Downsview Vineyard Styled Wedding Shoot
A styled wedding shoot I organised at Downsview Vineyard, Crowborough.
We happened to find Downsview Vineyard by accident on a walk at the end of last year. Even though it’s only a couple of miles from our house we were not aware of it - nor their amazing wines. Anyway we went back to purchase a bottle as a Christmas present (and ended up trying and then buying a lot more than one bottle!) and got talking to one of the owners about their business and mine. After hearing about their plans to set up a glamping area and also hoping to hold weddings I had the idea of arranging a styled shoot at the vineyard.
I soon had a number of other suppliers who agreed to be involved and my vague idea of a ‘boho/English countryside’ themed shoot was evolved by the talented Julie of Crystal Amore Events into a more unique idea of ‘fruit and foliage’.
We also wanted to have a bit of an eco friendly vibe as the vineyard is off grid (solar powered) so with that in mind I looked to mainly use suppliers who were local and/or planet friendly.
The dress was borrowed from Brides Dress Revisited (just love the name!) who are specialist in second hand wedding dresses. Using Julie’s faux flowers and foliage and Gemma’s (Vintage Gems) vintage crockery and props meant that we didn't buy new. Bryony who supplied the jewellery (Bryony Bespoke) uses recycled gold and silver and eco friendly packaging.
Make up artist Louise Large (Louise Make Up) is also from Crowborough, the veil was made by Anne-Marie (Bespoke Veils) in Uckfield and the cake from Val (Soverign Cakes) in Eastbourne, so our carbon footprint in regards to travel was very low!
The bespoke embroidered jacket was from Sewn By Me and the fruit themed stationery was created by Lisa from Kardelicious who both sent their items in.
Our bride for the day was Chloe Thomas, a very experienced model from Tunbridge Wells.
On shoot day the weather was set to rain from 2pm, which it did, which it meant that we had to set up, shoot and take down very quickly! However we managed it and I feel the scene we created were beautiful!
Choosing your wedding photographer
How to choose your wedding photographer
How to choose your wedding photographer.
This is a blog post I first wrote before the world stopped. Now we seem to be opening up again (fingers crossed) and weddings are restarting it seems like a good time to update it and re-blog it.
I expect you think this will read….
Choosing your wedding photographer….
PICK ME….
The end.
However I can’t take all the bookings so I am going to write a bit more than just ‘pick me’.
So where do you start? There’s so many photographers out there all offering many different styles and looks. You need to figure out (if you don’t already know) what you like, probably the best place to start is on on Instagram.
Do a search for wedding photography on Instagram and you will see all different sorts: candid, documentary, reportage, traditional, contemporary. That’s the style of photography then there’s also the look; light, dark, cold, warm, colourful, contrasty, muted and many variations in-between.
After you’ve got a better idea of how you want your photos to look you can start looking for photographers who do that sort of photography. Google is your friend here along with wedding directory websites such as Wedding Wire or Bridebook. You can enter in your location and search for photographers near you or your venue. Of course photographers will travel but a) you’ve got to start somewhere so start local and b) global warming, probably better for the planet to try and find someone who doesn’t have to travel miles and miles if possible.
Also ask friends and family for recommendations too. A personal recommendation is great because if they have used a photographer who’s style you love and they’ve had great service from them then you hopefully don’t have to worry about their professionalism ie if they are going to turn up or not!
You’ll probably have a long list by now, so what next? Look at their portfolio of work, don’t just go on their Instagram page as it’s probably a showcase of a few images from each wedding (the best of the best). You want to see a full wedding gallery if possible or certainly a slightly edited version of a full wedding so you can get a good idea of what to expect from your photographer. Anyone can post three or four amazing photos from a wedding, you want to make sure the rest are pretty good too.
Make sure that their body of work fits how you want your photographs to look. If you’ve a preference for light and airy looking photos, don’t pick photographers who prefer the dark and moody feel. Equally if you pick a photographer who’s work shows mainly more traditional, posed photos don’t be surprised if you don’t get any wacky angle, people caught off guard type photos.
Then get in touch with your favourites. First of all you need to know if they are free and if you can afford them. Notice I didn’t say ‘if they are in your budget’? That’s because you may have an idea of what you want to pay but if you find a photographer who you love then your budget may go out the window!
What do they include in their packages? Pretty much every photographer now gives you all the images via an online gallery or USB but some (like me!) include a photobook or album, or you can add these on as an extra cost so check out the prices of the extras. If possible speak on the phone or meet up with them, make sure you ‘click’ (pun intended!).
A few more boring but essential things to consider are; are they properly insured, (some venues require proof of this), do they have backup equipment, a back up plan for if they are sick? You don’t want half way through the ceremony their only camera to pack up, or a call the day of your wedding saying they are ill and can’t make it. Whilst these things are unfortunately generally unavoidable, a decent photographer will have back up plans in place should the worse happen.
