Lord&Leverett blog

Stoke Park Weddings

2012-01-26T12:17:00.000Z

One of our favourite shots of a groom from 2011 taken at Stoke Park, Buckinghamshire. With light falling from the skylights to light his face and the tapestry behind him giving this image a real ethereal beauty. To find out how Stoke Park can make your wedding day spectacular please click here.

Wellington Barn Wedding, Wiltshire

2012-01-25T14:23:00.000Z

A wonderful moment as Jo looks back at her son as he gives her away on her wedding day. This was a beautiful wedding we shot last autumn at Wellington Barn, nr Calne, Wiltshire.

The cars are here...

2012-01-24T11:15:00.000Z

A lone bridesmaid looks out of the bedroom window to see the wedding cars have arrived. An exciting moment for all the girls as they realise that its all happening and they will soon be heading off to the ceremony and one of them will soon the the new Mrs Meech!

You spin me right round, wedding dancing

2012-01-23T16:02:00.000Z

How about a bit of action and colour on a boring Monday afternoon? These dancers were at a fabulous wedding last year, they were amazing and everyones jaws dropped at the sudden realisation that they were all gonna have to go some on the dance floor later to impress people after that performance.

Now that looks like a yummy wedding favour!

2012-01-19T13:47:00.000Z

What a great idea! Big yummy lollies as wedding favours just don't tell your dentist. We think this is a great cost effective way of producing favours and dead cool too, I suggested to a bride to do the same but with ice lollies, but she didn't think it was such a cool idea...get it....cool...groan I know sorry.

Ok, so not the most exciting picture! Pembroke Lodge

2012-01-18T16:04:00.000Z

So this pictures not going to set the wedding photography world on fire but we thought we upload it as the building in it is so interesting. The venue is Pembroke lodge in Richmond Park London, here's a potted history of this now excellent wedding venue.

Pembroke Lodge began life as the mole catcher's cottage in Richmond Park. Hunters who rushed around the old deer park wanted an exciting hunt without the risk of molehills tripping them up.

The mole catcher's cottage was eventually extended, and given to Elizabeth Herbert, the countess of Pembroke, principal lady-in-waiting to George III. Elizabeth then extended the house further, creating the building seen today. In 1847 Queen Victoria granted Pembroke Lodge to prime minister Lord John Russell. In 1854 the Earl of Aberdeen's Cabinet met at Pembroke Lodge and decided to proceed with the Crimean War against Russia.

Lord John Russell's grandson, Bertrand Russell, born in 1872, grew up at Pembroke Lodge. Russell wrote that living here left him accustomed to the wide horizons.

A prehistoric burial mound he stood on still exists close to the Lodge.

There are wonderful views to the west, while to the east there's a remarkable vista through trees, focusing precisely on St Paul's Cathedral in central London.

So if your looking for a good venue in the capital then don't miss out on looking at Pembroke Lodge, though maybe not if your a mole fan ha ha....

**Visit Pembroke Lodge Website**

A quick Q & A with wedding florist Floribundi!

2012-01-17T13:01:00.003Z

We thought we would have a bit of fun this week and send out a short Question and Answers to some of our advertisers. Our first one we would like to showcase to our readers is Floribundi, a great florist based in High Wycombe, Bucks.

Now we know your name tell us about yourselves.

Floribundi are specialist florists working with brides in bucks and berks creating stunning flowers for their special days.

What should wedding couples know about how you work?

No two weddings are ever the same, and we offer a personal service to every bride, including a private consultation, visit to the venue and quite simply the most gorgeous flowers for every style and budget to surpass your expectations on the day.....

Ok so it’s secret time…What’s your top secret tip for brides?

Talk to experts before you make decisions, often the tips they give you can save you a fortune.

Ok so it’s secret time…What’s your top secret tip for grooms?

Let the bride have what she wants !!

Grumble time…What drives you loopy about weddings?

Bad service anytime but especially when it's your big day....

What’s going on this year? Any new ideas/trends.

Flowers and styles with a Vintage feel, roses, muted shades and all things sparkly..... and every shade of blue through to purple which has continued to be popular, with peacock feathers adding a touch of glamour.

So for more information about how Floribundi can help with your flowers on your wedding day please contact Tracey by clicking here.

Its raining - who care's, im still smiling!

2012-01-17T10:06:00.000Z

As the guests came out of the church it was spitting a little. With not enough rain to put up a brolly this bridesmaid cleverly used her order of service to prevent her hair getting too wet! Ingenious!

Weddings at Waddesdon

2012-01-16T14:04:00.000Z

Waddesdon Dairy is one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Buckinghamshire. We were very lucky to be the photographers at a wedding there last year. The ceremony took place outside (legally the bride and groom need to be just inside the building which is licenced) but all the guests can sit outside in the glorious sunshine! Weddings at Waddesdon are held in The Dairy and not in the Manor house. The advantage of this is the dairy is tucked away in the grounds of the estate and away from the general public who will be visiting the manor house. The Dairy at Waddesdon offers you a wonderful venue nestling in a tranquil waterside setting amidst glorious gardens!

A little history on the dairy at Waddesdon...
In the late 19th Century Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild commissioned a local firm of architects to design a dairy to house his prize-winning herd of cattle. In 1989 Lord Rothschild initiated an extensive restoration programme to transform the Dairy into a stylish venue for private entertaining.

The Dairy is the perfect venue for a wedding offering a stunning location where the bride can get ready in the Buttery, then with only a short walk to the ceremony before joining all your guests on the terraces for a glass of champagne. With jaw dropping beauty, this is the venue to really wow your guests.

To find out more about one of our favourite luxury wedding venues in Buckinghamshire please visit their website here

2012-01-16T10:13:00.001Z

Looking for something a bit different for your wedding, maybe an unusual dress, some crazy flowers or a funky invitation? Then you must put the Alternative Wedding Fair in your diary, its at the Piccadilly Institute, The London Pavillion, 1 Piccadilly Circus, London W1V 9LA this coming Sunday 22nd January.

The Nearest Tube Station is - Piccadilly Circus

How to get there - From Piccadilly Circus Tube Station: Head down the street ahead of you with Ripley’s Believe It Or Not on the corner. You will pass Ripley’s on your right-hand side and the venue is on the right just after.

