When Mr D'Arcy says "Come!"

 When Mr D'Arcy says "Come!" 

...all I'm going to say is, what bride wouldn't go weak at the knees when her groom looks at her across the dance floor like this!

Holly and Chris had the most spectacularly wonderful wedding at the amazing Avington Park. The whole day was oozing style and good company. None of it would have been out of place in a Jane Austen novel...

...apart from maybe the wedding car!

Holly loves everything to do with Christmas (the clue's in the name) so her perfect wedding had to be at Christmas, with Christmas colours and a Jane Austen venue.

Father-Christmas-red was used to great effect in the girls' hairpieces, Holly's flowers, her sash... 

...and the boys' ties.

They had a wonderful evening sky when we went out with them for their romantic portrait session.

By the time we'd walked to the bridge and back...

..cloud had spread across the setting Winter sun and it wouldn't have looked out of place in a Turner painting.

Everybody enjoyed the speeches...

...but when Holly stood up to make a speech...

...Chris started to look worried.

But he nothing to worry about...she only said nice things...

...mostly!

Their cake was also in Father Christmas colours and looked amazing.

The First Dance was absolutely lovely...on the planked flooring of the library.

We could have been watching Elizabeth and Mr D'Arcy.

The joy they had together was wonderful.

After they'd been dancing in hold for a while...

...Chris parted from her and beckoned to her come...

...and reached out for her...

...and pulled her towards him for the most passionate of embraces.

Oh my word it was so romantic.

Chris and Holly were an absolutely wonderful bride and groom and put together an unforgettable wedding that had everything.

We thank them enormously for including us in their amazing day and we wish them the very best of good wishes...and many more Happy Christmasses together.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photography

"Steve, would you mind lying down for us?"

Steve had been left alone with half a dozen excited bridesmaids, each with a charged glass of Champers. It was a cold Winter's day outside but inside the amazing Froyle Park bridal suite it was lovely and warm and snug.

Steve was sitting on the four-poster bed quietly reviewing some pictures on the back of his camera when the bridesmaids all circled round him.

He looked up and smiled. One of them said,  "Steve, would you mind lying down for us?"

She let the question hang there for just long enough to worry Steve before explaining that they'd seen an amazing picture on Pinterest and they wondered if he could reproduce it for them...but it would  mean lying on the floor.

They wanted to form a circle and chink their glasses and have him photograph them from below. Steve's first thoughts were about the geometry but the girls were all over it and organised themselves beautifully making a nice even shape with their arms.

The next problem was going to be lighting. Steve couldn't use his on-camera flash, it would uplight the faces (which we call "horror lighting" - it's not a good look for bridesmaids), it would wash out the detail in the dresses and worst of all it would make their arms look fat (the most heinous of heinous crimes!!!!).

Instead, he positioned the girls beneath a bare-bulb in the ceiling and shot in black and white. Their smiling faces were lit from above, their slim arms were rim-lit and the detail was preserved in their dresses. Result!

Inspired by how good the "Cheers" shot came out, they wanted to do another picture they'd seen on Pinterest - bridesmaids looking in a mirror at their bride.

To get this shot people have to look in different places than you'd imagine but the girls were very good and were brilliant at following instructions.

The next problem was to get enough light onto the bride, once that was solved we were ready...

...and the bride, Jo, popped a fabulous pose.

Once all the trick photography was done, it was time for Jo and her father to walk down the aisle.

As I was taking this photograph of Jo's father proudly walking his daughter down the stairs, you will notice a member of staff had suddenly appeared on the staircase. 

You will also notice that there are lit candles in little glasses lining the stairs.

The member of staff had seen Jo's train and veil ride over one of the lit candles and had moved very quickly to help out if needed. Fortunately all was well but it was great that the member of staff had been so vigilant and willing to help so quickly.

When Jo met her groom Jeff at the top of the aisle it was all smiles and laughter...

...until Jeff saw her father. 

Jo told us that her father has a school-teacher face that he can put on that really unsettles Jeff and that he plays on it a bit.

...but Jeff wasn't unsettled for long and his bravery returned.

Their entire wedding was so much fun.

We had confetti inside...

...then outside for some romantic portraits with Jo and Jeff in the iconic gazebo at Froyle Park.

By the time we could get out there we had no light left in the Eastern sky...

...but it made it look quite romantic.

Luckily there was still a little light left in the Western sky and we just managed to get the last wisps blue for this lovely photo of Jo and her bridesmaids outside in their shrugs...

...and this photograph of Jo with her flying veil and the warm inviting glow of the windows of her venue.

Then it was inside for warmth and laughter...

...and dancing.

Jo and Jeff had an absolute blast at their wedding as did their guests.

As for her bridesmaids? Steve will never ever forget them.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photography

Skylark in Winter

Ted and Vicki's wedding was in February 2018 at the Skylark Country and Golf Club on the outskirts of Whiteley near Fareham.

Bridal Prep was very calm and well organised with plenty of top food to set them up for the day.

Hair and makeup was done by one of Vicki's friends and she did an outstanding job and in plenty of time.

Ted and Vicki's cat "Alfie" came in for some food but quickly decided that his home was no place for a guy on this particular morning.

Vicki's bouquet was a huge arrangement of pink roses and was amazing.

Vicki's Mum was going to take Vicki up the aisle and give her away...

...and she was the proudest Mum in the World.

The girls looked absolutely stunning.

The weather was outstandingly good for a February wedding...

...and it was awesome to see the churchyard full of Winter flowers stretching their delightful colours up towards the welcome sun. Spring is at last on it's way.

As the girls formed up outside the church...

...the boys waited.

A few last words of encouragement from Mum...

...and it was time for Vicki to join Ted at the altar.

After the ceremony...

...the weather was just perfect - warm, still and very pretty.

Then it was time for confetti...

...and off to Skylark for their Reception.

Once at Skylark, Ted and Vicki spent a little time ...

...away from their guests

The room for their meal was beautifully decorated.

Ted and Vicki cut their cake before their meal...

...and their speeches were great...

...with just the right amount of embarrassment for Ted.

But when it came to Ted's speech, he pulled it out of the bag and said all the right things about Vicki.

Ted and Vicki's First Dance was lovely...

...with steps and twirls that wow'ed their guests.

Ted and Vicki had a fabulous day with outstanding weather. We wish them all the happiness in the World for their new life together.

by Steve Dunster

28 May 2018