Then last year it was my mum and dad’s turn to celebrate 50 years of marriage. They never got round to putting their photos in an album, so I don’t remember seeing them as I was growing up. With the big celebration approaching they decided it was finally time to put them in a book so that everyone could look at them and it was lovely to see them.
The digital age of photography is a marvellous thing, but please, I implore you, PRINT YOUR PHOTOS! Whether you frame them and display them, or put them in an album, just make sure you print them! Digital files are great, but how future-proof are they? Just over the last few years we’ve seen cassette tapes, floppy discs and CDs falling out of favour. They also have a limited life span and can get lost. Who knows what file formats we’ll be using in fifty years when you’ll hopefully be celebrating your golden wedding anniversary? Will you be able to show your grandchildren your wedding photos?
One of the best things about my job is when the hard work is finished, and I hand over the link to the finished gallery. It’s wonderful to see the story of the day come together and be able to share that with my couples. I love hearing how happy it makes them to re-live their day and see all the little moments and details which they either didn’t notice at the time or they’ve forgotten.
But one thing I’ve always wondered about is what happens to those pictures after the wedding? Some couples order a wedding album, either in advance or once they’ve seen their pictures, and I know that they get them out every year on their anniversary. I’ve worked with some really creative couples who want to make their own and I’d love to know if they actually did and how it turned out.
There’s no getting away from it, weddings are expensive, and an album is an additional cost at a time when budgets are already stretched. The most important thing while you’re planning is to secure the right person to document your day, but how about later, once you’ve seen your pictures? There’s no time limit on when you can order an album. The first anniversary is a great time as it’s paper, but I’ve done them several years down the line.
2020 has been a difficult year for all of us, and it’s certainly brought home the important of those closest to us. A professionally designed and bound wedding album is a wonderful way to remember and share that most special day you spent with your nearest and dearest.
If you always wanted to get an album, but the time wasn’t quite right, or you never got round to it, now’s a great time as I’m offering 20% off all orders placed in October, but you’ll need to get your skates on as it takes a bit of time to get the design perfected once you’ve chosen your pictures. If you need a little bit longer there’s 10% off in November, and you can still get it in time for Christmas. If you’d like more details, please get in touch!
And if you need more convincing, here are 5 jolly good reasons to invest in a professional wedding album…
1. DIGITAL ISN’T INDESTRUCTIBLE! You’re planning on being married for the rest of your life, so you’ll have to keep those digital images safe for a long while. Technology moves on so quickly and files are easy to lose, either due to hard drive issues, the limited lifespan of the storage media or just not being able to find your disc/USB stick in the back of whichever drawer you saw it last! Digital images are brilliant, but a photo album is a real life physical back up.
2. A professionally designed and printed album will be gorgeous quality and made to last. You want an album made from the best, professional grade, quality materials that won’t fall apart after a few years from regular wear and tear. There’s also a lot of skill in arranging your photos so that they flow and tell the story of the day. I’m a real perfectionist so I literally go over every page with a magnifying glass before I send it to print to ensure that everything is absolutely spot on. Your album will be PICTURE PERFECT and it will become an HEIRLOOM to pass onto future generations.
3. It’s an amazing SHARED EXPERIENCE with each other, and with family and friends. You want something tangible from your big day, and clicking through images on screen just isn’t the same. Much as your friends and family love you, they may not want to sit through a slideshow of hundreds and hundreds of photos. It’s so much easier to look through a carefully curated book of your very favourite images and you’ll look at it far more often. With a physical object within reach on a shelf or a coffee table, it’s so much easier to pick it up and relive those memories. You’ll also know that it’ll be there for many years to come.
4. LIFE TAKES OVER and you may not get round to doing it yourself! Have you got the time to pick out the best shots and organise them in a chronological order that also expertly tells the story of your day, then choose the right place to print it? When you’re planning your wedding and straight afterwards it’s often all you can think about, but then life moves on and before you know it months or even years have gone by and you just haven’t got round to it. Especially if you’re like me and you want it to be perfect! I can help you with that. Simply pick out your favourite pictures and let me do the rest. In a few weeks you’ll have a beautifully designed and bound album to show off to your family and friends.
5. YOU WONT REGRET IT! Whether it’s right after your wedding, when you’re keen to show off your pictures to your family/friends/work colleagues/the delivery driver, each year on your anniversary, or many years down the line, you’ll never regret investing in presenting your precious memories in a professional quality album.
So, tell me what you think. If you bought a wedding album, what does it mean to you several years on? How often do you look at it? If you planned to make your own, did you do it? If you did, how did it turn out? Do you regret not getting an album?
And if an album is something you've been meaning to get round to, get in touch if you'd like to take advantage of my Autumn offer!
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Ah Autumn, probably my favourite time of the year. The falling leaves, great for kicking up and throwing, shiny conkers, golden light, colourful hats, gloves and wellies. It’s the perfect time to get out and capture some memories to last a lifetime!
Your pictures also make fantastic Christmas gifts as you get your full gallery on USB to print and share as you wish. You can source prints, gifts or photobooks yourselves, or I can organise them for you. Just ask for details.
Shoots are for up to 6 people from the same household/support bubble and are generally outdoors in a location of your choosing. They’re very relaxed and natural as I capture you all interacting and having fun, as well as some lightly posed shots in your choice of groupings.
If you’d like to secure a slot, please call or email. There’s £25 off if you book before 9th Oct so what are you waiting for, get in touch!
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The digital age of photography is a marvellous thing, but please, I implore you, PRINT YOUR PHOTOS! Whether you frame them and display them, or put them in an album, just make sure you print them! Digital files are great, but how future-proof are they? Just over the last few years we’ve seen cassette tapes, floppy discs and CDs falling out of favour. They also have a limited life span and can get lost. Who knows what file formats we’ll be using in fifty years when you’ll hopefully be celebrating your golden wedding anniversary? Will you be able to show your grandchildren your wedding photos?
One of the best things about my job is when the hard work is finished, and I hand over the link to the finished gallery. It’s wonderful to see the story of the day come together and be able to share that with my couples. I love hearing how happy it makes them to re-live their day and see all the little moments and details which they either didn’t notice at the time or they’ve forgotten.
But one thing I’ve always wondered about is what happens to those pictures after the wedding? Some couples order a wedding album, either in advance or once they’ve seen their pictures, and I know that they get them out every year on their anniversary. I’ve worked with some really creative couples who want to make their own and I’d love to know if they actually did and how it turned out.
There’s no getting away from it, weddings are expensive, and an album is an additional cost at a time when budgets are already stretched. The most important thing while you’re planning is to secure the right person to document your day, but how about later, once you’ve seen your pictures? There’s no time limit on when you can order an album. The first anniversary is a great time as it’s paper, but I’ve done them several years down the line.
If you always wanted to get an album, but the time wasn’t quite right, or you never got round to it, now’s a great time as I’m offering 20% off all orders placed in February 2019. If you’d like more details, please get in touch!
And if you need more convincing, here are 5 jolly good reasons to invest in a professional wedding album…
1. DIGITAL ISN’T INDESTRUCTIBLE! You’re planning on being married for the rest of your life, so you’ll have to keep those digital images safe for a long while. Technology moves on so quickly and files are easy to lose, either due to hard drive issues, the limited lifespan of the storage media or just not being able to find your disc/USB stick in the back of whichever drawer you saw it last! Digital images are brilliant, but a photo album is a real life physical back up.
2. A professionally designed and printed album will be gorgeous quality and made to last. You want an album made from the best, professional grade, quality materials that won’t fall apart after a few years from regular wear and tear. There’s also a lot of skill in arranging your photos so that they flow and tell the story of the day. I’m a real perfectionist so I literally go over every page with a magnifying glass before I send it to print to ensure that everything is absolutely spot on. Your album will be PICTURE PERFECT and it will become an HEIRLOOM to pass onto future generations.
3. It’s an amazing SHARED EXPERIENCE with each other, and with family and friends. You want something tangible from your big day, and clicking through images on screen just isn’t the same. Much as your friends and family love you, they may not want to sit through a slideshow of hundreds and hundreds of photos. It’s so much easier to look through a carefully curated book of your very favourite images and you’ll look at it far more often. With a physical object within reach on a shelf or a coffee table, it’s so much easier to pick it up and relive those memories. You’ll also know that it’ll be there for many years to come.
4. LIFE TAKES OVER and you may not get round to doing it yourself! Have you got the time to pick out the best shots and organise them in a chronological order that also expertly tells the story of your day, then choose the right place to print it? When you’re planning your wedding and straight afterwards it’s often all you can think about, but then life moves on and before you know it months or even years have gone by and you just haven’t got round to it. Especially if you’re like me and you want it to be perfect! I can help you with that. Simply pick out your favourite pictures and let me do the rest. In a few weeks you’ll have a beautifully designed and bound album to show off to your family and friends.
5. YOU WONT REGRET IT! Whether it’s right after your wedding, when you’re keen to show off your pictures to your family/friends/work colleagues/the delivery driver, each year on your anniversary, or many years down the line, you’ll never regret investing in presenting your precious memories in a professional quality album.
So, tell me what you think. If you bought a wedding album, what does it mean to you several years on? How often do you look at it? If you planned to make your own, did you do it? If you did, how did it turn out? Do you regret not getting an album?
And if an album is something you've been meaning to get round to, get in touch if you'd like to take advantage of my Valentine's offer!
]]>Maria got ready at Hotel LaTour with its striking black and white exterior. Inside was rather busy, with quite a few bridesmaids and page boys to get ready (including the couple’s 18 month old son) as well as all the adults! Maria dealt with it all really calmly and emerged looking stunning.
When we arrived at The Old Library at the Custard Factory, I was really pleased to see Steve was their registrar as he’s always really relaxed and puts everyone at their ease. There were certainly lots of laughs during the ceremony!
