Wedding Blog
Wedding photographers London | Your fabulous new online Wedding Gallery.
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012
Wedding Photographer London
I’m very pleased to announce the opening of my new online gallery.
All of your wedding photographs are available for you to view here, you can share the gallery with your friends and family, they can select their favourites, run slideshows, buy prints and downloads. It’s an excellent way of viewing all of your photos and sharing them with others.
I normally have your wedding photographs ready to view about a week after the wedding. I’ll send you a link to your private gallery with a password so only you and there you choose can view the pictures.
I also have my large gallery of photographs around the world available to view as well, so if you get bored with wedding photographs you can take yourself off to New York, Paris, Prague, Sydney, London, and New Zealand.
Wedding Photography London Home.
Our Ice skating trip on boxing day.
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012While my wife Emma and her mother were at home taking a rest at home after Christmas day I took our girls Grace and Madeleine ice skating. Emma’s Dad took the video.
Wedding Photographer London. Sarah Jane and Alex Pre Wedding Shoot.
Monday, December 19th, 2011
Wedding Photographer London, Pre wedding photoshoot.
Sarah Jane and Alex live in Hong Kong and booked their wedding with me in June. They were married on Saturday at the famous Farm Street church in Mayfair and then had their reception at The Caledonian Club near Belgrave Square in central London. For geographical reasons we met up for their pre wedding photography shoot only three days before their wedding on a very cold Wednesday morning on Clapham Common. We were able to talk in a bit more detail about the plans plans for their day, and reassure Alex that I could take good photographs of him. Many couples are nervous about having their photographs taken and a pre wedding session is a good way for me to prove to them that it is fairly painless.
A ‘pre wedding shoot’ is photographers speak for ‘a photography session before the wedding itself’. Its a great opportunity to not only get some great relaxed photographs of you as a couple but also to get used to being photographed. You get to know me a bit and get to understand what is possible from a photography point of view, and I get to know you a little and get an opportunity to understand what you’re looking for when your big day arrives. The session only takes about 1/2 an hour – about the same time as a first meeting at the studio would take.
Once you have the photographs from the shoot you decide whether to book me or not, no hassle, no strings, it really is that simple. The offer closes at 9pm on the 31st January 2012. Just send me an email or give me a call.
Pre Wedding Photo Shoot. | I meet up with Rob and Karen on a foggy Clapham Common on Sunday.
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
Pre Wedding Photo Shoots.
Rob and Karen called me a couple of weeks ago expressing an interest in my ‘free pre wedding photo shoot offer’. The are getting married on the 5th of May next year in Kingston-upon-Thames. We met up at a very foggy Bandstand on Clapham Common early on Sunday morning last week, I took a set of relaxed photographs and we talked about their plans next May. I sent them the photographs on Monday and they booked me on Tuesday.
A ‘pre wedding shoot’ is photographers speak for ‘a photography session before the wedding itself’. Its a great opportunity to not only get some great relaxed photographs of you as a couple but also to get used to being photographed. You get to know me a little bit and get to understand what is possible from a photography point of view and I get to know you a little and get an opportunity to understand what you’re looking for when your big day arrives. The session only takes about 1/2 an hour – 45 minutes, about the same time as a first meeting at the studio would take.
Once you have the photographs from the shoot you decide whether to book me or not, no hassle, no strings, it really is that simple.
Wedding Etiquette; Where does everybody stand at a wedding ceremony? | Wedding Photographer London.
Wednesday, November 9th, 2011
Where do the the Bridal party Stand at a wedding ceremony.
It is customary for the bride to stand to the left at the altar, though you may not be so keen on the reasons why. The tradition actually stems from the old days of “marriage by capture”, when the groom needed to leave his right hand (his fighting hand) which he used to hold his sword free in the event that he should need to defend his bride from other suitors who may try to wisk her off at the last minute. It is also said that as the groom’s heart is located on his left side the bride stands “under his heart”. Today, most couples still choose to stand with the groom on the right, although I have photographed a number of weddings where the bride and groom have opted to mix it up and stand on whichever side makes them feel most comfortable. If you are having a religious ceremony check with your officiant and make sure that changing your positions at the altar won’t go against the beliefs of your church.
The best man will stand to the right of the groom, and the maid of honour will stand to the left of the bride. The groomsmen stand to the right of the best man while the bridesmaids stand to the left of the maid of honour. They should all be standing at least foot away from you both.
The order of your processional and recessional will depend on the type of wedding ceremony you’re having: religious, civil, military. Family traditions and the formality of your wedding ceremony will also influence the proceedings.
