Mel and Jack’s Wedding Gallery is Live!
If you know Mel and Jack, please contact them for their wedding gallery password. You can access the gallery at the link below:
Tessa and Tom’s wedding gallery is live!
If you know Tessa and Tom please contact them for the gallery password, and you can access their photos at the link below.
Emma we absolutely LOVE our photos they are stunning!! I don’t know where to start to describe how much we loved looking through them and re living our wonderful day. You captured so many moments we didn’t see which was awesome!! We are beyond Happy!!!
Holly and Ed’s Old Luxters Barn wedding was GORGEOUS. Holly’s Stella York by Tilly Mint was just stunning, and with their daughter Connie in a beautiful Monsoon flower girl dress and Ed in Autograph by M&S, they were all picture perfect!
I started the day with Holly and Laila at The Cart Shed, a beautiful, quirky self contained unit Turville, which was the perfect location for the ladies to get ready. We then travelled to Old Luxters Barn where Ed was anxiously waiting for his bride, and before they both knew it, it was ceremony time, and they became Mr and Mrs. EPIC confetti line after the ceremony!
The grapevines out the back of the main house at Old Luxters provided the perfect background for some family and couple portraits. It also gave Holly and Ed some brief special time away from everyone before returning for their meal and evening party.
Old Luxters Barn is a stunning location for a handmade style wedding, and I can’t wait to get back there again!
Holly and Ed… you were amazing. Thank you for choosing me to photograph your wedding! x
After some time off to focus on my own small human person, my weddings started up again in July 2019, and they were just AWESOME. Here are some of my fave pics. I hope you like them!
Bring on 2020 : )
On Monday night, Burbage and Easton Royal Cricket Club held their first ever taster for women’s softball cricket. I went along to take a few pics, but also to take part! I have to say I was a little nervous … not only had I not really done any exercise other than walking since I found out I was pregnant (back in December… 2017!!!!!!!) … but I had this idea that I would feel really self conscious trying something new at the age of forty! I have to say though, I absolutely LOVED it. It felt so good to get myself moving, and learn something new!
After a warm up, Director of Cricket for the club, Owen Alsop, coached us in the basic skills of batting and bowling, delivering the session at the perfect pace for a group of ladies who were, on the whole, new to playing the sport.
Many of the ladies who attended were mums who drop their children off for training sessions at the ground, as the U9s, U11s, U13s and U15s all train on a Monday. As I heard one lady say “It’s about time us ladies got to play rather than standing on the sidelines!”. After a recent training collaboration it was also great that a few members of Pewsey Netball Club came along. It is great to see local sports clubs supporting each other!
With all the kids training, the women training, and the bar open for spectators, the atmosphere at the club really was awesome, and after the success of the session, a six week program is now commencing as of this coming Monday, 29th April.
If you fancy a go… COME ALONG! It’s FREE! All you need is yourself and some comfy clothes. All the training kit has been specially provided by the England Cricket Board to clubs around the county to encourage more women to get involved in the sport. You can contact Owen for more details or with any questions at doc@bercc.com
It was an absolute PLEASURE to photography Vicky and Jack’s farm wedding!! I will never forget one of my pre wedding meetings with Vicky. It’s not often that a bride tells you she hadn’t got round to levelling her field for the marquee yet : )
Morning prep with Vicky was a flurry of activity with lots of family around, and we made sure we had enough time for Vicky to have some photos with her beautiful horses before she was whipped up to the Church by her Dad in one of the family tractors! The service at St Mary’s Church in Beenham Church was classic and elegant, with lots of laughter. Vicky and Jack were then taken back to Vicky’s farm by horse and carriage, before she rode up to the reception, with an enormous gateway of combine harvesters : ) The sun shone for the whole day and gave us some beautiful early evening light for some creative photos around the farm - I could have spent hours just shooting all over the farm!
I must say thank you to my second shooter the super talented Craig Hyde, who was awesome to work with : )
More farm weddings please!!!!
Well this blog has been a long time coming, and has been in the making for about eight months (insert facepalm emoji). But here it finally is!