After the ceremony we did confetti and a few group shots before the guests went over to Nomad for the drinks reception. After Maria and Mathew had had some time to mingle with their guests, I took them off for a walk to get some portraits using the interesting backdrops in and around the Custard Factory, then it was back over to the Old Library which had been turned around ready for the meal. It’s such a stunning space with the high ceiling and arched windows and the delicate peaches and cream, green and gold green colour scheme looked beautiful.
The kids enjoyed themselves and gave me lots of great photo opportunities throughout the day, which was was rounded off with a great disco and some photo props. I'll leave you to enjoy some pictures which give a flavour of the day!
I’m very happy to be a recommended supplier at The Old Library (and Fazeley Studios), so if you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding there, please get in touch as 2018 is filling up fast!
]]>After a ceremony just up the road at St Peter’s Church in Astley, the guests headed down the country lane to the farm, followed by Rhiannon and James in their vintage Beetle. Their two dogs made a star appearance, and even posed for a few pictures J
The tipi was beautifully styled, with wild flowers, fairy lights, and a vintage cup and saucer for each guest. The tables were named after local pubs and the meal was a huge ploughmans selection. Rather than a cake, they had a cheese tower which was decorated with a mouthwatering array of fruit.
Guests were able to spread out and enjoy the beautiful summer evening. It’s a good job there was plenty of room as the guys playing with a rugby ball and golf clubs featured heavily!
The day was rounded off with a brilliant set from the band Mansfield Avenue who really got the guests dancing.
Thank you so much to Rhiannon and Jamie for trusting me to capture their day, and for being so lovely to work with. I know they love their preview pictures, as they’ve already had a peek, but here they are for everyone else to enjoy.
If you’re having an outdoorsy wedding, whether it’s a tipi, yurt, marquee, barn or anything else, please get in touch as I’d love to find out more about your plans!
My good friend Sarah Russell was working her magic on Alison and her bridesmaids in the hut by the lake, although I’m not sure Ian was keen on the lipstick as you’ll see from some of the pictures! There was a strong nature theme to the day, starting with the beautifully unusual chameleon necklaces that Alison gave to her bridesmaids. The cake was decorated with a pair of albatross as they mate for life, and each guest had a mini terrarium with a miniature toadstool and/or snake. The lovely wild flowers were provided by Honey Pot Flowers and they looked great with the vintage book/fairy light centrepieces.
Wethele is a great venue for a summer wedding as the grounds are perfect for guests to spread out and enjoy themselves, but sadly the weather had other ideas on this occasion. Alison and Ian had already chosen to have their ceremony in the oak beamed conservatory and the rain did at least hold off long enough for us to spend some time outside. It also didn’t stop the spacehopper races later in the evening!
Thank you so much to Alison and Ian for sharing your day with me. It was an honour to capture it for you. I hope you enjoy your preview pictures!
If you’re looking for a photographer for your Wethele Manor wedding, please get in touch as I’d love to hear more about your plans!
The venue was beautifully styled with a travel theme, reflecting Steph and Rik’s love of globetrotting. Shustoke is such a gorgeous venue and the flowers from Appleblossomwhite fitted perfectly – the sunflowers looked amazing!
Steph looked amazing in her Benjamin Roberts dress - the sparkly belt set it off perfectly. Her hair was beautifully styled by Jessica Jordan of Mode Bridal Hair and her make up was expertly done by Rachael Claire Bridal.
One of the best parts of my job is capturing the range of emotions during the day and there was certainly no shortage of laughter or tears. The tissues came out several times as Steph got ready and they were needed again during the ceremony and the speeches!
The day was rounded off with a brilliant set from Apollo Soul, which really got everyone up and dancing.
Thanks to Steph and Rik for trusting me to capture their day and thanks also to my lovely friend and awesome second shooter Amy for covering the guys in the morning.
I'll leave you with some highlights from the day, and if you’re looking for a photographer for your Shustoke Farm Barns wedding, get in touch as 2018 is filling up fast!
It was a lovely ceremony, and after the confetti and a few group shots we made our way to Ombersley for the reception at the Crown and Sandy’s. This is a very striking pub with its black and white façade and the conservatory was beautifully decorated by The Wedding House. The flowers in particular were absolutely stunning! After the meal we took advantage of the beautiful evening to wander down the road to the woods for a few relaxed portraits before Susie and Ben greeted their evening guests and danced the night away.
Thank you so much to Susie and Ben for sharing their special day with me. It was an honour to capture your wedding and I hope you like your preview pictures!
If you're looking for a photographer to cover your Worcestershire wedding in a relaxed and natural style, please get in touch!
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If you're looking for a photographer for your wedding at Fazeley Studios, please get in touch!
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Natalie looked absolutely stunning and the aisle in the Champagne Bar was strewn with feathers to match the bodice of her dress. Joe’s mum Julie did an amazing job with the flowers which was no mean feat. There were rather a lot of bouquets and buttonholes to make as Natalie and Joe don’t do things by halves – they had seven bridesmaids, eight ushers and two best men!
The reception was held in the Gatsby ballroom which is the most incredible room – absolutely huge and decorated in full on art deco style - a perfect fit for Natalie and Joe’s wedding theme. The cake table was also a sight to behold, with four different cakes, all amazingly decorated by Loaded Cakes.
After some very emotional speeches, there were some pretty epic shapes being pulled on the dance floor at the end of the day.
Thank you Natalie and Joe for choosing me to capture your special day – I hope you like your preview pictures. The full gallery will be ready in a few weeks.
If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding, get in touch as I have very limited availability for 2017 and 2018 is filling up fast!
Rachel and Rob are a chilled out couple and chose a relaxed One Life ceremony outdoors on the island, surrounded by the lake and hundreds of teeny tiny froglets. We had to be very careful not to tread on them!
Rachel was a vision of vintage glamour in her fifties style dress and Rob looked very cool in his three piece suit with pocket watch. After the ceremony there was ice cream provided by Abigail’s Vintage Scoop and afternoon tea served in the barn which was beautifully styled with a rustic vintage theme.
The sun shone so the guests were able to take full advantage of the extensive grounds and range of garden games. The space hoppers proved popular with the children (as well as the bride!) and there was a spot of welly wanging too. In the evening Penny Lane Vintage brought their vintage caravan photo booth which was a big hit with the guests.
Rachel and Rob freely admit that they’re not the smoochy type, which wasn’t a problem as my way of working is to capture my couples interacting naturally. I wasn’t quite prepared for Rob’s ‘look at my bogey’ moment during their portraits, but it did make for a fabulous series of photos as I captured Rachel‘s reactions. Rachel tells me she has the bogey shot in pride of place in her living room :) You can see them below!
The day was rounded off with fantastic music provided by singer Andy Flynn and delicious pizza from Gourmet Alfresco.
It was a magical day and it was an absolute pleasure to be there to capture it for Rachel and Rob to remember forever. (Thank you so much for the very thoughtful owl themed pressies too!)
If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding at Wootton Park, get in touch as I have very limited availability for 2017 and 2018 is filling up fast!
I started my wedding year down in Hampshire last weekend and I’ll be posting some pictures from that very soon. In the meantime, I’ll kick off with one of my favourite weddings from last year.
Katie and James got married in May and the day started at Katie’s mum and dad’s house where the bride and bridesmaids were getting ready. Katie’s Jenny Packham dress was exquisite and it suited her perfectly - such a gorgeous bride! A Routemaster bus took the bridesmaids to St Leonard’s Church in Beoley for the ceremony, while Katie travelled in a vintage Aston Martin. The journey along the country lanes after the ceremony was a treat for James as he used to work for Aston Martin and he loves the 1960s.
The reception was at Gorcott Hall which is a beautiful venue, tucked away off the A435 on the way to Redditch. It was perfect for their May wedding. The house has so much history, the converted barn is perfect for eating and dancing, and the gardens are amazing, especially in early summer. There’s also a lake where the bride and groom can have portraits taken. We wandered down there after dinner when the light was golden and the results were bloomin’ gorgeous!
Katie spent a lot of time styling the barn and it looked amazing! The day was rounded off with a brilliant disco provided by The Best Men. If you’re looking for DJs who will tailor the playlist to your requirements and guarantee no cheese, look them up!
Thank you so much to Katie and James for choosing me to capture their wedding – it was such a wonderful day. If you’d like me to capture your wedding at Gorcott Hall, please get in touch!
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Roanna and Martin are both keen gardeners and they chose the beautiful setting of Hidcote Manor, a National Trust garden near Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire, for their relaxed summer wedding. The ceremony was in the Plant House next to the pond which was full of the most out-going newts I’ve ever seen. The ones in my pond pop up and back down so quickly you blink and you miss them. These were sunbathing! This was followed by prosecco and canapés on the Plant House lawn, then we were able to take advantage of the gorgeous summer evening to explore the gardens for some chilled out portraits. The day ended with a meal and speeches at nearby Threeways House Hotel, home of the Pudding Club.
Roanna looked absolutely stunning – her dress was so pretty and suited her perfectly. The flowers were also gorgeous and included my favourite Scabious – such a pretty flower despite the name! I have to mention the cake as one of the things I like to do is to help my couples whilst they’re planning. When we met up in June, Roanna and Martin told me they were struggling to find someone to make them the kind of cake they wanted. I was able to put them in touch with Charlotte at www.buttercreamanddreams.com/ who had made a naked cake for one of my weddings the previous year. Luckily she was able to help and the finished cake was looked amazing.
Thank you so much to Roanna and Martin for asking me to capture their wedding – it all came together beautifully and it was such a pleasure to shoot, especially as in addition to the beautiful setting and relaxed vibe it was great to catch up with Holly (Roanna’s sister) & Neil, whose wedding I shot a couple of years before, and the rest of the family.
