As 2012 comes to a close I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of my clients, both past, present and future, and of course the fantastic venues and wedding suppliers who recommend me for all your support in 2012.
I'd especially like to thank my husband, daughter, family and friends for putting up with me!

It's been a fantastic year, full of lots of memories - both for me and for my lovely clients. Lots of beautiful weddings I've had the priviledge of photographing, lots of gorgeous families and lots of scrummy newborn babies who I've photographed.

I'm very lucky to do something that I love and it really is a priviledge, and a honour, to be asked to be your photographer.

This year has had lots of highlights for me, the first was becoming a finalist at the Kent Wedding Awards for the Wedding Photographer of the Year. Sadly I didn't win the title but I will be entering again!!
I also travelled to County Mayo, Ireland to photograph the beautiful wedding celebrations of Alannah and Tom at the gorgeous Mount Falcon Country Estate. You can read about it and see some of the photographs earlier in this blog.
I photographed the youngest newborn I've ever photographed (apart from my own daughter), baby Jack at just 4 days new.
I photographed the daughter of one of my wedding couples exactly one year on from their wedding - and their daughter has the same name as my daughter.
Lots of highlights in 2012 that I can't list them all.

I'm excited as we enter 2013, lots of lovely weddings to look forward too and new babies already booked in for their first photo shoot with me.

BUT, I'm most excited about 2013 as it is my 15th year as a professional photographer so I will be celebrating my 15 years with monthly offers and the odd giveway! So, please do keep an eye on the blog and also keep up to date by giving my facebook page a 'like', www.facebook.com/level11 and you could just benefit!!

I am also excited to be exhibiting at the Wedding Fair at Glow, Bluewater (http://weddingfairatbluewater.com/) in February, 8-10th, and again in October. Plus I will also be exhibiting at the Baby and Toddler Show at Glow, Bluewater in April. 
So, if your planning your wedding please do come along in February and see me at stand S8 for some very special show offers and a look through some of my gorgeous wedding albums.

I have 20 pairs of complimentary tickets to the wedding show to give away, to grab yours please just email me at claire@level11.co.uk

Finally, I'd like to wish you all a very Happy New Year! I hope it's full of love, happiness and fun with good health to enjoy every moment!

Here are just a few of my favourite photographs that I've captured in 2012...

Here's to a sucessful 2013 filled with lots more wonderful memories!

Claire xxxxx

At the end of August I had the pleasure of photographing the lovely wedding of the equally lovely Richard and Jo. We first met to chat about their day over a coffee back in March and I felt like I already knew them! I was excited about photographing their day and finally it was here!

The theme was 'relaxed English country garden', which was exactly what it was!! With a little bit of 'Don't Tell The Bride' thrown in.

Jo knew hardly any details of her wedding day as Richard, along with the help of his mum, kept details of the day a secret until the actual day.

So, the day started with me arriving at Richard's parents home in High Halstow, near Cooling, Kent, which is where he was getting ready and which was also the location of the reception. 
The gardens and the marquee looked absolutely stunning!! The sun was out, the lawn was freshly cut, the floral decorations placed on the tables, the fabric for the table and cushion coverings were beautiful, all the little gorgeous details really set the theme of the day....and the bride knew nothing about it!

After I photographed all the details I made my way to see the bride and her bridesmaids for some prep shots. Needless to say everyone was excited and it wasn't long before the champagne was open!
After an hour or so it was time for one of Jo's surprises..the bridal car!! After a few squeels of excitement it was time for Jo to get into her dress.

A few family shots later it was time to leave for the ceremony which took place at the Archbishops Palace in Maidstone, Kent.
I arrived just as Richard and the guys were making their way from the pub. As the groom and guests took their seats inside the ceremony room, the bride arrived with her dad and was met by Jo & Richard's gorgeous, excited little daughter.

Finally, it was the moment everyone was waiting for....the bride met her waiting groom and the emotional ceremony began. The smiles on their faces said it all.

