The whole day was really intimate, super relaxed and fun, and was filled with a literary theme of A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream as both Laura and Harry are keen readers and the wedding itself was held on Midsummer’s day!

Laura looked stunning in her vintage dress, which was bought from Fur Coat No Knickers in London. It’s so great to see brides choosing dresses and other details completely unique to them and I *heart* this shop!!

The ceremony was held outdoors and all the guests sat on benches – and the weather was really kind, which was a big bonus! As part of the ceremony, Laura and Harry also planted a tree in the garden and invited all their guests to fill it in with earth – a lovely lasting memory for the two of them every time they visit Laura’s Dad!

For the portraits, Laura, Harry and I headed off in my car to make use of a fabulous textured barn door just down the road and then the hedgerows and a field of corn provided gorgeous backdrops en route back to the party!

The reception was held in giant yurts and was catered by the wonderful Utterly Sexy Cafe, who I’ve worked with on a few weddings now. They did a stellar job and provided just the perfect atmosphere with the fresh and healthy food and vintage china table decor. Amanda from Utterly Sexy Cafe also created the gorgeous wedding cake, which was made custom for the couple based on their wedding theme. The stunning flower arrangements were by the fab Joanna Game.

Catering: Utterly Sexy Cafe www.utterlysexycafe.co.uk
Dress: Fur Coat No Knickers http://www.furcoatnoknickers.co.uk/
Flowers: Joanna Game Flowers http://www.joannagameflowers.com/
Yurts: Hooe’s Yurts http://www.hooesyurts.co.uk/
Beer: O’Hanlon’s http://www.ohanlonsbeer.com/
Band: Sheer Hopody http://www.sheerhopody.org.uk/
Celebrant: Alison from Devon Humanists http://www.humanistceremonies-southwest.co.uk/
Make-up: Kit Hall at Slap http://www.slap-artists.co.uk/

Enjoy the photos!

He did an awesome job for us back then, so I definitely wanted to get some great shots of his wedding to say thank you to him!

Nick and Hannah had an amazing three day wedding celebration at Christian retreat and conference centre Lee Abbey, which is set in such incredible surroundings that it has to be seen to be believed! It is right on the North Devon coast and the drive up to the venue was immense. I arrived (no thanks to the Sat Nav without common sense!) via the very narrow with steep drop into the ocean coastal path, which would have completely panicked me apart from the fact I have driven down some even more precarious cliff faces in Italy previously! It was incredibly beautiful though – the whole route I could see through the leafy trees the sharp drop down below into a shimmering summer blue sea. I’m just glad that other drivers had sense enough not to take that route so I didn’t have to reverse!

If the Sat Nav had taken me the more appropriate route, I would have also had another stunning view on my arrival to Lee Abbey which would have been past The Valley of The Rocks, another incredible Devon landmark. Fortunately I did get another chance to see The Valley of The Rocks later on during the day – and up close and personal as well!

Part of Nick and Hannah’s celebrations was a morning of woodland and outdoor activities such as archery, mountain boarding and zip wiring through the forest. Not only that, but all their guests were invited to join in wearing fancy dress! Nick and Hannah made an extra special effort, coming as Robin Hood and Maid Marion and they looked AMAZING! I loved capturing them coming down the zip wire – and Hannah had even worn her Granny’s own wedding dress in memory of her. She looked gorgeous, but I bet her Granny would never have imagined her wedding dress would be traveling at light speed strapped to little more than a rope, zipping through the trees!

After the activities there was a lovely roast lunch put on for everyone at The Beacon Centre, a few speeches, a few thank yous and a lot of tears! Then it was time for me, Nick and Hannah to head off to do some creative portraits – my favourite bit!

We first went to the aforementioned Valley of the Rocks. Doing photographs here was really important. It is a very special place, close to Hannah’s heart and very meaningful – no pressure then! Rather fabulously, although it had been sunny earlier in the day I had been hoping for some really moody sky shots for this location and as we drove up it was like God painted the sky for us!

We spent a good hour or longer here and had good fun using the wind to create gorgeous photos of the veil whipping about!

After the moody sky shots at The Valley of the Rocks we headed down a very steep road into Lynmouth, a gorgeous little fishing village right on the sea. We grabbed a much needed drink at the local pub and then did a few more shots on the pier and the beach before I dropped them both back to Lee Abbey and all the excitement of their honeymoon!

It was such a privilege to shoot all these images and I hope Nick and Hannah love them as much as I do!

Sam got ready at celebrity chef John Burton Race‘s lovely New Angel rooms in Dartmouth. I shot The New Angel for Devon Life Magazine a few months ago, so it was great to be back!

Being seven months pregnant Sam looked absolutely radiant. Sam’s choice of dress was also absolutely perfect – the beautiful Summer of Love by Charlotte Balbier.

The road between Dartmouth to Chillington was absolutely incredible, taking in some of the best views of the coastline en route – what a lovely route to take to your wedding!

The White House in Chillington is a fantastic wedding venue for an intimate and relaxed vibe and it was made even nicer because of the great weather which saw all the guests enjoying the large grassy garden and swings! I loved all the cool little touches around the hotel like antlers, fab artwork and the lovely cool conservatory where the yummy meal was served.

The flowers who were by the lovely Emma Vowles, based just down the road in Totnes, also really added to the lovely laid back atmosphere. I loved the driftwood hearts and wild flowers in jugs – very coastal and summertime!

We shot a few photos around the house and gardens, and then after the meal Sam, Rob and I headed down to Slapton Sands, a beach halfway between Dartmouth and Chillington. We shot some fun pictures with their camper van and went down to the sea for a few more portraits.