Times: 11am-4pm with a fashion show like none other at 1pm.

Admission: £5 per person if you pre-register on the website, or £8 per person at the door

If you are quick and you post a comment on www.omgimgettingmarried.com before the 18th January (you havent got long!) you could receive two free tickets to the fair! Get on there now!

Rustic wedding sign

2012-01-13T13:19:00.000Z

We love this rustic homemade wedding sign used at a wedding last year to direct guests in the right direction to the booze, as an image the background just adds more of a rustic feel....you can't beat a few bales!

How about a wedding at River Cottage?

2012-01-12T15:40:00.001Z

Fancy getting married at River Cottage, home of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and having your food cooked by Hugh and his team? Well, that's exactly what a couple called Phil and Louise did after taking a trip to River Cottage HQ on the Devon/Dorset border and checking out the venue after a thumbs up from the grooms brother. Phil popped the question there and then the wedding planning began. Not only was Hugh going to be cooking up a 100% vegetarian menu for them and their guests but their wedding would be featured in the most recent episode of River Cottage on Channel 4.

How did I know about all this? Well I've just had a flick through the new on line wedding magazine called Reverie, its full of great weddings from the UK and across the pond with lots of lovely ideas. It's got to be worth reading on your ipad tonight snuggled up on the sofa with a cup of tea. Checkout the website here

Oh, and if you decide to get married at River Cottage please get in touch!

Monkey Island wedding

2012-01-12T09:34:00.000Z

A lovely moment captured of Pam and Ben on the bridge at Monkey Island, Bray. We love the composition of this image with the lines and those photo buffs amongst you will hopefully recognise the rule of two thirds (well almost!) going on -planned of course! The thing that makes this such a special shot to us is the love between them and the smile on Pam's face.

Who needs faces in a picture?

2012-01-11T11:54:00.000Z

Love it, love it, love it...... You don't need me to tell you whats going on in this picture I'll let the hands do all the talking.

Wedding Videos

2012-01-11T09:53:00.000Z

So we all know budgets are stretched when organising a wedding and sometimes photography and videography can be two things that can be a real grind to afford but when you see results like this it makes you wanna reach for the cheque book!

We've worked with these boys (Reel-Vision) a few times now and we're always amazed at their results, so if you have a spare half an hour treat yourself to some awesome wedding video action.

***Reel Vision Portfolio Page***

***Contact Reel Vision at their Website here***

Reverie - First online UK wedding magazine starts this Thursday

2012-01-10T13:52:00.000Z

The 12th January will mark the launch of a new and very cool looking UK online wedding magazine. We don't know a lot about it yet but what we have seen looks very pretty fab. So on Thursday don't forget to pop www.reverie.com into your browser and we can all share in the delight of its contents!

Check out another great blog and see a sneaky peek of Reverie Magazine here.

Wedding at Stoke Park

2012-01-10T10:56:00.001Z

Its always great to see all the bridesmaids helping each other get ready at a wedding. At this Stoke Park wedding they were all helping with their hair with hairspray filling the room and my lungs. But, getting the image is always our priority so a quick shot, get the picture in the bag then make my exit. The video guy had the right idea standing behind the direction of the spray!

Craspedia Billy Balls, Don't Panic Lads It's A Type Of Flower

2012-01-09T10:34:00.000Z

Craspedia Billy Balls, OK so it does sound a bit weird perhaps a bit like something you would order from a take-a-way but in reality Billy Balls are a lovely sculpture like flower that makes us smile and everyone needs a free smile on a Monday morning! We hope they make you smile.

This picture definitely makes them stand out well but to be fair they always tend to stand out as they are so unusual, the wedding we photographed them at had them as simple centre piece flowers on the tables for the wedding breakfast they looked fab! So simple but effective... and yellow too bang on trend for 2012.

Wedding rings

2012-01-06T13:00:00.001Z

I guess buying your wedding rings is probably one of those moments where it suddenly all feels real, the rings will obviously be with you all your life but don't forget it's always nice to have a record of them in your album. It's always difficult to photograph jewelry but here at L&L HQ we love a challenge so we always try to do something different or find an interesting surface to photograph rings against. This image with the rings photographed against a plain background with lots of light is simple and striking, it lets the rings do the talking.

January Wedding Show Dates

2012-01-05T09:56:00.001Z

Dates for your wedding planning diary!!!

6-13 January
Blackburn Bridal Couture designer sample sale, London
It’s not just high street stores that have bumper January sales, bridal boutiques do too! And with prices slashed on sample gowns from the likes of Jenny Packham, Claire Pettibone and Olivia Couture, the Blackburn Bridal Couture sale is one of the hottest tickets in town. There’ll be up to 75% off original dress prices and an alteration service available in-store at an additional charge.
Sample sale appointments are £10 each which is redeemable against a gown purchased. Call 020 8297 118 or email info@blackburnbridal.co.uk quoting ‘designer sample sale’ for more information or to book your appointment.

6 January onwards
Lusan Mandongus designer days, nationwide
If girly glamour is right up your street, take a look at the fabulous new Lusan Mandongus collection at their series of designer days across the country this month. And if you purchase your dream Lusan Mandongus dress on the day, mention You & Your Wedding and you’ll get a free veil!
6-7 January at Surrey Brides, 52 Church Street, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 8DP. Call 01932 846812
13-14 January at Blush Boutique, 80 High Street, Uppermill, Saddleworth OL3 6AW. Call 01457 829800
20-12 January at One & Only Bridal Couture, 91 Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 2QJ. Call 01772 558833
27-28 January at Lily White Bridal, 44 Brentwood Avenue, Jesmond, Newcastle NE2 3DA. Call 01912 814915

7 January
David Fielden sample sale, London
If you're searching for super-savings on your wedding dress, head to David Fielden for up to 75% off gorgeous gowns with prices starting from just £250. There’s no appointment needed and doors open at 10am so get there early to bag a bargain.
The sale takes place at 241 Fulham Road, London SW3 6HY. Call 020 7351 0002 for more information.