I’ll leave you to have a look at some of my favourite shots, and if you’re looking for a photographer for a wedding at Hidcote, or any other flower filled venue, please get in touch as I’d love to hear from you!
I was able to get shots of both bride and groom preparations as Lucia and Leighton were both getting ready at Castle Deudraeth before moving onto the village for the ceremony in the Hercules Hall. Olwen the registrar conducted my wedding and she was just as lovely as I remembered. After taking some group shots and portraits in the centre of the village, we went back up to the more private setting of Castle Deudraeth where the gardens provided a beautiful backdrop to the drinks reception.
After the pretty epic speeches, including Leighton’s own ‘This is Your Life’ red book moment, I took the happy couple back down into the village for some relaxed portraits. Most of the day visitors had gone home by then so we were able to make the most of the huge range of photo opportunities the village provides. Then it was back up to the Castle, where Lucia’s sister entertained the guests with her singing before the DJ took over for the evening.
Thank you so much to Lucia and Leighton for asking me to capture their day. I have to also say a HUGE thank you to all the staff at Portmeirion and Castle Deudraeth who were absolutely fabulous. Despite being very tired (having had a wedding the day before in North Yorkshire) I grinned the whole way home as it was such a magical day. I can’t wait to go back this year for more amazing weddings.
If you’re looking for a photographer for your Portmeirion wedding please get in touch. My availability for 2016 is very limited and I’m now booking for 2017.
On the Saturday I went up to Yorkshire, where Laetitia and Kate were getting married at Hazlewood Castle. They chose to get ready together, which made a lovely informal start to the day, before gathering all their closest family and friends together before the ceremony for a glass or two of champagne.
The flowers were like nothing I’d ever seen before. Firenza Floral Design combined gorgeous cottage garden blooms with herbs and even blackberries. They looked amazing in Laetitia and Kate’s bouquets and decorating Hazlewood’s Great Hall. I also loved the lego people – all individually made by the couple – and home-made raspberry gin favours.
Laetitia and Kate went for cupcakes rather than a traditional wedding cake, and the sight of them feeding each other was a lot of fun, especially as Kate ended up with icing on her nose! I also admired Kate's practicality in having a dress with pockets :)
Laeti and Kate are such a lovely couple and it was a pleasure to capture the love and laughter (of which there was much!) for them to remember forever. I think it’s the only wedding I’ve been to where the couple has had a standing ovation after the marriage has been announced! I'll leave you with some highlights of their day. Part two of my weekend will be coming up early next week - be sure to check back as it's one you won't want to miss!
If you’re looking for a photographer for your Hazlewood Castle wedding, please get in touch!
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Catriona got ready at her childhood home, and the willow tree you see in the pictures of her amazing Jenny Packham dress (so so gorgeous!!!) has particular significance. I knew her dress was going to be spectactular as Catriona was very good at keeping me up to date with developments as the planning progressed and I was very excited when she told me what she’d bought as Jenny Packham is one of my favourite designers. I wasn’t prepared for the vintage style veil though which was so pretty and suited her perfectly.
From there we travelled to Hadstock in Essex to the Anglo Saxon church of St Botolph, for the ceremony. Catriona is a historian and the church has a strong family connection going back many years. Her parents married there and her mum sings in the choir. The oak door is one of Catriona’s favourite features – it’s the oldest door still in use in Great Britain - so it had to be part of their photographs, including one of my favourites from the whole day. It’s amazing to think how many people have passed through that door over the last 1000 years. Chris looked very handsome in his kilt, and his Scottish heritage was also reflected in the spiky Eryngium used in the buttonholes and bouquets.
May/June is my favourite time of the year in the garden and Catriona and Chris timed their day perfectly to take advantage of the beautiful gardens at their reception venue, Childerley Hall near Cambridge. It truly is a photographer’s dream! After enjoying the sunshine it was into the barn which had been beautifully decorated for afternoon tea with vintage china and an assortment of tasty treats. Following the speeches there was a quiz, based on their time theme (history again!), then the evening got going with a ceilidh.
It really was a fabulous day and I loved being able to share in it. I’ll leave you with Catriona and Chris’ reaction to seeing their pictures, as well as some highlights:
‘I don't think either of us really know what to say. I guess the main reaction, second to a general astonishment that those are actual photos of us and not people in a catalogue, is that this is exactly why couples should ALWAYS book a professional photographer! We've loved seeing the photos from friends with their lovely cameras but yours are in another league.’
If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding, please get in touch sooner rather than later. 2016 is now pretty much fully booked!
Claire and Stephen styled the venue beautifully using the services of Sorori Design Florist and Lauren Grey Wedding Stylist. My breath was taken away when I saw the combination of their decorations with the already stunning setting!
I also have to mention their guinea pigs, who sadly weren't actually at the wedding but they did play a part, dressed up in mini bride and groom outfits! You'll have to check out the pictures below to see them. I also have to mention the amazing speech given by Steve's two best men and the fantastic dancefloor action which rounded off the day. It's also worth checking out the photos of those!
Thank you so much to Claire and Stephen for choosing me to capture their special day at Elmore Court. If you're looking for a photographer for your Gloucestershire wedding, please get in touch and I'd be delighted to send you some more information.
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Jenny oozed vintage glamour in a silk dress from talented designer Julie Dutton and her hair and make up was expertly done by my good friend Sarah Russell of SGR Vintage Hair and Make Up. The bridesmaids dresses were also vintage inspired and wonderfully flattering. They were from 20th Century Foxy.
This wedding gave me one of my favourite shots from last year. The registrar was lovely and let me stand in her spot so I could capture both Jenny and her dad as they walked in, as well as Joe waiting. As Jenny neared the front I waited to capture the moment when they looked at each other for the first time but it just didn’t happen. In the end I had to move back to let the ceremony start and later found out that Joe had been overcome by emotion and just couldn’t look for fear of bursting into tears - awwww!
After drinks outside in the sunshine the guests enjoyed a delicious meal in the barn which was beautifully styled to fit the rustic setting with purple and yellow flowers and buckets of lavender. The staff at Shustoke are exceedingly efficient and turned the room round in double quick time!
The evening entertainment went with a swing – they had a ceildh which got the guests up on the dancefloor and I was able to get some great action shots! They also used the upstairs room at Shustoke for a vintage themed photobooth, using a photowall provided by Penny Lane Vintage.
It was a day full of emotion and I was privileged to be able to be there to capture all the wonderful moments for Jenny and Joe to remember forever. If you’d like me to do the same for you, get in touch as 2016 is filling up fast!
I’ll leave you to look at the pictures. See if you can spot Jenny’s treasured childhood bear which came to Lea Marston hotel where she was getting ready as well as the funny shot of the guests as the happy couple cut the cake. I’m so glad that one made it into the album!
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Vintage is as popular as ever, whether it's a full on theme, or just some retro touches as part of your wedding styling. A lot of my brides love vintage, such as Jen seen here rocking her 50s glamour model look, so the Worcester Vintage Wedding Fayre at the beautiful Guildhall in the city centre is well worth a visit. It'll be full of fabulous suppliers, all offering something a bit different to the mainstream, and I'll be there with a full range of sample albums. It's on the 5th April, from 11-3pm. Hope to see you there!
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Louise and Dave got married there last summer and it was a day filled with laughter, tears and whisky! They’re such a lovely couple and as you’ll see from the pictures, it was a beautifully styled wedding, full of hand-made details.
I first met Louise when she was buying her seventies vintage dress, which she named Florence (after Florence and the Machine) due to its floaty ethereal quality. In a nice twist of fate, it was originally made in Italy where Louise and Dave got engaged. It was absolutely stunning and suited Louise perfectly. She was such a radiant bride, and Dave looked pretty dapper in his blue suit and bow-tie! The bridesmaids’ unusual dresses came from ASOS and Louise added the lace trimmings herself.
Louise’s family are Scottish so the male members of the bridal party wore kilts hired from Kiltpin in Scotland and the kids looked really cute in mini-kilts, Scotland rugby tops and matching Converse. You’ll have to look at the pictures to see if it’s true what they say about Scotsmen and their kilts…
There was hilarity during the ceremony as Louise and Dave’s young son Toby spotted the large wooden elephant which stands behind the registrars’ table and had great fun pointing and making elephant noises during one of the readings!
I’ll leave you to enjoy the pictures, but if you’re looking for a photographer to capture your wedding at Fazeley Studios, come along for a chat on Sunday, or get in touch!
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The day started in Inkberrow in Worcestershire, where Rachel got ready at her childhood home before walking to the church with her dad and sister/chief bridesmaid. I went over to Inkberrow the week before the wedding to check out the church and was struck by what a beautiful countryside location it is and the amazing sense of tranquility.
Andy arrived in a vintage VW Camper Van, bright orange to match the colour scheme, parking up outside The Old Bull, of Archers fame, for a quick pint before the ceremony at St Peter’s Church.
Rachel’s hair and make up was expertly done by the very lovely Sarah Russell of SGR Vintage Hair and Make Up and I absolutely loved her 50s style custom made dress with pockets – what a great idea! Rachel’s mum made the bridesmaids’ dresses from some gorgeous Liberty print fabric, as well as matching pocket squares for the guys and bow ties for the page boys and mini-best man.
Highlights have to be the rather unreliable orange camper van – watch out for it being pushed up the hill outside the church – and the outdoor speeches which ended with Andy wearing a curly orange wig, one lime green leg-warmer, a football scarf and holding an LP and a light sabre! Fortunately the camper van started after the ceremony and Rachel was able to drive them off in style, but they didn’t manage to take it on honeymoon as originally planned. I also loved Rachel’s bouquet of sweet peas – which smelt heavenly – and the cow parsley in and around the church.
The day ended with pizza and sparklers – it doesn’t get much better than that!
