Clare & Luke's Wedding at Chafford Park Estate, Tunbridge Wells
Clare and Luke’s wedding at Chafford Park Estate
The last day of July saw my first ever wedding at Chafford Park Estate (and also first of two weddings there).
Clare and Luke booked me in early 2019 for their New Year’s Eve wedding in 2020. Which of course didn't happen. It was rescheduled to July 2021 and it was worth the wait!
I met Claire, her parents and bridesmaids getting ready at The Royal Wells Hotel to capture a little bit of bridal prep before they headed off in a friend’s vintage VW camper to the venue - Chafford Park.
Chafford park has two beautiful barns available, Clare and Luke were having their wedding in the smaller one and the reception in the bigger barn.
The weather was a little bit of a mixed bag but it held off enough for Clare to make a dry entrance!
The ceremony was beautiful and joyful and went without a hitch!
After the ceremony it Clare and Luke went for a very short drive in Luke’s beloved and balloon filled, VW Golf Mark 1 before being covered in confetti (the couple not the car!)
The it was drinks, relaxing, chatting and a little bit of magic!
…interspersed with group photos….
…. and also whisking the bride and groom off for some portraits in the beautiful grounds of the estate, and with Luke’s car.
The delicious wedding breakfast was hosted in the bigger of the two barns after the speeches.
Such a lovely day. Congratulations Mr & Mrs Bookham!
Here’s a list of Claire and Luke’s incredible suppliers:
Venue - Chafford Park Estate
Hair - HD Hair designs
Makeup - R.M.MUA and Rebecca Tolton MUA
Flowers - The Floral Workshop
Dress - Maggie Sottero (Alaina) purchased at Go Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses - Maya Dress - Next
Suits - Moss Bros hire
Cake - Jeys Heavenly Events
Venue styling - Hire Your Day
Catering - Leave it to us
Balloon Wall - Boutique Balloon Studio
DJ - Mint DJs
Band - Shakedown
Group shots - love ‘em or hate ‘em?
People have a bit of a love/hate relationship with group shots; on the one hand you want to make sure you get those all important photos of you and your family but equally you don’t want to spend ages standing in a line plastering a smile on your face.
People have a bit of a love/hate relationship with group portraits; on the one hand you want to make sure you get those all important photos of you and your family but equally you don’t want to spend ages standing in a line plastering a smile on your face. They also take time, time that you could be spending with your loved ones having fun. But for most people it’s important to get photos of you on your big day with the people that are important to you. That said, if you’re choosing photos to go on your wall or flicking through your wedding album in years to come do you want to look at endless photos of family members standing in a line with a fake grin slapped on their faces? Probably not.
So what to do?
First off think about the group photos you really really want. For me a whole group shot is a must because it covers everyone. (Well hopefully everyone but there’s bound to be someone who’s gone for a quick wee or having to deal with a tantruming child who doesn’t make it). Other ‘standards’ are with parents, siblings, your children, grandparents, bridal party.
Once you’ve got your list then think about wether any of them might be covered throughout other parts of the day? If you are having bridal prep photographed then you will probably get the bride and bridesmaids, bride and Mum, then bride and Dad (arriving for the ceremony). The groom and groomsmen pretty much always get photographed before the ceremony waiting for the bride. That’s not to say you take these requests off your list, just let your photographer (hopefully me) know that you want them but you are happy if they are checked off at other times.
Bride with her immediate family arriving before the ceremony
Hopefully that’s narrowed the list down a bit.
My next tip is to get the photos you do want done as quickly as possible. This is where it’s a good idea to enlist a family member and/or a friend who can help round people up - someone with a loud voice who has maybe a bit of a bossy nature is ideal. It’s also a good idea to do it sooner rather than later ie before too many drinks have been sunk. Although that may help with the next suggestion….
Helpful guest getting the wedding party into position
Make it fun! The photos don’t have to be of everyone standing stiffly, baring their teeth in a resemblance of a smile do they? Have a bit of fun, pull silly faces (just don’t flash your knickers).
So hopefully that’s a few tips to make the groups portraits go smoothly and quickly. That said, if you’re still not convinced then don’t do it, it is your day!
Welcome to my website
Welcome to my new website which will be the home of my wedding and event photography business.
Welcome to my new website which will be the home of my wedding and event photography business.
I’ve been taking photos for a very long time (I have a GCSE and A level in photography, gained using a film SLR and dark room rather than digital SLR and LightRoom) and I love a wedding so what better way to try and make a living than combining two favourite things?!
Aside from taking photos and spending time with my family, I also like sewing, eating, drinking (partial to a good g&t and have turned into a bit of a gin snob having tried over 30 different gins so far), cats and I have to admit to being a bit of a telly addict.
So that’s me, I hope you enjoy the photos and if you are getting married or having event I hope you’ll consider booking me
Please do not hesitate to get in contact if you have any questions (either photography or gin related).
Thank you,
Samantha