Buxted Park Hotel Uckfield East Sussex Wedding Photography - Terrianne and Dan: East Sussex Wedding Photographersrs

Good Afternoon Folks,

Just before Christmas I photographed the festive wedding of Terrianne and Dan at the gorgeous Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield, East Sussex.  I was very excited to be photographing a wedding at Buxted Park and I was particularly pleased that the wonderful Marc was on hand; he is so lovely and nothing is too much trouble.

Terrianne stayed in one of Buxted Hotel's wonderful suites and she was very relaxed when I arrived; I then popped down to find Dan and Best Man Dylan who is their little son.  He is such a sweetie and did everything I asked; in fact he was wonderful for the whole day and did not flag at all, despite staying up until 8.00 pm!

The whole day was very relaxed just as Terrianne and Dan wanted and I loved being amongst the festive surroundings of Buxted Park Hotel, as Christmas is one of my favourite times of the year.

Today I am posting five images; the first was taken after their reception meal, light was at a premium this time of year so is does help to be comfortable with photographing in any light and any experienced wedding photographer will not be fazed by this at all.  The second image is always a favourite with me and this was taken at 3.50 pm two days after the shortest day!! Being able to mix the remnants of natural light with introduced light to create a natural shot is something that an experienced photographer will do as second nature at this time of the year.  The third image is a quirkly little number taken in Buxted Park Hotel's cinema and what else does one watch during the festive season but It's a Wonderful Life!!  I just love the image of Dan and Dylan, he was such a cutie. So to the final image, the pond with the magnificence of Buxted Park in the background with two people so in love enjoying their wedding day.

Have a great week folks, I am off to the annual international photographers convention that I affectionately call 'geek week'; I love it and it is a great way to talk all things photography and catch up with friends and colleagues from all over the world...Geek me up baby; love it!!!

Claire :)

To see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

Buxted Park Hotel Uckfield East Sussex Wedding Photography - Terrianne and Dan: East Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Afternoon Folks,

I recently had a great pre-wedding shoot with Terrianne and Dan at the gorgeous Buxted Park Hotel, Uckfield, East Sussex.  As you can see from the images the weather was distinctly better that it has been this week!

When we arrived we were greeted by the wonderful Marc and the ladies were treated to a kiss on the hand!  He is the consummate gentleman and professional and he really could not have done more for us, so I am really looking forward to the big day.

We had the chance to explore the hotel fully and to be honest in order to make the most of its numerous features I think we would be looking at a two day photography marathon!  We have some images planned for the day and as usual this will be dependent on the weather, but needless to say I am excited!  I don't think that will come as a surprise to those who know me or have been photographed by me!

I am also looking forward to meeting Dylan, he sounds adorable and I think excitement will be in the air as it will be a truly festive wedding.

Enjoy your weekend folks; I hear mud skiing is all the rage now ;)

Look out next week for my Audrey Hepburn inspired image.

Ciao for now,

Claire :)
 If you would lke to see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

Felbridge Hotel Wedding Photography East Grinstead West Sussex - Shelley and Matt: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Morning Folks,

I recently photographed the wedding of Shelley and Matt and The Felbridge Hotel, East Grinstead,  West Sussex.  The weather gods were looking down on us that day as there was not a drop of rain in sight, so we were able to have a good old wander amongst the grounds.

The day started at Shelley's Mum's house and she had prepared the most amazing buffet I have seen and was still looking gorgeous and unflappable so a big thumbs up from me. It was then off to The Felbridge where Paul Smith the Toastmaster and Ami were ensuring everything was perfect for Shelley's arrival.

We all had great fun during the day and I always love the banter I have with Paul; it really does make for a very happy atmosphere.

