Nonsuch Mansion & Ewell Church
Becky & Ollie

Here’s Becky and Ollie’s wedding at Nonsuch Mansion in late April.

Their wedding was amazing and ran super smoothly from when I first arrived up until we waved them goodbye at the end of the evening.

I was fortunate in that Becky and Ollie were getting ready at the family homes about five minutes from each other. Being able to bounce between couples during prep is handy and it’s nice to have that balance in the photos.

Before Nonsuch they got married at St Mary’s Church in Ewell which is the same church Becky’s parents tied the knot at a few moons ago.

Ollie held it together really well as Becky walked down through the church with her dad and honestly, it was one of those weddings where you truly felt it was one entity in the church rather than individual guests.

A wedding often reflects the family and there was a lot of love here, it felt lovely to be a part of this.

We then had some photos on the church steps before heading off the Nonsuch for the reception.

Late April / early May time of year is when nature starts to look it’s best and as the weather was nice we could make proper use of the grounds at Nonsuch Park for photos. We also took some later on in the evening as the sun set and made use of the car too.

7th December 2016Nonsuch Mansion, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles

The Complete Wedding Photography Workflow
From Raw to Jpeg and everything inbetween

So yeah, let’s do this.

I’ve written this set of posts because not a day goes by when you don’t see someone tripping over their feet with workflow. Or worse still, a situation where a photographer hasn’t backed up their stuff and lost a whole wedding pre edit. It’s something I see sporadically on Facebook so hopefully the following content will not only give back to the community but also help avoid it happening in the future.

The Complete Wedding Photographers Raw to Jpeg Workflow:

This blog post covers the following –

Copying in from your flash cards and testing the integrity of Raw files in a simple way
Backup up ALL your raw wedding files to the cloud in under 8 hours
How to quickly sort and cull your raws ready for processing
How to rate your images in one single pass for culling, blogs and galleries
How to label up the files for social media in one hit
Lastly, what I feel is the best way to backup your files

What I won’t tell you is how to edit your work, that stuff is down to you but I believe this workflow is the best way to work, if you would like to share any tips from your own workflow then please, pop them in the comments below.

Hopefully this post will help you out in one way or another because we handle so many images per wedding an efficient workflow is essential to stay sane.

28th March 2017 9 CommentsTips for PhotographersBy Chris Giles

Cripps Barn
Amy & Lee

I’m back at Cripps Barn with Amy and Lee’s Wedding from the first week of November. I was able to jump between the two of them during prep with Amy choosing to get ready at the New Inn, with Lee at the Village Pub in Barnsley. Special mention goes to Lee’s choice of suit, I really liked it. Especially the woven tie thing, really nice.

Amy’s choice of flowers and shrug reflected the time of year nicely and as you’ll see further down, November seems to be a good time for weddings in regards the weather. It was last year, and the year before that.

Amy’s dad was from the Black country but it didn’t make a bit of difference when she joined him for the trip to the barn. I can take thousands of photos at a wedding but it’s these moments between moments that I never tire of.

Once at Cripps Barn I found Lee waiting for the ceremony to start and that they’d decorated the aisle with tall lanterns, candles above the mantlepiece and flower chandeliers hanging from the roof.

Ceremonies here are always like a big group hug and they’re lovely to be a part of. Once they’d said their vows we took full advantage of the nice weather. Something has to be mentioned about this particular time of year at Cripps Barn. It’s the leaves. They go a gorgeous amber / orange and absolutely carpet the wooded area. When the sun cuts through the leaves it’s something to behold. A true photographers dream.

You can do all the family formals with a backdrop like that (see the images below). I’ve never had bad family photos at Cripps Barn as there’s always somewhere to go but I’ve never had any quite so nice as at this wedding.

Once we’d finished, dinner kicked off the late afternoon and the woodland feel and decor continued around the tables.

9th December 2016 Leave a commentCripps Barn, Cripps Stone Barn, Elmore Court, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles

M Restaurant, Threadneedle Street, London
Laura and James

It’s been a while since I shot Laura and James’ wedding. Late May in fact but blogging takes time and time is something I don’t have much of between May-November. In a way though, it’s good for the soul when I finally do get around to writing up this years weddings gone by and the way the photos remind me of their amazing day is a testament to why I shoot weddings and, the value behind the frames.

I started in Chalcot Square where the girls were getting ready for the day. On arrival it was hard not to notice their home was a nod to their journey in pretty much every corner. From old passport photos among the movie memorabilia to James’ N64 collection….it felt like a home, it felt like theirs and you could get a feel for their personalities as a result.

This first part of the day was a hilarious experience because as Laura was from Australia we had Aussie bridesmaids and those are great to have. Cheeky, outgoing and always funny, they were great to be around.

Once everyone was ready we black taxi’d it to the venue which was M Restaurant, situated in Threadneedle Street. This is a relatively new venue with a really nice modern feel to it. Lots of light and shadow everywhere and it leant an urban feel to the day.