I’ll be at the Wootton Park Wedding Open Day this Sunday, from 12-4, so if you’d like to have a chat and look at my sample albums, it would be great to see you. There’s more information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1537661613138298
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Teresa looked absolutely stunning in her strapless dress and her bouquet of cream roses and freesias with aspidistra leaves complemented it perfectly. One of my favourite touches was how each guest had a personal gift, matched to their personality and interests. Certainly something to consider if you’re having a smaller wedding! I also loved the reason why they chose early January for their wedding – Tess said it was to give people something to look forward to after Christmas. January can be a dreary prospect after the festive period, so I thought this was lovely. Plus it means they have their anniversary to look forward to every year.
Winter weddings can be tough to shoot, with natural light in short supply, and all the portraits for this one were inside at the couple’s request. They were particularly keen to get a shot on the stairs, which isn’t an easy one to get right, especially when you’ve only got a short amount of time. Luckily just before Christmas I went on a course to further develop my flash skills and I was able to get some advice on the stair shot. Even the tutor said it was a particularly tricky one to do and we were all delighted with the results!
Thanks to Teresa and Joseph for being wonderful to work with, as well as for the lovely testimonial which you can see here: Rave Reviews
I’ll leave you to enjoy the pictures, and if you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding at Hotel du Vin, please get in touch!
The other reason why I love Compton Verney is that the staff are fantastic. They are incredibly friendly and efficient so your day will run beautifully. They are so good that they won the award for Best Events Team in the West Midlands at the 2015 Wedding Industry Awards.
Anne and Paul chose July for their wedding and they had a lovely sunny day, enabling them and their guests to enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds. It also meant we could make full use of the many opportunities Compton Verney offers for interesting portrait shots. I’m very much led by my clients when it comes to couple shots. Most people spend around 20-30 minutes on these, but if you want to spend more or less time on them that’s fine. With an early ceremony we were able to go for a stroll at three different points in the day to get a variety of relaxed, romantic pictures which look amazing in Anne and Paul’s album.
It was a wonderful day, full of love and laughter, and I’m very grateful to Anne and Paul for asking me to capture it for them. Thanks also to Frank Wood who did a fabulous job of assisting me on the day.
I’ll leave you to enjoy the pictures, and if you’re looking for a photographer for your Compton Verney wedding, please get in touch!
(Can you guess the song everyone is dancing to after the first dance? It was a great way to get people up on the dancefloor and made for fantastic pictures. Leave a comment if you can!)
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‘For yesterday is but a memory and tomorrow is only a vision. But today well lived makes every yesterday a memory of happiness and tomorrow a vision of hope, Look well, therefore, to this day.’
The reception started with tea and scones, served on vintage crockery, accompanied by a fiddler, before everyone sat down to a three course meal in the main hall, which Sally and John had decorated beautifully. The English country garden/vintage theme fitted perfectly with the style of Hatton Village Hall. Sally and her mum made over 50 metres of bunting, and the tables were laden with vintage enamel jugs, glass bottles and china tea cups that she collected from ebay and charity shops. The vintage school desk with postcards for guests to write and hang up was a lovely touch and I absolutely loved the embroidered tablecloths – I have fond memories of making one of these myself many years ago.
Sally wanted organic, natural flowers and was thrilled when she found Honey Pot Flowers just round the corner from the venue. The mix of cottage garden flowers was just stunning, and included one of my favourite flowers, Scabious.
I have to mention Sally’s dress – it was absolutely exquisite and perfectly her. She found it at Minna in London and she paired it with the most beautiful veil. I’ve never seen one like it before. John scrubbed up pretty well too and their little boy looked adorable with his bow tie, braces and Converse.
After popping out for a few sunset pictures and a walk along the lane, Sally and John ended the day with a ceilidh to get everyone up on the dance floor.
Thank you to Sally and John for asking me to document their day - one of my favourite things about the day was the absolutely huge grin on Sally’s face for the whole day!
Hatton is the perfect venue for a couple who want a laid back reception and who want to add their own creative touches. I’m looking forward to being back there in April for Holly and Jim’s Spring wedding. If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding at Hatton, get in touch!
If you’d like to read more about Sally and John’s wedding at Hatton, check out the fabulous feature on Love My Dress for lots more details and a supplier list:
http://www.lovemydress.net/blog/2014/11/midsummer-nights-dream-village-hall-minna-wedding.html
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Earlier this year I was delighted to be nominated in the Wedding Industry Awards, in the Best Wedding Photographer in the West Midlands category. It's a great one to be involved with as only your past clients can vote for you, scoring you on various criteria and leaving comments relating to their experience with you. I'm very grateful to all my clients from 2013/4 who took the time to vote and leave some comments.
Having a job where I get to share in one of the most important and exciting days of people's lives is absolutely amazing and I never lose sight of the trust my couples have placed in me. I aim to give each of my couples a fantastic experience, right from when they first get in touch, during the planning process and the day itself and right through to when their pictures are delivered. Reading the comments makes me so happy as they show that I achieved what I set out to do.
Thank you so so much to all the lovely couples who invited me to be a part of their special day. I'm so glad that you love your pictures and that they're everything you wished for and more. I have one more wedding to photograph in 2014, then I can't wait to get started in January with the first my 2015 weddings!
I'll leave you with the comments and if you're looking for a photographer for your 2015 wedding, don't delay - get in touch! - as I have very limited availability. I'm also now taking bookings for 2016.
Charlotte and Andreas chose Hampton Manor near Solihull for their Autumn wedding as it's possible to walk from the venue to the church in Hampton in Arden. I've had a few weddings this year where the bride has been able to stroll to the church and it's such a lovely relaxed way to arrive. It was a beautiful Autumn day and I was able to get some fantastic photos of Charlotte chatting and laughing with her dad and bridesmaids as they walked to the church.
It's always a pleasure to work at St Mary & St Bartholomew's as it's a beautiful church and Duncan is one of the nicest vicars I've had the fortune of working with. It was a lovely service and featured all the guests joining in with "Sto lat", a traditional Polish song that is sung to express good wishes, good health and long life along with a toast of a specially brewed beverage made by a family member! After one of the most epic confetti walk-throughs I've photographed the newlyweds were able to lead their guests back to Hampton Manor in the Autumn sunshine.
Charlotte chose a Jenny Packham dress from Quello Bridal in Kenilworth and she looked absolutely amazing. Hampton Manor was the perfect setting for her glamorous vintage look and elegant blush colour scheme.
Thank you to Charlotte and Andreas for asking me to capture your wedding day - it was an absolute pleasure!
If you're looking for a photographer for your Hampton Manor wedding and would like relaxed, natural coverage, capturing all the little moments, get in touch - I have very limited availability for 2015 and I'm now taking bookings for 2016.
I loved the bird theme - a play on the couple's surname - and the delicate peach colour scheme. Nikki's dress was custom designed and made by the amazing Couture Company in Birmingham - it was truly spectacular! Her Irregular Choice shoes were pretty special too, and the gorgeous rural barn where Nikki got ready provided the perfect backdrop to photograph them in advance of the outdoor ceremony.
I'll leave you to have a look at the pictures - watch out for the flower girl and page boy who joined in with the first dance!
If you're looking for a photographer for your Cripps Barn wedding, get in touch! I'm already booked for some more weddings there next year and I can't wait to go back!
I think Kat has to win the prize for my most emotional bride this year - she dissolved into tears as her hair and make up were being finished and she was still crying after the half hour journey to the church! However, it meant so much to capture the transition from tears to laughter as the day went on and the images of Kat outside the church and during the ceremony are some of my favourites from the year, because of the real emotion captured.
Look out for the amazing table plan, created by Kat's chief bridesmaid, which fitted perfectly with the English garden theme. The Palm Conservatory at Ardencote was the perfect setting and I have to thank the staff there for being so helpful and welcoming. They really went above and beyond. I must also thank Frank Wood for his assistance in capturing the day.
I'll leave you to enjoy the pictures and it would be great if you could leave Kat and Matt a comment. If you're looking for a photographer for your Ardencote Manor wedding, get in touch as dates are filling fast for 2015 and 2016!
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I have some very exciting news - I've been short-listed in The Wedding Industry Awards!!! Thank you so much to all my lovely couples who voted for me.
I'm so grateful to you all for trusting me to capture your wedding day and then for you taking the time to cast your votes and add your comments.
I'll be biting my nails on the 19th at the Regional Final so watch this space!
http://www.louiseholgate.com/rave-reviews
(PS Over the last few months I've lost count of the number of lovely couples I've had to turn away for 2015 as I'm already booked. If you are interested in securing my services to capture your wedding, don't leave it too late!)
I have so much stuff to show you, but it's going to have to wait a little longer until the August rush has finished and school have gone back. The best place to see what I've been up to recently is to follow my Facebook page as I post previews and news on there regularly. Come on over and give me a like and see what I've been up to recently!
I'll also mention while I'm here that I'm getting very booked up for next year and have had to turn away lots of enquiries recently. To ensure that I can maintain the high quality service I pride myself on, and in an attempt to achieve some kind of work/life balance, I'm only taking on a limited number of bookings for 2015 and there aren't many spots left. If you are interested in securing my services for your wedding, please get in touch sooner rather than later!
I'll leave you with a few quick pictures from Ellie and Mark's fantastic tipi wedding in Solihull, just because I love a good confetti shot and the last couple of weeks have been all about tipis :) Hope to see you over on Facebook and the blog will be back in action soon!
After a beautiful ceremony we were off to Wootton Park in Wootton Wawen near Stratford; This is a great venue where I'm a recommended wedding photography supplier and I always love working there. It’s one of my favourite local venues with their beautiful buildings and lots of outdoor space plus the very cool glamping pods and accommodation in the stylishly decorated Farmhouse.
The wedding reception contained lots of hand made items – Emily, along with the help of family and friends made lots of things for the wedding - and it really had that personal touch.
