Ben & Charlotte
Charlotte and Ben celebrated their wedding recently and I was their photographer. I was ecstatic to be part of such a delightful celebration. The Ashes located in Endon was a perfect choice for the wedding. It is a place you can never get bored no matter the number of times you have been there.
Charlotte got ready at The Dressing Room on the morning of the wedding. I captured every detail of the developing story as the bridal party finished doing their hair and makeup. Ben prepared himself at his parents house. It’s always interesting how different groom prep is to bridal prep. The biggest difference is usually the time it takes. The groom is dressed and ready in a matter of minutes whereas the bride’s preparation is always a lot more complicated. Us guys have it easy 🙂
Friends and family looked on as Charlotte and Ben exchanged rings in an awesome ceremony at The West Barn. A touching reading which brought a tear to the eye and a warm feeling to the heart.
The reception was a success and everyone had a smile on their face. The venue served drinks and everyone had an incredible time. I enjoy drifting among the guests to take the best shots and witness the stories unfold as the hours go by. There’s always plenty of time to capture a few portraits and group shots but I like to spend the majority of the drinks reception capturing candid moments. Spring weddings let me get the best of each moment. The sun showed its face and made the day nice and bright, which was really nice to see, and it made taking the photographs a joy on the day.
After the hearty wedding breakfast, everyone waited eagerly for the speakers to deliver their words. Once the evening got going the dance floor was a perfect place for the guests to end the day.
As well as having a thoroughly stunning day, it was just a joy to photograph Charlotte and Ben’s wedding and I just know they will build a fantastic life together.
Leon and Allýce – Summer Ashes Wedding
I loved capturing Allýce and Leon’s wedding a few weeks ago. The couple celebrated at The Ashes in Endon, Staffordshire. Such a charming place, it’s refreshing to come back to The Ashes. When it comes to wedding ceremony locations, they don’t get much better than here. The fields, the lake, the cows. It has it all and no matter how often I come back, it’s always different, because weddings are all about the people!
Bridal Prep Storytelling
I started the day by capturing Allyce’s story as preparations begun in the morning at The Old Dairy. She had her hair and makeup finished and I photographed the story as it developed. Allyce was actually not nervous at all, or at least she didn’t seem it to me, but seemed full of excitement. It’s a really fun time just before the wedding with all the bridesmaids around as the excitement builds.
Allyce and Leon tied the knot at The West Barn and it was a touching ceremony amongst family and friends. Allyce couldn’t hold back a few tears during the vows. I know Leon was feeling quite nervous leading up to the service but he kept his nerves at bay and smiled throughout.
Hot summer weddings
The reception was held outdoors as it was such a lovely day. All the guests were cheerful and you could feel the joyful atmosphere at the reception. Allyce and Leon had hired a steel band to play during the festivities and the subtle sounds of the drumsticks on metal gave the atmosphere a welcome party feel. I enjoy drifting among the guests to take the best shots and witness the stories unfold as the hours go by. Summer weddings let me get the best of each moment. The day was bright and sunny, which lit up the venue nicely, and meant we could really take advantage of the wonderful surroundings.
Once the reception was over the meal began and then once that was finished it was time for the speeches. Some of the best reactions are shot whilst the speeches are being delivered. Plenty of hugs and quite a few tears were captured as the speakers delivered their words to a receptive crowd.
After the joy and laughter of the day, the only thing the guests had not done was dance. So they all took to the dance floor at the sound of some epic tunes. Allyce and Leon created an awesome day and I hope they have a happy life together.
Suppliers
Kelly and Dan – Rudyard Lake
I was delighted to photograph Kelly and Dan’s wedding a few weeks ago. They celebrated their wedding day at Rudyard Lake in Rudyard Staffordshire. I always wanted to photograph at Rudyard Lake but never had the chance, until now, and I couldn’t wait to photograph a wedding there.
