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Your wedding and the Dancefloor

23/7/2018

“Do you stay until the first dance?”

This is a question I often get asked when meeting with potential couples. I think its because different photographers offer so many packages that it can all be something of a minefield. Bronze, Silver, Gold, etc – I’ve seen photographers offer up to 6 different types of wedding packages which, with the greatest respect, is completely nuts.

So, that’s why I like it to keep it simple with just one package on the table. When I’m booked to capture your big day, I’m there all day, from start to finish. I can’t think of anything worse than leaving before the party is in full swing! So to answer the question above, not only do I stay for the first dance but you’ll generally find me in the thick of the action on the dance-floor capturing all the fun from dodgy dance moves and air guitar to passionately belted out lyrics, in-tune or otherwise, all whilst trying to avoid flying elbows and legs until the last man or woman is left standing. With that in mind here are some quick dance floor rules that should be adhered to:

The dancefloor must be occupied at all times.
Lunges are strongly encouraged.
Wearing a tie around your head is perfectly acceptable.
Knee slides will be loudly applauded.
Air guitar is a good thing.
Dance-offs are most welcome.
“Dad-dancing” is cool.
And finally - Don’t hold back, leave it all out there!

So, to recap, your wedding day is a celebration, a big party with all your nearest and dearest around you and the best pictures come from when everyone is relaxed and having fun. And the place to be? The dance floor. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the pictures above and see for yourself!

If you're thinking of photography for your wedding and have a banging dance floor planned then drop me a line!

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the Final Build Up to your Perfect Wedding

2/5/2018

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How to Make it Through the Final week

It may not seem like it at the moment as we're lashed by the monsoon rains but summer is most definitely around the corner and weddings are in the air. If you're in the middle of planning your own big day then you might be feeling like its all getting on top of you so here are a few handy hints that might help ease the stress, whether your wedding is next week or next year, and help keep you sane and on track for an amazing day.

Take Time Out!

Planning a wedding can be all consuming so take some time out, just your fiancé and you, to do something normal. Go and see a movie, go for a long walk in the country. Whatever it is, no wedding talk allowed!

Break in Your Shoes

You've found the perfect pair of Jimmy's or Manolo's and if you want to wear them for more than 5 minutes on your big day then make sure you break them in. Walk around the house, dance around the kitchen, you'll thank me on this one trust me.

Don't Overthink Everything

The best moments come from those that are unplanned. When you wake up on your big day trust that everything is in place, relax and just go with it.

Be Good To Yourself

It's easy to forget about the importance of looking after yourself in the days and weeks leading up to that moment where you walk down the aisle. So make sure you eat healthy, balanced meals and drink plenty of water the week before.

Put the out of office on

Clear any big tasks or assignments at work a week or 2 before your wedding and put the out of office on, you don't want thoughts of work floating around your head on your wedding weekend.

Pack an Emergency Kit

Its good to be prepared for any eventuality so put a little kit together containing things like safety pins, a nail file, plasters, extra make-up and mints and give it to your maid of honour to look after.

Sleep!

The week before the wedding try to get some early nights as being rested will give you a healthy glow and give you lots of energy for your big day.

namaste

Help get rid of any tension and toxins in your muscles by going to a yoga class! What's good for the body is good for the soul and an hour in a calming environment will work wonders. If you can't get to a class you can try to incorporate some poses into your bedtime routine like the child's pose or the downward dog. They'll immediately slow your heart-rate down and help to rebalance your mind before your head hits the pillow.

Drink Smoothies

Staying hydrated and drinking lots of water is really important but smoothies are great as well. They help cleanse your body and clear your skin. Try this recipe for a refreshing green smoothie, it takes 2 mins!

- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 banana
- A handful of fresh mint
- 500ml almond milk
- Chuck in a blender/nutribullet
- Drink
- Feel awesome!

Take A Moment...

This is an important one. Your wedding day will be one of the most special and memorable days of your life but it will also fly by! Everyone from friends and family will all want a piece of you and sometimes it can get to be a bit too much. So be sure to take a moment out with your new husband at some point during the day to soak everything up. Take a look around and think about what is important and what you'll take away from the whole experience. Appreciate all the hard work you've put in and what you've done to get to where you are today. Think about both your journeys and how you ended up as husband and wife. It may seem obvious but I tell this to all my couples as it's so important and will help keep the memories fresh for years to come.

So there we go, some may be obvious and some you may have not thought of. Just remember to relax and enjoy the build up!

