My winning picture !

Feeling rather pleased with myself today ! I entered an image from a recent wedding (Simon and Nicole) into a competition run by the SWPP which is the proffessional association I belong to.  This was  a national copmpetion with the theme of Water, and judged by my peers who are some of the best photographers up and down the country. Simon and Nicole kindly gave me permission to enter the picture (below) and I am pleased to say that I came joint first. It is a great image, and it was slightly "photoshopped". Simon and Nicole were so easy to photograph as well as being a good looking bride and groom. Nice to top this competition, especially as it was judged by other professional photographers.

Chris and Rebecca's Wedding

I was privileged to be asked to photograph Chris and Rebecca's wedding on Friday. They had chosen Leigh Park Hotel at Bradford on Avon. This has always been a very friendly hotel and I have photographed many weddings there in the past. Since my last visit, there have been lots of improvements, in particular a fabulous conservatory with big windows all round making it a photographers dream with lots of light. The ceremony took place here. Rebecca looked gorgeous and her dress was stunning. Somehow a barn owl featured in the wedding !! What a beautiful creature it was. Rebecca was so surprised when this lovely bird flew across the garden to land on her hand. All the children were able to stroke her and I got some great pictures. The best man Tom, and the three bridesmaids joined in the fun, and we shot some really fun pictures running across the garden. There were some very funny and emotional speeches before the Wedding Breakfast, and all the guests can view all the pictures by using their password at www.christopherchard.com

Nick and Vicky's Wedding

On Saturday we had the pleasure of photographing Nick and Vicky's wedding at the historical Sign of The Angel restaurant in the National Trust village of Lacock. It was a quite small and intimate wedding with not everyone being able to fit in to the room where the ceremony took place. The sun shone all day, which made photography a little tricky, especially in the garden amonst all the trees. After the family pictures were taken, we took Nick and Vicky for a walk around the village for some more pictures. Vicky looked stunning and smiled all day, even when I asked her to climb all over some of Lacock's ancient monuments. Nick is a lucky chap ! but I think he knows that ! All  guests can view  all  the images  by using the password  they have been given at www.christopherchard.com

Simon and Nicole's Wedding

Simon and Nicole were married on Saturday at Lackham House. This is a brilliant venue, with beautiful gardens and very helpfull staff. Simon and Nicole greatly enjoyed being photographed, and made a hansome Bride and Groom. The weather was perfect for photography - bright and overcast, and although it did begin to rain when it was time to be called in for the Wedding breakfast, we had got all the pictures we wanted. In the evening, Simon and Nicole had arranged for a really cool jukebox to supply the tunes. What a beautiful Bride Nicole made. Her dress was amazing, kind of gold raw silk, and her two bridesmaids looked fabulous too ! She didn't stop smiling all day. Any family or friends with the password can view all 346 images by visiting  www.christopherchard.com