Tag: countryside

  • Zoe & Michael: Zoers and Lammers get hitched in a haunted house

    Gloucestershire Haunted House Wedding by Marie Man

    I’d been looking forward to Zoe (Zoers) and Michael’s (Lammers) wedding all year.

    It was a gloriously sunny day at a very special venue – Woodchester Mansion, one of my favourite places. Zoe and Michael chose Woodchester because they wanted somewhere local that was a bit different – that they could also take over and make their own for the day as many of their friends were coming from further afield. In a secluded National Trust valley, the house was never finished. As a result, there are fireplaces in mid air and floors that were never put in. A charitable trust was set up to save it from ruin and the team are now working hard on restoring it back to the state it was in when construction stopped. It is the kind of place that you want to explore as soon as you see it and so Zoe and Michael gave the guests time to have a look around the mansion before the ceremony – the mansion only had a basic track leading down to it, so guests had to be ferried by minibus down to the mansion.

    Zoe’s sisters live in Australia and America and are rarely together, so Zoe’s family hired a gorgeous house in Wooton-Under-Edge for the week. She got ready at Edge Beauty which was just next door with her sister Amy who was head bridesmaid. In the meantime, Michael was at a cottage in Ozleworth with his son and his ushers. You can see from the pictures that they took advantage of the lovely weather to bask in the sun amongst the lavender and butterflies.

    The wedding had lots of personal touches with their very own kegs of beer that Michael had brewed especially for the wedding, home-made favours and tables named after their favourite local places. They had been looking forward to the paella for a long time. So much so, that they were quite disappointed when the weather turned out to be so good that everyone was outside enjoying the sun instead of seeing the ‘live theatre’ of the paella being cooked. They couldn’t complain about that too much though as it made the setting so idyllic! And I can testify that the paella was very nommy indeed, equalled by the hogroast that fuelled people dancing into the night.

    Michael’s son Joe had a great time and pretty much stole the show with his speech and later on with his dancing too! But by far and away, the thing I totally loved most was that Zoe and Michael are simply a super awesome couple and it was clear how much they loved each other, and it was clear all their friends think they are awesome too. I love that you can see in their photographs just how happy they were to get married – you can see them giggling at each other and then dancing their way into the wedding banquet. In fact, there were plenty of laughs and giggles throughout the day. Thanks for a really fun day!

    Most of my coverage for the day is documentary, but as an experienced fashion photographer I also offer my couples the option to get more creative with the posed shots. As this was such a dramatic venue, I went for a variety of bridal portraits – I really wanted to shoot inside the mansion, so we went up into the roof, traversed scaffolding to shoot by the stunning rose window in the chapel, got creative with smoke and lighting in the scullery and still fitted in some natural shots outdoors. What a portrait bonanza! I hope you like them. Special thanks go to Morag who was helping me out that day. Without further ado, here are their photos (and apologies for lack of blogposts recently…lots of weddings will be posted soon!)

    If you are interested in documentary wedding photography, drop Marie a line.

  • Emily & Paul: Gotherington: A Walk Through Fields of Gold

    Cheltenham Countryside Engagement Shoot by Marie Man

    Emily and Paul grew up, met and fell in love in their home village of Gotherington, near Cheltenham. So it was a delight to be asked to photograph them there.

    They led me around the networkd of built-up cul-de-sacs and shaded alleyways and was surprised when the path opened out into a stunning field of grass with a lone tree. We’d been having pretty gloomy weather, but the sun shone gloriously, bringing the field to life with golden light. From the field, you could see both their childhood homes…I loved the tour of their lives that they gave me over the course of the shoot, from the village hall where Emily went to Brownies to the duckpond that Paul used to navigate on a car bonnet.

    The love between Emily and Paul was super-cute as you can tell from the images. At the end of the shoot, we went back to the spot where they first kissed, round the corner from Emily’s parents home (hiding from her parents!)…in the shade of a rowan tree, her family name 🙂

    Here’s to Paul and Emily and their wedding next month!

