Natural posing – what to expect from your couple portraits
How to get the best out of your portrait photos. I have put together a short blog post as a guide to ‘natural posing’ for your couple portraits
Is ‘Natural Posing' even a thing? I have put together a few tips in this short blog post how to get the best out of your couple portrait session and engagement shoots and to put your mind at ease.
A lot of couples bring this topic up at our first initial meeting: “We don’t like our photo taken” …Well, most people, including me don’t like having their photo taken. So I worked on my approach to make the couple portrait session as comfortable and fun as possible. “Posing” doesn’t need to be cheesy or unnatural. First of all, my top tips for couple photos and feeling like a natural in front of the camera:
Trust me/your photographer and let them direct you
It’s a chance to have some alone time on your wedding day (apart from me following you around!) – embrace it
It’s okay to be nervous, but I will tell you what to do and will be with you all the way. Plus you don’t need to look at the camera most of the time
Always be touching or giving each other attention! This is soooooo important – you need to connect with each other. Without connection there is no magic in the photos!
Keep moving, dance, paddle in the shore or just be be silly – it makes for beautiful natural images if you’re moving around
Don’t look at the camera (unless told!). We will take a full length portrait with you looking at me towards the end of the session. So we can see your outfits and makeup etc.
Try and keep hands occupied – ideally touching and connecting with your partner. Believe me, hands are so important in an image
Get close, and be in the moment, you have just got married and it is fine to hug, kiss and get close
Schedule in your couple shots after dinner when you have had a few drinks or a second session
Try to forget you are being photographed
Book an engagement shoot before your big day to learn how it feels to be in front of the camera and work with your photographer
Have a laugh!
It feels like a lot to take in right now, but believe me it will be easy. Here are a few of my ‘go to shots’ to give you an idea:
Walking towards me / Walking away
Heads together
Dance and Swirl, Pick Up
Sitting
Close Up of Details
Standing together looking away
Getting Close
Generally being silly - one of my favourites!
The landscape - aka tiny people
Classic Standing Together
Candid Shots during the day- definitely my favourite!
If you want to practise ‘natural posing’ please contact me for availability of a portrait session or engagement / pre wedding shoot. Let’s go and have some fun!
Beautiful Cornwall and Devon Beach Wedding Vibes
There are so many things to love about beach weddings! Just imagine saying ‘I do’ under the warm sun with a backdrop of turquoise sea and beautiful blue sky listening to waves crashing on the shore. Then paddling romantically in the sea, stroll around the beach, watch the sunset with a cocktail in your hand and dance the night away with a small group of loved ones. I have made a collection of some of my favourite coastal weddings around Cornwall and Devon from the last couple of years to get you inspired along with some planning tips for your ultimate beach wedding
There are so many things to love about beach weddings! Just imagine saying ‘I do’ under the warm sun with a backdrop of turquoise sea and beautiful blue sky listening to wavs crashing on the shore. Then paddling romantically in the sea, stroll around the beach, watch the sunset with a cocktail in your hand and dance the night away, maybe even outdoors under the stars, festival style. If that sounds like your idea of a perfect wedding day, then beach weddings are for you. I have made a collection of some of my favourite coastal weddings around Cornwall and Devon from the last couple of years to get you inspired.
I have also put together a few planning tips for your wedding by the sea. Collected from feedback of past couples and my observations to help you plan your dream beach wedding.
Why choose a beach wedding…
If you want a relaxed, informal do, especially one that stretches over a few days, beach weddings are great. There can also be less planning involved for your decoration as the stunning backdrop often needs little to add. And they're easy to keep small and intimate. Couples often keep their beach weddings relatively small and intimate to give you the option to stay for a bit longer and you can have your wedding and honeymoon all rolled into one! Just make sure you send your Save The Dates out early so people have time to plan.
They are also perfect if you don’t want any guests at all. Many of my real brides opted for elopement weddings, a little romantic get away for just the two of you. There are some stunning elopement and small wedding venues here in Cornwall which also offer boutique accommodation for a truly romantic runaway wedding.
Dream Dresses for Beach Weddings
The bride’s dress should reflect the beach wedding’s relaxed and casual atmosphere. Lightweight and flowing fabrics like chiffon or tulle create a stunning beachy effect. Beach Weddings also lend themselves perfectly to an effortless boho look. Mos importantly a beach wedding dress should be relaxed and super easy to wear, especially if you're splashing in the sea or playing games on the sand.