It was a pleasure capturing Kelly at her Mum’s house as she got ready for the day. I love capturing the bride and her party as they get their hair and makeup done. Dan prepared himself at his house only a few minutes away. It’s always interesting how different groom prep is to bridal prep. The biggest difference is usually the time it takes. Whilst Kelly spent time with a makeup artist and hairdresser throughout the morning, Dan and his entourage were ready looking dapper in a matter of minutes.
Church Wedding in Leek, Staffordshire
Kelly looked stunning as she arrived at her wedding in a beautiful Bentley. Kelly and Dan’s wedding ceremony at St Luke’s Church was exquisite. It is truly a magical job working as a wedding photographer in Staffordshire with couples like Kelly and Dan. St Luke’s church in Leek don’t do a lot of weddings and it was the first time I had worked there as a Staffordshire Wedding photographer, but it really is a lovely church with some fantastic architecture. It also helps that it is directly opposite The Fountain pub, which is a favourite of mine :-).
Rudyard Lake Sailing Club Wedding
After the ceremony the guests enjoyed an relaxed wedding reception at Rudyard Sailing Club. The reception was full of extraordinary energy and joyful laughter. I mingled around the wedding party shooting the guests candidly whilst they enjoyed their drinks This was an awesome Spring wedding and we made sure we got some lovely portraits at the venue. We had a really sunny day,which really lifted the light at the venue, and really brought out the colours in the photographs.
The speeches began after the guests were served with the wedding breakfast. You hear so many speeches doing this job, but they are always different. The celebration took off when music began and guests had a blast on the dance floor.
I really enjoyed shooting Kelly and Dan’s special day and I wish them all the best for the future.
Suppliers
Florist – Possibilities, Leek
Caterer – sweet carolines catering
Hairdresser / MUA – Caro Millington
Wedding Dress – Bridal Couture by Josephine, Cheadle
Hair Accessories – Tanglefrost, Leek
Lisa and Carl
Spring Wedding Photography
Covering Lisa and Carl’s wedding was a real privilege as a wedding photographer. They were married at The Ashes in Endon which is in the county of Staffordshire. I work at the Ashes all the time, but every wedding is different because weddings are all about the people and the venue has little to do with the story, thats where family, friends and emotions come in.
It was a pleasure capturing Lisa at the Old Dairy as she got ready for the day. I shot her having her hair and makeup applied whilst the atmosphere built steadily for the big moment when the happy couple would say their vows. Once Lisa was ready her Dad and Brother came into the Old Dairy to see her wedding dress for the first time. It’s always a great moment to capture. Once everyone was ready Lisa made her way over to the West Barn for the big reveal and the exchange of rings.
The West Barn Ceremony
It was an honour for friends and family to witness Lisa and Carl’s big day in the West Barn. Working as a wedding photographer in Staffordshire offers fantastic opportunities to cover ceremonies like this. The ring barer and Carl’s best man was their son Edward who did a stellar job looking after the rings and bringing them out at the right moment. It made their ceremony very unique.
Lisa and Carl enjoyed spending quality time with their family and friends and loved every bit of their reception. There was a feeling of happiness and joy in the air as everyone enjoyed themselves. Chasing each special moment is my mission as a wedding photographer.
Wedding Photography in the Rain
I always enjoy Spring weddings and they never fail to offer plenty of opportunities to photograph the bride and groom. The rain soaked the venue for the first half of the day, but Lisa and Carl did not let it affect them, then the Sun came out and we were able to take advantage of the wondrous grounds around the venue.
The guest had finished their meals and eagerly waited to hear what the speakers had to say. Some of the best reactions are captured whilst the speeches are being delivered. Since Carl’s best man was only 2 years old he was forgiven for not making a speech :-). The evening celebrations began once Carl’s speech had finished. The DJ played some epic tunes inviting the newlyweds and their guests to the dance floor.
Weddings like Lisa and Carl’s make my job as a wedding photographer a pleasure and it was a joy to share it with them.
Dave and Jen
Angela and Tom
Charmaine and Adam
Amy and Al
