Posts tagged canterbury wedding photographer
Embracing the wedding chaos and turning it into an adventure. How to enjoy planning a wedding.
bride and groom drinks chilston manner

You are getting married yay! But now you are left with the task of choosing a wedding venue, photographer, make up artist you’ve basically become a badass boss on the hunt for amazing people to make your wedding vision a reality right? Thats a lot of researching and reading the same spill on websites and honestly when I was planning my wedding it all become too much. Cue streamlining and simplifying things.

Organising a wedding is like having a second job, I totally hear ya! And before you know it the day has arrived and it’s gone in a flash and what’s left from the day and all the planning? Besides a partner for life is your photos. So make sure you choose with your heart on this one because photographing emotions, preserving those feelings takes skill.

You are likely to missed so much on the day being pulled in various directions so having someone there to document those behind the scenes moments from the day will honestly make you feel like you are getting married all over again only this time in the comfort of your home and in your loungewear. Just promise you will print your images and have them allover your walls!

Part of our journey is hugely based on friendship, I like people and enjoy being around people so learning about each other for me is essential gimme the nitty gritty. It’s important to feel comfortable and that works both ways.

I have put together a top tips guide focusing on mindset and mindfulness so you as a couple can embrace the whirlwind that is organising a wedding whilst still enjoying the process. Cos lets face it weddings can be stressful so its important to surround yourself with suppliers who are simply more than a supplier but an experience in themselves.

Remember to breathe.

embrace the chaos and have an adventure.

So lets get to it here are some helpful tips that easy to implement.

  • I am sucker for stationary especially a planner but then I never use the planner I know I know, I am an official wombat even my child gave me a certificate and everything. But on this journey of buying all the things I thought I needed for a wedding I discovered actually all I need is checklist and somewhere to store links/bookmarks bring me my phone!

  • When searching for suppliers ask yourself and your fiancé what is most important to you? Give yourself 3 keywords for each supplier category each to focus on see if any of your words match up. For example - Venue my keywords were accessibility, barn and vibe. My husbands was abroad, fun and cost somehow we are a match but ya know opposites and all that. However we took the word fun and vibe and well decided to elope. But these keywords will help you focus yourself on what’s important to you both for your big day.

Another example photographer - friendly, informal, creative

  • By focusing on those key features it will half your searching journey trust me. You can gauge pretty quickly if the supplier/venue fit with your aesthetic and their website is usually a good indicator. You want a client experience with your vendors after all you are relying on them to help with the vision of your day.

  • Be realistic in your budget bride book have a useful tool for couples which show average prices for vendors/suppliers. Photography isn’t just a case of turning up and taking pictures it really is an experience and a lot more than just pressing a button. I recommend listing in order what is truly important/essential to you.

  • Book in some you and fiancé time as you can imagine planning and organising a wedding brings out a whole new level of stress and I mean that in the kindest way possible, down time is a must with no wedding talk. You heard of a mini moon before your actual honeymoon well use that notion and have a mini escape and hang out with your fiancé and no going to a wedding fair isn’t the same as hanging out.

  • Book in an engagement shoot. I have one included in my full day package these are lots of fun and its an afternoon with your person with some lovely images of your both which can also be used as save the date cards. Completely unposed and just a little insight into your love story. These take place in and around Kent. I particularly enjoy woodland portrait photography sessions.

  • Get yourself a wedding planner/coodinator it will take the stress out of the day but also the lead up to the day. Most venues have a coordinator make sure you have them onboard to help the day run smoothly.

  • Wedding fairs are great and useful but also an overwhelming experience (make sure you book in a meal/treat afterwards). Now you might find your perfect supplier at one of these events after all it is a meet and greet experience. Reach out to suppliers schedule in a zoom call or go and meet in person if thats an option.

  • Family politics - ask yourself this do I want to someone there who I haven’t seen in years just to please family members? The answer is only if YOU want them too.

  • Book your important suppliers asap if they aren’t available on your date ask them if they would recommend anyone who would fit your vibe.

  • Don’t leave the little details to last minute - diy wedding? get your peeps involved and make a day of it crafting and throw in a little party afterwards - Gin, glitter and stationary = heaven.

  • I have a wonderful photoplan template I like to send my couples leading up to the day containing a timeline which really helps them visualise any gaps in the day.

Hayne house wedding photographer bride on bouncy castle
Taking the camera shy vibes and turning them into photography epic-ness - effortlessly
— My husband

And I repeat and will say it over and over again - the one thing I say to my couples is schedule in some alone time during the day and get those canapés to go. After the ceremony you will hardly spend anytime with each other besides your portraits session which is where I like to bring my romantic A game. Prompts and bringing back the feelings of the day. I also tend to take the Micky out of myself.

  • Have a day/morning/afternoon whichever works with no phone if anything it will help prepare you for on the day when usually your phone isn’t to hand. If having a phone to hand on the day is essential then have a wedding dress with hidden pockets - seriously best idea ever! or simply designate/given a contact number for someone who will be with you and your partner during prep.