For your accessories, an effortless ‘just pulled together’ look is amazing for a day on the beach. Accessories that work well can include a delicate headpiece, bohemian-styled jewelry, and a bouquet made of loosely arranged tropical flowers and greens.
Think a relaxed up do or a twisting hair vine with shell hair pins. Or go for the wavy beach hair look. If your ceremony is actually on the beach, a short and simple veil that won't trail in the sand is a good idea. Or skip the veil altogether. Regarding shoes, keep it comfortable and ditch the high heels, they are not the most practical shoes to wear on a sandy beach! Sandals, glamorous flip flops or even barefoot is the way to go. To be honest most of my brides ditched their shoes soon after the ceremony and ended up barefoot the rest of the day. Also tell your guests as sometimes people don’t plan their outfit accordingly.
For the guys, think relaxed linen suits or even just linen trousers or shorts with casual short sleeve shirts. It can be quite hot when it’s a sunny day, so avoid thick tweed suits etc. , the linen or any light fabrics will keep you cool in the summer breeze.
Tell your guests to keep it casual too and to bring sunscreen, hats and comfortable shoes with them
Sea inspired Decor
Another bonus of beach weddings is that your surroundings are so beautiful, you won’t need much decor. A colour theme incorporating the whites and blues of the scenery is lovely and add some loosely arranged local Cornish plants or integrate some tropical flowers and greens. You can so easily create your own DIY beach-themed wedding decor, such as driftwood centerpieces, conch-shell candle holders, and starfish garlands and sprinkle some shells on the tables.
Beach themed Cake
No wedding reception is complete without a cake, and for a beach wedding, the cake should reflect the seaside setting. Opt for a beach-themed cake, such seashells or or beach themed cake topping. You can even customize it to fit your colour palette.
Beach Games
Entertain your guests with beach games, like a game of Rounders, Giant Jenga, Limbo dancing, Pétanque…and think about the little ones, get some buckets and spates, so they can build sand castles.
Choose the right Photographer
When searching for a photographer, it’s crucial to find one who has a candid, natural style and experience in shooting beach weddings. Look through their portfolio and be sure to inquire about their experience with relaxed style weddings. This will give you confidence in their ability to capture your special day in the best possible light.
With your couple portraits, have fun with it and be playful! Walk hand-in-hand along the shoreline, take a dip in the ocean, or include a candid moment with your guests. Whatever you choose, your pictures will be sure to bring a smile to your face each time you look at them.
If you hate your photo taken, which most of my couples do to be honest. Consider adding an engagement shoot to your wedding photography package. This way you can get comfortable with your photographer and practice ahead of your big day. This will also help you get to know your photographer better and develop a relationship and trust, which can help you feel more at ease on the day of your wedding. Plus you get some extra shots you can use as invitations or integrate in your decoration.
If you would like to get some more inspiration from a Boho DIY details wedding at Pohawnfort, please visit RockMyWedding to view a feature of Katie & Alex beautiful relaxed day there, also featured on my blog
And if you are planning a coastal wedding any time soon, please don’t hesitate to contact me for availability. I get booked up very fast for the summer months, so be quick!
Best of 2024 - some of my favourite moments
A collection of some of my favourite moments captured in 2024!
Finally! Here it is, some of my favourite moments of 2024! It is a bit of a funny one for me, capturing love everywhere and losing my own long term relationship at the start of the year. But hey, I’m staying positive and looking ahead excited what the future will bring…
I want to take this as an opportunity to thank all my amazing couples to put their trust in me to capture one of their most important days in their life, I truly feel honoured to have the privilege. And to all the suppliers I worked with this year, we have such a great community in the Southwest, what a beautiful industry to work in. Thanks for your support! I can’t wait what 2025 brings, some well known places and also exciting new ones on the list so far And to all my 2025 couples, I can’t wait to meet you soon!
If you’re still looking for a wedding photographer for 2024, I have a couple of spaces left. 2026 is filling up super fast, so please don’t hesitate to reserve your favourite suppliers and contact me for availability.
