Somerset Wedding Photographer

If ever there was a quintessential English wedding – this had to be it!

The scene was set in the tiny hamlet of aptly named Lovington, Somerset where on one side of the road was the grooms parents farm, on the opposite side the beautiful little church where the ceremony would be held, and behind it the couples new home where the reception would take place.

I only met Heather at the farm a month before on a very wet day and it was little more than a building site/work in progress. You needed to use your imagination to see how this was soon to be a setting for a wedding! The couples many friends and family really worked hard to finish the farm house and prepare the grounds for the reception. It was quite clear to see that the brides mother had spent many days away from the family home in Surrey preparing the gardens – just lovely!

Anyway on with what was to be a fun filled day with much amusement, especially from the groom who apparently hated having his photo taken but seemed to posing for the camera at every opportunity with a little jig from Austin Powers and flying across 5 bar gates!

The dresses were all made by the brides sister and were just gorgeous! I noticed that Heather had prepared a pair of wedding wellies alongside her shoes just in case of the inclement weather that threatened but managed to stay away, they’ll no doubt be used for mucking out the pigs!

I don’t think I have ever seen quite so many flowers outside and inside the church. The vicar today was not too keen on photo’s but allowed me to stand up front to photograph the brides arrival. I took a chance during the hymns to get a few sneaky photos because the vicar (and groom) were singing so loudly, I figured no one would hear my cameras – I was right!

After the ceremony the guests all headed over to the reception to be entertained and enjoy some refreshments and delicious canapes. We slipped off and went a few fields away to the spot where Justin proposed to Heather and got some really nice portraits of them spending a few moments alone. After the portraits we headed back to the reception, pausing briefly for Justin to do one of his poses and trademark leap across a gate.

The reception was in full flow with guests enjoying the warm, sunny afternoon. When the time came the couple were piped into the huge marquee to enjoy a feast of local produce, but not before the speeches and cake cutting.

Here are a few photographs from the day…

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple.

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Stoodleigh Court Wedding Photos

A nice small wedding of 45 close friends and family today at Stoodleigh Court, and a short one too! Ian & Dee both live in Berkshire but Ian’s parents live locally, so the venue was a natural choice for them. I arrived just before the ceremony at 4pm which is a unusually late start for me, the groom and his best men were all ready, we had a few minutes to spare so slipped away to get some photos.

The Great Hall looked beautiful in the late afternoon sun, although all eye’s were on Denise as she made her entrance in a stunning Maggie Sottero gown. The couple were very relaxed during the ceremony and seemed to be having lots of fun. I understand that Dee had to remove one of the vows that Ian had written for her, which was to climb one mountain every year! Mind you, I think Ian got off lighter as he managed to get the vow removed where he was expected to take Salsa lessons – result!

Soon enough the formal proceedings were completed and we all went out into the gardens for some family photo’s which had to be completed quickly due to the late start time and schedule – who said wedding photographers make you stand around for hours doing group photos! After the family photographs we went off on our own to get some nice, relaxed photographs in the grounds of Stoodleigh Court.

The couple treated their gusts to a lovely wedding breakfast all washed down with a glass or two of wine. I photographed the speeches before leaving allowing the guests to enjoy the rest of they’re evening dancing to the resident disco. Ian & Dee are spending their honeymoon in Lisbon & Sintra (canoeing if Ian has anything to do with it!).

Here are a few from the day…

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple.

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We had been trying to organise this photo session at Woolacombe Bay for a while, but due to inclement weather had to postpone. Luckily we picked a beautiful Sunday morning and arrived nice and early at 8am. The sea was already quite busy with surfers but the tourists were still safely tucked up in bed allowing us to have the beach pretty much to ourselves. Jo & Dan had their first date at Woolacombe beach, so this is a special place for them.

We started off by paddling in the sea and just getting some natural photographs of the two of them together – the water was surprisingly warm! We wandered down past the brightly coloured beach huts to the sand dunes for a few romantic photos before Jo & Dan ran down a dune at high speed without tripping once.

I’ll be photographing Jo & Dan’s wedding in September at Castle Hill near Barnstaple – cant wait! Here are a few pictures from the session.

If you know Jo & Dan and would like to see the photographs from their beach session, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to contact them directly for the passcode.

