8 from Taylor & Dan, a Millbridge Court Wedding

It’s February 2017, I’m sat in a hotel in Hong Kong a couple of days after shooting a wedding, and I’m suddenly overwhelmingly conscious of the fact that I’ve neglected my website for 2 years. I’d stopped blogging, why?Honestly, due to the fact that I was shooting 50+ weddings a year. And at that moment I suddenly had this idea…. set yourself a number of photos to blog from every wedding (well, as many weddings as possible!). So I randomly chose 8. The other theory behind this was that what you, the couple, get is a little taste of the day, but not the full roast and potatoes! It’s something to get you excited. The movie trailer if you will!

Fast forward 2 and a bit years and I’m thoroughly regretting that I chose 8. Because time and again I’m sat here trying to whittle it down, and it’s a bloody nightmare!!

And so with that, I have had to brutally cut Taylor and Dans day down to 8. Which is ridiculous tbh, but still, at least when they get the full set they will have many awesome surprises awaiting them!!

Taylor, Dan, this 8 from is for youuuuuuuuuu!

Gav

8 from Charlie & Ed, a Hayne House Wedding

Oh Charlie and Ed, I want to say manly things, but you really are an insanely cute couple!!

Married on a beaut day at Hayne House near Hythe in Kent, the sun did shine, the birds did sing and the booze did get consumed!

And congrats on providing the most confetti I’ve ever seen. Made for some funny photos!

Oh, and yeah, the dogs had to feature as 2 of the 8 photos. I’d have probably had abuse if I hadn’t, I’m not as stupid as I look :D

Charlie and Ed, these 8 are for you! Many more to follow.

Gav

The Venue

Hayne House is a family run venue, set in 35 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds. A brand-new unique Orangery, former Hunting Pavilion of Edward VIII with its five bedrooms, and a quintessential English Cottage garden for your wedding ceremony and wedding reception.

The Orangery is light, airy and with the doors flung open, it's like being seated in the gardens. Purpose-built for hosting weddings, with all your needs in mind, at any time of the year, the Orangery offers you a flexible, contemporary, stylish and eco-friendly venue for a way of celebrating and entertaining suited to modern weddings - something truly different, in that it is built with laughter, light, luxury and love as standard!

Within easy reach to London and the South East, we are a popular choice for couples seeking an intimate countryside feel.  This beautiful wedding venue offers exclusive use with the freedom to dress the venue to suit your individual styles and personalities.

8 from Sally & Ben, an East Quay Wedding

Hi there!

I live by the sea (not in a pineapple under the sea…) which means that when I get to shoot a wedding at the East Quay, I instantly feel at home. Throw into the mix a lovely couple and guests, and you’ve got yourself one happy Gav! Everyone was lovely, everyone dressed well, the scene constantly looked amazing, the feel of the day was a happy/relaxed one. Oh, and the weather, after a brief drop of rain during the service, was good to us!

And yeah, we got ourselves a sunset. One of my favourite things about East Quay is the sunsets! I honestly had such a lush time shooting this day.

Sally & Ben, this 8 from’s for you!

The venue

The East Quay Building is a licensed wedding venue in Whitstable Harbour with direct sea views. The venue is the original oyster grading room of the Seasalter and Ham Fishery Company. It retains its original brick structure and coastal heritage charm.

 The East Quay has a large dining room, dance floor, stage and open-plan kitchen, as well as a mezzanine level.

Weddings at the East Quay

Where better than Whitstable to get married? This is your special day, after all, and naturally you want to share it with family and friends not only in a special location but also in a venue that is equally original and full of character. East Quay Venue, housed within one of Whitstable’s oldest buildings located at the end of the east quay harbour, was originally the home of the Seasalter and Ham Oyster Fishery Company and, like the famous Oyster Stores, faced the shore so the oyster companies could keep a watchful eye over their precious oyster beds. Facing still onto that same shingle seashore, East Quay Venue retains the structural features and character from its coastal heritage past, offering a relaxed ‘shabby-chic’ ambience; a place that sits beside the beach and from where you can effortlessly wander to the water’s edge…whenever you choose. And the venue’s authentic seaside atmosphere and charm not only creates an unusual setting for a wedding it is an ideal place, too, for anniversaries and all memorable celebrations.

