The Giggling Bride and The G-Force Groom

Ok… so we had a couple of dogs (woof, woof ones); a forgotten bouquet; a couple of hero brothers; a Greek, but Russian orthodox priest doing a Russian Orthodox Liturgy (if you are Greek, the humour will not be lost on you!); a lot of Old Carthusians; wind, wind and more wind (in the air, not on the dance floor!); blue skies (a tiny amount, but still...); a downpour during the speeches; polo ponies; amazing food; the nicest DJ (Duncan from Splendid Sounds) and two of the loveliest people I could hope to work for.

Matt and Marianna's wedding was nothing short of perfect and filled with an insane amount of laughter; in most part from the bride I might add. Everyone was super lovely and even the guy who kept brandishing a mini dictator moustache made me chuckle. There was not one nasty bone in the house… it was just all love and humour and I even got a little thank you shout-out from the groom during his speech! I blushed; it was lovely. Thank you Matt!

Marianna's dress was from Le Spose Di Gio and was so beautiful. I don’t know who was drooling over it more, me or the dogs! It was so simple (amazingly complicated to get into though) and Marianna, I think you should wear it every day! I doubt the hub would mind because you looked absolutely amazing in it. A big pleasing nod to David Lawrence too at this point (Marianna's make-up artist) not only did he do a fabulous job with her make-up, he has a great surname (my boyfriend shares it). 

The service was held at St. Mary's in Barnes; a lovely church set in beautiful grounds and made even more lovely by the flower arrangements (courtesy of Sue, Marianna's mum, and her team of friends). Clever people!

After the ceremony I hitched a lift with Matt and Marianna in a rather sexy brown 1960's Citroen DS (called ERROL!!!) and we stopped in Richmond to take some pictures. The wind was cRaZy but the views were incredible and Matt & Marianna did an excellent job of keeping each other warm whilst still looking gorgeous despite the weather and generally being good sports about it all. N.B. Check out the G-force on Matt’s face (see pics). At least... I think its G-force. Sorry Matt ;-) 

Then onto Ham Polo club and the safe hands of Emma Ledamun & her team who did a fantastic job. So welcoming and friendly and the food by Hunt Kendall was excellent. Thank you all! I really enjoyed shooting at the venue and would thoroughly recommend it especially as it also looked super pretty thanks to some nifty table decs and some rather beaut flowers arrangements by Simon Lycett (he also did the bouquets and buttonholes I might add). I also loved shooting the group shots, especially the 'everyone' shot. I kept laughing, as everyone else did and it was chaos, but I loved it and I think once everyone could feel their fingers and toes again, they would say they enjoyed it too. 

The speeches were also very funny and certainly not without heartfelt poignancy for those that couldn’t be there. 

Matt and Marianna, I think you are so blessed to have the people in your life that you do. I always say a great wedding is indicative of a great couple, but it’s also indicative of your friends and families too. I felt instantly part of the crowd and allowed to do my job with nothing but smiles and warmth surrounding me and for that, I salute you and those that love you! ;-) 

You're a wonderful couple; it's been an absolute pleasure working with you both and I hope your life together is full of those smiles and lots of tender warmth…a little less wind and a lot of love.

My love and best wishes to you and your family,

Loukie xx

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Tim, Kate, naughty Table 6 and a sprinkling of snow...

The morning of March 23^rd and I’m driving down to Aldingbourne to shoot Tim and Kate’s wedding and it’s snowing. Two years previously I was shooting a wedding on 18^th March in blazing sun on Brighton beach. Wonders will never cease. So I’m driving and repeating ‘please just get me there on time’ and like many snow days in my past I was of course panicking needlessly…I arrived safe and sound and in plenty of time. 

Kate was getting ready in a gorgeous little thatched cottage conveniently named ‘Thatch Cottage’ and, while she protested she hated having her picture taken, I think she made a wonderful subject. Both easy and relaxed - coupled with *that* dress which took an age to do up (don’t they all!?) - but my goodness it worth it! I love Kate’s portraits and it was wonderful that we had time to do them… normally it is such a rush, but Kate’s bridesmaids Emily and sister Helen were fantastic and made sure we had plenty of time.  

The wedding was held at St. Mary’s Church and during the ceremony I was kneeling down shooting – then suddenly I look behind me and vague recognition coupled with confusion descends. I look away. And then back again, and start giggling and uttering, ‘No way’ to the couple sitting there, returning my surprise. Yes, Matt and Marianna are clients whose wedding I’m shooting in a few weeks. The world is a small place indeed. I shall look forward to seeing Kate and Tim at theirs too!

It was a beautiful ceremony. Kate was walked down the aisle by her brother and he was so nervous but did a sterling job. Just as she entered, Kate was overcome with emotion, and had to take a moment…it was so sweet my heart did a little turn. They were married by a lovely Vicar who actually married Tim’s parents, but he did take it upon himself to tell me a horror story regarding some poor wedding photographer shooting at St. Mary’s. Lovely? Yes. Tactful? Perhaps not ;-)

Off then to Grittenham Barn, nestled in the heart of West Sussex and decorated beautifully by Tim and Kate and their handy helpers. Everyone braved the bitter cold in the name of photography and for that, I salute you! I tried to do the formals as quickly as possible, but it can be rather difficult when you can’t feel your fingers. Weather of Britain! You are not helping weddings and their photographers! But all was well…we did them quick quick and swiftly sought solace in the warmth of the barn and its blazing fire. 

The speeches were amazing and hats off to Tim for running with the ‘ring’ jokes - he went where others wouldn’t dare, but boy did we laugh… I could barely keep my camera steady.

Tim and Kate were such a great couple to work with… both so easygoing, fun and very much in love. Your friends and family were super-friendly and naughty Table 6 certainly proved their value with their sweet throwing ability. But I do remember Kate outdoing the lot of them with her ability to catch them... bravo Kate!

So Tim and Kate, here’s to you! May your life together be full of joy and laughter and you know what they say, when it rains on your wedding day you’ll be blessed with good luck. Well it snowed on yours so I’m thinking nothing short of lottery win and eternal bliss will do ;-).

Thank you for letting me be part of your fabulous day!

My love and best wishes to you both,

Loukie xx