Wedding photography BLOG
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- Published on Sunday, 23 September 2018 09:01
Emotional Horsley Towers English Chinese wedding
And so to a Sunday morning in mid July and I am off to Horsley Towers, a Victorian Gothic mansion designed by Sir Charles Barry who most famously designed the Houses of Parliament. I always look forward to covering weddings at this extraordinary Surrey wedding venue as there is always a very different view from every turn you take here.
I also remember when I first met the Bride and Groom Linda and Matthew, that it was that element of difference that they liked so much, the towers, lake, cloisters and the lovely tiled chapel, something we would make the most of when we walked around the venue for some romantic portraits.
So back to the day and it's a beautiful day for a wedding.
Linda is just completing her final touches when I meet her and she looks lovely, full of excitement, calm but with a hint of nerves beginning to surface as the time gets nearer.
Matthew is around the bar, greeting guests and smiling all the time, but he's admitted that he is nervous, however, with his Best man in tow, he's in safe hands.
Soon Linda is sweeping down the grand staircase on route for the Great Hall which has been dressed in a striking and vibrant red which is the palette chosen for the Chinese element of this English Chinese wedding.
Down the wedding aisle and through to the marriage ceremony and the emotions are running high....there are lots of tears and you can tell how precious this moment is for Linda and Matthew.
Then with the wedding completed it's out onto the parched lawn for refreshing drinks, confetti throwing and general relaxation and fun...and the Chinese guest certainly know how to have fun!
After the group wedding pictures and the hilarious throwing of the bouquet everyone heads back into the Great Hall for a special Chinese Tea ceremony where the Bride and Groom present Tea to family and close friends in exchange for little envelopes of money. Again, a very emotional moment for this is where Linda shows her respect and gratitude to her parents for their love and care in bringing her up.
Then onto the wedding breakfast, again beautifully dressed in red and with elements of Chinese good luck and blessings....and where Linda took a star roll as Matthew had decided that the speech side of things wasn't something he wanted to do.
After dinner we then took some time out for some romantic wedding pictures away from the reception taking in some of the classic Horsley Tower photo opportunities.
The day ended, for me anyway, on a high...after a great first dance the dance floor was fully taken up by mainly Chinese guests carrying out some full on and impressive synchcronised dancing and boy was everyone having such a great time.
Today had been a colourful world wind of a day and Linda and Matthew were on top form.
It was also great to see Toastmaster and Master of Ceremonies Steve Eggleton again, I can't remember where I last saw him but it was good to work with him as we had some rather tight deadlines to meet, which I am glad to say we did.
I always love finding firsts at a wedding and today was the first time I had shot a wedding cake made of Krispy Kreme doughnuts and shot a Tesla wedding car complete with gull wing doors. Also Linda changed from white to red for the Chinese tea ceremony and back again immediately after for the English wedding breakfast.... a no mean feat.
I wish Linda and Matthew all the happiness for the future, a great couple who fully deserve it.
Call us on 0203 397 7549 to check our availability for your wedding, to book a meeting or to have a chat. Or alternatively just send us an email
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- Published on Wednesday, 22 August 2018 18:31
Beautiful and colourful Cain Manor Easter wedding
Falling many many months behind on the blog front here's a go at catching up for this year starting with a beautiful spring day in Easter when we were reunited with our lovely couple, Fraser and Sam.
We had last seen them in November 2017 when we went for a beautiful autumnal pre wed shoot in Bushy Park and now the big day they planned for was here.
And what a lovely sunny day for an Easter themed wedding, perfectly suiting the pastel coloured palate used for the bouquets, bridesmaids' dresses and wedding breakfast table settings.
After a lovely and at times emotional marriage ceremony in the atmospheric Music Room, everyone trooped out into the sun into the lovely picturesque grounds of Cain Manor where guests clearly enjoyed themselves over drinks and canapes and the skills of a charming slight of hand magician, William May-Miller.
Having captured all the outside fun and some group wedding pictures we all returned to the Music Room for the wedding breakfast which started with a candle unite ceremony to symbolize the joining of the two families along with some more wonderful magical illusions.
With an eye on the diminishing light outside during the entertaining speeches, we quickly grabbed a moment to take our newlyweds out into the grounds for a romantic walk and some personal wedding pictures. Meanwhile guests trouped out to relax in the lounge area over coffee more drinks and the fun and laughter that switches on immediately people see saucy, brightly coloured outfits around the ever popular photo booth.
Then onto the first dance which was every entertainingly accompanied by the wonderful voices of Broad Entertainments and after capturing some enthusiastic dancers ...well it was time to go.
It was great to see Fraser and Sam enjoying themselves, they were great to be with throughout the day and we wish them ever happiness for their future together.
Once again, a lovely wedding at the homely Cain Manor.
Call us on 0203 397 7549 to check our availability for your wedding, to book a meeting or to have a chat. Or alternatively just send us an email
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- Published on Monday, 05 March 2018 20:13
Christmas wedding at Pembroke Lodge
Continuing our Big 2017 weddings catch up, we turn back to a fine morning a few days before Christmas at the ever popular Pembroke Lodge, situated as it is in the lovely Richmond Park, for the marriage of Kevin and Lucy.
The last time we saw them was in November for their pre wedding photo shoot which was also around Pembroke Lodge, the thinking being that we could get in scenes that would not be possible on the wedding day due to the lack of available light.
The ceremony was entertaining, cue the wonderful Pageboy's reading and also very moving and emotional and as it was at 3pm there would be a very short window for getting the group shots outside, which was cleverly aided by handing mulled wine to guests as they congratulated Kevin and Lucy out on the terrace.
