WedFest - Part 1

These two lovely people decided to tie the knot in a quiet ceremony, with only a few family and friends. They choose the stunning location of Ashdown Park Hotel in East Grinstead. It is a beautiful location, with stunning greenery and established trees. There is also a little pond with a fountain. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to get married.

I started the afternoon with the bride and her lovely bridesmaids (who were her cousins), they were getting their make up and hair done whilst drinking champagne and telling stories of when they were younger. It was such a lovely moment to be witness too, it was a real behind the scenes moment. There is such excitement and anticipation, all this on top of wedding day nerves. The bride told me that I helped her to feel calm and relaxed and she was happy I was there. It was such a lovely thing to hear, as the photographer you don’t want to be too much of a presence, you have to be at the front line to get the best shots but you don’t want to impede on the guests day. I like to be a photography ninja, get the best photographs but to not be in the way of anyone.

After the ceremony and photographs, they were having an intimate dinner. The table setting planner was brilliant. It was an illustration of each guest. It was made by Hey Draw Me. The table names were all penguins, because they are the couples favourite animal. They even had the poem ‘Personal Penguin’ read out by the grooms sister during the ceremony. This is why I hand embroidered their USB keyring with a couple of penguins.

This was a two part event, a couple of days later I photographed part two of WedFest…

Lisa & Richard - Anne of Cleves House

I had the chance to photograph another wedding at the beautiful medieval house of Anne of Cleves, in Lewes. I love to do jobs with them as everyone at weddings at Sussex Past are so lovely and friendly.

It is a very elegant venue with so much history, it feels very special to be at an event there. The house has been there since the 15th century, and was gifted to Anne as part of her divorce settlement from Henry VIII. I think she got a pretty good deal, a beautiful home and to keep her head.

This was a very intimate wedding with a very gentle atmosphere. Lisa and Richard love tea, so they had a cream tea for their buffet. The delicious cakes and goodies were supplies by Horam Home Kitchen.

It’s always a privilege to be chosen to be part of a couple’s wedding day, as you are part of their special celebration. A wedding is a very private and personal experience, the day is about love, friendship and family and people have their usual guards down and are more relaxed and joyful. It really is an honour to be chosen to record it, as the photographs will be a part of the couple and family story forever.

Our wedding photography parcels.

I love sending off my wedding photography parcels. I like to fill it full of gifts, from my handmade gingerbread people avatars, a handmade keyring to keep their usb safe and a little photo frame. I try to make my couples feel special from the beginning of our time together up to the end.

I like to add a personal touch that you can’t find anywhere else.

Viva Lewes - Photo of the Month

I was very excited as my photograph was picked as Viva Lewes ‘Photo of the Month’ for April’s edition. It’s always lovely to have people appreciate your work. They called it ‘Looking Back’. This refers to the fact that whenever I take my camera out when I walk, I always make sure that I look back because I could be missing a great photograph, but from a different angle. Which is exactly what happened with this photograph.

Something very special and happened after I won. I was contacted via Viva by someone who’s friend had had the bench put there in memorial for her husband, she was also very poorly and her friend wanted to give her the photograph, as a reminder, to help her feel better. I of course obliged and had one printed, I was so touched that I did it for no charge. It was my pleasure to do something special for someone who was having a difficult time.

It’s a very special feeling to think that something you have created will mean so much to someone else and give someone happiness.