,

Emily & Robert: Summer Wedding at Chicheley Hall

,

Set at a beautiful stately home on a sunny August day, Emily and Robert’s wedding day was nothing short of a dream to photograph! Nestled in the Milton Keynes countryside, Chicheley Hall made the perfect setting for their day and provided a grand and elegant backdrop for their celebrations.

My day started with capturing the girls getting ready at the Hall, with my second shooter photographing Robert and his groomsmen as they got ready at home in a nearby village. Both of their mornings were relaxed yet filled with excitement and it was so lovely to capture them getting ready with family and friends.

Their ceremony took place in the mansion house, with light pouring in through the grand windows as they said their vows against beautiful arrangements of soft pink, lilac and cream roses. Emily made a showstopping entrance she walked down the grand staircase, arm in arm with her father, to meet Robert at the end of the aisle.

What I love the most about stately homes is the endless locations for photos and we really made the most of it. Their confetti run looked fantastic against the grand backdrop of the hall, and guests enjoyed reception drinks in the beautiful gardens behind the house. And of course we had to take photos indoors too, a favourite of mine being a black and white shot of the newlyweds by the staircase windows, taken through the chandelier.

After their wedding breakfast and heartfelt speeches, we sneaked out during the golden hour to capture them against that beautiful warm light that everyone dreams of for their wedding photos! The day ended on a high as instead of a first dance, everyone hit the dancefloor at once to party the night away and celebrate this new chapter in Emily and Robert’s story.

Congratulations you two and thank you for having us along for the ride! We loved capturing your day and wish you every happiness for the future.

“We’ve had a look at our photos (whilst on the beach!) and they look absolutely amazing! Thank you so so much, I know you’ve put so much effort into them and we are so grateful you captured our day so beautifully. We are so happy with them. ”
— Emily & Robert

featured suppliers

Venue: Chicheley Hall
Florist: Ivy Amelia Florals
Hair & Make up: Jema Jakes Makeup Artist & Beauty
Band: Oomphf

The exterior of Chicheley Hall wedding venue in Buckinghamshire on a beautiful summer's day with lush lawn and blue sky.
Mansion House, Chicheley Hall set out for Emily & Robert's wedding ceremony with white Chiavari chairs and soft pink flowers.
Groom and two groomsmen, in blue three-piece suits with pink ties, sit in front of a grand fireplace at Chicheley Hall.
Emily's mother smiles, adjusting her pink mother-of-the-bride hat in a gold mirror.
Emily smiles as her dad walks her down the aisle with Chicheley Hall's beautiful marble columns in the background.
Emily and Robert recite their vows in a sunlit Mansion House at Chicheley Hall wedding venue in Buckinghamshire.
Mansion House, Chicheley Hall set out for Emily & Robert's wedding reception with white Chiavari chairs and round tables.
Emily and Robert hold hands as they walk towards the grand facade of Chicheley hall in their wedding attire.
Newlyweds share a quiet moment in the grounds of Chicheley Hall as the sun's golden glow shimmers behind.
Two wedding guests in suits play football in the grounds of Chicheley Hall in Buckinghamshire.

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

Elly & Tom: Autumn Engagement Shoot on Bedford Embankment

After the madness of wedding season, I find autumn to be such a wonderful time of year for engagement shoots and Elly and Tom’s engagement shoot was a great reminder of why. We took to the Embankment to capture their engagement, a quintessential Bedford spot and one of my favourite places to shoot.

Elly and I had known each other for a while through Bedford’s vibrant creative community, so it was great to finally meet her fiancé Tom who I’d heard all about! They make such a wonderful couple and I had so much fun capturing their excitement as we walked along the River Great Ouse. It was lovely chatting all things wedding and it was impossible not to get caught up in their excitement for the big day.

Beautiful sunshine brought out all the rich autumn colours along the river, and I just loved how Elly and Tom wore matching Vans which brought their own personal style to the shoot and looked fab against the fallen leaves.

Two years later their fabulous wedding took me back to South Farm for a sunflower-filled autumn celebration, but that’s another post for another time!

Couple walking hand in hand along bedford embankment during their engagement photoshoot.
Elly & Tom stand in golden autumn leaves on their engagement photoshoot in their black and white Vans trainers.
Tom puts his arm around Elly as they sit on a bench on Bedford Embankment, in black and white.
Tom and Elly stroll hand in hand along the autumnal tree-lined path of the Embankment in Bedford.
Couple leaning in for a kiss during their engagement photoshoot by the river in Bedford, in black and white.

