A Wedding at The Compleat Angler, Emma & Robert’s Sneak Peek

Recently I photographed the wedding of Robert & Emma at The Compleat Angler in Marlow.

Now considering the beauty of the River Thames as it winds its way through Oxfordshire, Berkshire & Buckinghamshire there are very few venues that can rival The Compleat Angler‘s position right on the river with unparalleled views of the Marlow Weir.This was one of those weddings where everything was in one place so Kiti & I arrived together before Kiti joined the groom & I went to find where the bridal party were getting ready.Emma was with her bridesmaids & family getting ready at the hotel. I’ve said this before but I love this part of the day capturing the bride getting ready to meet her groom surrounded by her friends & family.Whilst I was with Emma, Kiti was with Robert, his Dad who was his Best Man & his Ushers getting some shots before he made his way into the ceremony room to await his bride. Before long it was time for Emma to make the short walk from her room to walk up the aisle with her Mum & Dad. After the service we gathered everyone out in front of the hotel & I ran up onto Marlow bridge to take a shot before doing the rest of the group shots.I then took Emma & Robert off do some stylish shots of the two of them. With any wedding in Marlow it’s got to include the obligatory shot on the bridge with the help of the ushers to stop traffic!I never like to keep the couple away from their guests for too long so it was then time for them to return to the wedding breakfast, speeches & cake cutting. After a delicious meal & some great speeches it was time for Emma & Robert’s first dance before everyone joined them on the dance floor. Kiti & I joined them on the dance floor to get some shots of everyone having fun. As always, rather like a couple of Cinderella’s we wound our way homewards leaving everyone having fun! Many congratulations Emma & Robert, wishing you every happiness for your future together. We hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

Laura & Pete – A Wedding at The Compleat Angler, Marlow – A Sneak Peek

Recently Kiti & I found ourselves back on the banks of the river Thames at The Compleat Angler in Marlow. We were there for the wedding of Pete & Laura.Firstly I dropped Kiti off at The Crowne Plaza where she met with Pete & his best man before making the short hop onto The Compleat Angler.Meanwhile I was with Laura & her bridesmaid in the Sandingham suite at The Compleat Angler. I love this part of the day capturing some shots of the bride & bridesmaid preparing for the big day.Of course getting ready at the hotel meant that Laura only had a short walk on her Dad’s arm to the main hotel building to meet her groom in front of their friends & family.After a lovely service we made our way outside & whilst guests mingled with a glass of champagne we took some group shots. I do keep these to a minimum as group shots can take a little while and I would hate to be known as the photographer who kept everyone waiting about, causing their champagne to loose its fizz! It was now time for everyone to board a wonderful traditional Victorian steam boat the SL Streatley for a trip on the Thames.

It was a lovely trip & everyone really enjoyed their time on the boat – photographer & assistant included! Once we were back on dry land Kiti & I took the Bride & Groom away to do some shots of the two of them together. This included, of course, stopping traffic & getting some obligatory shots on the bridge! We now let the Bride & Groom get back to their guests & they made their entrance into their wedding reception to a round of applause. After some great speeches & a delicious meal it was time for cutting the cake & Laura & Pete’s first dance. As everyone joined them on the dance floor there was one particular groovy dancer!

As always Kiti & I left them tearing up the dance floor. We hope you enjoy your sneak peek Laura & Pete. Congratulations & wishing you both every happiness!

Georgie & Maarten – A Sneak Peek

There is nothing better for a photographer than to be booked to photograph a wedding through recommendation & today’s bride & groom found me through word of mouth. Georgie & Maarten were married at Holy Trinity, Penn & their reception was held at the stunning Hedsor House.

Kiti, my assistant, started the day at the beautiful Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons. Maarten, the groom, stayed there the night before the wedding with his family who had travelled over from Holland for the wedding. The gardens at Le Manoir were a great backdrop for some great family shots & photos of Maarten & his Best-Men.

