Lauren Mitchell Photography - Photography in Hampshire » Hampshire wedding photographer

The Wedding of Mark and Caroline at Marwell Zoo, Winchester

lauren@laurenmitchell.co.uk — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:01:25 +0000

Warning: If your an animal lover you might get a little jealous from reading this blog! Today was the day Mark and Caroline married at Marwell Zoo. The day started out at Caroline’s parents house which was filled with preparations for the big day. Teresa and I arrived just after 9am to start photographing the dress, shoes, giraffe wellies, flowers……hang on…..giraffe wellies?!? Yes….that’s right! The theme of the day! Caroline was very calm and seemed to be enjoying having make-up airbrush onto her face…..a technique we hadn’t seen before but Tania the make-up artist definitely knows what she’s doing. The make-up looked so natural and was great for the photographs. After photographing all the important things as well as fitting in a cup of tea we then all headed in convoy to Marwell Zoo Hotel where Caroline was going to put on her dress and finish the final preparations.After checking in, Caroline, her bridesmaids and her mum all headed upstairs into the Bridal suite which Mark has secretly decorated with candles and photos of them both – including ones from their pre-wedding shoot – Good boy! After settling down, the girls were all the their dresses in no time and helping Caroline into hers. She looked amazing. We decided given the time that we would shoot their individual shots after the ceremony so they all had orders not to cry during it! Teresa and I then headed inside the zoo gates driving towards Marwell Hall which is where the ceremony was to take place. I have to say we were just a little excited to be driving through Marwell Zoo spotting all the animals!We arrived to find Mark, a little nervous but chatting to guests as they arrived. The weather was holding as it was forecast to rain so we took Mark outside for some individual shots……I had warned Teresa she would probably need a step ladder to hold the reflector in front of Mark as he was over 6 ft tall, but she managed on the tips of her toes Pav the resident Toastmaster at Marwell was great and managed to get everyone laughing lots before the ceremony. The ceremony was beautiful and filled with laughter and emotion…..I’m sure Mark shed a little tear when he saw Caroline enter for the first time! You could tell they were both enjoying the day so far.After the ceremony it did start raining so I headed up to photograph the wedding breakfast marquee while Teresa took candid shots of everyone chatting. Thankfully the rain stopped so we quickly headed outside for some group shots followed by a confetti shot. After this we took Caroline and Mark around the venue for some couple shots, which were so much fun before heading to the Lemur area as they were both going to feed them…..and we were allowed inside to photograph the action! It was brilliant! Caroline and Mark absolutely loved it and so did we! The lemurs were such great characters so gentle as they took the food out of the couples hands.After this everyone headed up to the marquee for their meal followed by some very funny speeches and photos of rabbits! The cake was also amazing and a special mention must go to Mark’s mother who made it! Teresa and I stayed and photographed their first dance before saying our goodbyes and heading out of Marwell Zoo….despite Teresa’s pleas to stay and see the animals!It was a fantastic day, enjoyed by all.

Congratulations to both of you!

Lauren and Teresa x

Make-up by: Tania Claire www.taniaclaire.com

The Wedding of Grant and Lucy at Rivervale Barn

lauren@laurenmitchell.co.uk — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 22:30:54 +0000

Today we were shooting the wedding photography for a super couple – Grant and Lucy. We arrived at Sally Ann’s hairdressing in Aborfield to find Brenda, Lucy’s mum, and the 2 bridemaids busy having their hair done for the big day. We spent 40 minutes with them before heading over to Lucy’s parents house where Lucy was very relaxed in her pink ‘Bride’ housecoat and ‘Mrs Drummond’ slippers! We had plenty of time at the house so we were able to capture all the essentials shots as well as some fun shots of all the girls in the garden. The sun was shining and everyone was having a great time! Just before we left for the church we took the girls outside for their individual shots and when you hear ‘Oh my god! Is that really me…it looks like a magazine shoot!’ You know you are doing pretty well
We arrived at the church just as the guests from the first ceremony were leaving – it really was a ‘one in, one out’ situation! But we did have time for some shots with Grant and his Bestmen and Ushers. After, Teresa entered the church to set up while I waited outside for the Bride. The ceremony was full of happiness, emotion and lots of singing. Everyone enjoyed every moment. After the ceremony we gathered the wedding party outside for a confetti shot before taking the couple around the church grounds for a couple of shots. The weather was still fantastic, although a little windy which I think the Bride and her veil felt!
We knew we would be tight on timings when we discussed details at the pre-wedding meeting so when we arrived at Rivervale we started straightaway with the group shots. Everyone was so good getting in and out of shots that we had them all wrapped up in 20 minutes! Teresa then started taking candid shots while I popped inside to photograph the wedding breakfast room. We then both found the Bride and Groom to start their couple shots. Both were in great spirits so we captured some really fun natural shots.
I think Rivervale were slightly nervous that we weren’t going to get them back on time for their Wedding Breakfast as Olivia kept on popping out to see how we were doing, but we did get them back all safe and sound…….and on time to the relief of Olivia! We haven’t missed a time yet! During the wedding breakfast we took some candid shots of the magician entertaining the guests before photographing the speeches. They were excellent and I’m sure Grant will really appreciate the mop and bucket given to him by Lucy’s father!!

