Claire and Stuarts wedding at Tewinbury Farm Herts
Date Of wedding – Friday 1st June 2018.
Bride – Claire Fletcher.
Groom – Stuart Wren.
Pageboy – Charlie Wren (Bride and Grooms Son).
Brides Parents – Carolyn and Graham Fletcher.
Grooms Parents – Stephen and Denise Wren.
Church – St Mary The Virgin, Great Parndon. Rev Ernie Guest
Reception Venue – Tewin Bury Farm Hotel.
Maid Of Honour – Karen Fletcher.
Bridesmaids – Sarah-Jane, Kelly and Carly.
Flower Girls – Mia.
Best Man –Carl Wicks.
Ushers – Peter and James.
Music – Matt Stratford Duo.
Photographer – John Paul ODonnell.
I first met Claire and Stuart when they got in contact with me after seeing that I had been selected as a finalist for the regional wedding industry awards. With over 27k votes for photographers In the south east I made it to the final 5 and lost to a photographer who did a wedding in Abu Dhabi… which was fine. To win it has to be your photography and also the votes from your own clients whose weddings I had done in the correct time frame. Anyway back to Claire and Stuart. We met and got on so well, had a lovely chat and spent lots of time talking about their wedding. Also their love of live music and Stuarts passion for motorbikes. They didn’t rush their decision to choose a photographer and spent a fair bit of time meeting others. So when Stuart rang me and wanted to go ahead I was really pleased. Not only because I had been chosen but because they are a great couple and being paramedics I was drawn to them as great people too.
The Couple
Claire and Stuart are so good to photograph. They naturally give off a vibe of closeness, passion and laughter when they are together. I must comment on the fantastic weather on the day. It was warm and sunny with the occasional cloud cover which as a pro photographer is exactly how you want it. The great thing about Tewin Bury Farm is that it has such a variety of spaces you can work with whatever the weather throws at you. I decided my aim with the photography today was to focus on ‘moments’ whilst really pushing myself to find the best light and shade around Tewin Bury Farm.
The Wedding Day
The first thought in my head after getting up and looking out the window and seeing a gorgeous sunny day was. “I have worked at Tewin Bury Farm a lot of times…so today I am going to really do some amazing shots. I don’t wake up and say “argh I have a wedding today” I wake up and say “I’m going to take the best pictures I’ve ever taken today. Thats what drives me forward and what I’ve spent half my life striving to deliver.
The day started with me arriving at Stuarts parents house at 10.30am. When I got there mum was having her hair and make up done and Stuart was getting ready. I met Carl, Jason, Matt and Stuarts dad Stephen. I did some pictures of the boys getting ready and then made my way over to Claire and Stuarts house. When I got there Claire was in the kitchen with her dad having a glass of bubbly. The girls were all having their make up done and little Charlie the bride and grooms son was watching Thomas the Tank Engine. I went up and hung all the dresses then took some time getting some pictures of Claire..who looked absolutely stunning with her hair and make up all done.
The girls all came in and joined in for the photos. She then got into her dress and walked down the stairs to see her dad. When Graham saw his daughter he had tears in his eyes and was very proud. After a few pictures I made my way out the front and saw the white Rolls Royce Phantom which looked fantastic. I got some quick pictures and then shot off to the church to meet the reverend Ernie and see Stuart and the boys. I got set up in the church and then waited for Claire to arrive.
Claire then arrived and walked down the aisle. They both locked eyes on each other and both smiled. The service was beautifully done by Rev Ernie. There were two readings, the book of Colossians 3:12-17 by Sarah Jane and Corinthians 13;4-8 By Karen. Afterwards the bride and groom signed the marriage certificate and made their exit from the church. I arranged the guests into two lines and the New Mr and Mrs Wren walked out as everyone cheered and threw the confetti. After a few pictures we all headed off to Tewin Bury Farm.
The bride and groom had their reception drinks in the main gardens and spent lots of time with their guests. I then took the formal pictures and some nice shots of the couple together. Now all the main pictures were done I wanted to get the fun side of the day. So I got the bridal Party together and used the stable brickwork and doors for some reportage photos. The barn was now set and everyone made their way in for dinner. After the meal the speeches started. The Father Of The Bride, Groom and then The Best Man. Three brilliant speeches – when you shoot weddings you hear a lot of internet lines. These speeches had none, they were all from the heart and beautifully articulated. The sweepstake was on and I think the time was 24 minutes. The guests all went outside into the gardens whilst the room was prepared for the live band.
With Sarah Jane, Karen the rest of the bridesmaids, Carl and the ushers ready. We headed over to the main grass area and did some fun shots jumping, running etc. We had a lot of fun, this lot were so up for it! I took a silhouette shot of Stuart and Claire against the sky as I was looking for a great shot to use as the ending Image of their storybook album. I got another one using off camera flash at the end of the night by the bridge (see both below).
The band were now set and ready and it was time to cut the wedding cake. Everyone went into the Stable and Claire and Stuart cut the cake and had their first dance together. Claire then danced with her dad and everyone joined in on the dance floor. The band were superb, they played some great songs and blew the roof off the stable! everyone was up and I got some great dancing shots with the maid of honour Karen absolutely nailing the dancing. The band finished their first set and the bbq was ready. I know Lucy the chef at Tewin Bury farm the food is always outstanding. The bbq was delicious. After a nice burger and great chat with the father of the bride I got Stuart and Claire out to the bridge for the final shot of the day. I took a sequence of off camera flash pictures and used the dramatic sky to really create a final Image that had that breathtaking effect.
Claire and Stuart, we got on instantly when we met. I honestly mean it when I say ” Thank you for choosing me to photograph you’re wedding”. You did all the pictures with me with no fuss and you smiled all day. Your family and friends were lovely. Have a fantastic honeymoon, I look forward to seeing you very soon for the viewing. JP.
Looking for a wedding photographer to photograph your wedding ? Here are some pictures that I have selected from the day. Enjoy!
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.
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