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Mark and Julie's engagement session

Added Saturday 20th June 2009

I liked Julie the minute I met her. She came to see us at the national wedding show over a year ago, and just about booked me right on the spot! We've kept in touch since then. In fact, I even got a proper invite to the wedding. Mine was finished with a handwritten note at the bottom that made me laugh out loud: "As you're our special photographer, the answer had better be yes!!"

This week it was a great pleasure to meet with Julie and particularly to meet her lucky fiance Mark for the first time. We hooked up at their wedding venue, Packington Moor Farm for a lot of photographs and a good chat!

The Oat Barn, where they will be married, is full of old beams and bricks. It's a wonderful venue for a wedding, and the whole complex will serve Mark, Julie and their guests, right from the cottages where bride and groom get ready, the ceremony, the beautiful gardens, through to the evening celebrations. Everything is within sipping distance!

Gorgeous bride!

The gardens are lovely, and perfect for photographs.

This is the courtyard beside the Oat Barn. I reckon that little window top-right is perfect for me to hang out of for a group photograph! Can someone take one please when I do?!

One reason I love Julie even more is that she brought cuttings from her bridal magazines with ideas for photographs she loves. She's my ideal subject - one who has ideas for what she wants, but then goes on to completely trust me in setting up the shots. I'm spoiled, I tell you!

Of course, Mark is pretty much a legend too. And here's why: You know those beautiful women who work at the gym that are way out of your league? (OK, I now realise a large majority of you will be female, so you'll have to use your imagination here.) You have a nice little chat and everything, but you know you don't really stand a chance with her, right?

Well when Mark went to circuit training and led the occasional class at Julie's gym he must have done something right. His best man Martyn, a personal trainer, was instrumental in getting them together, along with the other staff at the gym who told Julie how nice Mark was! Until one evening whilst putting away the equipment, he cornered her in a cupboard and asked her out. Told you. Legend.

I left this sweet couple to practise their first dance in the barn. Or their 'barn-dance' if you will. And as I drove away I couldn't wait to come back!!

Tony and Sonia

Added Friday 19th June 2009

Tony and Sonia will be married at the beautiful Olton Friary in August, and hold their wedding reception at the Forest of Arden hotel in Meriden. We met up for some practise shots and a chat in the blazing sunshine last week!

I have to say, these two didn't seem at all self-conscious in front of the camera, which is wonderful. They look completely natural.

Tony and Sonia are going to have such a fun wedding. Loads of family, loads of friends, and loads of laughter!

Stuart and Lisa at St. Alphege, Solihull

Added Thursday 18th June 2009

Last week I met with Stuart and Lisa at my own church, St. Alphege in Solihull.

We first met at the national wedding show at the NEC last year, and I've loved working with Stuart and Lisa so far. They're lots of fun to hang out with and of course, to photograph!

After the church, we make the epic trek on foot to the Holiday Inn. I've been looking forward to photographing a wedding here since exhibiting at wedding fairs and meeting their lovely wedding coordinator Kelly! The grounds here are great for photographs. But I'm still not sure if I'm going to have to get in a boat for the big group shot on the stairs!

It was lovely to see you two again, as always. I can't wait to spend a whole day with you next time! And help celebrate your marriage together with all your loved ones.

Nick and Julie at Somerford Hall

Added Wednesday 17th June 2009

Just a few photographs from Nick and Julie's engagement photographs at their wedding venue, Somerford Hall.

I love this shot. This is why I'm a photographer, people! Beautiful little romantic moments like these.

Look at the way Julie lights up when she's smiling at Nick! It's very sweet, and she's clearly head over heels for her hubbie-to-be.

Simon and Nicola's Wedding

Added Saturday 13th June 2009

I arrived early, as usual. But instead of hanging around and checking out the venues, or going through my equipment, I was met in the road by Ian, Nicola's Dad. It seemed like all the neighbours were bustling about, getting the house and gardens ready for the big celebration later.

