We’re a little behind with the blog posts at the mo, but hope to keep you up to date with our most recent weddings by next week.

We had our last wedding photography job of the year the weekend just gone and are beginning to wind down in preparation for the Christmas season. To be honest, with the weather getting…well, crisp to say the least, that can only be a good thing - minus 1-degrees centigrade is certainly no kind of weather to be out and about in a strapless bridal gown (girls…you put the likes of Ranulph Fiennes to shame).

Around a month ago now, just as the cars were starting to frost up in the mornings and the evenings began to have a distinct bonfire smell about them, we made our way up to Guildford, Surrey for the wedding of Tracey and Jake. The wedding was to take place at the National Trust property, Clandon Park - a Venetian-inspired mansion house built in the Early 1730s. We’d already had a good look around the building with Tracey and Jake before the wedding, although as it’s a residence that’s open to the public it was still a pleasant surprise to see the house without wandering members of the public and…ahem.. slightly aloof NT volunteers.

One of the most challenging parts of shooting in a National Trust property is, as you would expect with any historic and treasured building, there are a lot of rules and regulations to adhere to. Ladies (even the bride) had to fix on protective caps onto their stilettos to protect the ancient marble floor. Flash was also strictly prohibited in the Tapestry Room acting as the ceremony venue. However, although that meant that the shots maybe weren’t as bright as we’d liked them to be, it gave us the opportunity to snap up some gorgeously rich, natural light photographs.

We met up with Tracey for her preparation shots at The Talbot Inn - just a short drive away from Clandon Park, where we got there in plenty of time to capture her prep right from the very beginnings of her make-up. And, after capturing the excited bridal party getting ready in the hotel room we made our way to meet with Jake, best man, ushers and set up in the Tapestry Room.

The elaborate Marble Hall played host to the drinks reception and after some fizz and hot toddies (deliciously warm and spicy white mulled wine), we braced the cold for a few shots around the grounds of Clandon Park.

The reception took place downstairs in the restaurant (in what we presume was the old house scullery and kitchens), completely transformed from the last time we visited there. With its pure white walls and supporting archways it had a nice cosy feel about it - just right for the speeches and meal.

We have to say, Tracey and Jake - you win the award for the best table names we’ve ever seen. Inspired by some classic 80s films like ‘The Goonies’, ‘The Burbs’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’, the bridal party were seated on the ‘Cocktail’ table. Brilliant.

Finally, the party huddled together in Tom Tit’s Stable for the bride and groom’s first dance, heralding the start of their evening reception and disco, where we managed to capture some skilful Michael Jackson-esque dancing from the groom before we headed off back to Dorset.

Posted with many thanks and congratulations to Mr and Mrs Taylor.