Weddings at South Lodge Hotel Lower Beeding West Sussex - Debbie and Matt

Good Morning Folks,

I was recently at South Lodge Hotel for the pre wedding photography shoot of Debbie and Matt.  The rain was incessant but that did not hamper our fun!  We had a lovely wander around the hotel to get some ideas for the day and the rain abated just a little bit so we could venture outside.  The initial plan was to use umbrellas but the strong winds put pay to that idea.  As this was not an actual wedding day and dresses weren't involved the intrepid gang decided to just go for it and have some fun.

The images today show mainly the outside just because we were giggling like children when doing some of the shots and looking at them makes me smile.  The first image today was taken inside; South Lodge is one of those venues that has it all for both wet and dry days, so if you get married there folks, the weather will not be a problem.  We fly in the face of wind and rain, yes it was time to go outside, but I stress this is something that may not have been at the top of Debbie's list had it been on her actual wedding day.  The pre-wedding shoots are all about fun, being a bit silly and relaxing in front of the camera so we just went for it!  Image two is a nice stroll along the drive, then piggyback time!  I discovered this little nook when looking for somewhere that would be a possible outside shot and this was lovely and dry.  The huge vagaries of the weather in this country are great because something always appears that may have been overseen otherwise and this little nook is no exception.  I love the shape of the branches behind too, it reminds me of something out of a fairytale. Last but not least just a bit of silly fun, we were mucking about trying to get the 'kick' correct.  When Debbie did it Matt didn't and vice versa.  We were double up with laughter and was one of the visitors to the hotel was most intrigued at what we were up to!

It was a beautiful day for my wedding yesterday and this week sees album ordering and wedding editing for me.  Have a great week folks and looking forward to catching up with you all later.

Claire :)

Buxted Park Hotel Uckfield East Sussex Wedding Photography - Nicola and Dean

Good Morning Folks,

I recently photographed the wedding of Nicola and Dean at Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield, East Sussex.  The day was just a joy, the weather was perfect and it was great to be back in this beautiful venue.

We started the wedding day in Crawley Down, which is near East Grinstead to photograph the preparations.  I do love this part of the day as it sets the scene for all the lovely things to come.  We then headed to Buxted Park Hotel, which was to be the wedding venue for both the ceremony and reception.  The boys were ready and waiting and I just loved their choice of outfits.  Dean did tell me he wasn't going down the traditional route and I thought he looked magnificent.  The sun shone and the whole day was just lovely, I particularly liked all the little details; Nicola's Auntie did an amazing job with these and the flowers, she really is one talented lady.

So without further ado, here are today's images; so let's start with a documentary image; I do love the confetti shot and Buxted is a particularly nice backdrop, but I wanted to do something a little different so I have a sequence of images showing the wider scene and then I quickly captured a couple of shots showing the reaction and I couldn't be more pleased with the result as this image is brimming with smiles, reactions and happiness.  We then move on to a Buxted classic; I love doing this image because it does test one's knowledge; it would be so easy to lose the couple in the architecture of this building but with careful positioning and exposure the building enhances rather than absorbs Nicola and Dean and I have ensured the hands are elegant here as anything else would look unsightly and detract the eye from the moment between them.  Image three is a quiet stroll back towards the house with some of the lovely trees bobbing around in the background; I do love winter trees but I am looking forward to seeing some leaves now, it's been a long time!  The stairs at Buxted are beautiful and this image of Nicola floating is a favourite of mine.  So here he is, the lord of the manor himself, Dean and now can you see why I got excited about his wedding outfit, he looks brilliant and it really suits this shot, and for effect a cigar that is very befitting of his status :)  Last but not least today I wanted to show an image that showcases the many chandeliers that Buxted has; I have photographed ceremonies in both the Library and the Coat of Arms room now and they really do add that element of grandeur to your day.  This image shows grandeur but with the warm welcome that awaits anyone who walks through the doors at Buxted Park.  I must just mention the great one himself, Marc who is ably assisted by his "older" brother Phil (sorry Phil).  Between them they really do make sure you have the most wonderful wedding day and I always leave the venue longing to return.

Have a great weekend folks and whatever you are doing,  have fun!

Claire :)

Wedding Photography at the Norfolk Arms Arundel West Sussex - Ellen and Andrew

Good Afternoon Folks,

I was recently with Ellen and Andrew for their pre wedding photography in Arundel, West Sussex.  They are getting married in the most beautiful little church, St Leonard's in South Stoke, which is just outside Arundel.  The Norfolk Arms in Arundel is a hotel full of character just situated on the High Street with Arundel Castle as its backdrop; how fabulous.

