Dorset Wedding Photographers Courtenay Photographic Ltd
The Wedding Photographers in Dorset Blog
The other day I met up with Vanessa and Richard for their eshoot and as soon as I saw Vanessa’s fab coat I new exactly how I wanted the shoot to go!
Vanessa and Richard are getting married in may at the Great Tythe Barn in Tetbury Gloucestershire…now I wonder if the dress will be red 
Here are a few of the images from Vanessa and Richards Dorset eshoot ….
Today’s top Tips come from Helen and Simon Stocks who got married on the 1st October at the Fabulous Athelhampton House in Dorset, to see their wedding story, click the following link – Dorset Wedding Venue.
Here is Helen & Simon….
Picture-wise, I love this one….
- but it’s a really hard choice, as you captured the somewhat whimsical nature of the day in so many pictures! However, I chose this one as I adore the drama and romance, as well as potentially one of the few times I wasn’t giggling or Simon lunging whilst in his kilt.
As to my top 3 bridal tips:
1. Don’t be afraid to be a geek: As a project manager, I am regularly referred to as a “spreadsheet jockey” by the adorable scientists I work with. So I guess it was inevitable that we would have a spreadsheet for the wedding – but I cannot tell you how invaluable it was! Sharing the document between the two of us, it was an indispensable tool to keep supplier contact details, breakdown the budget (as well as highlighting when Simon overspent) and keep tabs on who had sent an RSVP as well as where they would be staying. Having all of the information in one easy to access place that can be backed up took a weight off my mind.
2. If you have an artistic side, use it! Although we had a relatively small wedding, it meant that I could add a personal touch for each place setting. From name cards to velum tealight holders, favours to the table plan and card box: I made them all. There are countless blogs and forums scattered across the internet that are full of hints, tips and inspiration. It means that you can create exactly what you want for a fraction of the price of buying it. If you don’t have time to do it all yourself, call the girls and bribe them with wine for an evening of fabric, ribbons and PVA glue.
3. Keep calm and carry on: On our big day, people were surprised by just how zen-like I was. My theory? If it hasn’t been done, it’s too late and nothing can change that. If something is starting to go wrong, you are surrounded by friends and family who love you and will try their hardest to avert disaster. Just go with the flow and enjoy what will inevitably be the most memorable, and wonderful, day of your life 
All our best,
Helen and Simon.
More top tips coming very soon!…
So a few weeks ago, I posted a competition on here for recently enaged couples to win a fab night out on us at the restaurant of their choice coupled with a free engagemnet photo shoot with me…all in time for and to coincide with Valentines Day! I also promised to post a few of their stories on here and becasue I never break my promises, here is a lovely story from Jemma….
Well it’s a long story starting with broken bones and finishing with the beginning of our lives together.
Rob and I celebrate our ‘anniversay’ by remembering and celebrating our 1st date on the 3rd December 2008. Rob very kindly arranges a weekend away in London every year. When we met Rob was living in London and has worked at Buckingham Palace for the last 8 years. So the those first 6 months of our relationship that are so magical were spent mainly in London. It holds such special memories like the crossing outside Hyde Park where we first held hands. London we say is ‘our’ city where we can while away the hours and lose ourselves in he city and our relationship. So December 2011 was fast approaching and Rob had mentioned planning the weekend away, but that was all.
We were invited to dinner with my Brother and his long term girlfriend (12 years and counting!). After dinner they suprised us with an announcement of pregnancy of course much emotion and celebrations followed.
The following Sunday my brother who has recently set up his own business was badly tackled in a football match which resulted in both his legs being broken! His football team rallied behind him and arranged a huge benefit event to raise funds for him and Hollie. The date picked for the event 3rd December 2011 our anniversary date. When I heard the date I contacted Rob and he said of course we need to be there for him, he would rearrange our weekend away and to be honest I never thought about it again.
Our weekend away was moved to the 9th December and it quickly arrived. We travelled into London by car and when we were close Rob asked if I recognised the area, which I did, Luttle Venice and it clicked that we would be staying in The Collanade. We had stayed in the Collanade dbefore on our anniversary and ha fallen in love with the warmth of the place.
When we arrived at our room I was overwhelmed to see it was a suite with double height windows overlooking our London. I knew we were going for dinner so we started to get ready.
Once ready we headed to the tube, Rob informed me we were running a bit late so when we hopped off the tube, Rob suggested he ran ahead to make sure we didn’t miss our table. But he wouldn’t tell me where we were going. So off he ran and I followed on heels slowly! Once a little out of sight he called and asked if I could see the London Eye which I could he told me to make my way toward it . I arrived at the Eye where he met me with a cuddle and told me we are going on the Eye before dinner as a little present. I was over the moon, I have never been on it before and to see our city with Rob who almost knows every inch would be amazing.
I went to join the queue and Rob pulled me to the side and said don’t worry we have out own pod! Jamie our host led us on and popped open a bottle of champagne, he also gave us some beautiful truffles and for me a stunning winter bouquet.
