A Sneak Peek – Wedding at Sulgrave Manor – Gill & Dave

Just before Valentines Day Mark travelled to photograph the wedding of Dave & Gill at Sulgrave Manor near Banbury.

Sulgrave Manor is the ancestral home of George Washington the first president of the United States. It is a wonderful historical building & is open to the public. It is also available for weddings & looked beautiful bathed in candlelight.Gill & Dave’s wedding party included the bride & groom, the registrar & witnesses & we gathered in the great hall for the ceremony. It was so intimate Mark was asked to be a witness!

Mark was really pleased to be asked to be a part of such a special day & loves the photographs he captured around this beautiful building. Congratulations Dave & Gill, wishing you every happiness. We hope you enjoy your sneaky peek!

2015 Our 40 Favourite Wedding Images

Well, what a year 2015 was! We had weddings in marquees, weddings in barns, weddings in stately homes, big weddings & small, intimate ones; every single one of them was different. One thing that was the same was the sense of love, fun & celebration at every one! Here at Mark Lord Photography we also celebrated Mark’s 40th birthday right at the end of the year. To celebrate we have chosen 40 of our favourite wedding images! They are in no particular order but remind us what a great year we had & what a special job photographing people’s wedding days is. Lots more 40’s to come including 40 favourite floral images & some special 40th birthday offers so keep an eye out on our Facebook page for lots more from Mark Lord Photography!

Wedding Photography The Tythe Barn, Launton

Wedding Photography Notley Tythe Barn, Long Crendon

Katie & Gavin – A Sneaky Peek

Recently we had the wedding of Katie & Gavin in the lovely village of Brill in Buckinghamshire.I started the day at Long Crendon Manor to meet Katie & her bridesmaids before making our way to the church.We stopped off at a lovely village pub The Nut Tree in Murcott & enjoyed a quick drink in sunshine before travelling on to All Saints Church, Brill.Meanwhile, Kiti was with the groom & best man as they gathered in a friends garden with their friends & family before making the short hop to the church to meet his bride.It was now time for the bride’s arrival & Katie looked beautiful as she walked up the aisle to be married.

After the service the guest gathered on the lovely village green for some group shots & to cover the Bride & Groom in confetti!It was then time to make to short journey to The Pheasant Inn also in Brill for the wedding reception. After allowing them some time to mingle with their guests Kiti & I took Katie & Gavin for a wander to do some shots of the two of them together. Brill is a lovely village with far reaching views across five counties & has a beautiful traditional windmill that we used to get some great shots. I try not to keep the couple away from their guests for too long so it was now time for Katie & Gavin to be welcomed into the marquee by their guests & to enjoy a delicious meal & some great speeches. After the speeches it was time for the evening guests to arrive & everyone to get down on the dancefloor. We hope you enjoy your sneak peek Katie & Gavin. Wishing you every happiness!

Jane & Andy – A Sneak Peek

Last week we travelled into Oxford for the wedding of Jane & Andy.The weather as we set off wasn’t great but we had great hopes of it clearing as the day went on. We had reccee’d the venue a couple of days before & had worked out the logistics. When doing any wedding, but particularly in a city centre, it is really important that we have worked out how to get from a to b. To make sure we are there to capture all the important things that happen & not trying to park the car!We were dropped off at Rhodes House, which is a hidden delight right in the middle of Oxford. It looks rather like a large Cotswold Manor & has some fantastic architecture. It has been a gathering place for Rhodes Scholars for many years but is now available for weddings.Kiti & I met with Andy the groom & his best man Nick. We used the fantastic architecture of the building get some original photos of Andy before his bride arrived.By now the guests were gathering & it was time for the bride to arrive. Jane arrived with her Dad in his beautiful MG, especially restored for the day & I managed to capture a shot as Dad zoomed past – I love the proud smile on his face!The ceremony was lovely in the beautiful Jameson room in front of the large windows.After the service we went into the gardens, which were beautiful to do some stylish shots of the bride & groom.Now it was time for Kiti & I to join the guests on the bus to make the short hop to The Cherwell Boathouse to await the bride & groom. Due to the weather, earlier in the day Jane & Andy thought they may be arriving by car but it was great that the weather had improved enough that they could arrive by their preferred method of transport…….a punt!After a drinks reception on the banks of the Cherwell it was time for the guests to join Jane & Andy in the marquee for the wedding breakfast & speeches.