    Emily & Paul walking through a golden field of grass - Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Emily & Paul - Gotherington portrait shoot

    Emily & Paul - couple sitting in a field of grass - Cheltenham Engagement Photography

    Emily & Paul - couple walking through a field of grass

    Emily & Paul - couple silhouetted in the countryside - engagement photography

    Emily & Paul - couples portrait photography

    Emily & Paul - kissing by the Rowan tree

    Emily & Paul - Cheltenham Countryside Engagement Photography

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

  • Zoe & Michael: Dursley: A verdant hilltop walk on the edge of the Cotswolds

    Gloucestershire Cotswold Engagement Shoot by Marie Man

    It’s been a busy year and I need to catch up on blogging! Apologies, I’m starting with my most recent work and introduce you to Zoe and Michael 🙂

    I suggest my couples choose a location that is special to them for their pre-wedding shoot if possible. Zoe & Michael live in Dursley and introduced me to some of their favourite places near their home (including the pub afterwards). As a keen runner, Zoe had recced many of them on her runs around the stunning area. One of them was lush green hilltop location with a stunning arcade of trees which was truly glorious as you can see in the last image on this post.

    They brought along a bottle of fizz to enjoy in a gorgeous, if windy location at the crest of the hill. Zoe & Michael share lots of giggles (as you can probably tell from the picture of the sheep and the one near the end where he’s making her laugh) and I’m totally looking forward to their wedding next month at a venue that I fell in love with the moment I stepped inside – the amazing Woodchester Mansion.

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

    Zoe & Michael - Downham Hill, Dursley Cam Gloucestershire & Cotswold Engagement Photography

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

  • SNEAK PEEK: Amidst fields of gold

    Amidst fields of gold - sneak peek

    Radio silence?

    Not quite but I’ve quite a backlog of shoots to blog. Eeep.

    For now, here’s a quick sneak peek of a recent favourite. What do I love about this picture? The movement…of the grass, the clouds and the dress.

    Jodie amidst fields of gold.

  • A countryside affair – Bonnie & Will, Charlton House: Shepton Mallet, Somerset wedding photographer

    The Speech, Shepton Mallett Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Do you remember Bonnie and  Will? They had found me after being referred by an old school friend. After our fab pre-wedding shoot by Clifton Suspension Bridge, I was really looking forward to covering their countryside-themed wedding for them.

    Letter from the heart - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Final preparations - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    The preparations took place in Bonnie’s home village of Croscombe in Somerset. She prepared for her wedding at her mother’s charming cottage and it was a real family affair with her brother Ben giving her away, her young brother James being pageboy and her cousin travelling all the way from Australia to be her bridesmaid. James was particularly excited heralding “Bonnie Alert!” when she came near. My favourite moments from the cottage are of Bonnie writing her speech (yes, she had one too) and reading a letter delivered from Will that made her weep (fortunately just before she put her mascara on).

    In the meantime, what better way for a groom to calm last minute nerves than enjoying a pint with his ushers and best man at the local pub before jumping in a Triumph Spitfire to make it to the church on time!

    Boys will be boys - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    The ceremony took place in the neighbouring village of Dinder, in its quintessentially English church. Real rose petals were strewn and despite a week full of rain, the sun shone for them gloriously. The couple and I made a sneaky stop off at a field overlooking Glastonbury Tor to capture their first few moments of married life. I love it when newly weds get to spend a few minutes away from the madding crowds and have a moment to revel in their new status! All too soon, it was onward to Charlton House near Shepton Mallett, recently under the new management of Duncan “Dragon” Bannantyne, for drinks on the lawn, Jenga, croquet, dance, lots and lots of sweets, flowers, a “real” cheese cake, cheese buffet and an all round damn fine celebration.

    Thank you to Bonnie and Will for inviting me to be part of and capture their day. Back today from their honeymoon in Greece, I’ve just found out that it’s also Bonnie’s birthday. Happy birthday Bonnie!