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

Fareen & Nick: Multicultural Wedding at Bedford Town Hall & Garden Marquee, Bedfordshire

Fareen & Nick’s gorgeous summer wedding was one of those days that stays with you long after it’s over, so it’s been one I’ve been excited to blog for a long time! They chose late August for their day and the weather was absolutely perfect, the sunny weather setting the stage for their garden wedding which proved to be a beautiful blend of both their cultures.

One of best things about having two photographers capture your day is that it allows us to capture both sides of the story, with each moment of your mornings captured on the lead up to the ceremony. Fareen chose to get ready with her bridesmaids and family at a nearby AirBNB - a fantastic idea which gave them the space to share the morning excitement together but with plenty of space to relax in too. Meanwhile, Nick and his groomsmen enjoyed a laid-back morning at his parents’ home as they donned their sharp navy suits and burnt orange ties.

Fareen looked incredible in her Halfpenny London dress, paired with elegant Saint Lauren sandals which highlighted the intricate henna on her feet. With her hair in soft waves and carrying a bouquet of pinks and oranges, it was the perfect summer wedding look.

Their wedding ceremony at Bedford Town Hall was an emotional one and it was so clear how much they both are cherished by their friends and family. As they said their vows the room was filled with an overwhelming sense of love and support and it was a joy to capture.

Afterward, we all headed to Nick’s family home where the celebrations continued in his parents’ garden. They had spent the week setting up for the day, centered around a stretch tent which had been adorned with paper lanterns, vibrant flowers and multicoloured bunting. Musicians played gentle sitar music as guests enjoyed drinks and Indian canapés on the lawn.

Everyone headed into the tent for emotional speeches which had everyone laughing and crying in equal measure. It was so lovely to capture these moments as they unfolded and I loved how they broke with tradition with Fareen’s friends giving speeches as well as Nick’s.

As evening came around, we couldn’t resist sneaking away from the celebrations to take photos with the newlyweds in the beautiful golden hour sun. We sat down in a nearby field and gave them a peaceful moment to reflect on the day as we captured them in the soft evening light.

The night kicked off with cake cutting and some traditional Hindu ceremonies in which Fareen’s family officially welcomed Nick into the fold. And then of course it was time to hit the dance floor, with a fantastic band getting everyone up on their feet and dancing along with the couple as the sun set.

Thank you both for having us capture your day. We truly loved every moment and it will be a memory we hold dear for a very long time. Congratulations!

“The photos are fantastic - thank you! We can’t wait to share them with our friends and family. We know that they will absolutely love them too. We truly appreciate all your hard work and effort both in the run up to the wedding and on the day itself. It really made us so much more relaxed and comfortable knowing that you were our photographer. ”
— Fareen & Nick

featured suppliers

Venue: Bedford Town Hall and Marquee
Marquee: FM Tents
Florist: Skipps Florist
Dress: Halfpenny London
Suit: Tiger of Sweden
Cake: Two Little Cats Bakery
DJ: Shoosh Weddings

Bride and groom share a quiet moment sitting close in long grass.
Bride's mehndi adorned hands and feet in long grass near groom’s brown shoes and orange socks.
Bride in blue robe applies lipstick with hands adorned in beautiful bridal mehndi.
Groom assists in tying tie for laughing best man, in black and white.
Groom drinking with his groomsmen outside, all in blue suits with burnt orange ties and orange buttonholes.
Groom straightens his tie before the wedding ceremony begins in Bedford Town Hall.
Bride wipes away a tear during multicultural wedding ceremony in the Bedford Town Hall.
Bride and groom seal their vows with a kiss in Bedford Old Town Hall as guests applaud in the background.
Wedding guests smile as they take photos during colourful wedding ceremony in The Old Town Hall in Bedford.
Four groomsmen deliver best man speech at multicultural marquee wedding.

Are you having a marquee wedding in Bedfordshire and looking for your wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

Eilis & Tom: Riverside Engagement Shoot near Leighton Buzzard

As I look back on early 2020, it’s so bizarre remembering these shoots as we went along as normal before the world changed forever in March when the lockdowns started. One of these was Eilis and Tom’s engagement shoot, which took place in late February.

They suggested a cosy riverside pub in Leighton Buzzard which proved the perfect spot to capture their excitement and get to know them before their wedding later that year.

I’m never one to insist on engagement shoots but they really are a wonderful way to learn all about a couple and their story so far that has led to this exciting chapter of their lives. It was clear these two are just perfect for each other and it was lovely to hang out and share in the excitement and anticipation of their big day. Despite the typical British cloudy weather, we made the most of it (us photographers love overcast days!) and grabbed some lovely shots as we walked along the river.