7-20 January
Phillipa Lepley winter sample sale, London
And for even more amazing dresses at discount prices, make sure you add these dates to your diary. As well as dreamy Phillipa Lepley dresses made with Italian satin and French lace, there will be shrugs, veils and mother-of-the-bride outfits on offer at buy-me-now prices. The sale starts at 10am so our top tip is to get there early to avoid the queues.
The sale takes place at 48 Fulham Road, London SW3 6HH. Call 020 7590 9771 for more information.

13 January onwards
Charlotte Balbier trunk shows, nationwide
If you want to really wow your sweetheart come wedding day, take a look at the gorgeous new Candy Kisses collection by Charlotte Balbier. Just as sweet as they sound, these oh-so-cute dresses are deliciously decadent and feature creamy soft satin, rich taffeta and elegant lace. Take a look and fall in love at an exclusive trunk show near you.
13-14 January at Glamour Bridal, 12-14 Bank Street, Bolton BL1 1TS. Call 01204 388390.
20-21 January at The Wedding Company, 159 The Ridgeway, Plympton, Devon PL7 2HJ. call 01752 347775.
28-29 January at Te Amo Boutique Weddings, 3 Accrington Road, Whalley, Clitheroe BB7 9TD. Call 01254 824861.

14 January
The London Wedding Event, London
If you’re thinking of tying the knot in the capital, this exclusive invite-only event should be top of your to-do list. Showcasing the wow-worthy Chandos House and it’s super-luxe wedding suppliers, there’s a designer wedding dress catwalk show and delicious cake and wine tasting, as well as the chance to chat to expert wedding planners. And should you choose to book Chandos House for your wedding before 30th January 2012*, they're offering brides the chance to have a pair of custom-made wedding shoes designed for your special day.
To register your interest in this event, visit chandoshouse.co.uk or call 020 7290 3860

14-20 January
Silk Brides sample sale, Staffordshire
Don't fancy elbowing your way to a dream dress at a sample sale? Then the Silk Brides new year clear-out is for you. You can do your bridal homework now by visiting their listings so you know which dress you want to try and find out what discount is on offer. Already available are David Fielden, Jenny Packham, Pronovias and Sassi Holdford dresses and more will be added up until the sale begins.
Entry to the sale is by appointment only and takes place at 32-34 Bird Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire WS13 6PR. For more information visit silkbrides.com

21 January
San Patrick designer day at Shay Harris Bridal Lounge, Southampton
If you've set your heart on a big day frock made from yards of delicate lace and frothy cloud-like tulle, the new San Patrickcollection is for you. Take a look at a selection of the most in-demand dresses at the Shay Harris Bridal Lounge designer day and get a 10% discount if you decide to buy.
The designer day takes place at Shay Harris Bridal Lounge, 74 Bedford Place, Southampton SO15 2DF. Visit shayharris.com or call 023 8063 8602 to make an appointment.

21 January
Alan Hannah sample sale, London
For one day only, Alan Hannah will be holding a bumper sample sale offering showroom samples and brand new dresses from last season's English Romantics collection to bargain hunter brides. There's a £30 booking for appointments but this is refundable if you buy on the day.
The sale will take place at the Enfield showroom at Unit 18 Riverwalk Business Park, Riverwalk Road, Enfield EN3 7QN. Call 020 8804 1444 to book an appointment or visit alanhannah.co.uk for more information.

21-22 January
Stephanie Allin designer weekend and fashion show hosted by Exquisite Bridal Couture at Chewton Glen Hotel, Hampshire
For a day of pure bridal indulgence, head to the sumptuous Chewton Glen Hotel where’ll you’ll be treated to a champagne afternoon tea as you watch the latest Stephanie Allin designs glide past in a designer catwalk show. You’ll get to rub shoulders with Stephanie herself in an intimate Q&A session and met headdress designer Polly Edwards to get her advice on big day tiaras. The Exquisite Bridal Couture team will also be on hand to offer help and advice on picking your perfect dress and you can quiz the Chewton Glen wedding planners on big day organisation. What a great way to start 2012!
Tickets are £25 per person with the cost of up to four tickets being redeemable against a dress order from Exquisite Bridal Couture. To reserve your tickets call 01590 610433 or email natalie@exquisitebrides.co.uk
*Chandos House must be booked and confirmed with signed T+C’s and deposit paid before the 30th January 2012 to qualify for this exclusive offer

January Sales!

2012-01-04T11:46:00.002Z

Calling all you 2012 Christmas wedding couples don't forget now's the time to get yourself some bargain decorations for your wedding Christmas trees, favours/gifts and general funky stuff try these sites as a starting point.

Pedlars

Cox & Cox

NotOnTheHighStreet

Emm a Bridgewater

Have a look at this it's fun for your eyes!

2012-01-03T12:23:00.001Z

Firstly Happy New Year! and with a new year it's time for a new fav wedding site to recommend, especially as it features us on it........

OMG I'm Getting Married is a great blog that showcases great weddings, great wedding suppliers and great ideas so stop what you're doing fire up you clicking finger and follow this link to lovely weddingness......(A new year and a new word, weddingness......sorry still high on the brandy butter)

Click Me

Wedding Photography Picture of the day #156

2011-12-20T10:57:00.000Z

As the sun was going down we happened to see the bride and groom outside the marquee sharing a moment together. We just love the soft light and the warm colour of the sky. The silhouette of the tree was a thankful addition to the shot as it helps balance the bride and groom and also adds another area of interest to the image.

Wedding photography picture of the day #155

2011-12-19T15:39:00.000Z

A top shot of Gavin and the boys. Quite often after doing a more formal shot of the boys we will do a fun shot or something less formal. These look great nice and big in the album.

Wedding Photography Picture (s) of the day #154

2011-12-14T10:26:00.000Z

The beauty of having two photographers at your wedding...

Quite often we are fortunate to be allowed to photograph during the wedding service and generally Tris will be at the back photographing the bride as she comes into the church before going down the aisle and Mark will be at the front, near the groom photographing the bride and groom as they see each other for the first time that day.

The advantages of having two photographers is that nothing is missed, here Tris captures Christian looking back and Mark photographs Rachael's emotion as she reaches the end of the aisle. Its a great feeling when we get these shots in the bag and they are presented side by side in the wedding album.

Wedding Photography Picture of the day #153

2011-12-13T10:20:00.000Z

A great candid photograph of this little pageboy who still wanted his afternoon nap even on his Mummy and Daddy's wedding day. He was a little star that day and we took some very cheeky little shots of him during the day - this was one of the quieter ones!!

