I then headed over to the mill to meet up with Andy who was chatting to guests and looking nervous! He didn’t have too long to wait though until Rachel arrived and the ceremony was underway. Rachel had gone to a lot of effort to decorate the ceremony room – even making strings of purple fabric hearts, which looked fantastic.

Afterwards, everyone had drinks on the lawn and delicious homemade welshcakes which were served warm (I only had one I promise!). I took Rachel and Andy off briefly for some couple shots using the lovely country backgrounds and then it was time for the wedding breakfast.

flowers by www.thewildebunch.co.uk
car by www.degournaymotorcars.co.uk

Here are some of my favourite images from their day:

Here are a few favourites:

Jo got ready at her parents’ house which was only a short drive from the church. It was an incredibly windy day but luckily, despite a showery forecast, it only rained on and off during the day so there were plenty of dry spells. After spending some time with Jo and her bridesmaids Alison, Katy, Amanda and Caiela I headed over to the church to catch up with Tim and his best man and ushers Bob, Steve and Tom. I was just wondering when the rain would stop (as Jo had an open sided car!) when the skies cleared and the girls were able to make their way into church without getting too wet!

The ceremony itself has to be one of the nicest ceremonies I have photographed simply because the vicar allowed me free reign to photograph what I wanted – which is very rare in C of E services and an absolute photographer’s dream! Afterwards guests greeted Jo and Tim before everyone headed off to Gant’s Mill for the reception. Watch this space for part 2 soon!

Here are some of my favourites:

Here are a few of my favourite images:

On Friday morning I headed up to Bhavani’s room where she and bridesmaids Deepa and Zina were getting ready. Nicky and Pete had brought with them a gorgeous set of  cup cakes personalised with their names and wedding decorations for Bhavani and James and these were out very temptingly on the side. Managing to work around the delicious wafts of fresh cake, I chatted to the girls and got some lovely images of them having their hair and make up done and getting progressively more nervous as time went on!  Before we knew it, it was time to set off for Lothian Chambers in the centre of town and I got on the bus along with all the guests. It was great to catch up with James and to meet his best man Ed and all the ushers.

After the guests had gone inside, Bhavani and her father and bridesmaids arrived separately and there was just enough time for a few photographs before the ceremony.  Lothian Chambers is a typically Georgian stone building with wonderful architecture both inside and outside including a fantastic staircase (Bhavani managing this really well for someone in three inch Jimmy Choos!).

During the service several friends read lovely readings and Bhavani and James seemed to really enjoy it.  Afterwards, we all headed out on to the square and the guests headed back to James’ grandparents’ house for an informal lunch.  Bhavani and James stayed behind for a few minuutes to take some photographs and then we drove back as well.

James’ grandparents moved to the Firth of Forth back in the 1950′s and it is one of the most incredible sites for a house – right next to the river and between the road and rail bridges – so a huge expansive view and a wonderful setting for a wedding. James’ Mother had been hard at work restoring the old rose garden in time for the wedding so after lunch, we took advantage of this and did a few more photographs in the garden.

Later on, Bhavani and her friends and female members of the family had their hands and feet painted with henna which was fascinating to watch – very detailed and precise to paint and amazing to see the finished design made up of lots of tiny dots and swirls!

I took so many photographs over the weekend that I am going to blog them in 2 – 3 posts, so for now here are a few of my favourite images from Friday. Keep your eyes peeled for the next installment in a few days time!:

Bhavani and James had an amazing eclectic mixture of Hindu and Scottish elements for their wedding and I took so many photographs I am going to blog their wedding in 2 – 3 separate posts – the first one coming up very soon!

Also coming up are baby Daisy’s portrait session and Simon and Emily’s pre-wedding shoot in Bristol – so watch this space!

I arrived at Symondsbury to meet up with Deidre and her bridesmaids Tamra, Sam, Jess, Emily and Raquel who were busy getting ready at the Manor House. It was all go with hairdressing and make up and the finishing touches being made to the marquee – which looked amazing. The Manor has a lawn that is the perfect size for a big marquee and even a set of steps in the middle to walk down into it from the upper lawn. I loved the touches of green around the tables with my favourite detail being the sliced limes in tall glass vases. On the upper lawn there there was a second marquee decorated in black and white with an enticing looking cocktail bar!

