Wedding photographer Berkshire » bijou wedding photography

Notley Abbey wedding photography

nealejames — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 14:04:07 +0000

The estate agent introducing Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh to Notley Abbey must have known he’d secured the sale even before Sir Larry turned the medieval key in the gothic door of this historic pile. Now THIS, is what I call a driveway. If the travellers come knocking offering to tarmac it, it would only be marginally cheaper to rework the stretch between 8/9 and 10 on the M4.

In venue terms, I know you’re not supposed to have them or at least moot the subject, but this remains one of my firm favourites when it comes to photographing weddings. Congratulations to ‘Englishman in New York’ Matt and Niki. Looking forward to presenting you with your photographs when you come back from your secret honeymoon destination! Not sure if they have broadband where you’re going, but if they do, a handful of images to whet the appetite.

Where are they now? Freddie and Steve at Silchester House

nealejames — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 12:01:14 +0000

It’s been two years since their Silchester House wedding and thanks for your note guys to let me know how things have been coming along since then. For private reasons to the couple, this wedding was a wonderfully emotional experience; I remember there being a lump in my throat for much of the speeches. ‘Nuff said’ on that note, the couple have some amazing travel plans afoot for the next year; trips to Australasia and the Americas to name just two continents. It’s been a commercial journey in the last year too, as Steve has launched his own business in the online search engine optimisation field, that dark art where we all battle to become Google’s favourite friend!

Notley Abbey wedding photography

nealejames — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 08:52:26 +0000

Quite a story on this one. If I had a penny (etc etc), the most popular question asked about wedding photography is; “What happens if it rains?” Seeing that we don’t seem to be constantly bathed in sunshine in the UK, it does present an issue a few times during the year, though my ‘It can’t rain forever’ mantra rarely bites me on the proverbial. And so the Saturday just gone I was Thame bound to photograph Sean and Laura’s wedding at Notley Abbey. Despite the weather forecast not being the kindest, I thought we’d entered Sunshine valley as I drove up the impressive tree lined drive that leads to Notley’s front door.

You know me, sucker for a window lit shot. And there was plenty of sunshine around during the morning to provide it.

We had a lot of fun on the prewedding shoot, the ceremony followed the same line. The reason for their smiles? It was an outdoor ceremony and as one of the ushers started his reading, a horse started to join in in the background.

And then, the clouds started to gather!

We got through the ceremony before the heavens opened. This is probably one of my favourite shots from the day and it shows something very important. If you accept the rain as part of your day, embrace it and enjoy the occasion, you get magic all day long.

Being a headlining dancer on the Take That tour, the evening studio brought a few surprises…

“Greatest Day” the first dance.

Where are they now? Emmie and Alex, Silchester House

nealejames — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 20:24:37 +0000

I shoot a reasonable amount of weddings each year for professionals in the creative field, so being requested by a fellow wedding photographer to shoot her Silchester House wedding was flattering indeed. In Emmie’s words; “Our wedding day was the best day of our lives (we’re supposed to say that aren’t we?!) It was such a good day though and we enjoy looking back and remembering it all 16 months later. Alex is still counting bricks for a living (quantity surveying) although of late has been trying his hand (or should I say fists) at boxing and winning! I am still in photography and education. We still live in Tilehurst in our lovely little house with Mr Jinks the cat. No kids yet, we are far too busy enjoying ourselves!” So a few shots from their Silchester wedding that I enjoy, and my thanks to you both for keeping in touch.