BOOKINGS AVAILABLE

I am taking bookings for 2019 and 2020 so if you're still thinking about photography for your big day then drop me a line, I'm always happy to meet for a coffee and a chat!

I'm also taking bookings for Engagement Shoots which are a great way to get to know me and to feel comfortable in front of the camera. Shoots only take an hour or so and can take place at a location of your choice. If you'd like to book a shoot, get in touch!

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The National Wedding Show 2018 - Olympia

22/2/2018

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After a whirlwind 3 days of meeting so many great couples the 2018 National Wedding Show at Olympia came to a close. It was such a great experience and it never ceases to amaze me the imagination and creativity that people have when it comes to planning a wedding. If you came by my stand, thank you for taking the time to chat and for showing an interest in my work!

Shows like this, especially on the scale it was, can be quite daunting and you walk away from it all with total information overload. It takes a few days for it all to sink in but with so many suppliers to choose from, where do you start?!
When it comes to photography, if you're still mulling over your options then I'm always happy to meet with any potential client before any decision is made for a coffee and a chat as its important to see if we (pardon the pun) click. After all, you wouldn't dream of inviting a complete stranger to your wedding and the same should apply to your choice of photographer. If we get on and you're comfortable around me then come the big day you'll feel a lot more relaxed and, if I do my job you will hardly notice I'm there!

So if you do have any queries about your wedding day then please don't hesitate to get in touch. Oh, and don't forget, my show special fee reduction is in place if you book before the end of February 2018.

It's also worth noting that as well as meeting lots of fab couples there were some really cool suppliers there as well who catered for all kinds of needs from stationary to luxury get-aways. Here's just a selection of those I came across who I was really impressed by and thought were worth a mention. Check them out!

Rainbow Club Wedding & Occasion shoes
Buckleigh of London for bespoke tailoring and formal wedding hire
Countryside Stretch Tents for that marquee with difference
Cad and The Dandy For the sartorial minded gent on his wedding day
Lusty Glaze Beach For the perfect Cornish seaside wedding, these are the guys to go to - The Sunday Times 2017 UK beach of the year!
Merry & Bright Calligraphy For modern calligraphy and wedding stationery
Surrey County Hall Wedding Venue in Kingston, Surrey
The Ravenswood Wedding Venue in West Sussex
Wish Upon A Sparkle face/body glitter specialists!
De Vere Hotels For wedding destinations and venues up and down the country
Confetti for all your wedding ideas
Ginger Ray party and wedding supplies

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A London Wedding - Daisy & Pete: The Hurlingham Club

31/1/2018

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Blackadder and boats, that’s my one abiding memory from Daisy and Pete’s wedding in September of last year. Well, there are many more obviously but those two stood out, more of which later.

The location for the day? The amazing Hurlingham Club in London followed by dancing just down the river at the Thames Rowing Club, one of those fine old London establishments that both Daisy and Pete had an affinity with as it was rowing that initially brought them together.

The day was essentially about the coming together of friends and family to solidify the commitment that they had already made to each other and with Daisy’s cousin (a Vicar) at the helm in the glass ceilinged Palm Court, it was an occasion filled with love and laughter in front of loved ones.

Prior to this the grounds of the Hurlingham provided a picturesque backdrop for a few quiet photos with the happy couple whilst the assembled guests gathered for drinks on the terrace. The weather decided to play ball and with all the gents resplendent in their black tie, one could have easily have assumed that it was actually a summer garden party. Maybe the Hurlingham has its own little micro-climate and is like this all the year round? Who knows, but it really helped to set the tone for the day.

After the ceremony it was into the club’s Broomhouse Room which had been beautifully laid out by the staff. Both Daisy and Pete are big fans of the Blackadder series and this was reflected in the table seating plan which featured some truly excellent table names. Now, bear with me if you’ve never seen the Blackadder series but this was a truly inspired idea with names like “The Baby Eating Bishop of Bath & Wells”, “A nugget of purest green” and most aptly for the top table “You and Me Darling, obviously”. Each table card also had a scene from the relevant episode printed on the back which provided a great talking point amongst the seated guests. It goes without saying that every wedding breakfast also needs a noisy table and true to form, the inhabitants of the “Woof Woof!” table channeled their inner Lord Flashhearts with gusto.

