It was such a pleasure to be asked to photograph Cara and Nick’s Wedding as well as being invited as Guests. Nick and Cara arranged their Wedding, within a very short time, whilst over here from Australia towards the end of last year! We arrived at Cara’s family home where Cara was having the final touches applied to her make-up whilst Cara’s Parents, Denise, her Sister and Nephews were getting ready. Cara was kept company by a few of her close friends who had flown in from various parts of the world. After taking a few pictures of Cara in her dress it was time for us to leave to go to Our Lady Immaculate Church, Chelmsford. Meeting up with Nick, his family and friends there, we took a few photographs of them before Cara arrived. With the Church service over, Cara and Nick greeted their Guests outside for a few minutes before we took a few family photographs. Unbeknown to the Guests, Cara and Nick asked us to go with them when they stopped at a pub for a celebratory private drink on their way to Prested Hall – they also wanted a couple of pictures by the river after they had had their moment together!
After we arrived at Prested Hall we took a few small group pictures during the Drinks Reception and we even had time for a few pictures of the two of them in the grounds. The Speeches after the Wedding Breakfast gave some wonderful images. Later, there was time available for us to take Cara and Nick for a short walk for a few evening pictures before the evening Reception.
The Wedding Cake was made by Nick’s sister, Hannah, which Cara and Nick duly cut before they took to the floor for their First Dance. 
Afterwards, Guests joined Cara and Nick on the Dance floor and danced the night away. A memorable day and one that we were extremely happy to be part of.
Category: wedding
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Wedding Photography for Cara & Nick – Prested Hall, Feering
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Wedding Testimonial
We received this wonderful Testimonial recently from Ruth and Daniel who were married earlier this year at the Hotel Felix, Cambridge:-
Dear David & Sandra
Thank you both for all your hard work on our wedding day!
Daniel and I feel so fortunate to have found you both. You made the day relaxed and fun. We have received so many compliments on how relaxed and friendly you both were. We hope you enjoyed the day too!
We can’t wait to see the photos you have taken.
Kind regards
Ruthie & Daniel
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Wedding Photography for Claire & Luke – Crabbs Barn, Kelvedon
Claire was getting ready for her Wedding at Old Wills Farm B&B, Feering, where Claire and members of her family were staying. After capturing a few images of the final preparations we took a few portraits of Claire and her party outside in the front garden where there was a backdrop of trees. As we had plenty of time, we were able to take some lovely pictures of everybody. As the Camper Van arrived to pick up Claire, Dad and Bridesmaids, it was time for us to depart. Once at Crabbs Barn we took pictures of Luke, and his Ushers, and it wasn’t long before Claire arrived. Following the Civil Ceremony, Claire and Luke wanted a couple of pictures with the Camper Van which we did before they joined their Guests enjoying the Drinks Reception.
The weather was dry, overcast and warm so we could take the the family group pictures at any spot around Crabbs Barn that we wanted. It was good to take Claire and Luke to some different places for their pictures. The Speeches were before the Wedding Breakfast allowing everybody to relax during the meal. After the meal there was time for a short walk with Claire and Luke for a few evening pictures.
Once the evening Guests had arrived, we took an everybody picture and some confetti pictures which was followed by the cake cutting, First Dance and a Sunset picture.
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Wedding Photography for Sarah & Paul – Crabbs Barn, Kelvedon
It was a dry but windy day when we arrived at Crabbs Barn, Kelvedon, for the Wedding of Sarah and Paul. Sarah was getting ready in the Bridal Suite with Jo-Anne, her Bridesmaid and Ella, who was the Flowergirl. After capturing some getting ready pictures we took a few inside pictures of the three of them together with Sarah’s parents. We took some pictures of Paul and his Best Man, just before the Guests were arriving for the Civil Ceremony. Following the Ceremony, Sarah and Paul enjoyed the Drinks Reception in the grounds of Crabbs Barn, whilst we went looking for a sheltered corner to take the requested Family pictures, Mission achieved, Sarah and Paul spent some more time with their Guests before a few pictures with the Bridal Party and pictures of them together, as well as taking pictures of them with their son, Stanley.
