Jack & Suzannah, Leez Priory, Hertford End 24th June 2010
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
It’s not every day of the week you get to photograph a Superstar DJ, but that’s exactly what I got to do this week. You may not have heard of Jack Berry, but he’s the guy responsible for the Peugeot 206 track. The one where the Indian guy converts his car, from a rusty little Indian thing, into a Peugeot lookalike...
Anyway, enough of the name dropping, Jack and Suzannah were cool and very, very relaxed. I’ve met Jack on several occasions, but when he bought Suzannah over for their pre-wedding chat, I knew it was going to be a great day! I have never met a couple who were so in tune with each other. I hate to use such a tired cliche; but two peas in a pod certainly sums them up well...
Thankfully it was a beautiful day on Thursday, I don’t think they could have asked for more perfect weather... I found Jack in his ‘Fortress of Solitude’ (His words) and quickly realised that nothing was going to be happening quickly!
So, off I trundled to Suzannah, only to find any mans worst nightmare... a room full of giggling girls! Aaaaaarrrrgh!
It was all alright though, because as it turned out, they weren’t giggling about me...phew...
Suzannah had chosen a pair of Vivienne Westwood melissa shoes as her bridal shoes, which were, dare I say, it very cool. couple with some simple lilies, they made a great ensemble.
I love the old windows at Leez Priory. Because the glass is so old, and by definition, imperfect, it really softens the light, giving a beautiful diffused effect.
I think i’ll have to point out at this time how wonderful the staff at Leez Priory are. They certainly seemed to be very attentive, making sure the Bride and Groom were ok, had drinks, snacks etc. Great service and very friendly. Well done guys!
In short order, Jack was ready, for this I think I have to thank Pete, Jacks brother, who actually seemed to be the one who was keeping everything together. Jack didn’t really have attendants, so a few photographs of him and Pete and we were done. All of a sudden, time seemed to be marching on and it was time to see the Registrars.
I have been working the Chelmsford area for some time now and I have to say the Chelmsford Registrars are LOVELY. We’ve worked together at Leez Priory on many occasions and they are always fun weddings. We have simple rules which I adhere to, I don’t take too many flash shots, I don’t get in the way, and I don’t photograph the register being signed. Stick to those and I can do what I want. Perfect.
Even during the ceremony, Jack and Suzannah just couldn’t help themselves, laughing, giggling and generally, having fun. It was great to see. They were very, very, very happy 
We got some amazing photographs...
We cracked on with the formals, starting with ubiquitous group shot from above. Then we covered around a dozen or so formal photographs and then took a walk around the grounds of Leez Priory.
Now, I will state, for the record, if you get a beautiful, sunny day, there is no better venue in Essex than Leez Priory. Leez Priory itself is a magnificent building, the colours of the brick work is amazing, the formal structure is very imposing, without being dominating to the surrounding scenery and the gardens are very well kept.
I can’t quite put my finger on what is so perfect about it, but the outside of Leez Priory is pretty perfect for Wedding Photography. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, Leez Priory is one of the few wedding venues where it’s really imperative that the photographer has an in depth knowledge of the venue, to really get the best photographs.
In honesty, some of the best pictures of the day occurred after the meal. I love this time of day, the light is softer, the couple is significantly more relaxed. We had a great time getting some photographs around the grounds of Leez Priory. Jack and Suzannah were up for anything!
As you can see the sky in the evening was totally amazing. Really, really breathtaking.
Possibly my photograph of the day was this shot of Jack and Suzannah in front of Leez Priory at dusk.
But it could be this photograph snogging at the back of Leez Priory...
Or it could be this photograph, because it’s something I’ve never done before...
Anyway, needless to say, they were a good looking couple up for photographs, at an amazing location. A photographers wet dream. I think there will be a new Leez Priory album on show, in the not too distant future!
Jack and Suzannah opted to have their party in the coach house at Leez Priory, rather than the ‘dungeon disco’ and Pete, Jack’s brother was in charge... Needless to say the Bride and Groom couldn’t just have a ‘snog and shuffle’ like the rest of us, no, it had to be their own little dance routine...
After I’d said my goodbyes, I wandered out to the carpark, only to be greeted by a truly beautiful sight... Leez Priory lit, at dusk with just a few clouds in the sky. I HAD to get a photograph...
Congratulations guys, it was an honour and a pleasure to be involved in your day, I hope you keep that amazing rapport between you for many, many years to come.
If you’re thinking of getting married at Leez Priory, please give me a call, because I love it!