Speeches were given, toasts were made and bellies were filled with the finest the Hurlingham kitchens had to offer. All that was needed to work this off was a dance floor so it was through the gardens and to the river we went with wellies on as the Bride and Groom had arranged for a Thames Cutter to transport them up river to the Thames Rowing Club, crewed by some of their most able guests. This was a first for me, roaring alongside in a captain’s launch trying to take pictures in the pitch black whilst doing my best not to fall in. I lived to tell the tale though and we raced on ahead to capture the arrival as the couple were greeted on the shore by an archway of oars and a shower of club coloured confetti to welcome them into the Rowing Club for the evenings shenanigans.

With the band fired up and ready to play and more food and drink available at every turn (and lots of pizza!) the guests partied long into the night to round of what was a truly memorable day from start to finish.

Daisy & Pete's day was brilliantly organised by Mel Brown from Mel Brown Studios and hosted at The Hurlingham Club, London and The Thames Rowing Club, both fantastic venues.

For Events queries at The Hurlingham please contact their Event Manager Penny Thomas
To hire The Thames Rowing Club please contact the House Manager Michael Grattan

I still have some availability this year and am also taking wedding bookings for 2019. For more info, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Alternatively I'll be exhibiting at The National Wedding Show at Olympia in London from 16th-18th February so if you find yourself there, swing by stand G41 for a chat.

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A Dorset Wedding: Hermione & Tim, Lydlinch (nr. Sturminster Newton)

31/8/2017

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It was off to the depths of Dorset recently and the small village of Lydlinch for the wedding of Hermione and Tim. Having already done an engagement shoot with them which gave me a chance to meet the family and have a look around the family home where the wedding was going to be, I was really looking forward to the day ahead.

I arrived at the house in the morning to be confronted by a very calm and relaxed atmosphere, something of a rarity on a wedding day! It was helped, in part, by everyone gathering around the TV with bacon butties to watch the British and Irish Lions beat New Zealand in the 2nd Test. There’s nothing like a win against the All Blacks to put a spring in the step and it was a great start to the day! But it was soon back to the task of having a wedding and there were still table settings (with an enormous amount of sweet peas to arrange) to complete and hair and make-up to be done amongst all the other unseen jobs that needed doing and crossing off the epic "to-do" list.

I have to say that the morning prep is one of my favourite parts of a wedding day. It’s the calm before the storm with so many different emotions going on, everything is up in the air but its all so very natural and I just love the “behind the scenes” nature of it. That said, it does involve a lot of running around as there's so much going on but in this case there was just enough time for me to pop to the pub (for pictures, not pints…) to spend a bit of time with the Groom and his chums before heading back to the house and the final preparations.

With her Naomi Neoh dress on and the big reveal to her Dad (always a fab moment) Hermione was ready and we headed off to St Mary's church in nearby Sturminster Newton for the ceremony.

With the official part done with it was back to the house where guests were piped through to the lawn which had two marquees, one for afternoon drinks and the other for the evening reception. Hermione’s Dad had parked his 1939 De Havilland Tiger Moth bi-plane next to the marquee which proved very popular with guests for photo-ops (I was secretly hoping that Tim was going to fly Hermione off in it at the end but, despite it being looked into, it was decided that it just wasn’t practical due to the important fact that Tim didn’t have a pilots licence).

With the speeches and toasts out of the way it was soon time for the evening “do” of dinner, drinking and dancing where there was a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere thanks to the subtle candlight emanating from the tables. Conversations were had, games were played and friends old and new connected over the most delicious food.

Soon it was time for some dancefloor shenanigans where the guests could really let their hair down. It's here where I really like to get in amongst the action all whilst being careful to avoid flailing feet and elbows. Tim had found a great Brighton based band called Zazu who played a wide variety of popular songs upon which they put their own unique spin. They were a real high energy band which ensured the dance floor was heaving all night. All too soon though it came to an end but not before repeated chants from the dancefloor of “One more song! One more song!” led to not 1 but 2 encores.

Sparklers were then lit and Tim drove his new bride off into the night in his father-in-laws trusty old Land Rover. A day to remember for one and all and especially Hermione and Tim who were just fantastic to be around. Here's to them and many years of happiness together!