  • Talking of dresses - once you have found the one, make sure you sit down whilst trying the dress on - you’ll thank me on the day.

  • The wedding dress should fit you, not you fit into the wedding dress - if needs be get a seamstress. I don’t advise being uncomfortable all day by wearing suck everything in pants. Embrace your body and eat that cake!

  • I am a body positive person and fully embrace that mindset on the wedding day. I understand the pressure you may face surrounding losing weight, dieting, all to fit in that dress for one day. Thats a lot of pressure to put on yourself and the diet culture and targeting brides is outrageous and should be banned.

  • I go to every wedding with a sewing kit, pain killers, gel heels basically a mini self care kit I highly recommend having something similar either for bridal prep or in the toilets for guests.

confetti bride and groom with dogs

  • Practice asking for help - daunting I know but its okay to say I need some help, also at the same time having boundaries set in place you can say ‘NO’. You are not here to please everyone you are here with one goal in mind and that is to get married your way.

  • Let your speeches come from the heart - please don’t use google as a template as a photographer I have heard similar speeches numerous times and its not a copy and paste job. I am true supporter in both couples saying some words - consider doing it before you eat so the tables look lovely in the photos strongly advise you do not do speeches between courses urgh!

  • It goes without saying but be kind to yourself, embrace the storm and go on an adventure instead. Look chaos in the eye and tell it to F off. Bring the vibe, if you are enjoying yourselves then your wedding guests are enjoying themselves, happiness, laughter is infectious and will add to the day knowing everyone is having fun. SO bring the ViBE.

  • You can never have too much confetti. 100% the only time where less is more isn’t an option.

A professional wedding photographer is ALWAYS going to be worth the investment. You will never regret investing in your photography. Being based in Kent I have been to some amazing weddings, I have a few favourites and lucky enough to be on their recommendations list. a few are Winters barn, Hayne house, Chapel house estate and Crown lodge all stunning wedding venues in Kent.

Bring the vibe

smile so hard your cheeks ache.

Play and have fun, let your inner child venture out, weddings don’t need to be stiff no matter how you get married be it formal, relaxed, diy, destination just be yourself be silly, soppy, belly laugh and do it all with your favourite person.

bride and wye downs

Well I hope this was helpful. and if you want me for your day please get in touch

winters barn wedding
Katie & Simon Alternative, Vibrant Wedding at the Secret Garden, Ashford, Kent

The gorgeous Katie and Simon got married in November at the stunning venue called Secret Garden., Kent. The weather was picture perfect deep blue skies, gentle sunshine and just the right amount of cloud. I have been obsessing over this wedding for ages - Katies style had me written all over it. It was hard not to “borrow” the dress and Dr Martens haha.

What I adore about this wedding is Katie use to teach my children at primary school, she was also a bridesmaids to another wedding I photographed who was also a teacher who taught my children as well. You can find the wedding here Emma & Jack

On the day itself I was chatting away to her parents completely forgetting that these guys have seen me very very drunk as a plus 1 to another wedding many years ago and the bride from that wedding was also a guest and remembered me, I actually got on the dance floor with a young man and we did a strictly come dancing style dance where I ended up flashing my knickers to everyone - I got a standing ovation for it though 💁

I cannot believe I forgot about how I basically entertained the guests with my dancing or didn’t make the connection who Katies parents were 😂, we had a giggle over it.

Back to the wedding it was full retro, with dinosaur cake made by the amazing Cake Witch her cakes literally fill the room with the most inviting delicious smell and taste divine! Then there is that dress literally a unicorns dream, my candy floss sparkly bride! The Secret Garden in Kent is so pretty and whimsical it really is a photographers delight as a Kent wedding photographers I get excited when I find out the venue booked is here. With its wild flower meadows, quirky green house, cobbled pavements and sparkly lights everywhere - heaven.

I asked Katie and Simon a few questions so I’ll let them finish the blog post off. If you love the pictures then leave the couple some love in the comments!

How did you both meet?
I joined the Dungeons and Dragons group that Simon was already in and he used to walk me to the train station afterwards.

How did you know they were the one?
It was at a Cure concert in Hyde Park, I’d last seen them when I was 15 with my first boyfriend and I remember looking at Simon and thinking ‘and now I’m seeing them with my last boyfriend’.

Can you tell me how you proposed?
It was Christmas day and I had a shocking hangover and was in my pajamas. Simon got home from work and after we’d open our presents I was on the sofa stuffing my face with cheese when he handed me a card with a lot of very romantic sentiments and ‘PS Close your eyes’ at the end.

What made you guys choose your wedding venue?
The sausage rolls. We both decided quite early on that food would be one of the most important elements and The Secret Garden do the most amazing homemade sausage rolls.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme/day?
There wasn’t any! We just picked a lots of different things that we loved, everything from Portal to Jurassic Park to my love of giant neon puns and threw them together then hoped for the best.

What was your first song and why?
The Book of Love by Peter Gabriel. We realised we didn’t actually have ‘a song’ so in the name of democracy we made playlist where we both added songs we loved and picked from there.