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I arrived at Bickleigh Castle to glorious sunshine, it really did look very pretty!

This was going to be a very intimate wedding with just 35 guests made up of family and close friends. It was also going to be a very relaxed day as both Michelle & Matthew just wanted to have lots of fun without all of the normal pomp and ceremony that makes a typical wedding, we were in for a treat with all that they had laid on!

The ceremony took place upstairs in the Great Hall which is a beautiful room with light flooding in from both sides. The floral decorations were stunning with fresh summer colours and candles lining the aisle. Once the civil ceremony was completed everyone headed over to the 6th Century Chapel (the oldest in Devon) for a religious blessing. This is a very special place, very old, quite dark, small and makes for a very intimate ceremony.

After the blessing the guests were led by Michelle & Matt  back to the castle where they were met by a Court Jester who was busy juggling various items to the delight of the guests. The guests were also treated to a ice cream tricycle which had the most delicious ice cream, and in so many flavours. I think Matt tried at least one of every ice cream because I saw him frequently popping back for more! Later in the afternoon, the Court Jester, better known as Elfic entertained the wedding party with a spectacular and very funny show. During the afternoon a lovely cream tea was also served – no shortage of treats at this wedding!

Here are a few from the day…

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple.

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A really chilled out wedding (I keep getting these ) for a Devon Wedding Photographers today in sunny Payhembury and Ottery St Mary.

I started the day at Sarah’s parents house where Sarah and her bridesmaids were busy getting themselves ready for the wedding ceremony. The reception was also taking place here later in the day and a huge marquee had been erected in the beautiful gardens.

The ceremony took place at Payhembury Church, which happens to be the same church that Sarah’s parents got married in too – a very special ceremony in front of 65 close friends and family. I’ve been fortunate to do a few weddings for this group of friends and knew to expect some antics when Sarah & Jonathan left the church. As expected there was a Guard of Honour (well sort of) but not of swords, more like old car parts and exhaust pipes hanging off poles (Sarah & Jonathan are both in the motor trade)!!

After the formal photographs and a little trip into the pub for a pint, we headed back to the farm for the reception. While the guests enjoyed the hospitality laid on, we went across the fields to a favourite spot of the couple to get some portrait photographs. Back at the reception the party was in full swing, everything looked amazing. About 300 metres of bunting had been hand made, loads of sweet peas carefully reared in the months leading upto the wedding, even the cake was a real collaboration, made by Sarah & Jonathan and decorated by Sheila & Lauren.

The guests were treated to a fabulous buffet wedding breakfast – it really was very good! Later in the day more guests arrived swelling the numbers to 150. A cream tea was served with vintage cups and saucers that had been collected from charity shops across the West Country. During the evening there was a pig roast which was home reared at Jonathan’s parents farm. Dancing took place well into the small hours on the huge dance floor and I’m pretty sure everyone had a great time!

Here are a few from the day:

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple.

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Another fabulous wedding for me at Halswell House! Not that I’m complaining, because it is always a pleasure to be there and such a great venue to hold a wedding. Unusually for me, this wedding took place on a Tuesday which was a refreshing change. The fact that it wasn’t a Saturday somehow made the day feel more relaxed and chilled out, although I have a feeling that is more to do with Victoria & Chris’s planning!

A beautiful sunny (but breezy) day welcomed Victoria & Chris’s guests to Somerset – a fine day for a wedding! The girls were getting ready in the Reed Room which is a lovely room with loads of light streaming in, perfect for the bridal preps. Victoria looked stunning in her Justin Alexander wedding gown!

The ceremony took place in the beautiful Blue Ballroom, which is a magnificent room to hold a wedding. From a photographers point of view, it’s also a great place to photograph the wedding as the natural light streams in through 3 huge windows – oh, and the local registrars are very relaxed about photography!

After the ceremony Victoria and Chris led their guests outside for drinks and canape’s – it was quite windy, but the sunshine made it feel very summery. We completed all of the photographs in plenty of time allowing the guests to relax and enjoy the afternoon. The guests were called to the dining room all set out in its splendour. Victoria chose a very summery theme for the reception, with lovely colourful summer flowers and table decorations, it really did look (and smell) wonderful!

Victoria & Chris are on Honeymoon in Italy and plan to visit Rome, Florence and Lake Maggiore. I hope they save some time for relaxation!

