Shelley and Dave's Wedding

Followers of the blog will know that I had been looking forward to Shelley and Dave's wedding since they booked me to photograph it last year.  I knew from catching up with Shelley during our recent engagement shoot that she had invested hours of planning and preparation into making this a true 'fairy tale' day.  And, as you can see from the photographs, it certainly didn't dissappoint!

I always feel that it is an honour to be present on a couple's wedding day, and never is this honour more apparant than during the bridal preparation time, when emotions and excitement are running high...

Shelley chose to get ready at her father's house in picturesque Kings Worthy, where she was surrounding by her bridesmaids and beautiful son and daughter (how gorgeous are their outfits above!?).

The moment that Shelley's father and bridesmaids saw her for the first time in her stunning bespoke chiffon gown, was truly magical.  The emotion was tangiable and, as a photographer, it was a priviledge to capture...

Over at the church, Dave was remarkably calm, having a giggle with the guests and waiting for Shelley to arrive...which she did in style!!

After an emotional ceremony, the sun finally came out and the new Mr and Mrs Cartlidge made their way to the reception in true fairy tale style... by horse and carriage!

At the reception venue, the guests were wowed by the attention to detail and styling that had gone into the day.  The incredible cake, complete with mini versions of the happy couple, brought more than a few smiles...

On a day that was all about love and the coming together of a new family, it only seems right to finish with a picture of the Cartlidge family, enjoying their first dance together...

Thank you to Shelley, Dave and their family and friends for making me feel so welcome on their special day.  I wish you all a very happy future and the best of luck with the arrival of your new addition in a few weeks time... :o)

Jan and Jason Wedding

After Jan and Jason's dreamy engagement session last month, I was really looking forward to photographing their wedding last Saturday and it certainly didn't disappoint!  The day started with a relaxed morning of hair, make up and some rather frantic praying for the heavy rain to subside!

Jan looked stunning in her silk and chiffon gown and as she put the finishing touches to her wedding day look, the sun finally began to shine...



At the ceremony location, Jan's sons waited to walk their mother down the aisle.  The ceremony even included a section for the boys to consent to their mum's marriage to Jason.

It was a beautiful ceremony, full of laughter...just look at how happy Jan is...



The celebrations started off in fun, informal style with a toast outside in the afternoon sun.

I would like to thank the new Mr and Mrs Goom and all their family and friends for making me feel such a part of the celebrations, for the beautiful scarf (such an unexpected and lovely surprise!) and for being so obviously in love that it made my job easy!  Have a wonderful honeymoon and enjoy the diving!

Shelley and Dave

Incredibly organised and looking radiant at six months pregnant, it quickly became obvious, when I met up with her last week, that my newest bride-to-be Shelley is in her element planning her wedding!  In fact, while Dave was off undergoing a hard time at the hands of his dentist, we wiled away over an hour discussing all the special details that are going to make their fairy tale wedding one to remember.

I have to admit , however, that when Shelley and Dave initially booked me for their July wedding, I was slightly apprehensive to hear Shelley say 'we might be a bit of a challenge'!  But I needn't have worried as, on chatting further, she went on to explain that she and Dave 'aren't one of those lovely-dovey couples' and that I wouldn't get much 'kissing or eye gazing'.  That, of course, is my favourite kind of challenge...



The real challenge of photography is to tell the truth, and for someone who photographs people, that truth lies in the beauty of human relationships.  As I explained to Shelley, just relax and be yourselves and the love will shine through...kissing or no kissing! 

I was delighted to hear about the ways in which Shelley and Dave will be including their children in their wedding next month and it only seemed fitting that they join us for the engagement session. 

The photo shoot was full of laughter and I would like to thank Shelley, Dave and their children for such a fun, relaxed afternoon.  Look out for their wedding, coming uo at the end of July.

Jen and Jason

Last weekend I met up with one of my lovely wedding couples, Jen and Jason, for their pre-wedding engagement shoot.  The weather had been up and down all week but we hit the jackpot with a lovely sunny Saturday afternoon at a local nature reserve.

As a hopeless romantic, I loved hearing about how they met on a diving holiday in the Maldives and how Jan moved half way across the world to be with Jason.

As it got later, we were lucky enough to catch some beautiful light, perfect for some soft, romantic shots...

Thanks to Jan and Jason for making the shoot so much fun and for being so photogenic it made my job easy!  Look out for their wedding, coming up next month...