Here's a list of the some of the suppliers used by Hermione and Tim:

Church Flowers: Kate Robinson Flowers
Marquee: DP Marquees
Caterer: Charlotte Archer
Band: ZaZu c/o Band Boutique
Dress & veil: Naomi Neoh
Jacket: Lambert Creations
Makeup: Amanda Jackson-Sytner
Hair: Clare Johnson from Sloanes Bespoke Hair, Shaftesbury

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Surrey Wedding: Lara & Chris, Loseley Park

10/8/2017

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Lara and Chris’s wedding was one of those days where I think I spent pretty much the whole day laughing. It was also a day where things were done a little differently. With Loseley Park in Surrey providing the back-drop, Lara and Chris chose to have a humanist ceremony in the House’s beautiful walled garden. The weather, thankfully, played ball and the ceremony was a perfect fit for such a relaxed and wonderful couple aided by some fab little touches such as homemade lemonade for the guests to keep them refreshed before the ceremony, atmospheric guitar music played by Declan Zapala and sticks with ribbons attached for the guests to wave in place of confetti.
With Chris’s merry band of friends and ushers together with Lara’s bridesmaids, the tone was set for a day of fun and frivolity. The wedding breakfast was catered by the on-site Caper & Berry who again excelled themselves with the quality of the food they put out and the wining and dining put everyone in a great mood for the speeches, intro'd by not one but two Masters of Ceremonies. Sadly it all went too quickly and before you knew it, it was the evening and time to throw some serious shapes on the dance floor.
To help with that, Chris and Lara had hired the most incredible band. Called The Light Years, these guys played at the wedding of one of the other guests and I can see why they made such an impression on Chris. The energy coming off them was something else, I genuinely can’t remember the last time I had so much fun listening to a live band at a wedding and the guests obviously felt the same way as the dancefloor was heaving the whole night.
With one last rousing song Chris and Lara walked off into the night, beaming from ear to ear through a tunnel of sparklers held aloft by family and friends. As days go to start off your married life, this was truly one to remember. Congrats to Chris and Lara, a genuinely great couple.

Celebrant: Jenny Knight - Knight Ceremonies
Guitarist: Declan Zapala - www.declanzapala.com
Band: The Light Years - www.thelightyears.com
Caterers: Caper & Berry
Venue: The Walled Gardens and Tithe Barn - Loseley Park

For wedding bookings for 2018, drop me a line and we can chat about your big day!

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SURREY WEDDING: Emma & bruce - Pirbright

28/7/2017

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I first met Emma and her Mum at a wedding fair at Loseley Park last year. They were planning an “at home” wedding but were on the hunt for ideas and we got to chatting. Emma entered my draw for a free engagement shoot and lo and behold, a couple of days later after my son had drawn her name out of a hat (a 1950's bowler, FYI), I got in touch to say she’d won news that went down incredibly well as it happened to be her birthday!

With a "get to know you" meeting over coffee and an engagement done and dusted, come the morning of their big day Emma and her fiancé Bruce were used to having me around which set the tone for a super relaxed day.

It’s always interesting when talking about a couple’s plans to then see them come alive a few months later and Emma and Bruce’s vision was one I was excited to see. For starters, there was the marquee. Now, I have to say I love a good marquee, there’s something quintessentially English about them. It conjures up images of summer, picture perfect villages, bunting and cake and lots of fun and the guys from Tents ‘n’ Events really came up with the goods. Set up in Emma’s parents beautiful garden in Pirbright, Surrey and coupled with all the flowers and little extra touches that Emma had come up with, it served as a wonderful centrepiece to the day.

Bruce works for a company called Absolute Taste who were the caterers for the day and they produced a selection of some seriously mouth-watering canapés and a yummy wedding breakfast all whilst keeping guests refreshed and refilled at the bar. I'm always in awe of these catering companies who bring everything with them in the morning and then produce these amazing dishes on site, it can't be easy and to deliver a consistently high quality number of covers is truly impressive.

With the speeches done and laughter still ringing in guests ears, there was the small matter of a cake to cut (a selection of cupcakes from Crumbs and Doilies, topped off with a heeeeuge cupcake) After that it was then to the dance floor and with a DJ playing all the popular hits the marquee was heaving well into the night thanks to all the twerking and whatnot. Oh, musn't forget the macarena as well. It was surprising how many folks remembered all the moves!

Weddings are all about love and celebration and the coming together of two families. With Bruce being from South Africa there were lots of friends and relatives from far and wide who had the best time catching up with each other all whilst creating new friendships. It was a truly special atmosphere made all the better by Emma and Bruce, two utterly devoted superstars and it was a pleasure to be a part of their brilliant day.