It was now time for Jane & Andy to have their first dance before they were joined by their guests on the dancefloor.As always Kiti & I left everyone having fun…..

We hope you enjoy your sneak peek Jane & Andy. Wishing you every happiness!

Beth & Chase – A Sneak Peek!

It’s not everyday you get to photograph a cowboy wedding It was with much excitement that Kiti & I travelled to Montana…..sorry Beckley in Oxfordshire to photograph the wedding of Beth & Chase.

I dropped Kiti off with Chase & family at a lovely cottage they had rented for the duration of their stay from Oxford Country Cottages in the nearby village of Noke. She got some great shots of Chase & his groomsmen in their all-American outfits of cowboy boots, wrangler jeans & tweed waistcoats all topped off with big shiny belt buckles & stetsons. I love the timeless, Butch Cassidy feel of the black & white & de-saturated shots that Kiti took.

Meanwhile I was at Beth’s childhood home which was a buzz of activity with 2 x bridesmaids, 7 flower girls & family. I love this moment of the day where I photograph the bride preparing to meet her groom.

I also take the opportunity to photograph the flowers in detail whilst they are fresh. Beth’s flowers had been arranged by the wonderful Green & Gorgeous near Wallingford. They grow a stunning range of flowers for weddings which they arrange in a wildly wonderful garden and hedgerow style. I thought the flowers they did for Beth were beautiful, a wonderful arrangement with some lovely, unusual flowers. They fitted with her day perfectly.

Beth & Chase’s was slightly different to the standard wedding day & everything was expertly organised by the fantastic Jeni from Vanilla Rose Weddings. They were already legally wed in Montana so they would be having a blessing in Beckley church. So before the blessing, with no bad luck to worry about, they met in Beth’s parents garden next to the church & I was there to capture their ‘First Look’. We also took the formal, group shots in the garden & then together we all made the short walk to the church.

As it was a blessing Chase walked Beth up the aisle to take part in the service together. After the service Beth & Chase walked down the church path to a flurry of confetti & along with their guests walked to the marquee for afternoon tea.

The marquee was positioned in a field looking over beautiful countryside & was decorated in a quintessentially British way with bunting & mismatched china.

The afternoon tea was supplied by the wonderful Chipping Norton Tea Set. They specialise in vintage weddings & not only do they supply beautiful vintage china & table linens but they also do the catering too! They had a beautiful ‘naked’ wedding cake adorned with fresh fruit & flowers by Cake by Rachel.

After the afternoon tea it was time for Kiti & I to take Beth & Chase off for their bride & groom shots. Beckley is a picturesque Oxfordshire village with lovely honey coloured Cotswold stone cottages & provided lots of lovely backgrounds. The sun was even shining in that lovely soft late afternoon way…..& a horse even came along to join in with the shoot!

It was now time for Beth & Chase to rejoin their guests for their first dance.

Rather than the usual disco or band Beth & Chase had a live band performing country dancing with a caller shouting out the moves. It was great fun & everyone joined in.

Hope you enjoy your sneak peek Beth & Chase back in Montana. Lots of memories of a very British summers day….& lots more to come!

Wishing you every happiness for your future together. Should we ever find ourselves in Montana perhaps you could teach this Cornish photographer how to be a cowboy?

Paul & Samantha – A Sneak Peek

Recently Kiti & I travelled to a venue new to both of us for the wedding of Paul & Samantha. Their wedding was held at the lovely Manor by the Lake near Cheltenham. I photographed Paul’s sister Louise’s wedding a few years back & she reminded me that was nearly ten years ago! Since then I have photographed various family shoots for them too so we have stayed in touch. I was really pleased to be asked to photograph Paul & Samantha’s wedding.

Manor by the Lake is a characterful manor house with fabulous period features & is surrounded by lovely gardens perfect for drinks reception & stylish bride & groom shots.