    Here are a few images that give you a flavour of the day, scroll to the bottom for the full gallery. With thanks to James Bailey for his brilliant second shooting

    Dinder village church - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Newly wed - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Wedded bliss - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Blessings - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Man and wife - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Will & Bonnie - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Beneath the old tree - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Hilarity - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Framed - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Thrones - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Flowerpots - Somerset documentary wedding photography

    Rings of gold - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    A hat for all seasons - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Happiness - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Real cheese - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    We are family - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    I think we're alone now - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    A walk in the clouds - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Handmade with love - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Tuckshop treats - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    In the limelight - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

    Caught - Wiltshire documentary wedding photography

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  • A country affair: eco, rustic wedding at Folly Farm

    The Penfolds -  Heavens Above

    The Penfolds -  Heavens Above

    **AS FEATURED IN WEDDING IDEAS JAN 2011 ISSUE!**

    A day in the country
    Bunting, haybales, teepees, a hogroast and bluebells…this was a truly country affair. The Avon Wildlife Trust’s glorious Folly Farm [www.follyfarm.org] bathed in surprisingly glorious sunshine, atop the Mendips, was the perfect venue for this rustic wedding, embellished with plenty of lovely decorations handmade by friends and family and a fabulous dress made by the seamstress extraordinaire Gill Cockwell of Gilly Woo Couture (www.gillywoo.com).

    A fortunate accident
    I wasn’t even meant to be there. Someone else’s misfortune had turned into my good fortune; Faye and Dave’s wedding photographer pulled out a month before the wedding. Without a contract to protect their investment, they were left in the lurch. With little notice, they had to find a new photographer. Photographs for several feature articles had to be delivered. As the wedding promised lots of handmade touches in a rustic setting, I originally recommended Rosie Parsons [www.rosieparsons.com] and Owen & Charis at O&C Photography [www.oacphotography.com], with the intention to second shoot. It would have been an honour to work with either of them.

    A different challenge
    In the end, Faye’s friends, Chris Marshall and Mike Clarke, took up the gauntlet and then she asked me to come along too. Between them, the videocameraman and yours truly, things were…interesting. The main challenge was keeping the others shooters out of the frame! For me, my favourite shot of the day came at sunset. I always carry an extra wide angle lens in my bag, but rarely put it to use at weddings. The couple were sitting for some of Chris’ pictures on a bench by the pond. Suddenly the pond was filled with all the colours of the sky and I realised that having very few minutes before the sun disappeared, I cleared everyone out from around the pond and got my shot.

    Added bonus
    Faye kept the cost of her wedding to a minimum by trading off goods, services and favours (!) against the promise of press coverage. I was more than happy when she selected my pictures to be submitted to Wedding Ideas magazine [www.weddingideasmag.com] , which were featured in the January 2011 issue, to be followed by further publications.

    Some of the highlights (scroll down to bottom for full gallery)

    Folly Farm Orchard100410 Faye Dave Penfold C1_0004_585

    Bunting galore100410 Faye Dave Penfold C1_0027_585

    Hats off to you kind sir100410 Faye Dave Penfold C1_0076_585

    The arrival of the bride
    100410 Faye Dave Penfold C1_0143_585

    Traditional decor100410 Faye Dave Penfold C1_0173_585

    Delicious nibbles prepared by a chef friend shipped over from New Zealand100410 Faye Dave Penfold C2_0031_585

    The bride arrived in style100410 Faye Dave Penfold C1_0125_585

    A wonderful gnarly tree standing atop the hill100410 Faye Dave Penfold C2_0207_585

    Faye, the blushing bride100410 Faye Dave Penfold C2_0251_585

    Cute bunches of local blooms100410 Faye Dave Penfold C3_0082_585

    Centrepieces made by the talented matron of honour100410 Faye Dave Penfold C3_0164_585

    What character!100410 Faye Dave Penfold C3_0167_585

    Heavens above100410 Faye Dave Penfold C3_0050_585

    Into the night100410 Faye Dave Penfold C4_0082_585

    Illuminating100410 Faye Dave Penfold C4_0087_585

    Spellbound100410 Faye Dave Penfold C4_0169_585

    Ole!100410 Faye Dave Penfold C4_0243_585

    Gleaming smile and ring100410 Faye Dave Penfold C4_0256_585

    Knees up!100410 Faye Dave Penfold C4_0261_585

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