Why Autumn is a great season to plan your Wedding
There's something about the cooler season that makes things more intimate and romantic. I love autumn, the colours, the light, the ambience. It is certainly the season which brings a certain creative flair to weddings and out of a photographer’s perspective it is a great season to plan your wedding, I have listed a few reasons why …
There's something about the cooler season that makes things more intimate and romantic. I love autumn, the colours, the light, the ambience. It is certainly the season which brings a certain creative flair to weddings and out of a photographer’s perspective it is a great season to plan your wedding, I have listed a few reasons why …
Autumn Colors: Is there anything more beautiful than nature at its best? The colours of autumn never fail to make us feel inspired. Autumn leaves provide a natural backdrop for photos, and the season's colors can be used in flowers and decor. I personally love the warm, earthy autumnal colours, bright reds, vibrant oranges, rustic browns and warm yellows create the perfect backdrop for weddings.
The Atmosphere: Autumn and Winter evenings are longer and you can create atmospheric settings with candles, lanterns and fairy lights. Also you can have a sparkler exit leading into your evening entertainment instead of having to wait for it to get dark enough. And why not add some fire pits to your outdoor space, everyone loves a roasted marshmallow for some extra treats. There is something raw and natural sitting by the warmth of a fire. Roll on Log Burner Season!
Autumnal Decor: Autumnal décor is one of the main draws of people to get married at this time of year. Think rustic wood signs, pumpkins, hand dream stationary with leaves ornaments, mushrooms, twigs and colourful leaves, scented candles and fairy lights plus plenty more nature inspired items to create a truly whimsical autumn wonderland wedding. A feast for your photographer’s detail shots.
The Best Natural Lighting: We all heard of golden hour, the magical light just before sunset. This is at its most beautiful in autumn and it’s just at the right time in the afternoon. Mix the golden light with golden autumn leaves and your photographer can create magical photos.
Fresh produce: Autumn is harvest season for many fruits and vegetables, which can be used in your wedding food. From mulled wine and cider, a smokey whisky to delicious meals incorporating tastes of cinnamon, apple and nutmeg, autumn weddings really give couples the opportunity to offer a unique dining experience. And to be honest - it’s quite often all about the food!
Wedding Attire:
Autumn, it is truly the time to go bold and beautiful! Embrace the colors of the season and make it a running theme for your decor and clothes choice. Think gorgeous earthy tones for your bridesmaid dresses and embrace rustic reds, burnt oranges or deep burgundy’s. Seasonal flowers in the autumn are also stunning and it’s easy pairing them with similar tone gowns and décor to bring it all together into your autumnal wedding vision.
Empty Beaches:
We all love a beach wedding, but the reality is Devon and Cornwall’s beaches can be super busy in Spring and Summer and it’s hard to find a quiet corner for some great portrait photos sometimes. When the season draws to a close and the days get colder the beaches get quieter, which means you can have a whole beach by yourselves without an expensive exclusive hire of a beach wedding venue with a private beach. The opportunities for photos are plenty which results in better imagery. Let’s face it, who wants a whole town of wind breakers in the background or men in speedos running past their wedding photos!
Better Deals:
Another huge benefit is the cost factor. If you choose an autumn date rather than a peak season summer date for your wedding you might be able to secure better rates on your hotel, band, car hire and photographer etc. Weddings are expensive and every little saving helps to plan the wedding of your dreams.
So if you’re planning an autumn wedding the next 2 years, please contact me for availability and prices. 2025 is filling up fast but I have also opened my 2026 diary. I have a huge list of suppliers if you need any help with your planning.
Top wedding tips for 2021
Many couples had to change their wedding plans during the global pandemic, but still many are still hoping to get married before 2022. Covid restrictions and rules and regulations about holding events keep changing. Here are our top tips for wedding planning during the strangest of years.
The global Covid pandemic has meant that 2021 started out as anything but a normal year. However, many people are still hoping to get married before 2022 begins. As Britain prepares to emerge from Covid restrictions and rules and regulations about holding events change, here are our top tips for wedding planning during the strangest of years.
Keep informed
As we have all found out over recent months, the Covid situation is constantly changing and so are rules regarding how events, such as weddings, can be held. Hopefully, the second half of the year will see all restrictions lifted, but it will still be necessary to keep abreast of the current conditions or the foreseeable future. Major news outlets such as the BBC are always a good source of information, or keep up with the latest government coronavirus advice and information online.