Deidre’s bridesmaids helped her into her dress in the living room as her dress had such a long train she needed a bit of space around her and it looked stunning when she was buttoned into it and put her veil on – a really romantic gown that really suited her.

I headed down to the church (which was actually next door!) to meet up with Alex and his best men Tom, Andy, Adam, Tom and Oliver his brother. Guests were starting to arrive and there was a real buzz as we waited for Deidre to arrive.

Deidre’s brother Robert looked very proud as he walked her down the aisle and I had a great vantage point during the ceremony to capture Deidre and Alex who only had eyes for each other and both seemed to really enjoy the ceremony.

Afterwards, guests picked up flower petals to shower the couple with as they left to walk up the hill to the Manor House. While everyone else was making their way over, I took some photographs of Deidre and Alex in the grounds which have a real secret garden feel to them with little hidden areas and old stone walls.

Deidre and Alex then spent some time with their guests as I photographed the reception drinks before everyone sat down to dinner. With so many best men, the pressure was really on for speeches but may be a bit of competition did the trick as all the speeches were great fun and there was a lot of laughter!

Here are a few of my favourite images:

Here are a few of my favourite images:

I headed down to Maunsel House quite early to catch up with up with Angus and Anne who were greeting guests and trying to get their children Orla and Leilah to have a bit of a nap before the day got going.

Maunsel has a really nice atmosphere with beautiful decor yet with a really welcoming and homely feel and this was reflected in the lunch laid on for guests arriving and some very welcome cold drinks which were disappearing quickly!

Angus and his best man Bernard were getting ready right at the top of the house so I popped up to see them briefly before heading down to where Anne and her bridesmaids were getting ready. With 7 bridesmaids there were quite a lot of dresses hanging up and some really pretty flower hoops for the little ones.

During the ceremony, Anne and Angus both looked really happy and there were readings from some of Angus and Anne’s friends and family including a very cute poem read by Anne’s little nieces Daisy and Summer.

After the ceremony everyone enjoyed Pimms and Lemonade on the lawn and for the children (and quite a few of the adults!) giant garden games. A note to anyone organising a big wedding with lots of children – if you want to keep all your guests happy – garden games are a real winner!

Anne and Angus had decided to cut their cake and serve it with afternoon tea which was a great idea as everyone tucked in to sandwiches and cake in the shade of the pergola. Angus made a great speech with a few really nice touches including a birthday cake for Anne’s sister Catherine.

After tea, there was a break for parents to put their children to bed before I took a few shots of Anne and Angus in the grounds. Maunsel has such a lot of nice areas for photographs so we did a little walk around the gardens to take in the best bits and the gorgeous early evening light.

It was soon time for dinner and the rest of the speeches which were extremely funny – particularly Bernard’s best man speech. I was laughing so much at one point I had to hold my camera steady!

Here are a few of my favourite images:

I had actually seen Simon earlier at the church on my way past but he had had a bit of time to suit up and was chatting to his best man James and his ushers Spencer, David, Alex and John when I caught up with them. Guests were arriving and despite a 5 minute interval of some very very light rain it stayed bright and warm – perfect English summer weather!

Lucy arrived to meet up with little flowergirls Poppy and Isabella who were clearly loving having such pretty dresses on and it was time to head inside for the ceremony. It is so nice when vicars are relaxed about taking photographs in church. I always take a very respectful attitude to taking pictures in church (I work really unobtrusivesly and don’t use flash for example) so it’s really nice to be able to just do what I do and get as many shots as I did from different places. After the ceremony, guests showered Lucy and Simon with confetti before they headed back to Simon’s parents’ nearby farmhouse for the reception.

When we arrived the jazz band were playing and it looked like such an idyllic setting for a wedding reception with a huge garden next to a little brook and the marquee in the background. We took the time while guests were making their way over from the church to do some shots of Lucy and Simon and they also were glad of a glass of lovely cold champagne!

I spent the next while capturing guests enjoying the reception while Lucy and Simon enjoyed themselves and then took some shots of their speeches as they sat down for dinner.

Flowers: http://www.youngblooms.co.uk/

Cake: http://www.annatylercakes.co.uk/

The Post House B +B: http://www.theposthousebandb.co.uk/

Dress: http://www.carolinecastigliano.co.uk/

Music: http://www.paragonjazz.com/

Here are some of my favourite images: