Louisa and Adam were married on the 10th October 2009 at Hedingham Castle, Essex.

Louisa getting ready with her Mum

Louisa upstairs in the Georgian House at Hedingham

Louisa’s father, Simon, watches as Louisa walks down the stairs at Hedingham.

Louisa and Simon walking towards the castle in the bright sunlight of a beautiful autumn day.

Louisa reaching the end of the aisle

The ceremony from the minstrels gallery

Adam and Louisa exchanging vows

Adam and Louisa being applauded by their friends and family at the end of the ceremony. The photo of a bride and groom’s first kiss is of course a ’standard’ wedding photo. I also hope to capture the moment after the first kiss where the couple smile at each other for the first time as husband and wife.

After the ceremony, Adam, Louisa and I went to the room at the top of the castle. The light is always beautiful and in a few short moments we got a lovely set of portraits.

Walking down the stairs… a question often asked by wedding guests when they arrive at the castle is ‘where is the lift.’ Unfortunately, due to a shocking lack of foresight 800 years ago, one wasn’t built!

Louisa, Adam and all their wedding guests

Confetti on the bridge

Louisa during the drinks reception

Louisa and Adam with the Castle grounds in the background

Adam and Louisa entering the wedding breakfast

Simon and Louisa during the speeches

Pru, Louisa’s Mum, listening to the speeches

Louisa during Adam’s speech

Adam’s best man was a woman – Nathalie. Her speech started with a few tears of emotion: ‘That’s why they don’t ask chicks to do this job,’ she commented. Her speech was great fun and full of hand-made visual aides.

Louisa and Adam’s first dance

The full gallery of Louisa and Adam’s wedding photos is now online.

To see them click here.

The house at Hedingham, with the castle in the background

I’ve been one of Hedingham Castle’s recommended wedding photographers for the last few years and over time I’ve seen the castle, house, and grounds go through a lot of changes.

Over the last few months the grounds and marquee have been transformed – and I was so impressed on my last visit I thought I’d write this blog!

The view of the Castle from the driveway

The Castle was built around 1140, and sits in an open expanse of land at the top of a hill. It is all that remains of the original construction: hundreds of years ago it would have been surrounded by buildings and enclosed by a wall.

The house at the top of the drive

The grounds surrounding the house and castle are magnificent. Over the last few months they have undergone major changes with new plants being introduced, areas cleared, and ponds being dug.

There are so many vantage points and short walks – each one uncovering another hidden gem. If you have the opportunity to attend one of Hedingham Castle’s open days or events I would thoroughly recommend it.

The drawing room at Hedingham

This room, like many in the house, has benefited from lots of attention. The once threadbare furniture has been lovingly restored and re-upholstered. New curtains and wallpapers have replaced the old, and while the house has a wonderful feeling of history and times gone-by, it also feels new and cared for.

The marquee, set for a wedding

There have been small, but significant changes to the marquee as well – for example, the new carpet. It complements the table decorations and interior, and means everything feels warm even on the coldest winter evening.

The marquee from outside

The house at night

To see examples of photographs from weddings at Hedingham Castle, click here.

Charlotte and James were married on October 3rd 2009 at All Saints Church, Nazeing, Essex. Their wedding reception was held at The Manor of Groves, Hertfordshire.

Charlotte’s artistic talents were to be found in many of the details of the day. These are the beautiful hand-made orders of service.

The bridesmaids passed the time waiting for Charlotte to arrive by twirling in their dresses.

A pram with a view. This photo was taken from the back of the church with Charlotte and James at the far end of the aisle.

Charlotte and James walking down the aisle

Charlotte and James with their bridesmaids

The confetti outside the church

Now here is a good tip for any future brides – make sure you have more confetti than you think you’ll need. Once it starts getting passed around outside the church it soon dissapears.

Charlotte, her Mum and other relatives started collecting dried flower petals well in advance of the wedding. Hence the blizzard of confetti. There was even enough for a second round!

James and Charlotte waiting to go into their wedding breakfast

Charlotte’s Father, during his speech

One of the great fringe benefits of being a wedding photographer is being treated to some first-class after dinner speaking. And Charlotte and James wedding was no exception.

James nick name is Harry Potter, due to his striking resemblance to a certain trainee wizard. As he began his speech, and in an effort to add to the evening’s mirth, Charlotte popped on a pair of Potter-esque glasses to try and distract him.

Best man Rob, in full flow

I have to be honest that when it comes to best man’s speeches I consider myself something of an expert. I’ve heard over 200 of them and delivered one myself, so I have a fair idea of what’s good, and what’s bad. I also know the subjects to be avoided at all costs.

However, Rob broke one of the golden rules of being a best man which is:
under no circumstances whatsoever tell any story involving any events that might have allegedly happened in a Thai night-club

The fact that Rob broke this rule, in hilarious style, with an annecdote that would have amused the sternest Aunt – and made the groom look even more charming and adorable than before the story began, was a remarkable achievement.

