the wedding reception. I love how Natalie and Shardarne made their day truly their own. It was lovely working with some familiar and new faces too including Sally from Halo Blossom florists, Wedding Planner Sian from Busy Brides and Limeberry Catering to name just a few. I have to say a special mention must go to Get Gospel Choir, finalist for BBC Gospel Choir of the Year, who were absolutely superb during the church service. So that's enough from me, here are the highlights from Natalie and Shardarne's Houchins Wedding!