It was quite possibly the hottest, and brightest day of the year and you can see how scorched the ground had become over those few weeks in the early summer.

The girls got ready in the  gorgeous bridal suite in a cottage in the grounds of the Hall

Although some of the local residents are voyeurs!

Virginia looked so beautiful – she reminded me of a European princess you’d see in Hello magazine

Virginia and Oli were married at Wickhambrooke Church, over the border in Cambridgeshire

Viginia’s father gave his speech in English, Spanish, French and Flemish, which was rather impressive!

After the meal as the day cooled a little, people took the opportunity to explore the grounds

Virginia and Oli’s first dance

I was very excited when Dan and Judith invited me down to Hampstead in London for their pre wedding shoot. I will be their wedding photographer when they get married in Suffolk next month.

Dan proposed on Hampstead Heath, so thought it would be nice to have some photos of the two of them there.

I felt like Country Mouse being back in London again. I used to live there about 500 years ago, but I always lived in the Sarf and didn’t often venture north of the river! It was a scorching day and the Heath was very busy. We managed to find some space though and had a lovely time.

It was a glorious spring day, just right for a wedding.

It was the car’s first wedding of the season and it had been a little reluctant to come out of the garage, but fortunately it decided to play ball and Rachel was able to arrive in her dream car.

OK, technically it wasn’t a reception venue as such, it was a small, family wedding so the guests were welcomed back to Karen and David’s house.

Karen is from the Philippines and her dress had the Spanish influence which is traditional over there.

Karen’s parents were unable to come to England for the wedding, but her aunts made journeys from Zambia and Stockholm  to represent them.

We had had some beautiful spring days in the week prior to their wedding, but the weather changed and Saturday was cloudy and drizzly. I always tell my clients not to worry about the weather. Umbrellas make for great images and it very rarely rains solidly for a whole day. Even if it does, an experienced wedding photographer will be able to work around the elements.

The wedding ceremony took place at the Church of the Holy Family and St Michael in Kesgrave. It is a neat but rather unassuming church on the corner of the A1214 and Ropes Drive. At the rehearsal, Father Peter told me some of its fascinating history. The church is dedicated to the memory of Michael Rope, a local man and one of the designers of the R101 airship, who perished along with many others in the airship disaster over France in 1930. You can read more about it here

Karen was given away by her aunt, Epiphane

The rain stopped so after the ceremony, we took a walk through the parks in Kesgrave,

before heading back to the house for a buffet and cupcakes.

This was such a lovely wedding with members of both families meeting each other for the first time. There was very little formality though, and I came away with my facing aching from smiling and laughing so much.

David’s grandmother is almost 94, which Karen’s aunties couldn’t quite get their heads around, especially the fact that she has such wonderful skin!

They even insisted on hugs to bring them the gift of long life and soft faces!

I loved meeting them all and am now busy designing their album, a copy of which will be winging its way across the world to Karen’s parents in the Philippines.

The dress

Bridal preparations at home

I think the word is ‘resplendent!’

Bridal portrait before the ceremony

The lighting conditions inside the barn are pretty tricky but using available light rather than flash has kept the images very natural and was much less intrusive

The muted autumnal colours made a lovely backdrop

After the ceremony Lisa and Alasdair went for a short drive

And came back ready for the party!

I love moments like this

This little lad was great. I asked him if he’d like to stand where I was to take a group shot and he said “No thanks, I’m fine here.”

I don’t like the ‘formals’ to be too formal. I think they mean more when there is a bit of life to them, even if they don’t look like the traditional line ups

Lisa’s gorgeous daughters – fabulous bridesmaids!

A bit of bridal tickling

The bouquet posing for its own photo

This one breaks just about every rule, but I like it

Beautiful mother of the groom

The ushers. No not really, just a bunch of characters hanging around outside

I attended Emily’s house near Colchester for the bridal preparations.

but not neglecting the grandfather preparations!

It doesn’t matter that you’re the father of the bride, if you’re expecting guests back in the evening, there are chores to be done.

After a short ride in an enormous Rolls Royce, we arrived at the beautiful Maison Talbooth overlooking Dedham Vale. As it was such a small wedding, there was a very relaxed atmosphere, with the guests sitting on armchairs and sofas. Steve’s father provided the entertainment while they waited for Emily to arrive.

Emily was given away by her father and grandfather

I love the expressions on the girls faces here

After the ceremony there was time for group photos and a stroll in the grounds

We then headed off to Le Talbooth restaurant, a short distance away, for lunch.

There is obviously a very special bond between Emily and her grandfather, and I think this photo sums it up.

A lovely day, and I wish them every happiness.