Finally able to catch on my blogging yay!!

The lovely Amy & Barnaby got married in October and what wintry day that was kinda added to the vintage vibe somehow with the super cute umbrellas and the vintage buses. Gave me lots of opportunities to get some rain shot. The colour them was green and gold which I loved! Even had a green bus. They got married at old marylebone town hall a very pretty venue. During the ceremony a dog started barking in the room next door which was highly amusing as it was during the vows of my memory serves me correctly! The bus was an absolute giggle was a ton of prosecco which the father of the bride kept giving to me he obviously remembered from when I photographed his other daughters wedding! I asked Amy and Barnaby some questions about their day here is what they said. If you love the pictures leave the couple some love.

How did you both meet?
Plenty of Fish dating app

How did you know they were the one?
We got on from the first meeting, we just talked and talked. We clicked pretty much straight away.

Can you tell me how you proposed?
On a holiday in Berlin, in a fancy hotel bar.

What made you guys choose your wedding venue?
The space was perfect, just the right size for the number of people. We loved the large windows, especially at night with the fairy lights. The location was great to.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme/day?
Barney gave me an Irish Claddagh engagement ring with an emerald. This gave me the idea for the colour scheme and theme.

What was your first song and why?
‘Is that Alright’ by Lady Gaga from the A Star is Born soundtrack. It's just beautiful. Listen to the lyrics and you'll find there isn't a more perfect first dance song.

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be?
Book the venue and wedding ceremony early and the rest will fall into place. Don't stress about the small things, none of that really matters at the end of the day. It's just about you, your partner and the ones you love being together. That is what you remember when it's all over.

What tips would you give to couples to keep that spark alive?
Be honest, try new things from time to time and sometimes you just need to be silly with each other!

Wedding Suppliers
Ceremony Venue: Old Marylebone Town Hall

Website https://www.adaytoremember.london/old-marylebone-town-hall

Reception Venue: St Barts Brewery

Website https://stbartsbrewery.com

Hair stylist: Lipstick & Curls

Website: http://www.lipstickandcurls.net/

Make up artist: Lipstick & Curls

Website: http://www.lipstickandcurls.net/

Brides Dress: Fairy Goth Mother

Website: https://www.fairygothmother.co.uk/

Bridesmaids dresses: Pretty Kitty

Website: https://prettykittyfashion.co.uk/

Brides Shoes: Rainbow Club

Website:https://www.rainbowclub.co.uk/

Grooms Shoes:Debenhams

Website:https://www.debenhams.com/

Suits: Youngs Hire wear

Website:https://www.youngshirewear.co.uk/

Florist and Venue Decoration: Marks & Spencers for Flowers. Decorations from various shops inc.

Website: https://www.marksandspencer.com/

Cake: Marks & Spencers

Website:https://www.marksandspencer.com/c/food-to-order/wedding-cakes

Band/DJ: DJ Jason King

Website:http://www.kingtones.co.uk/

Car/Transport Hirer:The London Bus Company

Website:https://www.thelondonbuscompany.co.uk/

This wedding for me for was wedding goals, the styling, the colour palette and the live music throughout was phenomenal. Charlotte & Brett got married at Hayne House, Kent ( I am a recommended supplier for the venue yay). Charlotte and Brett were simply awesome, so happy to allow me to document the day as I saw it. Charlottes dad is bonkers but equally adorable and so much fun and as a whole the day was literally just fun and full of laughter! Congratulations guys and thank you so much for letting me capture your beautiful day!

How did you both meet? He was the DJ in the priz, local nightclub, and The club manager was my best friend. She introduced us and I only started going out with him because I got free drinks and he had a nice car!! Hahah

How did you know they were the one? He listened to me, he took the time to understand me and he gives the best foot massages.

Can you tell me how you proposed? He proposed on Xmas eve at a family party. He put the ring inside a cracker and pulled it with me. I didn’t realise and was more interested in the pink party hat!

What made you guys choose your wedding venue? The staff. The Hayne house staff were just phenomenal and put us at ease after a bad experience. The venue is beautiful and speaks for itself.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme/day? I wanted eclectic and minimal, lots of greenery to set it off. I love plants so there had to be plenty of them.

What was your first song and why? Let’s stay together Al green. We both just love the song and the words mean a lot to us.

