Seniha & Erkut, Dorchester Hotel

Seniha and Erkut's wedding was a long day for Stuart, but he loved every second of it. It was a huge family affair, and from the minute he arrived he was caught up with all that was going on. Both parties were gtting ready in the hotel, so Stuart was able to visit between the rooms, covering both Seniha and Erkut's preparations.
The ceremony itself was held in the Ballroom, and then the formals were taken on the main Staircase. We are usually quite strict with our formals - people don't hire us for a line-em-up-shoot-em-down style of photography, so we usually recommend a maximum of 12. however Seniha and Erkut had discussed this with Stuart, explained hown large their families were, how important these formals were to them, and asked Stuart how flexible he could be. Of course, Stuart sensed how important this was to his couple, and agreed to wing it on the day as they went along. In then end, nearly 60 formals were taken! By the time they were done, and Seniha and Erkut were on their way up to the Penthouse with Stuart for their own private session, Seniha admitted she was 'all photographed out'. So they didn't take long - just enough to make the most of the grand velvet curtains, the fountain on the terrace and the amazing view before they returned to the party downstairs.

Jane & Edward's e-shoot with Stuart

Clare & Andrew, Milton Abbey

Milton Abbey is one of my favourite local venues, and one I'm lucky enough to visit frequently.
Clare got ready in the Abbey itself, which is great for the bride but often challenging for the photographer as the room is often dark - but it does have a great porthole window!
The weather was again miserable, which doesn't help - Milton Abbey is really at its best in a sunny Summers day, with a long warm evening watching the sun go down from its lawns. But still, the rain held off all morning and it was bright enough during the ceremony to make the most of the amazing windows in the Abbey. Despite threatening clouds building persistently we were lucky to escape any rain until early evening in the end.
But Clare & Andrew had arranged for a 12-piece soul band to liven up the evening, which meant the weather outside really didn't matter too much!

Nicole & Phillip's e-shoot with Courtenay

Yet more rain forcing us back to the studio, but I had them make fools of themselves anyway ;)

Nicola & Stephen's e-shoot with Stuart

A Gorgeously hot day down on Bournemouth beach.

Laura & Daniel, Yeovil Court Hotel

Stuart had a memorable day with Laura & Daniel.
They absolutely set out to enjoy their day, and were a lot of fun to work with. It was a relatively early start, as the wedding itself was at 12.00 - Stuart as always arrived in plenty of time to catch all the preparations with Laura before heading off to the church. The weather wasn't too great (there's a surprise...), but the day was going really well. Outside the church Stuart was concerned about an ambulance parked right at the church gate, which would appear in most of the group shots - however when he mentioned it Laura was happy for it to stay, as it was driven by some On Duty friends (Laura & Daniel are both paramedics)!
Back to Yeovil Court Hotel, and Stuart began to feel unwell. He finished up the formals, covered the time until everyone went and sat down to eat, then really began to feel bad. The hotel provided a huge plate of food, which he sadly had to turn down - and promptly passed out.
He picked the right wedding, anyway - he came too in the guest bedroom, wired up to a heart monitor, being attended by three wedding guest paramedics and Laura herself!
Foolishly, he hadn't stopped to eat or drink since early morning (gets a little carried away does our Stuart, too frightened of missing something to put his camera down I think). Still, having been supplied water, chocolate and tea he was soon on his feet, and when he returned downstairs the hotel manager appeared with a large plate of sandwiches for him.
In short order he was back outside, capturing Laura and the bridesmaids on the bouncy castle.
Needless to say he was watched like hawk for the rest of the day, and has been browbeaten into promising to take regular re-fuelling breaks from here on in!
Oh and Laura wins the Shoes of the Year award with these fantastic Red or Dead's!

Amanda & Peter, Battle Golf Club

Poor Amanda & Peter were forced into a change of venue just a month ago by the original hotel admitting they had double booked. Thankfully the Golf Club was available, and everything was back on track fairly quickly.
I haven't been to Battle for a while, and it was lovely to re-visit the area. Amanda's house was bursting at the seams with people in the morning - with some incredibly cute small people popping in and out in their wedding clothes.
St Mary's Church in battle is a beautiful place, and the unusual mint green colour of the bridesmaids dresses was coupled with jaunty mini top hats, which looked great! The bright pastel colour theme was carried on to the reception venue, with multi-coloured butterfly's on the tables, and a mint green wedding cake.






