Alex & Max: Norfolk Beach Engagement Shoot

I’m always game for an opportunity to go to the beach, so when Alex & Max asked if we could do their engagement shoot by the sea the answer was a resounding yes!

The sandy Norfolk beach we met at was actually the very spot where they got engaged, so it was a particularly sentimental place for us to shoot at. I love that they brought along their golden retriever puppy Mango for the photos - talk about adding some serious cuteness into the mix!

I could have shot there for hours, but two backdrops really stood out to me: cute moments sat down in the sand dunes together, and capturing their love in front of those classic Norfolk beach huts, the vibrant colours of which perfectly complemented Alex’s sapphire engagement ring.

One of the most memorable things for me about engagement shoots is the opportunity to get to know a couple as we chat about their big day. Alex & Max’s wedding was booked for the following July at Kimbolton Castle in Bedfordshire, and it was so exciting hearing about everything they had planned.

Seaside engagement shoots like these always leave me feeling inspired and grateful for the job I get to do. It’s never lost on me how lucky I am to be working the job of my dreams and fab couples like Alex & Max make it even better!

Alex and Max cosy up in the sand dunes with their golden retriever.
Mago, the golden retriever, sits on the sand by Alex and Max's feet with sand on his nose.
Alex and Max embrace as they look into the distance outside a beach hut in Norfolk, in black and white.
Alex looks down and smiles as Max lovingly kisses her on the head, during their engagement shoot in Norfolk.
Alex's hand rests on Max's knee, displaying her oval sapphire engagement ring encircled by a halo of diamonds.

Are you engaged and looking for your Norfolk wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your engagement and wedding day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

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Claire & Kohei: Romantic Church Wedding and South Farm Reception

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Claire and Kohei’s wedding brought me back to South Farm, one of my all time favourite venues that just gets better and better every time I visit! Their sunny day was full of love and emotion and we loved every moment.

We arrived in the morning to photograph them getting ready at the Farm which is always such a calm and lovely place to get ready. I instantly fell in love with Claire’s style, having picked out a delicately embroidered gown by Ellis Bridals which was paired with a bouquet of peonies, dahlias and pops of vibrant pink scabious.

They said their vows at the nearby St John the Baptist church in Royston in front of their nearest and dearest, and started their married life to a joyful confetti moment in the sunshine.

Back at South Farm guests enjoyed ice cream and drinks in the gardens as we sneaked off for photos. I’ve had the pleasure of shooting many weddings at South Farm over the years, but Claire & Kohei’s had a first for me as we headed off in the tuktuk to take photos on a boat in a nearby reservoir. It was such a lovely serene moment away from the wedding madness.

They had their wedding breakfast in the Tudor Barn in front of a pretty backdrop of 1000 origami paper cranes, each one made by hand. It was such a lovely nod to Kohei’s Japanese roots and looked absolutely gorgeous! Another lovely personal touch took place after dinner, with Kohei’s family putting on a little concert for us all in the Old Dairy.

And of course we couldn't resist jumping into the pen for photos with the adorable piglets! It's always the highlight of a South Farm wedding and so much fun to shoot.

Thank you Claire and Kohei for having us capture your day! We wish you both every happiness.

“Thank you so so much we LOVE them! You have done such a wonderful job of catching the emotions on our day and there is so much warmth coming for the images. I especially love the ones at the reservoir and tuk tuk but I was also so thrilled at how many wonderful pictures you guys captured of all our guests!”
— Claire & Kohei

featured suppliers

Venue: South Farm
Florist: Clare Jones Floral Designs
Dress: Ellis Bridals via Bellissima Weddings
Hair & Makeup: Knot Your Average Bride
Suit: Slaters
DJ: DJ Gary
Videographer: Joshua Boyce Films

Claire pets the pigs at South Farm whilst Kohei looks on with a smile.
Claire wearing floral bridal pyjamas admiring her white peony and dahlia bouquet on the morning of her wedding at South Farm.
St John the Baptist church in Royston on a sunny day, with vibrant blue skies and lush green trees.
Wide angle of St John the Baptist church in Royston as Claire and Kohei join hands to exchange vows.
The Tudor Barn at South Farm elegantly set for the wedding reception with white peony centrepieces and origami paper cranes.
Claire and Kohei enjoy a serene moment in a row boat on the reservoir near South Farm.
Wedding guests raise their champagne glasses in the Tudor Barn at South Farm.
Kohei holds a microphone, poised to give his groom's speech, against a backdrop of origami paper cranes.
A silhoette of Claire and Kohei sharing a kiss in front of a sunset at South Farm. The sky has vibrant blue, gold and orange tones as the sun sets.
Wedding guests applaud as Kohei's family performs in the Old Dairy at South Farm.
Claire and Kohei cut their naked summer berry wedding cake.

