Glen & Vanessa, 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 Glen & Vanessa.Their day was a small family affair & we were booked for 4 hours coverage. We do various coverage options from 4 hours up to all day meaning our couples can cater their photography coverage to their day. We mingled with the guests & Glen in the lovely conservatory overlooking the river frontage until it was time for everyone to make their way into the ceremony room.

Vanessa got ready at the hotel so she only had a short journey to the main hotel building to meet her groom in front of their friends & family. Vanessa was preceded down the aisle by their lovely children Gabrielle & Leo who scattered rose petals. 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 Glen, Vanessa & the children to board a boat up the Thames for a short trip. It looked like they had a great time & Leo was even steering the boat on their return! Once we were back on dry land Kiti & I took the Bride & Groom away to do some shots of the two of them together. It was soon time to let the Bride & Groom get back to their guests & they made their entrance into their wedding reception to a round of applause.

We took a few images of their guests enjoying the wedding breakfast but before too long it was time for us to take our leave. We left them enjoying the rest of their day.

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!

Wedding at The Compleat Angler – Alex & Steph, A Sneak Peek

A couple of weeks ago I photographed the wedding of Alex & Steph at The Compleat Angler in Marlow. Now, over the years I’ve done a fair few weddings there but it did look lovely in the low September sunlight with the river flowing past.Both Alex & Steph got ready at The Compleat Angler so, as always, Kiti & I went our separate ways – Kiti with the groom & I with the bridal party to capture them both getting their glad rags on.After getting ready Alex & his Best Man made the short journey from the hotel in a bright red MG to the church at Bisham.

It was then time for me to hot foot it to the church ready to get some shots of Steph, her Dad & the bridesmaids arriving & making their way into the church.

After a lovely service Alex & Steph made their way out of the church to be greeted by a flurry of bubbles.

We did some shots with their friends & family before they departed in style to make their way back to The Compleat Angler. I dashed back & ran back to the bridge so I could get a shot of them on the iconic bridge! It was now time for the group shot of everyone at the wedding testing my physical fitness as in my time I have climbed a church tower & hung out of many a window to capture the shot. At The Compleat Angler, with weather permitting, I gather the guests on the lawn by the river & make a quick dash around & up onto the bridge to get the shot from a vantage point.The river & bridge always seems to play an important part in a Compleat Angler wedding. I try to do some stylish bride & groom shots as they walk across the bridge. This is when I employ the skills of the Best Man or bridesmaids, Ushers & my assistant to stop traffic. The guys at Alex & Steph’s wedding did a sterling job & everyone smiled & waved as they drove past!

Alex & Steph also fitted a boat trip into their day & I got some great photos of them onboard as they sailed away into the sunshine! This is a lovely part of a wedding at The Compleat Angler giving the happy couple time to reflect on their special day.After they returned to a flurry of confetti it was time for guests to make their way to the wedding breakfast. Alex & Steph’s Toastmaster did a fabulous job throughout the day & announced them into the room. Toastmasters can be a great addition to your wedding helping with all the details of your day & keeping things on time!After some great speeches it was time for Alex & Steph to cut the cake & hit the dancefloor for their first dance as husband & wife.It was then time for everyone to hit the dancefloor & we left them all dancing the night away!

Wishing you both every happiness. Hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

Sofia & Phil – A Sneak Peek

Sofia & Phil were married in Marlow recently on a lovely June day. We started the day by dropping Kiti off at Crowne Plaza to meet up with Phil, his Best man & Ushers. We then made the short journey to Sofia’s parents house where she was getting ready with her parents & bridesmaids.

Phil’s mates all took their duties very seriously & were all a great help to him getting into his wedding suit. Cufflinks & cravats aren’t the easiest things to work out when you are feeling a little nervous. When Phil was ready Kiti did some great shots in the modern interior of the hotel before travelling to the church & getting some shots of the lads & the guests arriving.

Meanwhile, with the bridal party it was time for Sofia to get into her dress & make her entrance down the stairs that her Mum reminded her she had fallen down as a child!

Luckily she made it down the stairs safely & I love the emotion of the moment when everyone sees the bride.

Suddenly, it was time to leave & with help from my driver (Mrs Lord!) I got some shots of the bridal car as we whizzed past on our way up the A404.

The Catholic Church was quite restrictive on where we could stand but I feel that is important that we don’t interfere with what is a religious service. We still captured some lovely emotion & it was a beautiful service.

As they left the church as man & wife Phil & Sofia cut a ribbon held by Sofia’s godparents – an Italian custom signifying the start of their new life together.

They then made the short walk to the River Thames where they took a boat trip before arriving on the other side of the river at The Compleat Angler to meet their guests.

The weather so was so lovely they were able to have their drinks reception on the lawns over looking the river. During the drinks I took the Bride & Groom onto the bridge, to stop traffic – apologies to anyone we delayed! – to get some couples shots.

Phil & Sofia then returned to their guests for the wedding breakfast & speeches.

I love the golden evening summer sun so we took the opportunity before the cake cutting & first dance to take the couple off for a few more shots on the bridge & gardens.

By the time we returned it was time for cutting the cake & their first dance. As always Kiti & I left them all boogying the night away…..

Hope you love your sneak peek as much as we do. Wishing you all the happiness in the world for your future together.

The perfect #Valentines gift!