Wedding Photography Picture of the day #152

2011-12-12T12:27:00.001Z

One of the most entertaining best men we've ever seen at a wedding and he's got the moves too!

Wedding Photography of the day #151

2011-12-09T12:51:00.001Z

This time of year the sun is much lower in the sky giving photographers some challenging lighting conditions to work with! We love the low sunlight and quite often use it to dramatic effect during the day. With this shot we are shooting straight into the sun, something people will tell you not to do, but we love the flare on the lense making this a contemporary looking photograph.

Wedding photography of the day #150

2011-12-08T11:22:00.000Z

What a sweet moment to capture! Nuff said.

Wedding photography of the day #149

2011-12-07T12:27:00.000Z

We love this photograph of Melinda on her wedding day. It was just a 'grab' shot whilst her Mum was arranging her dress but the use of a shallow depth of field, the light and the soft colours work so well making this a timeless classic and one of our favourite bridal images.

Family portrait vouchers for just £50 make great Christmas presents!

2011-12-06T11:22:00.000Z

Looking for something for a close friend or family member this Christmas. Why not treat them to a popular Lord & Leverett family portrait voucher?

The voucher, worth £170 is currently available for just £50 and entitles the recipient to a family portrait session and complimentary 10"x8" desk portrait. The session can be done either in the families home, garden or nearby location of their choice.

Any vouchers purchased for Christmas will be valid for 6 months from the 1st January 2012.

To purchase a voucher please call us on 0845 6039144 or email us and we will contact you.

Some of our happy customers from 2011 !

Wedding Photography of the day #148

2011-12-06T10:39:00.000Z

A great seasonal shot of Kirk on the steps at Eastnor Castle looking like quite the Dickensian gent. Kirk, his bestman and ushers all went for the top hat and tails look and Kirk also has the classic walking cane for a few photos. The dusting of snow on the steps leading the eye into Kirk and the architecture of the castle frame Kirk magnificiently making this a very powerful and grand looking picture.

Wedding photography of the day #147

2011-12-05T16:03:00.000Z

Abha and Chris had a bit of the wet stuff at their wedding and by the time we came to do the group shots they had to be done indoors. But nevermind, we always carry portable flash units with us that will light a large group of people without the light looking to harsh. This shot taken shortly after the main photo of all the guests always looks great in the album alongside the main shot.

Wedding photography of the day #146

2011-12-02T12:04:00.000Z

This bride and groom put on a great first dance for their guests and we were lucky to capture some cool shots of them doing it, this one we really like because of the star burst coming from someone taking a picture behind the groom a lucky accident but great all the same.

Winter wedding ideas

2011-12-02T11:34:00.000Z

Just some ideas we've come across that could be helpful for all you lucky people have a winter wedding soon.

We all know British weather is flighty at the best of times so don't worry about rain or snow just be prepared! Get a gaggle of umbrellas at the church/venue for your guests and don't forget to keep one back for the bride to have it the wedding car.

If suddenly looks like snow is going to descend everywhere make sure you know someone who has a 4x4 or two that you can borrow just in case your chosen transport can't deal with the white stuff.

Churches are cold even in summer time so something we've seen before to overcome that in the winter is to offer blankets for people as the come in the church, or just warn people and let them bring their own blankets.

Hand and feet warmers are a good idea too if the venue is an ice box, bulk buying is usually possible online get googling for the best price.

Why not ditch the traditional champagne and go for mulled wine or mulled cider for you drinks reception. If you what something really different what about a cheeky soup option.

Wellies.....have some knocking about just in case.

If your having a marquee and you can get permission a fire/brazier could be a great thing to have and makes a bit of a feature.

Do you have any other great ideas if so let us know and we'll add them to the list.

wedding photography of the day #145

2011-12-01T10:59:00.000Z

Today's picture is one of those grab shots that just happen at weddings and it's off beat composition helps to convey the spontaneity of the moment. The little boy burst into applause just as the bride and groom started walking down the isle, such a lovely moment.

Wedding Picture of the day #144

2011-11-30T14:19:00.000Z

Today's picture of the day is of Gavin and Katy as they walk down the aisle after their wedding. Its the first time they catch each others eye as they turn and walk past their family and friends with the realisation they are now Mr & Mrs!

Wedding Picture of the day #143

2011-11-29T11:36:00.001Z

We love this shot of Paul looking at Shelly after they have jumped into their wedding car with their wonderful expressions framed within the cars window frame. A really lovely moment, so nice it was the picture we chose for the front of their thank you card. They loved it too!

Wedding picture of the day #142

2011-11-28T14:27:00.000Z

Georgous summer colours will cheer us all up today with this great shot of Nima and Steph taken in the garden of Nima's parents home. The garden looked amazing and offered plenty of opportunity for some great shots.

Wedding Picture of the day #141

2011-11-25T13:44:00.000Z

A lovely moment of Lesley during her first dance with new husband Barrie at Bovey Castle. They had a fabulous wedding at this splindid location in Devon, If you are looking for amazing service and a fairytale venue then check it out.

wedding picture of the day #140

2011-11-23T10:02:00.000Z

Pouring with rain when this shot was taken believe it or not but by craftily keeping the bride and groom inside in the dry and shootying through a window we were able to achieve this lovely shot. The reflections in the glass give the picture an unusual dreamy look and the muted colour adds to that too. So don't panic if you have rain on your wedding day there's usually someway to beat the weather and get some great shots.

Wedding Picture of the day #139

2011-11-22T11:28:00.002Z

We love this picture of Catherine and Daniel taken just after their wedding ceremony before leaving the church. Catherine and Daniel are lit by the daylight coming in through the door whilst the stairway behind them is lit with tungsten lighting giving the warm glow. It was a beautiful snowy wedding last December where the church was expectantly cold inside but all their guests were warm inside thanks to the mulled cider and hand and feet warmers given out. A brilliant idea!

Wedding Picture of the Day #138

2011-11-21T14:01:00.000Z

A great shot of Abha's dress we photographed in the door way of the Tythe Barn last year. Her dress was by Ian Stewart and was fabulous to photograph on Abha and Chris's wedding day. We love photographing Ian Stewart dresses and its always great to see one hanging up in the morning before the wedding. With mixed weather we had to contend with a few showers during the day. We photographed Abha and Chris in the door ways of the barn whilst we stood outside, one with the camera and one holding a brolly!

wedding picture of the day #137

2011-11-18T10:58:00.000Z

Now we thought the bridesmaid was meant to dress the bride not the other way round ha ha....what a lovely shot one of those shots you couldn't set up and if you did try to set it up it just wouldn't have the same feel.

what makes a good wedding?

2011-11-17T16:09:00.000Z

What makes a great wedding?

We get asked all the time “I bet you see some shocking things at weddings?” and to be honest “not really” is usually the reply, most of our couples have authentic real weddings that most people would enjoy, that’s not to say there all the same or boring far from it it’s that they are all perfect for the bride & groom whose wedding it is.

So how do you do it? Well I think it’s all about keeping it simple, there’s nothing wrong with having a large budget and having lots of flowers or costume changes as long as it works for you but where some people maybe come unstuck is when they start entering ‘Four Weddings’ territory when their wedding starts becoming a competition to be better then all the rest, which really is always going to be a pointless exercise as what’s great for you won’t always be great for someone else. Some of our favourite weddings have been really small affairs and everything has been kept simple or handmade as we like to think of it, they’re the weddings where the really important things stand, the couple, the wedding and the guests.

Now what an earth does make a good wedding? Most of all though it’s about the two of you having fun and enjoying yourself! Forget what everyone else thinks, forget the possible problems, we have never seen one wedding that hasn’t been brilliant even if there have been little problems along the way, it doesn’t really matter if there’s problems that’s why you hire professionals like photographers, Toastmasters or Florists let them deal with any issues and you just get on with the fun.

So what makes a great wedding? There is an equation for that and it is as follows;

Couple + Family + Friends + Fun = great wedding….Simple…..oh and great photography to remember it all.

Wedding Picture Of The Day #136

2011-11-17T14:01:00.000Z

I like to think of this shot as a double reflections shot, the bride reflected in the mirror whilst in a reflective mood. This sort of picture is a regular style of image that features in our albums, we love this sort of image as its got that voyeuristic look that is so natural and storytelling.

Wedding picture of the day #135

2011-11-16T16:35:00.000Z

Boring grey old day deserves some colour and this picture sure delivers colour.

Wedding picture of the day #134

2011-11-15T13:57:00.000Z

Last September we photographed the wedding of Natasha and Nick in the South of France. Now the weather is gone colder its nice to look back over some of our warmer weddings we have photographed, this one was certainly a hot one and we can remember the guests having their wedding breakfast outside at 9pm in the evening with all the tables lit by candles. It was a truely incredible wedding and we were very fortunate to photograph such an event. The reception was at Ephrussi de Rothschild in St Jean Cap Ferrat, a stunning venue with great views, lovely gardens and magical musical fountains no less!

Here are a couple of images of the guests enjoying the wedding breakfast and the musical fountains of course!

To find out more about Ephrussi de Rothschild and getting married there click here or if you want to check out the Rothschilds UK home of Waddesdon click here. You will not be disappointed with either.

Picture of the day #133

2011-11-14T14:15:00.000Z

So we're have broadband troubles which is causing havoc with our picture of the day so it's gonna be a bit sporadic for a while so apologies to all you pic fans!

So today on the way to work I passed my first xmas trees for sale sign and it got me thinking of snowy scenes and this picture came to mind, it doesn't get more snowy than this!

The 2012 Wedding Industry Awards

2011-11-11T17:11:00.000Z

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for The 2012 Wedding Industry Awards thanks to the votes of our happy couples! We will hear the final result in January.

Many thanks to all who voted for us!

To find out more about the awards please click the banner below

Wedding Picture of the day #132

2011-11-09T14:42:00.000Z

What a landscape for you to use for your wedding pictures!

Two wedding fairs this weekend!

2011-11-04T11:44:00.001Z

We've got a busy Sunday ahead with two wedding fairs to go to, so we're splitting up for the day and Mark's off to the truly gorgeous Stoke Place Hotel, Stoke Poges with bundles of equally gorgeous wedding albums for people to peruse. Tristan is off to the every elegant Compleat Angler, Marlow with a fine collection of wedding albums for all to see, so if your in the wedding fair mood or know someone who's just got engaged please point them in the direct of either of these fairs because it will be well worth a visit. Their will be loads of other great wedding suppliers to see too, perfect for getting fresh ideas for your forthcoming weddings.

The Compleat Angler & Marlow Bridge

Wedding Picture of the day #131

2011-11-03T12:13:00.000Z

Lets face it not everyone enjoys a wedding!

Wedding picture of the day #130

2011-11-02T13:39:00.000Z

We just love that moment when it's announced that a couple are now man and wife, peoples reactions are so joyous, it's a great moment to capture peoples happy expressions.

Wedding Picture of the day #129

2011-11-01T16:16:00.000Z

So we've had a very busy weekend, not photographing weddings but doing portrait sessions for previous wedding clients which was really nice, it's so good to catch and hear all the gossip since their weddings.

We did a family shoot on Saturday morning for Rachael & Christian whose wedding we photographed last year, so we thought we'd pick a picture from their wedding and here's one of Rachael looking amazing against a cool Northamptonshire Stone wall!

The Wedding Vine

2011-10-28T11:08:00.000+01:00

Yes we're probably really late coming to this but just found this excellent website do have a mooch it's full of great ideas.

theweddingvine.com/

Wedding Picture of the Day #128

2011-10-28T10:09:00.000+01:00

You cannot beat a tree or two in a picture! In this shot the trees are doing so much, giving framing, texture, design and an amazing glow where the sunlight comes through the leaves. Arghhhhh...what are we going to do now that the leaves are dropping fast....well I'm sure we'll thing of something watch this space.

Don't forget to vote for us, click above to vote.

Vote for us please!!!!!

2011-10-27T16:19:00.000+01:00

We've been entered in the 2012 Wedding Industry Awards and there's not much time left to vote so please, please and pretty please give us your vote!

Click here to vote: Wedding Industry Awards 2012

Many Thanks Mark & Tris

Wedding Picture of the Day #127

2011-10-27T14:52:00.000+01:00

How cute! Lovely little shot this nervous little flower girl, the large wardrobe as a background gives a great sense of scale and makes the little girl look smaller. It's the light and great expression that makes this shot's such a beauty!!!

Special Christmas Offers From Lord & Leverett

2011-10-26T15:18:00.000+01:00

We have some really great offers for our clients this Christmas with prices starting from just £30. So why not treat your loved ones to some lovely Lord & Leverett pictures!

Print Options

2 x 6"x4" prints and 2 x 7"x5" prints for just £30!

2 x 6"x4", 2 x 7"x5" and 2 x 10"x8" prints for £50

Please let us know the image numbers of the pictures you require either by telephone or email and we will do the rest.

Table Top Acrylic

Our popular table top acrylic is a fun and contemporary way of displaying your favourite images. Our acrylics give a depth to your images like no other product. The image is mounted to the back of a block of 30mm acrylic giving a prism effect allowing you to view the image from different angles. All presented in a attractive black presentation box making it a great surprise for someone this Christmas. This exciting product is available in 7"x5" size for just £75.

Silver Frames

By popular request we have been asked to supply a simple silver frame as a more traditional way of displaying your images for parents and grandparents alike. So we are now pleased to be able to offer yor choice of picture in a timeless stylish silver plated frame, available in 7"x5" size for £75 or a larger 10"x8" version for just £95.

Table Top

With a mix of classical design with a modern stylish frame these 8" x 6" table top portraits can either free stand on a table or can be hung on the wall. 8"x6" is a traditional size popular for grandparents and will find a home in the smallest of spaces. For just £145 we can supply two of these, one for each set of grandparents! Frame colours are available in gold, silver, bronze or black.

Framed Canvas Wrap

Looking for something to really 'Wow' your loved one on Christmas day? Why not treat him or her to their favourite image from your wedding or recent portrait shoot. For just £195 we can supply a stunning 12"x18" framed canvas wrap. The canvas is printed using 12 colour technology giving an ultimate colour range. The surface is further enhanced by being sealed to protect from moisture and UV rays giving you a product that will last for many years to come. Framed in a 2" deep white frame this product really stands out from the wall and looks über cool.

Large quantities of the same print

6"x4" Prints - Ideal for putting in with you Christmas cards!
50 prints for £40
100 prints for £60

Christmas Cards

Similar to our very popular Thank you card we can design you a personalised card with your choice of image on the front and your own personal message on the inside. Printed on high quality textured card and supplied with quality envelopes these are a quality way to personalise your Christmas cards.

50 A6 cards - £125
100 A6 cards - £175

Digital File

Digital files for you to do what you wish with at just £15 per file. (Minimum order of 3 digital files for £45)
Alternately £25 per file is sold separately. These digital files will be sent to you via email so there is no postage charges on these items.

Wedding Album Offers

Had a main book this year and now your parents or friends would like a copy? Why not treat your parents to a copy of your wedding album in handy A4 version? Or Your Bridesmaids and Ushers to a mini book.

1 x A4 Album - £400
2 x A4 Albums - £600

Mini Books - 8 mini books - £150

Story book Jorgensen Parents album
1 x 9"x6" Album - £600
2 x 9"x6" Albums - £1000

Deadline for Christmas orders on albums 15th November.

Framed Product Deadline 25th November

Christmas Card Deadline 15th November

Print Deadline 5th December.

Please contact us at your earliest convenience to place your Christmas orders!

Lord & Leverett Exclusive Portrait Voucher Offer

2011-10-26T15:05:00.000+01:00

Its that's time of the year again when we all scratch our heads wondering what we can get our family and friends for Christmas. Well, why not treat them to a fabulous Lord & Leverett family portrait voucher.

For just £50 we will send you a voucher which will be valid for six months from 01.01.2012 and entitles the recipient to the session and framed 10"x8" portrait both valued at £170.

The session will last up to two hours and in that time we can capture a variety of poses of the family, children, grandparents with the children, whatever you like! After the session the recipients of the voucher can come to our viewing room and view the pictures as a slide show. They will be able to make a leisurely selection of their favourites and choose their complimentary picture. They will also have the opportunity to choose more images if they desire.

Just a few of the happy faces we have photographed in 2011 portrait sessions.

Wedding picture of the day #126

2011-10-26T11:38:00.000+01:00

Did anyone watch the new series of 'Don't Tell the Bride' last night? Well the wedding ceremony and reception was held a Lillibrooke Manor near Maidenhead. Lillibrooke is a great venue for a wedding and/or reception and can cater for up to 170 people so if you are having a big wedding you may want to consider Lillibrooke.We have now photographed a few weddings at Lillibrooke and we think its great venue with a lot of history and character. There are some stunning backgrounds for some great photos!

Here is a photo from a wedding we shot there a few years ago in the Autumn for a couple who live in Australia! The weather was quite different to what they could expect back home but the autumnal colour of the foliage was gorgeous.

Wedding Picture of the Day #125

2011-10-25T15:47:00.000+01:00

Wonderful expressions from a bride and her Mum on the morning of the wedding. Kelly's mum was such fun that morning and her lovely personality made for a great atmosphere and put everyone at ease. It was a great morning with lots of laughter which kept going for the rest of the day!

#Latest Work#

2011-10-24T16:50:00.001+01:00

Here is a taster from a wedding we photographed last month of Karwen and James at Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, London. Enjoy!

Wedding Picture Of The Day #124

2011-10-24T12:16:00.000+01:00

As much as we love photographing people sometimes some objects just catch your eye. This shot was one of those times, with light to die for and gorgeous colours there was no stopping the shutter finger!

New post cards

2011-10-21T13:17:00.001+01:00

We have just received our new post cards we use for publicity purposes. We often leave these in bridal shops, florists, etc etc. If you have a business within the wedding industry and would be happy to have a few cards to give out to your clients please let us know. Thank you!

Wedding picture of the day #123

2011-10-21T11:57:00.000+01:00

Wedding picture of the day 1,2,3 Bridesmaids! Lovely little shot of 3 bridemaids sitting on a step in the church listening to a guest playing a tune on his guitar he had composed for the bride and groom. The whole congregation were in awe of this gents talent and the 3 little bridesmaids make no exception.