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be?
Don’t read too many articles about what you ‘must’ do and when. It will stress you out and on the day you won’t even notice the placecards you spent hours looking for.

What tips would you give to couples to keep that spark alive?
Whenever possible don’t take life too seriously.

Wedding Suppliers
Hair stylist: Christopher Wise
Website: @chris_snips
Make up artist: Jessica Hawkins
Website: https://www.jessicahawkinsmakeup.com/
Brides Dress: WardrobeByDulcinea
Website: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WardrobeByDulcinea
Bridesmaids dresses: Willow and Pearl
Website: https://willowandpearl.co.uk/
Brides Shoes: Dr Martens
Website: https://www.drmartens.com/
Suits: Next
Website: www.next.co.uk
Florist and Venue Decoration: Anemone Blue
Website: https://www.anemoneblue.co.uk/
Cake: The Cake Witch
Website: https://thecakewitch.co.uk/
Band/DJ: Fred Clark and Iain Baker
Website: https://www.fredclark.co.uk/
https://www.iainbakerweddingdj.co.uk/

Holly & Jonny - Engagement shoot | Thornden Wood's | Canterbury, Kent

Few weeks ago I met up with this gorgeous couple for their engagement shoot at Thornden Woods, in Canterbury really recommend this woodland area especially for dog walks and general exploring. I particularly love this location for engagement shoots. It was a very windy Sunday afternoon so we went for a walk and I basically documented it. It was a lot pf fun and something I always recommend my couples do before the big day ( engagement shoots are included in my full day package)

Holly & Jonny are actually a really cool couple and it was a lot of fun spending time with them and with their wedding next month it was good to go through the timings of the day and find out all the details of what they have planned and organised so far. During the shoot we had a couple of very muddy dogs take a liking to us hence the picture of random dogs we was going with the vibe of look at us with our dogs haha.

We finished the shoot of with them following me to Casa Mia an amazing pizza place in Herne bay! I am actually really hungry typing this thinking of the place!

Cannot wait for their big day in April and one of my favourite venues The Gardens, Yalding Kent.


Sally and Julian Wedding in Whitstable, Kent

Sally and Julian had what I call the most intimate weddings I have ever documented I have photographed many weddings in Kent but this one for me nailed it. We started off at The Marine Hotel, whitstable, Kent for bridal prep, Sally had her best friend do her hair, make up and even did her gorgeous bouquet. Even thought here was only two people getting ready at the hotel it did not stop the laughter and giggles. Sally was so excited and you could really see it, her eyes lit up and sparkled whenever she spoke about her wedding day. She had two pairs of shoes for the day, my kinda girl! Sparkly gold shoes right up my street! But to sill the deal she had these amazing irregular choice bride and groom shoes - epic!

Her lovely father was equally over the moon, he absolutely adored his daughter and treated her to an awesome wedding transport in the shape of a yellow VW camper van sporting black and white chequered flooring! We managed to get a few sneaky shots by Tankerton slopes before heading off to the tiniest church I have ever photographed a wedding at - it could only fit 50 guests if you are friendly (vicars words)plus their dog. So I spent most of the wedding shooting from the back with limited moving around but it actually worked out ok for me and managed to get some lovely shots of the gorgeous couple during the ceremony. We had a confetti shot which I love doing but this one was extra special as the vicar told the guest it was ok, they instantly thought they could throw straight away and launched the dry petals at Julian and Sally inside the church made everyone giggle and since handing over there USB & Box Sally and Julian both commented on who was the culprit that started the mass confetti launching was! We had lots of laughs and it was wonderful to hear them reminisce about their day after receiving their images. Reception was held at Sally & Julian's house with paella being cooked as we walked in! 

The day was lovely, full of intimate moments especially when we went off for some private shots down at hampton pier. Stunning couple full of colour and love. These two made me feel so warm and fuzzy I had such a buzz and feel very privileged to have been asked to capture their day.

Carla x

 

Tom & MJ engagement shoot sneak peek, Rhodes Minnis, Canterbury Kent

Last Saturday I had the wonderful job of capturing this awesome couples engagement shoot. They travelled all the way from Hampshire to spend a few hours with me. It was a mother woodland adventure and another freezing day but so worth it. They brought along their gorgeous daughter Ava who is 7 months and I had my little assistant in the shape of  my 11 year old son. Ava adored Indie and was full of cute smiles for him. After our exploration in the woods we decided to drive to my mother in law to be which was only round the corner to finish up the shoot with some different shots, whilst little lady sat indoors with her Nanny by the fire. These two were awesome and their DIY wedding sounds amazing with a hint of harry potter as a theme - I get to go to Hampshire to capture it. I love their story of how they met at Reading festival!! 

Their images consist of some classic and alternative styles and I really adore the mixture. I did a bit of experimenting using a technique I have learned via Sam Hurd - an american photographer called prisming using a prism in front of the lens I love the double exposure style effect its has without being a double exposure.