I met up with James and the guys. I spent a little time with them before the girls arrived and as the guests ushered in we got ready for the ceremony. All the guys were in black suit and tie combos. I loved this. Classically simple styling won out.

As Allan walked Laura down the aisle towards James it was to Pink Floyds ‘Wish You Were Here’ which I’ll admit, blindsided me a bit as I love a bit of Floyd. While yes, I have played WYWH to death over the last 20 years – when you aren’t expecting it to be the song the bride is walking down to it blindsided me a bit. Especially when you’re indoors, manually setting flash and trying to stop the motion of a subject coming towards you.

After they became one Laura and James exited through the confetti and we headed upstairs for drinks at the bar and a little while later went for photos.

For their photos we headed to the Royal Exchange and found streets and backgrounds along the way central to the venue so we weren’t away from the guests for too long .

Dinner was next. I really liked M Restaurant, there were booths and banquet style tables for everyone and it broke the area up nicely. You could see everyone but also they could naturally interact in smaller groups. The venue has lots of low lighting everywhere which looks great in the background of photos.

After dinner we headed to the dancefloor and spent the rest of the evening either dancing or going off piste for some night photos.

13th December 2016 1 CommentLondon Wedding Photography, M Restaurant, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles

Upwaltham Barns
Kelly & Mike

Here is Kelly and Mike’s wedding from late March at Upwaltham Barns.

It was the time of year when you never know what the weather is going to do and fortunately the Barns lend themselves well to this and also for photos if it does eventually rain like above!

Kelly got ready with the girls up the road at Hollandsfield Lodge before finishing prep at the Jasmine cottage on site with their ceremony following shortly after.

We had some fun afterwards and made use of the grounds for photos and I stayed late to get as much of the evening do as possible. I’ve found that after about 9pm things start to get a little crazy on any dancefloor, that extra vodka, the ‘surprise Jagerbomb’ always seems to have a positive effect on the crowd……

I was gone by about 11:30 and was really happy that once again I’d been able to rock out at Upwaltham Barns. Here’s some more photos from Kelly and Mike’s wedding day:

17th May 2016 3 CommentsBarn Weddings, Upwaltham Barns, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles

Farnham Castle
Amy & Tom

Here’s Amy and Tom’s Wedding at Farnham Castle. They were married in early September and we were spoiled with so much on the day to shoot.

Amy got ready in the Gate house with the girls and the guys were with Tom up in the bridal suite were Laura also was, covering their prep.

This was a wedding that oozed attention to detail. From personalised stationery, individual bridesmaids dresses, festoon lighting outside, projection lighting inside, light up signs, a painted cake on an ornamental dresser as well as flowers everywhere you can be sure there was a lot to experience and enjoy here.

Their ceremony was held in the Lantern Hall. I’ve seen this set up in various ways but they had it arranged for the longest aisle, and at the end of it, a nervous Tom was waiting.

There were flowers everywhere, pom poms, vases with stems and the light cut through the windows just so. As if everything was lining up as it was meant to. Their friends gave readings and played music, Amy and Tom said their vows and we went outside for a flood of confetti on the Foxes stairs.

There was plenty going on outside for the guests, with lawn games, a Prosecco Bar and canapes were served all under the imposing stature of Farnham Castle and as we were so high up, the view for miles across Farnham itself.

We took this time to steal Amy and Tom away for photos. The weather like this, at this time of year is a gift so we headed of to the pretty scenery and background around the Castle. when we returned the Gatsby Girls were performing as an introduction to dinner.

It was a lovely, cosy fit in the Lantern Hall for dinner. The tables were arranged in three long banqueting lines, dinner was served, speeches followed and we then went outside for cocktail hour along the stone hall and the lawn itself.

13th December 2016 1 CommentFarnham Castle, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles

Virginia Water Lake
Lisa & Richard

Here is Lisa and Richard from their couple’s shoot at Virginia Water Lake in October.

Virginia Water Lake lies on the southern edge of Windsor Great Park, in the borough of Runnymede in Surrey and it is right on their doorstep. So what better place to have their pre wedding shoot?

This was a lovely time of year. late spring and autumn are my favourite time for shoots becasue of the colour.

We did a circuit of the lake, visited the waterfall, stood in some fields and headed deep into the woods…

4th January 2017 1 CommentEngagement ShootsBy Chris Giles

Gorsefield Rural Studies Centre
Kathryn & Rhys

Gorsefield rural studies centre in Stansted Mountfitchet was the venue of choice for Kathryn and Rhys who tied the knot this July. The centre is normally used to increase children’s understanding of the environment and the importance of sustainable living but today was theirs, with a marquee pitched on the lawn and the house overtaken in preparation for the day ahead.

This was my first time shooting among rooms full of bunk beds and it was a completely different way of shooting the prep and fun too.

It’s the little things that stick with me and I knew I was going to have a good day when as soon as I arrived, Kathryns dad welcomed me in and someone shoved a large buttery piece of toast in my hand. That one kind gesture told me exactly the type of day I was going to have. And I wasn’t wrong.