Struggling for Valentine’s inspiration this year. Why not celebrate your love for each other with a portrait shoot? 😉

Between now and Valentine’s Day (14th Feb!!!) I am offering portrait vouchers valued at £75 for just £25 for portrait shoots is the Henley, Marlow, Thame, Bicester and Oxford area! This is a great opportunity for the two of you to have some lovely pictures taken together. This offer can also be used as a family portrait voucher if you have a family too! The vouchers will be valid for all of 2015 and the session to be done in a location within 25 miles of OX49, Watlington.

After the shoot we can either arrange a viewing for you to come and see the images projected in my viewing room or if you prefer an online gallery. Print prices start at just £25.

Please contact me by email to info@marklordphotography.co.uk if you would like to purchase a voucher and we will pop one in the post.

I love these pictures from a shoot last year with one of my lovely wedding couples who’s wedding had subtle themes around the film ‘Up’ – hence the cool balloon!

Countryside Weddings with Mark Lord Photography

Mark is based in rural Oxfordshire & specialises in country weddings. He works regularly across the Chilterns, beautiful Berkshire downs & into the Cotswold countryside.

This area offers so many quintessentially English landscapes & Mark has a few favourite rural venues across his region that offer fantastic & fabulous country wedding locations for those who love the countryside.

Mark has always worked very closely with The Tythe Barn, Launton & would highly recommend it as a venue for your country wedding. Will & Emma have lovingly restored the barn to a very high standard & they put this same level of dedication into every wedding. The barn is beautifully rustic with some wonderful design touches. Mark has photographed weddings in Summer when the bride walks up an aisle which is an arbour of Wisteria in flower & Winter weddings when the barn is decked with twinkling white fairy lights. Other barns of note that Mark loves photographing weddings at are Luxters, Lains Barn, Notley Tythe Barn & Ufton Court Tythe Barn.

Early last summer Mark took part in a wedding photo shoot at the stunning Merriscourt between Burford & Chipping Norton. Merriscourt is a fantastic venue in a beautiful rural setting. It combines traditional Cotswold stone with bright stylish interiors. There are two fantastic barns that can be decorated completely to your taste, you can go for full blown vintage with bunting & floral china ware, shabby chic or go modern vintage with art deco glass & illuminated letters from Vowed & Amazed.

If you are looking for a rural venue you can, of course, choose a stately home across this beautiful region & one of Mark’s favourites is the beautiful Hedsor House. Hedsor House is set within its own parkland above the river Thames & is only 25 miles from London. With beautiful, opulent décor it enables you to style your wedding your way. You can have your drinks reception in the stunning Centre Hall with its glazed dome & your reception in the oak panelled ballroom with beautiful views across the parkland. Hedsor House gives Mark an endless array of backdrops for stylish Bride & Groom images. In particular he loves photographing the Bride & Groom with their wedding party on the steps.

There are now so many beautiful country venues & wherever you choose to hold your country wedding Mark is simply the best photographer you could choose.

Mark & Aurelija – A Sneak Peek

I recently photographed the wedding of Mark & Aurelija in Marlow. This really was another international wedding, Mark is from New Zealand & Aurelija is from Lithuania

68-MAP-DL-DLOW4541-32 They had their service at the beautiful riverside church in Bisham and I took the opportunity to their group shots with picturesque river winding its way behind them.

After a few photos of Mark & Aurelija using the architecture & textures of the church. The happy couple then took a boat trip along the river Thames to The Compleat Angler in Marlow for their reception.

The weather was a little mixed but was fine enough for them to have their drinks reception on the lawn next to the river & I got a great group photo of the whole wedding party from the bridge.

I then stopped traffic in Marlow again for my favourite photo opportunity at weddings at The Compleat Angler & got some great shots of the two of them & some lovely portraits of Aurelija on the bridge.

I hope you enjoy your sneaky peek, wishing you every happiness!

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.

Louise & Lars – The Compleat Angler – Sneaky Peek

A couple of weeks ago I photographed the wedding of Louise & Lars at The Compleat Angler in Marlow.

Now, over the years I’ve done a fair few weddings there but it did look lovely in the sunshine with the river flowing past. Louise & Lars’ wedding was a small but perfectly formed family affair which is always lovely as you mingle with everybody at the wedding. I often try & do a group shot of the whole wedding when there aren’t too many people to fit in the frame! Large group shots often test my physical fitness though as in my time I have climbed a church tower & hung out of many a window to capture the shot. At The Compleat Angler, with weather permitting, I gather the guests on the lawn by the river & make a quick dash around & up onto the bridge to get the shot from a vantage point.

The river & bridge always seems to play an important part in a Compleat Angler wedding. I try to do some stylish bride & groom shots as they walk across the bridge. This is when I employ the skills of the Best Man, Ushers & my assistant to stop traffic. The boys at Louise & Lars’s wedding did a sterling job & everyone smiled & waved as they drove past!

Louise & Lars also fitted a boat trip into their day which was lovely in the sunshine & I got some great photos of them onboard from the same vantage point of the bridge!

Louise & Lars also had one of my favourite wedding suppliers, Sam Strange, who is an amazing magician. I am always in wonder at his magic & can never work out he does it! If you are thinking of a magician & are looking for someone a bit cooler than the average Sam is your man!

Here is your sneaky peek Louise & Lars. I wish you every happiness for your future lives together.

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.