Nonsuch Mansion and the Holy Ghost Church Balham
Brigid & Geoff
Hi all! Here is Brigid and Geoff’s wedding from August.
They had their ceremony at the Holy Ghost Church in Balham, London with their reception at Nonsuch Mansion, Cheam. Brigid is a school teacher and with her sisters being bridesmaids I was certainly kept on my toes throughout the day! This certainly helped during the formals too (especially with the group shot).
In the morning I started with the guys in Loughborough Park before heading to the girls in Balham.
This was my first time at the Holy Ghost Church. It’s an impressive modern Catholic church with a lot of space to move around in for photos. After the ceremony we headed to Nonsuch Park on the vintage Routemaster bus where the days events unfolded. I noticed when there that all of Brigid’s class had written messages to her and these were dotted around everywhere.
It doesn’t matter how experienced someone is, when someone lifts you up like that and has confidence in you, you’ll do a better job.
Special mention must go to both of them for the confidence and trust which they openly showed me. It doesn’t matter how experienced someone is, when someone lifts you up like that and has confidence in you, you’ll do a better job. So thanks to you both if you’re reading this.
Here are some more images from the day…
Whilst the makeup and hair was in full force in the girls room the guys were in the opposing wing, in their dressing gowns biding their time. As with all prep shots I concentrated of the details and general bustle whilst also escaping and exploring the grounds for what I call ‘copy shots’. These are essentially the outdoor details, shots of the surroundings and such as often I don’t get the time during the rest of the day to do so.
Ashdown Park is a very grand venue. The Summer House is an amazing place for an outdoor wedding because everything is in bloom and sets everywhere up with the most stunning backdrop. The large converted chapel complete with stained glass windows and the vaulted ceiling makes for a spacious and dramatic reception area.
This was a wedding with vintage touches throughout. Emily and Mark chose to have their wedding ceremony at Arundel Town Hall in the Atherley Chamber with a reception afterwards on the roof terrace.
Fitzleroi Barn is a lovely venue. It’s totally self contained and away from passing traffic. Weddings held here won’t be disturbed by anyone. The courtyard is an ideal size and was perfect for Emily and Mark’s guests. Everyone had space but were within easy reach.
There were many lovely touches during the day, the flowers were amazing, the centrepieces in Fitzleroi Barn were potted plants such as Lavender and Sage which also acted as table names. There was also LOTS of bunting everywhere. It was really well put together and a lovely wedding to attend.
Before I tell you about Kimberley and Michaels’ wedding at Buxted Park I’m going to use this opportunity to let you know that in the last 6 weeks we’ve had a MASSIVE site rebuild and upgrade.
It always seems an easy thing to do….in my head…photographing a bride, groom and horse but it’s never as easy as you think it will be. I found myself shooting on the fly and improvising as I went. With great results.
The Dinosaur Photobomb did give the unexpected benefit of teaching me more abilities in Photoshop which I can now carry on to other weddings (Brush jitters / Scattering / brush dynamics etc).
But outside, on the grounds of Nonsuch Mansion, the bright greens of the garden cannot be ignored. Emily and Dan looked
I was caught a little of guard when the registrars told me they had to ‘make a quick exit’ because of the Jewish blessing that followed the ceremony (which I didn’t know about – this is happening a lot recently – See Rachel and Stuarts blog post further down)!
Ah May. Summer has landed. After several false starts we’re firing on all four cylinders and screaming into another big year of weddings.
Many things stood out on the day. Firstly Helen’s mum had planted a crazy amount of bulbs in the garden specifically for the wedding…it was breathtaking.
Helen and Daniel’s dog Charlie was there as well. As a dog owner who get’s married next year I want mine to be there too (as long as he behaves).
A nerve-relaxing stroll, on a sunny day, through the leafy wonders and strong-standing trees of the glorious gardens, was an early order of business. They were also in use much later in the day as some of the youngsters treated their wedding outfits to a thorough rolling on the lawn.
Sometimes the colours seemed so perfect together. The guys in a stylish darkened blue, the girls in an astonishingly beautiful deep purple…
I also challenged myself. I believe no matter what, I should be able to deliver in every single situation, with no excuses and we did.
It helps to have a great couple to work with. Lindsey and Paul were a class act all day if I’m honest and were rock and roll throughout from when Lindsey rocked it down the aisle to when they both rocked out on the dancefloor.
Bang, we’re here. There’s a sense of spring in the air and the 2013 wedding season is also starting to make noises at me, a slow rumbling sound that builds and builds up until April where it clobbers me squarely on the hooter screaming ‘I’m heeeeere!’