Stay flexible
Due to the unprecedented times we continue to live in, flexibility is key to so many things. It can be very difficult to maintain high levels of flexibility when it comes to planning large events, but it can be helpful to try to avoid being too rigid with your plans wherever possible. That might well mean celebrating what you can have on your wedding day, rather than focussing on things you might be missing out on. This can really help to adapt your mindset to suit the current climate, too.
Celebrate simplicity
In a year when a simple hug would be considered by many to be more valuable than diamonds, it is more important than ever to celebrate the simple things in life. This may not be the easiest year for holding or arranging extravagant events, but there has never been a greater time to appreciate and celebrate life itself. What better way to do this than to focus on the value of true love and the optimism that a wedding can create? There is no doubt there has been lots of disappointment over the past year, with many couples unable to hold the weddings of their dreams. However, there has also been lots of cause to put things into perspective and look forward to a more positive future. You can simply enjoy spending time with the people you love most in the world and accept that however that happens is just fine for now.
Make memories
There is unlikely to be another year in your lifetime that resembles 2021. Add a marriage to this, and it’s easy to see why it is more important than ever to make memories and record them this year. Even if you can’t have every person you want there for your big day, make sure you have a great record of one of the most momentous occasions of your life. People will be talking about Covid for many years to come, and you will never forget your wedding day. Combining the two and having a permanent record of events, whether in the form of photographs, videos, or both, is the best investment you could make.
What to consider when choosing your Wedding Photographer
some tips how to choose the right wedding photographer on the ‘Petite Weddings’ blog…
I recently got interviewed by the lovely Jane from Petite Weddings for some insights and tips when looking for your wedding photographer. It is a big deal and probably one of the biggest decisions to make for your wedding day. After all you want some great memories from one of the most important days of your lives. It’s all about you trusting your photographer’s skills and talent to tell your personal story.
To help you find the right photographer go and visit the fabulous Petite Weddings
Wedding Trends for 2020/2021 to help you with your wedding planning
small and intimate weddings are just one trend going into 2020/21. I did some research into the wedding industry to collect some trends for 2020/21 to help you with your wedding planning…
Weddings are very personal and there is no wedding that fits all, everyone has their own taste and wants something different be it the venue, dress, makeup, catering, styling or flowers. Along with trends people's tastes are changing and what they wish their special day to look like.
I have researched the latest trends in the wedding industry to give you some inspiration for your wedding planning.
RELAXED AND INFORMAL
Informal gatherings are top on the list for 2020/21 weddings. Going smaller with more to spend on quality instead of inviting everyone on your friend's list for your big day is gaining popularity as couples opt for more intimate, meaningful celebrations with their nearest and dearest.
I see more and more bookings for ‘Micro weddings’ meaning having a guest list of around 40 people or fewer. They can be formal or informal, keep with tradition, take a more modern approach or can be a fusion of both.
As there is more budget to spend on the personalisation you can make your wedding bespoke and offer your guests extra entertainment such as wine tasting, some quality favours and a 5 star dinner. You have more budget to add those little extras which make your wedding extra special and reflect your personality.
One of the most important qualities of smaller gatherings, they allow the bride and groom to spend more quality time with each and every guest.
Sami and Lee had a micro wedding at Lusty Glaze last year, what a great place to have a reception with your nearest and dearest
SUSTAINABLE / ECO WEDDINGS
In a world of imminent climate change it is ever more important to do our part to save the Earth’s natural resources. Now more than ever, couples are looking at ways to host responsibly.
This means cutting back on unnecessary waste and trying to be as eco-friendly as possible. There are plenty of 'greener' wedding venues to choose from and a lot of caterers offer deliciousness made from locally sourced food.
Another way to do your part to save the environment is to use upcycled and DIY décor , it doesn't just add a personal touch to your day but has been a wedding trend since a while and continues to grow.
I have also seen a lot of couples going 'plastic free' or even zero waste in swapping plastic straws for paper ones, using dried flower bouquets, compostable confetti or even sharing décor with other couples using the venue. Offering to 'replant trees' or 'giving to charities' as a wedding favour has become popular too.
There is plenty more...please also read my article on:
Dylan and Jake opted for compostable dried flower petal confetti and a dried flower bridal bouquet
GOING BIG AND BOLD ON STYLING AND LIGHTING
A smaller number of guests means you can spend more on styling your venue, so, it’s no surprise that one of the latest wedding trends right now is for oversize decor and giant statements.