Rob, I salute you!

Manor of Groves at night

The full gallery of Charlotte and James’ wedding photos is now online.

To see them click here.

Lynsey and Gordon were married at Hedingham Castle on August 21st 2009.

Hedingham Castle – looked magnificent on a beautiful late summer’s day

Gordon waiting for Lynsey before the ceremony

Lynsey waiting at the bottom of the stairs.

Gordon and Lynsey during the wedding ceremony

Lynsey and Gordon’s first kiss

Lynsey, Gordon and their wedding party walking across the ground of the keep.

Confetti on the bridge at Hedingham Castle

Lynsey laughing with guests during the reception

Lynsey and Gordon held their reception at the Eight Bells pub, Saffron Walden. When we left Hedingham castle, it started to rain. About an hour later, when we arrived in Saffron Walden, it stopped raining – perfect timing!

Lynsey and Gordon’s father with nephew Ben

Celebrating Australia collapsing to 138 for 8

Lynsey and Gordon very kindly sat me on a table with their guests. As we chatted it became clear several people wanted to know the cricket score. I explained that there are a couple of things I won’t do at a wedding (because I feel they aren’t professional) and these are having an alcoholic drink or using my mobile phone. However, as it was a crucial Ashes game, I asked if it would it be OK to check the score on my phone… ‘of course that’s OK’ I was told.

My job description then temporaily mutated into sports correspondent…

Lynsey’s Dad looking at the score on my mobile phone.

“Australia all out for 160 and my daughter happily married… all on the same day!”

Gordon and Lynsey laughing during the speeches

Lynsey and Gordon cutting the cake

When I first met Gordon and Lynsey they mentioned there were some beautiful gardens at the back of the pub. It turns out they were Bridge End Gardens, created in the 19th century and restored to their Victorian grandeur. For the few minutes we were there, we had them all to ourselves.

Lynsey and Gordon’s full set of photos are now online.

To see them click here.

Victoria and Steve were married on August 8th 2009 at All Saints Church, Springfield.

Victoria and her Dad walking down the aisle

Victoria and Steve during the ceremony

Confetti outside the church

Steve and Victoria outside Pontlands Place

Victoria with her nephew

The wedding cake in the marquee

Steve shaking hands with his brother Paul during the receiving line.

Victoria’s Dad did a great speech

Steve’s speech was followed by three best men’s speeches. Victoria did a speech and the bridesmaids also joined in, reading out the results from the 80’s pop quiz.

Victoria’s sisters then teamed-up to read a message from their brother in Australia – hence the Aussie rugby shirt!

Victoria and Steve’s full set of photos are now online.

To see them click here.

Rachel and Andy were married at St Osyth Priory on June 27th 2009.

Rachel with her bridesmaids and pageboy – remarkably, they are all looking into the camera at the same time…

Rachel and her father stepped from a bright sunny day, into the cool, dark Priory.

When I met Rachel and Andy several weeks before their wedding, certain powers of imagination were required to visualise what the ceremony room would look like on the day. Well, they did a fantastic job, with a set of old church chairs and decorating and lighting the room to perfection.

Rachel and Andy exchaning wedding rings

Rachel and Andy leaving the ceremony

During the whole afternoon, the weather was perfect, with the sun belting down. Meanwhile, down the road in north London there were terrific thunderstorms…

The marquee from Chelmer marquees was just the right size and the catering was done by the superb ‘Talbooth.’

Rachel’s Dad couldn’t resist the comedy tempatation of receiving a ‘phone-call’ during his speech…

… and Andy’s brother and best man, Tim, was given a helping hand during his speach from nephew, Harry.

Rachel and Andy’s first dance

The rest of Rachel and Andy’s photos are online.

To see them click here.

Louise and David were married at Maidens Barn on November 22nd 2008. It was a beautiful sunny day – but also absolutely freezing!

The Barn before the guests arrive, with an unusual wedding cake in the style of famous painter and award winning baker, Piet Mondrian.

David before the ceremony

Louise and her sister just after they arrived. Two quick pictures, then into the warmth.

Louise with a proud Dad

The wedding ceremony

Louise and David after the ceremony

Braving the cold again. Two quick pictures and then inside…

Louise and David wanted a real emphasis on natural, reportage style photographs. So after some breif family photos I spent my time during the drinks reception photographing Louise and David mingling and chatting with their friends and family.

Maidens Barn is a notch above many other barns. It has been thoughfully renovated, and tastefully decorated.

Cheers!

Louise and David’s wedding will always have at least one abiding memory for everyone who was there… …probably the craziest first dance witnessed this side of ‘Youtube.’

Each table was asked to vote for one of six songs and the Madness song, ‘Baggy Trousers’ was selected. Cue lots of leaping about and general daftness…

All the photos from Louise and David’s wedding are online. To see them, click here