8 from Candis & Adam, a Winters Barns Wedding

Well, May came and went in the blink of an eye didn’t it. No, not Theresa… the month of May, mine was much better….

So here we are in June and I’m on the big catch up, starting with …. FANFARE!!! …. the wedding of Candis and Adam, which took place at the always gorgeous Winters Barn.

What exactly can I say? Well, we had sun, we had rain, we had snow/hail (no joke, was very weird) and we had Candis looking beaut, and Adam smelled really nice. Aaaah, I tease, Adam looked devine. Actually I think I have a man crush. Damn funny guy!

Anyway, enough waffle, here’s a few pics of their day. Enjoy!

The venue…

Winters Barns

There’s nothing like the romance of a country barn wedding. No barns match Winters Barns for beauty, intimacy, and traditional Kentish character. With enchanting gardens and a stunning interior, Winters Barns is the perfect blend of old and new – a secluded historical venue steeped in history yet just a stone’s throw from Canterbury’s modern amenities.

8 from Nicki & Lewis, an Essexy wedding

See what I did there? I’m so funny….

So yeah, Nicki and Lewis only went and got married. Madness, but also a lot of fun! Because they had it at the church next door, and the party was in Nickis parents garden, tipi, outdoors dancefloor, the works!

All of which made for an immensely cool day!

Nicki, Lewis, this 8 from is fo yo!

8 from Kim & James, an East Quay Wedding

Listen up, I have a massive confession to make - I bloody love weddings by the sea!!

And thus twas a pleasure to shoot Kim and James wedding at East Quay in Whitsable. Now, the thing is, a wedding isn’t just good because of it’s location…. the people are kind of important. Luckily I get to shoot nice people like Kim, James , their friends and family - what a genuinely lovely bunch of humans to spend a day with :0) I had such a good time documenting their day, truly a pleasure. Relaxed, fun, good times!

Whittling this blog down to 8 wasn’t easy, I had to be ruthless with some rather lush shots (if I do say so myself!) but I have done just that, and so here they are.

Kim and James, this one’s for you!

Gav

8 from Pheobe & James, an East Quay Wedding

Good morning!

So a couple of weeks ago I shot the awesome wedding of Pheobe and James at the East Quay in Whitstable. One of my favourite venues, mainly because it’s right by the sea and you never know exactly what weather you’re going to get! And on this day, it was windy as, which made for some awesome pics. Lucky old me!

Was a genuinely cool, fun day. Pheobe and James embraced everything about their wedding day exactly as they should, they had fun, they were relaxed, and the whole day was pretty much perfect!

As a photographer you can’t ask for more than that. Add to that how genuinely lovely their family and friends were, and it just made for a lush day for me to be part of.

Pheobe and James, this 8 from is for you!

Gav

8 from Sarah & Jason, a Winters Barns Wedding

Sarah and Jason, and Anglo/Americano collaboration on a quite ridiculously beautiful day in February at Winters Barns!

So yeah, this was a lush one. The weather was an amazing bonus, but tbh that doesn’t matter much when you spend the day in the company of so many genuinely lovely people.

It was all just so damn lush!

Double use of the word lush. Says it all!

Sarah and Jason, this 8 from is for you

8 from Clare & Mike, a Canary Wharf Wedding

So you know me, I don’t do the fluffy talk. That’s not to say I don’t love a wedding, I do (I mean I’d be weird to take up a career doing something I hate right??), but for me the thing that I love more than all the wedding “stuff” is that genuine bloody wonderful connection that you see between a couple, you know, the one that makes you go “aaaah” (sickening right?). These guys have that. They’ve been together 8 years, and on their wedding day they still have that! How cool is that?