The couple wanted to spend plenty of time on their wedding portraits - some at the church, some before the meal and some in the evening - and the relaxed timings that the couple had chosen for the day allowed this. This was great as it allowed me to get full coverage of everything else in a very flexible way.
Check out their photos and watch out for the photo of Tommy from the stag do during the speeches!
I also have to share the lovely testimonial Emily & Tommy sent me after they saw their pictures:
'Louise provided a very personal, friendly, passionate and reliable service for our wedding. Right from the start she offered her support whenever we needed it and various ideas for differing shots, as well as listening to what we wanted. We were incredibly pleased on the day as Louise was really professional and calm, but also very organised which we wanted.
When we saw many of the photos, we weren't quite sure how she managed to capture the moment without us realising! All of the photos were captured in a beautiful and natural way and we felt completely comfortable throughout the experience.
Louise is very talented and her attention to detail is second to none! We were very pleased with our wedding photos and had lots of fun looking at the pictures with our family and friends who were just as impressed - our wishes were catered for beyond our expectations. We are still looking at them frequently four months down the line and would definitely recommend Louise’s services! Thank you Louise xXx'
Thank you Emily and Tommy - you were a delight to work with and I'm so glad your pictures are bringing you so much happiness.
If you're looking for a photographer for your Wootton Park wedding, please get in touch. I have very limited availability for the rest of 2014 and 2015 is filling up fast!
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Lickey Hills pre-wedding shoot
On Saturday I was back at Fazeley Studios in Birmingham City Centre for Nicola & Damon's wedding, then on Sunday I was at Wootton Park near Stratford Upon Avon for Rachel & Andy's reception, following a lovely service at St Peter's Church in Inkberrow.
The locations are quite a contrast - one being very urban and the other rural - but my relaxed style of photography works equally well in both.
Here's just a very quick peek at both weddings. Watch this space for more pictures soon!
First up - here's Nicola & Damon at Fazeley Studios:
And here's Rachel & Andy at Wootton Park:
If you're looking for a photographer for your Fazeley Studios or Wootton Park wedding, get in touch. I have very limited availability for the rest of 2015 and 2015 is filling up fast!
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Jen & Chris chose Mythe Barn in Atherstone, Warwickshire as their venue. I hadn't worked there before but I knew it was a lovely venue. We met up a couple of weeks beforehand to go through all their final plans and to have a look around, as I do with all my couples prior to the big day. It certainly didn't disappoint! On the day it proved to be the perfect location, with the barn's fusion of rustic and modern design providing the perfect backdrop to their vintage theme. The staff were very efficient but also relaxed and friendly which is the perfect combination!
Jen absolutely rocked her vintage style dress with pink and red petticoats and Vivienne Westwood shoes. She even had matching flats which she wore for walking round during the couple portraits and in the evening. There were so many wonderful handmade touches, such as the lovely bead, button and feather bouquets and buttonholes and Jen even made little replicas of their outfits to dress the hippos on top of the beautiful naked cake!
Thanks to Jen and Chris for choosing me to capture their special day. If you like the pictures, please leave a comment and if you're looking for a photographer for your Mythe Barn wedding, get in touch!
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If you'd like to come and have a look at my sample albums and have a chat about your wedding photography, these are the fairs I'll be exhibiting at over the next couple of months:
16th Feb: The Vintage Wedding Fayre at Cheltenham Pump Rooms
2nd March: Avoncroft Museum near Bromsgrove
16th March: Wootton Park near Stratford Upon Avon
6th April: The Tie the Knot Unique & Eclectic Wedding Carnival at Elmore Court in Gloucestershire
I still have a few dates for this year available and next year is starting to fill up so don't wait too long to
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Thanks to my good friend Ruth Goalby for inviting me along to assist. If you're planning your wedding at Wethele Manor I'd love to find out more about your plans so get in touch!
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It was obvious how much in love they are - Amy didn't stop smiling all day and she just couldn't wait for the moment when they could kiss for the first time as husband and wife. I loved how she kept whispering to Neil, "Can we kiss yet?" all through the ceremony :)
The Custard Factory offers so many great opportunities for photos and they were keen to make the most of them, despite the cold and Amy's very high (& very sparkly) shoes, which meant we captured a wonderful range of portraits. They even fitted in a game of table tennis as you'll see from the pictures below.
Congratulations Amy and Neil and thanks again for trusting me to capture your special day. I know that you're going to be very happy together :)
Thanks to Lee and everyone at Fazeley Events for another wonderful day. I love how everything always runs so smoothly but is managed in a very relaxed way. If you're planning a wedding at the Old Library or Fazeley Studios, I'd love to have a chat about your plans so get in touch!
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A 'highlights' post is in the pipeline, but I'd like to end my blogging year by sharing some feedback and a testimonial which popped into my inbox yesterday, bringing a big smile to my face as it really summed up what I set out to achieve with each and every wedding. Thank you Emily and Tommy!
"We wanted a really relaxed country style wedding and we wanted our photos to reflect not only our wedding day, but also our personalities. When we were researching photographers, your natural shots each told a story and this was something that drew us to your work. Our wedding venue had beautiful grounds and a lot of the wedding was designed and created by ourselves, and from looking at your attention to detail from previous weddings we knew that you would cater for our wishes - and beyond!
The overall experience on the day was amazing! We had a lot of shots to get through however you were incredibly calm but also incredibly organised. Looking through the shots we weren’t quite sure how you managed to capture some amazing natural shots - specifically in the speeches.
We were very excited to see the photos for the first time! Although we had an amazing day and enjoyed every single minute, we couldn’t wait to see some of the moments all over again... and those that we may have missed. The album was full of natural shots which we really wanted and were thrilled to see that you had captured the day perfectly.
I would describe our photos as being beautifully natural, relaxed and had just enough quirkiness! I loved the shots of me and my husband in our wellies, outside chatting to friends with shots of the tranquil grounds behind us. I personally, also liked the way that you took extra time to take shots that were especially important to me.
Louise provided a very personal, friendly, passionate and reliable service for our wedding. Right from the start she offered her support whenever we needed it and various ideas for differing shots, as well as listening to what we wanted. We were incredibly pleased on the day as Louise was really professional and calm, but also very organised which we wanted.
When we saw many of the photos, we weren't quite sure how she managed to capture the moment without us realising! All of the photos were captured in a beautiful and natural way and we felt completely comfortable throughout the experience.
Louise is very talented and her attention to detail is second to none! We were very pleased with our wedding photos and had lots of fun looking at the pictures with our family and friends who were just as impressed - our wishes were catered for beyond our expectations. We are still looking at them frequently four months down the line and would definitely recommend Louise’s services! Thank you Louise xXx"
If that sounds like the kind of experience you're looking for, whether it's for a wedding or to capture your family, please get in touch. In the meantime, have a very...
Happy New Year!
]]>Here's a quick preview of Laura & Spen beautiful Christmas wedding at Hampton Manor in Solihull last Saturday.
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Those sleepy first few days pass by so quickly and it's wonderful to capture all those little details. It's best to schedule your session for the first ten days after birth when they're still very sleepy and curled up so if you're expecting and would like to capture your newborn, get in touch and we can pencil in a time based on your due date. I know the first few weeks (or months!) can be a bit hectic but sessions are done in the comfort of your home and we don't need much space, just an area with good natural light. Just get in touch!
The couple made pretty much everything themselves - check out what an amazing job Kate did on the cake! Their names made out of lego (by John), the lollipop trees on the sweet table and the table names drawn by the young bridesmaids and pageboys are personal favourites. (And how cute are those pageboys???)
It's clear to see how much in love Kate and John are and I really enjoyed documenting their wedding. They opted for a shorter package so I left them after the speeches, but not before sneaking in a few pictures of the sweetie table and the pumpkins lit up when it got dark. This is a great way to make your budget go further but still get high quality coverage of your day.
Thanks to the staff as well for being so warm and welcoming. If you're planning your wedding at Curradine Barns, get in touch as I'd love to work with you!
]]>Congratulations Holly and Neil and thank you for choosing me to capture your wedding. The full gallery will be ready soon!
Editing your wedding photographs is a real labour of love, whether you've chosen a digital collection or an album, and I believe they should be beautifully presented so I spent some time last week updating my packaging. I sent my first parcels off on Friday and I've had some wonderful feedback already from my brides which has really brought a smile to my face.
"Sooo happy to see our fabulous photos have been delivered on disc by the wonderful Louise Holgate i felt like a kid in a sweet shop... literally... as when i opened the box there was a lovely surprise little treat in there. Its those little details and personal touches that make Louise such a fabulous photographer. Would recommend her to anyone. Thanks so much Louise.. You've made my day today! xxx" Ami & Dave
"The gift arrived yesterday thank you and is amazing! You put so much thought into everything you do :) The card is lovely and it was amazing having you be our photographer :) Everyone has commented on the tasters saying how wonderful they are and the album captures the day beautifully!" Emily & Tommy
Client satisfaction is so important to me so it's wonderful to get such glowing feedback!
Being eco-friendly is also important to me so I use recycled packaging wherever possible and it's all put together by hand. I was lucky enough to win a hand-carved rubber stamp from the lovely Fran at Little Stamp Store and it's absolutely perfect for customising my packaging. I don't want to give too much away as it would take away part of the surprise when your photographs are delivered, but here's a sneak peek!
If you're looking for a rubber stamp to use as part of your wedding preparations, get in touch with Fran as her stamps are a world apart from the standard machine made ones, as you can see from the amazing job she did with my rather detailed logo. And if you'd like your own parcel of lovely treats, along with some wonderful photographs to remember your wedding day, get in touch with me!
]]>Avoncroft is a wonderful venue for a wedding. Guesten Hall is a beautiful setting for your ceremony and/or reception and the grounds are amazing. The huge range of historic buildings and open spaces provide so many opportunities for beautiful and quirky wedding photographs and there's plenty of space for kids to run round. You can even arrange for the mini-train to give rides to your guests.
