Claire and Colin got married in Notley Tythe Barn. Claire got ready at the nearby hotel, The Oxfordshire. Her bridesmaids kept her laughing and certainly kept her nerves at bay. Meanwhile Martyn photographed the family and friends arriving at the venue.

Claire’s bridesmaids wore stunning dresses from a shop that made reproduction gowns in 50’s style. Claire’s dress was understated elegance.

Despite the wedding being held inside the barn in winter, we were able to photograph the service without flash. Especially during the service we aim to be as unobtrusive as possible.

Afterwards it was so mild that most people went outside for the reception drinks! As the sun was setting we took advantage of the gorgeous light and got some loosely directed shots of the two of them.

After the wedding breakfast, there were some heartfelt speeches. I enjoy learning a bit more about the couple. It also gives me an ideal opportunity to capture photographs of anyone that I haven’t already photographed. Often friends are so engrossed in the speeches they are unaware of us and the natural portraits in my opinion tell more of a story.

Coverage ended with their first dance and then people throwing shapes on the dance floor.

Suzy and Tim got married at the beautiful St Marys Church in Chesham. I was allowed to photograph discreetly from the front, while Martyn had access to the balcony, for a bird’s eye viewpoint. After the service we took some photographs of the couple in gardens next to the church.

The wedding car was a white Citroen DS, such a cool and unusual car for weddings. The couple certainly arrived in style at Chartridge. Drinks were held outside on the terrace. The wedding breakfast in a beautiful room decorated with country flowers in vases. The table numbers were tea lights arranged and photographed in the shape of different numbers. Other thoughtful details included a photo booth with a Polaroid camera and bunting was decorated the room used for dancing.

During the wedding breakfast, the couple held a raffle. The best man introduced spoof prizes, substituting fine wines with the wine Tim enjoyed in his Uni days. Suzys Dad’s speech was read from ‘The Life of Brian’, it was both funny and touching. Tim and his best man both work in media, the speeches had everyone laughing. The ended with a video that was put together as a surprise for the couple.

After first dance, there was a surprise band – Bandeoke. They were great fun, the groom and guests took the mike and sang along to rock songs…

James and Georgia had a winter wedding at Notley Tythe Barn, Thame, Buckinghamshire.

I photographed the preparations at the brides mothers house, while Martyn followed James to the pub. Don’t worry while James had a customary pint to calm his nervous, Martyn sticks with non-alcoholic Coke!

Back at the house, there were lots of beautiful details to photograph. Georgia’s something blue was a garter with her new name embroidered on it, a present from James. The bouquets had white roses with seasonal berries and ivy. The colour theme was an unusual brown and ivory, the bridesmaids had classy long brown dresses. Georgia’s stunning dress was Art Couture.

Geogia did her own make-up in her sisters room. On the wall hung the words, live, laugh, love, which I thought were very apt. The mother of the bride helped with the finishing touches. There were a few mirrors in the bedroom, I couldn’t resist a few mirror shots of the bride seeing herself ready to be married.

Meanwhile back at Notley Tythe Barn, the barn looked magical with fairy lights everywhere, its ideal for a winter wedding. James it has to be said looked very nervous! However he soon relaxed when he saw his beautiful bride! Geogia was given away by her mother, as she gave Georgia a kiss at the top of the aisle, Martyn and I both captured it from different viewpoints.

I was expecting to photograph the service in very low light and I’d come prepared with Nikons best kit, where I can photograph in near darkness without flash! However there was plenty of soft, good quality light and perhaps more importantly lots emotion to photograph.

After the service, we did the family groups inside. While the snow hadn’t settled, it was certainly cold! The couple braved going outside for some photographs in the soft November light.

The speeches were both heartfelt and funny, allowing us capturing both the tears and the laughter.

We were treated to some very tasty sausages and mash, which gave us energy to photograph the first dance. I was able to use iso 6400 and photograph without flash, capturing the mood perfectly. You can see the look of joy in their faces.

We are truly delighted with the photos, many people have commented that they are the best wedding photo’s they have seen and I think this is a real credit to yourself and Martyn.

James and Georgia

something blue – James gave Georgia a garter with her new name on

Georgia doing her make-up, love the wording behind on the wall, ‘live, laugh, love’ very apt

bridesmaid in brown

Georgia’s mother having her hair done by her daughter

very excited mother of the bride

I love this one of Georgia looking in the mirror

a happy bride arriving

James looked very nervous!

James is happy to see Georgia

Georgia gives her Mum a kiss

Georgia gets emotional

best man finds the rings

a few photographs of the couple using the soft November light

Notley Tythe Barn at night

emotional speeches

James shamed by the best man

Georgia showing off her ring

With a brown colour theme, of course you need chocolate cake

an impromptu confetti moment

father daughter dance

Shelli and Matt are a fun and creative couple. They got married at Heatherton Hall, Pinewood Film Studios in Buckinghamshire, Heatherton Hall is an unusual wedding venue. Not only does the venue have some great gardens for the wedding photographs (I love the rows of hedges used in the Benny Hill sketches) but the interior is stunning too.