After the ceremony, husband and wife made their way out to the courtyard to greet their guests before leaving to go to a secret location which had been arranged by Richard's mum. This was one surprise that even Richard didn't know about.
I met them at the secret location to spend some private moments alone with them before making our way to Richard's parents house for the reception.

Such a relaxed afternoon, everyone was in great spirits despite the weather, which had changed from sunny to on and off drizzly rain, and the celebrations continued long into the night!

I had a great time working with Jo, Richard, their family and friends and I look forward to seeing Jo, Richard and Lexie again next year!!  

Here are a few favourites from the day.

Here come the boys...

Big group, photographed by climbing through a sash window onto a wet flat roof. Good job I don't mind heights!

Claire x

...I've only gone and got myself shortlisted as a finalist in the Kent Wedding Awards 2012!!

Little old me! I'm so happy and excited to be a finalist!

The winner will be announced on the 15th November....wish me  luck!!

x

Back in June, on Fathers Day, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the wedding of Donna and Michael at one of my favourite venues, Cooling Castle Barn.

The day was sunny, warm, windy and filled with lots and lots of laughter!! In fact, laughter is one of things I remember about Donna and Michael's wedding! And bling! 

I started the day with Michael, his best man and boys getting ready. I love the concentration on the boys faces in this shot!!

I made my way down the block to meet the bride and ladies who were all very calm, and laughing! Dressed in their 'blingy' t-shirts and slippers! In fact, 'bling' was the theme of the day - I loved it!!
The beautiful flowers and table displays were by the fantastic Flowers and Sparkle

Once everyone had their places, Donna walked into the ceremony with her eldest son and was met at the bottom of the stairs by her dad who did a little jig as he walked through the curtain!

Once the ceremony was over and after a few minutes, I grabbed the opportunity to spend about 10 minutes with the couple taking photographs of them alone whilst their guests filed out into the gardens to enjoy reception drinks in the sunshine!

The day was filled with emotion, love and laughter. It was a real pleasure to be a part of it and capture some great memories for Donna and Michael to remember.

Love, love, love this shot!

Yesterday I had a great time photographing Jo and Richard's beautiful English country garden theme wedding...held in the beautiful gardens of the family home in the garden of England!

Apart from the showery rain, it couldn't have been more beautiful.

Here's just a couple of little sneaky peaks...

More to follow soon!

Email Claire at claire@level11.co.uk to sign up for our exclusive newsletter and offers.

Read about our latest offers and where you can see us.

Go on, sign up!

We will be exhibiting at the Bluewater Wedding Show at Glow 21st-23rd September.

Come and see us on stand S10 where we will have an exclusive show offer for couples looking to book their wedding photographer.

I have a limited number of tickets to give away. If you would like the chance to win a pair of complimentary tickets for the Wedding Fair at Glow, Bluewater just email me at claire@level11.co.uk with your name, wedding date and venue. That's it, simple eh?!

I look forward to seeing you there.

Wednesday again, which means Wedding Wednesday.

Here are a couple of sneaky peaks from my most recent wedding on Sunday...the very sparkly wedding of Donna and Michael at one of my favourite wedding venues, Cooling Castle Barn.

A day that was full of emotion, windy weather, bling and most of all laughter!

I will blog more pictures once I have shared the album and gallery with the bride and groom but for now here are two of my favourites!

Capturing the emotion of the father of the bride speech, as read by the bride's brother...

Claire x

My 'Wedding Wednesday' posts will be blogged from now on...

This wedding is in honour of one of my favourite TV programmes at the moment, Silk.
If you don't know it, the BBC drama Silk is about a set of barristers and is filmed in and around Middle Temple Hall, London - which is one of the four ancient Inns of Court.

This gorgeous wedding took place at the beautiful Temple Church, London followed by a fantastic reception at Middle Temple Hall.
Such fantastic ancient architecture surrounds the church along with fabulous courtyards and gardens, I was in my element!

Happy Wedding Wednesday!

...coming soon!!

 I've been really slack with my wedding blogs so I will be blogging all my fabulo-so weddings VERY soon!
I have lots of amazing weddings to show off!

Watch this space!