A MASSIVE THANKYOU!
Hi Pete.
Just wanted to drop you a quick email to say thank you so much for being part of our special day – you are simply great – we had such a laugh and a giggle getting ready and you were just like part of the family.
The day was just brilliant and we all had the best time. Can’t wait to see the pics and re live it all again.
Lou x
P.S I love you Pete xxx
Email from a Boreham House Wedding.
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
Hi Pete,
Just wanted to say a big thank you for our fantastic wedding pictures, which we have now viewed online. They are amazing and really capture every moment of our special day 
! We look forward to being in contact with you soon to start the process of choosing the photos for our album.
Thank you again,
Aimee and James
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.
Amy & Jamie at Queodon Hall, Parklands, Photography
Photography at one of my favourite venues, Quendon Hall, in North Essex.
I’d been looking forward to this wedding for some time. Amy is a really fun girl, full of life and very bubbly!
Photography started at Quendon Hall, a few hours prior to the ceremony. Amy was, of course in great spirits, and even in rollers and without any makeup, looked fabulous! Amy’s dress was fantastic and totally different to anything I’d seen in along time, totally stunning. It’s always refreshing to see something different.
Amy’s flowers were a simple affair, cream roses in a standard bouquet. and looked very pretty.
It took Amy a surprisingly short time to get ready! (I was expecting hours!) and we were soon at the point that she was popping on the dress. Now, that last statement was not entirely accurate... more like 15 minutes of gently teasing the dress into place, ruffling, fluffing, tugging and placing. However, from my personal perspective, we walk out of the room and the Bride isn’t wearing a dress, we walk back 15 minute minutes later and tadah... It’s all done.
Amy and Jamie had hired a magnificent horse and carriage from the Ostler Carriage company. Magnificent is the right word, the horses were huge and incredibly well presented.
At this point, St. Mary’s was calling, so it was time to head on to the groom... Had I known what was coming next, I would have spent more time with the horses...
So, did you know there’s a St. Mary’s Church, Newport, Saffron Walden and a St. Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden? Actually, I did, however, the coach company bringing, alllll of the guests apparently didn’t. To make matters worse, Jamie’s father had followed the coach, and then got totally lost.
I guess there is a lesson to be learned, but I’m not sure what it is! Jamie had spoken at length with the coach company, and they had assured him that they knew exactly where they were going, when Jamie offered to draw them a map...
Anyway, in the end, we were 45 minutes down. No problem, we had plenty of time at Quendon, I knew, so it was time to get on with the ceremony and cracking on with the photo’s! I gave Vince, the front of house at Parklands a quick text to let him know we’d be late and got on with it!
The ceremony was nice, an American Vicar who gave a very pleasant service, we came to an agreement, that I would be allowed to quietly walk around the church and get some shots during the ceremony, and that suits me down to the ground
I do love a good confetti shot and today was fab! Lots and lots of confetti and loads of people keen to throw it. I am Really happy with this photograph... Because of the time constraints, we had to move on quickly, Quendon was calling. The group shot was first, and then some smaller family shots, which we had to do indoors.
The great thing about photography at Quendon Hall is that it just doesn’t matter what the weather’s doing. The rooms inside are stunning with lots of natural light, which really lend themselves to photography.
The dining room was decorated beautifully, with roses matching Amy’s bouquet. Absolutely stunning.
The meal was pretty much the norm, however, all of the guests were in a real party mood, and there was dancing between the courses! Well, I just had to get some photographs! It’s things like this that really makes a day. People can make a day great, they really can. Amy’s guests were determined that she was going to have the BEST day.
After the meal, I managed to grab Amy & JAmie for a couple of quick photographs outside. Quendon Hall looks stunning lit up at night and I love to take advantage of it.
All that was left then, was the first dance and we’re done. Well, I was anyway, I imagine the party was ... memorable, to say the least... It’s day’s like these, that I wish I could stay, just a little bit longer!
Joanna & Ged. Wedding at St. Marys Bocking and The Fennes Estate
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
The wedding photography of Joanna & Ged at St. Marys Church, Bocking and The Fennes Estate
Thankfully we woke up to an amazing, beautiful sunny day today! Following last weeks wedding, I really needed a sunny day to boost my spirits, and boy did I get a great one!
I arrived, once again, earlier than the bride and had a small moment of doubt, when I went upstairs at the Fennes to find only the cleaners about… Had I got the right day??? Where is everyone??? Thankfully, the Bridesmaids came running up the stairs at this point and I gave a small sigh of relief!