Giving your wedding that personal style makes it different and more your day. Think giant balloons, giant centerpieces, floral arches, hanging displays and fancy lights.
Great lighting is often underrated and can transform your wedding venue and your images if it's indoors or outdoors. When the sun sets the lights come on, make them count and create an athmosphere for your reception. Even the simplest venue can start to glizzen with the right lighting installed.
Look at different ways to integrate lighting in a creative way. From exposed vintage style bulbs to funky lampshades, vintage chandeliers or candles in recycled jars to light up indoor and outdoor spaces. There’s lots of different ways that you can bring a touch of sparkle to your evening.
Bold Neon signage and lights have been around for a while and continue to be popular. With plenty of hire companies you can choose what you need to make a personal statement if you have the space.
Lighting can add a great ambience to your room and is often underrated. It also makes the photography more athmosperic. Hanging vintage light bulbs and fairy lights flood the room in a warm and light and can create some beautiful bokeh on your images.
make your wedding stylish with some hanging vintage lights
a warm atmosphere for your reception with the hanging vintage light bulbs
bold neon signage stays on trend if you have enough space to display it
the rustic barn at The Green Weddings in Cornwall with vintage lighting is a unique place for a ceremony
bridesmaids portrait in the old rustic barn with vintage lighting
THE DRESS
We all remember the Megan Markles beautiful wedding dress, designed by Clare Waight Keller it was elegant, chic and modern with a long veil and had a great impact on the wedding gown trend.
Sleeves are also making a comeback. Long-sleeved wedding gowns are often paired with a backless dress to balance out the look, and adding a touch of sexiness.
Wedding dresses with pockets are one of the hot bridal trends for this year. They don't just look great they are also practical for storing things like phones, lipsticks etc...or your hands when you don't know where you should put them during the photoshoot, only joking!
Along with weddings tending more and more towards being unique and personalised comes the trend of a professional tailored or upcycled weddingdress, a way to have your own unique wedding dress like no one else and to suit your style.
Finally, along with the trend ‘going big’, extravagant and unique, flashy red statement lips are one of the makeup trends to look out for too.
Melodie’s vintage style dress was chic and elegant
simple elegance!
back less dress with added accessories
long sleeves are making a comeback!
Jenny’s custom designed wedding dress with tassel handbag , so gorgeous!
red lips are hip!
LARGE FLORALS
Flowers play a major part in every big day.
More and more couples are sourcing their flowers from an independent local florist.
Some even ask for seasonal locally sourced flowers, which is another great way to add a personal touch to your special day.
When choosing your flowers it's all about bold statement colours layered up with different textures and shapes. Speak to your florist about how they can layer up displays with an explosion of colour contributing to your colour scheme.
Add a bit of colour as floral hair weaves for the bridal party.
And when it comes to your bridal bouquet, it’s all about understated tidy bouquets with plenty of overflowing greenery or even add some succulents.
Jenny’s bridal bold bouquet was just stunning!
big flower arches
oh those succulents, I’m a big fan!
colour, succulents and vintage glass, a stylish combination
VIDEOGRAPHY
In recent years I have been asked for videographer recommendations by more and more couples. Having your wedding day captured as a film is becoming more popular and a great way to relive your day.
With videography gaining popularity we also see the rise of drone footage. Perfect for the videographer getting some stunning shots of you and your guests as well as your venue and the surroundings from above.
I have a list of talented videographers I work with, so please email me if you want some tips in the right direction.
FOOD AND DRINK
As everything else becomes more unique and personal so does the food and drink choices. From DIY bars with custom signature cocktails to unique canapés and desserts that reflect the couple's taste. Gin bars seem to be a favourite!
I have seen a lot of variations of grazing and dessert tables instead of a tradional wedding cake. I asked couples why they are not having a wedding cake and most of them answered that the 'cutting of the cake' is the biggest non-event of a wedding and with so much food on offer lots of it goes to waste and a grazing table or cheese tower/board makes much more sense.
So yes, if you want to be hip offer your guests cheese tables with artisan bread and crackers. Cupcake, donut towers are also popular choices or ask your guests to bring some homemade cake and offer a cake buffet. I have seen a 'bake off' competition, where the couple judges which is the best cake offering the 'star baker' a prize so your guets are inspired to bake the best cakes ever!
