Last week, for the first time ever, I was completely rained off of an engagement shoot when I met up with Gemma & Phil in Whitstable. We went through some plans for the day as we watched the rain beast against the windows of the pub so allw asn;t lost, but we needed to get a move on and re-book a date. Their wedding at Cooling Castle Barn is only a month away!

Out on a job a couple of days back,  Phil found a run-down old industrial estate in Rochester which looked pretty interesting so we shot up there to finish what we'd started!

Despite her protests, Gemma's a star in front of the camera and a pleasure to photograph. We got some lovely urban-style pictures in the bag before security turfed us out - oh well!

Here's a few from our pre-wedding shoot, now to design them into a signing book in tim efor the wedding day!

Back to Chilston Park for Justine & Chris' wedding on September 4th (yes, I've been tardy ongetting some images on to the blog....but it's taken a bit of neglect whilst we got the new site up and running, I'm still playing catchup!)

We stayed into the evening to get some nightime images with them, and were delighted with the results, and though there's loads of favourites I could have posted here, I've had to limit the numbers a bit!

£1,450 got this couple a photographer and video with all files included....what a bargain!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1218248/Newlyweds-win-court-battle-1-500-wedding-photographer-shoddy-pictures-include-missing-heads-car-close-ups.html

What they got wasn't worth a pound! Whilst it's tempting to laugh (the article features some of the worst wedding photos ever seen - take a look!) you have to feel for the folks that have lost the priceless memories from their day. Time and again, we hear these stories from people who book cheap wedding photographers and later regret it. In fact we've done more than one post-wedding shoot with couples who booked photographers who just didn't deliver a single worthwhile image.

Couple of bits of advice  from us.

1. Book a photographer who can show you complete weddings, not just 'best of' portfolios.

2. Make sure your photographer is full time, insured and experienced.

3. Make sure they're fully equipped with backup (and backup backup!) equipment, lighting and have contingency plans in case of bad weather or the day running late.

4. Have a pre-wedding shoot before the day so you know your 'tog' and  you're comfortable with their work.

If all else fails, consider booking Derek Pye, the self-styled 'World's Greatest Living Wedding photographer' 

It's been over a year since my last wedding at the lovely 'Mountain's' venue at Hildenborough. We started the day at The Spa Hotel in Tonbridge Wells with Kat and her friends, then it was off to find James and his best men.

Good weather meant it all went to plan, and the ceremony was held outside under the huge Gazebo with a champagne reception afterwards whilst we snapped a few family groups. Following the wedding dinner, the best men aired their superb film 'Eye of the Turnberry Tiger' which was edited clips from their stag visit to the golf championship (which James appeare at in a Tiger costume!) to huge accliam! Its become, I hear, something of a YouTube phenomenom!

A great day, with a brilliant bunch of guests which made for a fantastic album. There's a few favourites below, and if you'd like to see the album, then click HERE

With great weather and a lovely couple to photograph, I knew we'd get some fantastic pictures from Brooke & Ashley's wedding and we certainly did!

Brooke's one of those rare brides that actually loves being photographed - which helps! - and Ashley like all married men, did as he was told! 

Take a look a , this particular album will be quite stylised, and I can't wait to get on with it!

Another visit for us to the amazing Lost Village of Dode for Heather & Dom's wedding. We started the day photographing them both at their hotel, before setting out for what must be Kent's most out-of-the-way venue! Heather looked simply stunning, Dom looked simply stunned (okay, rip off of the standard best man joke!)

Dode is the 1000 (ish!) year old site of a Medieval village which was destroyed by the black death, standing derelict until rediscovered in Victorians times. Doug Chapman, who is the current 'Keeper' of the church runs the tiny (45 peole max) venue with real passion, and if asked is happy to regail the wedding guests with a potted history of Dode, late in the evening after dinner. You'll absolutely soak up the venue's character - 'unique' is an overused term in the wedding business but one that truly does apply to his venue.

I can truly reccommend Dode for smaller weddings - it's unlike anywhere else I've seen.

A carbon-fibre wedding ring - how cool is that?????

With a James Bond theme to their weddng, Fliss & Tim's wedding at Chilston Park was an excuse for me to break out the tux, which made a bit of a change!

Jame.... sorry, Tim arrived with his best man Mike in the back of a gorgeous old Triumph TR3 and later in the day went for a spin an equally-gorgeous-but-if-I'm-honest-definitely-my-favourite Aston DB9. His Bond Girl Fliss looked stunning, this feller's got it all!

In the evening we were entertained by a terrific band called 'Get Ape' who I hadn't come across before - but if you're looking for a band I can defintely recommend them.  Their version of 'Sex is on Fire' by The Kings of Leon was just brillliant and had the whole wedding on its feet - they're definitely in tune with the sound of summer 09!

Here's a few of my favourites from a very and very enjoyable different day.

You may have seen Marc & Louise's pre-wedding shoot here just a couple of weeks ago, so being photographed was fresh in their minds, as you'll see!

With great weather, lovely venue and stunning bride, I was in heaven - having a couple who were really 'up' for some great images really helped too! Following on from the coverage of the arrival, ceremony, speeches etc, we grabbed a few minutes for a final shoot after dinner, as I'd been for stroll whilst they ate, to find some decent locations. Luckily, the sun was on it's way down, and made for some really atmospheric images.

 Here's a few favourites.

We started pretty early.....!

It was good to be back at Chilston Park last weekend for the wedding of Verity & Andrew. Verity looked stunning and there was a great buzz to the day, with music provided by the fabulous Alan Bannister's All Stars. Verity looked more than a little impressed when Andrew presented her with two tickets to Las Vegas & Hawaii.... a great day and the album is coming together very well!

Alan Bannister - fabulous! lol!

Verity's reaction when she opened the tickets!

I'd really been looking forward to this wedding, since we exhibited at Dorton House's wedding fayre last year. Demelza & Shaun are great in front of the camera too, and seeing as the weather played ball.... no excuses if it wasn't a great album! If you want to see the whole album, you'll find it in the VENUE ALBUMS section of this website.

In the mean time, here's a snapshot of their day!