Laura and Chris got married in April of last year in Wimborne, and bridal prep for Laura was at 1777, a gorgeous boutique hotel in the town where she was joined by her close family. We then took a short trip up the road to the town hall where the wonderful “I do’s!” took place and Mr and Miss became Mr and Mrs! The town hall has cute gardens out the back which are lovely for photos, before Laura and Chris headed off in style another very short journey up the road to the Millstream Bar and Bistro for their reception. The Millstream Bar is such a gorgeous venue for a small wedding - it was the perfect location for some engagement photos I did with the guys before their wedding too! (Another thing on my list to do is to put together a gallery of engagement pics so keep your eyes peeled : ) …. )
Laura and Chris are one of the sweetest cutest couples I have ever met and it was an absolute treat to capture their wedding day for them. Here are a few pics from their day : )
On Saturday I joined the Rangers early to capture some team photos of the boys in their new season's kit, and to showcase their main sponsors - Thrings Solicitors, Tale of Spice Pewsey and Fowlers Planning and Architecture. Without the generosity of the club sponsors, a lot of what the club achieves could not be possible.
It was close game on the day against Corsham, with the match going down to the final over. Sadly Burbage came out on the wrong side of the result, narrowly losing. Some hilarious fines and items of the week followed, with the night ending with some air guitar... on a ladder.... : )
A few weeks ago I was there to watch Burbage and Easton Royal 1st XI beat Trowbridge CC. I'm afraid I was a bit slack during the game with photos this day, choosing mostly to sit and watch ... but in the evening a special guest appearance from David "Elton" Cope prompted the camera to come back out again. And I was feeling in a black and white mood for my edit this time!
Love this team. Love this club.
My wedding couples book me because they know I will capture their wedding day in a documentary story telling way. I will spend my time photographing all the little details and the day as it unfolds, so that they have a set of images that tells the story from the beginning to the end. This is, apart from the normal small selection of "formal" group photos, and also any time that I can spend just with the bride and groom. My aim with the couple is to give my couple a beautiful, natural looking set of images, and sometimes, this just needs me to give a little direction, which, if I am honest, is often no more than asking my couple to move into a lovely little spot of light and give each other hug!
But a lot of my couples still tell me that they are nervous about having their photo taken, and you know what, I get it. Totally. And there is one way that you, yes even YOU, can you get over this fear, and that is to have a practice/pre/engagement session - whatever you want to call it! This doesn't have to be about getting dressed up in your best clothes, having perfect weather, and finding the perfect spot, this is about you getting to see how I work, getting used to me snapping away, and for you to see that you CAN get over those worries! And this means, that yes sure we can go find a pretty spot somewhere, but I can also meet you somewhere you are at home... whether this is your actual home, your favourite coffee shop, the place you go to walk your dog, or where you work!
So when farmers Vicky and Jack told me they weren't feeling that confident about having their photos taken, I suggested I met them on one of their farms! I spent a little while photographing them at work, then we did some couple shots! And you know what, I LOVE these photos. More importantly, what did Vicky say? "Awww they are lovely considering the weather we had and our work clothes!"
I love these sessions so much. And you know what, you don't need to be getting married to have one done - let's do some anyway! : )
Hope you like the pics : )
Saturday 12th May 2018 was my first day of the season back with BERCC 1st XI. I am chuffed to bits with my logo on the new hoodies! The team showed real spirit and togetherness as they defied the odds, successfully defending 110 by bowling Westbury all out for 75, going on to celebrate their win in true Burbage style!
Here's a few pics from the evening : )
We absolutely love the wonderful pictures of our special day. Emma is certainly the very best, thank you Emma, Love Sue and Steve xx
When you are planning a wedding, there are a few things that are beyond your control, the weather usually being the main one... Unfortunately, the major town renovations are also something that you really can not have any say in, even when the original plans were set to have them all done in time for your wedding day!
Well, Sue and Steve did not let Wokingham town's works bother them one bit on their day, and I think their smiles are testament to this. Sue looked stunning in her long beaded dress, and I have honestly never seen a more smiley, beaming bride!
Having grown up in Wokingham, I hadn't actually set foot in the town hall's amazing banquet room until the day I first met Sue and Steve for a pre wedding coffee a few months back. It really is quite a stunning setting for a wedding, and the big windows with the sunny day made for a light, bright and airy ceremony and meal. It really was quite a special intimate day.
