Esther and Wade's Pre Wedding Shoot – Bristol Docklands

Just over a week ago I travelled down to Bristol to see Esther and Wade whose wedding I am photographing in June. Esther is from Bristol and met Australian Wade while she was working in Australia, and since then they have travelled all around the world together before returning to Bristol. Their ceremony is being held aboard the S.S. Great Britain and what a fabulous setting – who would believe that a ship could be so beautiful. After the ceremony we will then travel down the River Avon aboard a specially chartered ferry boat to Beeses Tea Gardens where the celebrations are being held. There is certainly never a dull moment being a wedding photographer – no two weddings are ever the same.

The Pre-Wed shoot gave me chance to check out both venues for Esther and Wade’s wedding and then we got some great shots in the Docklands in Bristol. I love the backdrops for these photographs - the vibrant colours and different textures.

Louisa and Stuart's Pre Wedding Shoot – Painswick Rococo Gardens, Gloucestershire

I had chance to visit the beautiful Rococo Gardens again last week. The gardens are a treasure trove of gorgeous little summer houses and ornate features – I love it. I was there with Louisa and Stuart whose wedding I am photographing in April. Their wedding ceremony will be taking place in the Private Chapel of Abbots Bromley Girls’ School, and afterwards they will be celebrating with their guests at the wonderful Somerford Hall.

We had a great morning, and Louisa and Stuart were so relaxed considering they are not only planning a wedding, but were actually in the middle of moving house !! What a fab couple and I know we will have a great day in April because they are so lovely.

National Wedding Show – NEC – 13th - 15th March – Stand B43

It’s National Wedding show time again !! It’s very hectic and can be quite stressful, but is so worthwhile. If you have never visited the show before – then be prepared !! Over the three day show between 15,000 – 17,000 visitors come through the doors (most of those on Saturday – oh no !! Seriously, everything wedding wise is on show there and you can get so many ideas for your big day. I know that some of the couples who booked with me at the last show will be visiting again, and have said they will stop by to say hello – so I look forward to seeing you again.

If you are still looking for your wedding photographer, we will be on stand B43, so please come along and have a chat with us and see some of our great Queensberry sample albums. See you there.

Becky and Adrian’s Pre-Wed Shoot

I really love my job and to meet up with another great couple for their pre-wed shoot made last Sunday such a fab day. Becky and Adrian live in London but are being married at Prestwold Hall in Leicestershire in April. They had travelled up from London for their shoot at the Botanical Gardens, somewhere they had never visited before, and said that they were amazed just how beautiful it is. They are such a lovely couple and we had such a fun shoot, and I just know that their wedding is going to be a favourite of mine. Becky couldn’t look at Adrian without laughing, but it really helped with their nerves as they soon forgot all about the camera and just enjoyed the afternoon. I love the pics from this shoot and hope they do too. See you soon Becky and Adrian.

Charlotte and Declan’s Pre-Wed Shoot

Last sunday was a beautiful sunny day, and Spring had certainly sprung at Birmingham’s Botanical Gardens. I love to use the gardens as a setting for portrait shoots and this weekend I was lucky enough to have two shoots arranged there.

Charlotte and Declan are being married at Hogarth’s in Solihull in May and I’m really looking forward to it, as it will be my first wedding at this venue. I love visiting a new venue and checking out all the new photo possibilities. Charlotte and Declan are a great couple and I knew from first meeting them at the National Wedding Show back in 2007 that they would be great to work with. We had a lovely morning shoot on Sunday and it really gave me chance to really get to know them. Here is a sneak peek of some of the pics from the pre-wed shoot – hope that you like them Charlotte and Declan, and I’ll be seeing you very soon.

Balvinder & Matt's Wedding - 14th February

My first wedding of the year and such a lovely one to photograph. Balvinder and Matt were married at Swinfen Hall in a wonderfully romantic ceremony on Valentine’s Day. Balvinder’s amazing red gown was complimented by traditional Asian jewellery and intricate henna hand designs - she looked beautiful. Swinfen Hall was adorned with red – hearts, flowers, petals scattered on the tables – what a wonderful setting for a Valentine’s Day wedding. I can’t wait to show Balvinder and Matt their images when they come into the studio this week.

Let Me Eat Cake – Please !!!

Mmmmm… was I in great company at the Swinfen Hall Open Day !!! I have seen his cake masterpieces on quite a few occasions, but I finally had chance to meet the man himself – Ben The Cake Man. His cakes are more like works of art than just cakes and what a great guy as well. As anyone who knows me will already be aware, I am a cake-a-holic !!! I had some gorgeous cupcake themed gifts for Christmas and they were my favourite gifts of all this year. The cake bites that Ben had available for sampling were soon devoured (No, not by me !).

If you need a celebration cake for whatever occasion – check out Ben’s website www.benthecakeman.co.uk and prepare to be amazed. Here is a photo of a cake that Ben made for a recent wedding that I photographed.

Swinfen Hall Open Day

What a great day! Swinfen Hall in all it’s glory – set out just as it would be for a wedding - beautiful. I was lucky enough to be placed in the grand Ballroom, along with some wonderful suppliers – cakes, flowers, stationery etc. After exhibiting at some major wedding fayres – it was such a nice change to be in such a relaxed, refined setting. I met with some great couples and had such a good day. A big, big thank you to the couples who booked with me, and I’m really looking forward to meeting up again with those who have booked a consultation. It is certainly handy being right next door at the Heart of the Country Village, as everyone visiting the Open Day knew exactly where my studio was – so no directions needed! If any couples who took my details away with them, would like to arrange a no obligation consultation at my studio, please give me a ring or drop me an email – I’d love to see you.

Swinfen Hall Wedding Fair - Sunday 22nd March

On Sunday (22nd Feb) I will be exhibiting at Swinfen Hall's Wedding Open day, between 1pm and 4pm in the Great Ballroom. For further information please visit www.swinfenhallhotel.co.uk

So if you are in the area on Sunday please drop by for a chat or to have a look at some of my sample wedding albums.

Kate & Steve's Pre Wedding Shoot

Another great shoot, this time with Kate and Steve who are getting married in May at Packington Moor. They had specially asked for their pre-wed shoot to be done at Bradgate Country Park in Leicestershire. I hadn’t visited Bradgate before, but Kate had told me that the views were breathtaking. I certainly wasn’t disappointed, and yes - they were breathtaking (literally!!!) I joined a gym last Summer – full of good intentions (as you do) – if only I had kept up with the visits for more than the first two weeks I would have been fine !!! Seriously, what a fabulous place, and certainly a location I will use again.

Esther & Lee's Pre Wedding Shoot

I really enjoyed Esther and Lee’s lovely, relaxed photo shoot right in the heart of Lichfield. For those of you who don’t know Lichfield, it is certainly worth a visit just to see our stunning catherdral. I love to use it’s wonderful stonework and gorgeous carved doors in my photographs when I can. After getting some great shots around the catherdral, we wandered over to Darwin’s Garden to capture a real contrast in scenery.

Esther and Lee are getting married in April at the beautiful St. Chad’s church in Lichfield, and are then holding their reception at Swinfen Hall. It is always lovely to travel and photograph weddings up and down the country, but I never tire of covering weddings right here at home. We are so lucky to have so many beautiful little churches and some really fabulous country houses here in Staffordshire.