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Gemma & Charles: Summer Wedding at Bassmead Manor Barns

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It’s always a joy to return to Bassmead Manor Barns, and Gemma and Charles’ sunny June wedding was no exception. It was a fab day from start to finish and everyone made us feel so welcome and a part of the day.

My day began capturing Gemma, her bridesmaids and mum getting ready in the boudoir. Everyone was buzzing with excitement and I couldn’t get over how stunning Gemma looked in her St Patrick gown, adorned from head to toe in elegant floral embroidery. To complete her bridal look she carried a vibrant bouquet of purple roses, thistles and astilbe which perfectly complemented Charles’ magenta tie and blue suit.

Their ceremony took place in the beautiful Rickety Barn, surrounded by their loved ones and exchanging vows in front of a stunning floral moongate. It was so lovely to capture the start of this new chapter in their lives together, particularly the emotional hug they shared at the end of their ceremony. Such a heartfelt moment!

Glorious sunshine came down as they left the barn as a newly married couple to confetti thrown by their nearest and dearest, and guests spilled out into Bassmead’s beautiful courtyard as we snuck off for couple photos with the newlyweds.

The barn looked fabulous dressed up for dinner with colourful floral arrangements decorating the tables, with jewel-toned bunting hanged from the beams.

As the evening unfolded, Gemma and Charles surprised everyone with an upbeat choreographed first dance that kicked off the party and we left them all to dance the night away.

Huge love and congratulations to you both and thank you for having us capture your day!

“Thank you so much Cat, they are amazing. So many wonderful memories flooding back! We can’t wait to show our friends and family. We hope to see you again soon, maybe at another wedding! ”
— Gemma & Charles
Bassmead Manor Barns wedding venue in the summer sunshine.
Gemma's pink and purple bridal bouquet with summer blooms and vibrant foliage.
Bride in beautiful lace wedding dress puts on earrings in the Bridal Boudoir at Bassmead Manor Barns.
Crouching bridesmaid in burgundy bridesmaid dress helps the bride with her beautiful lace train.
The newlyweds seal their vows with a kiss in the Rickety Barn at Bassmead Manor Barns.
Moat Barn at Bassmead Manor Barns, decorated with multicoloured bunting, hung above round tables with fresh summer flowers.
Father of the bride looks up as groom delivers speech, bride sits between them with a smile.
Bride and groom embrace among the red and white roses at Bassmead Manor Barns.
Wedding guests, in summer dresses, dance during the wedding reception in the Moat Barn.
Bride and groom share a kiss in front a beautiful flower circle in the Rickety Barn at Bassmeand Manor Barns.

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

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Rachel & Ben: Summer Woburn Safari Park & Tipi Wedding

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I think it would be impossible not to smile looking back through Rachel and Ben’s wedding day - it was so much fun and Rachel’s laughter is so wonderfully contagious!

This stylish pair didn’t let the wet weather dampen their spirits one bit and we loved every minute of their fab day. Rachel was stunning in a flowing tulle dress, paired with a bouquet of white flowers and greenery, and Ben looked great in his floral jacket and trilby hat.

For their ceremony, they’d chosen the Safari Lodge at Woburn Safari Park which made for a truly memorable venue! They exchanged vows on the veranda, overlooking the meerkat and otter enclosures, their ceremony brimming with joy and laughter.

Afterwards, we headed to a nearby farm where a cosy tipi awaited us for the rest of the day. Rachel and Ben had decorated it after their love of reading, with literature themed table decor and even a book-shaped wedding cake.

With absolute perfect timing, the rain stopped right after the speeches and we seized the moment to get everyone out for confetti and group photos with their nearest and dearest. It dried up so fast that we were even able to get some lovely relaxed shots of Rachel and Ben sat down in the long grass which remain big favourites of my portfolio to this day.

The evening kicked off with a fantastic band, and Rachel and Ben’s first dance to “Are You Ready For Love” by Elton John was such a highlight. As I write this, their wedding was a few years ago now and to this day whenever I hear that tune it takes me right back to their fantastic wedding day!

Thank you Rachel & Ben for asking us to capture such an important chapter in your lives together! It was such a joy and we wish you both every happiness.