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be? Take as many moments as you can to look at what’s going on around you. Also family will always come together regardless of the history and squash it for a day- don’t sweat it.

What tips would you give to couples to keep that spark alive?
Set aside time for each other and do different things together. Throw each other a compliment every now and then always helps.

Wedding Suppliers
Make up artist: Olivia Goldberg Make-up
Website: @oliviagoldbergmakeup
Brides Dress: Ivy Rose
Website: @ivy_rose_brides
Bridesmaids dresses: ASOS
Website: ASOS
Suits: Moss Bros
Website: Moss Bros
Florist and Venue Decoration: Emily & Me
Website: @emilyandmeweddingflorist fun fact I photographed their first ever wedding!
Band/DJ: Club Live
Website: @clubliveuk

Hope you love the photos as much as I do!

If you fancy having a photographer like me capture your day then please get in touch!I am more than just a photographer, I am your personal cheerleader, agony aunt, seamstress, go getter and just someone who values who you are as a couple and ultimately a friend :0)

Carla x

Rebecca and Simon’s wedding was absolutely stunning, I loved the fact she wore blue shoes. These guys were up for anything and were happy to allow me to be creative and fully supporting of various ideas and visions I had. I love the Crown lodge in Wye, Kent the venue is so ideal for a rustic vibe and the views well they are unquestionable. We rounded up the day with the mist gorgeous sunset across the downs. Anyway here is what the couple have to say abut their day and planning. Make sure you scroll down and check out their gorgeous photos.

How did you both meet?
Simons sisters wedding. Knew each before but this is where it all began.

How did you know they were the one?
Rebecca - Because he loves me on my good days and my bad days.
Simon - Because she is selfless, always puts me first, and has mad me into a better man.

Can you tell me how you proposed?
I took Simon to Las Vegas for his 30th, and he proposed the night we arrived in our room with a beautiful view of the strip.

What made you guys choose your wedding venue?
It was beautiful, we both instantly fell in love with it and it had the most amazing views.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme/day?
Blue, my favourite colour with everything natural and subtle to match the venue.

What was your first song and why?
Ed Sheehan - Tenerife Sea. We both love the song and it comments on how I look beautiful in my dress.

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be?
Be patient and understanding, and remember if you can get through planning a wedding you get through anything.

What tips would you give to couples to keep that spark alive?
Enjoy the little things and make time for each other. Don’t get lost in every day life but enjoy spending time together.

Wedding Suppliers
Hair stylist: Kay Sharp, from Sharp and Owen in Gravesend.
Website: www.sharp-owen.com/
Make up artist: Alicia Cooper (my cousin)
Website: Facebook - LUXE hair & makeup by Alicia Kirsty Cooper
Brides Dress: WED2B Ashford
Website: https://www.wed2b.co.uk/
Bridesmaids dresses: Quiz
Website: www.quizclothing.co.uk
Brides Shoes: Rainbow Club
Website: https://www.rainbowclub.co.uk/wedding-shoes/bride
Grooms Shoes: Dune
Website: https://www.dunelondon.com/
Suits: House of Fraser
Website: https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/
Florist: Weddings by Amelia (was bespoke floral designs by Amelia)
Website: www.bespokefloraldesigns.co.uk
Venue Decoration: All done by me.
Cake: The Abbey Cake Shop
Website: Facebook - The Abbey Cake Shop
Band/DJ: Karl Vince from KarDan Entertainment
Website: Facebook - KarDan Entertainment
Car/Transport Hirer: My dad and Simons sisters cars for drop off.
Website:

want someone like me to capture your day? Then please get in touch

Zoe & Jonny got married at Wadhurst Castle, Sussex. Cool venue and doggo friendly - bonus! They are a gorgeous couple and completely into photography so got to have some creative fun with them! Anyway I sent them some homework and absolutely love what they said in their questionnaire! Hope you love the images as much as I do and if you fancy having a photographer who is more than just a photographer on your day to capture it then please get in touch. I wanna know all about your plans and can help, advise and recommend a number of suppliers.

Here’s what they said.

How did you both meet? 

We met at Focus DIY in 2003. Jonny already worked there and I got a job on the checkouts on Saturday’s whilst completing my A-Levels. 

How did you know they were the one? 