They also offer a vintage wedding package which is well worth a look if that's your style.
I'll be exhibiting at the wedding fair there on this Sunday so if you're planning your wedding why not pop along for a chat? It's a lovely place for a day out too.
If you'd like more information about engagement or pre-wedding shoots, or are getting married at Avoncroft, please get in touch as I'd love to hear from you!
wedding-photography-fazeley-studios-13
A couple of weeks ago we headed into Birmingham city centre, where they first met on the steps of the Mailbox. That was back when the sun shone and we took full advantage of the golden hour to get some beautiful shots. Here are some of my favourites!
Pre-wedding and engagement shoots are a great way to get some fun pictures of the two of you together, and to get comfortable in front of the camera before your big day. They can be added to my wedding package, or bought as a standalone - try before you buy - option. Please get in touch for details!
If you're looking for a photographer to provide relaxed, natural and beautiful images of your Staffordshire wedding, please get in touch!
If you're looking for a photographer for a Stratford Upon Avon, Wootton Park or Warwickshire wedding, please get in touch for a chat!
]]>Ami and Dave are such lovely people and it really was a wonderful day. Here's just a taster.
The wedding yurts looked absolutely amazing with all the beautiful styling Danielle had put together and it was an amazing day. Here's just a small selection of images to whet your appetite. I can't wait to share the rest!
On Friday Katherine and Craig got married at St Augustine's Church in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, then held their reception at Mallory Court near Leamington Spa. It was a lovely day, full of fun and laughter, and it was clear how much in love they are. I had to smile when I looked through all their pictures as Craig is looking over at Katherine with the same big grin for ages - thanks to the Roman Catholic tradition of making the bride and groom stand separately for the first part of the service - and she did indeed look amazing!
Thank you for choosing me to capture your day - I got a little carried away with the sneak peek, but there are lots more lovely pictures to come!
Congratulations Caroline and Ben - you really are a lovely couple. Here's just a few images for you before you go on your honeymoon. Have a wonderful time!
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I absolutely loved Ellie's choice of colour for her bridesmaids' dresses, but the green theme went much deeper. Ellie and her bridesmaids all wore jewellery made from recycled silver by Jenny, one of the bridesmaids, and Ellie and Ste's rings were from a supplier of bespoke ethical jewellery. Ellie's dress was designed by Julie Dutton who promotes eco couture and it was made from sustainable bamboo silk. The venue was also chosen partly for it's environmentally friendly credentials.
Thanks to Ellie and Ste for choosing me to capture their wedding day and also to the fabulous Andy Pickard of Peacock Obscura Photography for assisting me.
Yesterday was the turn of Natalie and Ian who got married at Hanbury Church which is in a wonderful setting on the top of a hill surrounded by the beautiful Worcestershire countryside. This was followed by a reception in the loveliest marquee I've ever seen (and the poshest portaloos EVER!) at Ian's family home, just down the road. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and I had a fantastic day, surrounded by a lovely group of their friends and family.
These are just a few pictures from key parts of the day, although I have to confess to including quite a few bridal preparation pictures. One of the things I love about weddings, and the prep shots in particular, is capturing the emotions of the day. Natalie's excitement as she finally got to wear her dream dress - 'The Wang' :) - was wonderful to see, as well as the more contemplative moments.
Thank you for a wonderful day Mr and Mrs Maye. I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon and there will be lots more pictures when you get back :)
I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for me in the Wedding Industry Experts 2013 Awards last month.
I was entered into the Best New Photographer category which is for photographers with up to three years experience. I'm delighted to announce that I won Best New Photographer in Birmingham and came 14th out of the whole of the UK :) Thank you to everyone who voted!
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A pre-wedding shoot is a great way to experiment with poses and see what works for you. It also helps you get comfortable in front of the camera. I don't include one as standard as not everyone wants one, but if you think it would be a good idea we can add one into your personalised quote.
The very first wedding I shot, assisting the wonderful Eliza Claire, was Lucy & John’s vintage themed wedding at Highbury Hall (now featured in Annabel from Love My Dress's 'Style Me Vintage' book) and ever since then it's been an ambition to shoot a wedding of my own with a bride in a beautiful vintage dress. Amy's dress certainly didn't disappoint and it was great to have a play with lighting later in the evening to show off the gorgeous styling.
It was snowing for most of the day but Amy and John braved the cold for a few pictures outside before we took our icy fingers and toes back inside for some more portraits inside. There's such a variety of locations both in and around Fazeley that whatever the weather, there's plenty of places to choose from for your group and couple shots.
Thanks again to Andy Pickard of Peacock Obscura Photography for his awesome assistance and to Amy, John and their friends and family for being such fun to work with.
So here goes part two...
If you're having a vintage dress of your own, if you're getting married at Fazeley, or if you're doing something completely different, please get in touch. I'd love to find out more about your plans!
There were lots of beautiful elements to the wedding, many of them hand-made. Some of my favourites were the paper cranes Amy had made and hung in the ceremony room, the bowties made by Amy's mum and the framed photographs of family members' weddings from years gone by dotted around the reception room. Sadly the tandem which starred in their engagement shoot couldn't make it in the end due to logistical problems but its spirit was there in the detailing on the table plan, place cards and fingerprint tree for the guest to leave their mark. I also have to mention Amy's stunning 1970s vintage dress from the lovely ladies at Luxe Bridal.
Thanks to Amy and John for sharing their day with me. Huge thanks must also go to the wonderful Andy Pickard of Peacock Obscura Photography who was my brilliant second photographer. It's rather an epic post so I've split it into two halves - here is part one!
"We LOVE them! They're great. Amazeballs!
Thank you so much, both of you,
everyone has commented on how easy you
both were! Can't thank you enough! xx"
I've posted a couple of sneak peeks and the full blog post will be up soon so watch this space. It's a real treat!
Also, I've been nominated for an award so if you like my pictures, it would be great if you could vote for me. It only takes a moment and you can vote once a day :)
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Everyone braved the snow and they had an amazing day. Fazeley is an absolutely wonderful venue, especially when it's too snowy to go outside. Here's just a couple of shots to whet your appetite. Watch out for the full post in a couple of weeks, once Amy and John have seen their full gallery.
Update - here are the links to the full post:
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If you'd like the chance to win a shoot of your own, head on over there for the full details but hurry, there's only a couple of days left to enter!
The theme, in Beccy's words, was Hallowe'en/Autumn/Harvest/pagan/purple/fairy and the rich colours worked so well with the beautiful Autumn light. However, the day was ultimately about the people there and having fun. Beccy's dad was a photographer who sadly passed away three years ago so her mum walked her down the aisle. Her ring is made from her dad's ring so he would be there with her and she was very keen for the photos to be natural and capture everyone having fun, rather than posed, as this was the kind of photography her dad loved. This was one of the reasons she chose me as her photographer – my passion is documentary wedding photography – capturing the day as it happens to tell the story, and noticing all the little moments throughout the day, leaving everyone to enjoy themselves.
Beccy had her dress and purple velvet jacket especially made in a Jane Austen style and her purple Irregular Choice shoes were another special touch. Like me she’s purple mad!
They have two gorgeous young daughters and there were lots of kids at the wedding so they had children's stories for their readings. They also had a kid's disco, which started immediately after the speeches so the dancing started right away and didn't stop until the end of the night.
I had an absolutely brilliant day - here are some of my favourite moments:
Thanks to Beccy and Tom for sharing their day with me, and for the delicious dinner. That creme brulee was one of the loveliest things I've ever eaten!
With my Masters Degree and busy with weddings, my personal photography took a back seat last year - a common occurrence with professional photographers - but this year I'm determined to spend more time documenting my family and exploring my own projects. You can see that I love taking photos of plants and I hope to spend more time in the garden this year.
Here are a few of my favourites from January. My daughter turned six and I had fun making her a retro hedgehog cake - anyone else have one of these when they were a kid? There was lots of ice and snow, I had pictures featured in two national magazines and I finally got my tax return submitted!
I'm looking forward to a few more flowers featuring over the next couple of months.
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Whether you're having a religious or civil ceremony, it's always a good idea to check in advance on what the rules on photography during the ceremony are. Often they're quite strict, but with careful negotiation I can usually capture everything that happens.
So without further ado, here are some of my favourite shots from 2012.
Thanks again to all the couples who shared their special days with me, and to the photographers I've worked with: Kari Bellamy, Ruth Goalby, Anna Clarke and Jeff Land.
Watch out for Part 3 which will be coming soon. In the meantime, if you're looking for a documentary wedding photographer for your wedding in the Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, the Cotswolds or further afield, please get in touch. 2013 is filling up fast!
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Not everyone wants these, but as a documentary wedding photographer, it's one of my favourite parts of the day. I love capturing the excitement and anticipation, the transformation of the bride and bridesmaids, the shoes, the jewellery, personal details around the house which are often so important to the couple and their families, the moment mum/dad/bridesmaids see the bride in her dress for the first time, the list goes on! It also allows everyone to relax into the process of having their photo taken and they often forget I'm even there. Here are some of my favourite shots from some of my favourite weddings of 2012.
And not forgetting the guys!
Thank you to the couples who booked me, and the photographers I've worked with: Kari Bellamy, Ruth Goalby, Anna Clarke and especially to Jeff Land who I've worked with regularly over the last two years.
Part 2 will be coming soon. In the meantime, if you're looking for a wedding photographer with a relaxed, natural, documentary approach who can capture the emotions and details of your day, please get in touch. 2013 is shaping up to be an even more exciting year and I have a limited number of dates left. I've a special offer running for weddings in 2013 booked before the end of January. Contact me for details.
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The stands were a little different to your standard wedding fair. Here are some of my highlights, starting with one of my favourite displays as so much work had gone into it, Restoration Cake.