So once you’ve gone through all these things you should have a much shorter list. Now what? Well now you have to make your final decision, it’s all down to personal preference - who do you want to capture your special day?
Good luck!
PS Pick me :)
Bags bags bag
Beautiful handmade bags
As weddings are none existent at the moment I thought I would like to try some product photography so I put a call out for a couple of local businesses who would like some free photography.
The first person who took me up on my offer was Leaan from Lulu Bespoke Bags. Leann usually makes ballgowns and other dresses for dancers, but Covid has put paid to that for the time being. So she has diversified into bags. A lost of the bags are made from a very interesting product - cork leather!
Cork leather will no only appeal to vegans but is also much more environmentally friendly too. They feel really soft and look fantastic. The range of colours that she has is incredible and I love the extra pop of colour in these fully lined bags.
If you are looking for a new purse or bag then check out her Etsy page.
The little bird figures in the last two pictures are made by my talented friend, please check out her Etsy page too.
Weddings in 2021?
Weddings in 2021
Happy New Year! Even though it hasn't started off the greatest, let’s hope that 2021 is an improvement on 2020.
So what about weddings this year? Well there’s not going to be any until at least March and then it’s likely that numbers will be very restricted again - maybe 6 to start with, then up to 15 or 30? Perhaps by July it will be back to normal but many think it will be 2022.
How does this affect you? If you had already planned and booked your big wedding before, or in the early days of the pandemic, then I can imagine it’s hard to try and change your plans now to fit a possible smaller scale so you’ll probably chose to wait it out.
But if you haven’t started yet and you want to get married in 2021 then you may have to have a think about what sort of wedding you will be able to have. Just a few guests? Only the two of you? A winter wedding?
I have photographed a few small weddings, both pre covid and during, and they are lovely. Yes it’s great to have all your family and friends around you on your special day, but there is also something very lovely about having just a few or even no other guests!
Loved ones who can’t be there can still see you getting married via video.
And if you can’t get close to your wedding party or guests that can be arranged afterwards!
One of my couples had a lot of family between them and they were spread out over the country so decided just to have the two of them, plus two ex pilots as witnesses and got married on Concorde!
Another couple had the ceremony with just them and their parents, then we spent some time in the very beautiful local park making portraits - before they announced to the rest of their families and friends later on that day they’d got married!
As for a winter wedding, well if you pick a summer month there is no guarantee the sun will shine. I photographed a wedding in May that had every kind of weather under the sporadically appearing sun except snow and it was so cold! Yet the last wedding I photographed in November had beautiful sunshine and was exceptionally warm.
An Autumn or winter wedding means that not only is golden hour much earlier, it can be really really glorious too.
Of course if you are having a smaller do then you are not going to need a photographer for as long which is why I have developed a package especially for small or elopement weddings. Up to 3 hours photography, all the high and low res files and a photobook of your choice of images all for just £499. This package is perfect for 2021 weddings and beyond. For more information have a look at my prices pages.
However your wedding day turns out it will still be amazing!
The perks of a Covid restricted wedding
Having a covid wedding? There are perks!
I recently reviewed my wedding photography packages and removed the 3 hour package which I had devised for smaller Covid 19 times weddings. How rash was I?!
So now it looks like that for the next 6 months that weddings are going to be even more heavily restricted in the number of guests allowed. Sad times. Or is it? Just think….
“Can my second cousin and her husband who I haven’t seen since 1976 come?” “Sorry Mum no, Covid innit”.
Your creepy boss? “Sorry Mr bossman, not able to invite anyone from work, covid innit”.
Husband to be wants to invite the whole rugby team to the reception? Not any more!
Not sure if you want to have children at your wedding? Out of your hands now! (except for maybe your own!)
Table plan seating nightmares? Gone.
Having to chase up non RSVPers? Your friends/family will be so delighted to be one of the chosen 13 invited to your wedding they will reply instantly.
Having to cater for large numbers of dietary requirements? There’s only 15 of you - how many differences can that create?
You will able to spend a decent amount of time with every guest - even if I take you off for an hour to do some photos of just the two of you.
We are living through a historically important event that future generations are going to learn about at school - and your wedding will be part of that.
So I have reintroduced my covid 19 wedding photography package, 3 hours for just £499 and I am offering a 10% discount if your wedding date is a non peak date. (Mon-Thurs or any time in January, February, March, October or November.) See my prices page for full details of what this special package includes.
Of course a wedding of 15 people isn’t going to suit everyone but if you can make it work for you then go for it! Plus you can always have a big party later on and get a bonus second wear of your dress, or buy another new outfit? Win win!
