I loved the sense of fun and joy that oozed from Anna and Nigel from the first moment I met them. They had such wonderful plans for their day from a floral extravaganza to Disney music and a champagne sobrage performed by the bride!

The Preps

It was a music filled bridal suite as Anna and her girls got ready in the morning.  Nigel and his grooms party arrived around 12.30 and I was able to capture some shots of him with his best man during a brief spell of dry weather.

Anna was soon in her beautiful bead covered dress and wearing a special headdress that was commissioned and adapted from Annas Grandmother’s 100 year old bridal crown. Sections of which were also used to make the bridesmaids combs.  She looked stunning.

A Wet Ceremony

Anna had set her heart on the Spa Hotel Temple in the beautiful grounds for their ceremony and the floral display which surrounded it was incredible and not to be missed. There was light drizzle by the time the ceremony was due to start so they opted for the outside option. The bride entered under a brolly to a live rendition of ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ sang by Ben Hills.

It was a shame that the weather got worse as the ceremony progressed so after the couple had exchanged their vows the registrar suggested that everyone decamp to the Chandelier Suite for the final readings and the signing of their marriage certificate.  By then the rain was fairly heavy and everyone was hunkered down under brollies so it was a welcome interlude to the ceremony.

From a photography perspective, rain is not the greatest during an outside ceremony, but you have to admit the wet weather really makes the colours pop!

A Jungle Exit to the Reception

The singer Ben Hills sang for the guests as the couple signed their certificate and then completed the ceremony music by singing ‘The Bare Necessities’ as the couple exited for the drinks reception.

The afternoon was filled with laughter. Neither Anna and Nigel or their guests let the weather dampen their spirits.  We weren’t able to get out into the wider gardens for any couple photos but we did pop to the temple under a brolly for a few then headed back inside for a few more before the couple headed into dinner.

The Royal Suite

The Royal Suite was covered in blooms of pinks, blues, greens and peacock feathers, it was beautiful and the most flowers I had ever seen in that room. The table names were all from places that the couple had been together and enjoyed.

Funny and poignant speeches were given by Anna’s mum, Anna herself, Nigel and the best man.

Champagne Sobrage and Prince Ali

Before the evening party kicked off, Anna took a sabre and dramatically performed a sobrage on a bottle of champagne much to everyones delight.  This was followed by a wonderful first dance which kicked off with the slow song Unintended by Muse and quickly morphed into Disney’s Prince Ali from Aladdin.

Anna and Nigel were a bundle of fun from beginning to end and I loved every minute of their day!

Here’s a lovely message of thanks I received from them.

“The final element (the photo box) arrived yesterday, and we are again absolutely delighted with it.

Thank you so much for everything you have done to record our magical day. Right from when we first spoke with you last year we have been impressed with your professionalism, talent, design-eye, and good humour. Thank you.

The photographs (digitally, in the albums, and in the photo box) are all superb and very much capture the mood on the day. You ensured that as many as people as possible were included and that we hardly needed any formal photographs. You caught the fun, the drama, the emotion, and the tone of the day. Again, thank you.

The quality of the albums and box was spot on and ensured that we received very good value for money for the whole wedding photo experience package. Our respective mothers were each delighted with their mini-wedding album too.

We now have many ways to remember our special day and we will always remember, and be grateful for, the part you played in it.

Thank you. Nigel & Anna”

The Suppliers

Venue – The Spa Hotel Tunbridge Wells

Entertainment – Ben Hills Music during the ceremony and reception and Mint DJ’s for the party.

Brides Headdress – Alterations to vintage bridal crown by Victoria Fergusson Accessories

Florist – Perinda from Flower and Glory in Sevenoaks

Wedding Stationery – Lynda Loves

Hairdresser – Rianna Michael

Make-up – Dee Fenner

Diana and Jimmy had the most beautiful day for their intimate wedding at Highley Manor in Sussex in mid June.

An International Wedding

I’d met them both via Zoom as they were living in the US. They had already gone through their legal ceremony in the US itself but were planning another celebration in the UK for Diana’s family.  Although Jimmys parents couldn’t make the trip he was supported by his two sisters and his friends on his big day.

Documentary Wedding Photography

The couple were keen for me to focus as much on their guests and the love and laughter shared on the day as they were for me to capture the two of them, which is perfect as that’s exactly how I like to work!

They chose a wine theme for their day with bottles and grapes for their table centres and a beautiful sage green for their chair sashes.  Their cake was surrounded by corks which they’d be collecting for some time and topped with a novelty cork bride and groom.

A Beautiful Summer Wedding

Both Diana and Jimmy were getting ready at Highley Manor, Diana in the bridal getting ready room and Jimmy in the Bridal Suite.

Diana looked like a princess from a fairy-tale in her gorgeous full skirted dress arriving at the ceremony in the outdoor pavilion to her groom and 43 guests.  The Pavilion is a gorgeous spot for a ceremony which perfectly overlooks the view from Highley Manor.

After group photos, the couple headed inside so that Diana could don her shades and throw her bouquet from the Bridal Suite balcony.  After this we headed into the grounds for a few minutes of quiet time and some couple photos.  It was so lovely to find the last of the rhododendron flowers to add some lovely colour to their photos.

Speeches were fun and the guests relaxed before the evening celebrations started.

Before leaving I took some shots of the couple in the low light in the Pavilion. The Pavilion makes for an interesting feature in the backdrop of the natural trees and vista.

I loved spending the day with Diana and Jimmy, it was a wonderful, relaxed and joyful wedding day.