We left the couple dancing on the dance floor ready to enjoy the rest of their evening.

Glad you had such a super day!

Lauren and Teresa x

Photographs to follow!

Pre-wedding shoot – Ben and Carla at Warbrook House

lauren@laurenmitchell.co.uk — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 10:55:00 +0000

Yesterday evening I met up with Ben and Carla from Fleet, Hampshire who are getting married at Warbook House in Eversley in May. Despite the fantastic weather forecast for the week, it was a little dark and gloomy outside, but at least it wasn’t raining and as long as they were happy shooting outside then so was I!

I always meet the couple before their wedding to finalise timings and preparations for the big day and if they request a pre-wedding shoot then I’m more than happy to do this at the venue.. A pre-wedding shoot is a great way for any couples nervous about being photographed, the chance to relax and have a bit of fun….and to realised….it really isn’t that bad! We walked around the venue stopping at different places to take some photos, chat about poses that worked and ones that didn’t. It’s always nice to spend as much time with a couple as possible, getting to know them better and making them feel more relaxed. I believe as a photographer you take better photos if you know just a little bit more about your subjects.

We finished in the conservatory with some drinks as we ran through the wedding day. Great end to the evening.

Looking forward to the big day!

Lauren x

The Wedding of John and Lizzy at Fawsley Hall

lauren@laurenmitchell.co.uk — Sat, 19 Mar 2011 22:07:00 +0000

It was a bright and sunny day for the wedding of John and Lizzy. Teresa and I arrived at Lizzy’s parents house in Finmere, Buckinghamshire to be greeted with calmness and smiling faces. We were straight to work after the initial meet and greet so started upstairs with the dress, hair and make-up. The dress was gorgeous so we had no trouble taking stunning photos of this, after this we covered the shoes, flowers, jewellery and cards. Lizzy seemed to be veryhappy with how the day was progressing and was in her dress in no time thanks to Gen, her Maid of Honour. After Lizzy was in her dress we all headed out into the front garden for some individual shots. Lizzy and the Bridesmaids just took it all in their stride!

Teresa and I then headed literally 500 yards up for road to the church where we met John, the Best Man and the Ushers all ready greeting guests. As things were running to schedule we took them away for 10 minutes to photograph all the guys in the suits….I think secretly they all loved jumping around for some of the shots!

We then headed back towards the church, I waited outside for the Bride….who was early! While Teresa was taking photos of the wedding party inside. The ceremony was perfect, very personalised and emotional with some great readings by guests. The sun was still shining so we started with a confetti shot…..and not ‘any’ confetti shot at that!…..Imagine a confetti shot…..with cannons, yes….that’s exactly what it was! Lizzy’s parents thought it would be better to have the group shots in the church grounds which we had no problem doing so started calling out the groups. This lasted for around 15 minutes ending with a big group shot of the whole party.

After this, the Ushers ushered the guests back to the reception while we took a few more shots with just John and Lizzy. We then headed back to meet the guests at Fawsley Hall in Fawsley, Northamptonshire. The venue was stunning, set right in the heart of the countryside, so after having a quick scout around for locations we took the couple for 30 minutes of couple shots. It wasn’t hard to find some great places, and both John and Lizzy seemed at ease in front of the camera and after receiving the compliment ‘You have made it really fun for us’ …..you’ve got to doing something right!

We then give the couple time with their guests, so I took photos of the wedding breakfast room, while Teresa took candid shots of the guests…..we then found out Lizzy wanted to throw her bouquet – (yay!) There was a little competition at the front of the mass of girls but in the end it was one of Lizzy’s Bridesmaids who caught it!

The speeches were before the meal and were very funny and a delight to photograph. No one looked nervous and the guests looked like they were enjoying themselves!

We left the wedding party as they were about to start their first course.

Have a great honeymoon!

Lauren and Teresa x