Zoe: I know its cliché to say, but we are soul mates. We have always ‘got each other’ and are always on the ‘same page’. We have grown up together and grown closer during that time but our outlook and goals have always included one another. I just couldn’t imagine my life without Jonny and his commitment to coming to see me every weekend in London did and will forever mean everything to me because neither one of us wanted to give up on what we had. 

Jonny: Zoe has always made me really happy and when she went off to University I knew then she was the one because of how much I missed her and I just wanted to be with her. I spent three years driving to London every weekend so I could spend time with her. I love her so much and always will. 

Can you tell me how you proposed? 

Well…we kind of just decided together in June 2018 that the time was right! We have been together for so many years and have always talked about the future and ‘when we get married’ that after attending a friend’s beautiful wedding in Majorca we were once again talking about ‘our wedding’ and how we would do things and Jonny said ‘shall we just do it?’ and that was it. We started planning and got married just over a year later. 

What made you guys choose your wedding venue? 

I was searching for dog friendly wedding venues!! It was very important to us that our beloved cocker spaniel Coco was a part of our day. I had never imagined looking at a castle before but up popped Wadhurst Castle. As soon as we pulled up and walked around to the back and saw the beautiful views and landscaped gardens, we just knew that’s where we wanted to get married. The icing on the cake was the stunning walled garden which was licenced to marry us outside (another thing on our wish list) and meant that Coco would be able to run around in a safe, enclosed space! Then we saw the castle itself, which was absolutely beautiful and the rooms all interconnect which allowed for a free flowing and open space between the bar, dance floor and dining room. The bridal suite, wow…the room itself is absolutely stunning but you are drawn to the balcony and windows which are floor to ceiling revealing the most amazing view of East Sussex. It was just perfect in every way. On top of that Sue the venue manager was so helpful, relaxed and made us feel extremely welcome, important and could visualise our ideas and offered some of her own. We left feeling extremely excited after we booked our wedding for Thursday 8th August 2019 ☺ 

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme/day? 

I have always loved the rustic/vintage look and always imaged having old ladders, crates, log slices as centre pieces and started to buy/source these items. We decided to collect glass jars and decorated them with lace/beads. My Mum is amazing at arts and crafts and she made all of the bunting and dream catchers (something I had seen on Pinterest and loved!). I found a lovely little shop in Hastings Old Town which sells the most beautiful dried flowers and I decided to use them, that way we were able to prepare all of the decorations prior to a couple of days before. I then found a company called The Artisan Dried Flower Company that make wedding bouquets, button holes and corsages using wild meadow flowers which fitted perfectly with the other flowers I had already bought helped to reflect/capture the vintage theme, plus, we got to keep them all!! 

What was your first dance and why? 

Eric Clapton, You Look Wonderful Tonight. 

Jonny: It just reflects everything about Zoe and how wonderful she looked not only that night, but the whole day! 

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be? 

During the (wedding) day itself take some time away from everybody to spend 5/10 minutes alone. The day goes incredibly fast and you will probably feel like you barely see your new husband/wife as you are circulating around your friends and family. 

What tips would you give to keep that spark alive? 

Tell each other that you love them – every day! 

Talk…talk about anything and listen 

Laugh with each other 

Make time for each other

Support each other’s own interests 

Wedding Suppliers

Hair Stylist: Kitty Radford-Earle (Friend)

Website: 

Make-up: Own make-up 

Brides Dress: Jesus Peiro

Website: http://www.pantilesbride.com/

Bridesmaids Dresses: ASOS Design maxi dress with flutter sleeve and lace insert

Website: https://www.asos.com/women/dresses/bridesmaid-dresses/

Brides Shoes: Warehouse sandals with toe post

Website: https://www.asos.com/warehouse/warehouse-sandals-with-toe-post

Suits: Empire Mills Signature British Wool – Taupe 

Website: https://www3.next.co.uk/g232237s10#542317

Grooms Shoes: Derby Lace Up – Tan 

Website: https://www3.next.co.uk/g23398s10#193365

Florist and Venue Decoration 

Bouquets, button holes and corsages – Wild Meadow dried flowers

Website: The Artisan Dried Flower Company - https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/558352450/wild-meadow-dried-flower-lapel-corsage?ref=yr_purchases

