Rachel and Christopher- a lovely local wedding in Faversham {sneak peek}

As a Faversham based photographer, it’s always lovely to have local weddings and to work with local people (who I often bump into in the supermarket .. but that’s another story). So you can imagine my delight when the gorgeous Rachel and handsome Chris met me at a wedding fair and subsequently booked me to capture their day. We had kept in touch in the lead up to the wedding and kept bumping into each other and then, suddenly, the time came and it was their turn to celebrate. As weddings go, this was pretty fun – a wonderful fusion of Northern Irish flair and Canadian hospitality. Warm words were spoken and many miles travelled and it was a wonderful, relaxed and friendly day.

And now to show a few images … but it isn’t a few … it’s quite a few …

When you have a bride this beautiful … you put her in a tiny tight alleyway alongside the Air BnB where her parents were staying!!

The boys, who had leisurely had breakfast in Faversham, looked pretty smart!

Now, my beautiful bride is a self-confessed blinker … so I had to be aware of this when taking portraits … no problems in this shot as proud dad Mark looks on.

A lovely first kiss after a personal ceremony delivered by Reverend Simon who I’ve had the pleasure of working with before.

A touch breezy …

Rachel and Chris chose to be transported in style by the fabulous team from Buttonholes and Bouquets who I’ve worked in the past. Lovely to see you both again!

After the meal, we had time to stroll out into the grounds for a few images whilst the guests were enjoying post-dinner drinks in the sunshine. Sometimes this can be a nice time for the bride and groom to be alone … with me …

Despite Rachel not being too keen on having a first dance, with the encouragement of their DJ, Ian, and their families and friends, they did and it was great to see everyone join in as soon as I’d got the shot!

Spending time with the lovely couple really does make me believe in the sentiment below “Love is a fairy tale come true”

And I wish Rachel and Chris the most wonderful married life together, full of adventures and laughter. Congratulations to you both, it was a pleasure to be part of your day xxx

Knockwood Bespoke Receptions – styled wedding photoshoot

We have had the most beautiful weather in the UK recently and I was honoured to be invited along to take some promotional images at Knockwood Bespoke Receptions near Canterbury. This gorgeous and new-to-the-market is what’s known as a “dry hire”. Basically, the venue provides the land and you then personalise your wedding to suit you. They have a great list of local suppliers and on the April open day, My Tipi Event set up in the grounds and provided and wonderful backdrop for many of Knockwood’s recommended suppliers of which I am delighted to be one!

It was great to work with some “old friends” and to meet new local suppliers too. The weather, as you can see from the images, was absolutely glorious and very, very hot. As a photographer, I would usually not choose to shoot portrait images at this time of day, waiting until the heat and the sun have faded a little but I always love a challenge and we managed to achieve some wonderful shots and I hope you like them too.

Links to the other awesome suppliers are below:

Jade Shona – Make Up Artist
http://www.jadeshonamakeup.weebly.com
​
My Tipi Event
http://www.mytipievent.co.uk

Kent Party Props – Event Styling
http://www.kentpartyprops.com

Brides by Zoe
http://www.weddingdresskent.co.uk

Amanda Jane Venue Stylist
http://www.amanda-jane.co.uk/

Anna’s Country Flowers
http://www.annascountryflowers.co.uk

UP Do’s for I Do’s
https://www.facebook.com/updosforidosx/

 

Fordwich Town Hall – the smallest town hall in Great Britain {styled shoot}

Having photographed a wedding at Fordwich Town Hall earlier in June, I was delighted to be invited back by the lovely venue organiser, Melanie, who runs a highly successful wedding stationery company, Daisy Sheep Shop, and also finds time to facilitate events at the Town Hall. Working with a top quality list of suppliers (which you can find below), and the lovely Katie and Shannon, who totally worked their dresses, it was a very successful morning!

We worked also with Fordwich River Tours and Ethelbert …

Beautiful make up by Gemma Morpurgo …

And the bridal floristry talents of Lucy Day at www.wildbloom.co.uk enhanced the beautiful bridal gowns from the lovely Zoe at Brides by Zoë who is based in Canterbury.

The bright sunshine in conjunction with amazing blue skies was perfect for this shoot (with a few lighting challenges for the photographer …)

I love the “messy plait” by bridal hair stylist Helen at Stevies Styles … stunning!

And, of course, not forgetting to mention our beautiful little flowergirl who posed and smiled and giggled … and so well behaved too!

I was also able to photograph beautiful wedding favours by the incredibly talented Jennifer at Oast House Gifts – I’ve worked with Jennifer and seen many of her beautiful and exceptionally intricate wedding favours – she is one of the most patient people I know!

A huge thank you to everyone who gave up their time on a very hot Monday in June and if you are looking for top quality local Kent wedding suppliers, then you’ve found them here!

Venue: Fordwich Town Hall near Canterbury

Bridal gowns: www.weddingdresskent.co.uk

Bridal bouquets: Lucy Day at www.wildbloom.co.uk

Bridal makeup: Gemma Morpurgo

Bridal hair stylist: Helen at Stevies Styles

Wedding favours: Jennifer at www.oasthousegifts.com

Photographer: www.samanthajonesphotography.co.uk

 

East Kent Lifestyle Magazine – wedding feature

I was recently asked to put a few words and photographs together to be used in the latest edition of the East Kent Lifestyle Magazine (link to latest edition).

