Romantics at the Domus

Liam and Alice had the most amazing wedding at the Domus in Beaulieu. The weather was sunshine and wall-to-wall blue sky and extraordinarily hot considering it was only the beginning of May.

This day not only marked the beginning of their married life together but also the start of the seemingly unending heat-wave of Summer 2018.

The Domus and its Medieval Abbey ruins are such a nice backdrop, we could have photographed there for a week and still not run out of ideas.

Liam and Alice made a stunning couple and our Romantic Portrait session with them was an absolute delight.

We had a wonderfully enjoyable time with them around the ruins.

Perfect weather, with a gorgeous couple and the magic of the Medieval Abbey ruins...what's not to like.

After having a great time with them amongst the ruins, we took them into the Beaulieu gardens. Being so early in May, this archway of Wisteria had not even come fully into leaf, let alone coming into flower. 

But these repeated element arches made nice concentric frames and the shadows of the overhead branches on the ground was helpful in having twisted-branch texture all around them.

This is one of our favourite Romantic Portraits of the day. As Steve was photographing down the path with a wide-angle lens (in the previous photograph), Jacqui was photographing this gorgeous couple across the path through the wall of the Wisteria tunnel with a long lens, just as they kissed. It's a beautiful beautiful moment.

As the sun set, we returned to the ruins. We set the dress with plenty of air underneath it to create shape, then raked a light across it to bring out the detail as they kissed beneath the arch of the Western door to the Abbey.

Then we turned the light off and got a completely different vibe. 

There is something so romantic about this couple kissing in the dark against the last wisps of the golden sun that had brought so much joy to their wedding.

We thank Liam and Alice for a fantastic day. Their wedding was great fun with awesome guests but as a couple they were stunningly elegant and effortlessly beautiful.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photography

When the British Army Does Confetti

Phil and Amy had their wedding in the late Spring of 2016 at Skylark Golf Club in Whiteley and this is the first time we had come across confetti cannon. 

We saw what looked like five tubes of wrapping paper stood on their ends in the barn. These were in fact the confetti cannon that were to turn the skies around the Skylark pretty colours and cause navigation issues for aircraft approaching Southampton International Airport.

Quite honestly two cannon would have been plenty. Five was spectacularly over the top. Some of Phil's groomsmen were Army boys. I think they thought they were laying down covering fire for their best friend and groom. Just look how high the confetti went. It was way above the height of the barn and it took ages for the skies to clear.

The confetti cannon was certainly spectacular but so were other parts of their day.

Their ceremony was really touching and we all choked up as they read their vows to each other. They were so heartfelt.

The decor in the barn was absolutely stunning.

Afterwards we took them to the ruins of Titchfield Abbey for some romantic portraits...

...and a picnic in the Campervan.

They both looked amazing.

The Boys had kept one confetti cannon back for Phil to fire. Confetti cannon never disappoint! 

After the speeches they were treated to a beautiful sunset...most of the confetti had cleared by then.

 Then it was back inside for their First Dance.

It was a brilliant day that was full of fun...and confetti. We will always remember it as the day the British Army filled the skies over Skylark with confetti.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photographers

A Scorcher at Southdowns Manor

Finian and Leanne's wedding was an outside ceremony at Southdowns Manor not far from Rogate near Petersfield. It's a remote place just across the Hampshire border and into West Sussex - it's not often we venture into foreign territories but we are so glad we did.

Their wedding was at the beginning of May but oh my word it could have been high Summer. It was glorious.

Leanne was meticulous in her preparations and the result was truly stunning.

Throughout the entire ceremony, Finian could not take his eyes off of his gorgeous bride...

...and it was obvious to everyone as to why. 

We spent a little time with them in the grounds of Southdowns...

...and what a perfect day it was for them.

Their speeches were a lot of fun but even then, Finian could not take his eyes off his gorgeous new wife.

As the sun went down on their perfect day, we took them back into the gardens for some romantic portraits... 

...but then it was time for silliness and it was up to the honeymoon suite where all the bridesmaids and groomsmen joined the bride and groom in the hot-tub.

During their First Dance they had their guests spell-bound and I don't even think they noticed. It was so touching to watch. They were so wrapped up in each other's company that I'm certain for that moment they felt as though they were the only two people on the planet.

Their wedding was a wonderful day in every way and they were truly blessed with the weather. Their guests were great fun and we had a brilliant day with them.

We wish Finian and Leanne the happiest of lives together.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photographers

Laughter and Tenderness at Sandford Springs

Daniel and Natasha had their amazing Spring wedding in Ramsdell Church and Sandford Springs Golf Course.

Bridal Prep was in the most perfectly named house ever - "Love Days Farm House." Is there ever a better named place for Bridal Prep?

Bridal Prep itself went without a hitch and perfectly to schedule...

...and with plenty of fun.

At the church, whilst waiting for Natasha, one of their friends rehearsed the hymns... 

...with the guests.

Daniel was stunned when his bride met him at the top of the aisle.

Ramsdell Church was a really nice church...  

and the ceremony was very moving.

As we came out of the church it was still overcast...

...but by the time Daniel and Natasha had driven to Sandford Springs...

...the sun started to come out...

...just long enough to get some blue sky romantic portraits of them.

By the time we got to the bridge with them the sun had gone back in but a bit of back-light helped to spice up the bridge for us.

The connection between these two was absolutely brilliant.

When the speeches began...

...it became clear that Daniel was going to be the butt of many of the jokes...

...much to Natasha's enjoyment.

Daniel and Natasha's wedding was full of laughter and energy and tender moments. It was an absolutely brilliant day.

We wish them both all our very best wishes for the future.

by Steve and Jacqui

Fun, Fine-art and Story-telling  Hampshire Wedding Photography

Amazing April Weather at New Place

James and Millie had the most amazing weather for their mid-April wedding at New Place near Shirrell Heath in Hampshire.

It was warm sun, blue sky with flowers and blossom. Apart from the fact that the trees still had no leaves, anyone could have been forgiven for thinking it was a mid-summer's day.

Bridal Prep went without a hitch...

...and then it was time for the ceremony.

The whole day was full of fun and the moment of Dad giving away his daughter was no exception.

But there were also tender moments like when one of Millie's bridesmaids read her reading in the ceremony.

 Then it was outside on the lawn and patios to enjoy the weather...

...and off round the New Place grounds...

...for some private moments together.

Then it was time to get back with their guests...

...having fun in the sun..

...and a beer or two.

 There was a lovely relaxed atmosphere amongst the guests on the sunlit patio...

 ...and much laughter could be heard all day...

...especially during the speeches.

After perfect weather all day, we were treated to a beautiful evening sky.

The tossing of the bride's bouquet is not something we see very often...

...but these girls took it very seriously, much to the delight of the bridesmaid who caught the bouquet.

Their First Dance as a married couple was awesome...

...clearly a great deal of work had gone into it's preparation...

...and there was a huge cheer when they finished.

James and Millie had the most amazing fun-filled day, with perfect weather, wonderful guests and a even a live band for the evening.

It was awesome to be part of their wedding day and we wish them all the very best in their lives together.

by Steve Dunster