Wedding Picture of the Day #122

2011-10-20T12:22:00.000+01:00

Its that time fo the year when you have to top your hip flask up with some sloe gin or a drop of whisky to keep you warm inside! Well, thats our excuse! Here's Jordan having a little tipple before the ceremony.

Wedding Picture of the day #121

2011-10-19T11:14:00.000+01:00

Sharon and a very excited bridesmaid shortly before leaving for the church. We love the reflection of Sharon's happy face in the mirror. Sharon and John had a fab wedding at their local church and then a reception at the Tythe Barn, Launton- one of our favourite wedding venues.

Wedding Picture of the day #120

2011-10-18T16:09:00.000+01:00

We are back after our break! Heres a great shot to kick off with - a young lady loving the song the band are singing. We love photographing into the evening capturing the guests enjoying themselves, this particular wedding was inside a marquee which provides some of the best opportunities for us to get some crazy dancing pics! A good band also helps too!

Wedding picture of the day #119

2011-10-07T10:51:00.000+01:00

Whoops, we go a bit carried away yesterday and put two pictures up on the blog; but today it's just going to be the one and it's going to be the last for a while! Now don't panic we've not given up on the picture a day it's just we're taking a week off but we'll be back on it the week beginning the 17th till then enjoy.

Wedding picture of the day #118

2011-10-05T13:59:00.000+01:00

Who needs a wedding car on the wedding day when you got these? Well these are fine if you don't want to go anywhere!! These two cars are parked up at the back of the Crooked Billet, Stoke Row, Oxfordshire where Katherine and Andrew had their reception. The Crooked Billet is a fabulous and slightly quirky venue which offers incredible food thanks to the dedication of owner Paul and his staff. Check it out if you are in the area -you will not be disappointed!

Wedding Picture of the Day #118

2011-10-05T11:04:00.000+01:00

Well who wants to sit on a pew when there's a perfectly good font to sit on and munch your lolly! We really love how little moments like this one happen at weddings, we're sure it passes most people by but we think it's the sort of thing that makes each wedding so different and fun to photograph!

Wedding Picture Of The Day #117

2011-10-04T12:10:00.000+01:00

Well it looks like the sunny weather is leaving us again so for today's picture of the day we though we'd have one last hurrah of sunshine and glorious skies.

Wedding picture of the day #116

2011-10-03T11:50:00.001+01:00

One for the WG's and the Softcat crew! Lovely first dance picture of RWG and the new Mrs KWG being applauded by their friends. Their wedding was at the fabulous Wasing Park that offer both civil ceremonies or church weddings at the beautiful church on the estate. Wasing Park has just won 'Best Venue' in the The Perfect Wedding Awards. Check it out now!

Wedding Picture of the day #115

2011-09-30T08:53:00.000+01:00

A stunning first dance picture which looks almost timeless, this was taken with available light only so not to destroy the ambients of the room and the lighting that had been setup. We love the shafts of light which lead the viewers eye to the couple.

Wedding Picture of the Day #114

2011-09-29T09:36:00.000+01:00

Nick and Natasha got married on the same day as Nick's mum's birthday, so that could not go unnoticed without everyone singing happy birthday to her and of course a birthday cake, in true french style with fireworks coming out the top! This shot was taken when it was almost dark with just the light of the fireworks lighting mum's and the waiter's face.

Wedding Picture of the day #113

2011-09-28T12:01:00.000+01:00

Top shot of Dan catching up on the news shortly before departing for the church. This photograph was taken in the Railway carriage at the Railway Inn at Burnham Market, North Norfolk. To find out more about booking the carriage for a night or two click here

Wedding Picture of the Day #112

2011-09-27T12:05:00.000+01:00

Love this picture of Suzanne making a few final adjustments before her marriage ceremony. Photographed at Eastnor Castle the interior is georgous and helps to make some really stunning images. As we have exposed for the reflection in the mirror everything else has gone darker drawing the viewers attention to the reflection of Suzanne.

Wedding Picture of the day #111

2011-09-23T10:13:00.000+01:00

This picture was taken in St Peters Catholic Church, Marlow in the new part of the church where the couple sign the register. We just loved the mosaic on the wall and the light on the couple on Ann and Jordi. Classic lighting.

Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park tomorrow!

2011-09-22T15:35:00.000+01:00

We are looking forward to the wedding of Kar Wen and James at Pembroke Lodge in Richmond Park tomorrow.

Pembroke Lodge is a stunning Georgian mansion located on high ground with spectacular views over the Thames Valley, and Surrey. The lodge has not alway been so grand and started life sometime before 1754 as a humble cottage of just one room occupied by a molecatcher whose duty was to reduce the risk presented to huntsmen by moles.

Since then it was enlarged for the Countess of Pembroke who was a close friend of King George III. In 1847 Queen Victoria granted permission for Lord John Russell, then Prime Minister who conducted much business there and entertained various aristocrapts and writers including Dickens, Tennyson and Thackeray.

So to say we are excited about our wedding tomorrow is an understatement. We will also be luck enough to photograph a Chinese Tea ceremony later in the day. Keep an eye out for the photos from the wedding on our blog. In the meantime here are a few pictures or Kar Wen and James from their pre wedding shoot at the lodge.

Wedding Picture of the day #110

2011-09-22T13:16:00.001+01:00

Lovely shot of a groom talking to his gran before the wedding ceremony. Great eye contact which shows the love between the two of them and their hands touching make this a truly wonderful moment.

Latest Work

2011-09-22T10:50:00.001+01:00

Inspiring bouquets with a twist!

2011-09-22T09:54:00.000+01:00

There are so many gorgeous flowers you can have in your bouquet its hard to decide where to start. You may have some favourites which remind you of your childhood, visiting your grandparents garden or a place you would visit on family holidays. Check out our previous blog entry here to see some of our favourite bouquets from past weddings.

If you are looking for some ideas from across the pond here are some great bouquets we have found on the fab blog Green Wedding Shoes.

And if you are looking for something a little more unusual than why not incorporate some veg into your bouquet! Check these out...

Above using green artichoke mixed with ornamental kale, dill, pretty blue thistles and some ranunculus.