It was great to chat to Jen from Little Ruby Red. She makes the most amazing cake toppers and is completely lovely!
I was keen to catch up with the lovely ladies from Ava Event Styling. They'd done an amazing job with their stand and decorating the cafe too, including superheroes, Alice in Wonderland and live goldfish. Check out those gorgeous colours!
Retro entertainment from The Pin Ups.
Customised vintage accessories from Revive Me Boutique. 
I really loved Devlin Photos’ quirky stand!
Incredible cakes from Black Cherry Cake Company.
My favourite discovery was the fabulous felt and button creations by Jamball. How amazing are these? They're very lovely people too. If I was getting married again, I'd certainly commission a bouquet and buttonholes. 
And finally, my old friends Luxe Bridal were there with their stunning range of vintage dresses and accessories.
They've just released tickets for their Spring Show on the 24th March and it'll certainly be worth a visit!
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It's the New Year and I know there's lots of newly engaged couples out there, starting to plan their weddings. I'm really excited about 2013 - I've lots of lovely weddings booked and some exciting plans! Before the wedding season starts, I'm looking forward to exhibiting at several wedding fairs in some beautiful locations. If you're looking for a wedding photographer with a relaxed, documentary approach and that personal touch, why not come along for a chat?
First I'm travelling to the Cotswolds to the very picturesque village of Sapperton for the Love & Lace Vintage Wedding Fair on Sunday 17th February. The venue is Sapperton village hall (a beautiful Arts & Crafts listed building) which can be hired for wedding receptions and is perfect if you want a venue where you can do your own thing. For more information, visit the website or see the image below.
On the 24th February I'm looking forward to exhibiting at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham. I love bringing nature and the seasons into my photography so this is a wonderful venue within easy reach of Birmingham city centre.
Then on 3rd March I'll be at Avoncroft Museum's wedding fair. This is a unique venue for couples planning a vintage wedding, or who just want something a bit different. The many historical buildings provide a unique backdrop for wedding photographs and they now offer a special vintage wedding package.
Finally on 14th April, I'm really looking forward to exhibiting again at the Vintage Chic Wedding Fair, which this time is being held at the very stylish Malmaison in Birmingham City Centre. It's a fabulous fair and well worth a visit.
Wedding fairs are a great place to meet lots of different suppliers, examine their wares and gather ideas, as well as checking out venues. The fairs I've chosen are all ones where the venue and suppliers cater for couples who like to do things their own way so they'll be well worth a visit. I'll also have some special offers available. Hope to see you there!
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Things have been quiet on the blog for a few weeks as I've been enjoying a well earned break and spending time with family and friends over the Christmas period. I'm also having a major clear out at home to make the space for a new home office - last year was so busy I never quite got round to it!
2012 was an amazing year for Louise Holgate Photography and my review post is coming soon. 2013 has started well with the new issues of two of my favourite magazines - Unique Bride and Vintage Life. I'm delighted to have my second feature in Unique Bride - in conjunction with the amazing Wedding Yurts - and I also have two pictures in Vintage Life from a shoot I did with Sarah Russell of SGR Vintage Hair and Makeup. I'm looking forward to sharing more of the images from these two shoots very soon so watch this space!
I'd also like to announce that I have a special offer for 2013 weddings booked before the end of January - please contact me for further details. 2013 is filling up fast, particularly over the popular summer months, so if you're getting married this year, don't delay!
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]]>One of the things I love about documentary wedding photography is capturing the anticipation, the excitement and all the special details, especially during the bridal preparations. Lorraine had lots of eager bridesmaids and it was great to capture their reactions, particularly Martin's daughter Sophie who was captivated by Lorraine's transformation into a beautiful bride.
After a service at Holy Trinity Church, where Shakespeare is believed to be buried, the guests travelled by boat to the Swan's Nest Hotel for the reception. Thanks to my brilliant second shooter Ruth Goalby and to Lorraine and Martin for making us feel so welcome.
It also inspired me to look back at the very first wedding I shot. I fell in love with photography for the second time when I bought a DSLR after the birth of my daughter five years ago but I originally said I wouldn't do weddings as the responsibility was just too great. You only get one chance to get it right! However, the opportunity arose to second shoot a vintage themed wedding at Highbury Hall in Moseley, alongside the amazing photographer Eliza Claire. That was it - I was hooked.
Lucy and John's wedding was an absolute treat. Lucy's family were great collectors and she spent a long time collecting the many vintage items for her wedding, many of which were family items and had special meaning. Here are some of my favourites (and check out Lucy's amazing vintage dress)!
If you're going to the Vintage Chic Wedding Fair, please come and say hi. I'll have some special offers for 2013 weddings at the show!
This is one my favourite images from the day. I love it because there is so much going on in the picture and for me is what documentary wedding photography is all about.
After the meal we had time to take a stroll for some couple portraits in the area around the hotel.
Congratulations to Jenny and Martyn and thanks for sharing your special day with me. Thanks also to the Shakespeare Hotel who really looked after me!
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The idea was to capture the bohemian vibe of the late 60s/early 70s, showing a newly married couple relaxing in the countryside, away from the constraints of a traditional wedding. Peace and love!
The inspiration was the late ‘60s/early 70s with a Woodstock festival feel. Natural light was really important to capture a hazy summer feel. It rained solidly in the days leading up to the shoot and afterwards, so we were lucky to enjoy a rare sunny day! The styling was relaxed, with a vintage crocheted rug made by my beloved Grandma many years ago, a guitar and an Olympus Trip 35 camera. This was my first ever camera but unfortunately my dad had donated mine to charity so ebay came to the rescue. An original VW campervan provided a great backdrop and splash of colour, as well as a handy changing room!
I love to work with natural light, especially in the late afternoon/early evening when the golden hour adds extra magic and I enhanced the hazy summer feel with a touch of vintage processing. If you’re planning your wedding timetable it’s worth considering the sunset time as it can make for some memorable couple portraits. I’ve even been known to ask a bride and groom to pop out from their meal to take advantage of the light. (They came willingly and still got their dessert, and the results were well worth it I have to add!)
Thanks also to Kris at Fusion Flowers for the beautiful flowers, to Kathryn Marsh at @VWPumpkin for the loan of the fabulous camper van, Pumpkin, and to our models Nathan Bennett and Megan Howard.
I'm also preparing for the Autumn wedding fair season. I'll be exhibiting at a vintage themed fair at Harborne Golf Course this Sunday. More details can be found here: Harborne Vintage Wedding Fair. If you pre-register, you'll be entered into the prize drawer.
Then on October 14th I'll be at Wootton Park, an amazing venue in Wootton Wawen, near Stratford. It's situated in beautiful countryside and has wonderful facilities, including a stylishly decorated farmhouse for overnight stays and glamping pods for the less conventional! See this post for more details of the venue.
On the 21st October I'll be at the Vintage Chic Wedding Fair at the Centennial Centre in Birmingham. I blogged about their Spring Fair earlier this year and it was a feast of inspiration. Well worth a visit as there are lots of amazing exhibitors, including Luxe Bridal, SGR Vintage Hair and Makeup, Fusion Flowers and yours truly! There may even be a special competition to celebrate our recent collaboration, featured on the cover of Unique Bride magazine.
If you're planning your wedding, a wedding fair is well worth a visit - hope to see you at one of them!
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I was second shooting for the amazing Kari Bellamy so my day started with the guys as they made their preparations. I loved the tweed suit with bright pink lining Matthew had custom made and the flowery shirts all the groomsmen wore. There was also an interesting choice of underpants but to save the guy's blushes I won't post them here!
We moved on to the ceremony at St Mary's Church in Barkby (via the local pub) where I got to see Emily's gorgeous custom made vintage style dress and beautiful bouquet for the first time. As you'll see both are absolutely stunning. After the service it was off to Scraptoft Hill Farm in Leicestershire for the reception. I'd been warned that I'd need my wellies as the terrible weather this summer meant that the marquee had flooded days before the wedding. After much hard work from Emily, Matthew and their friends and families, they were able to go ahead with their plans, but all the guests brought their wellies to change into.
The marquee was decorated beautifully with natural flowers, vintage china and an amazing amount of personal touches. It really was a labour of love and a reflection of Emily and Matthew's personalities. The evening ended with a rock band and Matthew's own rock band played some songs too.
It was an absolutely brilliant day. Thanks to Emily and Matthew, and to Kari for inviting me along. And here are the pictures!
SGR Vintage Hair and Makeup. Helena was our amazing model and Sarah had certainly worked her vintage magic on her. Here's just a quick taster of some of the fabulous images we created.
Thank you to Simon and everyone at Avoncroft for letting us shoot at your venue. It was the perfect location and the tea and cakes in the Edwardian tea room were scrumptious! All served in beautiful vintage china too.
You're also able to get married at Avoncroft so if you're planning something a bit different for your wedding, especially if you're a vintage fan, it's certainly worth a visit.
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This morning I've been collecting ideas for my 40s shoot with Sarah Russell from SGR Vintage Hair and Makeup at Avoncroft Museum and I'll be taking one of my vintage cameras along. Watch this space for the results!
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It's a great magazine, aimed at brides who want to do something different, so if you're planning a more alternative wedding and want some inspiration, get your copy at WHSmith!
Thanks for a great evening Lorraine and Martin - I'm really looking forward to your wedding in a few weeks!
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I'm off to Wales tomorrow for an exciting festival themed photoshoot involving a massive wedding yurt - fingers crossed for more sun. Have a fabulous weekend!]]>
Amy's competition entry wowed me with the quirky details they have planned for their special day and her gorgeous vintage dress from Luxe Bridal (which I've seen a photo of - shhhh!). However, her main message was that the day would be relaxed, fun and all about enjoying themselves in the company of family and friends. Sounds like my kind of a wedding!