I am posting five images today; the first is my Grease inspired shot and it was great to be able to re-create this again on their big day; I just love the second one of Shelley, she looks so sassy here it is brilliant.  There was another shot I had planned, which was completely weather dependent and we did it; this one is just for Matt though!  I have included a little sneaky peek of Elegant Stationery's fantastic work and I always love a wedding where her beautiful artistry is displayed.  It was good to be outside and seeing Shelley and Matt having a moment together.  Last but not least the great man himself, Paul Smith dispelling the myth that Toastmasters are stuffy; he does make me laugh and I think Matt's Granny took a shine to him too!

I made a comment on my personal facebook page this week at how dark the mornings are getting; I can really feel Autumn arriving now.  The seasons are so lovely and I think I would be a bit bored if nothing changed during the year.

Have a great day folks and will be in touch next week.

Claire
 If you would lke to see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

Slaugham Place, Slaugham, West Sussex - Charlotte and Craig: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Afternoon All,

A little bit late in the week for my first post so apologies for that, I had a family day at Thorpe Park on Monday with thrill rides galore.  We had a competition on one ride to see who could hold their hands in the air the longest without being branded a 'wuss' and I am pleased to say it was a draw!

I recently had a great albeit squelchy pre-wedding shoot with Charlotte and Craig at Slaugham Place, Slaugham, West Sussex.  This is a beautiful marquee venue with absolutely gorgeous ruins; there is also a majestic lake to one side with weeping willows a plenty so set off the rich and lustrous ruins on the other side; just amazing.  The marquee stays at the venue for the duration of the wedding season and I was particularly impressed with the fact that they replace the carpet before each wedding.  It really is the little things that catch my eye, but how lovely is that.

I had great fun with Charlotte and Craig and we have planned lots of stuff for their wedding with one shot in particular that if all goes well will be a little bit different.  It is a twist of something, that is all I am saying at the moment and is entirely dependent on the weather!

Today sees three images; the first shows the ruins, the second is a little moment of laughter also at the ruins and the third was taken in a folly that provided us with lots of opportunities and we capturesd some great stuff there.  I was umming and ahhing whether or not to pop the lake shot up too, and do you know what ,I think that it is always nice to keep something back!

Friday tomorrow folks, so whatever the weekend brings have loads of fun.

Claire

South Lodge, Lower Beeding, West Sussex - Heather and Roy: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Morning to all my lovely blog readers,

I hope the week is treating you well so far?  I recently had a great pre-wedding shoot with Heather and Roy at South Lodge, Lower Beeding, West Sussex.  We were lucky in that it did not rain but the wind was rather strong; I quite liked it as it made for some dramatic shots.

South Lodge has so many wonderful photographic opportunities both inside and out.  Heather brought along some balloons as it was Roy's birthday so we had a stroll with them before setting them free!  It was then down to the lake and then back into the house to create a bit of drama.

I am posting four images today; the first is a sneaky kiss stolen in a telephone box and reminds me of days gone by, the second showcases our balloons and I think this should be called 99 red balloons, I know there are not 99, but I like it!  The third shot is a quiet stroll with said ballons just prior to their release.  The last shot of the day is utilising our very own wind machine; I just love the way that Heather's skirt billows in the wind.

I have some albums to design this week and I have a very interesting shoot at the weekend, alas not one that will be public for a bit.  The concept is really exciting and there are a number of factors that remain a little out of our control at the moment, thus adding a little 'frisson' to the proceedings.

Have the most fabulous weekend and looking forward to catching up with you next week.

Claire

Felbridge Hotel and Spa, East Grinstead, West Sussex - Shelley and Matthew: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Evening Everyone,

I recently had a fun time with Shelley and Matthew at their pre-wedding shoot at the Felbridge Hotel and Spa, East Grinstead, West Sussex.. They had just finished a particularly fabulous menu tasting at the hotel and their choices sounded yummy and made me feel a little peckish!