Before heading on to the pub in Dartmouth to meet all the evening guests, we also popped into the cocktail lounge at The New Angel to do some indoor portraits. I particularly love the opulent gold walls which made an awesome backdrop!

After a few drinks at the pub, I headed over to the boat and grabbed some candid shots of guests before they headed off to party the night away on a river cruise around Dartmouth for the evening do.

To kick me off, I was in Bristol for the totally fabulous wedding of Catherine and Matt, who got married at Clifton Lido - a spa, restaurant and outdoor members pool in the heart of the city. The Lido has only just got a wedding license and with its retro changing rooms, nautical themed props and gorgeous colour scheme of aqua blues and greens, it really is such a cool place to get married!

The whole day was really chilled out and had such a lovely atmosphere.

Check out the pool-themed seating plan and the scrummy cake from Patisserie Valerie!

The ceremony was held at Henley’s River and Rowing Museum in full view of the river Thames and all its boats floating past. Shella and Derek had made a thousand origami little paper birds to decorate the place and they had a traditional Chinese tea ceremony immediately after the civil ceremony.

All the guests were then transported down the river by boat from Hobbs of Henley to Temple Island Meadow, where a huge indian style teepee from Beautiful World Tents was set up right on the banks of the river. Shella and Derek had organised so many fun things to keep their guests entertained – I especially loved the photobooth which had everyone in stitches!

The interior of the teepee was incredible. Shella loves colour, and it was so fun, funky and vibrant! There were loads of little touches like postcards from all the guests (the RSVPs), a map showing all the places the couple had travelled together and the chillout area was so cool!

The wedding cake was a selection of amazing cupcakes from http://www.animacupcakes.com/ and Shella’s stunning dress was Tabitha by Charlotte Balbier.

After a yummy South East Asian dinner and the speeches, everyone headed outside into the night air to set off paper lanterns. They looked magical floating off into the sky… until one got stuck in a tree that is, and then I saw Derek’s face begin to imagine a huge tree alight with flames… Eek! Fortunately it burned itself out, but it was a bit touch and go!

Derek and Shella had their own cute red heart lantern and I think the image at the end of the night of them watching it arise into the sky is one of my favourites from the whole day.

Hope you enjoy the images guys!

I travelled with good friend and fellow photographer Sarah Vivienne which was really nice as we saw so many beautiful things, it would have been a shame to travel by myself!

We arrived two nights before the actual wedding as we also covered Bren and Julie’s pre-wedding BBQ at the Villa, and arriving to see the villa lit up in the evening was truly breathtaking. What a gorgeous venue! Statues, vineyards, fountains and a beautiful building – it couldn’t have been more bella italia!

I recommend all couples who haven’t got their venue booked as yet to consider having a destination wedding at Villa Giona (and take me to do the photos, naturally!). Half way between Venice and Milan, it is really easy to get to by air, and the countryside is spectacular. The villa itself made the most beautiful location for a full wedding day – the ceremony was held outside with the vineyards in view, and the wedding breakfast (a magnificent five courses – which despite not having lunch Sarah and I could not manage to finish!) was also outdoors by the beautiful fountain. Even the suite where Julie got into her dress made a unique backdrop for her bridal portraits and should be used for a fashion shoot if it hasn’t already. Beautiful!

Here are a few highlights, and there are so many of my favourites that I will have to split them over several posts – so check back tomorrow for more!

Sam looked fabulous in a lacy vintage-look gown and glamourous jewellery from Magpie Vintage, and all the bridesmaids wore sweet blue tealength dresses.

The weather was perfect, which was just as well because the space at Nether Winchendon House was stunning for an outdoor wedding. Sam had decorated the big tree with hanging hearts and there were loads of outdoor games like skittles and giant jenga which the guests all enjoyed! I loved the Pimms fountain as well!

Vicky runs a vintage crockery hire company in Bristol, and amazingly all the crockery set out for the wedding belongs to her (plus the hard-working gal even did another wedding hire the same day!).

Fortunately the weather held off long enough for a touching outdoors ceremony, with all the guests dressed up to the nines in their 1920s outfits! The bridesmaids also looked awesome in their cool flapper gowns!

Vicky has such a great creative imagination and this was shown throughout all the amazing details she’d thought of to delight her guests : beautiful wild flowers in china teacups, fairies caught in jam jars and appearing in other random spots around the house, 1920s flapper bands for guests who’d forgotten theirs and the most unique table plan I’ve ever seen, hanging down from the ceiling!

Vicky looked stunning in her 1920s dress and authentic 1920s jewellery and Adam looked absolutely great in his top hat and tails! It was a very emotional and moving day, really lovely!

Have a fabulous honeymoon Vicky and Adam!!

The beautiful bride, Vicky

The groom, Adam

The flapper style bridesmaids avec the beautiful bride!

The dress code was “the cat’s meow”, and the guests certainly enjoyed joining in!

The details Vicky had thought of were spectacular and so beautiful!

Vicky had headbands available for all the guests needing to add some 1920s glamour!

The room set up

Yum, scones!

I helped Sarah by doing candid photography of the guests and detail shots while she was the main photographer for the day. I really enjoy occasionally shooting with other photographers when one of us has a particularly long or big wedding to cover. It’s nice to have someone to chat to and it’s also interesting watching how other photographers work!

I loved all the special details – it really was a gorgeous wedding, very elegant! I especially loved the whiskey favours for the guys, the cath Kidson bath soaps for the girls, the silver candlesticks against beautiful flower arrangements and the lovely nameplaces.

Here are some of my favourite photos from the ones I caught!