Marlborough Wedding Photography – Nic & Jono, A Sneak Peek

The other Saturday I found myself heading to Wick Bottom Barn near Marlborough for a wedding. It’s a little way out of my ‘normal’ area but as Mrs Lord is from the area its my home from home. We met there 11 years ago now when I was working at a photographic studio in Savernake Forest & Becky was a picture framer. I worked with a great team there & one of the team I trained was Nicola. We stayed in touch over the years, mainly thanks to Facebook & Instagram & have seen her family grow with her boyfriend Jono & their gorgeous girls Willow & Lottie. I was really thrilled when Nic & Jono got in touch & asked me to photograph their wedding.They did the legal part of getting married on the Thursday in Marlborough & the day on Saturday included a humanist ceremony in front of their friends & family. Kiti & I both started at the barn & we captured some images of Jono finishing off getting ready & with his Best Man & Ushers before welcoming the guests.
As their friends & families waited with an expectant groom, Nicola arrived in convoy with Willow, Lottie & the rest of the Bridal party. They gathered themselves together & made their way into the barn, with Nicola being given away by her very proud brother. It was a lovely service conducted by Jono’s step-brother John & Nicola & Jono made their way out to the congratulations of their loved ones. They had a really relaxed day & they mingled with their guests whilst drinking fabulous cocktails mixed by The Rovin’ Bar. Their younger guests (& some of the older guests!) had great fun on the bouncy castle & huge slide. We took Nic & Jono off into the countryside to do some shots of the two of them before coming back to get the girls to do some shots of the four of them. I love the shots of the girls looking back over Mum & Dad’s shoulders. Before too long we brought Nicola & Jono back to their guests for the informal wedding breakfast in the barn. The guests were sat banquet-style at long trestle tables as they enjoyed delicious hog roast & slow roast brisket. After the gorgeous meal it was time for some great speeches with lots of laughter & tears. Nicola & Jono were surrounded by their friends & families as they enjoyed their first dance before everyone joined them for a dance or two!

Caroline & Phil, A Tythe Barn Wedding – Sneak Peek

Last week Kiti & I returned to one of our favourite venues The Tythe Barn, Launton to photograph the wedding of Caroline & Phil. 007-CPM-MLP22183-7 The sun was shining brightly as I made my way to The Nook, which is the Tythe Barn’s dedicated bridal preparation area. No need to get ready in a hotel room with not enough room or mirrors before then squishing you & your dress into the back of the car for the journey to the venue. The Nook is a beautiful space full of style & elegance & is a wonderful place for bridal preparations. It must also be a favourite of many a wedding photographer as it certainly adds to the getting ready shots with some fantastic backdrops & great lighting. Whilst I was with the bride, Kiti was photographing the groom & guests arriving & all the details in the barn. Before long the guests were all seated & all were expectantly awaiting the arrival of the Bride. After getting ready in the peace & calm of The Nook Caroline & her Dad made the short walk across the garden under the pergola to meet her groom in the barn. The ceremony was lovely & Caroline & Phil made their way out into the sunshine where they were soon joined by their friends & families. As the guests mingled they enjoyed a beautiful trio of ice creams that certainly made the mouth water!

We tore the guests away from their chatting & ice cream so we could do some group shots against the beautiful sandstone walls of the barns.

We then took the opportunity to go out into the grounds of the barn to do some stylish bride & groom shots. It really is an honour to share the couples first few minutes of wedded life. We think it is a lovely to time for the bride & groom to take a few moments out of the craziness of the day. I am really pleased with the images we got of Caroline & Phil, the lovely summer sun added a certain je ne sais quoi to shots. We made our way back to the barn & stopped off for a few more shots with Phil’s Dad’s VW Camper before Caroline & Phil joined their guests for a delicious afternoon tea.

After some great speeches everyone mingled in garden playing giant jenga & croquet.

The Bride & Groom cut their cake & then they hit the dancefloor for their first dance.

Soon they were joined on the dancefloor by some keen guests who were having great fun. There was a brief break in the dancing for some sparklers but then everyone got back to the dancing & we left them dancing the night away! Congratulations, Caroline & Phil – Wishing you every happiness! We hope you enjoy your sneak peek

Emily & James, Haddenham & Notley Tythe Barn A Sneak Peek

Recently we photographed the wedding of Emily & James in Haddenham & Notley Tythe Barn.Becky helped us out with a transport as we had some different village locations & village parking is never easy! Becky & Kiti dropped me off at Emily’s parents home where she was getting ready. Kiti wasn’t photographing James getting ready so they went to our favourite coffee shop conveniently located in Haddenham called Little Italy. I was very envious to hear they enjoyed a delicious slice of cake with their coffee too! Whilst the girls were chatting over a coffee I was photographing Emily & her bridesmaids getting ready along with the gorgeous Oscar. Becky dropped Kiti at the church where she took some images of James & his family before the guests started to arrive. They had a beautiful vintage Rolls Royce that took them in turns to the church & just as Emily & her dad were ready to leave Becky popped back & dropped me at the church so I was ready for Emily’s arrival. She made her way into the church on the arm of her dad with an expectant groom waiting for her.