Homemade Cake crazing table
homemade tastes best!
Winner of the ‘cake bake off’ competition
DO IT YOUR WAY
So these are some of the most popular things I have discovered , but whatever the trends remember this is your day, so make it your own and don’t worry about what’s popular and what others are doing. Instead use it for inspiration, to have your day your way.
Small Weddings - big Memories
a special wedding day doesn’t have to be a big wedding with hundreds of people and huge budget, small weddings and elopements create big memories too along with a host of other benefits…they might even turn into the trend in the near future!
Are you thinking of getting married but don't want to spend the big money?
Are you thinking big weddings have got a bit out of hand?
Are you feeling overwhelmed by the wedding planning process?
Then why don't you consider to downsizing? Smaller weddings are not any less special and have many benefits unique to them. They might even be the trend in the near future.
Let's explain the difference in between larger and smaller weddings first. An intimate or small wedding is generally considered to have between 30 and 60 guests. Whereas Micro weddings are much smaller than this, with guest numbers usually in between 10-20. An elopement with just the two of you is considered a 'runaway wedding'. Usually it means getting married without telling anyone especially your parents, but I have also seen a few elopements where couples bring their parents along as witnesses.
Many couples and celebrities are now opting for smaller weddings. It doesn't have to be a big expensive affair to be the special day of your life. Let me show you that a downsized day can not just be more romantic and intimate but also save you cost along with a whole host of other benefits.
A more personal and intimate atmosphere
While every bride and groom would much rather spend quality time with guests, hosting duties usually prevent this from happening. With a smaller wedding, you’ll have fewer guests to worry about and an opportunity to spend more quality time with them. You’ll also get plenty more special moments for the two of you to enjoy alone.
With a lot of small wedding venues being exclusive hire, you can do everything your way and decorate the whole place the way you like it with less effort than transforming a large venue to suit your style. It's much easier to create a more personal athmosphere for you and your guests in a small venue than a large one. Make it yours, reflecting your style and personality.
Finding a unique wedding venue suiting your style
Lavish weddings with guest numbers of 200+ don’t always ensure the best in wedding venues. In fact, finding a wedding venue to accommodate a large number of guests can be rather difficult – meaning you have to settle for the best of what’s available. Small, intimate weddings, on the other hand, offer plenty of choice and a whole range of hidden gems. One of my favourite venues here in Cornwall is the stylish Lowerbarns Boutique Bed and Breakfast on the Southcoast, a great option for elopements and intimate weddings up to 30 guests. It offers eclectic and unique rooms with private gardens to stay in. Some of them even come with a Jacuzzi. The owners Janey and Mike offer a more personal service than larger venues do and make everybody feel at home in no time. They also have a great catering team to make you some delicious meals. If you're opting for something slightly bigger like 60 guests, there are plenty of venues to choose from here in Cornwall. Lusty Glaze is one of them, located on its own private beach, you can't get closer to getting married by the sea here in Cornwall. They offer everything from elopements to larger weddings. You can hire whole or part of the beach venue for as little or as long as you like and if you book early you can even stay in one of their cottages on the beach. Knightor Winery is a beautiful rustic barn venue with a beautiful courtyard and some delicious food on offer. You can even offer your guests a wine tasting session of Knightor wines. Or you treat yourself to a luxury weekend away at the Scarlet hotel in Mawganporth. There are plenty of stunning locations to choose from here in Cornwall. I have a added a list of my favourites at the end of this article.
Savings on your big day budget
Whether you simply can’t afford the typical costs of a larger wedding or you think a big budget spend is a waste of money, downsizing your day can help you make essential savings. Limiting the number of wedding guests can allow you to focus on what you really want, which could be quality and individuality over size.
Saving big bucks on your wedding day will open other opportunites like a special honeymoon where you can make more special memories.
A more laid back day
Firstly a smaller wedding involves way less planning than a big celebration with 100 plus guests. Even better when you can accommodate all your guests on location and make it a weekend with everybody together. A lot of smaller wedding venues cater for accommodating up to 30 guests. There is also the possibility of renting a larger holiday house and spend the weekend together under one roof with strolls down the beach, dips in the sea, and bbq's with gin and beers.
Small weddings are easier to make more laid back, giving you the opportunity to break free from the typical wedding day traditions if you wish. With a more laid back day and less guests you can spend your special day less stressed and just enjoy the day as it unfolds.
