Andy and Jo surprise engagement photos!

As Barrie and I were packing up to leave the beach today, Andy introduced himself to us and told us he had just proposed to his gorgeous girlfriend Jo and she had accepted!  He asked if we would take some photographs for them and of course we were happy to oblige.  We hope that they have the most wonderful wedding (funnily enough they hadn’t set a date in the 10 minutes that they had been engaged!)

Rachel and Mike’s pre-wedding portrait

It was lovely to meet Rachel and Mike today before their wedding on January 31st.  It was a freezing cold day but bright and with the promise of a lovely sunset we went to the beach at West Wittering for their portrait session.  Mike doesn’t like having his photo taken but even he said it was not as painful as he had been expecting!  I am really looking forward to their wedding and reception at the Powdermills Hotel.

Kevin and Tasha’s wedding at Frensham Pond Hotel

Yesterday I was at the Frensham Pond Hotel for the wedding of Kevin and Tasha.  They had both their civil ceremony at the hotel, which was great as the weather was beautifully clear but freezing cold and the roads were icy.  Tasha wore a gorgeous turquoise wedding dress and the colour theme ran throughout the day.  Kevin and Tasha were both keen to have their group photographs outside overlooking the lovely pond and they both kept smiling despite the bitter cold.  There were a few surprises during the day including a Dove release that Kevin had arranged for Tasha and a birthday cake for Kevin arranged by Tasha.  I hope that they have a long and happy marriage and I look forward to catching up with them soon.

SWPP Awards update

I received a Gold award in the SWPP monthly judging for November in the category of Contemporary Wedding.  Another two of my images which were awarded silver in previous months have been upgraded to Gold awards.  This means that I have  total of six images going through to the final judging in January.  I also have two images going forward in the Member’s Choice competition which have been voted for by other members of the Association.  The overall winners will also be selected by the members with the award being presented at the convention in January.

Barrie and I are looking forward to the convention which takes place at the Hammersmith Novotel and for the first time we will be presenting a Masterclass as well as catching up with some of our friends!

Family portrait session

Charles, Lucy, Amelia and Ben came over today for a family portrait session.  These sessions are very popular as Christmas presents.  Please get in touch if you would like to arrange a session or if you know someone who would appreciate a voucher for Christmas.

Tony and Sophie’s wedding at Chichester Registry Office and The Dining Room at Purchases

Today I photographed Tony and Sophie’s wedding.  They were married in Chichester Registry Office and it was great to work with the Chichester Registrar’s who are officially the best ever!  Following the ceremony, everyone walked the short distance across North Street to The Dining Room, which is a lovely wine bar, for the drinks reception.  I was able to take Tony and Sophie away for a short while for a portrait session much to the delight of the Chichester shoppers!  After the speeches, I left them to enjoy their meal.  Tony and Sophie are jetting off to Jamaica, I am not jealous – honest!

Poppy and Andy’s wedding at the Manor Barn, Buriton

Yesterday was Andy and Poppy’s wedding which took place at the Manor Barn in Buriton.  Despite the cold and wet weather the barn was lovely, warm and welcoming for the ceremony.  Poppy’s godfather did a reading for the couple as he had for Poppy’s parents wedding 35 years ago.  After the ceremony, we spent some time taking some fun group shots inside the barn before the guests sat down to a meal which included the most delicious hog roast!  Poppy and Andy danced their first dance to Dire Straits ‘Romeo and Juliet’.  They are heading off on honeymoon to Brazil, which sounds fantastic!  I look forward to hearing about it when they get home!

Kate and Grant’s wedding at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, Rustington and West Stoke House

Kate and Grant were married yesterday at the beautiful church if St Peter and St Paul in Rustington.  This was one of the first ever churches I photographed at so it was lovely to go back.  Kate was wearing a stunning Pronivias wedding dress and Grant was clearly bowled over by how amazing she looked as she entered the church.  

After the ceremony, everyone made their way to West Stoke House, which is a gorgeous venue in the countryside near Chichester.  Even thought the October weather was chilly, there were roaring log fires to warm everyone up and we managed to get through the group shots outside.  The speeches were hilarious and certainly unique including a quiz by Grant to win some great prizes!  Entertainment in the evening was provided by Superphonic who were brilliant – I would thoroughly recommend them.

Thanks to Barrie for his assistance in the afternoon (well I couldn’t have him having a day off on his own!)  Kate and Grant are off to New York for their honeymoon and I look forward to catching up with them soon.

Amanda and Andy’s wedding at St Mary’s, East Grinstead and Yew Lodge

I had so much fun at Amanda and Andy’s wedding today.  You have to love a Bride who has shoes covered in ice creams and Unicorns and who has a cup of tea before getting into her dress!  Amanda wore a fairytale dress by Mori Lee and her fab shoes came from Alternate Image – girls if you are looking for some really cool shoes you have to check them out!  The ceremony at St Mary’s was lovely, Amanda and Andy looked so happy and they left the church to Oh Happy Days which seemed very appropriate.  After the ceremony the guests all went to Yew Lodge where they made the most of the Autumn sunshine and I was able to get some lovely portrait photographs of Amanda and Andy before leaving them to enjoy their evening.  Have a great time in the Maldives and I hope you get to see Nemo!

This Blog entry would not be complete without a picture of Amanda and Cheryls shoes.

Katy and Andre’s wedding at Pagham and Crouchers Hotel

Yesterday I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Andre and Katy who were married at the church of Thomas a Beckett in Pagham.  They were fortunate to dodge the heavy showers both on arrival and also as they left the church through masses of confetti!  The reception was held at Crouchers Hotel and all the guests were having a great time despite being forced inside by the weather.  The speeches by Andre, Katie’s father and the Best Man, Russell were hilarious and everyone was in stitches, me included!  Katie and Andre are going to Dorset for a short break and I look forward to catching up with them soon.