Being in the pod with Rob the atmosphere was amazing and definitely a little electric. When we reached the very top Jamie suddenly prompted “Mr.Palmer we are at the very top”. Rob turned to me and asked ‘do you know why we are alone?’. I answered with a cautious no and he said “because I have a question to ask you”, bent down on one knee and said “will you marry me”!!!
I burst into tears and the next 20 minutes was a blur of tears, photos, cheers and clapping from the pods either side, and also tears from our host Jamie.
When we reached the ground we were met with raucous cheers and many people coming over to congratulate us and see the ring. I felt like all my dreams had come true. To be engaged to Rob is everything I could ever wish for except to be the mother of his children. He really does complete me and I never met such an amazing, inspirational person who makes me a better person.
Of course there were lots of phone calls to make so on the way to the restaurant I think I called almost every single person I know. My mum and dad were expecting my call as Rob had already been to ask and it was incredibly emotional. Robs mum and sister who have become like my family already were also tearful and overjoyed.
The restaurant The Ledbury was amazing, the staff had been informed by Rob and were the most welcoming and helpful you can imagine. We got to meet the Head Chef who signed our Menus and that was the icing on the cake.
To be honest if Rob had rolled over in bed one day and asked me to marry him I would have felt exactly the same, I feel like it was meant to be. We were meant for each other and now we are planning our next step in our life, our Marriage.
Taken in The London Eye just after Rob Had proposed!
Wow, Jemma What a fab story Good luck with the competition.
Best wishes Courtenay
Now, lets hear your story…there is still time to enter our fab competition, just click the following link and fill in the form, it couldn’t be easier than that- Valentine Competition
So, if you are a regular subscriber/reader of our blog feed you will remember that for the last couple of years we have asked the previous season’s Brides and Groom’s to provide us with their Top Tips on planning a wedding for the coming seasons couples. Whilst giving us all a little insight into their thoughts and idea’s we also asked them to pick their favourite picture(s) from their wedding day and say what it meant to them. As an extra incentive we have also offered a stunning 12?x18? canvas which will go to the “Top, Top Tipster” of the year, so we wish all of our participating couples the very best of luck and thank them for joining in.
If you would like to look back at some of the previous Top Tips click on each of the following links:
So, keep an eye out on the Blog over the next few weeks for some great wedding planning tips from our 2011 couples, you never know the answer to your question may be out there!!
Have fun Courtenay
I know (because we have to keep our phone in an ice bucket in January, it’s ringing so often with excited wedding enquiries) that lots and lots of people pop ‘The Question’ over the Christmas and New Year period – so I know there’s lots and lots of excited prospective wedding couples out there.
And, of course, Valentines Day is just around the corner…
So, this year, I thought we’d get the act together early, and actually DO something nice.
How do you fancy a full location engagement shoot, plus £50 towards a romantic meal out?
Of course you do!
If you got engaged recently, all you have to do is mail your story to me at info@courtenayphotographic.co.uk – how you got together, or how the proposal went, or even just your Story So Far… We’ll read them, and publish the good ones here on the blog for everyone to “oooh!’ at (send us a picture of you both, too, of course).
Despite having covered over a thousand weddings, I never do get tired of the love and romance of a good woo-ing – and I know no one else does either. So we’re looking for stories the way we look at photography – anything that makes us FEEL. Make us gasp, make us laugh or make us cry and you’re in with a shout. The winning couple gets an engagement shoot (in Dorset) with me, plus a romantic Valentines meal too.
(It doesn’t matter where you live either; you just have to tell me your chosen restaurant and I’ll call them to pop £50 in the till ready for you to spend. You just have to make plans to come to Dorset for the shoot – don’t worry, it’s a seriously pretty place to come visit)
So – go on, tell us about your shiny new engagement. Show us the romance…
Closing Date for entries 12th February 2012, winner will be announced on the 13th, just in time for Valentines Day.
This evening I will be officially closing the office for the Christmas Holidays and we will be opening our doors again on Thursday 5th January 2012. We will of course still be checking in from time (if we can get up from our chairs after consuming all that Turkey!) to time on emails etc and will endeavor to get back to you as soon as possible if there is anything urgent.
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I would just like to take this opportunity to thank you all, our friends, our colleagues, our suppliers and of course most importantly you our customers, for another fantastic year. In these continuing difficult times, hard times, financially challenging times, it is especially pleasurable and a privilege to know that you continue to value what we do, to place your trust in us and allow us to record your most treasured memories. Each year we go from strength to strength, expanding the boundaries of our art, and it is you our customers and friends that allow us to do just that. For that I can’t thank you enough.
For those of you experiencing your first Christmas as husband and wife, fond memories of a wonderful year past, and for those of you who have yet to celebrate that most happy occasion, may you look forward with anticipated excitement. Whatever your circumstance I hope your Christmas is a happy and peaceful one filled with love and laughter, and I look forward to seeing you all again in the New Year.
A very Merry Christmas to you all.
Courtenay
x