Enjoyment of each and every moment
One of the most common statements I get from couples is that they feel the whole day was flying by too fast. With so many people to see, speeches, cake cutting, dancing and time obsessed wedding planners/managers – the day just disappears. When you downsize your wedding, you don't have to downsize the fun. It is about giving yourself the opportunity to enjoy every moment, spend more quality time with your guests, and enjoy your special day.
My favourite small wedding and elopement venues in Cornwall:
Lower Barns Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Petite Weddings (small wedding venues and planning service for runaway weddings)
If you’re planning a smaller wedding or elopement in Cornwall or anywhere else in the UK please email me for further information. I can’t wait to hear all about it!
Engagement Photos - reasons why to have them...
Are engagement photoshoots really worth it? More and more couples book a pre wedding photoshoot to ease their nerves before the big day. I have written an article for Lusty Glaze Beach Weddings which might help you make up your mind…
I have recently written an article about engagement photoshoots and the reasons why to have them for Lusty Glaze Beach Weddings
For a lot of couples, the term ‘engagement photo session’ doesn’t sound appealing because it sounds more like a posed photoshoot and I usually get booked for my natural un-posed and canid style of photography. We can argue that this is true and we are meeting for the purpose of taking portraits so it’s not really reportage style or documentary photography, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t take candid photos during a pre-wedding shoot. In my opinion Engagement Sessions should feel like you’re going for a walk with a friend who happened to bring a camera along.
More and more couples are choosing to have an engagement shoot with me as an opportunity to get to know me and my ways of working and for me to get to know them. It’s also a great way to prepare themselves for the big day, and to get used to the camera.
I’ve had great feedback from all my couples who booked pre wedding photoshoots, as they said they didn’t expect it to be so much fun it was a great way to ease the nerves before the big day.
Have a read through the advice to help make your mind up about whether an engagement photoshoot is worth it…
here is the link: Engagement Photoshoots - are they worth it?
I’m currently offering the biggest discount ever on engagement and family photoshoots.
Postpone don't cancel!
Postpone don’t cancel! It’s hard for some of you who are planning to get married the next couple of months. I’m here to help you make it happen even if we have to postpone your wedding to a new date later on this year…
I’m really sorry some of my clients having to deal with this crisis at the same time as planning their wedding. I know you never expected to be having to do this, and it's uncertain times for us all but together we can get through it! I'm here to help and make it as stress free as possible. If it turns out you have to postpone then I've got a procedure in place to make it as stress free for you as possible...
IF YOU'VE NOT YET SET A NEW DATE - Work with me to make sure I can be there on the new date, I still really really would love to be your photographer with all my heart and soul. This whole episode has just made me even more passionate about capturing the love and happiness in the world, and so grateful to be able to share these occasions with people like you. We are a small network of wedding industry businesses down here in Cornwall and we will do everything in our power to make your wedding happen at a different date later on this year or if not possible next year. September and October can often be nicer down here in Cornwall than May and June, I’m not kidding! And on top of it I offer you a 20% discount on full day (full price) packages if you decide to postpone your wedding to a date in between October 2020 and March 2021.
ONCE YOU'VE SET THE NEW DATE - I will ask you to sign a new contract for the new date at the same price you're paying now - Your initial payment will carry across to the new date with no penalties, so you won't lose out financially at all - I will ask you if possible to pay 50% of your balance payment at the time of rearrangement - times are so hard and uncertain now for tiny businesses like mine and this cash flow will help me get through this blip - Your remaining balance will be due a month before the new date If you've got any questions as things develop, or you just want to have a chat about anything - text, email or call me. We can jump on a Skype or anything any time you want a chat. I'm here to help as much as I can.
Take care of your physical and mental health during this time and I can't wait to see you soon.
Together we are strong and we will make the celebration of your dreams happen!
Sending you lots of Love!
Alexa xxx
my latest work:
Welcome to my blog, here you will find my latest work, previews of recent weddings /elopements and some tips to plan your special day.

When searching for your wedding photographer, you’ve probably fallen in love with a particular wedding photography style — whether that’s documentary, editorial, film-inspired, or something with a fine art edge. Choosing a style you love is important, but beyond the aesthetic, have you thought about which moments from your wedding day you’ll want to relive forever?