We’re back in the barley fields again! But then again they are beautiful and always a popular as a location for a romantic pre-wedding shoot…….

Bob and May are due to hold their wedding at the end of July at the beautiful Childerley Hall in Cambridgeshire (for history buffs amongst you, Childerley is the surviving redbrick wing of an Elizabethan House, where Charles I was once held under house arrest!).

I met a slightly nervous Bob and May one evening at the end of June to talk about final details for their day and of course do their pre-wedding shoot; Bob and May are typical of the client that my documentary style of photography attracts; they are very sure about what they want and love the relaxed intimate style of photography that can capture them and their day without being intrusive.

The light of a summer evening provided the perfect backdrop to our pre-wedding shoot – a walk around the village and through the barley fields. It is great seeing couples at a pre-wedding shoot. Most do start off with the couple being quite nervous and I love seeing the change in them as they begin to relax and just enjoy the moment. For me it is a privilege to be with them at this time – a rare moment of tranquility before the ‘big day’

At the end of the pre-wedding shoot I want couples to be able to walk away relaxed, comfortable and reassured about what to expect on their day and of course love the images!

Bob and May were great and having started out so nervous they left saying how excited they were once more about their wedding photography – that is what fantastic wedding photography is all about; a happy couple who love their images and will love them for years to come………..

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It’s a perfect time of year to be in the countryside – it provides a backdrop for fabulous ‘country life’ style pre-wedding shots that are always popular. With only the whisper of the trees and the open fields around you it is easy to relax and just kick back and enjoy the shoot………‘

Says Katie: We really love the variety of photos ….you captured so many different things- something which we definitely want on the day!

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Very excited about their wedding photography – Michael is a keen photographer and they have both done their research on what they want from their wedding photography, we started the pre wedding shoot in the flowering gardens behind the main building. With the odd duck and dive to avoid the enormous bees that seemed to reside there (I have lost count of the times I have been stung in the name of getting a good shot over the years!), Nerys and Michael found it really useful to do a ‘dry run’ to get used to the camera and had fabulous fun roaming round the grounds of Rowton Castle and providing me with a guided tour of exactly where all the celebrations will be held. It’s going to be a great day and I look forward to seeing them in September…………

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They will be holding their wedding celebrations in Hampshire in May with many family and friends attending.  I am told lots of her family will be in traditional dress (wearing sari’s) so despite my leanings toward black and white wedding photography I think their day will be a celebration full of vibrant colours, fashion and fun that will lend itself to more colour photography than usual. What a great day it will be!

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 It was a great opportunity to get to know them better and have a walk around the small but perfectly formed grounds of the ever popular Old Bridge Hotel, one of my favourite places to kick back and relax and great place to work with wedding clients

 I look forward to seeing Jessica and Mark on their day when hopefully the weather will be kinder to them………here are a few shots from their day

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 As they are actually getting married in Florence this summer it was a great opportunity for them to get to know this beautiful city a little better and what better way to celebrate than with the other part of their prize, a stay in the luxurious apartments above St Marks English Church on Via Maggio

 Starting early we wondered through the ancient streets, blissfully crowd free at this time of year. Naturally low key, Nichola and Adam chose black and denim for their shoot and thus mingled easily with the Italians who have a love for all things black at this time of year. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to shown the stunning wedding dresses displayed in Atelier Aimee, an icon of beauty and light amid the peculiar mix of renaissance architecture and graffiti

 With its mix of beauty and grit Florence never ceases to surprise. The imposing massive brickwork along Via Tuornabuoni; the soft beauty of the Ponte Vecchio at dusk and the quirky touches such as the padlocks on Ponte Vecchio – each padlock representing two lovers locked together forever make Florence unforgettable and ever so slightly addictive…………

I look forward to seeing Nichola and Adam again when I photograph their wedding in Florence in July but until then enjoy a few shots from their day. 

In the near future we will also feature their trip on The Wedding Vine who kindly managed the competition for us and contributed prize money for Nichola and Adam to enjoy in the lovely shops in Florence!

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 Sadly, Father Lawrence will be leaving for the UK in the summer but I am sure his fantastic supporting team and no doubt his replacement will continue the good work. I will hopefully return before the end of the summer but in the meantime here are a few images of the service last weekend