I managed to get a few shots of the girls getting ready, but sadly Jo was delayed at the hairdressers, and I didn’t get an opportunity to get any shots of her getting ready.
Never mind, onwards and upwards! I moved on to St. Marys Church to capture Ged and K.I.T.T, yes K.I.T.T of Knight Rider fame! Everyone was suitably impressed.
St. Marys is a beautiful church and I got some shots of Ged and the Best Man in the grounds. Then we ran into problem No. 2. Where are the flowers??? Anyone? Of course, they’re at the Fennes!
Not a problem, the brides brother turned up with them shortly before we were due to go in, all is well!
Or so we thought…
11.55am. Where is the Bride? Joanna had opted to be driven by a Routemaster bus from Fennes to the Church. Had it broken down?
Then, the call…
The bus it turns out is stuck in traffic!! Thankfully Carlos at the Fennes Estate drove the Bride, Bridesmaids and Grandparents down to the church. Way to go Carlos, you’re a hero!
So we got started at St. Mary’s and from there on in, everything was just perfect. The service, held by Father Phillip was great, just the right amount of humour, along with a serious message about the nature of marriage. As far as I’m aware, not one hymn had to be missed out, even though the Bride was 25 mins late. (There was another wedding immediately after)
Father Phillip is absolutely brilliant. His words are “You don’t get in my way, and I won’t get in yours” It is such a refreshing change. Provided we are discreet, we can do whatever we want in the way of photography, and it makes a massive difference to the results.
I’m happy to say he likes a bit of a laugh, along with the rest of us and thought it would make a great picture “If we all pointed at the Groom” I like to see that Father Tristan is following Father Phillips footsteps and promises to be a great guy too.
As we were signing, I told the Bride and Groom that if the bus hadn’t arrived, they would be getting delivered to the Fennes in my beautiful Alfa Romeo… Sportwagon.
Hmm. Not exactly what they’d planned…
We walked out of the church into the most glorious sunny day, and the bus had arrived. Carlos was there feverishly pouring wine for all the guests!
Joanna, patted me on the back, I looked at her, she looked at Ged, we all started laughing…
So, we went on a magical mystery tour of Braintree, in the old Routemaster bus and ended up at the Fennes Estate, no dramas.
We got some fabulous photographs of everyone at the Fennes, and managed to catch up on the photography we’d missed earlier. The grounds of Fennes looked fantastic, and everyone just seemed to be so happy.
This was the first day of the year that I’ve been able to get a group shot of everyone on the grass, as opposed to on the drive. it looked fantastic.
I think a special hello has to go out to Matthew Stirling of www.stirlingstunts.co.uk He is the most amazing close up magician I think I have ever seen, he has a real personality to go with it. I think everyone (including myself) was utterly amazed to see him perform. Stunning!
All in all, I think that everyone had a really, really great day, the morning was a little bit shaky, but it’s amazing how much of a difference the sun can make to a day. Everyone is just naturally so much happier!
A special thanks has to go to Carlos too. He really pulled out the stops to make sure that everything happened. At the end of the day it’s not in his job description to ferry people around, but it’s a testament to him and the staff at Fennes that they are so willing to help out to ensure that the day runs smoothly. www.fennes.co.uk
Good luck Joanna and Ged, it was a great day, I particularly enjoyed ” The wheels on the bus”!
PK
Stephanie & Simon, Great St. Marys, Sawbridgeworth & Parklands.
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
The wedding photography of Stephanie & Simon, Great St. Marys, Sawbridgeworth & Quendon Hall, Parklands.
I had a really close call with the weather today, I thought it was going to start pouring down from the moment I arrived! Thankfully though, we managed to get all of our pictures outside.
Special mention has to go to Rick and Linda who spent all winter preparing their garden for the wedding! Many thanks to Rick for the guided tour of the grounds, it just goes to show how good a garden can look if you’re willing to put some effort in! I am not worthy…
Stephanie wasn’t ready when I arrived, of course, in fact, she was still at the hairdressers! It wasn’t a problem though, we had plenty of time. It wasn’t too long before all the girls were ready and we got some great shots of them in Ricks garden. Lovely.
When I arrived at the church, there was nobody there! I had a small moment of doubt, was it the right church??? Of course it was, everybody and I mean everybody was at the pub! Small note to self, head straight to the pub, bypass the church…
Anyway, everyone arrived on time, and the service soon began. Great St. Mary’s is a lovely church for photographs, the grounds are nice and the interior is quite bright. Sadly though, as is often the case with church weddings, we were restricted to a couple of shots from the back of the church.
