Courtenay & Olly: Autumn Engagement Shoot in Bedfordshire

Autumn is one of my favourite times of year to shoot, particularly as we approach November as the trees provide us with such warm and vibrant backdrops for photos! Courtenay & Olly’s engagement shoot took me back to Chicksands Woods in Bedfordshire, and it was just the perfect place to capture their love amongst the autumn colours.

It’s always special to have the opportunity to meet up before a couple’s big day, and I loved chatting with them about their engagement and wedding planning between shots. They looked so cosy in their Barbour jackets and they were all smiles as we walked through the rust-coloured ferns. It felt like just going for a walk with friends and that’s how I always want my shoots to feel!

Despite a few reschedules due to COVID, their wedding day proved to be just as fantastic as I had expected and it was such a joy to capture from start to finish. I look forward to sharing it in a future post soon!

“Thank you! The photos are amazing - we love them. I am already excited to see our wedding photos!”
— Courtenay & Olly
Courtenay smiles as Oliver whispers in her ear during their outdoor engagement shoot in Bedfordshire.
Walking hand in hand through the autumnal woodland, Courtenay and Oliver smile at one another.
Courtenay and Oliver stand amongst the golden bracken in the Bedfordshire woodland, smiling at one another.
Oliver and Courtenay sit on a fallen tree trunk, deep in conversation, surrounded by the colours of autumn.
Oliver and Courtenay, in their jeans and wax jackets, stroll through the golden leaves of autumn hand in hand.
Oliver holds Courtenay's hand up, showing her beautiful diamond engagement ring.

Are you engaged and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your engagement and wedding day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

Marc & Ben: Countryside Engagement Shoot in Northamptonshire

With their wedding set for the following year, Marc and Ben asked if we could capture some engagement photos and of course I said yes! We decided to make the most of our time together, so on a beautiful spring day we met up at Plum Park in Northamptonshire to combine both shooting their engagement photos and having a little venue visit at the same time too.

April provided us with a beautiful backdrop of blossom to shoot against, and it was lovely to get to know them both and capture their love amid the wedding planning excitement. Although Marc and I have known each other for many years, we hadn’t seen each other in over a decade so it was lovely to finally meet his partner Ben and hear all about their story as a couple.

As I left the shoot I thought, if their engagement shoot is anything to go by, their wedding at Plum Park is going to be absolutely wonderful! Congrats you two and I can’t wait to blog about the big day itself very soon.

Marc and Ben, side by side, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes as framed by blossom tree branches, in black and white.
Marc and Ben hold hands during their outside engagement photoshoot in Northamptonshire, wearing leather and denim jackets.
Marc and Ben laugh together during the engagement photo shoot beneath the branches of a blossom tree in Northamptonshire.
Marc and Ben smile, sitting beneath a round arbour in the Northamptonshire countryside, in black and white.
Marc and Ben, deep in conversation on a metal bench during their engagement photoshoot in Northamptonshire.

Are you engaged and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your engagement and wedding day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

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Isabelle & Sean: Springtime Wedding at Woburn Sculpture Gallery

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It was such a joy to return to the exquisite Sculpture Gallery on the Woburn Estate for Isabelle & Sean’s wedding! Their day was an absolute dream, the venue adorned with pops of vibrant red roses, peonies and dahlias against the beautiful sculpture work.

Isabelle looked stunning in a lace bodice dress with a tiered organza skirt, and Sean met her at the end of the aisle looking smart in a deep navy check suit. The ceremony was so emotional and it was such a joy to capture them saying their vows in front of their nearest and dearest.

Whilst guests enjoyed drinks and canapés on the terrace, we ventured off with the newlyweds to make the most of the grounds for photos. We started in my favourite spot, the Camellia Room, capturing them amidst the exotic plants and beautiful camellias. And of course no wedding at the Sculpture Gallery would be complete without shooting in front of the stunning Woburn Abbey.

The rest of the celebrations unfolded with heartwarming speeches and a delicious wedding breakfast, leaving everyone in high spirits as they danced the night away. With the Sculpture Gallery currently closed for refurbishment, we eagerly await the opportunity to shoot here again some day soon.

Thank you Isabelle and Sean for asking us along to capture your fantastic day. We wish you every happiness!

“I still feel in awe of the photos Cat managed to capture on our special day. She was so accommodating and made myself and my husband feel really comfortable. She is amazing and I highly recommend her to everyone!”
— Isabelle & Sean

featured suppliers

Venue: Woburn Sculpture Gallery
Florist: Cottage Garden
Dress: Eddy K
Suit: Moss Bros
DJ: Jukebox

Chairs with white covers and red ribbon set out in Woburn Sculpture Gallery for Isabelle and Sean's wedding ceremony.
Isabelle with her red bridal bouquet, joins Sean in his blue suit, at the end of the aisle at Woburn Sculpture Gallery.
Bride, wipes away a tear during an emotion wedding ceremony in Bedfordshire, in black and white.
Newlyweds seal their vows with a kiss against the beautiful columns and natural stone of Woburn Sculpture Gallery.
The newlyweds share a kiss with the beautiful Woburn Abbey in the background.
Sean carries the train of Isabelle's wedding dress as they walk past three beautiful arched windows on the Woburn Estate.
Isabelle closes her eyes as she rests her head on Sean's shoulder amongst rich foliage in the Camellia Room at Woburn Abbey.
The newlyweds share a quite moment together amongst the exotic plants in the Camellia Room at Woburn Abbey.
Wedding guests laugh at speeches during the wedding breakfast at Woburn Sculpture Gallery, in black and white.
Newlyweds hand in hand, strolling towards Woburn Sculpture Gallery's elegant façade and large arch windows."

