Tag: church

  • Cherry & Duncan’s epic wedding full of fun – with added trampolining action!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Finally, I’m able to blog this epic wedding, so epic they couldn’t fit it all into one day!

    You might remember their mammoth pre-wedding shoot – brimful of happiness and fun. Well, they had a wedding to match. Cherry, Duncan and their families are all active members of the church as well as the Chinese community. Friends and family travelled from all over the world (from Vancouver to Hong Kong) to witness their union. A rare chance for the bridal party to be together, they hired a house together and the wedding was in fact, just part of a week of fun activities that they had planned!

    This wedding was a combination of both a traditional Chinese and a church wedding. Chinese weddings start with traditional door games and tea ceremonies. The ceremony took place in the church that Cherry went to at school, then I moved on with the bridal party for some photos at a park near Cherry’s home before everyone congregated for the fabulous banquet at Water Sky.

    It was a wonderful day with a great sense of community – everyone being so happy for Cherry and Duncan. They are a really fun couple and when they are around, laughter and smiles are never far away. I’m so happy I could be there to record their wedding for them.

    It was such a big event, I’m going to start off by sharing some pictures of Cherry and Duncan so they’re not lost in the blogpost. Sit back and enjoy!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    If you’re not familiar with Chinese weddings, proceedings are kicked off with a series of door games, where the bridal party issue challenges to the groomsmen.  This is then followed by traditional tea ceremonies, where the couple serve tea to members of their family. The morning started off relatively serenely with Cherry gettting ready…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    In the flat next door, friends and family were gathering to prepare for the door games and tea ceremony…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Some door games are kinder than others. Looks like mischief is afoot here…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    The boys have arrived!!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    And the games begin! How determined are these groomsmen to earn access to the bride?

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Pretty determined it seems! First up…dance challenge 🙂

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Next, the taste challenge…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Some being nicer than others. Luckily for Duncan, the groom was entitled to delegate to his groomsmen. I thought Duncan was pretty smart having so many ushers!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Yes, Duncan thought so too!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Third challenge – no hands allowed! Duncan’s brother Terence came all the way from Hong Kong to show everyone how it’s done…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie ManBristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Followed by this brilliantly photogenic round. I’ll let your imagination get to work on what this challenge was all about! Needless to say it needed his very closest friends (including his brothers Terence and Darren) to step up to the plate!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    I should probably explain the next photo! This round involved snorting….pepper, it’s just pepper folks 🙂

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Mmmmmm, that feels good!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    And the penultimate challenge? It’s a Chinese wedding, it’s about the money of course…Duncan, how much do you think Cherry is worth?!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Having paid a suitably high sum of money for such a fabulous bride, Duncan earnt access to the house. He then had to answer a series of questions and finally…he earnt access to his bride. And doesn’t he look happy about it?

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    But it doesn’t end there! Next….tea ceremony, where the couple kneel and serve tea to their elders. Their offerings are returned with gifts of money and jewellery and blessings for their future together.

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man
    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Despite all that bling, the limelight was still stolen by Cherry’s newborn nephew

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man
    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    A whole new day. And all is calm…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    The veil was handmade by Cherry’s friend. Amazing!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Meanwhile, over with the boys…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Uh-oh, cufflink down! Glue gun to the rescue…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    All sorted!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    The wedding took place in the church that Cherry went to when she was at school…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    This was a super cute idea…guests signed and wrote messages on little wooden hearts which were dropped into a frame

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Contender for biggest group photo ever

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Despite the rain, the bridal party rocked it at this playground

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Yes, Cherry climbed up onto the fort in her dress. Respect!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Then this awesomeness happened…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Finally, the couple get a moment to themselves…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    We haven’t even got to the banquet yet! The Chinese Banquet…with amazing cake made by Cherry  & Ducan’s friend

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    At Chinese weddings, the guest write messages on long red card or fabric

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Cherry in her traditional Chinese bridal gown. Stunning embroidery and check out her newly acquired bling!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Ready for another round of tea ceremonies

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man
    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Time for the second dress change

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    And a whoooooole lot of toasting!

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man
    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    An amaaazing day! The bridal party went on into the night, but I will just leave you with this shot…

    Bristol Chinese Wedding Photography by Marie Man

    Congratulations Cherry and Duncan. Thanks for having me along for the day, it was swell! Wishing you the very best of luck in your new life together. Good luck in Hong Kong.

