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An Enchanting Day at Tower Hill Barns

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I knew from the moment I arrived at Alicia’s parent’s home in Wrexham that this was going to be a day of fun and laughter.  The bride was surrounded by her 5 bridesmaids chatting and giggling, and her mum and dad, Linda and David were on hand to help with all the preparations.   

Alicia & Dan were married at St Mary’s Cathedral in Wrexham, which is also Alicia’s family church. It’s a beautiful traditional building, and one I was familiar with as I shot Alicia’s brother’s wedding there just last year.  

After the ceremony we made our way to the enchanting Tower Hill Barns for a perfect afternoon of delicious food and drinks and plenty of entertainment, some of which came in the form of Dan and his rugby playing friends who were in fine voice, singing lots of rugby songs, the best one being Calom Lan – which really made me all goosebumpy again as it’s my dad’s favourite song too. 

I was so happy to be back at the barns, not just for the amazing setting (have I mentioned how fabulous it is??) but also to see the all the lovely staff who make everyone feel so welcome. Tower Hill Barns is a family run business and they go out of their way to make you feel right at home. Having people around who obviously love their job and want their guests to have the best time really does make a huge difference to a wedding day, they were all amazing.      

We had a great time with some different coloured smoke bombs that the bridal party danced around with, and I’m so pleased the pictures capture the exuberance of the moment! 

Alicia’s dad, David, is Italian and it’s a big tradition in Italian families for all the men to gather in the evening and smoke the biggest cigars they can lay their hands on.  This was one photograph I knew I just HAD to get, so as the evening was drawing to a close, I got the menfolk together and got one of my favourite shots of the day. 

What a day to remember!

A Golden Moment

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To say I love what I do would be an understatement. Meeting amazing couples, being lucky enough to share the biggest day of their life and getting to make memories that will last a lifetime is enough reward for my job, and I cherish that enormously.  

It’s so lovely though when your work is recognised away from the wedding day, and it’s not just the Bride and Groom that think your photographs are wonderful! 

I’ve been a member of the Guild of Photographers for two years now, and every month they have a competition that members can enter.  It’s only been in the last eighteen months that I’ve been brave to enough to enter some of my favourite shots. Having your work looked at by your peers and voted for by some of the top photographers in the country is nerve-racking, to say the least!    

I recently submitted a picture I took at the wedding of Puja and Sam at the Belsfield Hotel in Windermere.  It was one of those days where rain almost stopped play, and we were inside for most of the photos because of the wet weather. The hotel is part of the Laura Ashley chain, so we were spoilt for choice with the gorgeous interior and I took a shot of Puja on the stairwell holding her bouquet.  It was a beautiful shot and my favourite of the day – and also the one I entered into the competition.   

To my absolute delight, I got a call to say I had won a Gold Award in the wedding category, which is very rarely handed out, so for me to get it was a massive achievement and a real honour. When I found out I was literally screaming around the house! I told Puja and Sam that one of their wedding photographs had won and they were just as thrilled, it’s one of their favourite shots of the day too.  

Winning the Gold Award means I now have enough awards to become a lifelong member of The Guild, which supports top photographers around the world, from wedding photographers to arts and documentary specialists.  

I can’t tell you how much this means to me, and to be honest I’m still a little bit in shock! 

You can see the winning shot below.

Let me know what you think, and please do get in touch if you think I’m the kind of photographer you’d like for your special day.

A Romantic Wedding Tower Hill Barns

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One of the perks of my job as a wedding photographer is seeing some of the nation’s most beautiful venues in all their glory. I’ve shot weddings in castles, in churches, in stunning hotels and they all have their unique charm.  

In August, I was lucky enough to shoot not one but two weddings (in the same week!) at Tower Hill Barns, a place described on their website as “oozing rustic charm”, and even that description doesn’t do the place justice!  It’s absolutely magical!  Tower Hill Barns is a venue I had never been to before but is now one of my absolute favourite places to photograph. 

Emma and Chris were first up, with an outdoor ceremony under the old 19th-century railway bridge at the venue. I’ve known Chris for a number of years as my husband used to play football with him, so I knew this wedding was going to be a fabulous day. 

There is something very special about outdoor ceremonies.  I love them. Maybe it’s the fresh air and the smells of summer that help to make the atmosphere so much more romantic.  It certainly gave me goosebumps during the ceremony!  

The guests gathered to see Emma walk down the aisle, and she was the picture of calm and beauty as she did. She was one of those brides that was chilled and took everything in her stride, she looked breath-taking. 

One of the highlights of the day was during the ceremony, when Emma’s nieces, Megan, aged 8, and Jessica, aged 6, read out a poem called “Getting Married Means You’ll Have…” It’s a lovely, funny poem and the girls read it beautifully.  For them to do that at such a young age and in front of 100 guests was a proud moment for everyone. They were amazing.   

Soon it was time for photographs with the newly married couple and I had the most fantastic time.  The best thing about Tower Hill Barns is that whichever way you turn, you spot a photo opportunity. I was absolutely spoilt for choice and got some truly stunning photographs. 

As I left after a day of joy and happiness, I had a huge smile on my face, knowing that I would be back at this most wonderful of venues in just a few days time.