The ceremony was down the road at the council offices and to get there the girls travelled in the family car, affectionately called ‘The Happy Hearse’ while I was in the ceremony area awaiting their arrival along with Rhys and all the guests.

It was a very emotional walk down the aisle, both Kathryn and her dad were excited, Kathryn so much so she held back for a minute as it seemed to be too much so her dad stole the opportunity and dived in for the first hug which was hilarious.

After, we all went back to Gorsefield where the afternoon unfolded. The lovely thing abot the rural studies centre is that there are allotments, polytunnels, orchards and lots of opportunities for photos without going too far.

That being said, during dinner I explored a bit further and was absolutely blown away with a sea of pink flowers and another field of yellow ones. We returned to them at sunset too.

I loved that they had their band and dancing outside on the grass and it worked really well. Something I wish I’d see more of at weddings. As the evening wore on things got progressively louder and they never really stopped dancing. I was there until nearly the end and at 11pm+ they were still going!

14th December 2016 Leave a commentGorsefield Rural Studies Centre, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles

St Bart’s Brewery
Harriet & Steve

Here is Harriet and Steve’s winter wedding from March. I knoi, I know March was 7 months ago I know but the thing is….it’s been a bit of a busy year this one. By the time I was ready to blog this I was full on into the wedding season.

Now though, the weather and the light is about the same so I guess I can show and tell this lovely couple with you.

I started their day at Malmaison in Smithfield. This is a pretty hotel with lots of neat decor everywhere. Harriet was getting ready in one of the suites and due to it’s proximity to their reception venue (St Barts Brewery) I was able to go back and forth for photos. I did fall a little bit in love with the old fashioned tungsten bulbs they had in the suite. You know, the ones with the glowing elements rather than the bright as the sun types.

Their guests were all congregating downstairs in the lobby of Malmaison ready to take a couple of routemasters to St John’s church in Hampstead where Steve was patiently waiting.

The first bus took the majority of the guests. The second one was taking us. But before then Harriet’s Dad had to come and get her, brolly in hand before they walked downstairs to the bus.

St John’s in Hampstead is beautiful. I loved the arches in the roof and the sense of space all around, the walk up to the doors is nice too. It was immensely helpful that I was able to move around a considerate amount in order to get the photos I needed to – the aisle Harriet walked down was lovely and long too.

After the ceremony a VERY happy Harriet and Steve walked out into their confetti and onwards to the buses where champagne was served for the return journey to St Barts Brewery.

Once back, we did some family photos in the shelter of Smithfield Market and headed off for Harriet and Steve’s couple shots.

10th December 2016 Leave a commentLondon Wedding Photography, St Barts Brewery, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles

Andaz Hotel London Wedding
Elaine & Simon

Elaine and Simon’s wedding in early October was the first time I’d been to the Andaz Hotel in London and what an epic wedding this was.This sprawling boutique hotel is full of subtle lighting and shiny surfaces which proved exceptionally useful for photos throughout the day.

I started off upstairs in the deluxe suite with Elaine, her mum and bridesmaids and after a short time I went downstairs to the gym area when Simon and the guys were getting ready. The gym was a great area to shoot in, you might not think it but the different textures and contrast really helped me to frame the photos before going back to the girls to finish up their prep shots.

Their ceremony was in the Fenchurch room and after the ceremony they exited to a wall of confetti from the guests with their reception drinks being held in the Masonic Temple.

Before they went there though I wanted to make use of the space so for five minutes set up a cool group shot (see above) as well as some photos of just Elaine and Simon using the ceiling above as well as the steps into the temple.

We then caught a cab to the Royal Exchange which took about five minutes and surprisingly there wasn’t a soul to be seen. It was completely still. Usually the Royal Exchange is a buzz of tourists but on this occassion there wasn’t anyone around so we absolutely made the most of the opportunity.

When we returned dinner was due to be served in the 1901 room. This space worked really well with one half being set for dinner, the other for the dancefloor and DJ. Elaine and Simon do win the best cake / sweet table of the year, it was so pretty to look at and the cake beng surrounded by a wall of white chocolate on each tier was pretty special too!

Before dinner there was the tea ceremony where gifts and regards were given, then dinner and speeches followed.

Elaine and Simon had some post wedding games before their dance. Their master of ceremonies helped to orchestrate these involving such things a ‘Can you identify each other by touch’ – ‘Can you kick an egg in a straight line with a tiny shoe on the end of a string’ and ‘Can you trace an egg from one trouser leg to the other’!

When it came to the first dance I wasn’t fully aware of what was going to happen. As in a top secret nobody told me full on flash mob with Simon and his groomsmen. It started off as a completely normal first dance, slow and steady, then the confetti went off and we thought that was it. But what actually happened was Elaine got led to a chair and a good 5 minutes of spinning, backflips, electric slides and blow up dolls took over.

The whole thing was amazing to be a part of, although I spent a lot of time thinking OMG OMG OMG to try and anticipate the next shot so I could nail it. Ha.

9th December 2016 Leave a commentAndaz Hotel London, London Wedding Photography, Wedding PhotographyBy Chris Giles