After the service we had ample time to cover the formal photography in the grounds of St. Mary’s. We finished with the confetti shot at the gate and then headed on to…
Parklands.
Sorry everyone, I didn’t manage to get the name of the company who owned the fabulous car…
Anyway, back to Parklands, Quedon Hall, it is always stunning. Stephanie was very cold, I gave her the choice inside, or out? For her, there simply wasn’t a choice, it had to be outside. Not once did I hear her complain about being cold.
We got a selection of photographs outside, covering all of the grounds. I have to admit, we were a lot quicker than normal, I was really worried that the heavens were going to open any minute!!!
Many thanks to Kevin, who took his Best Man duties seriously, and really helped round people up and keep things moving… however, no thanks go to Kevin for shouting through the window how warm it was inside!!! Cheers mate, we were just a little chilly outside!
Here’s an unusual photograph, me!!!! As taken by the Grooms Mum, it’s me and Kevin, the Best Man. With a little help on the framing she could be a really great photographer!!!
Thank you very much Stephanie & Simon, and all the guests, I had a lovely time. I’m really sorry you guys didn’t have the weather you hoped for, but all said and done, it was a great day as far as I’m concerened.
PK.
Louise & Neil, Boreham House, Chelmsford, Essex.
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
The wedding photography of Neil and Louise at Boreham House, Chelmsford, Essex
My first wedding yesterday at Chelmsfords newest wedding venue Boreham House.
What can I say, it was absolutely fantastic!!! The building is sublime, the setting perfect, I don’t have a single bad thing to say about it. The great thing is, I think it’s probably going to get a lot better too!
Louise was really relaxed, which I always find a little un-nerving, it’s so rare! I expect to walk into a room full of nervous people, not peace and calm!
Anyway, I got some lovely shots of the exterior and interiors, along with some photography of the lovely flowers in the brand spanking new (bloody expensive) pavilion.
Neil arrived on time, fetched by Steve at Boreham House, in his Bentley. I asked Steve if he’d mind if I borrowed his car, he gave me a funny look and politely refused.
Please note the ‘Starsky and Hutch’ pose…
The service went without a hitch, the lovely Sonia of Chelmsford Registry office, who I haven’t seen in ages, took the ceremony. Lovely to see you again Sonia!
The ceremony room is gorgeous, the carved fire surrounds work well with the colour of the room and the chandelier is lovely too. The Bride and Groom stood opposite the French doors, which meant we had some lovely natural light.
After the wedding service, I managed to get some great photographs of the Bride and Groom in the interiors of the house. I love the Henry VIII staircase, the colour of the wood is just beautiful and there are a lot of opportunities for some great photos.
Obviously we had to get some photographs of the Bride and Groom in the front of the house, the pillars are magnificent.
After these we moved to the rear of Boreham House, and got some great formal photographs of the family and some fun candid photography of the guests.
Everyone seemed to be in good spirits, the bridesmaids were well behaved, Neil’s Dad was lovely. A really pleasant afternoon, all in all.
Boreham House is going to be the most sought after venue in the Chelmsford area, I have absolutely no doubt about it, I feel privileged to be their recommended photographer! I know that sounds cheesy, but there are some places that you actually feel honoured to be, and this one of them.
Alright, I’ll stop gushing now, before I make you sick! I’ll keep you up to date with more weddings in the future…
Ashleigh & Matthew at The Fennes Estate, Bocking, Braintree
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
Ashleigh and Matthew were married at the Fennes estate today! It was a bit blowy, but it doesn’t matter because it wasn’t raining! Ashleigh was infectiously happy, there’s no other way to describe it! Everybody was really nice and all in all, it was a thoroughly good day.
It’s really nice to see the buds starting to come out on the tress, and the spring flowers coming through, a couple more weeks and it’s going to be lovely...
I’m pretty sure Matt and Ashleigh had a good time ( I know Ashleigh did) And I enjoyed being there with them too! Have a lovely life together guys.
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!
Anna & James, Vaulty Manor, Essex
If you’re looking for wedding photography, check out our new website www.peterkelk.com!
Anna & Chris were married at Vaulty Manor, in Goldhanger in Essex on Saturday 27th February! The weather was fairly kind to us, but unfortunately it was COLD... All in all, I think that everything went exceptionally well, and I bet you couldn’t tell that Anna is 5 months pregnant either.... Doesn’t she look amazing?
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!
Siobhan & David, Brocket Hall, Herts, Photo & Video.
Read More...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