Anyway, some details… they got married in Islington, then we all went over to Browns Brasserie in Canary Wharf for an oh so good reception, complete with lush nibbles (the waiter carrying the tray of pork belly is now my best friend) and K Pop!

The downside? It’s didn’t snow. The forecasters promised, and it just didn’t. Which made me sad.

Much love to Clare and Mike, this 8 is for you!

8 from Louise & Tom, a Bromley Court Wedding

Did you know that….. it’s 2019. How about that??? Crazy! It’s my 5th year as a full time photographer, equally crazy!!

Now, close your eyes and take yourself way back in time…. well, about 25 days…. to December 29th 2018. And you’re with me on the day Louise and Tom went even more crazy and got married! Madness!!

Love them both, twas a chilly but incredibly beaut post-Christmas wedding! Actually, on that note, I’ve decided that getting married in December is a lovely thing. Or Vegas :D

Louise and Tom, this 8’s for you!

8 from Abi & Nick, a Deal Wedding

You only have to look at Abi’s dress to know we’re dealing with something badass here! A genuinely lush couple that styled the hell out of the day. The thing that I ALWAYS say is MAKE THE DAY YOUR OWN and they really did. But it wasn’t just the styling of them that was awesome, it was the way they were. So at ease with each other, a joy to witness.

I just had so much fun shooting these guys.

Oh, and I should probably mention that was Nick playing the piano as Abi entered the room! Amazing. That guy can play!

Abi and Nick, this 8 are fo yo!

Amanda and Ashleigh, a Dubai Engagement

So remember when I went to Dubai to shoot a wedding? I mentioned it right? Anyway, while I was there Ashleigh asked me if I would take a few sneaky photos of him proposing to his long time girlfriend Amanda (who just happened to be Andy’s sister. Who’s Andy? He’s the guy who’s awesome wedding I shot the day before!)

So I did, loitering down the beach (with a random cat that decided to chill with me) and I took these pics as it all happened. Totally real, unstaged. A very beautiful thing to witness.

8 from Kirsty & Harry, an Old Kent Barn Wedding

Isn’t it strange how it seems to be “the norm” to write the girls name then the guys? Yet for some reason I feel inclined to always say Harry and Kirsty. Yes, THIS is the kind of thought that goes through my mind when I’m writing these blogs!!

Anyway, onto the day. They got married at the Old Kent Barn, one of THE top venues in Kent, and a favourite of mine because… they have coffee on tap, the food is awesome and it’s reet pretty.

The girls were a good laugh in the morning, and the playlist was musicales with a hint of 80’s - judge me all you want but I’m all over that. Harry and the boys turned up looking dapper, and the day went ahead with everyone saying the right names, winner!!

Truth is that these guys were just having a great day with their friends and family. Kirsty couldn’t have been more chilled in the morning, and they just looked so at ease with each other, it really was a pleasure to witness .

Kirsty, Harry…. Harold, Kirsty…. this 8 from is for you!

8 from Andy & Jess, a Dubai Wedding

So I’m sat in the airport 2 days after the most incredible, fun, beautiful and all round awesome day in Dubai!

Ok so this is my first visit to Dubai, and what a fascinating, unique place. It feels a bit like the dropped Manhatten in the desert tbh. And this is winter, so the temperature is a bearable 28 degrees.

Now, back to the wedding. Where do I even start?? I dunno. I actually don’t. Ok, let’s start with Andy and Jess. You see, for a wedding to be awesome what you really really need is a couple that just want to have a great time. Because that dictates the day. No stress, no drama, just smile, laugh, and enjoy the …. out of if! And that they did. 100%. (Ok, so it helps that they had Andys sister Amanda on planning duties!)

The ceremony itself took place in a local church, with the highlight being Andy’s dad singing like an absolute legend! And then we went back to the Marina for the reception/party. Hopefully the pictures will give you a great idea of what we’re dealing with here.

Oh, and there was a cheeky stop on the way back for a photo. That if I do say so is pretty cool.

I took too many photos. And some how have whittled it down to this first look.

Andy and Jess, these 8 are for you!