Centre Pieces / Decoration – dried flowers from Reste, Hastings 

Website: www.reste.co.uk 

Cake: Sandra Brasier (Friend) 

Website:

DJ: Alfie Eldridge from Matt Maurice Event Production

Website: www.mattmaurice.co.uk 

So here it is the sneak peek of Jonny & Holly’s wedding which took place on a gloriously hot day in April at cool wedding venue - The Gardens, Yalding, Kent! Now these two are blooming epic, their taste in music is exquisite so much so I got them to send me over their playlist for the day which I have been playing whilst editing their collection. Holly with her boho chic wedding styling and Jonny with his immense suit, I am in love and thoroughly enjoyed being part of their day and also having a dance on the dance floor! Also brides should do a speech! This wedding venue has so much to offer and is a wedding photographers dream.

Over Christmas I was fortunate to document two weddings at Winters Barn. Liz & Tim’s wedding being the last wedding of 2018. Full of Christmas sparkle and joy the whole day was simply a big ball of fun! I love this couple and Liz has been basically my rock before and after her wedding day, she has become what feels like - correction a good friend and I plan to have her and Tim permanently in my life!

The day was a typical crisp winter wedding but to make it even more awesome Liz & Tim had reindeers at their wedding, I never realised how big they was and trust me the saying never work with children and animals applied heavily here these reindeers did not want to have their picture taken unless moss was involved but fortunately I got some super cute shots!

We spent the whole day laughing, full of innuendo’s and I even sung rocky horror show to my gorgeous couple… thats just how I roll. My voice however questionable.

This is the only wedding where I received a gift during speeches which I won’t lie made me well up massively got a big old bottle of gin - yum and some stressticles!

Liz you looked absolutely stunning and definitely a gaga lookalike and Tim worked that top hat and epic beard! Love you guys and I hope you like your sneak peek.

Carla x

Hair and Make up by Occasional and Make up by Marina

Venue Winters Barn

Dj Harry Kilb

Emma and Jack booked me last year just before Christmas - fortunately I was available and  especially after Emma told me about her wedding I was really excited and pleased I was free for her day! Emma use to be my daughters school teacher when she lived in Kent. Emma's friend who also taught my daughter recommended me to Emma, I am so glad she did! The wedding was pretty cool arriving in style on a vintage green bus, whilst the groom arrived in style on a red double decker bus. We had prosecco, amazing old school tunes which filled the bus with laughter and cheer as we attempted to sing in tune ha! Heres what Emma and Jack have to say about their awesome day!!

How did you both meet? We met at a party hosted by Chris, Jack's brother and one of my best friends. Our paths had never crossed until then.

Jack can you tell me how you proposed to Emma? Emma has always said that she never wanted to be proposed to as she felt that it was important for a couple to decide together whether they were ready to get married or not, not just the man. So we both woke up one Saturday morning and decided that it was something we wanted to do, then we went from there. Not particularly romantic, but suited us both perfectly.

What made you guys choose your wedding venue? We chose Asia House in the heart of Westminster as it is in the heart of our favourite city and Emma's birthplace. We loved the idea of getting married in the centre of London and then giving our family and friends a little tour of our favourite landmarks (whilst drinking bubbly) on some vintage London buses. For the reception we chose The Balham Bowls Club in Balham, just up the road from Emma's parents home in Clapham. It is a really laid back, quirky venue where the staff were so friendly, flexible and helpful. We wanted our wedding to be relaxed and fun for everyone above anything else and we felt that The Balham Bowls Club ticked all of the boxes for us.

What was your inspiration behind your wedding theme? We had quite a mish-mash of themes. We wanted to include some of our favourite things but in a way that meant the wedding was enjoyable for all of our family and friends. Music is very important to us and we carefully selected music from a range of decades (with the help of our friend Jan) which provoked a feeling of nostalgia. We decorated the room at The Balham Bowls Club with plenty of candles, but for us, the room really had it's own unique character which we didn't want to change.

Our seating plan was a 1939 version of the London Underground map which was a nod to our beloved London, as well as the buses. The tables were named after some of our favourite bands and singers so we used our 45'' records of the artists to mark the tables. The menus were printed on the back of Ladybird book front cover post cards, which we carefully matched to our guests, to much delight (and dismay!). Gin bottles acted as vases for the flowers and the favours were a mixed cd which included some of the tunes played at the wedding.