We explored the hotel and I went to my usual spots and also found some new ones too.  We also have a new shot planned along with some drama, I get all excited when we start planning the shots and I cannot wait until the big day when we can put everything into action :)

I have posted four images this week, the first one in the garden of the hotel; Matthew was being a little over vigorous, I think he had a Strictly Come Dancing moment!  The second is just a lovely shot of the two of them enjoying each others company,  I love the gates and fence in this shot and the clouds were all puffy and dramatic, little did I know what was to come!  I am calling this last shot stolen kiss and its inspiration was taken from the film Grease.

As we left the hotel the spits and spots of rain started and by the time I got home, which is so local you would not believe, the monsoon was here; how lucky were we.  I think Shelley and I have managed to convince Matthew that he is photogenic and Shelley is a natural in front of the camera; we are going to have great fun creating the drama on the day...super stuff.

This week sees the start of the album designing and completing all my outstanding orders, next up on the blog Slaugham Place, so tune in later in the week folks.

Claire

Felbridge Hotel, East Grinstead, West Sussex - Adele and Andy: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Afternoon Folks,

I recently had a chilly but fun pre-wedding shoot with Adele and Andy who will be having their wedding in the lovely Felbridge Hotel in East Grinstead.

We have lots of plans to utilise the available light that the hotel has, and we put some of our plans into action during the shoot.  Albeit a little nippy we did venture outside as you can see, and I think it was a case of shared bodily warmth!!!

I have three images to share today, one of Adele and Andy with some super lighting in the bar, and two outside shots sharing some tender moments together.

Have a great Jubilee weekend everyone, if you are having a street party, have lots of fun with your neighbours.

I have two weddings this weekend, so lots to look forward to.  It is so lovely capturing the day that is the start of a new and wonderful chapter in my couples' life.

Claire

Cisswood House, Lower Beeding, West Sussex - Katherine and Jason: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

What a beautiful and sunny day we had to celebrate Katherine and Jason's wedding.  We spent the whole day at Cisswood House, Lower Beeding, West Sussex and what a splendid venue for the wedding photography.

Katherine had the most amazing one bedroom suite to get ready in and this was just one of the bridal suites on offer, Katherine and Jason had another one in which to spend their wedding night together; now that's style folks!

We had loads of fun on the day and it was great to work with Frank Prince-Iles from Digital Magic Studios once again.  It was great to see him creating an equally beautiful moving story of their day and he even managed to catch an image of me; the minx!! I thought I was being clever dodging his video too!  I quite liked seeing an image of me in full swing, so I have popped it on my facebook page.

Cisswood House really does have some lovely grounds and it was lovely to have a stroll during their Bride and Groom portraiture; it made it all the more special to capture some moments of a couple so much in love and enjoying their special day together.

I have four images for you today; one is Katherine on her way to get married, she looks so serene in this image and is managing to calm her nerves perfectly; there is one of them both in the tunnel of trees and the evening light made this a nice place for a stroll. The bay window gave me the inspiration for a royal wedding inspired shot, so their Royal Highnesses came out to wave to the crowds and yes they did kiss, but Katherine and Jason will be the first to see that one!  Last but not least is a slightly different take on the first dance; this image is taken with available light and also utilising Frank's video light, thanks Frank:).  I like it because it is very atmospheric and the light in the background is the purple theme of their wedding.

Have a lovely week everyone and enjoy the weather.  Short sleeves at last...Hooray!!!

Claire

Great Barn Weddings, Rolvenden, East Sussex - Dawn and Anthony Part two: East Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Morning Folks,

Welcome to part two of Dawn and Anthony's wedding weekend.  The day before we were mucking about on steam trains and now the big day was finally here.  I visited Dawn at the most gorgeous Oast House in Wittersham; Alex from Wonderful Weddings was on hand to ensure that everything was running smoothly and the atmosphere was full of excitement for the day ahead.

We all had a brilliant day and the London routemaster bus from  Special Days Bus Hire in Tonbridge, Kent was a fabulous backdrop for the group shots.  I had an idea for some alternative images and I must say I was rather pleased that the vision in my head is now a vision in print!  I want these images to have an impact so they will be saved for Dawn and Anthony's viewing.

