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Cathie & Kelvin kept saying how perfect the day had been at Woodhall Manor, how beautiful the view was and how gorgeous the skies were, that they were so lucky. One of Kelvin’s best men, Jason, wasn’t able to be at the wedding, and had watched via Facetime while a friend read his speech.
BUT THEN –
Minutes after our walk in the field when we took this picture, a huddled group ran in to Woodhall Manor, with JASON! Cue hugs and tears!
Cathie & Kelvin’s wedding was a scorcher, which was perfect as they had the most stunning outdoor ceremony. The couple got married beneath a dovecote (complete with doves), and Cathie narrowly missed having her dress ‘dirtied’ by one of said doves!
The whole day was very relaxed, all 130 guests sat on the grass and listened to the speeches, drinks in hand.
That really topped off an incredible day at Woodhall Manor in Suffolk! Thank you so much for having me Cathie & Kelvin.
I first met Kirsty & Jason in 2014 when I was photographing their best friends’ wedding, so when Kirsty emailed asking about wedding photography it took me all of 0.025 seconds to get very excited! In March, Kirsty & Jason were married at The Woodlands, at Hothorpe Hall.
The morning of the wedding was full of giggles and clinking glasses of prosecco – I really enjoy bridal prep as it’s such a personal and intimate time to share with all the girls. Kirsty had hints of all things Disney running through the wedding, my absolute favourite being the gorgeous Cinderella-blue bridesmaids gowns with beautiful beaded shrugs. Both Fathers wore kilts in the Help for Heroes tartan, an idea which I thought was so touching.
Kirsty travelled in style to The Woodlands, in an amazing pink vintage Vauxhall, and kept Jason waiting just long enough at the top of the aisle. We were fantastically lucky all day with the temperamental British weather, so we made the most of the woodland and took a walk down to the stream to get some romantic couple’s pictures.
Great tip for a wet-weather wedding – rain does not stop play. Have a picnic blanket on hand and put this underneath your wedding dress, so if it is wet underfoot you can still go to the best photo locations and keep your dress safe!
The evening was full of laughs, with Jason’s best man/brother, and father, bringing along props for their speech, and Kirsty’s sister made a touching movie trailer-style video about their love. They had thought of everything, there was a sweet cart and retro photo booth, and not to mention their stunning 3-tiered cake, with caramel dripping decadently down each tier. To top it all off, the couple braved the rain once it was dark to come outside and get a dramatic night time photo. This was another prime opportunity to use a sneaky picnic blanket – once it is tucked under the dress you would never know it was there!
Feast your eyes…
I absolutely love Elly & Magnus, from the second we met they were cracking jokes and laughing. Elly suggested visiting the bluebells near Hitchin for their engagement shoot back in winter, and what a fabulous idea that turned out to be. We settled on the woodland walks at Ashridge Estate and waited for prime bluebell time at the end of April, and the bluebells were almost iridescent. I will definitely be sharing their whole engagement shoot with you, but for now, here is a gorgeous woodland shot of them laughing (which they did a lot!).
These two are AMAZING! They married at The Woodlands at Hothorpe Hall yesterday, and straight after the ceremony Kirsty stuck some wellies on and trekked into the woods with Jason.
Has anyone else noticed it has rained constantly except for yesterday!? Even the sun appeared for their wedding!
Kirsty & Jason had a pre-wedding shoot in the woods a couple of weeks ago, and we had met for coffee to chat about their big day too, so by the time their wedding came we knew each other well and they felt very relaxed. Special little tip for any couples getting married in the winter or poor weather: tuck a picnic blanket underneath your wedding dress and you can stand anywhere! You’d never know Kirsty was protecting her dress with one either!
I am over the moon with Kirsty & Jason, they are such a sweet couple and it was amazing to take their engagement pictures in the woodlands! We visited Fineshade Woods for a laid back pre-wedding shoot, and had a slow wander around whilst taking photos. Within the first few minutes they had relaxed and were laughing together, and agreed to follow me into some slightly harder to reach places, but it was well worth it. There are so many textures and tones that make for lovely backdrops in the woods at all times of the year, I would highly recommend forests as a great location!
Emily & Marco had the most beautiful winter’s day for their wedding, a light frost and radiant sunshine set everything a-twinkling. The pair usually live in Italy, so it was really special for Emily to be getting ready at her parent’s house, and to be part of this moment as she came down the stairs. Often I find it isn’t the big, grand moments that make the most special photographs, but the fleeting moments that bring memories flooding back. This is what I love about documentary wedding photography, it captures real emotions and snippets of time. Emily’s Mum had helped her into her dress, and watched her descend down the stairs to her Father and sister, and it’s all four of their expression that this photo brings to mind.
Now that’s what I call a wedding photo! Chantelle and Lewis married in Exton Church, outside Oakham, only a very chilly December day, and despite having a fluffy shawl Chantelle braved the cold without and rocked their couple’s pictures. These epic ruins were just behind the church, the remnants of Exton Hall, and provided us with so much texture we just had to take their pictures there.