I started the day with Samantha & Kiti with the groom & ushers. The rooms at Manor by the Lake are elegantly decorated in neutral colours & silver. With lovely natural light these are photographers dream offering uncluttered backdrops for some stylish getting-ready shots.

Whilst I was with the bride & the bridal party Kiti was with the groom & ushers. She used the period features of the arches on the outside of the manor for some fabulous shots with Paul & the boys.

Now it was time for Paul to see his bride. As he nervously waited his bride walked into the sun-bathed ceremony room. After a lovely service with readings from Samantha’s Mum & bridesmaid Shanti it was time to celebrate!

As their guests mingled Kiti & I took Paul & Samantha off for some bride & groom shots. We wandered around the grounds using some lovely garden backdrops as well as the architecture of the building.

Paul & Samantha then joined their guests for the traditional wedding breakfast & speeches.

After the speeches it was time for Paul & Samantha to hit the dance floor…followed by their guests! As always after capturing some dance floor action Kiti & I wound our way homewards.

Congratulations Paul & Samantha, wishing you every happiness. Hope you love your sneak peek!

Alex and Marie – A Sneak Peek

The day shone bright & clear the morning of Alex & Marie’s wedding as Kiti & I headed up the M40 to The Tythe Barn, Launton near Bicester.

The Tythe Barn is one of my favourite venues whatever the weather but it really comes into its own when the sun is shining & people can use the outside space.

I met with Marie at The Nook to get some shots of her, her closest girlfriends & her Dad & Brother. I took the opportunity to get out in the sunshine & took some lovely photos in the hidden courtyard.

The light was lovely & Marie looked beautiful with her short style dress with lace overlay. I love the shock of colour from her bouquet which contained freesia, ranunculus, anemones & one of the funkiest of flowers craspedia otherwise know as billy balls or billy buttons.

After the short walk through the garden to the barn it was time for Alex & Marie become husband & wife.

They left the barn in a flurry of confetti.

These are one of those moments as a photographer that you only have one chance to nail it. You can’t really say just as everyone has thrown their fistful of confetti ‘Excuse me can we try that again!’ I am really pleased with this shot, great expressions, fantastic flurry of confetti & I love the sun flare across the lens.

After the ceremony Kiti & I took the bride & groom off for a few shots around the grounds – always a nice time for the bride & groom to take a moment from the madness of the day.

Once the lovely couple returned to the barn it was time for them to re-join their guests as the celebrations continued…….including a drum solo from the groom!

We hope you enjoy your sneak peek Alex & Marie. Wishing you every happiness!

Claire & Richard – A Sneak Peek

Last Saturday saw the wedding of Claire & Richard. Their ceremony was in the picturesque Oxfordshire village of Somerton in the quaint village church St James.

It was a bright spring morning as the guests gathered in the church decorated with lovely pew ends of spring flowers in glass jars.

Kiti & I took the opportunity before the brides arrival to get some shots of the groom, best man & ushers in the village & churchyard.

Then it was time for the groom to take his place before the bride arrived with her Dad.

Claire arrived at the church in a vintage Rolls Royce clutching a beautiful bouquet by the very talented Flower Fairies. The stunning springtime bouquet made up from whites roses, brunia, eucalyptus, grape hyacinths, pussy willow & wax flowers.

After a lovely service Richard & Claire left in the sunshine to make the short journey to The Tythe Barn, Launton for the wedding reception.

As always, I took the opportunity to take the bride & groom away from their guests for a little while to take some shots of the couple around the grounds of the barn.

The Tythe Barn have recently installed a crash pad for the bride & groom, a shepherds hut with, of course, one or two touches of luxury! Decorated in their normal chic style it really is a fabulous place for the bride & groom to stay after the party is over. Claire & Richard are my first couple to stay there so we made sure to get some shots of them outside the hut.

After we returned the couple to their guests it was time for the wedding breakfast, banquet style. It looks so beautiful all laid up & really adds to the celebratory atmosphere.

Music was supplied by Gigz Management who are suppliers of fantastic bands, dj’s, string quartets & much more. The band called Bring the Party were just fabulous & soon got everyone up on the dance floor. We left them boogying the night away with their guests very envious of their night of luxury in the shepherds hut!