“Thank you SO SO SO SO MUCH - our photos are amazing and it’s great to have so many! We really appreciate it!”
— Rachel & Ben

featured suppliers

Venue: Woburn Safari Park & Tipi on private land
Wedding Planner: Fields & Festoons
Dress: Stella York via The Tailor's Cat
Suit: Moss Bros
Band: Sons of the Wild

Bride and groom exchange vows during their wedding ceremony at Woburn Safari Park.
Bride and groom with wide grins signing the register during their wedding ceremony at Woburn Safari Park.
Bride's hand displaying a beautiful emerald and diamond wedding band and engagement ring set.
Bride and groom under rustic covered walkway, elated after their wedding ceremony at Woburn Safari Park.
Wedding speeches begin as groom introduces father of the bride on microphone at tipi wedding reception.
Guests shower the bride and groom in colourful confetti outside their wedding reception tipi at Woburn Safari Park.
Bridesmaids line up beside redheaded bride wearing forest green bridesmaid dresses.
Groom's floral patterned suit over a grey waistcoat with a forest green tie and pocket square.
Newlyweds sit in the grass as the groom points to his personalised sock with their faces on.
Bride and groom laughing on the dance floor during their Woburn Safari Park wedding reception.

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

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Sophie & Alan: Chic Spring Wedding at Bedford School

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On a beautiful May day I had the privilege of capturing Sophie and Alan tie the knot, a wedding which I knew would always hold a special place in my heart! Sophie was one of the first people I ever photographed, so being asked to capture her wedding was a full circle moment that meant a great deal to me.

Alan and his groomsmen set the style bar high looking sharp in their tuxedos as they arrived at St Owens Church in Bromham to set up for the ceremony. Sophie wowed us all in a stunning strapless gown by Justin Alexander, accompanied by her bridesmaids looking chic in black floor length dresses. They made for one stylish group!

The sun continued to shine as the ceremony started and it was joyful from start to finish - I don’t think anyone stopped smiling for a second! Confetti thrown by cheering friends and family was the perfect way to kick off their married life before we headed off for the reception.

Bedford School was the setting for the rest of the day’s celebrations. I love shooting there and it’s just around the corner from where I live too! The Great Hall looked fanatstic transformed with festoon lights and flowers for the wedding breakfast.

My favourite spot for photos at Bedford School has to be the huge staircase leading up to the chapel and I loved shooting there with Alan and Sophie, giving them a few minutes to enjoy each others’ company in the middle of the wedding madness.

Their day was such a whirlwind and before we knew it, it was time to party! The room came alive and we loved capturing the shapes everyone pulled as they danced the night away celebrating this exciting new chapter in Sophie & Alan’s life together.

Congratulations you two and thank you for the privilege of capturing your incredible day!

“I knew Cat from when she was first starting out, and said to myself “she’ll photograph my wedding one day”, and lo and behold she did! She was the most professional, wonderful and talented photographer. Our photos are so beautiful, I can’t even believe they’re us! She captured our day to a T, and made us feel so comfortable and we were just us. Thank you, Cat for helping us relive our day all over again.”
— Sophie & Alan

featured suppliers

Venue: St Owen’s Church, Bromham & Bedford School
Dress: Justin Alexander via George James Bridal
Makeup: Lorella Marella Makeup Artist
Suit: Moss Bros
Videographer: Spatz Film

Sophie and Alan join hands as they exchange vows during their wedding ceremony at St Owens Church in Bromham.
Sophie places a platinum wedding ring on Alan's finger during their wedding ceremony at St Owens Church in Bedfordshire.
The Old Hall at Bedford School laid out with festoon lighting and elegant flowers for Sophie and Alan's wedding reception.
Alan and his groomsmen, in tuxedos, rock out with their air guitars outside Bedford School.
The newlyweds, Alan and Sophie, share a kiss on the steps of Bedford School.
Bestman in tuxedo gives speech with microphone in hand in the Old Hall at Bedford School.
Sophie cosies up to Alan with Bedford School in background.
Sophie and Alan share a kiss during their first dance as the black star cloth shimmers behind.
The groom struts his stuff on the dance floor with a pint in each hand.
Guests chat enthusiastically during the wedding reception at Bedford School.

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

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Nicola & James: Joyful Spring Wedding at South Farm, Royston

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Although the British weather had other plans for their outdoor ceremony, the short burst of rain on Nicola and James’ wedding day certainly didn’t dampen their spirits and it was such a joy to return to South Farm to capture their fantastic wedding day.

