Enjoy looking through my latest Kent Wedding photography blog
Chiddingstone castle wedding photographer
Chiddingstone castle in Kent
Chiddingstone castle wedding photography
Catherine and Nathaniel’s wedding at chiddingstone castle in Kent took place in September 2021 and was spectacular. We had the most gorgeous light come through towards the end of the day and the circle in the orangery was probably one of the most epic photos I have ever taken. Big Kudos to the couple who lived and breathed their vegan philosophy throughout and I loved how integrated their dogs were in the day, from couple photos/group photos and even their own doggy wedding cake
The preparation
Nathaniel chose to get ready at his house - prime responsibility was to get the dogs ready as well! Whilst catherine was able to use the preparation room upstairs in the castle.
That first reveal
I always ask my brides if they want a first reveal to Mum/Dad/Sister - someone close to them - It often creates a wonderful moment and as a dad to two small young girls I totally get the importance of just making sure your loved ones get prioritised for this moment - it is once in a lifetime.
St marys church, Westerham: ceremony
The ceremony took place in westerham (this is not the church that yo can walk to from Chiddingstone - just contact me if you would like to see photos from there). It is a gorgeous church, lots of light and very spacious
The afternoon photowalk
We still had the beautiful flowers at chiddingstone in September so I definitely wanted to bring them into the story. The orangery there is also a fantastic building so we decided to take a walk there to get some snaps. It was awesome to have our furry friends join us as well for these photos.
Documentary photography
Documentary photography is a big part of what I like to do - and there are so many different rooms for guests to explore, there is always something going on, plus with the stunning grounds here it really makes for a gorgeous wedding day
Golden Hour portraits
Wow did the sun get the memo or what during their wedding - the light was absolutely stunning - we were only outside for ten minutes and it was simply perfect.
The evening
Flowers:
https://www.thefloweralchemist.co.uk
Hair -
https://www.herohairstylist.com/
Dress -
https://www.bromley-brides.co.uk/
More on chiddingstone castle -
Exclusively yours, for the most personal of Castle Weddings in Kent. With 35 acres of informal grounds; sweeping lawns, wild woodlands and breath-taking views of the Kent countryside; Chiddingstone Castle is a perfect place to celebrate your day. Set within the idyllic village of Chiddingstone, you can hold your ceremony in the castle grounds, our rooms, or in the 13th century church of St Mary’s.
Nestled in rolling countryside, yet within easy reach of London and the M25, Chiddingstone Castle is one of Kent’s finest historic houses and a much sought-after wedding venue.
Botleys Mansion wedding photographer
Botleys mansion in Surrey
Botleys Mansion Wedding photography
Matt and Beccas wedding at Botleys mansion was amazing, we had everything, gorgeous weather, all the smiles, laughter, dancing - it was a real post restrictions celebration that did not disappoint. Botleys Mansion is an incredible place to get married, the ceremony room is regal, the prep rooms are spacious and light and the orangery at the back with the most epic staircase entrance is simply incredible.
The preparation
Botleys has some very large rooms available for the wedding prep, for both partners - there was plenty of space for Becca’s prep, meaning multiple bridesmaids, mum, MUA and hairdressers could easily fit in the room and still have space. The bathrooms are large as well - important for when you are in your wedding dress and need that little extra space to move.
That first reveal
I always ask my brides if they want a first reveal to Mum/Dad/Sister - someone close to them - It often creates a wonderful moment and as a dad to two small young girls I totally get the importance of just making sure your loved ones get prioritised for this moment - it is once in a lifetime.
Botleys Mansion: ceremony
The Ceremony room at Botleys is beautiful and regal, with beautifully matching chairs, chandeliers you really get that special feeling of walking into somewhere special, it is a larger room than the photo reveals and with the windows open on a hot day, there is a lovely cross wind - it feels nice and cool in there.