After a lovely service the new Mr & Mrs Rhead made their way out of the church & were congratulated by their friends & families. They walked out of the churchyard to a flurry of confetti & we then did some group shots on the village green. We then made our way to Notley Tythe Barn where they were holding their reception. We did some of the larger group shots here before we took Emily & James off for some stylish couple shots. It was soon time for Emily & James to join their friends & families for the wedding breakfast in the beautiful barn. After the wedding breakfast it was time for cutting the cake & hitting the dancefloor, I love that Emily had a dance with her dad, her new husband & they were then joined by their son Oscar. Soon everyone joined them & Kiti & left them all dancing the night away.

Hope you enjoy your sneak peek Emily & James, Wishing you every happiness!

A Wedding at The Tythe Barn, Tegwen & Tim A Sneak Peek

So pleased as a wedding photographer when the summer finally arrives & the sun comes out. Kiti & I wound our way to the The Tythe Barn with sunglasses as well as smiles on our faces.We were there to photograph the wedding of Tegwen & Tim. Kiti started at the barn capturing the flowers, the outside space where the ceremony was to be held & the guests arriving. I made my way to The Nook where Tegwen, her family & bridesmaids were getting ready. The Nook is a wonderful secluded spot where the bridal party can get ready together in comfort & close proximity to the barn. The Nook is divided in to two main rooms – one side caters solely for the bride whilst the other room has been created to offer a large space for the bridesmaids, mother of the bride, flower girl, page boy and so on. Both rooms have been carefully thought out and the needs of the bride and her attendants have been considered at every stage.

Emotions on a wedding day run high & I love the moment when the Father of the Bride sees his daughter for the first time. It’s a really touching moment & I love the images I captured of Tegwen & her Dad. By now the guests had gathered in front of the large oak doors in the sunshine & the expectant groom stood with his best man awaiting the arrival of his bride.Preceded by her bridesmaids Tegwen & Her Dad made their way through the wisteria arbour to meet her groom.
An outside ceremony is lovely, when the weather allows & added to the celebratory, relaxed feel of Tegwen & Tim’s wedding. After the lovely service the Bride & Groom made their way back through the arbour to a flurry of lavender & then joined their guests for a drinks reception in the garden. We did the group shots there with the barn as a backdrop before taking Tim & Tegwen away to do some shots of the two of them. There are some great places around the barn for shots, the folly, shepherds hut & tree lined driveway to name but a few. They even have this new vintage landcover that can be used as a drink station but is also a fab backdrop for your photos!We then made our way back to the barn to join their guests for the wedding breakfast in the wonderful vaulted space. After the speeches & cake cutting the guests spilled out onto the lawns with tea & coffee before they made their way inside to the dance floor. After Tegwen & Tim had their dance everyone joined them on the dance floor & they boogied the night away…… Wishing you all the best Tegwen & Tim, we hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

A Wedding at Notley Tythe Barn, Nikki & Bren a sneak peek

Recently Kiti & I photographed the wedding of Nikki & Bren at Notley Tythe Barn near Long Crendon in Buckinghamshire. As there was some driving between locations Becky joined us to help with the logistics. First thing first we dropped Kiti off at Notley to meet up with the groom Bren & his Best Man & Ushers.

We then hotfooted it to Chesham where Nikki was getting ready at their home with her Mum & Bridesmaids. I spent the morning capturing some lovely shots of Nikki’s bridal preparations with everyone having hair & make up. I love the shot of Nikki’s mum helping her with her dress.

They all looked wonderful as they left home to make the journey to the barn for the wedding. I jumped in the car & we made a quick get away to make sure we got back to the barn ready for the Bride’s arrival.