Here the florist has used some baby purple artichokes from the local farmers market

And this is just ornamental kale! Lovely colours for a truely individual look.

Special thanks for Green Wedding Shoes and their photographers for the images above.

Would you like to get married at Downton Abbey?

2011-09-21T15:05:00.000+01:00

Looking for that dream wedding venue where you will feel like the Lord and Lady of the house? Well if you have been watching Downton Abbey on a Sunday night, ITV 1 at 9pm and wondering where that splendid building is then the answer is Highclere Castle, in Hampshire.

Downton Abbey is a period drama set in the early 1900's and based around the Crawley Family living at Downton. The series is set in the Edwardian era at the reign of King George V in the fictional country estate of Downton, Yorkshire. Written by actor and writer Julian Fellowes with award winning actors including Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Smith. All we can say its its well worth watching and brilliantly filmed Sunday night television.

We particularly love watching it as we were lucky enough to photograph a wedding at Highclere Castle a few years ago and it has to be one of our favourite wedding venues of all time. Highclere has been lived in by the Carnarvon family since 1679 and has entertained many notable figures over time from Kings and Queens to Prime Ministers.

Here are some of our favourite pictures from Matt and Katy's wedding at Highclere.

To find out more about getting married at Highclere Castle click here

Wedding Picture of the Day #109

2011-09-21T12:43:00.001+01:00

Stay organised on the run up to your wedding, make sure you have a list of all those important last minute jobs that need doing. Don't be afraid to delegate jobs to bridesmaids and ushers as that's part of their job on the day.
Most of all keep calm and don't end up running around on your wedding day yourself!

Wedding Picture of the day #108

2011-09-20T11:20:00.000+01:00

This weekend we had a fab wedding in a small hamlet in Oxfordshire where the church was next door to the brides parent's home. After the ceremony as the bridal party and guests walked back from the church to the marquee passing the house there were some little faces looking out of one of the downstairs windows. This will definitely be one of those pictures to embarrass the flower girl on her wedding day!

Latest Work

2011-09-20T10:52:00.000+01:00

Latest Work - All Saints Church, Marlow and Monkey Island, Bray

2011-09-16T16:09:00.000+01:00

Handmade wedding ideas on GWS

2011-09-16T14:35:00.000+01:00

Whilst looking on the fab blog Green Wedding Shoes from Southern California we have spotted some great ideas for planning your own DIY handmade wedding. Kelly the bride is keen on craft/DIY ideas and so relished in every part of the wedding planning and preparations, she says 'From the moment we got engaged until the wedding day, I was always working on a project of some sort – from building the website, to designing, printing and packaging our invitations, to designing and printing our programs, menus, decorations, table numbers, designing our favors… it sounds crazy, but I loved every minute of it.'

above pictures courtousy of Jenny Jimenez

Check out Kelly and Jeff’s wedding here

Also, whilst on the topic of handmade weddings we found this popular link on GWS of Gemma and Steve's wedding with some great photography by Justin Lee Photography. Gemma and Steve really made a fantastic wedding on a budget, have a look through the images and be inspired what can be achieved with a little imagination.

Check out the rest of their wedding ideas here

Green Wedding Shoes showcase some truly stunning weddings with a big slant on vintage/ handmade. Making bits for your wedding yourself can not only save you money but will personalise your wedding and make it unique and different, and who knows with those dark nights just around the corner you may just find a new past time!

All thanks to the couples, the photographers and Green Wedding Shoes for providing such great inspiration.

Wedding Picture of the day #106

2011-09-16T11:11:00.000+01:00

A great band almost guaranteed to get the dance floor packed from the first tune! We saw these guys at a wedding in Norfolk last year and have never seen such a busy dance floor. Based in the South East but will travel. Check them out here where you can see their You Tube demo.

Wedding Picture of the day #105

2011-09-15T13:42:00.000+01:00

A great moment of a proud father walking his daughter down the aisle as he touches his mothers shoulder. The grandmother looking back at her son and lovely grand daugher on her big day. A moment that only lasted a split second captured forever to perserve this families memories. It's one of our main shots to capture at a wedding, a photograph of the bride arriving and coming down the aisle with her dad or person giving her away, but its always a bonus to get the extra shots of the emotional mum looking back, the relieved groom looking back and other family and friends expressions.

Wedding Picture of the Day #104

2011-09-14T17:18:00.001+01:00

A fab shot from a civil partnership wedding we photographed last year. We just love the colours and the milky vintage quality this image has.

Wedding Picture of the Day #103

2011-09-13T10:42:00.000+01:00

Today's picture we think this is quite a special shot because when it was taken. This wasn't just a normal baby with dad candid picture this one was taken as a bride entered the church and incredibly this baby looked up and started watching the bride and her little eyes lit up, what a moment. It's strange to think this little girl may remember that moment in the future perhaps even when she's planning her wedding.

Wedding picture of the day #102

2011-09-12T16:42:00.000+01:00

Great expressions on both Chris and Lauren's faces during their wedding vows!

Wedding Picture of the day #101

2011-09-08T13:36:00.000+01:00

A beautiful shot of two excited flower girls running ahead of the bride and her father. This shot was taken in the spring time when the leaves on the trees are looking their best. We love the scale of the big old chestnut tree and the little girls beneath it.

100 wedding pictures for #100 Pic of the day

2011-09-06T15:44:00.003+01:00

So here we are at 100! We picked one wedding at random and selected 100 pictures from it to celebrate our 100th wedding picture of the day.

Click to enlarge

Wedding picture of the day #99

2011-09-05T10:20:00.000+01:00

A great shot taken when the vicar announced Shelley and Paul as husband and wife. The great thing about having two photographers at your wedding is one of us will tuck themselves away at the front and the other will stay at the back. That way, nothing is missed!

Wedding Picture of the Day #98

2011-09-02T12:18:00.000+01:00

Abha's wonderful expression as she opens a gift from Chris, her husband to be on the morning of her wedding day. Its not compulsory guys but it does make a great photo and will be something your wife will have forever!

Wedding Picture of the day #97

2011-08-31T11:13:00.001+01:00

Lovely moody shot of a young Bridesmaid pre-wedding ceremony! Lit by one spot light from above is just the ticket to give this picture its atmospheric look, oh and the funky wall paper helps too.