Wedding testimonial - Bay Tree Hotel, Burford

It's very rewarding taking great photos on someone's wedding day, and better still when my clients write lovely emails to me with thanks.  I recently had this from Sally, who got married at The Bay Tree Hotel.  It was the last paragraph that stopped me in my tracks.  I spend far too much time deliberating about how to describe my approach as a photographer, yet with 4 or 5 key words Sally hit the nail on the head.

Hi Matt

I hope you're well. Pete and I arrived back from honeymoon this morning and we wanted to get in touch without delay to say how thrilled we are the pics. They are simply stunning and have completely surpassed our expectations. You've managed to capture some really special moments - often without us even realising you were there snapping away!

Over the next couple of days we'll have a good look through the album proof. There are probably a handful of pics we would change but nothing major. We love the way the album is composed so we don't want to make too many changes. So I'll come back to you on this early next week, if that's ok.

Once again, big thanks to you for your professionalism, sense of humour and energy on the day and for some truly amazing photographs!

Best wishes,

Sally and Pete

Gloucestershire Wedding Photographer - Manor House Hotel

We're at the Manor House Hotel, Moreton-In-Marsh this week for the wedding of James & Fran.

If you've not been to the coffee machine, or think you'll just skim read this blog post and get a drink later, I suggest you boil the kettle first, THEN sit down.  My best intentions are to try and pick just 30-40 photos from each wedding for a blog post........but I failed BIG TIME on this occasion.   In fact, if you need a wee too, consider that first as well.  Eighty five (ish) photos and a lot of Matt Davis waffle can take some time to wade through.

Don't forget, at the midway(ish) point there is a 'sneaky little tab' to press that says READ MORE.  I guess you could use that as a suitable time to pause and pretend to get on with some paper shuffling (if you're browsing this in work time) or to let the dog out the back door as tonights walk is cancelled.....just make sure you press it though....as really 20 photos isn't enough......you will need more!

This doesn't need explaining does it?


Manor House Hotel, Moreton-In-Marsh






Make-up and champagne.  A simple cocktail to start any good wedding day.




Wedding hair was done by the ever so lovely, beautifully softly spoken Anna White.  Shown here on the left - drinking on the job ;-)


For this wedding we have one bride and two bridesmaids.  Did you guess that?



Wedding flowers were provided by Natasha Wilkes at flowersarefabulous.  Fran spotted one of her beautiful brightly coloured wedding bouquets at my Kingscote Barn wedding last year and got her details as a result.  


What a super window to photograph Fran's wedding shoes in.  Better too for not including the 'pop up camp bed' that was just beneath it.

This may need some explaining......... 


Man arrives at door....turns out to be husband of bridesmaidMan looks at bridesmaids hair and plucks out a single grey strand!Bridesmaid looks horrified.   :-0(Bridesmaid is possibly equally horrified that I've put it up on my blog too - sorry!)




Is putting on shoes a funny activity?



If you're gonna be a bridesmaid you MUST look your best.  No deodorant marks and it's imperative to have nicely moisturised skin - go girls!






"owwwww you look soooooo luverly".  (Is Becky from Summerset - I think not?)



Love, love, love, love, love the hands in this photo.





Ohh guests arriving....step back from the window in case they see you!



...right mums off to get seated for the ceremony.  Any last minute words of wisdom?



Final application of lip gloss.



One eye, one smile.  I rather like this photo.


Hang about.....you're meant to be keeping away from the window, not back at it to look again.......who is it this time?





Inside Manor House Hotel, set ready for the wedding ceremony.




Ever wondered why it takes me 2 mins not 30 seconds to take a photo of some flowers?  It's called 'indecision' and here's a super example!   Left or right - which do you prefer?


I'd be smiling if someone pinched my bum at a wedding too :-)



















[start of rant] Fran requested with the registrars that I was allowed to take photos during the ceremony.....which for all intensive purposes 'on face value' appeared to be okay.  I chatted with one registrar who gave me instructions not to take photos during the 'vows', which isn't ideal but I can deal with.  
Next up was signing of the register (the real thing!).  The bit registrars get all 'funny about'.  I'd said I'll take photos as the actual signing is going on but not include any 'words' (aka detail from the main register) which was agreed..... until part way into the signing when a U-Turn took place and they asked me not to take any photos?  eh? 
This may be a rant, but please please please, registrars who think I have an interest in photographing the words on the register itself, then publishing the info on the internet for someone to see....think again!
The shot above and below could have been taken during the actual signing of the registrar (if it were not for unnecessary rules preventing me).  You can't see the register, the point of the focus isn't the register, so perhaps let photographers take photos, and registrars could stick to marrying the couple! [end of rant]



Now click 'READ MORE' to see the later highlights.