The confetti walk
Botleys has a fantastic way of organising the confetti shot. They take the bride and groom through the back entrance (ooerr) and position them under the amazing staircase there in the archway ready for them to come through . This is special because you can position your guests up and over the stairs as well as I can arrange a tunnel walk of guests - this gives you the best of both worlds - that initial confetti explosiion as well as walking through all your guests
couple portraits aka Matt’s Photowalk
This is the chance just to get a few minutes alone time - my couples always comment on ow nice it is just to be the two of them for a few minutes. Matt and Becca and me just went on a simple stroll around the grounds, utilising the epic building and the contrasting trees and surrounding park as beautiful and very different backdrops.
Documentary photography
Documentary photography is a big part of what I like to do - and there are so many different rooms for guests to explore, there is always something going on
Golden Hour portraits
There are lots of options if the sun behaves at Botleys, anywhere in the front courtyard is lit up by sun and you also have the huge park in front of that which can be bathed in golden sunlight - Ten minutes is all I need to create some gorgeous photos for you
Flowers - https://seventh-heaven-events.co.uk/
Dress - https://www.sophiegracebridal.co.uk/
More on Botleys mansion - https://bijouweddingvenues.co.uk/venue/botleys-mansion/
Botleys Mansion is an exclusive use wedding venue located in Surrey. It is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies both inside and outside and offers a choice of stylish celebration and entertaining spaces in which to host your ultra-glamorous wedding. With capacities ranging from 50 to 250 across various rooms in the house, Botleys Mansion also offers flexibility along with an impeccable service when it comes to hosting your celebration at this wow-factor wedding venue.
Located just 30 minutes from London and set amid 56 acres of rolling Surrey parkland, this magnificent country house wedding venue marries history with the absolute best in modern style
Rochester castle wedding photographer
“I am also really proud of the light-painting photo I managed to achieve for these guys, with my friendly helper (young lad from the wedding helping me light up the trees) we managed these photos in one go - light-painting combined with sparkler and a steady hand from yours truly!”
I LOVED SHOOTING THIS WEDDING!
When i met Luke and Taylor last year, they knew exactly what they had in mind for their wedding - with the guidance of Taylors mum they had everything planned and their vision was clear - they wanted to OWN Rochester - and i think they did.
For the couple photos we went up to Rochester Castle, where we photographed some more intimate photos of the two of them. Then we went up and down the high street to see what photo opportunities we had to get some unique images - I LOVED doing this. Honestly loved it. Luke and Taylor were up for anything i suggested and some of those photos up and down the high street maybe my favourite for the year.
Sometimes you get a couple who can truly portray real love by what they do, how they act, how they smile and how they are together - you don’t need to be a photographer to see that flooding through in these images -from couple photos all the way up to the first dance.
I am also really proud of the light-painting photo I managed to achieve for these guys, with my friendly helper (young lad from the wedding helping me light up the trees) we managed these photos in one go - light-painting combined with sparkler and a steady hand from yours truly!
Thank you guys - truly thank you - it was an absolute pleasure
Matt
Taylor says:
“What can I say other than that Matt was brilliant! From the moment I saw his previous work I knew he would be the best photographer for our day and he went above and beyond my expectations. He made me and my husband feel at ease right from the moment we met him, was incredibly prompt with responses and clear too. He worked well with my mother (an ex-photographer) and was an amazing presence on the day. Matt is very patient and easy going and very skilled at his job. Our wedding photos are beautiful, honestly he captured the day in the most perfect way. I cannot recommend him enough! 12/10”
The Garden Barns wedding photographer
What a fantastic couple of families these two have. This was such a quaint, beautiful wedding, snug in the lovely garden barns in suffolk. Lucy and Daniel seem to have a unique talent of booking me on some of the coldest days - their engagement shoot was in the snow and their wedding day followed just off the back of a storm - but as any good photographer should do, you use the best of the weather to enhance what you are doing - see the veil shots below.
Lucy and Daniel were so much fun to work with - they were up for everything - including not strictly following the vicars rules (shush) don’t tell him - to get them the photos they wanted. I shoot most of my weddings in Kent, but I definitely don’t mind venturing up to Suffolk when you have lovely couples, lovely venues and guests that know how to party - see the dancing photos below!
