Stylish Autumn wedding with sparklers at the Elvetham

the bride and groom embrace as the veil floats in the air

I have photographed several weddings at the Elvetham and on this occasion it was a cold November day.

Bridal preparations

My day started with the girls in hair and make up with CJ Beauty

the make up artist applies eyeshadow to the bride

a close up detail photograph of the buttons on the back of the bride's dress

The bride and bridesmaids got ready in the light filled Seymour room. She wore a lace and satin sheath dress with buttons down the back, which showed off her amazing figure. Her dress was from The Farnham Boutique.

the bride puts in her earrings as she gets ready

the bride sits in a window seat and puts on her shoes in the Seymour room at the Elvetham

It’s good to capture the details during the bridal preparations, like her flowers and putting on her shoes and jewellery. But I also love the little impromptu moments for example this one of the flower girl practising carrying the bride’s train.

the little flower girl practises holding the bride's wedding dress train in the hotel room before the ceremony

Of course some couples will ask for specific wedding photos, like these of the bride with her flower girls under her veil.

the bride and her two flower girls stand together underneath her wedding veil

The bride holds her flower girl and they book look towards the camera

And I love the natural, unposed moments, like the the father of the bride seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time. As well as them walking down the stairs together.

The father of the bride sees his daughter for the first time on the morning of her wedding

The father of the bride walks his daughter down the stairs past the stained glass window

The father of the bride walks his daughter down the stairs at the Elvetham Hotel

I used the Morning room as the backdrop for the photographs of the bride with her bridesmaids.

The bride and her bridesmaid sit in the window holding their wedding bouquets at the Elvetham Hotel

Groom preparations

The groom chose to get ready at home. Then they popped into the Bell Inn opposite the church for a pre wedding drink. My second photographer accompanied them.

The groom and his groomsmen enjoy a drink in the pub before the wedding ceremony

The best man helps the groom with his buttonhole

All Saints Parish Church, Odiham

The groom had portraits with his groomsmen in the church grounds.

The groom relaxes on a bench before the ceremony

The groom and groomsmen pose in front of the church door

The wedding ceremony

Everyone smiled when the little flower girl and page boy walked down the aisle hand in hand. And the groom shed some tears when he saw his bride for the first time.

The flower girl and page boy walk together down the aisle in front of the bridesmaid

a bridesmaid walks down the aisle and makes a face at the guests

The groom wipes away a tear as the bride and her father walk down the aisle

The bride and groom stand together at the altar in church

the bride raises an eyebrow at her soon to be husband in church

the bride watches her new husband as he says his wedding vows to her in church

the bride and groom share their first kiss after the wedding ceremony in church

the smiling wedding couple listen to the sermon in church

the new spouses walk happily back down the aisle, as they smile at their wedding guests in church

After the recessional, the whole wedding party posed for a group shot, taken from the balcony. Next everyone went out of the church and lined the path with confetti in hand. I love the expressions and guest reactions during the confetti.

the whole wedding party look up for a group photo in the church

the wedding guests shower the couple with confetti as they walk out of the church

the newly married couple sit in the wedding car after the ceremony

The Couple photographs

The drinks reception was in the Gloriana bar. Meanwhile I took the couple outside for some photos before the November light faded. I think that it is more important to get the wedding portraits done in the natural light. I can always do the group photos indoors with flash.

black and white photo of newly weds smiling at each other as the groom leans against a metal gate

the bride and groom hold each other and look directly at the camera

the bride leans her head against the grooms shoulder as they stand under the autumn leaves

There is such a huge variety of beautiful spots in the grounds. Everything from bridges to gateways to arches. As well as having the backdrop of the building. Since it was Autumn we made sure that we got some of the autumnal leaves in the photos too.

the newly married couple walk hand in hand and the Elvetham Hotel is in the background

the groom kisses the bride's cheek, her veil fills the front of the picture and the Elvetham is seen in shadow behind the couple

the bride looks at her bouquet as she stands in the famous topiary avenue at the Elvetham

The bride and groom stand with their heads together, in the middle of the Benny Hill avenue of trees

the bride and groom enjoy a quiet moment as they embrace and smile at each other

With the group photographs taken, after that we photographed the Library set up ready for the wedding breakfast.

the library at the Elvetham decorated ready for the wedding breakfast

wedding flowers and details on the tables for the wedding breakfast

Mr & Mrs lit up letters along with rose petals on a cabinet at the wedding

The speeches

the bride pumps her fist and shouts during the best man's speech

the bride and grrom laugh during the father of the bride's speech

the bride and guests raise their champagne glasses to toast during the speeches

Evening photos

The bride and groom cut the cake and their guests watched from the stairs. Afterwards the newly weds surprised everyone with an amazing choreographed first dance in the Morning Room.