We had a bright and sunny albeit chilly day for the shoot and it was wonderful to stroll around Arundel looking for interesting places for the wedding day.  The roads leading to the church are very special to Andrew as he spent many hours as a young boy cycling around them.  So I think it is really lovely that he will be able to add to his already wonderful memories the day he marries Ellen.

So on to today's images; the first image I love because the backdrop is so textured and interesting; it was Andrew who mentioned this to me and what an eye he has; well done Andrew :)  I love the second image and to me this is what the pre wedding shoot is all about; banishing those photography nerves and having some fun.  Last but not least another little nook that we discovered for the wedding day and I have some plans here, but I just love this tender moment, yup it was -2 and I think Andrew's lips may have frozen to Ellen's hair, but hey that's what love is!

Have a great weekend folks; I am busy editing here but I might, just might go wild and hang some washing out in a minute...oh yeah life on the edge!

Claire

Goodwood Hotel Documentary Wedding Photographers at Glorious Goodwood West Sussex - Kelly and Paul

Good Morning Folks,

I had the great pleasure of photographing the wedding at the Goodwood Hotel at Glorious Goodwood West Sussex of Kelly and Paul.  The day was bitterly cold but the rain stayed away!  We were a little disappointed as the estate was closed for the day due to the re-surfacing of the road ahead of the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.  It really hit home how much planning there is for this event!

The wedding day started in Billingshurst, West Sussex and the house was full of excitement of the wonderful day ahead.  We then headed over to Goodwood to see the boys and capture some images before Paul had his interview.  Kelly arrived with her Dad and the Bridesmaids looking gorgeous and the whole day was full of happiness and fun.  The reception room was like something out of Narnia; absolutely gorgeous.

We did manage to get outside for some portraiture and also the group shots, we had the blanket at hand to make sure Kelly was nice and cosy though; this was definitely not the weather to be bearing one's shoulders for too long!

I have photographed a number of weddings over the last two weeks and the weather has been wildly different for each one.  Part of being an experienced professional wedding photographer is being completely unfazed by our glorious but changeable weather and turning what some would see a disadvantage into some lovely images that are as individual as the couple you are photographing.  Being unfazed though is borne from extensive training and experience of being the sole photographer at many weddings.  Oh stop yakking Claire and get on with chatting about today's images I hear you say; so without further ado here we go.

This image makes me just smile; this was the moment that Kelly and Paul were pronounced Husband and Wife and Kelly face just beams.  This is the most important part of the day and the joy and relief when all has run smoothly is really evident here.  I love image two and the steps leading up to the Whiskey bar caught my eye at the pre-wedding shoot; I just knew that Kelly had to look magnificent here.  The first dance is always a part of the day I enjoy photographing, it is such a intimate moment and a time to share a few moments together to reflect on what a wonderful day it has been. The love between Kelly and Paul just oozes from this image and I always like to light these images to hone in on the intimate nature of what I am photographing.  Last but not least something that is always important in any wedding day, the first official images as Husband and Wife.

I am furiously editing weddings here, remembering, giggling and shedding the odd tear and so pleased that I was chosen to be a part of the couples' big day.

Have a great week folks,

Claire :)

Wedding Photography at South Lodge Hotel Lower Beeding West Sussex - Emma and Andy

Good Afternoon Folks,

I recently photographed the wedding of Emma and Andy at South Lodge Hotel, Lower Beeding, West Sussex.  Their wedding day was gorgeous and featured some wonderful West Sussex Wedding suppliers too.

The whole event took place at the hotel and as usual the service from the team on the day was exceptional.  Emma looked absolutely amazing in an Emma Tindley Couture silk gown; it is no secret that I think Emma's dresses are brilliant and as her official photographer I photograph them often but it was lovely to have one at a real wedding.  It moved beautifully as I knew it would and was a joy to see.  Designer Emma is also an accomplished florist having trained under the best, Jane Packer and she also did bride Emma's flowers on the day.  How great is that as she was able to tailor the flowers to match the dress perfectly.  Alsion J Smith from Bridal Beauty did Emma's hair and make-up along with the girls hair.  Again I know Alsion's work well and she is designer Emma's resident hair and make-up expert; her work is always beautiful and today was no exception.  Last but not least we have the beautiful cakes from La Maision des Petits Gateaux; I have also produced the imagery for Amanda's website so it was again a joy to see her creations at a real wedding.  I was allowed to take a cakey home and it tasted divine.  Obviously I have to ensure that the cake is up to standard against many of Amanda's cakes I have eaten and I am pleased to say folks it did.   It really is a tough job but someone has to get out there and do it ;).  There is an image showcasing some of the cakes from the day on my facebook page if you want to pop along and have a look.