    With thanks to James and Gareth for helping me with this big, big day
    If you’re interested in having documentary wedding photography coverage at your wedding, contact Marie

  • Elaine & Sam: 99 yew trees in a traditional Cotswolds village: Gloucestershire engagement photographer

    A quick Christmas Eve post! Say hello to Elaine & Sam, who are childhood sweethearts.

    The chose the picturesque village of Painswick for their engagement shoot. It’s a gorgeous Cotswold village built out of traditional Cotswold stone, with a church and village green in the centre. In fact, their annual apple festival was taking place when we were there, complete with apple-bobbing and hay bales for sitting on. You couldn’t get more quintessentially English! We had to wait for the kids to clear out from the churchyard, which is filled with yew trees. 99 in fact, according to local folklore no more ever

    Elaine and Sam, I look forward to your wedding at the fabulous Manor on the Lake, which will be my first wedding of 2013!

    Happy Christmas and happy new year everyone 🙂

    xx

    01 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    02 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    03 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    04 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    05 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    06 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    07 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    08 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    09 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    10 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    11 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    12 Elaine & Sam, Painswick - Cotswold wedding photographer

    If you are interested in an engagement photography session, drop Marie a line.

  • Harmony, an urban wedding – Bristol wedding photographer

    Swept Away

    Kelly and Paul had a fabulous wedding that celebrated Bristol, the city where they had met and fallen in love.  I knew they had been planning a fairly no-nonsense wedding, so I was surprised when they announced that as well as the church and brasseries, they had booked…a megayacht!  The wedding played out at several locations across the city, starting close to where they lived, in fact Paul managed to fit in a swift pint at the pub before heading to church!

    The megayacht was a fantastic venue and after several frosty weeks, we were all delighted to see the sun come out to greet us which meant the guests could revel on the yacht’s huge upper decks, although I personally thought it was a shame that no one wanted to take a dip in the hot tub.  Although huge (with a lounge, dining room, several decks, dance hall, bedrooms and more!), working onboard did provide some photographic challenges in terms of space and lighting on the lower decks, so we had decided to do the couple’s shots at a park near their home.  Actually they loved having this part of the day to themselves, having a moment to cavort and bask in the sun and also take in the reality that they had done the deed. Shooting in the park was a fun experience with local ‘wildlife’ dressed in varying shades of neon wandering through our photoshoot. Gotta love Bristol.  

    I loved the moment during his speech when Paul revealed that when he first met Kelly, he had thought “this is the woman I want to marry.”  The stuff that fairytales are made of.  Weddings are such huge events, I feel privileged as a wedding photographer to share the rare moments that a couple spends away from the madding crowd.  As part of my signature style, I work with the couple to create key creative images that they would like to put on their wall in its own right, wedding picture or not.   From this shoot, I particularly love the series of pictures of them walking through the trees because their house is in the distance and has that much more meaning to them.  And of course, the images of Kelly, walking along the harbourside, radiant and buoyant with her love for Paul 🙂

    As usual, here are a few of my favourites, full gallery at the bottom.

    Preparations at The Greenhouse Salon

    The calm....

    Classic styling

    Classic styling

    Diamante is a girl’s best friend?

    Diamante is a girl's best friend?

    A church with a view

    A church with a view

    …I thee wed

    I thee wed

    One for the family album

     Say cheese

    Blessings from above

    Blessed

    In nature

    In nature

    A rare moment of solitude

    One moment in time

    Swept away

    Swept Away

    Half-full 😉

    Bottoms Up

    Ready and waiting

    Ready and waiting

    Finest dining

    Fine dining

    Sparkles and petals abound

    Awash with sparkles and petals

    The good stuff

    The good stuff

    Walking on air

    Walking on air

    Little Miss Sunshine

    Little Miss Sunshine

    Striking a pose

    Striking a pose

    All aboard!

    The Harmony II Megayacht 

    Radiance

    Aglow

    Through the looking glass, in the spotlight

    Through the looking glass, in the spotlight

    Starboard

    Starboard

    Disco 2000

    Disco 2000

    Survivor

    Peekaboo

    Sweetness

    Heaven sent

    [nggallery id=10]