Meanwhile, I was at the brides family home where she got ready with her family & bridesmaids. I love the shots of Georgie walking down the stairs towards her proud Mum & Dad & bridesmaids.

I then popped into the car with the bridesmaids to travel to the church & found myself on the other side of the camera when Father-of-the-Bride filmed us as we drove away!

After a beautiful service Georgie & Maarten greeted their guests in the churchyard & came out of the church door in a flurry of confetti.

We then travelled to Hedsor House for the reception. Hedsor House is a fantastic venue for a photographer providing some fabulous architecture & gardens for some stylish Bride & Groom shots.

And some great opportunities for some dynamic shots with your bridal party!

Georgie & Maarten had their speeches spaced throughout the wedding breakfast which included a noise off – who could be the noisiest table & the table who won had to do shots or nominate another table and some very interesting videos including the Bride & Groom’s fathers & a slideshow. It was a really fun reception with lots of laughter that shows in the photos.

After the speeches there was a fantastic firework display. Fireworks aren’t always the easiest thing to photograph but I was really pleased with the images I got on the night.

Then it was time for everyone to hit the dancefloor & have fun. I left as they were dancing the night away……

Hope you love your sneaky peek Georgie & Maarten. Wishing you long & happy lives together.

Angie & Simon – A Sneak Peek

A couple of weekends ago I photographed Angie & Simon to celebrate their big day.

Angie & Simon got married in Zante, Greece & decided to throw a party to celebrate on their return. A great idea so family & friends who couldn’t travel to your wedding can celebrate with you.

Angie & Simon held their party at The Jam Factory in Oxford. A great party venue The Jam Factory is a restaurant, bar & arts venue in the heart of the city. The building has a fabulous, industrial history & was the Frank Cooper jam factory between 1903 & the end of WWII. Frank Cooper’s marmalade was especially popular with dons and students in Oxford University. It was taken to Antarctica on Scott’s expedition to the South Pole & a jar was found buried in the ice many years later.

I was really pleased with the images we captured of the party in full people chatting & laughing. I also was able to get some great shots of the couple around & outside the venue. I love the contrast of the bride in her finery against the backdrop of the Victorian brickwork.

Their daughters performed Ho Hey by the Lumineers for Angie & Simon’s first dance. I think the images I took of the girls nervous beforehand to the exhilaration of the performance really captured the moment.

It was a great evening to be part of & I hope Angie & Simon enjoy their sneak peek. Wishing you every happiness for the future.

Laura & Andy – A Sneak Peek

I was at The Compleat Angler in Marlow again recently for the wedding of Laura & Andy. It was a great day & I was pleased the forecasted downpours passed us by.

I started the day at Laura’s parents home to get some coverage of the bride & bridal party getting ready. I always love being part of the day from the very start & this wedding was no exception. There is an almost ceremonial feeling to the process of preparing a bride to meet her groom.

Laura had a lovely lady Carol, who came to help her into her dress. A great idea as Carol was experienced in all the buttons & laces & completed the task calmly in double quick time. I always have a crochet hook in my camera bag which often comes in useful for the uninitiated but no need for it at this wedding!

Laura & Andy were married at St Margaret’s Church in Tylers Green. It’s a great church with fantastic natural light & a lovely vicar Derek. We did the group shots outside the church, which provided a lovely backdrop. We also got some great shots of the couple under a shower of confetti!

We then set off by car to The Compleat Angler & I was really pleased to catch up with the bride & groom in their wedding car. Kiti got a quick shot or two as we overtook them. Great one Kiti!

Unbeknown to their guests Laura & Andy took a slight detour on their way & rocked up at the venue by…..boat. I love the shot of Laura disembarking with the crowd of quests all taking their own shots. She looks like a film star arriving at a premiere!

It really was a great day. As Kiti & I left them on the dance floor I thought how lucky I was to be part of their special day, to capture the laughs, the tears & the love. Hope you like your sneak peek Laura & Andy. Wishing you every happiness in your lives together.