Christian Wedding Ceremony:
Most Christian wedding processionals and recessionals follow the same basic order, with the exception of the Catholic wedding ceremony, where the bride’s father escorts her to the altar but does not give her away before taking his seat.
Order in a Christian wedding ceremony is:
- Officiant stands at the altar.
- Groom and best man enter from a side door and stand at the altar.
- Bridesmaids and ushers walk in pairs (if there are uneven numbers, the odd person can walk alone, or two maids or groomsmen can walk together).
- The maid or matron of honour walks alone.
- The ring bearer walks alone, followed by the flower girl, or the children can walk together.
- The bride and her father proceed, with the bride on her father’s right arm.
At the altar, the bride stands on the left, the groom on the right, facing the officiant. The best man stands beside the groom, with the ring bearer and ushers to his right. The maid of honour stands beside the bride, with the flower girl and bridesmaids to her left. (If your child attendants are too young to stand quietly throughout the wedding ceremony, it’s fine to have them stop at the end of the aisle and sit with a waiting parent.)
Jewish Wedding Ceremony:
Jewish wedding processionals and recessionals will vary with religious sects and local practices, but still follow a basic order:
- Rabbi and cantor stand at the altar.
- Bride’s grandparents proceed.
- Groom’s grandparents proceed.
- Ushers proceed in pairs.
- Best man walks alone, after the ushers.
- The groom proceeds with his parents (father on his left arm, mother on his right).
- Bridesmaids proceed in pairs.
- Maid or matron of honour walks alone, after the bridesmaids.
- Ring bearer walks.
- Flower girl walks.
- Finally, the bride proceeds with her parents (father on her left arm, mother on her right).
The Jewish wedding ceremony takes place around a wedding canopy, called a chuppah, under which the bride, groom, best man and maid of honour stand. If there’s enough room, the couple’s parents can also stand beneath the chuppah during the wedding ceremony; grandparents take their seats right after the processional.
Civil Ceremony:
While there is no set order for a civil ceremony, a couple might borrow procedures from a religious ceremony, or create their own. What’s most important is that the ceremony feels right to the bride and groom.
Military Wedding.
Since military weddings can be civil or religious ceremonies, their orders will vary. The only other difference will be during the recessional, when the just-married couple retreats under the majestic arch of drawn swords.
After the ceremony is over and you’ve kissed and been announced husband and wife, it’s time to go celebrate. The recession goes as follows:
The Christian recession:
- The bride and groom will walk down the aisle first.
- Followed by the flower girl and ring bearer (this is optional). Maid of honor and best man will follow next.
- Followed by the bridesmaids and the groomsmen walking down in pairs.
- The parents will then follow the wedding party.
The Jewish recession:
- The bride and groom will walk down the aisle first.
- Followed by the bride’s parents.
- The groom’s parents will follow next.
- Followed by the flower girl and ring bearer (this is optional).
- Maid of honor and best man will follow next.
- Followed by the bridesmaids and groomsmen.
- Finally, the rabbi or cantor.
How To Wear a Buttonhole or Corsage. | Wedding photographer London
Monday, October 17th, 2011
How to Wear a Button Hole or Corsage:
I had never thought that I would become expert in getting brides flowers and particularly nervous grooms buttonholes sorted out before walking down the isle. But it is an important thing to get right and really is pretty easy.
Here is what you do:
For the Boys…
Attaching and wearing a Buttonhole:
It is worn on the left hand side – a man’s buttonhole should be worn on the outside of the buttonhole of the left lapel: Not in the button hole.
It is usually secured by placing a pin from the back of the lapel.
The pin will then be invisible from the front.
If you have a gold or decorative pin you may want to show it off and then you could pin the boutonniere (buttonhole) from the front.
Your buttonhole is traditionally worn on your left lapel – (Why? – Because its above your heart!) whichever side you prefer, ensure that you and your groomsmen, all wear their buttonholes on the same side.
The stems of the buttonholes point down.
To make it easy for everyone on your wedding day always label your buttonholes (The grooms buttonhole is usually different and more special)
as well as including the florist’s instructions on how to wear them.
For the girls….
Attaching and Wearing Wedding Corsages:
Corsages are attached in the same way a male button hole is, with a pin. The pin is pushed through from the back of the garment, through the corsage, and back through the garment.
Corsages are worn just below the lady’s right shoulder with the stem pointing up.
Helpful Tip: A corsage can be worn almost anywhere! It can be worn at the shoulder, over the shoulder, in the hair, on the wrist, at the waist, hem line, on a hat, or even on an evening bag.
