Title – Alexandra and Simons Wedding At Fanhams Hall.This wedding took place at Holy Trinity Church in Stevenage then at The Fanhams Japanese Pavillion and gardens.

Date Of Wedding – 26th July 2019.

Ceremony – Holy Trinity Church, Stevenage.

Venue – Pavillion at Fanhams Hall Hotel.

Bride – Alexandra Gordon (Ally).

Groom – Simon Russell.

Maid Of Honour – Laura.

Bridesmaids – Lisa, Shannon, Alice, Kiran and Anita.

Pageboy – Emilio.

Best Man – Aaron.

The day started nice and early at Fanhams Hall. Ally was getting ready with all her bridesmaids. The weather was wet but forecast to brighten up later in the afternoon.

Ally was getting her hair done by her friend Paulette. I took natural and reportage shots of the girls getting ready, drinking bubbly. It was now time for Ally to get her make up done. The dresses were hanging up so I took some nice detail shots and got to know everybody.

The bridesmaids were all lovely ladies and all very close friends. They got Ally into her wedding dress and started getting ready to leave. Time was ticking on so I thought id better get over to the Church. On the way out I met Richard the father of the bride, what a lovely man with a great smile. He was standing by the wedding car.

The wedding Ceremony of Alexandra and Simon took place at the gorgeous Holy Trinity Church tucked away in Stevenage.  I arrived and met Ruth the vicar what a lovely lady, she very kindly gave me a nice position to shoot from just where the choir sits at the side of the altar. After a moving church ceremony, of which the occasion hit Simon when he first caught sight of beautiful Ally walking up the aisle (& caused everyone else to shed a tear including the bride).

Afterwards Ally and Simon led their guests outside for confetti and a few photos. I managed to find a nice dry spot under a tree at the front and used the church as the backdrop. This worked very well so I took the more formal pictures here.

It wasn’t long before the rain dispersed and we all headed to Fanhams Hall. The sun came out for the rest of the day and I made full use of the amazing grounds for the photos.  After a beautiful meal we headed out on the golf buggy with Oliver from Fanhams. I shot the evening pics in the Japanese gardens, high grass and pavilion. Ally and Simon then planted a rose bush together in Fanhams Halls rose garden.

The music was ready, the cake was ready to be cut. So the bride and groom walked onto the dance floor and cut their wedding cake. Then started the  dancing off with their first dance as husband and wife. 

After a great party, loads of dancing including the candy dance, I shot a final night picture with the help of the best man Aaron who it turns out actually teaches photography (maybe he can teach me a thing or two 🙂 .

Highlights of the day included; Simon’s reaction as Ally walked down the aisle.  The reception location, the lovely friends and family.  – The SPJ team whom I work with regularly,  my journey to Fanhams with Paulette, our little boomerang shots with the bridesmaids – well handled by Kiran! And Audrey (mother of the bride) doing the Candy dance with a walking stick… haha brilliant!

Ally and Simon, it was great fun capturing your big day and I wish you every happiness in your married lives together. See you when you get back from Mauritius. JP x

IMPORTANT *   These Images are low resolution. Anyone wishing to use them for social media purposes please make sure that the Logo is seen and that credit is given to John Paul O’Donnell Photography.

Supporting Team

Photographer – John Paul from John Paul ODonnell Photography

DJ – Tony SPJ UK LTD

Brides Hair – Paulette 🙂

Make Up – Tori Lee 07807315602

If you are looking for your international Wedding Photographer for your big day, get in touch with us. We would love to talk about your wedding pla