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.

Elaine & Gerry's Herefordshire Wedding

Lovely sunshine greeted me on Saturday as I drove to Elaine's for her wedding preparations. After a week or so of rain it was very welcome too!
Elaine was getting ready at her daughter Carolyn's house and I was glad to see that everyone there was well supplied with Champagne!

I promise that I didn't line the glasses up like this before you ask - this is pure reportage!

Valerie from the Big Hair Day was doing Elaine's hair, as well as bridesmaid Chloe's.

Here's Elaine's son Marlon trying to get to grips with his tie. I think he gave up after this and let someone else do it for him!

A lovely bit of back-light through the holly tree in the back garden. Doesn't Elaine look great. Hers and Chloe's dresses matched the guys' ties and were all made by Greensleeves Bridal Wear in Evesham. Fascinators were by the very talented Maddy Horton of Stick & Stitch in Ledbury.


Elaine, you're not supposed to get to the church early! Under-estimating the speed of the classic wedding car, we had to wait a little for the late guests to all get in to the church at Much Marcle before Elaine could make her entrance.

Married! I love this one, Elaine's little heel flick gives it a Dorothy feel.

Chloe & Ethan waiting for the registers to be signed.

Then back out into the sun for a lovely confetti shower.

Roof down and Elaine & Gerry, newly married, are ready for the short drive from St, Bartholomew's Church to the Royal Oak in Much Marcle for their reception.

Still gorgeous fairly low sun at the Royal Oak so we made use of it for some family groups in the gardens.

Getting the priorities right. The best man here is making final touches to his speech - the football results!

Still a bit of confetti left that the girls had fun playing with against the setting sun.

Embarrassing speech Gerry?

Here I'd like to thank Gerry's daughter Tanya for geeing up the wedding couple! Wedding photographers love hecklers as it makes for natural, fun pictures. :-)

A spot of dancing and then after Elaine surprised Gerry with a birthday cake, it was time for me to leave them to it.

Just room for this one. Carolyn might not thank me for putting this up but I love it! There are about 6 different stories going on here.


Thanks to Elaine & Gerry for a great day and I hope you had a wonderful time in Scotland.