I was kindly set up in the family's lovely garden with a cup of tea and the sounds of bleating and tweeting in the Warwickshire countryside around me, while I tested myself on the names of all the bridal party!

Nearby, Nicola was getting ready in the conservatory. Here's Charlotte, Simon's sister, helping her with makeup, and Donna accepting a gift. There was a lot of crying, and waterproof mascara going on. In fact, I'm told Nicola even cried in boots buying the mascara!

The lovely All Saints Church at Leamington Hastings.

And the handsome groom!

I loved the way Nicola's veil glowed. They've got some wicked good light over there in Leamington Hastings. You should check it out sometime!!

Just lovely.

Ian walked his daughter up the aisle to the sound of "Jesu, joy of man's desire", the same music he probably didn't notice as he once waited at the other end of the aisle for his bride, Jackie.

After the beautiful ceremony, the celebrations began! Everyone decamped to Ian and Jackie's garden, decked out with a huge marquee, candles, fairy-lights and some really tasteful decorations.

We took a few moments to get some great photographs of the happy couple amongst all the beautiful details Nicola and her band of helpers have worked so hard on for so long!

Here are all of Nicola's bridesmaids. Harri on the left has been a friend since she met Nicola at university and they hit it off instantly. She's basically part of the family now! Next Donna and Charlotte, you've already met. And on the right, one of the best chief bridesmaids I ever met, Grace! Grace was wonderful, and looked after Nicola and others all day long. I reckon every girl needs a friend like Grace. My particular favourite (and I hope they don't mind me sharing this) was when she was lacing up Nicola's dress (with white cotton gloves on) and said "huh...have you lost weight?" I shot her a look that said "Oh you are good!"

Wasting some time, chasing cars.

On my way out, I had to grab the happy couple for some photos by these candles which I was excited about for so long and finally got lit!! It was a nice way to finish up at this beautiful wedding.

Coming soon...

Added Friday 12th June 2009

We're stuck well into the wedding season now, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it! I'm working like a maniac to keep up with editing weddings and making albums, while at the same time looking to the future and coming up with new ideas. Exciting new things are coming this season!

I'm almost done with the photos from Simon and Nicola's lovely wedding. Another couple of hours I think!! But here's something to whet your appetite.

(very fond of this picture)

Here is the happy couple...

David and Sarah

Added Friday 5th June 2009

Here are twenty six pictures from David and Sarah's beautiful wedding in May!

We started at their fabulous new home in Sherington, which Sarah and David have been refurbishing with some extremely classy interiors. It's at that brilliant stage where some rooms are finished and some aren't. Couldn't resist this message from David to his bride. Apparently it should have been painted over by now. But I'm delighted it wasn't.

I love this photo too. I saw it before it happened, if you see what I mean. So I had to ask Sarah to stand in the doorway. She thought I was mad. But it's something about the ravaged and the ravishing. The pretty and the peeling. The disheveled and the delicious! Basically, creating extreme beauty out of, um, chaos?!

I must send out some major love and thanks to my wonderful second shooter, Carole Kelly. When I told her I'd had the flu that week, she offered to come and prop me up and do some of the loud bits! This shot, and some more in the galleries are from her.

David was plenty early at the church, which is always nice!

Sarah's bridesmaids are Natalie (BFF), Eleanor (David's niece) and Rachel (Sarah's sister)

The reception was held at Whittlebury Hall, where we made use of the glorious indoor atrium for these pictures.

After speeches and cake-cutting, Mr. and Mrs. took to the floor for their first dance. We can all see how delighted and in love they are, and I know we all counted it a great pleasure to share their special day with them.

David and Sarah, thank you for everything. For all the fun we had at your wedding, for the delicious dinner, for putting up with my sore voice and taking stunning photographs anyway. But mostly for being such ultra fabulous people and customers! I'm really proud of your wedding photographs and I hope you'll love them just as much!