Given that Nicola is a fashion designer, her outfit was every bit as chic as expected! She looked stunning in a beaded Maggie Sottero dress which she paired with a beautiful bouquet of peach and blue flowers by the talented florist Clare Jones.

One of the most emotional moments was when Nicola's dad saw her in her dress for the first time - there wasn’t a dry eye, including mine behind the camera!

The ceremony took place in the Old Dairy, and James's reaction to seeing Nicola walk down the aisle was priceless. It was such a privilege to capture such a joy filled ceremony and it was clear they are just perfect for each other. And with perfect timing, as the ceremony concluded the rain stopped so we could kickstart the celebrations with a confetti shot!

We had so much fun laughing with the two of them as we shot their couple portraits on the tree-lined path to the venue, before they stopped for a cheeky ice cream on the way to their receiving line.

The Tudor Barn looked gorgeous set up for the wedding breakfast, most notably decorated with a personalised Monopoly board on each table, adorned with their names and each property on the board named after places special to them. It was such a unique and personal touch and made for a great talking point amongst their guests!

After cutting their wedding cake, the dance floor buzzed with serious moves and we loved capturing Nicola and James dancing with their friends and family. As I left I couldn’t resist taking the two of them out for one last portrait in the beautiful golden hour, before leaving them to celebrate the night away.

Thank you both so much for having us capture your wedding day. We loved every minute and wish the two of you every happiness!

“Thank you so much for everything you did for us on our wedding day. Not only did you capture our day with such beautiful photographs, but you made the day feel so relaxed and comfortable for us. You were also so doting to us with everything we needed and went above and beyond your title as photographer - you even did up Nicola’s dress when her mum couldn’t find her glasses! Thanks for being the best photographer, and our friend.”
— Nicola & James

featured suppliers

Venue: South Farm
Florist: Clare Jones Floral Design
Dress: Maggie Sottero via George James Bridal
Suit: Youngs Hirewear
Cake: Two Little Cats

Bride in floral robe applies make up in the bridal prep accommodation at South Farm wedding venue in Hertfordshire.
Father of the bride is overcome with emotion seeing Nicola in her beautiful beaded Maggie Sottero wedding dress.
South Farm ceremony room filled with seated guests and a nervous groom, in black and white.
Nicola and James, hand in hand under a shower of red confetti from bridesmaids in pale blue bridesmaid dresses at South Farm.
Nicola and her bridesmaid outside South Farm with peach and blue wedding bouquets.
James and his groomsmen in navy suits laughing beside the distinctive blue door at South Farm wedding venue in Hertfordshire.
James and Nicola stroll hand in hand along the the tree-lined path at South Farm.
The newlyweds enjoy their ice creams in front of the Farmhouse at South Farm wedding venue.
The newlyweds laugh as the father of the bride delivers his speech in the Old Dairy at South Farm.

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

Emma & Jak: Autumn Engagement Shoot in Suffolk

I was so excited that Emma and Jak chose October for their engagement shoot as it’s one of my absolute favourite times of year to shoot. Those beautiful autumn colours create the perfect backdrop and I’ve always had soft spot for warm photos.

We met in the charming Suffolk village of Lavenham, a location they chose as it holds lots of happy memories for them. It’s always lovely being able to incorporate a sentimental location into an engagement shoot and I loved exploring it with them throughout our time together that day.

A nearby woodland brought those autumn colours into their photos, and it was wonderful hearing about their wedding plans as we walked along, big plans and little details alike.

Emma and Jak, thank you for a fantastic shoot and for sharing such a special place with me. I can’t wait to photograph your wedding and see where your journey takes you next!

“They are amazing! Thank you so much. We are looking forward to getting some printed for around the house!”
— Emma & Jak
Jak leans on a wall, and Emma snuggles against him, as autumnal leaves hang from the branches overhead.
Emma and Jak walk hand in hand through the Suffolk woodland, deep in conversation.
Jak rests his forehead on Emma's, and her hand rests on his chest, gazing lovingly into each other's eyes, in black and white.
Emma and Jak kiss as the autumn sun finds its way through the woodland foliage behind them.
Jak in blue jeans and jumper, lifts Emma in a denim skirt and leather jacket, into a tender embrace amid the Suffolk woodland.

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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