Poor Amanda & Peter were forced into a change of venue just a month ago by the orginal hotel admitting they had double booked. Thankfully the Golf Club was available, and everything was back on track fairly quickly.
I haven't been to Battle for a while, and it was lovely to re-visit the area. Amanda's house was bursting at the seams with people in the morning - with some incredibly cute small people popping in and out in their wedding clothes.
St Mary's Church in battle is a beautiful place, and the unusual mint green colour of the bridesmaids dresses was coupled with jaunty mini top hats, which looked great! The bright pastel colour theme was carried on to the reception venue, with multi-coloured butterfly's on the tables, and a mint green wedding cake.

Louisa & Simon's e-shoot with Courtenay

Rain stopped play AGAIN for Louisa & Simons e-shoot, so the opted for Studio vs. the Umbrellas. Sound choice...

Sarah & Andrew's e-shoot with Courtenay

Yet one more rainy July day - I've never done so many Studio e-shoots!). But Sarah & Andrew were very comfortable and relaxed about the change of plans.

Amanda & Peter's e-shoot with Courtenay

Amanda & Peter live in Sussex, so we met halfway at Porchester Castle, and for once the weather was kind and held off with the wet stuff!

Bev & Ed's e-shoot with Courtenay

Gorgeous Summers afternoon at Cut Mill, Hinton St Mary

Sally & Aaran, Kingston Country Courtyard

Sally & Aaran's wedding was just made for Stuart - loads of fun stuff going on all day long.
Stuart started at Sallys Mums house, with all the usual family bustle. then he hopped on to the Swanage Steam railway with the guests to get to St Edward King and Martyr Church at Corfe (King Edward was assassinated at Corfe in AD 978 when he was 16). Aaran is a Regimental Sergeant Major, and there were lots of uniforms around on the day - the Ushers were working hard assisting guests on the train even before they had reached the church. The Guard of Honour was naturally very impressive, as was the confetti shot under the drawn swords. Sadly Corfe Castle's largest tower (impressive and unmissable in the view from the church) is currently shrouded in scaffolding and green tarpaulins - but this was easily removed for Sally & Aarans album.
The entire wedding party rode the steam train back to Swanage, and then headed out to Kingston Country courtyard. Sally and Aaran had a drum core performing during the afternoon, and in the evening they returned for a spectacular display in the dark with glowing drumsticks.

Holly & William, Osprey Quay

Finally, we had great weather on Saturday! I knew I was in for a good day the minute I arrived at the house to find all of 'the girls' sporting identical fuschia pink robes which Georgia, the chief bridesmaid, had hand decorated with 'bride', 'mother of the bride' and the like. This was too good to miss so we had an impromptu portrait session in the courtyard before they got into their 'serious' clothes.

The church is right on Weymouth Esplanade, and being the first sunny Saturday for far too long, the place was thronging with day trippers. This made for some great images of the boys walking to church in their morning suits though - and I was gifted by William and his Best man and Ushers walking right under the sign for 'William Street'. Far too good an opportunity to miss!

Osprey Quay is a fantastic venue for a summer wedding - made even more so by the fact that Holly and William were so much fun. Holly is one of those people who you can't help but like, she laughed her way through the day, posed and pouted and giggled through the romantic portrait shots, and didn't even mind when I pulled her and William outside again just before the first dance. Of course, when they saw the sunset they realised why they were outside, and enjoyed a few special moments overlooking the water, watching the sun go down. It really was a spectacular few minutes, and the last of the rich golden-red light made for some really special images for Holly & William.

Seniha & Erkut's e-shoot with Stuart

Seniha and Stuart decided to combine the e-shoot with the pre-wedding visit to the Dorchester Hotel so that Stuart could see exactly what they would be looking for on the day.