So let's get back to Emma and Andy!  The day was fun, silly, happy, emotional and just lovely.  We had so much fun on the pre-wedding shoot I just knew I would be laughing all day.  We had some funny moments at the lake when the buggy got stuck in the mud, we all had to off load apart from Emma and I really thought that it would be a case of us all pushing but luckily enough our lovely driver backed up and got some momentum going, Andy was last seen chasing the buggy with his wife in it!  Emma thinks it was pay back for laughing at me being a 'wuss' at the pre-wedding shoot :)

So now to today's images.  I just love this image of Emma with the bridesmaids and the little girl in the front is their beautiful daughter Amber, who trumps me for asking questions; she is just adorable.  Image two is Andy with their son Oscar, he was so funny in one of the shots when he managed to replicate what I thought was an unattainable pose, well I now know it is possible...just!  Image three is of Emma having a quiet moment in her room just before the marriage, we all think she looks like Bridget Bardot.  Last but not least, the lake before the buggy shenanigans; the light here was lovely and I loved the way it glistened on the water.

We decided not to have a normal cake shot, ours was definitely the carry on version so I think you can probably imagine that the day contained mostly sniggering with double entendres!!!

Have a great week folks and looking forward to catching up with you all later.

Claire :)

Wedding Photographers for Hayne Barn House Hythe Kent - Pru and Simon

Good Afternoon Folks,

I was recently with Pru and Simon for their pre-wedding photography shoot at Hayne Barn House, Hythe, Kent.  The day was chilly but at least it wasn't raining!

This is a very special wedding for me because I have to do something a little different; deliver the images to Simon as I am taking them!   Simon is not able to see due to a nasty road accident so our aim is to put him in the very special position of having his wedding photographs before Pru even.  The pre-wedding photography shoot was to put our plan into action and it definitely worked I think.

The day started at Pru and Simon's house and we set off to the venue with a planned detour along the way.  The sat nav was turned off in the car and my own personal sat nav in the form of Simon directed me to our detour then to the venue; now this is amazing, Simon can calculate my speed too!  The only hiccup was the non-existent bridge that Pru and I were at a loss to find, Simon was insistent it was there until he remembered it was a different town; it kept Pru and I on our toes though.

So on to today's images and the descriptives are for Simon, so here goes:-

Image One - This is where we started in the gardens, we are at the half moon crazy paved steps, you are looking deep into Pru's eyes and you holding and facing each other.  This imagery has the symmetry of the yew trees behind and they are a lush green, the sky is grey.  The steps lead you up to where you are both posing.  The image shows you both in your surroundings so you can see all of the Yew Trees, the steps, the path and a little bit of grass either side.  Even though are not the biggest subjects in the image everything leads to you, making you the most important part of the image.  Oh and the coffee is on the wall behind me at the bottom of the path near to the house!!
Image Two - You are both walking back towards the house, you are looking at Pru and Pru is looking back up at you.  It is such a happy image and you are smiling and very relaxed in each others company.  You halfway along the lawn with the half moon steps and yew trees behind you; this image is again very lush and green but with grey skies.  The coffee is very nearly in your grasp Simon!
Image Three - This is a black and white image of Pru in the room where we were chatting to the wedding planner; Pru is on the sofa opposite to the one where you had the meeting, she does not have her glasses on and I am taking the picture slightly to one side.  You are standing to the side and slightly behind me and she is giving you the most loving look; her eyes are soft and dewy and she is smiling beautifully.  Or to put it another way the look that is totally opposite to the one she gives when you are being naughty ;)
Image Four - This is you Simon in glorious black and white, it was taken in the same room as image three and you are sitting on the hard backed chair next to the window.  I have taken the image of you in profile from the right hand side of your face.  It is classically lit in a rembrandty style (like I explained to you on the day).
Image Five - This is another black and white image of you both.  It was taken in the conifer trees just behind the crazy paved path with the yew trees.  If you remember, we saw it and walked back and on the way back there was talk of you jumping that little wall that split the garden into tiers;  the anal, sensible one (me) said no.  I know, I know I spoil all your fun.  This is taken from your left side and Pru is looking up at you, she has a minxish glint in her eye and I do believe she may have been caressing your buttock at this point; needless to say you have a very satisfied smile in this image Simon :)

We had loads of fun on the day and you both always make me giggle.  When Simon was being minxish, which folks was more often than not Pru had this look that she gives him.  I kept on saying "ooh Simon you don't want to be seeing that look, you have been naughty again."  He said "do I get that look often Claire" I responded "quite a lot Simon, quite a lot"  he just laughed and was even more minxish......love it!

I am so looking forward to seeing you both and the ever gorgeous Umber on the big day.

Have a great weekend folks and catch up soon,

Claire :)