The Suppliers

The hotel is a mix of grand country house style and modern luxury which makes it the perfect one-stop location for a wedding. It has a lovely atmosphere and the staff are very professional and incredibly friendly. The events team are always very helpful and work with wedding suppliers to make sure that every wedding day is perfect and runs smoothly.

One of my favourite and newest locations for photography at The Spa Hotel is the Spa Temple which sits majestically in the stunning grounds. It’s a gorgeous setting for your ceremony but it’s also in the perfect spot for sunsets which makes it magical for wedding photos!

I’ll tell you a little more about wedding photography at The Spa Hotel further down, but first here’s a few words from the Spa Team themselves.

What makes The Spa the perfect wedding venue?

The Spa Hotel is a beautifully unique and diverse wedding venue. The hotel is nestled within 14 acres of glorious ground and gardens including three picturesque, spring-fed lakes and the stunning Spa Temple. With such spectacular surroundings, The Spa provides the perfect setting for your special day as well as beautiful backdrops for your important wedding photos.

What makes it different from other venues?

The Spa offers so much flexibility in its spaces, packages and extras. Our beautiful wedding suites are so varied and can be adapted to suit couples personal tastes and preferences, we have modern spaces, and spaces with grandeur and elegance in a range of shapes and sizes. Our packages and menus can also be tailored to match your exact visions and we also have a wide range of add-ons to make your day that little bit more special.

What wedding options are available?

Whatever you are planning for your big day – whether it’s a small, intimate affair or a large celebration – we have a fantastic selection of elegant suites available to hold up to 250 guests. The Spa Hotel is licensed to hold civil ceremonies both inside the hotel and outside in The Spa Temple, overlooking the stunning lakes. We offer a range of flexible wedding packages which you can tailor to suit your budget and individual requirements.

How do you make sure your couples get the perfect wedding day?

Our wonderful Wedding Coordinators will work closely with you from enquiry and at every stage on the way to the big day itself. Our team will truly go above and beyond to ensure our couples have the most enjoyable day possible with every aspect they envision included.

What tips would you offer couples to ensure a stress-free wedding?

Everyone says your wedding day goes so quickly, so savouring and enjoying every single moment is so important. Our operational team are highly experienced in running seamless and stress-free weddings, working closely with your coordinator they will put any and every measure in place to ensure that your day runs without a hitch.

Wedding photography at The Spa Hotel

The gardens and grounds at The Spa are gorgeous and perfect for natural light photos especially for summer weddings. There’s the landscaped garden areas which are very pretty, the lake and the bridge which is popular with many couples as well as an area of natural meadow, so there’s lots to choose from.

One of my favourite places for photos are the beautiful trees and shrubs along the path leading to the lake. There’s rhododendrons that create interesting shapes and colour in the spring time and beautiful fir trees with their warm coloured bark. It goes without saying that I love the Spa Temple and the fact that it is in the perfect spot for a gorgeous sunset. Even if we aren’t lucky enough to get a sunset, I can always do something creative with lighting to make the most of the setting!  See some of these locations used for photos below.

If you are getting married at The Spa Hotel or hosting your wedding reception there then I’d love to hear from you. Please do get in touch using the contact button below and I’ll send you some more information.

The Bridal Suite

A Chandelier Room Ceremony

Creative Evening Photos

Some Lovely Words

The Suppliers

Bride and the Girls

Caroline spent the morning in the bridal suite along with her girls and makeup artist Nicky. It was a lively, relaxed atmosphere as they toasted the bride. I loved spending the time with them all; it was a fun morning. There were lots of details to photograph too; Caroline’s dress from Isabella Grace Bridal boutique, her shoes, jewellery, plus an unusual gift of kisses in a frame from her bridesmaids!

The Groom the Boys and the Dog

Before Caroline was due to step into her dress, I headed off to a local pub, The Grove Tavern, to meet Marcus, the boys, plus Wilbur, the dog. Wilbur arguably had the most critical job of the day, to deliver the rings! After walking back to the hotel with the boys, grabbing a few shots along the way, I went back to Caroline while she got dressed and added the final touches.

Wilbur and the Rings

The ceremony was held in the lovely Grade 2 listed former schoolhouse known as The Function Room, which has a stunning double-height vaulted ceiling. It was a wonderful ceremony with lots of laughter, and I particularly loved capturing Caroline and her dad as they stood in the vestibule waiting for the ceremony to begin. Then there was Marcus’s priceless reaction as he saw his beautiful bride for the first time!

Caroline’s brother sat with Wilbur, the dog, during the ceremony and assisted Wilbur in delivering the rings at the critical moment; it was lovely and very personal to the couple.

Urban Portraits

The lane between the hotel is the perfect spot for confetti and group pictures. Once done, I whisked the couple off for a short time for some shots of the two of them around the Pantiles in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. I particularly enjoy working at One Warwick Park as the location makes for some very different and more urban bride and groom photos.

The speeches were emotional, particularly from Caroline’s dad and then later from Marcus’s son. The speeches left many guests shedding tears which is always great for photos!

The evening headed into cake cutting and dancing, and by the time I left them, everyone was having a fabulous time on the dancefloor.

Caroline and Marcus hosted a gorgeous, stylish wedding full of love, joy, laughter and fun, and I loved every minute!

The Suppliers

Venue – One Warwick Park Hotel Tunbridge Wells

Brides Gown – Isabella Grace Bridal

Cake – Lindsey Toomer of Lindylous Cakes

Band – The Charlie Rivers Band