The weather was surprise, apart from the odd spot of rain here and there.  The ground was extremely wet so we were a little limited as to where we could go.  The Great Barn in Rolvenden, East Sussex has so many lovely spots it really did not matter.

I have posted four images today; the first is Dawn having some fun with the routemaster and I felt a vintage style really suited this image.  The second is a quiet moment as Dawn and Anthony watched the sunset followed by an image from their first dance.  I have included one of Anthony's nieces and I just loved it.  The girls were given their gifts in the morning and there was such excitement; I love the moment they shared as sisters helping each other out.

Sorry for the delay between posts; I have loads more pre-wedding shoots, weddings and studio stuff to post so keep checking back.


Enjoy the rest of the week and I am thinking of swapping my car for a boat!!!

Claire

Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway - Dawn and Antthony Part One: East Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Morning Folks,

Well what a fun packed Bank Holiday weekend it was for me workwise.  I spent Sunday and Monday with Dawn and Anthony as they celebrated their marriage.  On Sunday they hired a steam train to take them from New Romney to Dungeness for all the guests that were celebrating with them.  When I arrived the final preparations were being made to Doctor Syn in preparation for his VIP guests!

We had a brilliant journey through the beautiful East Sussex Countryside and it was then to Dungeness with its rugged, industrial but beautiful landscape.  I took Dawn and Anthony off to the beach, which is very special to them, as this is the spot where Anthony proposed to Dawn and so the story begins.

There were fish and chip cones and Chapel Down champagne all round before another stroll on the beach to toast the start of the celebrations with more champagne.  The fun did not end there; Dawn had arranged a lovely surprise for Anthony as he was to be the assistant driver on the footplate for the return journey.  It was a joy to see Anthony's face and so lovely as Dawn had told me a while ago this was going to happen.  This railway holds many childhood memories for Anthony and what a truly special gift from his wife to be the day before the next chapter of their lives together.

I have chosen three images from the day; one of Anthony looking extremely rugged on 'his' train, another very special moment with the two of them on the beach and finally Doctor Syn charging back to New Romney with driver Anthony at the helm.


Part two coming soon....

Wakehurst Place Weddings, Ardingly, West Sussex - Rachel and Jamie: Wedding Photographers Wakehurst Place

Good Evening Folks,

Well rain can be fun; despite having lashings of it Rachel, Jame and I decided we would embrace the weather and have some fun!  We had a great day in the mansion house at Wakehurst Place, which is just the most gorgeous venue.  Whatever the weather throws at us this venue will never disappoint.  When you get married at Wakehurst Place you have exclusivity of the whole mansion so the photographic opportunities are endless in there.  The grounds go on for ever, but most importantly, if today is anything to go by, there are all sort of nooks and crannies we can go to that are covered to be able to do some photography outside without getting soaked to bits.

It was lovely chatting with Rachel and Jamie about their big day and we have some great shots planned that I got excited about, so cannot wait to do those.  I always like to see an image of the bridal gown before the wedding so that I can plan the type of shots that would look good with that style, we have some real drama planned for Rachel's gown and poor old Jamie wondered what on earth was going on when Rachel and I talked in code!

Have a lovely evening all, I am putting the finishing touches to Emma's shoot also at Wakehurst Place so a busy old week for me!

Claire

Cisswood House, Lower Beeding - Katherine and Jason: West Sussex Wedding Photographers

Good Evening Folks,

Recently I had a jolly time with Katherine and Jason at their wedding venue Cisswood House, Lower Beeding, West Sussex. I really do enjoy these sessions as it gives me the opportunity to get to know my lovely couples a little better, have some fun and generally lark about for an hour or so!

Needless to say we had a great time exploring the grounds of the hotel and they have the most wonderful archway of trees that should be in full bloom on their wedding day. I have decided to post one image of them together and thought a little portraiture might be in order today. I really do love the image of Katherine in the window; she looks so beautiful and I cannot wait to see her on her wedding day. Jason looks very relaxed in the grounds for his portraiture shot, all in all I think I can safely say that you are both very relaxed in front of the camera.