Are you getting married at South Farm and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

Annalisa & Matthew: Woodland Engagement Shoot in Bedfordshire

I’m always keen for a chance to catch up and chat all things weddings, so it was an absolute treat to meet up with Annalisa and Matthew in June for their engagement shoot. The big day was booked for October so it was lovely to capture them across two different seasons that year.

I’m never going to be the photographer that says you must have an engagement shoot before the big day - it’s totally up to you! But I’m always happy to help and will never turn down the chance to have a good natter and have a catch up before the big day. Plus, it’s always lovely having photos to incorporate into your wedding decor or pop on the wall at home.

Chicksand Woods in Bedfordshire is always a favourite spot of mine for engagement shoots. With huge tall trees as far as the eye can see and lots of opportunities for spotting cute dogs on walks, it’s always a great choice. And as a crazy flower lady, I can never resist the huge walls of purple rhododendrons that June treats us to.

With the soft light coming through the trees, lush greens and vibrant flowers, the woods was the perfect setting to capture the love and joy of Annalisa and Matthew’s relationship. I’m so pleased with the photos and to this day consider it one of my favourite engagement shoots ever.

By the time we said goodbye, I felt even more excited for their big day than I was before (if that's even possible!), and hopefully Annalisa and Matthew did too!

“Thank you soooo much! I like how we both have genuine smiles on our faces and this is all down to you. You made us feel so at ease & we both left feeling so confident and calm knowing you would be with us on our day. We couldn’t be happier, genuinely!”
— Annalisa & Matthew
Matthew gazes lovingly at Annalisa as she smiles at the camera, with vibrant purple rhododendrons in the backdrop.
Annalisa and Matthew share a smile while deep in conversation on a fallen tree trunk at Chicksand Woods.
Peeking through leaves to see Annalisa and Matthew posing together under a large tree at Chicksand Woods in Bedfordshire.
Annalisa and Matthew laugh as they embrace during their engagement shoot at a woods in Bedfordshire.

Are you engaged and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your engagement and wedding day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

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Elisabeth & Simon: Blissful Summer Wedding at Woburn Sculpture Gallery

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Elisabeth & Simon’s wedding day started off very close to home for me as the church they married in was less than a 5-minute drive away! It’s always lovely shooting in my home town and their day was of course no exception.

On the run up to the day, I always ask couples about any particular details that are important for us to capture. I’m always a girl for detail photos, but knowing the context is always important and I hear so many wonderful stories as a result! Elisabeth had chosen a beautiful satin Justin Alexander dress with a statement bow on the back for her wedding day, but the most important detail of all was the top she paired with it. She told me that her talented mother had made it from scratch, made from sheer organza adorned with lace. I love touches like this and it made her outfit all the more special.

We headed to St Andrew’s Church in Bedford for their ceremony which featured singing from her choir friends, a truly lovely touch which made it even more joyful and emotional! One of my favourite shots has to be Simon and his dad laughing aloud as they wait for the ceremony to start. It’s always stuck in my mind when I think of this day and it was lovely to see it again whilst choosing photos for this blog post.

The Sculpture Gallery in Woburn Abbey hosted the celebrations for the rest of the day. It’s one of my favourite venues and it was such a joy to return after Alex & Dean’s day just a few months prior. The gallery looked gorgeous with pink roses and white hydrangeas on the tables setting the scene for dinner and speeches later on.

A beautiful golden hour got us out and exploring the gardens after dinner, and as night approached the Pasadena Roof Orchestra took centre stage for Elisabeth & Simon to start the evening celebrations with their first dance.

Thank you both for having us photograph your incredible day! We loved every moment. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the Sculpture Gallery opens its doors again one day soon for more magical days like yours.

