The Wedding of Adele & Wayne at Friern Manor Hotel, Dunton

Saturday the 30th of October and we're in Rayleigh, Essex for the wedding of Adele and Wayne. Their church ceremony was at Holy Trinity Church in Rayleigh Town - despite being surrounded by scaffolding, the church was beautiful. After the service we shot a couple of group shots then we all drove off to Friern Manor for their reception. After a few more group photos and some portraits of the bride and groom in the grounds we handed them over to the staff at Friern for their receiving line. We left just as the happy couple walked into dinner.

Our Tour of the South

We had a great time travelling around the South of England this week. We went to Marwell Zoo, an Owl, Bird of Prey and Reptile centre, we painted pottery, explored the Isle of Wight and wasted tons of 2ps in the arcades! Though my daughter did win loads of packets of sweets & bars & bars of chocolate on Sandown Pier. We didn't get to do everything we wanted to, but we're back there in a couple of weeks for some commercial photographic work that we're doing in November.

The chipmunk type creature [above] was really enjoying the pumpkin at Marwell Zoo.

Stephanie & Paul's Wedding at Charingworth Manor Hotel, Chipping Campden

Sunday the 24th and we're in Chipping Campden for the wedding of Stephanie and Paul at Charringworth Manor Hotel. The first time for us at this beautiful venue, and the weather was perfect - such a deep blue sky. After a few prep shots and an emotional ceremony we headed outside into the sun for the photos, about an hour later we're making our way through the hotel to the stunningly decorated marque for the wedding breakfast. We stayed until just after the speeches & cake cutting, have a great honeymoon!

Sarah & Stuart's Wedding at Ponsbourne Park Hotel, Newgate Street

Saturday the 23rd and we're back at Ponsbourne for the wedding of Sarah & Stuart. A lovely sunny day, we seem to bring the sun with us when we go to Newgate Street. Sarah & Stuart personlised their day with little touches all of their own - even Stuart's favorite Brown Sauce was in attendance. The videographers for the day were RoBeBo - we also had some fabulous entertainment supplied by Miss Balooniverse, a seriously fun and seriously funny lady. Have a great honeymoon!

Simone and Ryan's Wedding at Ye Olde Plough House, Bulphan

Thursday the 21st and we're in Chadwell St Mary for the wedding of Simone and Ryan. They had a gorgeous day, a little chilly but bright and sunny. I photographed Simone's preparations whilst Alex waited at the Church for the Groom and his guys. The ceremony at St Mary's went very well and after a few photos we drove to Bulphan. The Ye Olde Plough House Hotel was as beautiful as ever, the grounds and the room are always stunning. We left just after the the guests entered for their wedding breakfast.

Mark & Ewa's Wedding at Enfield Register Office & Fanhams Hall

Wednesday the 20th and we're at Enfield Register Office for the wedding of Mark & Ewa. A small wedding, our bride and groom and only 4 guests, made this intimate and emotional for everyone attending. After the ceremony we headed straight to Fanhams for a few photos. The weather was great if a little chilly, we walked a circular path to encompass the red bridge, the iron gates, the fountain & gardens as well as a lovely archway all brilliant back-drops for our pictures - throughout which Mark & Ewa were beaming! We left them as they went into the Hotel for their afternoon tea.

Rachel & Tom's Wedding at Vaulty Manor

First weekend since March where we only have one wedding, but it's a biggie! An early start for Alex as she's dropped off at the Church for 9am as there's a long drive for me to the Bride's mum's house for the preparations. The midday ceremony was the cue for a shower of rain which was almost over as the bride and groom made their exit and different affect the day too much at all. The weather brightened and we had almost cloudless skies for the rest of the day. After a few formal photos at Vaulty Manor the guests went inside for speeches and their wedding breakfast. A garter throw and bouquet throw started off the evening entertainment in style, we stayed until just after their 1st Dance, happy honeymoon!

October: My favorite pictures so far ...

Yesterday's wedding at St Alban's Cathedral

The kids really enjoying the confetti throw at Ware Priory

Bling, bling - showcasing the sparkle

and the happiest Groom award goes to ...

Susannah & Roland's Wedding at St Alban's Cathedral & the Hollybush

Saturday the 9th and we're at another local wedding this time the Catherdral & Abbey Church of St Alban. With some very special connections to the church Susannah & Roland felt completely at home there. A truly amazing building, inside and out - the ceremony took place in the beautiful Lady Chapel. The Catherdral Choir made a marvelous ceremony even better and once it was over everyone joined the recessional through to the West End Doors for the photos after which we all went to the Hollybush in Potters Crouch for their garden and marque reception.

Jenny & Robert's Wedding at Ponsbourne Park, Newgate Street

Friday the 8th and we're back at Ponsbourne for the wedding of Jen & Rob - Ponsbourne never lets us down weather-wise, always sunny, always lovely. A great couple, Jen and Rob looked like they thoroughly enjoyed their day with lots of family and friends around them. The resident Toastmaster Des made sure the day went smoothly [as always] and there was always something to photograph! Happy Honeymoon!

Lisa & Alan's Wedding at Priory Barn, Little Wymondley

Thursday the 7th and we're just north of Stevenage for the wedding of Lisa & Alan at the Priory Barn, Little Wymondley. Lisa & Alan enjoyed a lovely warm and sunny day for their wedding. After an atmospheric ceremony in the barn the happy couple and their guests made their way into the gardens at Priory Barn which were the perfect backdrop for our photos. We left just after the speeches and before the wedding breakfast which smelt beautiful!

Lisa & James' Wedding at Ware Priory

Lisa & James' wedding saw our return to Ware Priory, a venue that we hadn't been to for about 2 years depite it being only a few minutes from our home. Not the best of days however, a light drizzle hung over us for most of the day but both Lisa & James were very relaxed and were happy to brave the light rain for a few pictures. Clive from Ware Priory ensured the day went smoothly & our friends Darryl & Donna provided videographic services.

Nichola & Lee's Wedding at Hunters Meet, Hatfield Heath

Thursday the 30th saw us at Hunters meet for the 1st time - Nichola and Lee originally booked us for 2012 but decided they wanted to get married sooner so brought their day forward a couple of years! Nichola works at Manor of Groves Hotel and got ready in a beautiful room there. Many members of the hotel staff wished their colleague well as she left to go to drive to her outdoor ceremony just 10 minutes away. The weather was lovely, the setting was amazing - both Nichola and Lee looked relaxed as they said their vows in front of their friends and family. We captured some formal and informal shots before going into the Hotel to photograph their speeches and the cake cutting. No ordinary cake, it was a masterpiece, many tiers all beautifully decorated and the whole thing was made by the Bride's mum!