Sometimes when I photograph a wedding I get to see something very special. The sort of connection between a couple that makes you think that’s what it’s all about. Nicola and Paul have that connection. They adore each other, they are on the same level, and they need few words. They have a look, a touch, a reassuring togetherness and complete happiness in each others company. It’s what we all strive for isn’t it?

It was such a privilege to be there for such a small and intimate wedding at Chatsworth. I totally fell in love with them both and I love my job!

Oh and I loved that Paul wanted to bring his fishing rod….. a first for us!!

x

Kelly and Craig booked us for their wedding a couple of years ago when we photographed Matt and Liz’s wedding (Kelly’s brother) so it was so lovely to catch up them and their lovely family again recently at Makeney Hall in Derbyshire.

The whole day was beautiful and the evening light we were blessed with was the most beautiful we have seen all year, creating the sort of gorgeous summery shots we dream about as photographers. Can I order some for every wedding please?!

Here are some of my favorites from their day….congratulations guys and welcome home!

Debra and Chris are the most gorgeous, relaxed, down to earth cool people and their wedding totally reflects that.

A more beautiful bride would be hard to find, stunning hair and makeup, exquisitely simple Alice Temperley dress, Rachel Simpson shoes and some gorgeous vintage jewellery.

They married at Islington Town Hall with a really beautiful and moving ceremony, then they all piled onto two Route master buses for a champagne fuelled sing song tour of London stopping off for photo’s with Tower Bridge in the background.

The day was completed with a wedding breakfast at the Prince Albert pub which Debra and Chris had decorated themselves with gorgeous details.

All in all ……… Wedding Perfection!

Simon and I have travelled all over the country photographing weddings and we are often asked which is your favorite venue? The answer is that we love many but Chatsworth House is without doubt one of the most romantic places to marry and it is always a joy to photograph a wedding there. The Gardens and House offer an unbelievable back drop for the most romantic shots.

I have dreamed of doing a styled shoot there forever, it’s just such a fabulous playground for a photographer and so when Chatsworth asked us to work with them to promote Weddings at Chatsworth and the upcoming Wedding Fayre on the 15^th September I danced a little jig and my mind went into overdrive.

I am a massive Pride and Prejudice fan and so when Kay Rotchford from Chatsworth suggested this as a theme I was over the moon and couldn’t think of a more perfect way to show off how romantic Chatsworth is.

We worked with some amazing people who actually made the whole thing happen….

Julia Harrison – ‘Go Glorious’ who sourced the models and dresses and styled the picnic scene so beautifully with stunning prettiness.

Rachel – ‘Cakes by Rachel Edwards’ who produced one of  the most gorgeous wedding ideas I’ve seen, a to die for Dessert Table with the prettiest cake ever, popcakes, bon-bons and shortcake favours.

Emma – Freya Bridal who supplied the very beautiful dresses and put up with us going into her gorgeous shop at different stages with different girls for trying on sessions. Patience of a saint!

Emma – Emma Buck Hair & Make Up who made 5 girls look amazing in under two hours. She wasn’t the least bit phased by the task in hand and says its nothing less than she does at most weddings!

Emma – ‘Orchis Floral Design’ who created the beautiful florals. I adored the pomander and pearls idea ….. just so pretty.

Our Models – Grace, Alicia, Hannah, Melissa and Lewis our supporting cast who were amazing and of course, Charlotte (Elizabeth) and Harry (Mr Darcy) who simply stunned me with how good they were. I just cannot believe they had never done anything like that before, two of the best models I have ever worked with professionals included.

‘Darcy Clothing’ who very kindly supplied the shirts and trousers for Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley.

Lottie the horse who was such a poser – brilliant, I swear she blew me a kiss!

Moth and Tess the gorgeous dogs who were as good as gold and completed my regency fantasy!

Last but very definitely not least Chatsworth House without whom it wouldn’t have happened and to whom I’m very grateful. I must also say special thanks for the loan of two very precious antique coats for Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley from Chatsworth’s own textile department. They looked amazing.

A million thanks to everyone involved. One of my dreams just came true.

xx

Some weddings just epitomize quintessential Englishness and Annabel and Matt’s recent country wedding in Derbyshire really did just that. They married in the tiniest of churches and followed with a champagne filled reception in a stunning marquee courtesy of Jacquie Andrassy – the best!

Annabel is a classic English rose, so pretty she stops you dead in your tracks. I adored her beautiful Paloma Blanca dress and one of the cutest ideas I’ve seen in ages – getting her family to sign her wedding shoes, how lovely is that?

As everyone prepared in the morning the rain poured down giving us all a bit of a fright but as Annabel arrived at church the sky turned blue and the sun shone brilliantly and stayed with us for the rest of the day – perfect!

I knew this wedding was going to be gorgeous and it was …. I absolutely loved the whole thing…… a perfect English wedding.