I have another shoot lined up for my secret project this week and I am enjoying it immensely. I am nearly up to date with my editing so I shall tackle the joys of book keeping I think; the excitement is just too much!

Enjoy your week folks and for those of you who have given up chocolate for lent must be counting the days now.

Claire

Nutfield Priory, Redhill, Surrey - Jan and Alan: Surrey Wedding Photographers

Good Afternoon Folks,

I recently photographed the Surrey wedding of Jan and Alan at the gorgeous Nutfield Priory in Redhill, Surrey. The day was just beautiful and it was a pleasure to photograph. Jan and Alan looked so happy together and in love, I am a silly old fool, it always brings a tear to my eye as it is so lovely to see. The wedding was a mixture of vintage and boutique and was beauifully put together; Jan and Alan you have exceptional taste. Once the wedding breakfast was over there was some mingling then the Bride and Groom departed in a rare vintage continental phantom Rolls Royce to Gravetye Manor in East Grinstead, West Sussex, and we finished the day with a smidgen of West Sussex Wedding Photography!

I have chosen three images to post, one from Gravetye Manor, one from Nutfield Priory and this brilliant cake topper that I just loved.

I hope you enjoy the images and I am looking forward to our viewing session next week when we sit down to see the whole collection together; I love that bit :)

Have a great weekend folks.

Claire

Alexander House Wedding Fayre, East Grinstead, West Sussex

Good Morning All,

I had a fabulous day at Alexander House Hotel yesterday. Primarily it was an open day with a few selected suppliers and I thought it was particularly nice for Brides and Grooms to be able to fully appreciated what the venue has to offer and then not be inundated with suppliers trying to catch their attention. I had loads of space to exhibit and people could wander by and look at my imagery and products without feeling harassed. As usual I had many great chats and I am very much looking forward to meeting with you all again. One fact that I found out yesterday; in Norway the engagement and weddings rings are worn on the right hand not the left. I think that this lady's Fiance may want to throttle me as I suggested that to keep up with both traditions, she should also have another one for her left hand! She thought it was a marvellous idea...I am naughty!! The imagery in this post shows a couple having a gentle stroll on a warm day under the shade of the monkey tree.

Hope you had a great weekend. It has been a great week here at Woodland Hill Photography; I have sourced another location for my secret project and hope to be creating the imagery for that in a couple of weeks. I have another project on the go, and the first shoot is taking place this week. Once I have tested the concept fully I will be offering it as a completely new product, it has been whizzing around in my head for a while and it was only last week that I felt it had that little va, va, voom!

I am exhibiting at South Lodge this coming Sunday 5th February and if you are in the area please pop by to have a look at the venue, its beautiful grounds and the many suppliers that can make your day just as you want it to be. I always love a chat so pop by and say hello.

Enjoy your week and wrap up warm.

Claire

If you would lke to see more of my work pop along to my website Woodland Hill Photography

Shelley and Matthew: West Sussex Wedding Photography

Good Morning,

I recently had a lovely engagement session with Shelley and Matthew; I am photographing their wedding this year at The Felbridge Hotel and ahead of the pre-wedding shoot this session made their engagement 'official'! The session was very romantic and I know I keep saying it Shelley, but you have the most beautiful hands and Matthew has chosen and equally beautiful ring to show them off even more...well done Matthew!

I have chosen two images to show you, one that will eventually be printed on my new black and white paper...I know, I know I keep mentioning it but it is new and I am excited; and the other to show Shelley's hand with the exquisite ring that Matthew gave her.

Looking forward to another shoot and then the Big Day you two.

Have a lovely weekend all whatever you are up to and just a quick heads up, I will be exhibiting at the Alexander House Wedding Fayre next Sunday 29th January. If you are in the area pop in and say hello.

Claire