Here are a few photographs from the day…

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple.

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Wedding Photographers Exeter – I arrived to find a very efficient production line of hair and make-up artist busily preparing Sam and her bridal party for the wedding. The wedding ceremony itself took place at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Heavitree, Exeter. I’d driven past here on this busy road many times before and had never even realised it was there!

The church was lovely and light inside and we had a very accommodating Father who was more than happy for photography of the ceremony. Daniel arrived with his entourage of groomsman we managed to get a few photos before they had to take their places.  Sam arrived and looked fabulous, unfortunately as she did, so did the rain!

After the ceremony we quickly headed off to Daniel’s parents home where the reception was taking place in a marquee high above Exeter with stunning views. The rain sadly followed us, so we decided to do all the formal photographs later in the hope that it would clear up – it did! I don’t think they were too bothered really, Daniel wasn’t that keen on photo’s and I noticed several kegs of ale and a well stocked bar that needed attending to. The couple and their guests were treated to a superb reception catered by a family friend, the desserts were to die for!

After the reception and speeches we headed down to the gardens for photographs, the rain just about held off and I managed to get some lovely portraits of Sam & Daniel. We returned to the marquee for the first dance, thereafter the guests were entertained until the small hours by a live band.

Here are a few from the day…

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple.

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Today’s wedding was in Devon at the picturesque Berry Pomeroy Church between Totnes and Paingnton, followed by a reception at Rill Estate near Buckfastleigh.

I arrived for the bridal preps in the morning and found the girls all getting ready in a very small room, I managed to squeeze myself into a corner to capture the relaxed final preparations. Julia had a lovely custom designed gown by Sassi Holford in Taunton, and looked very elegant in it!

We arrived at the Berry Pomeroy Church for the ceremony to be met with the familiar “you can’t take photo’s during the ceremony” from the vicar!!! A bit of discrete camera holding managed to produce a few shots to show that a wedding ceremony did take place.

Anyway, after the ceremony we headed off to Rill Estate for the reception. It was planned that drinks and canapes would be served on the lawn, however the cold wind blowing across the valley managed to convince most of the guests that they would be better off inside – can’t blame them it was cold! Inside, with everyone warmed up, the reception got underway with everyone having a fabulous time.

After the wedding breakfast the guests with entertained by some live Jazz Music and we (Kudos Photography) set up a PhotoBooth so that the guests could have some fun pictures. The happy couple are spending their honeymoon in Bali & Lombok, I understand that they plan to climb Mt.Rinjani which is 4000m active volcano! Good luck with that one!!

Here are a few photographs from the day.

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple.

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I arrived at Halswell House where Karolinka was getting ready, to find an air of calmness, something not often witnessed on the morning of a wedding!

Karolinka & Anthony decided to get married in Somerset at Enmore Church near Halswell which is a long way from their home in Surrey – who can blame them, whats not to like at this popular wedding venue. It’s worth noting that I don’t think I noticed a single point during the day when this couple weren’t smiling!

I think it’s fair to say that everyone had a fabulous day and we managed to get some lovely natural Halswell House Wedding Photos from the day, a few of which are below.

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple, you may also request it here Request Password.

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We started the day near Axminster at Chapel Cottage where Katie was getting ready. Everything seemed remarkably calm whilst the finishing touches to Katie’s makeup was being perfected by Ella Butler (Make Up By Ella). Katie looked stunning in her Jenny Packham designer dress, matching accessories and Jimmy Choo’s.

The ceremony was held at St Winifred’s Church, Branscombe which is in such a pretty location. The church was packed to the rafters with family and friends. Antony appeared to be surprisingly relaxed with a big grin across his face, no doubt thinking about his marriage to Katie.

After the ceremony the guests headed on to the Reception at Weycroft Hall Axminster, whilst we went down to Branscombe beach for a few photographs. Afterwards we went on to the 16th Century Weycroft Hall and the impressive marquee erected in the grounds. Catering was provided by one of my favourite caterers Antonias Kitchen and boy did they have a magnificent feast!

Here are a few photographs from the day:

If you were a guest at the wedding and would like to see the complete gallery with all the photographs, they are available by clicking ‘Client Galleries’ at the top of this screen. You will need to use the passcode given to you by the couple, you may also request it here Request Password.

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