Emma and Jack booked me last year just before Christmas - fortunately I was available and  especially after Emma told me about her wedding I was really excited and pleased I was free for her day! Emma use to be my daughters school teacher when she lived in Kent. Emma's friend who also taught my daughter recommended me to Emma, I am so glad she did! The wedding was pretty cool arriving in style on a vintage green bus, whilst the groom arrived in style on a red double decker bus. We had prosecco, amazing old school tunes which filled the bus with laughter and cheer as we attempted to sing in tune ha! Heres what Emma and Jack have to say about their awesome day!!

How did you both meet? We met at a party hosted by Chris, Jack's brother and one of my best friends. Our paths had never crossed until then.

Jack can you tell me how you proposed to Emma? Emma has always said that she never wanted to be proposed to as she felt that it was important for a couple to decide together whether they were ready to get married or not, not just the man. So we both woke up one Saturday morning and decided that it was something we wanted to do, then we went from there. Not particularly romantic, but suited us both perfectly.

What made you guys choose your wedding venue? We chose Asia House in the heart of Westminster as it is in the heart of our favourite city and Emma's birthplace. We loved the idea of getting married in the centre of London and then giving our family and friends a little tour of our favourite landmarks (whilst drinking bubbly) on some vintage London buses. For the reception we chose The Balham Bowls Club in Balham, just up the road from Emma's parents home in Clapham. It is a really laid back, quirky venue where the staff were so friendly, flexible and helpful. We wanted our wedding to be relaxed and fun for everyone above anything else and we felt that The Balham Bowls Club ticked all of the boxes for us.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme? We had quite a mish-mash of themes. We wanted to include some of our favourite things but in a way that meant the wedding was enjoyable for all of our family and friends. Music is very important to us and we carefully selected music from a range of decades (with the help of our friend Jan) which provoked a feeling of nostalgia. We decorated the room at The Balham Bowls Club with plenty of candles, but for us, the room really had it's own unique character which we didn't want to change.

Our seating plan was a 1939 version of the London Underground map which was a nod to our beloved London, as well as the buses. The tables were named after some of our favourite bands and singers so we used our 45'' records of the artists to mark the tables. The menus were printed on the back of Ladybird book front cover post cards, which we carefully matched to our guests, to much delight (and dismay!). Gin bottles acted as vases for the flowers and the favours were a mixed cd which included some of the tunes played at the wedding.

So all in all, a real eclectic mix! 

What was your first song and why? Our first song was a medley. We started off with a slow dance to La Mer by Charles Trenet as we really love it. Then it cut into The Twist by Chubby Checker (a nod to the sixties). At this point the best men/women and bridesmaids came on and joined in the routine. The medley included:

Misirlou by Dick Dale ( a great tune, a great dance move)

Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush (Emma's favourite song of all time)

Riverdance ( a nod to our Irish family)

Twist and Shout by The Beatles (one of Jack's favourites)

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be? Don't worry or stress about the little things-they really, really don't matter. Above all, enjoy every minute!

Wedding Suppliers

Photographer: Carla Guest Photography

Hair stylist: Lipstick and Curls, Goshka Topolska

Website: www.lipstickandcurls.net

Make up artist: Lipstick and Curls, Goshka Topolska

Website: www.lipstickandcurls.net

Brides Dress: Candy Anthony

Website: candyanthony.com

Bridesmaids dresses: Coast

Website: www.coast-stores.com

Brides Shoes: Vivienne Westwood and Melissa

Website: www.nonnon.co.uk

Grooms Shoes: Marks and Spencer

Website: www.marksandspencer.com

Suits: Burtons

Website: www.burton.co.uk

Florist and Venue Decoration: The Flower Sanctuary Balham (plus a bit a DIY!)

Website: www.flowersanctuary.co.uk

Cake: June Bridges (Jack's nan)

Band/DJ: Imagine the Beatles

Website: www.imaginethebeatles.co.uk

Car/Transport Hirer: The London Bus Company

Website: www.thelondonbuscompany.co.uk

Wedding Venue: Asia House followed by The Balham Bowls Club

Website: asiahouse.org      balhambowlsclub.com

This gorgeous couple got married in October at the wonderful venue Etchington Golf Club. We had lots of fun and was able to go off on a little adventure in the golf buggy. Maureen even had a little go at driving which was a little scary as she liked to drive fast over every bump! I was holding on for dear life! Maureen and James love to star gaze so their theme was based around the stars and moon. So I bought some smoke grenades - blue and purple to match their theme and we totally rocked the bride and groom portraits! The sun even came out briefly, but come rain or shine I always make sure we get some lovely candid beautiful moments and the scenery was stunning complimenting the shots. Congratulations guys!

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

Connie and Reece had a super cool wedding, A festival vibe wedding if you will. Bell tents, muddy field, wellies, bunting, ducks and rain it was gorgeous. Even though we didn't have the weather on our side all week it did not dampen anyones spirits.

Connie had her dress made by her very talented father, on the day itself he was in his workshop sewing away making adjustments to the bridesmaid dresses he also created. Connie is a stunning woman naturally but in her wedding dress I was simply blown away by how striking she looked. 

The reception was held at her Dad's place and Connie spent a week away from Reece dressing and organising the marquee and field. You could see on the wedding day as she walked down the aisle both of them were so eager to see each other, Reece kept turning around as he waited for her to walked up the aisle and on meeting him Connie gave him the biggest smooch! The whole day was spent with giggles, love and lots of cuddles. Add some funky music and hilarious speeches and you have yourself a fab wedding.

I loved capturing their day and really did not want to leave. Congratulations guys and thank you so much for your lovely words, I am happy to help and chip in where I can at weddings so it was nice to feel appreciated. :0)

I had the lovely job of photographing these two love birds down on the beach on the the sunniest day and it was perfect. They brought along their little boy Luca and their gorgeous staffy Maisy. Luca was my assistant and he took some very cute pictures of his Mummy and Daddy. The tones in yesterdays session were simply gorgeous and I am a sucker for pinks and blues so it was my idea of stunning!!

I actually feel really honoured to be this couples wedding photographer. They are so excited about me capturing their special and I am too. It's lovely to see a couple who have been together for such a long time and still be completely smitten!!

Heres a few sneaky peeks from the shoot.

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.

It was a cold and drizzly day where we had a combination of rain to brilliant sunshine. But we didn't let the weather get in the way. Vikki looked absolutely stunning showcasing her hair and make up trial done by the fabulous  Marina. We chose Clowes woods in Canterbury as the location for the shoot, it was a perfect setting and wonderful walk - I did fall over because I am clumsy wally all in the name of art! Matt and Vikki were up for anything and even though Vikki was in heels she happily went off track and went exploring in the woods for some cool locations. Matt got right into the shoot and was giving me all his best poses. All I can say is these guys rocked and were uber cool. Here is a sneak peek from their engagement shoot - lots of lovely warm tones in this collection. I love it!