Forget the empty room featured recently on the Apprentice, when dressed the ball room is stunning. Matt and Shelli made almost all of the table decorations. Matt has a paper cutting machine and cut their initials out of card used on all the candles and napkins! The centre pieces were church candles, simple but extremely effective.

I loved their ideas for table names – food inspired quirky names such as classy touch, chapatti man and rhubarb!

Shelli looked glamorous in her champagne coloured wedding dress from Maggie Sottero. The dress was quite a find. Shelli teamed her wedding dress with some purple shoes.

Pinewood Studios is a wonderful setting for wedding

ushers checking the time…

boy taking a sneaky photography during the service

Shelli sheds a tear

Yey we’re married!

I love to capture moments that the bride and groom might miss…

The couple photographs – Matt and Shelli aren’t a serious couple and I wanted this to reflect in their photographs

Matt embarrassing Shelli in the speeches

The first time I met Lisa and Jonathan I warmed to them straight away and I was glad that they choose us to photograph their wedding. Their wedding was at Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire, which is also one of my favourite venues.

Notley Abbey, once the home of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh has been beautifully restored. Each room has the perfect balance of old with modern.

In the morning Martyn photographed Jonathan, the guys get ready in the quaint cottages at Notley Abbey. I photographed the bridal preparations in the bridal suite. The bridal suite has a huge mirror, the flower girl was so cute dancing in front of it.

The service was held outside, Lisa and Jonathan weren’t originally planning to have the service outside but changed their minds once they saw the weather!

The wedding breakfast and evening reception is held in the barn, originally a monks refectory. The couple both work in law, the speeches were confident and allowed us to capture lots of guests laughing. The speeches are an ideal time to capture guests unawares. At this time, I’ve made a mental note of guests that haven’t been captured and make it my mission to capture them!

Looking back, we’ve photographed some amazing weddings this year and this wedding was no exception. Here are just a few of my favourites.

they are just amazing!

cute photograph of the flower girl dancing in front of the mirror

the moment Lisa first looks at Jonathan, great expression!

Notley Abbey is a stunning location for an outside wedding

detail of the wedding ring, bracelet and flowers

Jonathan embarrassing Lisa during the speeches at Notley Abbey

I can’t believe you said that!

best mans turn to embarrass the bride and groom

Notley Abbey looks stunning lit up at night

a beautiful moment of intimacy just after the first dance

Anna and Ben had a relaxed wedding at Missenden Abbey in Buckinghamshire. They wanted an informal wedding and I loved their tea party before the service. It gave us lots of chance to get natural or reportage photographs of their guests.

There was lots of emotion during the service. Anna and Ben are both scientists. The reading by Ben’s friend, was from Douglas Adams. It was just one line and received a lot of laughs.

It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes.

Missenden Abbey has beautiful architecture and grounds. Anna and Ben weren’t initially keen on being photographed, so we just captured them as they went for a walk in the grounds. It was lovely to see the emotion between them.

After our walk I noticed Anna and Ben climbing the tree. I rushed over to get a photograph of them balancing precariously! Meanwhile Martyn got a great shot of one of the best men going over his speech.

I love the vintage typewriter and quirky details from this wedding

Anna has a dreamy expression as she looks in the mirror

the groom playing with the children in the morning

There was a tea party before the service

Ben waiting for his bride at Missenden Abbey

Anna makes her entrance

the bridesmaids wore dresses in different shades of blue to suit their skin tones

emotional image of the couple

One of the best men going over his speech

I noticed Anna and Ben climbing the huge tree in the grounds and had to capture it.

speeches on the stairs inside Missenden Abbey

This blog hasn’t been updated in a while – we have been busy moving from a 2 year old house to a 102 period house in Newbury! BT have now connected us to the world and so it’s back to work as usual.

Here are a few of my favourites from Hoi Shen and Ian’s wedding in Bisham Abbey, Buckinghamshire in January. Due to the rain we shoot the entire wedding inside, the house was formally a residence of Henry VIII, so there is plenty of scope for photography. I did manage to persuade Ian to carry Hoi Shen to the cloisters outside for some photographs, ensuring that Hoi Shen’s beautiful Charlotte Balbier dress was not ruined!

The photographs are fantastic

Back at Notley Abbey, each time I work at this venue I love it more and more.

Morgan and Jennifer met in Dubai and had a long distance relationship for two years. After flying to meet Jennifer no less than 62 times, Morgan proposed over dinner, at the only 7 star restaurant in the world – the Burj al Arab in Dubai. Jennifer wasn’t expecting it at all! Everyone in the restaurant gave them a round of applause and the couple on the next table even ordered them a bottle of champagne!