“We are both so happy with our photos, there are so many we will treasure forever. We both loved seeing all the moments from each others mornings as well. They were all absolutely worth the wait and have brought back so many happy memories of our day! ”
— Elisabeth & Simon

featured suppliers

Venue: Woburn Sculpture Gallery
Dress: Justin Alexander via George James Bridal
Suit: Allen’s of Olney

A pearl hair comb is carefully added to the bride's textured updo.
Simon's face beams as Elisabeth joins him at the altar of St Andrew's church in Bedford for their wedding ceremony.
Simon holds Elisabeth's veil and dress as they explore the grounds of Woburn Sculpture Gallery in Bedford.
Simon embraces Elisabeth amidst lush foliage, their eyes locked in a tender gaze at Woburn Sculpture Gallery.
Wedding guests gather inside Woburn Sculpture Gallery, featuring grand paintings and impressive columns. In black and white.
Wedding guests enjoy outdoor games on the lawn at Woburn Sculpture Gallery, with one raising his arm in victory.

Are you getting married at Woburn Sculpture Gallery and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

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Hannah & Gerard: Summer Outdoor Marquee Wedding in Bedfordshire

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Early June gave us Hannah & Gerard’s gorgeous wedding day, and a never ending supply of sunshine to go with it too! With their ceremony at a local church in Silsoe and the reception in a marquee on Gerard’s family farmland, their day was personal and lovely through and through.

Hannah looked gorgeous in her dress which featured eye-catching lace appliqued around the waist, her hair in a chic updo and carrying a bouquet of white peonies, purple roses and clematis. Gerard looked smart in a navy blue wool jacket which he paired with grey chinos and brown boots.

A classic red London bus took Hannah and bridesmaids to the little church in Silsoe where they held their ceremony. Her proud mum walked her down the aisle and I just loved the way she beamed when she met Gerard at the altar.

Their friends and family showered them with confetti as they started their married life, and everyone hopped aboard the bus to head to the marquee.

From homemade signs of their favourite quotes to a cute little basket inviting guests to feed the family sheep, before we’d even got to the marquee it was clear they had thought of every little detail. The marquee was decorated by the fabulous Gemma at The White Emporium, with lilac lanterns hanging from the ceiling and potted lavender and herbs along the tables.

Upon arrival guests enjoyed welcome drinks, canapes and plenty of garden games which were met with lots of enthusiasm. A particularly animated game of tug-of-war brought out everyone's competitive side – well done to Team Bride for clinching the win!

After dinner we enjoyed lots of fantastic speeches, the highlights of course being Hannah’s (I’m always thrilled when a bride does a speech!) and Gerard who kicked his off by shouting into a microphone: “WE’RE F***ING MARRIED!”. Lots of cheers and applause ensued!

The evening celebrations continued with the bride and groom taking to the dancefloor and kicking off the party with an upbeat first dance to a Beatles song. We loved their day from start to finish and it was such a joy to capture. Congratulations Hannah & Gerard and thank you for having us there for the ride!

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the photos. They’re amazing and we’re pleased with them. You captured some amazing moments. Thank you thank you.”
— Hannah & Gerard

featured suppliers

Venue: Marquee on private land in Bedfordshire
Dress: Brides & Bustles
Florist: Wild Orchid Designs
Make up: SB Beauty
Styling: The White Emporium
Videographer: White in Motion

Hannah smiling as she sees her wedding bouquet of purple roses and clematis for the first time.
Hannah's bridesmaids hug her after seeing her in her wedding dress.
View from above of Hannah walking down the aisle of the church. Guests smile as they look on from the pews.
Hannah and Gerard laugh as they walk hand in hand, showered by vibrant confetti.
Wedding marquee in the Bedfordshire countryside with bright blue sky and fluffy clouds.
Tables in the wedding marquee, decorated with lavender in terracotta pots, with white and lilac lanterns hanging overhead.
Three wedding bouquets of white peonies, purple roses.
Hannah and Gerard enjoy quiet moment on a rustic bench surrounded by vibrant greenery.
Gerard shouts through a megaphone during his speech. Hannah covers her ears beside him.
Bride and groom playing tug of war at their marquee wedding.

Are you getting married in Bedfordshire and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

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