Joanne Collins Photography

Oh wow what a busy, busy day!  I started at 10.30am arriving at The Chilston Manor in Aylesford and was pleased to see that the weather was holding out, with no rain.  As soon as Claire glimpsed me opening the bridal suite door, she beamed, looking totally relaxed and very happy.  I had 1 hour for the bridal preparation coverage, during this time I needed to photograph the dress, flowers, jewellery, hair, make-up, everything, I worked swiftly and then left to join the rest of the wedding party at the wonderful Allington Castle, which I have to admit I was very excited about.

Allington Castle is quite simply Kent’s best kept secret. The castle is nestled in 42 acres next to the Medway river it is surrounded by a moat and fronted by two lakes which are split by a causeway leading you the the castle gates. The extensive gardens are a photographic dream set out in a Medieval style with Italian gardens,Lavender walk, Parterre, Courtyard and formal ponds.

The ceremony room was stunning, with its old stone walls and magnificent hanging tapestries, made for such a stunning back drop.  After the ceremony there was a down pouring of rain, which meant we were confined to taking pictures under an archway, but this worked out fine and with the correct camera settings was able to highlight the group and incorporate the wonderful pond backdrop and trees.  The sun then smiled down and we spent 20 minutes together taking the romantic shots, then we were back inside the majestic castle for the wedding breakfast and speeches. Fantastic Magician Chris Harding was there to mystify the guests and surprise them beyond belief with his fantastic array of magic tricks!

The time now is 7pm and we all headed over to Chilston Manor Park Hotel for the Reception.  The guests travelled in a pillar box red quirky styled wedding celebration bus, this of course was all captured on camera with great humour. 30 minute drive and we have returned to the Chilston for cake cutting and the first dance.   There was a little twist to the reception arrival of the Bride, Groom and Bridesmaids  …. this being that they had an entourage of Drummers, beating their drums, whilst the bridal party chanted and clapped their hands, it was fantastic and something which was new to me. The pathway was lit with garden border lamps and they danced their way along the path and onto the Dance Floor where they danced in a circle with the drummer in the centre, clapping and singing together with great energy and joy.

I left Claire and Metin at 9pm dancing the night away with their family and friends, but just before leaving I took a picture of the Chilston Flood Lit with golden lights, it looked amazing and summed up the wonderful wonderful day.

Pictures will be following soon.

Kent Life is a delightful and totally unique venue set in 28 acres of beautiful rural surroundings – the perfect setting for a romantic Kentish wedding … and that was were I spent my wonderful day today, photographing Donnalee and Adam’s beautiful wedding.

Donnalee has been so anxious all week about the weather, with all their preparations, seemingly hanging in the balance of those golden rays of light.  As a wedding photographer, I know that there are great captures to be made whatever the weather, and that is my job!  But for the bride and groom, sunshine makes them feel extra special.  Rain was predicted for today and so the tension grew, but at 6am, as the curtains were quickly drawn, it was clear that we were going to be blessed with blue skies and sunshine.

Mother and Father of the bride have been so meticulously involved in the entire journey, with Maureen drying rose petals, literally for 3 years in anticipation of her gorgeous daughter marrying the man of her dreams, and today was the day, so you can imagine the emotion which was present.

There were tears from the family and exuberant laughter coming from the bride and groom, who constantly teased and jibed each-other, which was heartwarming to see and of course to photograph.

The ceremony was lovely and after the customary group shots (all 27 of them!) I had 30 minutes left to whisk the newlywed’s away for their romantic shots.  Kent Life is so vast, with so much choice for wonderful backdrops, we visited the aromatic herb garden, they sat in the well known kissing chair, walked the wooden steps of the old oast house,  and then as they meandered their way along the pathway back to Ulcombe Hall, I snapped away, whilst they spoke and laughed together, capturing some wonderful natural shots.

Ulcombe Hall had been dressed beautifully for the wedding breakfast.  I loved the country theme and attention to tiny details, like the purple ribbon tied lavender and centerpiece baskets filled with little purple flowers.  The delicious food by Zest Creative Catering was being applauded by so many of the wedding guests and once everyone’s tummies were full the wedding speeches commenced, which were both sentimental with well wishes and incredibly funny with the best man’s life before and after the arrival of his now beautiful bride.

The day was drawing to a close with the cutting of the cake, followed by warm celebratory moments with family and friends before they left to return home.

A truly gorgeous day was had by all!   Please check back as pictures from today will be added very soon!

I have just returned from Dan and Tracey’s wedding, 10 hour coverage at The Chilston Manor Park Hotel, Sandway, Maidstone.  When I arrived the sky was blue with amazing puffy white clouds, I was in my element and the Manor House looked amazing.  Daffodils and red Tulips adorned the beautifully manicured gardens.  It’s so peaceful at the Chilston.

The Bridal party was busying around The Star room, having their make-up and hair dressed and of course not forgetting the copious amounts of champagne being sipped by everyone.  The room is large, which coped easily with the bride, the four adult bridesmaid, mum and other family members, everyone had there own corner, where they were preparing. I also loved the way there was a ‘guest’s belongings’ labeled clothes rail!  The Chilston dates all the way back to the 1600s and has the most stunning grand wooden staircase, fireplaces and antiques, a photographer’s dream of an interior backdrop.

Tracey’s wedding dress was so beautiful, a real princess gown and the bridesmaids looked so very elegant in their clover green dresses.

Dan arrived with the groomsmen, in amazing style, with a magnificent helicopter which of course made for great photography!

After the ceremony, confetti and group photos I took the newlywed couple around the gardens, the historical interior and around the lake. There were countless places for me to capture the romance and those intimate moments.

At almost 10pm, the bride, groom and guests will be partying away and continuing to enjoy the celebratory day.

A wonderful 3 week honeymoon will follow and then, waiting for them upon their return,  will be their wedding photos, enabling them to re-live their wedding all over again!

For a snapshot of their day please check back soon.