PK.
Lauryn & Chris - Engagement shoot at Little Easton Manor.
I was really, really, impressed with the grounds and facilities available at Little Easton Manor. If you’re looking for a venue for a wedding or a party, I would thoroughly recommend it! The prices are unbelievably cheap too!
Lea & Paul, Wedding photography at the Fennes Estate, Essex
A nice little email from last weeks couple, Lea & Paul, Wedding photography at the Fennes Estate, Bocking, Braintree. Read More...
Susan & Gary, Quendon Hall, Parklands, 2nd Jan 2010
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
Congratulations to Susan & Gary, our first wedding of 2010! A lovely day, lots of fun, with everyone still very much in party mode!
Photograph of the day has to be this lovely sunset, taken around 3.30pm.
Paula & Lee, Wedding photography at Boreham House
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
Paula & Lee, Wedding at Boreham Church and reception at Boreham House, Chelmsford, wedding photography. 6th November 2009
Lots of different places today, but thankfully they were all very close together! We started at beautiful Boreham House, to get some candid photography of Paula getting ready, along with some photographs of ‘the girls’.
Boreham has a lovely changing room, loads of natural light, which is all very soft. There’s also most importantly, load of space, so we can move about and get the best position.
Paula was pretty calm, and just got on with getting ready, highlight of the morning were these Bride and Bridesmaid slippers, which everybody seemed to comment on.. well, I just had to get a photograph!
It didn’t take long for Paula to be ready (we won’t talk about the bridesmaids) and we headed out onto the landing to get some shots of Paula in all her finery... The landing is lovely, it has some nice natural light from the window, which is fantastic for some natural photographs...
The light really brought out the blue in Paula’s eyes. Lovely...
It was soon time to head on to the church. Lee was actually there before us and raring to go, so we got a few photographs of him, his best man (Dad) and the Ushers.
I have to say they were all really well behaved, which is virtually unheard of! Normally when we’re trying to get this shot, everyone is larking about and pulling faces, but everyone was very restrained!
I love the covered walkway at St. Andrew church, It softens the light and gives a really interesting backdrop. Not to mention that I’m sure it’s a godsend if it’s raining!
The vicar was great and let us photograph from the front of the church, which meant we were able to get some great shots of the actual ceremony, followed by the ubiquitous signing the register shot. I have never really found a cool way to do this shot, it is pretty much what it is. A bit cheesy, but also a very necessary photograph.
As soon as the register had been signed we headed out for some shots in the grounds. of the church. I generally suggest to our couples that we head back to the reception venue fairly quickly. At the end of the day, that’s where the drinks are, and ultimately, where everyone will relax and chill out.
However, having said that, I don’t like to move from the church too quickly either! A few minutes to get some shots of the Bride and Groom at the Church means that we can have a break in the album, so it doesn’t look like the couple have walked straight up the aisle and into the grounds of their reception venue...
St. Andrews is particularly pretty, we got a few photographs in the covered walkway and then to one side, where there were still a few Autumnal leaves. These just added a splash of colour on a very blue Winters day!
Back to Boreham and just time to stop for a few photographs with the car. You’ll note Lee is particularly relaxed! I don’t think anything really fazed him all day, he just seemed to take it all in his stride, with a big grin on his face.
We got back to Boreham House in plenty of time for the light, but unfortunately it was just too cold for the guests to be outside. Thankfully, the interior is very, very pretty! So, we cleared (thanks Thiery) the ceremony room and photographed our formal shots in here, under the stunning oak arch. 
This room really lends itself to photography the warmth of the colours really help, especially when it’s bitterly cold outside. 
Nothing would stop the intrepid Paula getting the photograph that she had asked for all day, her being lifted up by Lee, at the back of Boreham House. I have to be honest, this shot isn’t a norm, but I think it worked well!
Next stop, speeches and of course, first dance. I do like the fact that Boreham House has such a large dance area. it gives you plenty of room to get photographs of the Bride & Groom, with all of their guests in the background.
Thanks for a nice day guys, I think we all enjoyed it as much as you did! Sorry about the cold, but there are limits as to what we can do!
Pete & Kerri-Anne, wedding at Channels Golf Club, Little Waltham in Essex.
Hello Pete
I'm so glad you both had a great time - It's lovely to know!
We are both so looking forward to seeing the DVD!
I can say with honesty that any big party we have and would like captured on film, you will be the first people we come to! Also when any friends get married I will point them in your direction as you were fantastic!
Kerri-Anne