The service was held in the main part of the barn in front of the window & was officiated by a family friend, which really added to the personal feeling to the service. After the ceremony Bren & Nikki made their way outside for a champagne reception & to be congratulated by their guests. After some mingling we did the group shots outside before taking the Bride & Groom off for some stylish Bride & Groom shots. The barn is set in a lovely rural location & has a variety of places that I take my couples to. Nikki was wearing a beautiful veil & I love the possibilities & textures that a veil can add to the images. On a windy day they can be problematic but no worries at this wedding & I love the shots of Nikki & Bren both under the veil.It was quite a chilly day so we didn’t spend too long outside before we went back to the barn so Nikki & Bren could join their guests for the wedding breakfast. After some great speeches…what was the Best Man saying to make Bren cover Nikki’s ears?!…It was time for cutting the cake, first dance & for everyone to hit the dancefloor. This was a great wedding for dance floor action, loads of people got up & there was some very enthusiastic dancing! As always, we left them dancing the night away…..

Many congratulations Bren & Nikki! We hope you love your sneak peek, there are lots more to come….

Helen & Pete – A Sneak Peek

Recently Kiti & I were at the ‘Happily Ever After’ party for Helen & Pete.Helen & Pete were married earlier in the year in Florida & this evening was their chance to celebrate with their friends & family who weren’t at the wedding.

They held their party at one of our favourite venues The Tythe Barn, Launton. The Tythe Barn is a fabulous wedding venue but is also great for all sorts of other celebrations.

We started late afternoon by taking a Helen & Pete off for a few shots before their guests arrived. The Tythe Barn has lovely grounds & we used the folly, shepherds hut & a lovely bench for some romantic shots of the two of them. Before long it was time for them to return to the barn to greet their guests.

After a drinks reception & group shots in the garden it was time for everyone to take their seats to enjoy an English/American afternoon tea including American-style slider burgers & delicious scones with jam & clotted cream.

It was now time for everyone to hit the dancefloor starting with the bride & groom & then they were joined by their guests.

During the dancefloor action Kiti shot the photobooth for them with hilarious results!

When time came for Helen & Pete to leave their guests lined up & with a wave of sparklers the bride & groom made their way home. We hope you enjoy your sneak peek Helen & Pete. Wishing you every happiness!

Ruth and Stephane – A Sneak Peek

Most of my weddings are in Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire so it was with some excitement that Mrs Lord & I travelled to Kent to photograph the recent wedding of Ruth & Stephane in the beautiful late Spring countryside. We travelled down the day before so our day started with collecting my Antipodean assistant Kiti & we made our way to Tenterden.

All of today’s wedding locations were in close proximity so we planned to do a quick reccee of the wedding & first look locations prior to meeting the B&G. Rural Kent is a beautiful & looked wonderful at this time of year with the trees bursting into leaf & the cow parsley out in flower. After familiarising ourselves we made our way to meet our Bride & Groom.

Ruth & Stephane planned a day that was personal to them & this started with a first look amongst the vines of the famous vineyard Chapel Down. Normally I do my couple images with the bride & groom after the service during the drinks reception but it made refreshing change to do the photographs before the service & I think it was a special moment for the Bride & Groom to share.

After the first look we made our way to The Great Barn, Rolvenden which was the venue for the day. The service was beautiful & it was lovely that Ruth & Stephane were placed facing their friends & family rather than the audience viewing their backs!

By now what had been a rather overcast day had turned into a beautiful sunshine & Ruth & Stephane mingled with their guests in the orchard. They planned a really individual day after the drinks reception the guests gathered back in the barn at long trestle tables for afternoon tea after which there was beer & wine tastings for the guests.

They decorated the barn in a fabulous rustic way with reclaimed wood signs & strings of fairy lights, the tables decorated with bottles with local hedgerow flowers.

By now the sun had softened into that lovely evening glow & I took the Bride & Groom away for a few more couples shots. I have recently been experimenting with shooting into the sun which offers a soft, ethereal feel to the images.

After a few more shots with the happy couple it was time to let them return to their guests for their very original first dance & as always Kiti & I left everyone hitting the dancefloor.

Wishing you every happiness Ruth & Stephane. Hope you enjoy your sneak peek!

Kind words…..

Its always lovely to hear from happy Brides & Grooms & recently we heard from one of our couples who were married earlier in the year. We always send our couples a feedback form after the wedding as we are always looking to improve our service & their feedback is invaluable.

Claire & Richard were married at Somerton followed by a reception at The Tythe Barn, Launton.

‘Very friendly & professional, excellent communication, very unobtrusive on wedding day & stunning photos!…’

‘…Thank you so much for our beautiful wedding photos – we were very impressed by the professional service & unobtrusive style & would definitely recommend you to others!’

Keep an eye out on our website for the new added testimonials page coming soon!

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!