Tammy & Mark's Verzon House Wedding Day

Last Friday saw my last wedding of 2010 at the Verzon House Hotel in Ledbury. Tammy & Mark had a lovely dusting of snow for their winter wedding and a morning ceremony. Early start for me! :-)
As I seem to have neglected to blog their pre-wedding shoot, here's one from their session last month. We caught the last of the Autumn leaves so they really had a classic pairing of colourful Autumn pre-wedding shoot and snowy winter wedding!

I zipped between Tammy's preparations at her aunt's house and Mark at home nearby. Here's Mark's best man fixing button-holes.

And back in time to catch the final adjustments to Tammy's glorious red dress.

The Christmassy red theme continued in the cake and table settings at the Verzon.

Here's Tammy arriving at the Verzon. Just time to see the registrar before making her entrance to relieve Mark's nerves!

The entrance. The lady in the purple is broadcasting the ceremony via Skype to Tammy's Mum in New Zealand. That's a first for me!

Tammy's two boys acted as ring-bearers.

Married!

Taking in the view from the terrace.

I'll leave this one to your imagination.

Got some lovely shots on the Verzon's elegant staircase before everyone sat down to eat.


Then time for a spot of impromptu ice-skating on the terrace! Hmm, let's hope those suits survived the workout.

Mark listening to the speeches.

Tammy's best lady delivered an emotional speech. Not a dry eye in the house!


After Mark's turn we all braved the chilly winter eve for fireworks from the terrace. Tammy & Mark got to press the big red button to start the proceedings and wrap up a brilliant day.




Have a great time in NYC and a Happy New Year to everyone.

Volcanic Fitness

Earlier this week I took a trip over into the Radnor hills to do some pictures for an exciting new retreat called Volcanic Fitness. They call themselves a Weight Loss Retreat, Fitness Boot Camp and Hiking Spa and it's run by highly qualified personal trainer and therapist Jessica Mellor. I met Jess's mum Alison, who is also involved in the business, at the Hampton Court Wedding Fayre at the end of October and she showed me around when I went to do the work.

I was a bit concerned that they would work me pretty hard and sure enough Alison got me hiking out to a nearby hill to get the best outside shots of the beautifully converted farmhouse (below) from where they run the business! Actually it wasn't that far :-)

The rooms are lovely and spacious and this is what they wanted to convey in the pictures. Volcanic Fitness is going to be featured in a number of lifestyle magazines in December and early next year so look out for these shots and some more information then.

All the bedrooms are large and welcoming and have been refurbished to a very high standard. Just what you need after a day out hiking in the surrounding countryside.



The relaxing sitting room.

And here's one of the shots of the farmhouse nestled in the hills.

It's a great venture and I wish them every success with the business. All the team have masses of experience and it has all been drawn together to provide this unique experience. Of interest to brides who may be looking at this blog is that they also offer a pre-wedding package where you can combine weight loss, spa treatments and nutrition advice ahead of the big day.

More info on their website and blog at volcanicfitness.co.uk

Katie & Jon's Homme House Wedding

Another sunny Saturday after a very rainy week and I was back at St Bartholomew's in Much Marcle for Katie & Jon's wedding. Jon is one of my photography students, as is Elaine whose wedding photographs I did last week, so I've had two weddings in two weeks at the same church where I know my clients have been pushing me to the limit! In a nice way of course!

Before meeting up with Jon at the church I drove up the spectacular drive to Homme House where Katie and her bridesmaids were getting ready.

Homme House is a gorgeous venue and the large bridal suite is flooded with light in the morning when the girls get themselves prepared for the big day. Hair and make-up were by Hilary's Wedlocks and Doreen from Le Glow.


I'm afraid there are a lot of pictures in this blog post but it was a lovely day and I took a lot so I wanted to show them off!
I use the word lovely a lot in my blog posts (I've noticed) but that's because I'm lucky to have done some fab weddings and photographed some lovely couples! Katie & Jon certainly fit into that category.
Here's the dress, looking right at home in the sumptuous surroundings.

Jon's sisters were bridesmaids and are puting the finishing touches to the tables here.

One of the little flower girls.

Bridesmaids ready!

I left Katie as she was getting into her dress and slipped down to the church to find Jon. Looking suitably nervous but sporting his trademark smile all day long, here he is with one of his two best men for the day.

Waiting for Katie's arrival.

Katie and her Dad about to enter the church and put paid to Jon's butterflies!

Vicars and ministers taking the service differ quite a bit sometimes in what they will allow in the church. I knew today that I couldn't shoot during the ceremony itself so I whizzed down to catch Jon's expression as he saw Katie for the first time then scooted back for some long views of the church before sitting back to enjoy the ceremony.


Photographing the actual signing of the register is usually allowed in churches so I can get some nice natural shots of this moment.

Married!

Time for our precision arrangements that we'd planned beforehand. A few portraits by the ancient yew tree then Katie & Jon popped back inside the church to exit the West Door again to a hail of confetti before heading up the drive back to Homme House.

Here's Winston the 1950's Bentley (and his driver of course) ready to whisk them away on their short but elegant journey.


We stopped for a few shots by the lake.


Had to be done.


Oops, I think we made a few guests wait for us! I don't think they minded too much!

Time for champagne and to enjoy the beautiful setting up at Homme House.


Now I usually stay the right side of the lens at weddings but someone stole my camera and wouldn't give it back until I got in the mix myself! Time to get the Wii Fit out again I think :-)

Safely back behind the camera we made the most of the grand entrance steps for some more groups of the bridal party.

It's not the first time I've done a Charlie's Angels shot but I think I'm safe in saying it's the first time the guys have wanted to do it! Jon and his Best Men were warned this was going on the blog if they did it so here it is!

The unbelievably glorious weather continued for us as we explored the grounds behind the house for some portraits before heading in for dinner.


I need to get the name of the caterers from Jon and pop it up here as a link because the food was amazing. With everyone suitably dined and happy we moved on to the speeches. Some enterprising friends of the couple set up a sweepstake and I was in danger of winning it with my slot! Luckily they finished just short of my time and the winner generously donated the pot to the Macmillan Nurses.


Just time to cut the cake from Special Ice before the party got going courtesy of the excellent local band Colloosion.

Love this one of Katie and Jon's first dance.


So I left with the party in full swing after a great day. Can't wait to meet up again and start designing the album.