Here are a few pics from the day. Feel the love and happiness right here : )
This weekend it was NatWest CricketForce, a national scheme set up to bring the club and local community together to get the grounds and facilities ready for the new season. I joined a team of willing volunteers at Burbage and Easton and Royal Cricket Club to help out and capture some of the hard work that went on. It never ceases to amaze or impress me that the same people come together every year to decorate, clean, update, and improve the grounds for the benefit of the whole club. By signing up to the scheme clubs nationwide benefit from a Jewson Privilege Account that entitles each club to credit at Jewson, so I joined the early morning run to pick up some supplies. It was then off to Choppers for Cafe for a filling brekkie to keep us going! As soon as we arrived at the club, the list of jobs to do came out, the music was turned on, and everyone cracked right on! I helped out painting some tractor parts and with a big sort out in the shed whilst capturing some of the work that went on. Massive thanks to Matt and Fiona Kellow of Thrings Solicitors, the club's main sponsor, who came down and got stuck in too! This year a lot of work has gone on to attract new sponsors for the team too, and it was great to see the new advertising boards going up around the ground, including Macer Cricket and Fitness Space in Marlborough.
I am really proud to Sponsor BERCC, and I am massively excited about the season ahead!!!!
Here's some pics from Saturday : )
Every year Burbage and Easton Royal CC take an annual trip to Windsor races. I admit this blog is a tad belated, but I thought the sunny pics would be nice to look back on with the return of this chilly weather!!
There is a coach pick up to get everyone to the racecourse, where lunch and drinks are whipped out like a military operation before heading into the races. I didn't take quite as many pics this year... which has something to do with me emptying a pint of berry cider into my bag whilst trying to keep both the pint and my ice cream upright whilst still taking photos.. I failed! Ha!
Hope you like the pics : )
On Friday night Burbage and Easton Royal cricket club met to try on the new season's kit, being supplied by All Rounder Cricket. There was a real buzz in the room with everyone really keen for the season to begin. I am really proud to be sponsoring the club again this year, and can't wait to see the new hoodies with my logo on them! Macer Cricket were also there with their range of senior and junior equipment ... I did my own spot of advertising with their new snapback, a look a shall be sporting more at the cricket than at my weddings this year : ) After all the guys were measured up, we went for a curry at The Tale of Spice in Pewsey, who are another of BERCC's main sponsors this year. The great food and service topped off a memorable pre-season gathering!
Here's a few pics from the evening!
The Sculpture Gallery at Woburn Abbey is one of the most stunning wedding venues I have ever seen! With high ceilings and beautiful gardens, it was the perfect venue for Sam and Tom's special day!! My day began with Sam and the girls in Slipperfield House at The Woburn Hotel. The bubbles were flowing, and the girls didn't stop laughing all morning. Sam had organised personalised presents for everyone and there were a few tears when they were handed out - there was lots of love in the room! Make-up artist Kerstie Ann had a super early start with the beautiful hair do's and make-up, and one of Sam's bridesmaids Hannah also happens to be a MUA - Hannah was on hand for Sam's make-up! Bridal prep really is one of my favourite times in the day, so there are rather a few pics of prep in this blog ... how beautiful are Sam and the girls flowers from Fairy Nuff Flowers!
Once the girls were ready, it was off to the Sculpture Gallery to become Mr and Mrs : ) Tom and his ushers all looked very dapper in their French Connection suits, and watched on as his beautiful bride was walked up the aisle by her Mum. Sam's dress was from JS Couture - just look at that ST-unning train! After an emotional ceremony, Sam and Tom BEAMED their way out of the ceremony hall amongst the confetti! It was then outside to the gardens for a champagne reception. The weather couldn't quite make its mind up on the day, but there is a gorgeous wood panelled bar area, and also The Camellia House which is perfect for photos come rain or shine.
Dinner was served seamlessly by the staff, and the guests could look on at the spectacular wedding cake, made by The Model Wedding, which was in a rather unusual spot : )
After dinner there was enough time an awesome bouquet throw before the dancing started - I always recommend brides do this later on in the day once everyone has had a couple of drinks - makes for some decent game faces and competition : )
Music in the evening was provided by Hot Keys, who kept everyone dancing late into the evening ... although not before the best man had belted out a song, joined by Tom!
One last mention - if you are after some wedding balloon inspiration, you need not look any further than Bubblegum balloons - by day they are just gorgeous, and at night with the right lighting they just seem light up!
I LOVED being able to capture Sam and Tom's special day, and I hope you enjoy browsing through the pics : )
x
So here we go, part 2 of my brilliant 24 hours with The Haywards! If you haven't seen my Part 1 you can find it here! http://www.emmachandlerphotography.co.uk/blog/documenting-real-parenthood
Our day started just after 6.30. I had already woken, and could hear hushed noises around the house, and then my bedroom door slowly opened as Elsie creeped in to say hello : )
So I was up, still in PJs, but with camera in hand, and that's when I started snapping! We had sleepy morning hot drinks, breakfast, a concentrated dressing session (then a change), and then it was off to the park in the sun. Such great, NORMAL, special family times; all captured.