Are you getting married at Woburn Sculpture Gallery and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

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Rachel & Matt: Spring Outdoor Wedding at The Paper Mill, Kent

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Rachel & Matt’s day was just magical from start to finish, with The Paper Mill in Kent as the backdrop for their day. Set in the Kent countryside, their ceremony was in a little woodland clearing with paper lanterns hanging from the trees and guests sat on hay bales.

They chose the perfect time of year for their day with the woodland in full bloom with wild garlic and bluebells everywhere you looked! Rachel was radiant in her Pronovias lace dress and flower crown, carrying a bouquet of seasonal blooms. Her bridesmaids accompanied her in pretty pink dresses embroidered with flowers, perfect for a Spring day.

After a joyful ceremony of personal vows and guests singing songs, the celebrations kicked off with a flurry of confetti. Everyone headed up the hill to a rustic little barn where they held a lively ceilidh which got everyone up and dancing.

Dinner was a relaxed affair with delicious pie and mash served for the wedding breakfast, followed by fantastic speeches that had everyone laughing. The rain then cleared to a vibrant golden hour, so we whisked Rachel and Matt away for photos in the woodland amongst the bluebells.

More dancing awaited as a band set up in the barn for the evening celebrations. And for a truly unforgettable end to the evening, fire spinners put on a fantastic display for everyone. Absolutely amazing!

Thank you Rachel & Matt for asking us to capture your incredible day! We loved spending time with you both and your day is one we’ll always remember.

“Thank you for taking the most beautiful photos of our wedding. Every picture is amazing and together they capture all we wanted to showcase of our day. Thank you for being so enthusiastic from beginning to end - this enthusiasm and genuine love of what you do shows in each and every picture.

It really was more like having another friend at a wedding and you really put both of us at ease. We most definitely made the right decision!”
— Rachel & Matt

featured suppliers

Venue: The Paper Mill
Florist: Blooming Green
Dress: Pronovias via Teokath of London
Hair: Perfect Wedding Hair
Suit: Next
Videographer: Roam Wedding Films
Catering: The Pie Hole
Barn dance: Kingfolk
Band: The Soundcasters

Rachel relaxed-curl bridal hair with a spring boho flower crown.
A clearing in the woods set for a wedding ceremony with hay bales for seating and white paper lanterns hanging from the trees.
White wedding umbrellas sit in baskets outside with a sign that reads 'Borrow a brolly'.
Rachel and Matt smile, hand in hand, as guests throw confetti and others hold umbrellas during the outdoor woodland wedding.
Matt holds a white umbrella, and Rachel carries her spring bridal bouquet as they walk hand in hand at The Paper Mill.
Rachel and Matt embrace amongst the bluebells at The Paper Mill wedding venue in Kent.
Beautiful pink bridesmaid dresses embroidered with pretty floral motifs worn by bridesmaids holding springtime bouquets.
Grandfather, with young granddaughter in an ivory flower girl dress, enjoy the barn dance at The Paper Mill wedding venue in Kent.
Sunset casts a magical glow on Rachel and Matt among trees and white paper lanterns at The Paper Mill.
Wedding guests gather on the dance floor beneath the wooden beams of the barn at The Paper Mill as the band begins to play.

Are you getting married at The Paper Mill and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

Rachel & Ben: Autumn Engagement Shoot in Woburn, Bedfordshire

A crisp, sunny October day on the Woburn Estate set the stage for Rachel & Ben’s engagement shoot - we couldn’t have asked for better weather! With their wedding ceremony set for the following summer at Woburn Safari Park, it was a lovely way to tie their wedding and engagement photos together and I’m always excited to shoot somewhere new.

I love these two - they were such a joy to capture as they laughed throughout the shoot. They are so perfectly matched and their shoot left me feeling even more excited for their wedding than I already was: a ceremony at the Safari Park followed by celebrations in a tipi!

Engagement shoots are a great way for us to get to know each other before the big day and I offer them as an optional add-on to all of my wedding packages. If you’re interested just pop me a message and let’s capture this exciting chapter in your lives at a location you love.

“They’re AMAZING! Thank you so so much, we love them and can’t wait to show everyone!”
— Rachel & Ben
Ben and Rachel walk hand in hand, laughing as the autumn sun casts a golden glow from behind.
Rachel and Ben sit beside the water smiling lovingly at each other during their engagement photoshoot at Woburn Estate.
Rachel, in a leopard-print coat, and Ben, in a leather jacket, enjoy a quiet moment amongst the autumn leaves.
Rachel and Ben hold hands, side by side, in the stone archway of an old wooden door.
Ben holds his fedora hat, and Rachel laughs as they duck under a branch of an old oak tree while exploring the Woburn Estate.

Are you engaged and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your engagement and wedding day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

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