Real Bride Wedding Top Tips

Today’s Top Tips and favourite picture come’s from Adrianna & Roy Stainwright – Shearer.

Adrianna and Roy were married on the 20th August last year at Highgate House in Northamptonshire and had a fabulous good old fashioned afternoon Tea party. You can read all about Adrianna and Roy’ Highgate House Wedding story on our Blog, and to see their Northampton Wedding album, check out our wedding Venue’s page.

Here is Adrianna….

Hi Courtenay

This is by far my favourite picture because of the story it tells.

(Adrianna looking out of the window of the honeymoon suite at Highgate House in Northamptonshire)

To me this picture is saying im a ready confident bride (and its almost like im looking down onto my wedding day from the bridal suite) the curtains drawn back and my how my hands are placed on my hips also express this. Couldn’t compliment the photography more. The lighting in this picture is amazing.
Three tips for wedding planning
1. Its your day – if you want mountains and rainfalls have mountains and rainfalls don’t settle for what others would like or prefer. Its your day – they should be honoured to be apart of what ever you choose
2. Choose a dress that speaks you. Don’t pick a dress because you think its in fashion or makes your boobs look big. Pick something that you feel amazing and thats comfortable (nothing worse than a bride with popping out boobs!) A dress should compliment your figure and express who you are.
3. Share the planning and compromise with your partner. I shared all the decorating ideas with my husband (even though he wasn’t specifically involved) Its really important to at least include them even if its just showing it to them. If they don’t seem to be fazed then at least you’ve done your part.

Best wishes

Adrianna and Roy

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay Photographic Ltd

Wedding Venues & Wedding Albums

Hey everyone :-)

Check out our new Wedding Venues and Wedding albums on the website! You never know you might find yourself the star of your very own page!

We thought it would be a useful source of information, to see a real wedding at a wedding venue which you might be looking at for your own wedding. Hopefully it will give you a real flavour of what your wedding could look like at your chosen wedding venue.

These Wedding Venues and Wedding Album pages will be forever updating with new wedding venues and wedding albums, so remember to check back from time to time to see new wedding albums and wedding venues.

Hope you enjoy :-)

Best wishes

Courtenay

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay Photographic Ltd

Highgate House Northamptonshire Wedding of Adrianna & Roy

You can now view Adrianna & Roy’s Highgate House Wedding Album over on the main Wedding Photography site if you click here!

Once upon a time a little girl arrived in England from the far flung shores of Australia searching for adventure. Little did she know what was in store, for her adventures were to lead her to the feet of her Prince Charming… and they lived happily ever after. The End

Last Thursday night I battled the wind and rain and traveled up to Northamptonshire. The next morning I awoke to find the weather in a much better frame of mind, breakfasted I traveled the last 10 or so miles to Highgate House near the village of Creaton. Today was the wedding of Adrianna and Roy, I had been looking forward to this for some time as AD as she affectionately known is definitely a Bride who is up for a great time. As soon as I arrived at Highgate house I made my way up to the honeymoon suite and was  greeted by a very excited Adrianna, I definitely know we are going to have a blast! Usual preps done and a little assisting with helping Adrianna get in her dress I then headed back downstairs into the gardens (the scene for today’s ceremony) to find Roy and the boys setting up the last details arranging chairs, casting rose petals on the ground  and the important music – all a  little challenging as the wind had decidedly got up!

Soon guest were arriving on the Lawn and the sun had also made an appearance although still very windy indeed. Registrar and Roy also now in place and Adrianna arrived to process down her rose petal garden aisle. A very lovely ceremony, full of laughter and love and then Mr and Mrs Stainwright led the procession away to Pimms and relaxation with family and friends.

Time to head indoors, a Tea Party.. a proper Tea Party, Bone China in a mixture of wonderful patterns, triangular cut  sandwiches and lovely cream and chocolate cakes all washed down with Tea or coffee and to top it off, Strawberries and Cream mmmm. Adrianna and her maid of honor made their speeches and then, Adrianna Roy and I slipped away for a little quite time for them to catch their breath and for me to capture some more romantic images for their album.

Back to the main house, and this time to the Baronial Hall, the wedding Breakfast. Roy made his speech first and then a wonderful course of roast beef and all the trimmings, then it was the turn of the Best Man to get to his feet after which pudding and coffee was served.

Evening guests, now arriving and its time to head to the drawing room, the cellar bar is doing a fine trade and everyone is enjoying themselves in a very relaxed atmosphere. The DJ then calls Adrianna and Roy to the dance floor and Fields of Gold sweeps them into their own world for 2 or 3 minutes, soon they are joined by other couples and the tempo is stepped up. Now Adrianna announces its time to throw the bouquet so we head to the lawn accompanied by all single and unmarried young ladies, the bouquet is tossed high and caught deftly by one of Adrianna’s Bridesmaids. Last official duty of the day for the married couple now, we head back into the Baronial Hall and Adrianna and Roy cut their wedding cake to much applause.

My time to head into the night now I have a long journey ahead of me, but I’ve had a great day a really great day, congratulations Adrianna and Roy I wish you all the happiness for the future.

A few images from the day…

Credit Where credit is due

Cake/Decorations/Jewelery – All the Bride

& DJ Bridesmaids family

Florist – Perkins Duston Northamptonshire 01604 751455

Dress by Sottero & Midgley – Dion for Brides Australia

String Trio – Ariella Strings www.ariellastrings.co.uk

Make-up – M.A.C. Cosmetics Milton Keynes – Hair Designer – Mel B Hair Wellingborough

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding Photographer Dorset


Cranford Hall Northamptonshire Wedding of Jessica & James

Jessica and James married in the lovely St Johns church in the picturesque village of Cranford in Northamptonshire their home village. The morning didn’t start too well however as the English summer weather just wasn’t playing ball, as the rain started to fall quite persistently. Jessica readied at home with her bridesmaids and as she finally made her way to the Church in an open toped Bentley the heavens really opened -typical. However as Jessica reached the Church the rain suddenly stopped as if a tap had been turned off and the sun came out at exactly the moment Jessica paraded down the Church path toward the open door and her husband to be! Divine moment perhaps!! James had been patiently waiting inside for Jessica and soon the vows were exchanged, helped along I have to say by a wonderful if not slightly eccentric vicar (perhaps a tale for another time!) and from the Church doors the happy couple appeared triumphant.
On to Cranford Manor for the reception which was to be held in a Marquee in the truly beautiful grounds. The sun shone for the rest of the day and everyone soaked up the beautiful atmosphere summer sun and quite a few glasses of champagne. At last it was time for everyone to take their places in the marquee for the wedding breakfast and speeches to follow. Cake cutting time and then a little more time to relax and enjoy some summer evening sun and welcome more guests arriving for the evening party – this also allowed me some time to capture some really cute pictures of some of the younger guests playing in the beautiful evening sunshine. Then the call from the DJ, the first dance about to begin, everyone gathered about and James and Jessica took to floor for their first dance together as husband and wife.
The whole days atmosphere was one of laughter, love and good friendship, it was a real pleasure to have been included in the celebrations. Thanks guys for your hospitality, I wish you all the very best for the future.


Wedding Photographer Dorset
– Courtenay Photographic