Marquee - Tents 'n' Events
Catering - Absolute Taste
Cake - Crumbs and Doilies
Dress - designer Maggie Sottero from Miss Bush in Ripley

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Real Wedding Feature - Wedding Ideas Magazine, July 2017 issue

16/6/2017

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The wedding industry can be a bit of a minefield in terms of finding the right suppliers and that's why some of the publications available can be a really valuable source of information. I shot Victoria and Rod's brilliant wedding last October at RMS Sandhurst (read about it here on my blog!) and, rather niftily, it appears in the latest issue of Wedding Ideas magazine. The great thing about this style of feature is that it's full of handy tips and hints from the bride herself and is aimed at helping those trying to plan their own big day.

So, if you're newly engaged and thinking about your day and how it's going to take shape then you could do a lot worse than picking up a copy of Wedding Ideas magazine, available from all good newsagents and some rubbish ones too. And of course, if you're wondering who to use as your photographer then you could always drop me a line, I'm taking bookings for next year and I'd be happy to hear from you!

Matt Harris is a Surrey Wedding Photographer covering London, the Home Counties and beyond. For booking information do get in touch!

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Lizzy & Neill's Wedding - Brookfield Barn, West Sussex

7/6/2017

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It's always nice to be able to shoot a wedding at a new venue. Not only was it new for me as I hadn't been there before, but also because it's only been hosting weddings for the last 12 months since undergoing a full renovation and having an amazing hand-crafted brand new oak barn built. It's one of these venues where everything is under one roof, from bridal preparation to the ceremony, wedding breakfast and dancing. The team there are totally hands on and bent over backwards to make sure that Lizzy and Neill had the most perfect day. Nothing was too much trouble for them, even going so far as laying on a golf cart for me to drive the happy couple off for some more intimate pictures! I'm pleased to report there were no "buggy in the ditch" incidents to report and the wedding went on late into the evening with dancing and a live band.
Thanks to Lizzy and Neill for being so utterly cool and relaxed and to Brookfield Barn for looking after them (and me!) so well. I look forward to being able to return sometime in the future!

Here's a list of some of the suppliers Lizzy and Neill used:

- Caterers: The Secret Restaurant (they were particularly amazing all day)
- Flowers: Gill Pike Florist
- Makeup and hair: Bryony Holloway
- Pianist (in ceremony): Simon Grand
- Dress: Confetti and Lace in Farnham
- Suits: Debenhams suit hire
- Band: The Thatchers

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Father's Day Photography in Surrey

24/5/2017

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Sunday June 18th, a day where I and (I suspect) many other Dad's get an extra 20 minutes in bed before being jumped on in a place where no man should ever be jumped on by a small person proffering a burnt piece of toast slathered in jam and a lukewarm cup of coffee which gets slopped all over the duvet whilst yelling at the top of their lungs "Happy Father's Day Daddy! You're having breakfast in bed because it's FUN!"

Yes, Father's Day. It's a day where I have approx. 12 hours to do what I want because its my special day. I get to say (without the fear of retribution) phrases like:
"Because it's Father's Day, I'm going to sit down and read the whole Sunday Paper. In one go."
"I'm going out on my bike for 3 hours, it's my Father's Day right."
"Any chance of another coffee? <cough> <it'sfather'sday>"
"Oh look, there's rugby on the telly. And on Father's Day too. That's me sorted for the next 80 minutes. I'll shout if I need anything."

It's kind of like having Diplomatic Immunity in your own house and it's great.

On a more serious note, Dad's are awesome. Having one, being one, it really is a gift. There are moments to be remembered and treasured and it's important to preserve those memories. So what better way to do that than with a Family Photo shoot? If you book before 18th June I'm offering 15% off the price of a normal Family Photo shoot. For more details just drop me a line!

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Forward>>

Your wedding and the Dancefloor

the Final Build Up to your Perfect Wedding

How to Make it Through the Final week

Take Time Out!

Break in Your Shoes

Don't Overthink Everything

Be Good To Yourself

Put the out of office on

Pack an Emergency Kit

Sleep!

namaste

Drink Smoothies

Take A Moment...

BOOKINGS AVAILABLE

The National Wedding Show 2018 - Olympia

A London Wedding - Daisy & Pete: The Hurlingham Club

A Dorset Wedding: Hermione & Tim, Lydlinch (nr. Sturminster Newton)

Surrey Wedding: Lara & Chris, Loseley Park

SURREY WEDDING: Emma & bruce - Pirbright

Real Wedding Feature - Wedding Ideas Magazine, July 2017 issue

Lizzy & Neill's Wedding - Brookfield Barn, West Sussex

Father's Day Photography in Surrey

MJH Pictures - Photography By Matt Harris Blog

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