Amy and John are getting married at Fazeley Studios in Digbeth so the streets around the Custard Factory seemed to be the perfect place for their pre-wedding shoot, especially as they've just bought themselves a beautiful tandem bicycle which will be at the wedding. The sun shone and we had great fun exploring the area. I couldn't have chosen a nicer couple!
They both admitted that they were a little nervous before the shoot but soon relaxed and had a great time. A pre-wedding shoot is a great way to get used to being in front of the camera before the wedding. Thank you for the wine and I can't wait for your wedding next Spring!
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Lea and Martin just wanted pictures at the ceremony with a few couple portraits afterwards. I'm happy to offer special packages for short coverage, particularly mid-week. Just ask for details!
]]>Amy sent me a fabulous moodboard of ideas for their wedding at the Fazeley Studios next spring and I was won over by their emphasis on family, friends and fun, as well as all the gorgeous details, which for me is what weddings should be all about.
I had great fun on Sunday, exploring the streets of Digbeth with Amy, John and their tandem for their engagement shoot. Here's just a sneak peek - more to follow soon!
Well, what can I say? I was amazed by the place. The setting is idyllic, in the middle of rolling countryside with an impressive long drive in. There’s a purpose built barn for wedding receptions and masses of beautiful outdoor space. You also have the option of staying in the 500 year old farmhouse which has four luxurious bedrooms, all individually designed and sumptuously decorated. There’s also a lounge, large dining room for breakfast together the morning after your wedding and a beautiful garden. However, my favourite part had to be the glamping pods in the grounds. They’re very cosy and must be a great place to hang out and continue the party late into the night. They also have space for guests to camp.
Wootton Park is also an approved venue for One Life Weddings where you can have a completely individualized ceremony outdoors.
If you’re looking for somewhere a bit less conventional, where you can really do exactly what you want for your wedding, Wootton Park would be a perfect choice.
Here’s just a few pictures. I can’t wait to go back!
If you'd like to find out more, visit their website: Wootton Park
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Over the last few weeks I've had great fun planning a themed photoshoot in conjunction with the lovely ladies at Luxe Bridal. They wanted to showcase some of their gorgeous seventies vintage wedding dresses, so with the help of Sarah Russell from SGR Vintage Hair and Makeup and Fusion Flowers, along with a range of accessories, the most notable of which is pictured above - Pumpkin the camper van courtesy of my good friend Kathryn Marsh - we set off into the countryside.
Luckily the sun decided to shine for us (a small miracle at the moment) and we got some fabulous pictures. Most of them are under wraps at the moment but I couldn't resist a sneak peek. Watch this space for the full story in the coming weeks!
Thank you to Rhiannon and Scott for sharing their day with us. We had a wonderful time - right through to the fantastic disco dancing in the evening!
Having your images on disc is a great idea, but it’s so easy for that disc to gather dust in a drawer, despite the best of intentions. There’s nothing like having your wedding photos printed in a beautiful, professionally designed album that you can show to family and friends, preserving your memories for future generations.
I’ve spent a long time researching album companies - and I mean a really really long time – I’m a perfectionist! Your album needs to be perfect so I only use the best suppliers who hand make their products in the UK.
The Classic is a contemporary flushmount album, meaning the images can flow across a double page spread for maximum impact. Your pictures are printed on Fuji Crystal Archive paper, designed to last a lifetime, and they lay flat for easy viewing. It’s square and comes in a range of sizes, from 5”x5” to 12”x12”, all arriving in a presentation box. The 5”x5” and 8”x8” make excellent gifts for parents.
Various cover options are available. My favourites are the black and ivory faux leather (seen here) and the lace effect cover which comes in a choice of black, white or purple. If you prefer real leather that’s available for an additional cost, or you can have an image wrap cover. After taking these outside to photograph, I can confirm that the faux leather is very easy to wipe clean if necessary!
My £1250 album package includes a 10”x10” 30 page Classic album with up to 60 images (although you can add more if you wish for an additional charge). I will design your album, selecting the very best pictures and arranging them to tell the story of the day. You then view the proofs and can make changes if you wish.
If you’d like to find out more about my wedding packages for 2012 or 2013, or you’d like to see a sample in the flesh, please get in touch!
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If you're on the look out for a dress that's a bit different, get yourself down to Luxe's studio at the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Birmingham, where Shelley and Becci will take good care of you!
]]>As the mum of a gorgeous little girl, I'm always conscious of how fast she's growing up and changing. I often wish I could freeze time and capture the essence of her, just as she is at that moment. I also absolutely love collecting her drawings and the funny little things that she says. The things that make her who she is at that particular age, and the things that define us as a family.
This inspired me to create my new memory book. I love taking photos of children being themselves - running around, having fun, pulling faces and interacting with the rest of their family. I decided to combine this with a collection of mementoes - drawings, quotes, writing, handprints.
Last week I shared the fabulous day out I had with two gorgeous children and their parents at Coughton court. They weren't keen on standing still for any posed shots, but that meant we got lots of natural, fun-filled images which really captured their personalities. The video below shows the beautiful memory book that I created by combining the pictures with their mementoes. Have a look - I'd love to know what you think!
(It has music but you can turn it off using the volume slider to the right. I'm not a fan of music on websites but I felt that this needed a little!)
If you like the idea and would like to create your own book of memories, please get in touch. I'm offering discounts for an initial period.
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To start us off here's some of Luxe Bridal's lovely vintage accessories.
These cake pops from Miss Lola's Bakehouse looked too good to eat!
In Bloom's display was just incredible - they had a gorgeous gazebo which was really eye-catching.
Pretty china from Darby and Joan
I loved this stationery from Perched Bird!
The Wedding of my Dreams' flowers were so delicate and pretty. I adore astrantias and have never seen them in a bouquet before. I think you'll agree they work really well.
More gorgeous flowers but made of sugar this time by Cotton & Crumbs.
I love buttons so I loved Beaubuttons bespoke vintage button bouquets!
These hair accessories are a real labour of love and totally gorgeous - by Bella Rox.
And last but certainly not least is the very lovely Emily's Best. I really enjoyed my lemon sherberts and rhubarb and custards - mmmmm!
This shoot was part of an exciting new product I'm about to launch - watch this space for more details later this week!
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I'm really excited to announce details of the competition I'm running to celebrate the official launch of my new branding.
I’m looking for couples who like to be different and are planning something really special. I’m all about the detail so I’d love to hear about everything you’ve got planned!
The winner will receive an engagement shoot, plus wedding day photography for up to 10 hours from Louise Holgate Photography and a disc of 250+ high resolution, fully edited images. One runner up will receive an engagement shoot.
To enter, create a mood board online via Pinterest and email me the link at [email protected]. Alternatively you can email a photo of a hand-made one, or even send one in the post (contact me for address details). Please also include details of your wedding date and location, a description of your plans (up to 250 words) and a recent photograph of yourself and your fiancé.
Closing date for receipt of entries is 7th May 2012.
See below for terms and conditions. Please contact me if you'd like any more information - good luck!
Terms and conditions
- Your wedding must take place before 30th September 2013.
- The runner up will receive a free engagement shoot with 15 images on disc.
- Only 1 entry per couple.
- Open to UK residents only.
- Travel expenses for locations over 30 miles from B13 must be covered at cost by the winning couple.
- The winning couple/s cannot exchange dates.
- Winners must be willing to be featured online on wedding blogs and Louise Holgate Photography’s website/blog.
- Entries close on Monday 7th May, 2012. Entries that arrive after this date will not be considered.
- If you would like a postal entry returned, please included a stamped addressed envelope.
- Entries will be judged on style, passion, detail and creativity. The judge’s decision is final.
- Louise Holgate Photography reserves the rights to use all material from the engagement shoots/wedding for promotional purpose.
- No purchase necessary.
- None of the prizes may be exchanged or transferred and no cash alternative will be offered.
- The winning couples will be notified via email by 14th May 2012 and will be announced at louiseholgate.com/blog.
So, in the hope of turning over a new leaf for the new year (a little late but hey, better late than never), here are some of my favourite shots from a shoot at the Custard Factory last November. Thanks to talented designer Diana Ardelean for loaning us some fabulous dresses. Also thanks to our fab models who braved the cold and to Steve Philips for his assistance with OCF. Last but certainly not least, Mr Jeff Land for organising the event.
It’s lovely to be able to capture children having fun and enjoying nature. If you would like to book a session for the new year, please get in touch!
More coming soon!
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It’s a real privilege to be able to share such a special day and to try to capture the emotion and detail for them to remember for the rest of their lives. I loved every minute and I think I may have caught the wedding bug!
On Sunday we went to the Martineau Gardens Open Day. I had no idea it existed, despite having driven past many times. What a wonderful place! It’s two and a half acres of organic community garden in Edgbaston, Birmingham, not too far from the city centre. You can find out more about it here: Martineau Gardens. Their next Open Day is on the 25th September, but it’s free to go in every Mon – Sat 10-4.
There was lots for both kids and grown ups to do. There was a bug hunt, plant sales, yummy refreshments and an earth oven for baking pizzas and bread. Our children particularly liked the pirate ship. Entertainment was provided by the fabulous ukelele sounds of the Second City Strummers and there was morris dancing too. There’s also a pottery studio, nature trail and pond.
I’m looking forward to going back and exploring some more. The woods are calling!
I’m excited this week as on Saturday I’m assisting the lovely and very talented photographer Eliza Claire at a vintage themed wedding at Highbury Hall. We met up with the bride Lucy a few weeks ago and the plans sound amazing – I can’t wait to see how it’s all come together. Fingers crossed that the weather is kind!
Back in March Eliza did a pre-wedding shoot with the happy couple and I went along too. It was great fun shooting in and around town, dodging the St Patrick’s Day revellers. Here are some of my favourite shots.
]]>I aim to capture a pet’s personality and relationship with their owner(s). I hope I’ve done that here!