After some very quick footed group wedding pictures and with the natural day light rapidly disappearing we went off for a romantic walk in the dark around The Lodge and back to the wedding reception drinks.
After once again some entertaining and emotional wedding speeches the party swung into action with the Bride and Groom showing off some pretty impressive dance moves...followed by plenty of fun with the DIY photobooth.
It was great being with Kevin and Lucy who shone on their big day.
We wish them every success for the future.
Rich & Tina
Once again a special thank you to the staff at Pembroke Lodge for making everything run so smoothly, in particular Adrian, our Pembroke Lodge event organiser, Master of Ceremonies and general nice guy...He is always a pleasure to work with. The food as usual was of a high standard and something we look forward to.
Here's a list of the great suppliers who all helped to make Kevin and Lucy's day so special.
Bridal dress - Wed2Be
Bridal shoes - Rainbow
Bridesmaid's dresses - Coast
Jewellery - Liberty in Love
Menswear - MOSS Bros
Florist - Dawn Jennings
Hair & Make up - Victoria Frasergadd
Cake - M&S
Musicians - Cecily Beer
Call us on 0203 397 7549 to check our availability for your wedding, to book a meeting or to have a chat. Or alternatively just send us an email
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- Published on Sunday, 25 February 2018 20:13
Pre Christmas wedding at Wotton House
Continuing our Big 2017 weddings catch up, we turn back to a beautiful day in mid December at the ever pleasant Wotton House in Dorking, a true favourite of ours for the marriage of Megan and Paul.
We had only seen them the previous month for their pre wedding photo shoot which was also at Wotton House in case the weather wasn't up to a walk on the big day itself.
Luckily, however, the wedding day was bright and mild and Wotton House looked lovely and festive with attractive Christmas decorations and a fabulous Christmas Tree at the base of the staircase opposite the Old Library.
Megan and Paul looked excited but calm and seemed to be enjoying their morning preparations...though the nerves were there, if you looked closely enough.
Whilst Megan enjoyed the company of her Bridesmaids, Paul enjoyed a walk with his Groomsmen up to the Roman Temple.
Then with the wedding ceremony fast approaching it was time for the beautiful Megan in her stunning Helena Fortley wedding dress and Kurt Gieger shoes to descend the staircase and make her way to the Old Library, which with it's atmospheric uplit columns and vaulted ceiling is always a wonderful venue to photograph, from capturing the Bride walking down the aisle, through to the marriage ceremony and then afterwards as the newlywed couple leave as husband and wife under a shower of confetti.
On then for champagne in the Orangery Bar, pictures out on the terrace and of course the popular everyone photograph taken around the fountain from the top of the Roman Temple.
Then for a lovely romantic walk from the terrace out to the Roman Temple and round to the front of the venue along the drive before heading back to the Evelyn Suite for the wedding breakfast.
The wedding speeches were very well delivered by all parties and were thoroughly entertaining and we left the couple and their guests giving it large on the dance floor.
Another lovely wedding at Wotton House and now just with nine days before Christmas only two more weddings left for the year.
It was a real pleasure being with Megan and Paul who were just stars on their wedding day.
Adios for now
Rich & Tina
A special thank you to Barry Weare, a wonderful videographer and a great guy: we look forward to working with you again Barry and to Glen Grant, a super smooth Master of Ceremonies who we have had the pleasure of working with before.
Here's a list of the talented suppliers who all helped to make Megan and Paul's day so special.
Bridal dress - Helena Fortley
Bridal shoes - Kurt Gieger
Florist - Flowers by Elaine
Hair- James Blaquire –
Make up- Tanya Stephenson
Videographer - Barry Weare
Cake - Clare Pope
Master of Ceremonies – Glen Grant
Musicians - Indie Killers
Photo-booth - Magic Mirror
Call us on 0203 397 7549 to check our availability for your wedding, to book a meeting or to have a chat. Or alternatively just send us an email
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- Published on Friday, 02 February 2018 20:13
Wedding at St Mary's Worplesdon and Gorse Hill
Continuing our big catch up on 2017 weddings, we return to a warm and sunny October for the marriage of James and Katie at St Mary's Church Worplesdon, Guildford followed by a reception at the relaxed and welcoming Gorse Hill in Woking, Surrey.
The last time we had met the lovely James and Katie had been in April when we made a trip to the Bluebells of Banstead Wood.
The weather on the big day was just right and after capturing Katie getting ready with her Bridesmaids and mum and day at Gorse Hill it was off in their Beauford wedding car for the short journey to St Mary's for a personal and intimate marriage ceremony.
The happy couple emerged from St Mary's looking radiant and then forwards and onwards through the line of confetti throwers and back into the safety of the bridal car.
The rest of the day ran as smoothly as a craftsmen's plane on a seasoned oak beam...and as the weather was so fine everyone just relaxed and enjoyed themselves on the terrace and lawn areas.
After a lovely romantic walk through the trees it was time for dinner and for some very entertaining wedding speeches. Needless to say the venue took o a party atmosphere as everyone headed to the bar and dance floor.
A lovely couple, a wonderful day and two fine wedding venues....we look forward to our next Gorse Hill wedding in June.
Before that there is James's and Katie's wedding album to design, a sumptuous luxury coffee table one that will look stunning.
Bye for now
Rich & Tina
Call us on 0203 397 7549 to check our availability for your wedding, to book a meeting or to have a chat. Or alternatively just send us an email