Just as our shoot was finishing up a spot of rain caught us off guard, but as a blessing in disguise it rewarded us with these last dramatic shots with the two of them sat in the cosy pub window light - perfect for capturing a shot of Eilis’s gorgeous engagement ring.

“Thank you so much! After COVID cancelled our honeymoon we have both been feeling a bit deflated and the photos have cheered both of us up! They are exactly the kind of style we wanted and knew we would get from you, so thank you for your hard work!”
— Eilis & Tom
Elis and Tom walk hand in hand along the canal during their engagement photoshoot in Leighton Buzzard.
Eilis and Tom, sitting on canal steps, deep in conversation during their late autumn engagement photoshoot.
Eilis and Tom laugh as they walk hand in hand beside the canal in Leighton Buzzard.
Eilis and Tom gaze lovingly into each others eyes, standing on Lock 28 of the Grand Union Canal in Bedfordshire.
Eilis and Tom gaze out of the window at Grove Lock a canalside pub in Bedfordshire.

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

,

Helen & Ben: Rustic Summer Wedding at Bassmead Manor Barns

,

The beginning of August brought Helen and Ben’s fantastic wedding day, set at Bassmead Manor Barns near St Neots. Their relaxed countryside wedding was filled with beautiful pastel hues and made for the perfect summer celebration surrounded by their favourite people.

My day started with capturing the girls getting ready, buzzing with excitement in their matching floral dressing gowns, each embroidered with their initials in a lovely gift from Helen. She looked radiant in her Rosa Clara dress, which she paired with a summery bouquet of pastel pinks and blues. I loved capturing her dad hugging her after he saw Helen in her dress for the first time - a really lovely moment and one of my favourite photos to this day.

Their ceremony took place in the Rickety Barn, a gorgeous rustic setting adorned with fairy lights twisting around the barn’s beams. They said their vows in front of their nearest and dearest and it was so lovely to see the joy on their parents’ faces as they applauded at the end of the ceremony.

We braved the blustery weather to capture the newlyweds with their friends and family in front of the iconic Bassmead bridge, and then took a little walk around the grounds with Helen and Ben for their couple photos. We had so much fun shooting as they laughed together and enjoyed each other’s company in a little calm moment amidst the wedding madness.

Before dinner guests enjoyed heartfelt speeches, the highlight of which had to be Helen and Ben delivering a speech together in a wonderful break from tradition. In the evening, they had hired a tuktuk for guests to take photos in as a nod to their love of travelling.

The evening celebrations began as Helen and Ben cut their wedding cake: a stack of chocolate brownies topped with a cake painted with delicate cherry blossoms. Their friends and family joined them on the dancefloor to boogie the night away and we left after capturing their fabulous dance moves.

Congratulations Helen and Ben! We loved your day from start to finish and wish you both a wonderful life together.

“We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for photographing our wedding on Saturday. You were amazing battling the winds and making us laugh even though it was a bit of a challenge! Your stamina to keep going and energy was fantastic. You also went above and beyond your role for helping with my dress and the button holes. Thank you! We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to others.”
— Helen & Ben

featured suppliers

Venue: Bassmead Manor Barns
Florist: Flowers by Suzanne
Dress: Rosa Clará via Morgan Davies
Suit: Moss Bros
Hair & Make up: Izzy Wild
Cake: One Part Love
Band: 2plo
Tuk tuk: Ride my Tuk Tuk

Make-up artist applies eyeshadow to bride in hair rollers and floral robe in Bassmead Manor Barn's Bridal Boudoir.
Groom and his groomsmen cheers in blue suits white shirts and pale blue ties.
Father of the bride hugs his daughter tightly in an emotional moment.
Bride and groom share their first kiss as husband and wife.
Wedding ceremony guests crowd round with their phones to take photos of the bride and groom.
Four smiling bridesmaids stand either side of the bride with pink, white and blue bouquets, and pale blue dresses.
Four groomsmen in blue suits laugh as they pick up the smiling groom at Bassmead Manor Barns.
Groom kisses bride on the forehead during a quiet moment in the grounds of Bassmead Manor Barns.
Bride and Groom wander hand in hand through the grounds of a Cambridgeshire wedding venue.
Bride and groom share magical first dance beneath the fairy light lit beams of Bassmead Manor Barns, in black and white.

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.

AS FEATURED ON..

logos-2.png

FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM! @CATLANEPHOTO