The Receiving Line preceded the Wedding Breakfast which was followed by the Speeches. Later, everybody enjoyed the evening sunshine, Sarah and Paul ended up with some lovely evening pictures, before the First Dance and a while later it was time for us to leave.
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Fellowship of BIPP!
Membership of an organisation and qualifications sadly does not guarantee you to be a better photographer! What it does show is a willingness to learn and the ability to achieve a standard. This discipline will always carry forward and therefore improve the photographer’s regular work.
The British Institute of Professional Photography (BIPP) was founded over 100 years ago and has four levels. The qualified levels are based on the submission of work.
Unqualified
Licentiate (LBIPP) – the photographer is competent in that discipline.
Associate (ABIPP) – a developing sense of style, a halfway point if you prefer.
Fellowship (FBIPP) – the highest accolade, showing distinctive style and only awarded to less than 5% of professional photographers.
It was a great honour for David yesterday to be awarded Fellowship of The British Institute of Professional Photography, in the difficult discipline of wedding photography. To our knowledge there is no other working Wedding Fellow based in Essex!
Thanks to Kevin Pengelly FBIPP for providing mentoring over the last year or so.
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Wedding Photography for Gemma & Richard – Fennes
Gemma and Richard chose the superb Fennes Estate for their Spring Wedding. With final bridal preparations taking place, Richard and his Groomsmen were arriving. Being a dry and bright day, and once Richard was ready, we took a few pictures of him, his Best Man, Ushers and Parents outside. All was well with the Girls and after taking a few pictures of them it was time for the Civil Ceremony.
Whilst Gemma and Richard were in the Wedding Ceremony, there was a short shower, but by the time they had greeted their Guests in the Drinks Reception we were able to go outside for the main pictures. Gemma and Richard had chosen a colourful theme for their day which blended well with the sunshine and daffodils. A wonderful setting, lovely pictures! 
Making sure Gemma and Richard had breaks in between their pictures to talk to their Guests, gave us the chance to capture the informal pictures. The Wedding Breakfast was held in the Pavilion and was followed by the Speeches. Later Gemma and Richard wanted a couple of pictures outside the Bridal Cottage and in the Gold Room .
After the cake cutting it was time for the First Dance and Gemma and Richard surprised their Guests with their rehearsed dance routine, which was great! Our day ended a short time later. -
Wedding Photography for Ruth & Daniel – Hotel Felix, Cambridge
Spring at last! The sun was out when we arrived at the Hotel Felix, Cambridge, for the Wedding of Ruth and Daniel’s outdoor Civil Ceremony. Daniel had arrived with his Groomsmen and had a few pictures taken while Ruth was getting ready in one of the rooms with her three Bridesmaids . Capturing some of the action and after taking a few pictures of Ruth when she was ready, it was time for Ruth to make her way to the outside for the Ceremony.
The setting in the gardens was wonderful for the Ceremony and the Drinks Reception during which Ruth and Daniel mingled with their Guests in the warm sunshine. Some family group photographs were taken and whilst the Guests were socialising, we took Ruth and Dan around the front of the Hotel for some of their pictures. We had fun and we were delighted to hear the words from our Groom, Dan, ‘I’m enjoying this’ as was Ruth.
The Wedding Breakfast was held in the beautifully decorated Marquee and followed by the Speeches. After the arrival of their evening Guests we captured a few pictures of Ruth and Dan as the sun was going down before ending our coverage of their wonderful Wedding with pictures of the First Dance.
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Wedding Photography for Carly & Gary – Crabbs Barn, Kelvedon
It was a pleasure to be asked to photograph Carly and Gary’s Wedding at Crabbs Barn, Kelvedon, Essex. Our day started at Carly’s parents’ home where there was lots going on but everything was going to plan. Once all preparations were complete, we had plenty of time to take pictures inside the house as well as in the garden, before we left to go to Crabbs Barn.