#BVCC Benson Veteran Cycling Club 2014 Photographs Available Soon!

Today I went to see a friend who was taking part in the Benson Veteran Cycle Club annual ride in South Oxfordshire. Naturally I took my camera to do a few pictures but as I was there thought I would photograph the events and try and get a nice picture of each participant whilst they were riding their trusted stead. Well it was great fun, there are some great pictures and they will soon be ready on my client area of my website.

Please go to the client area of my website where you will see the gallery

http://www.marklordphotography-clientarea.com

The access code is bvcc2014

Please sign up to the gallery and the images will be ready to view or purchase by the 8th July.

Thank you.

Mark

Ruth & Matt – The Forbury & The Plowden Arms – Sneak Peek

Another sunny day another sunny wedding. Despite overnight thunderstorms the morning of Ruth & Matt’s wedding was bright & clear. Ruth got ready at The Forbury Hotel in Reading & they had a civil service with a few chosen guests in the Eden room followed by drinks reception in the library.

Ruth & Matt are Landlord & Lady of The Plowden Arms in Shiplake near Henley on Thames so after a few bride & groom & group photos by the river in Shiplake we headed back to the pub for a knees up.

There was a traditional marquee with afternoon tea whilst guests mingled playing quoits, chatting & taking polaroid photos in their homemade photobooth.

Music during the afternoon was supplied by Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orchestra all played from a fantastic stage, a converted airstream trailer.

Ruth & Matt laid on an amazing spread that mirrored the quality of the food on offer in the pub. They were then entertained by another group The Bellinis who sing modern day songs with a vintage twist. I left everyone dancing away with lights twinkling.

Hope you enjoy your sneak peek Ruth & Matt. Wishing you every happiness. I’ll be in for a pint of your best soon.

Stéphanie & Tim – Henley On Thames – Sneak Peek!

There are some days as a wedding photographer that you particularly hope for great weather due to something on the day that depends on sunshine or at least no rain. My own wedding included a boat trip & walk up from the quayside, which wouldn’t have been possible in gale force 9!

Tim & Stéphanie’s wedding included a planned walk across the bridge in Henley from ceremony to reception venue so it was disappointing to wake to heavy rain on the morning of their wedding. But one thing for the British weather is that it is pretty changeable! By the time Stéphanie left the house to travel to Henley the sun had come out & the weather just got better & better as the day went by. And yes, we even made the walk across the bridge!

Stéphanie & Tim’s wedding was at St Mary’s the Virgin in Henley on Thames followed by a marquee reception in a friends garden on the banks of the river Thames. It really was a beautiful day & the gardens, house & bridge provided a great variety of backdrops for some fantastic shots. Guest of honour was Stéphanie & Tim’s dog, Hugo, who even made an appearance at the church!

Hope you love your sneak peek Stéphanie & Tim. Wishing you every happiness in your future lives together.

#Wedding featured on Conde Nast #BRIDES website as ‘wedding of the week’

One of my brides from March has just emailed me to tell me their wedding has been featured as wedding of the week on Brides Online! I have already showed you several of their images in previous posts but it was a stunningly colourful wedding. Here is the link to see the feature and some of the images again!

http://www.bridesmagazine.co.uk/community/weddings/story/233924-Explosion-Of-Colour/

Le Manoir Wedding Photography

Le Manoir is a stunning Oxfordshire wedding venue and I’m very lucky to live so close to it in the glorious Oxfordshire countryside. It is the perfect wedding venue for an intimate wedding ceremony and reception for you and your guests. The grounds are fabulous for your wedding photography and I hear the food is pretty good too!

See more images from Le Manoir weddings on my website http://www.marklordphotography.co.uk

Mark Lord Photography

Oxfordshire based photographer specialising in people and our rich landscape

Events Photography Buckinghamshire