Morgan has Scottish origins and wore a cravat of his tartan, made by his Mum. The bridesmaids had a band of the tartan sewed on to their dresses to tie in the theme.

Jenny’s took inspiration for her hair from Cheryl Cole’s wedding hairstyle. Jenny’s friend, a hair and make-up artist did a fantastic job, with the hair and make-up staying put all day.

Jenny and Morgan choose to get married inside. The room has great light and I have to say the registrars are lovely here too.

Notley Abbey has beautiful grounds, not leaving out the grand chandelier and staircase inside the house, so we spent some time with Morgan and Jenny capturing some great photographs of the two of them.

After some speeches, which got lots of laughs and a few tears, the couple pulled off a great first dance routine. They had a little help from their friend Vicky Brown, who teaches first wedding dances for a living.

Congratulations to you both.

This wedding was featured in February 2011 Wedding Ideas

Jennifer and Morgans suppliers
We worked well with Ines Telling from Vis-à-Video – creative female videographer, I’m confident their wedding DVD will be artistic and a little different.

Jennifers stunning dress is Benjamin Roberts from The Wedding Centre in Marlow
Stunning make-up from Louise Cullip – 01494 520708 – 07966 056386
Merlot coloured bridesmaid’s dresses from BHS
Flowers from pollination.uk.com
Soul and funk band T6
Wedding dance choreography by Vicky Louise Brown

The beautiful Notley Abbey

Jenny’s necklace was a previous present from Morgan, the tiara was ‘something borrowed’ from a bridesmaid

One of Martyns – capturing the groom and best man arriving

I love this one of Jen going down the stairs to be married, the light is just falling on her

Morgan looks pleased to see Jen

I love Jens expression after her veil is pulled back

Jen looks so happy

One of my favourites an impromptu moment when Morgan kisses his wife

back of the dress shot, this part of Notley Abbey is a bit of wind trap and allows some great shots of the wind blowing the veil

confetti under the walkway makes a great shot

I love the shape of the Champagne glasses

Jen sheds a tear of laughter

I love the expressions in this photograph

Photographs of the couple on the beautiful staircase

The venue looks magical lit up night

I’ve called this session ‘shoot the dress’ rather than ‘trash the dress’ as we made sure the dress was protected for the sitting down shots. We did lots of these as we couldn’t do them on the day due to the rain!

Notley Abbey is one of my favourite venues. The former home to Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, Notley Abbey has been beautifully restored with an ideal balance of modern and old charm.

Helen fell in love with the venue as soon as saw it. The venue has a French feel to it, the groom Chris, or should I say Christophe has French origins.

Helen based her colour theme on the magenta colour of orchids. Large organza ribbon was used to decorate the walkway. The bridesmaids had magenta coloured dresses but each one was a different style to suit their different figures. The bouquets of orchids and were quite striking.

In the morning Martyn followed Chris and his ushers. Chris was quite relaxed and even had a little nap on the sun bed. Although at regular intervals he went over his speech.

Despite getting married in April, Helen and Chris had ideal weather and were able to get married outside. With the legal part of the ceremony being held under the arch, as technically you are not allowed to get married outside in this country! After the service Helen looked ecstatic and waved her bouquet in the air.

We took some stunning photographs of Helen and Chris, making use of the bridge, the love seat and the beautiful gardens at the back of Notley Abbey. Before the receiving line, we had some time to get a few photographs of them on the magnificent staircase.

The speeches were very emotional and funny, we were able to capture some great moments. Which I’m sure will be talking points during the future.

After the speeches, we took some more photographs in the soft light of sunset. Next was first dance, followed by surprise fireworks for guests, the evening ended with a great party.

Helen loved planning her wedding so much, she now works as a wedding planner in Scotland.

We’d definitely recommend you.

Martyn was following the boys in the morning

Chris was looking the photographs of their life on the screen in the lobby

Chris taking a stroll in the grounds

Best man checking he has the rings!

Striking bouquets of orchids

Chris just looks too relaxed!

Chris checking his speech

Meanwhile the bridesmaids had made a book of ‘This is your life’

Intricate details of the bridesmaids hair

the guests take their seats for the outdoors service

Helens Dad glances at his beautiful daughter as she walks down to be married

walking down the outdoor aisle

I love the veil blowing during the kiss

family in the crowds

Helen waves her bouquet in the air before she walks down the aisle

A beautiful shot on the bridge

Chris looking over his speech

Helen and Chris both crying with laugher at the father of the brides speech

Chris gets emotional during his speech

Helen gets embarrassed

The same moment from Martyns viewpoint

Some more couple shots in the soft golden light of the sun setting

Notley Abbey at sunset

father daughter dance

a moment after the first dance