Arriving at Crabbs Barn, Gary, his Best Man and Usher were there and we had enough time to take some photographs of them before the Bridesmaids and Carly arrived. Following the Civil Ceremony Carly and Gary had a couple of pictures taken with the car before leaving for a short car ride. Once they returned and socialised with their Guests for a little while, we took a few requested family groups and then some relaxed pictures of the bridal party before we took Carly and Gary for a short stroll around the grounds for their pictures. 
After the Wedding Breakfast and Speeches and whilst the guests enjoyed their coffee, Carly and Gary had their caricatures drawn by the brilliant Caricature Artist Steve Hearn who we have met at numerous events. With the Guests then having their caricatures drawn, we took the opportunity of taking Carly and Gary for another walk around Crabbs Barn as the light was so good.
Evening Guests arrived before the happy couple took to the dance floor for their First Dance. Later on, Carly, Gary and their Wedding Guests were entertained by a surprise firework display. -
Wedding Photography for Victoria & Alex – Leez Priory, Chelmsford
Victoria and Alex chose the wonderful Leez Priory for their Spring Wedding. It was a bright dry day when we arrived at Leez Priory to capture the final bridal preparations of Vicky and her Bridesmaids. Everything was running smoothly, Alex and his Groomsmen had their pictures taken outside before the arrival of the Wedding Guests and then it was time for some pictures of Vicky. Once these were taken it was time for her to see the Registrars and then the Wedding Ceremony. This was held in the Great Tower and after the Ceremony Vicky and Alex led the way to the Drinks Reception back in the House. After a little while, it was time to take the family group photographs outside. Making sure Vicky and Alex had time to socialise with their Guests, resulted in some nice informal pictures. Leaving the guests to continue with the Drinks Reception we took Vicky and Alex for a short walk around the grounds of Leez Priory, it was so lovely to find some daffodils at last!
For a few Bride and Groom portraits we went to the Carriageway under the Great Tower before returning to the House. Following the Wedding Breakfast and coverage of the Speeches, with the sun going down provided Vicky and Alex with a nice sunset picture before it was time for their cake cutting. 
Vicky and Alex performed a surprise superbly rehearsed First Dance with our day ending with a couple of night shots.
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Wedding Photography for Melissa & Dave – Marks Hall, Coggeshall
It was a beautiful spring day for the Wedding of Melissa and Dave. Our day started at Melissa’s Parents’ home with the final bridal preparations which were going very well. With everybody ready we took a few pictures of Melissa, her Parents, the Flowergirls and Pageboy, before leaving to go to St. Peter’s Church for the ceremony. The church and grounds looked a picture in the lovely sunshine and as Dave and his Groomsmen arrived at the Church we took a few pictures of them. With everyone seated in the Church it was time for the flowergirls and pageboys to make their entrance into the Church followed by Melissa with her Dad. St Peter’s Church is beautiful and makes for some lovely photographs.
Following the service Melissa and Dave let their Guests down the aisle.The guestts lined the path on both sides for the confetti throwing. Melissa and Dave wanted a few family group pictures taken at the Church which we did before leaving to go to the Reception at Marks Hall, Coggeshall. Whilst the Guests were arriving, Melissa, Dave and ourselves went for a short walk around the grounds and to the lakes. Melissa and Dave are a lovely couple full of enthusiasm and aided by the warm weather made for some great relaxed pictures. Although spoilt for choice as to the photographic opportunities, we only kept Melissa and Dave a minimum amount of time away for their Guests, hoping for a little time later on!
Guests enjoyed the Drinks Reception on the Terrace and we captured some nice images of the Bridesmaids and Pageboys in the garden. The Wedding Breakfast was held in the Coach House and followed by the Speeches. Playing a waiting game for the sunset resulted in some brilliant pictures as the evening Guests were arriving.
A little while after the First Dance it was time for us to say goodbye. A brilliant day and thank you to Bouqui Garni for a super meal.