How to pin on and wear a corsage:
With one hand behind the corsage and the other holding the stem of the corsage, flowers facing away from the wearer and toward you, place the corsage at a slight angle on the dress or lapel. This is an average of about 4 inches in from the tip of the left shoulder. Make sure that the corsage is evenly placed on the lapel before attempting to pin it. Use a Corsage Pin to pin into the fabric at the bottom left corner of the stem.
Weave the pin back out from under the fabric. Push it through about 1 inch, laying it at an angle over the top of the corsage stem. Stick the tip of the pin back into the fabric on the other side of the stem. Insure that the stem is tightly in place with the length of the pin pushing it down.
Weave the pin back out of the fabric once more. Be sure that the very tip of the pin does not stick out, nor does it poke under the fabric and touch the skin.
Repeat this process with the Corsage pin at the top left corner of the stem, just under the heads of the flowers.
Two Corsage pins will help to support the weight of heavy flowers on delicate clothing. – Some florists supply corsage magnets!
Free Pre Wedding Photo Shoot. | Am I the Wedding Photographer for you?
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
Choosing a wedding photographer requires a huge leap of faith particularly if you have not been recommended one. Every website seems to be roughly the same and every photographer is offering roughly the same in terms of packages and options. It’s a daunting task.
So for a limited time, until the end of December this year, I am offering a free pre wedding photo shoot to anyone who may be interested in booking a photographer for their wedding. There is absolutely no obligation to book me for your wedding after the shoot but it gives you a chance to see whether I’m the photographer for you, and of course it gives me a chance to show you how great I can make you look.
A ‘pre wedding shoot’ is photographers speak for ‘a photography session before the wedding itself’. Its a great opportunity to not only get some great relaxed photographs of you as a couple but also to get used to being photographed. You get to know your photographer and understand what is possible and your photographer gets to know you a little and understand what you’re looking for when the big day arrives.
Once you have the photographs from the shoot you decide whether to book me or not, no hassle, no strings, it really is that simple. The offer closes at 9pm 31st Dec 2011. Just send me an email or give me a call.
Wedding Photographer Woburn Abbey. | Kirsty and James Pre Wedding Shoot.
Friday, August 19th, 2011
Wedding Photographer Woburn Abbey.
Next June Kirsty and James will be having their wedding reception in the Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey. Yesterday we met up at there for their pre wedding photography shoot.
Woburn Abbey is near Milton Keynes in the heart of Bedfordshire is set in a beautiful 3,000 acre deer park, and has been the home of the Dukes of Bedford for nearly 400 years. Kirsty and James will get married at the Parish Church in Ivinghoe near Kirsty’s parents home and the reception will be held at Woburn. The gardens gardens and architecture is nothing short of breathtaking there are many excellent places for contemporary photography as well as traditional shots. The famous 200 year old tree in the large courtyard is an obvious place for photography (above) but we also plan to take some fun contemporary photographs along the huge whitewashed boundary wall which I’ll turn into long panoramic shapes.
Look out for their wedding on my site next June!
Planning a Wedding. | “The Devil is in the detail”.
Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011
Planning a wedding often takes over a year, it can also take under a week. In my many years photographing a weddings I’m always surprised how different each one is. One thing however that is consistent is the attention to detail.
Huge Marquee weddings and very small registry office ceremonies have detail everywhere that the bride her family and friends have spent a great deal of time organising. Sometimes a bride has been thinking about the theme of her wedding for years. So as a photographer it’s very important that the theme and all of the finishing touches are not just documented but photographed creatively in order that these images can be used amongst the album photographs. These photographs are excellent to use as background images to place other photographs on to of when designing magazine style albums, and the photographs of detail can also be used to slow the story down in an album before picking the pace up again with shots with lots of movement.
Detail shots don’t necessarily have to be photographs of things like flowers, place settings, dress detail, button holes etc. Close up shots of rings, holding hands, emotion, confetti, etc etc, detail is absolutely everywhere at weddings.
Pre Wedding Photo Shoot. | Annette and Andy at The Bandstand on Clapham Common.
Thursday, July 28th, 2011
Annette and Andy booked me yesterday to photograph their wedding on the 12th of September this year. On Tuesday morning we met on Clapham Common which is very near where we both live for a relaxed 1/2 hour photography session for Annette and Andy to see if I am the photographer for them. These free, and short, sessions are an excellent way for couples to make their choice of wedding photographer, you can look at albums and lots of fantastic photographs of other brides and grooms but will the photographs of YOU be any good?
On the 12th of September Annette and Andy will join their friends and family at the Chelsea Registry Office, and having had a little time together earlier this week we’ll all be a little more relaxed in each others company when the 12th Sept arrives.