So all in all, a real eclectic mix! 

What was your first song and why? Our first song was a medley. We started off with a slow dance to La Mer by Charles Trenet as we really love it. Then it cut into The Twist by Chubby Checker (a nod to the sixties). At this point the best men/women and bridesmaids came on and joined in the routine. The medley included:

Misirlou by Dick Dale ( a great tune, a great dance move)

Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush (Emma's favourite song of all time)

Riverdance ( a nod to our Irish family)

Twist and Shout by The Beatles (one of Jack's favourites)

If you could give any couples getting married one tip what would it be? Don't worry or stress about the little things-they really, really don't matter. Above all, enjoy every minute!

Wedding Suppliers

Photographer: Carla Guest Photography

Hair stylist: Lipstick and Curls, Goshka Topolska

Website: www.lipstickandcurls.net

Make up artist: Lipstick and Curls, Goshka Topolska

Website: www.lipstickandcurls.net

Brides Dress: Candy Anthony

Website: candyanthony.com

Bridesmaids dresses: Coast

Website: www.coast-stores.com

Brides Shoes: Vivienne Westwood and Melissa

Website: www.nonnon.co.uk

Grooms Shoes: Marks and Spencer

Website: www.marksandspencer.com

Suits: Burtons

Website: www.burton.co.uk

Florist and Venue Decoration: The Flower Sanctuary Balham (plus a bit a DIY!)

Website: www.flowersanctuary.co.uk

Cake: June Bridges (Jack's nan)

Band/DJ: Imagine the Beatles

Website: www.imaginethebeatles.co.uk

Car/Transport Hirer: The London Bus Company

Website: www.thelondonbuscompany.co.uk

Wedding Venue: Asia House followed by The Balham Bowls Club

Website: asiahouse.org      balhambowlsclub.com

This gorgeous couple got married in October at the wonderful venue Etchington Golf Club. We had lots of fun and was able to go off on a little adventure in the golf buggy. Maureen even had a little go at driving which was a little scary as she liked to drive fast over every bump! I was holding on for dear life! Maureen and James love to star gaze so their theme was based around the stars and moon. So I bought some smoke grenades - blue and purple to match their theme and we totally rocked the bride and groom portraits! The sun even came out briefly, but come rain or shine I always make sure we get some lovely candid beautiful moments and the scenery was stunning complimenting the shots. Congratulations guys!

Sally and Julian had what I call the most intimate weddings I have ever documented I have photographed many weddings in Kent but this one for me nailed it. We started off at The Marine Hotel, whitstable, Kent for bridal prep, Sally had her best friend do her hair, make up and even did her gorgeous bouquet. Even thought here was only two people getting ready at the hotel it did not stop the laughter and giggles. Sally was so excited and you could really see it, her eyes lit up and sparkled whenever she spoke about her wedding day. She had two pairs of shoes for the day, my kinda girl! Sparkly gold shoes right up my street! But to sill the deal she had these amazing irregular choice bride and groom shoes - epic!

Her lovely father was equally over the moon, he absolutely adored his daughter and treated her to an awesome wedding transport in the shape of a yellow VW camper van sporting black and white chequered flooring! We managed to get a few sneaky shots by Tankerton slopes before heading off to the tiniest church I have ever photographed a wedding at - it could only fit 50 guests if you are friendly (vicars words)plus their dog. So I spent most of the wedding shooting from the back with limited moving around but it actually worked out ok for me and managed to get some lovely shots of the gorgeous couple during the ceremony. We had a confetti shot which I love doing but this one was extra special as the vicar told the guest it was ok, they instantly thought they could throw straight away and launched the dry petals at Julian and Sally inside the church made everyone giggle and since handing over there USB & Box Sally and Julian both commented on who was the culprit that started the mass confetti launching was! We had lots of laughs and it was wonderful to hear them reminisce about their day after receiving their images. Reception was held at Sally & Julian's house with paella being cooked as we walked in! 

The day was lovely, full of intimate moments especially when we went off for some private shots down at hampton pier. Stunning couple full of colour and love. These two made me feel so warm and fuzzy I had such a buzz and feel very privileged to have been asked to capture their day.

Carla x