Here are some of my faves from the morning hope you enjoy them.
And do let me know if you are interested in something similar for your own family. They won't be little for long....
x
Back in August I had the pleasure of photographing Ellie and Matt's awesome wedding in London. Now. If you are looking for ideas for a homemade outdoor wedding reception with garden games for your guests, this wedding will be a real inspiration to you....
The day began for me when I met Matt and his ushers in the lovely sunshine at St John's Church in Hampton Wick. The bridesmaids arrived a short time later in a VW Camper, beautiful in their flowing Grecian style dresses and flower crowns. Ellie and her Dad arrived together, and she looked simply stunning! After a lovely service, and an EPIC confetti line, we walked down to the river where the newlyweds and their close family got on a boat to travel down the river to the reception venue - what a way to travel on your wedding day!! I had just the right amount of time to get back to my car, drive to the venue, and get down to the river bank to capture their arrival : ) The river bank, with views of Hampton Court Palace in the background, was perfect for some group pics, then it was off to Ditton Field, owned by Kingston Grammar School, for the reception.
As far as homemade weddings go, this really was something special.... There was a bar and Photobooth - both made by made by Matt's Dad ... there was elderflower gin - made by Ellie's Mum.... there were hand labelled gin bottles, bunting and a gorgeous table plan - made by Ellie's sister.... there flower vases full of Ellie's Mum's homegrown flowers - put together by Ellie's aunty and mum's friend ... there was a cycling theme cake - made by Ellie's Mum's colleague Gazala... and just check out these incredible garden games - all made by Ellie and her Dad!
With a sweet bar, photos hanging around the edge of the marquee, gorgeous place settings, and a tandem bike (which was meant more for decoration but did get quite a bit of use during the reception!) it really was a dream wedding for me to photograph! The sprinklers on the field did also provide a little entertainment!
Music was provided by Silent Alarm who were awesome - definitely check them out if you are looking for a band for your wedding or party. Being a summer wedding, it was light when the dancing started, but once the music started, the dancing didn't stop... and always love it how the lighting and colours change as the evening goes on - Ellie and Matt definitely ended their day with a serious party!
I really did have the best day and I am so happy to have been able to capture this BRILLIANT wedding.
: )
Credits: Ellie's Wedding Dress - Surrey Brides in Weybridge; Bridesmaid Dresses - TFNC; Flowers - Gaye Burrows; Suits - Youngs Hire Wear ; Marquee - Gregg Barlett from the Wedding Marquee Company ; Catering - Justin Field ; Band - Silent Alarm.
I LOVE theme parks, and as of this summer I still hadn't had the chance to go to Legoland even though it is only down the road from me! I'm not lying when I say I was probably the most excited person in the park the morning I set foot in Legoland with one of my best friends and her amazing family. Not only did I get to spend the day going on all the rides I'd never normally have a good excuse to go on without a child in tow, but I also got to document it! WIN WIN!!
The awesome thing about photographing kids when they are somewhere they love is that there is a constant stream of inquisitive, curiousness, play and laughter to photograph, interspersed with spontaneous hugs! Okay so I did witness quite a few tantrums going on around us, but hey, what's a family day out without a mini tantrum right?
Here's some of my favourites!
Going on a day out or an adventure with your family? Let me be part of your family for the day and photograph it for you!
On Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th September, Lord and Lady Carnarvon hosted a fabulous Vintage Garden Party, and I was privileged to attend and photograph the first day of the weekend. Both guests and staff entered into the spirit of things by wearing 1920s outfits, and I could not help but notice how many visitors had travelled from abroad to visit the Castle for the special occasion!
The Gatsby Girls entertained everyone with their Charleston steps, and many visitors got to their feet to learn a fun routine taught by the girls and guys. With a fabulous vintage carousel, a little Citroen van serving cocktails, croquet on the lawn, a classic car display, a brass band, a best dressed competition judged by Lady Carnarvon, and in true British fashion, a display from the Yateley Morris Dancers, the rain clouds couldn't dampen anyone's spirits! ... they did make for some dramatic backgrounds!
Inside the Castle, a pianist played on the Steinway in the dining room, and there was a display of historic clothing. As photography for visitors is not permitted within the Castle, I won't be sharing any of my images from within side (they are for the use of the Castle only). There is only one thing for it... you will just have to make a visit so you can see the grandeur and splendour of Highclere Castle for yourself!
So, with Lady Carnarvon's kind permission, here are a selection of images from the day!
