Thursday 15 July 2010

Michelle and Damon's Wedding

Saturday saw us heading to Swindon to photograph Michelle and Damon's wedding at the beautiful St Margaret's Church in Stratton St. Margaret. We were starting with Damon and his groomsmen and when we arrived at the house where they were getting ready, we were pleasantly surprised to find them all suited and booted ! . Probably a first for us ! And they looked really smart too. We then headed for Michelle's Mum and Dad's house where the girls were far from ready. Usual situation for us ! We got some lovely getting ready shots before we had to leave for the church. I need to mention the Reverend Vicky Fleming, who was really helpful to us. She was quite happy to let me take up a position in the church in front of Michelle and Damon, which allowed me to shoot some very special moments as they made their promises to each other. What a lovely lady vicar ! The reception was at the wonderful Stanton House Hotel just north of Swindon. It is always a pleasure to photograph weddings here. The grounds are great, the staff are extremely helpful, and the food is of a very high standard. Michelle and Damon were having such a great wedding day. Michelle was a fabulous bride, and her dress was so beautiful. She smiled all day ! After the wedding breakfast and speeches, we had a chance to shoot some more pictures. These were a bit more fun and quite relaxed. How we persuaded all the groomsmen and bridesmaids to race up and down the lawns I don't know ! We finished off with some great images of bride and groom in the natural garden. After the pictures of the first dance, Damon's brother's band entertained all the guests, so we shot some cool pictures of the band rockin' the place. When we headed back down the motorway, the band were in full flow. Family and Guests can view all the pictures at the wedding by visiting www.christopherchard.com and using the password they were given.


Tuesday 6 July 2010

Karen and Matt's Wedding


After our exertions on Saturday, Sunday saw us setting off bright and early (well early anyway! ) heading for the spectacular Rhinefield house, tucked away in the New Forrest. This was our first visit to this beautiful venue and we can’t wait to go back again. Karen and her three bridesmaids were all pretty relaxed when we arrived. We reckoned Karen had planned the day perfectly judging by the time plan on the pin board. We were blown away by Karen’s dress. It was stunning ! and when Mum had laced her up expertly, she looked fabulous. The big surprise arrived outside the house, in the form of the wedding bug, a red and cream 23 Window Samba VW camper van. I think Karen had been wondering how she was going to get all that dress into Dad’s mini ! So bride and Dad arrived in style at the venue. The ceremony took place in the great hall and I managed to get some lovely pix without having to resort to using flash. Photographing the family and guests in the spacious gardens was a real pleasure, and there was enough time to set up some fun shots with all the girls and then the boys (when we could locate Will that is ! )
The bridesmaids were wearing amazing red dresses and we got some really fun pictures – thanks girls !  The best was yet to come as we were treated to some Morris dancing on the lawn after the wedding breakfast, and of course Matt and some of his mates were (easily) persuaded to join in the final dance. This involved waving big sticks, and surprisingly all their knuckles remained intact – just. When we had photographed the Bride and Grooms first dance and some of the guests too, we headed back to Wiltshire. What a tiring but very satisfying weekend it was, and we will do it all again next weekend !
All family and guests can see all the pictures we shot on the day by visiting www.christopherchard.com and using the password they were provided.



Monday 5 July 2010

Sara and Andy's Wedding


Our wedding on Saturday was at our favourite Grittleton House, which is almost on our doorstep ! When we met up with Sara at her parent’s house all the girls were having so much fun getting ready, Mum and Dad made us really feel really welcome. After some getting ready shots we went out into Nigel’s lovely garden for a few pictures before we wizzed off to find Andy and the boys at Grittleton. After the very moving ceremony we headed for the lovely grounds for some pictures. With the sun shining, everyone was in a very happy mood and we were able to get all the shots we wanted. The Italian gardens looked gorgeous in the sunshine. Sara and Andy were having the time of their lives on their wedding day. After the speeches there was an opportunity to explore the house and grounds for some more relaxed portraits. Sara’s dress was just beautiful as was Sara !  and we shot some really pleasing images on the very grand staircase with the large windows. We had a stroll in the grounds and with the pressure of the speeches out the way, Andy was much more relaxed. Sara had been pretty relaxed all day, and was enjoying being in front of the camera, and I was able to capture some special moments. It was such a warm evening that no one was that keen to hit the dance floor inside but eventually Sara and Andy performed their first dance to get the evening started, and the disco was in full swing when we left. Any wedding guests can view all the pictures we shot at Sara and Andy's wedding by visiting  www.christopherchard.com and using the password they were given.