8 from Kate and Neil, a London Wedding

Hey hey! So like I’ve said before, narrowing it all down to 8 pics is such a tough little challenge I set myself with every wedding. Why not more? Because I personally see the “8 from” comparable to a movie trailer. It’s purpose is to get you/the couple excited about the whole selection but not give everything away. See, there’s an actual thought process and everything!

And with that I give you the chilled, chilly, coooooool day of Kate and Neil, set in the heart of London (Farringdon). Marvellous!

Kate, Neil, these 8 are for you!

8 from Maria & Dave, a Tanners Warehouse Wedding

Howdy Christmas! Yes yes, it’s December, and I have a tree and multicoloured tinsel. Exciting times!

Anyway, at the start of 2017 I realised something: I don’t blog enough weddings. So while sat in a hotel in Hong Kong I came up with the idea of doing 8 from every wedding. Because these things take time, I figured that would be a lot easier. Because it’s a structure.

The problem is….. narrowing it down to 8 ruddy photos! Every time. It’s so difficult. Well, today I’m pushed for time, I have a lot to do and a carol concert to attend because the only awesome thing I’ve ever made is singing and she’s cute and I have to be there!

As such, I’ve broken my rule today. I’m claiming 8.5. Because the shots at the end are really one aren’t they. Kinda….

Now that I’ve got that off my chest, I present to you the oh so wondrous day of Maria and David, which took place in a big church in Brixton followed by a reception in Bermondsey at the Tanners Warehouse, with a walk by Tower Bridge sandwiched in between!

Absolutely utterly splendidly marvellous!

Maria and David, this 8.5 from is for you!

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8 from Nel & Jack, a Ferry House Inn Wedding

Did I ever tell you about the time I shot a wedding at The Ferry House in it was windy as hell??? No? Ok, so Nel and Jack got married at the awesome Ferry House Inn, and guess what? It was windy as hell!!

Not exactly an issue for Jack, his hair was locked in! But for Nel it was windswept city, and seriously she styled it out like no one ever styled it out!!

Lots of love for this day. Beautiful, relaxed, a tonne of fun with some gorgeous humans and a pleasure to photograph.

Nel and Jack, this one’s for you!

8 from Alex & Gareth, a Brighton Wedding

Things that happened on Alex & Gareth’s wedding:

They got married.

They partied HARD

It rained A LOT

I got very very wet and almost slipped over like an idiot.

If ever “rain can’t stop the fun” was applicable then it was at this wedding! Yeah, the fun was hardcore, and we kept that dress dry :D

Alex and Gareth, this 8 is for you!

8 from Paula & Luke, an East Quay Wedding

Things I love about this wedding:

Luke & Paula - just gorgeous people (beer soon Luke!). It’s no that we’re old friends or anything, but they’re the kind of people that you could be friends with (nice n that!)

The East Quay - venues by the sea are awesome. Fact.

The evening sky: having rained until 4pm, the evening we ended up with was quite spectacular!

And a whole bunch of other stuff. What a ruddy marvellous day!

Big congrats to these two, Paula and Luke, this one’s for you

8 from Zoe & Dan, a Marleybrooks Wedding

When I first decided to blog 8 photos from each wedding, I knew it would be hard. Reducing the whole day down to just 8 chosen moments is sooooo tough!! It means ruling out photos that you think are awesome for reasons beyond whether it’s a good photo or not. (Because I like to think I get more than 8 good pics from each wedding!).

And so after a good couple of hours deliberation I give you Zoe and Dan, another ridiculously fun Marleybrook wedding!

Zoe is gonna hate me for including the one of her looking a bit of a mess, but I think it says a lot about her and Dan’s attitude to the day - they just wanted to have fun!

Yeah, I loved this one. Which is starting to sound a bit cliche but truth is that people seem to be booking me for the reasons I love shooting - they just want cool pics of their day without worrying too much about me shooting to a shopping list. (Yeah, we did some family group shots, but you get the gist!)

Zoe and Dan, this one’s for you!