And there is my business, on page 78 … with thanks to the lovely Amy of AM Marketing who facilitated the introduction which resulted in the article being published.

Ah, those sunny days of summer weddings … although my first wedding of 2017 was pretty sunny too!

If you are planning a 2017 or 2018 wedding, I’d love to hear more and you can email me sam@samanthajonesphotography.co.uk and we can meet up over tea and cake …

Crown Lodge – a beautiful wedding venue in the Wye Valley

In my job as a wedding photographer, I get to photograph beautiful weddings at beautiful venues. And I get to meet the owners, the co-ordinators, those “behind the scenes” people that make every wedding run like clockwork. And I am also lucky enough to be invited to see revitalised venues and reintroduced venues … such as the gem which is Crown Lodge.

Ceremonies can be held in the tranquil outside area or, should showers threaten, in the light and bright venue itself.

The views are spectacular …

And the locals are very friendly too!

If you are planning a wedding in 2016 or 2017, why not give the fabulous team at Crown Lodge a call.  You will be smitten, as I was. And, of course, if you are looking for a wedding photographer who doesn’t mind mixing with the locals, drop me an email sam@samanthajonesphotography.co.uk and we can chat further!

The Tower House in Canterbury – a unique wedding venue

I had the pleasure of spending an hour or two at this lovely venue right in the city centre of Canterbury and just next to the river.  Hayley, who co-ordinates events at The Tower House (towerhousecanterbury.co.uk), showed me around and explained a little more about the venue itself.

The Tower House can hold weddings, celebrations (such as wedding or birthday lunches) and corporate events too.

From the website: “The Tower House is an intimate and sophisticated venue, offering a touch of originality and a sense of grandeur. Tower House is fully licensed to host your wedding, civil ceremony or reception for up to 70 people.”

And I totally agree. The venue is quirky and, from a photography perspective, offers an amazing amount of options for portraits, formal shots, along with the beautiful ceremony room which looks out on the gardens.  Drinks and canapes are held outside on the veranda but there is always the option to host the event inside if the weather doesn’t play ball.

This is the room set aside for bridal preparations … light and spacious!

And the potential for amazing portraits …

If you are looking for a unique city centre venue that can host lots of different events, The Tower House might just be the place for you.

And, of course, if you are looking for a photographer, do drop me a line sam@samanthajonesphotography.co.uk and I’d be more than happy to chat further!

 

 

East Quay in Whitstable … new branding!

I do love to be beside the seaside and no more so than with camera in hand and a job to do. The lovely Clare from www.eqvenue.com invited me over to take some shots of their new branding and also some smaller detail shots.

The signage bold, bright and quirky. Pretty much like the venue itself. If you are planning a wedding at East Quay then please do drop me a line sam@samanthajonesphotography.co.uk.

Or if you are a venue or a business who are looking for fresh, up-to-date images for website use or promotional literature, then I hope to hear from you soon!

Canterbury Cathedral Lodge wedding open day

I had the pleasure last Sunday of popping along to the Canterbury Cathedral Lodge (www.canterburycathedrallodge.org/) to do some behind-the-scenes photographs of the set-up for their open day.

Catherine, one of the wedding co-ordinators, excitedly explained that there were lots of brides and grooms coming along who had either already booked their wedding at this unique venue or who were in the process of making that decision … and I’m quite sure that seeing the room and table settings beautifully created by Emily and her team at www.idodevoteddreams.co.uk and flowers by the talented team at contemporaryflowers.co.uk would inspire any couple to book this amazing venue.

The themes were, amongst others “Glitz and Glamour”, “Vintage Tea”and “Rustic” but I must say my favourite was “Glitz and Glamour”. The sequined tablecloth and beautiful flower filled candelabra was just stunning. Contact me and used the code “SEQUINS”, and you’ll get a 10% discount of the full day wedding package (new enquiries only).

I’m sure that the day went extremely well judging by how many brides and grooms were there at the start and I’m very much looking forward to photographing Robyn and Paul’s wedding at this extraordinary venue later this year.

Do drop me a line at sam@samanthajonesphotography.co.uk if you are planning your wedding and looking for a photographer who is local to Canterbury … and don’t forget the sequins!!

 

Wedding fairs – Spring 2016

It’s nearly time again for the spring set of wedding fairs.  I love meeting brides and grooms at wedding fairs and hearing their stories whether they are just recently engaged or a little further along in their planning.

 

I would be so great to see you … but, of course, if you can’t make it to one of the fairs, I’m available to meet over tea and cake …

 

 

A lovely testimonial from a fabulous couple!

It’s so nice to be able to deliver wedding images in person. It’s not always possible to do it but I was able to visit Jill and Kevin when they returned from their honeymoon to hand over their final edits from their wedding at East Quay in Whitstable.

And it was equally nice to catch up with the “after show” events, what their high points were from their day and to show them a little slideshow too … and, in return, I received a lovely bottle of bubbly and the kindest testimonial …

Such words make me realise how much I love what I do. And I get the best couples too! If you are planning your wedding in Kent for 2015, why not drop me a line sam@samanthajonesphotography.co.uk and tell me about your plans …