Christy & Alastair had their engagement shoot at Castle Ashby Gardens near Northampton. Christy used to visit Castle Ashby as a child so had lots of fond memories around the gardens. I adored the Orangery and potting sheds, the textures and rough-around-the-edges look is right up my street.
Christy wore a beautiful light blue, floral French Connection dress and Alastair’s red shirt really ‘popped’ in their pictures. What you wear in photos can make a huge difference to the overall look of the shoot – I always suggest wearing light, bright colours to lift your images.
Despite saying before the engagement shoot that they were not comfortable in front of the camera, particularly Alastair, the pair very quickly settled in to having their picture taken and were so natural together.
Wow! I have won an international award for this photo of Nish & Fab from Wedisson!!
These two were so trusting in my suggestions, and I think it was worth it for this photo. I’m ecstatic the judges deemed it worthy of an award, photographers from all over the world entered their photos and my image was chosen!
Days and shoots like these come around once in a blue moon. Sunday morning was spent with family; Madeleine & Tom, for their engagement shoot at Hitchin Lavender Farm. Can you believe such a breath-taking location is in the UK?
It was so special to photograph a pair that are so clearly meant to be together, and boy, did they look good!
The contrast between the deep purple of the lavender, and the moody skies was spot on for creating dramatic photos. Madeleine & Tom also wore super clothes which made them pop against the scenery. Amazing!
Sometimes at weddings, when there are dogs around my camera and I can get a little distracted! When Rebecca & Nick asked for a family photo, you did mean of the pups, right!? Rebecca got ready at her parents house on the morning of her wedding and it was a beautifully relaxed, family affair. The wedding ceremony at The George Hotel in Stamford was so intimate, and you cannot fault such stunning surroundings.
Beka & John had the dreamiest coastal wedding – they got married in John’s childhood town of Stoke Fleming, and held their evening reception ON THE BEACH at Venus Cafe & Bar at Blackpool Sands! The whole day was fantastically laid back, a true summer shindig, where everyone was encouraged to wear relaxed, comfortable clothing for some evening drinks at the seaside. Amazing.
Friday was a hugely special day, which I felt honoured to be a part of. Patrick & Yvonne have been together for 14 years, and on Friday they tied the knot at Oakham Castle. I am so lucky to have the best ‘seat’ in the house for so many weddings, it is humbling to witness such an intimate moment. With their closest friends and relatives, these two celebrated their nuptials at Greetham Valley Golf Course (and why wouldn’t you with views like this!).
Here are the perfectly matched Alison & Jonathan. I adore these two, they are both so caring and kind, constantly checking to make sure everyone, including me, was ok; had enough to drink and so on! They had a fabulous wedding at Hothorpe Hall surrounded by so many of their family and friends, and with the splendid Toastmaster Alan Hodge, the day ran impeccably smoothly.
Days like this Saturday are rare – Nish & Fabio’s wedding at Wadenhoe House was a special day to be a part of. Look how amazing these two look together! Hats off to them, they agreed to push through all this Cow Parsley based solely on me saying ‘It will be worth it – it will make a gorgeous photo!’, followed by ‘Don’t worry, the pollen brushes off!’.
I hope you agree, it was worth it to get a photo like this. I’ll just leave this here..
I think we should all thank Libby and Matt for bringing the start of summer! Their wedding day was blessed with good fortune, as we had the first real day of warmth and sunshine all year – which is just as well as they had a glorious outdoor wedding ceremony. Their wedding was at The Old Hall Ely, which has fantastic views over the surrounding countryside looking towards Ely Cathedral, which you can see in this photo. Everyone was in such high spirits, I can’t wait to share their full day with you.
Weddings are the best opportunity for people watching – one of my favourite parts of the day is seeing the interactions between guests. These two created their own version of ‘hide-and-seek’ during Sarah & Jonathan’s wedding reception, in which they kept popping in and out of the beams at The George Hotel in Stamford. It made me think of how old a building like The George is, how many occasions the walls have hosted, and all the people that have visited, and now it bore witness to another beautiful marriage.
Anna & Craig married today at Stamford Registry Office and celebrated at The William Cecil in Stamford. We walked to The William Cecil through the stone streets and got some fabulous pictures of this loved-up pair.
I adore the sign above Anna & Craig licensing the Olympic Bar for ‘Public Music & Dancing or other Public Entertainment of the Like Kind’. SO CUTE!
Last October I spent a fabulous day photographing the beautiful gowns of Lace & Pearl bridal boutique at Stapleford Park. I am ga-ga for the huge array of spectacular back drops and scenery at Stapleford, everywhere you turn is picture perfect. I think it is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the country, and to be a wedding photographer living so close to Stapleford is such good fortune.
Naomi, the owner of Lace & Pearl, is such a easy-going character and I can see why brides feel so comfortable going to her boutique. Take a look at the dynamic duo of bridal gowns and Stapleford Park Hotel’s gorgeous grounds.
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