On the 8th of March I had the pleasure of shooting my first wedding of the season with a totally lovely couple, Becki & Tim, who had an absolutely lurrrrvely reception venue but let’s start at the beginning of the day…

I knocked on the door of what I presumed was the Bride’s family home – a man answered, looking at me completely baffled as to who I was and what I was doing on his doorstep.  Dread flooded over me thinking I had the wrong address but then he burst out laughing – it was only the Father of the Bride playing a prank – thanks Jeremy!

So the atmosphere of the morning was full of fun and good cheer while I toddled off to take accessory shots (I particularly loved the old fashioned dolls house in Becki’s former room with which I used as a setting for the bridal shoes!)

When it came to getting Becki into her beautiful wedding dress, tears started to flow from both Mum and Bride – I was really moved by their closeness.  Once make-up was re-touched, Becki provided us with a very enjoyable and unique experience in playing some songs on her mini grand piano.  It made for a very beautiful scene – like something out of a period drama with Becki in all her finery.  I believe this was cause for a second re-touch of make-up for Mother of the Bride, Alison!

For the ceremony we travelled to Yate Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses where the Father of the Bride doubled as the registrar.  I can imagine it’s a rather difficult thing to sign your daughter away to the protection of another man – good job he likes Tim then really!

On to the venue we went where the poor VW Camper van they were using nearly conked out half way up a hill.  Shame it didn’t actually, that would have made for a good pic having the Bride and Groom pushing it up!  But we arrived safe and sound at the stunning Tortworth Court in South Gloucestershire.  With the sun flooding across the gardens we went straight into doing the couple’s shots.  The wedding party dined in the Orangery which was a gorgeous glass roofed Victorian building and then for the evening party, they moved onto the star studded ceiling marquee.

After welcoming their evening guests and cutting the cake, Becki surprised Tim with what looked like a whole new wedding dress as she strode onto the dance floor – She had in fact stripped off what was a detachable lace layer to reveal a very chic and foxy dress!  Once the dancing was under way, there was no stopping them all, so me and my mum Tania (second photographer) slipped away as they carried on partying into the night.

The fabulous end to an amazing wedding day.

 

I had the privilege of shooting photos at wedding of October Wilcock (aka, Tobie) and Joe Doyle on the 28th of September.  This was a big deal.  Not only have they been together for over 6 years but it was the first wedding out of all of the siblings on either side of the family!

When I arrived at Tobie’s house in the little Herefordshire village of Leintwardine, hair and makeup was underway.  I was amazed at how laid back Tobie was.  While her lovely bridesmaids weregetting made up, she was making us all cups of tea and trying to feed me croissants and jam (which of course I was obliged to have – you can’t say ‘no’ to the Bride!).  I adored the little floral headdresses that all the girls wore, a little token to Tobie’s bohemian side!

We moved onto her family home down the road at Downton, where the wedding dress was being kept.  Now, I’ve known Tobie for a couple of years so I hope this wasn’t too inappropriate but while taking photos of her getting into her wedding dress I was quite taken aback and found myself saying something like “you’ve got an AMAZING bottom, Tobs!”.  These are photos I would like to share with you all but she’s quite the lady and probably wouldn’t appreciate such exploitation – so they are for Joe’s eyes only I’m afraid!

The ceremony was held at Shobdon Church, which was so pretty.  It was like someone had broken in and Shabby Chic’ed the whole place white, although I don’t think that is what actually happened!  Some lovely readings were given and our bride got a little teary during her vows – which then set everyone else off.  An amusing guest appearance was made by their friends little girl – although I don’t think the Bride & Groom even noticed!

After group photos and confetti, we went down to a beautiful lake on the parish grounds for the couple shots and some rather cheeky pics in a VW camper van.  Then onto the reception which was being held on a friends farm-land in a fabulously decked out marquee.  The food, drink and speeches all went down wonderfully and we got some great photos of the Groomsmen after this with their colourful socks.  I love it when we get to use surrounding farm equipment as props, it makes for such unique pictures.

The evening ‘do’ went down a storm with a very cool live band – I have never seen such a talented lead guitarist (I may have been gawping somewhat!) and Daddy Wilcock surprised everyone with a special drumming performance that seriously rocked!  Some talented DJ’s lead the night on into the wee hours of the morning until, I hear, the final few had to make a dash for it as they were being fastened up inside the marquee!

What an absolutely awesome wedding.

It’s a very precious thing to see a couple like Joe & Tobie, who have spent many years together now and you can see they are the perfect fit.  They are best friends as well as husband and wife now.  I wish you all the best Mr & Mrs Doyle.

On the 27th of September, some dear friends of mine got married up in Leicester where Nicola lived up until now.  So me and my hubby Dan, toddled off up country- as he was an usher too!  He left me with the girls where they were getting ready at the rather swanky hairdressers ‘Barrie Stephen’, then we went back to get ready at Nicola’s empty house (she’s just moved out to sell it!) – this made for a nice clear backdrop though!

Family started filtering into the house to get ready as well as her wonderful dad who made us all bacon and egg baps.  There was a really lovely family orientated and relaxed atmosphere.  I was happy to hear the Groom made a (what I call) knock knock ginger visit in the morning too, leaving some beautiful roses and card on the doorstep.  Top marks on the romance Rossy!

The ceremony was taken by the same family friend, the delightful Mr Stuart Blenkinsopp, who did the wedding talk at his brothers wedding too.  He gave a fab illustration of marriage with the leaning tower of Pisa, I won’t go into it though – I’m trying not to make too much of an essay of my blogs!

For the couple shots we visited a corn field, which was a new type of location for me.  This was great fun and made for a really nice backdrop.  I never knew corn could be such an aphrodisiac- Ross and Nicola really got into it (possibly forgot I was there) but I won’t show you ALL the kissy photos!

After we had some fantastic food at the reception at Shearsby Bath, we cracked on with Usher and Bridesmaid shots.  I have a feeling the boys enjoyed this.  Although I did provide Ross with a little surprise – there’s a running joke with the Kinghorn boys that Ross works out to Oxygene by Jean Michel Jarre, so I brought a protable speaker along to get them into character – it worked as well, I ended up with Rossy the Hulk + numerous arms (possibly a new supervillan that Marvel comics could adopt?!)

This was a beautiful wedding for an absolutely beautiful couple and I am SO pleased we have won Nicola to live near our sleepy rolling hills of Powys.

I wish you all the best in your future together with lots of love and laughs…and of course we will add to that if you invite us round to dinner!  Love you guys!