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A year to the day since they booked me to shoot their wedding day (totally unplanned and so quite freaky actually!), Erika & Justin hit Ventnor Botanic Gardens with me, which they chose as the location for their pre-wedding shoot because that's where they're getting married this week! Whist making our way around the gardens, we talked about their wedding plans, their beautiful new home that they've put so much hard work into (I've been admiring it and following their progress on Instagram), about running your own business and even badminton. Maybe we talked and shot for a bit too long because we got locked in and had to find our way out along with a small group of elderly men and women! So we moved onto the Spyglass Inn for a bite to eat and to go over last minute plans and paper work. Thank you both so much for the meal that was a lovely treat! Also thank you for choosing me as your Wedding Photographer, you are such a great couple and such great people, I'll see you in a few days - eeeeek! love & stuff |
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The day before I went to France on holiday, Steven Holly and I shot their Pre-Wedding photos, almost a year to the day since they had their initial meeting with me and chose me as their wedding photographer.
It was the first shoot that I had done with my brand new second camera body (which wasn't just test shots around the house, of my husband, or my dog..) and I absolutely loved it! Really helped by the fact that Steven and Holly we're really relaxed, up for a laugh and also just lovely people. They also said the magic words to make any photographer who likes the more candid documentary style stuff like myself, "If you want to try anything new feel free!" I really love collaborating and working with my clients, throwing around ideas and also letting them be themselves in front of the camera.
Both Holly and I (maybe it's a name thing) we're disappointed to find there we're as many sand worm trails on Appley Beach as we both remembered growing up, please tell me we're not the only ones who loved squishing the tracks with our toes?! Also no ring shots I'm afraid because Holly's friend is making her engagement ring into her wedding ring, how awesome is that?!
Steven and Holly have told me to be prepared for a "super laid back" wedding to come - Lana and I will be there, only a few days to go and we can't wait!
It was the first shoot that I had done with my brand new second camera body (which wasn't just test shots around the house, of my husband, or my dog..) and I absolutely loved it! Really helped by the fact that Steven and Holly we're really relaxed, up for a laugh and also just lovely people. They also said the magic words to make any photographer who likes the more candid documentary style stuff like myself, "If you want to try anything new feel free!" I really love collaborating and working with my clients, throwing around ideas and also letting them be themselves in front of the camera.
Both Holly and I (maybe it's a name thing) we're disappointed to find there we're as many sand worm trails on Appley Beach as we both remembered growing up, please tell me we're not the only ones who loved squishing the tracks with our toes?! Also no ring shots I'm afraid because Holly's friend is making her engagement ring into her wedding ring, how awesome is that?!
Steven and Holly have told me to be prepared for a "super laid back" wedding to come - Lana and I will be there, only a few days to go and we can't wait!
Love & stuff
xo.
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To celebrate ten years of marriage, Sahana and Sri decided to renew their vows on the Isle of Wight on a bit of a whim, which I think is so great!
They had an official ceremony on the Saturday and an unofficial and really fun ceremony with me on the Sunday (which was actually their anniversary date). They wrote their own vows, exchanged rings again as Sahana had lost her first ring on a trip to Florida, and they even a cake which they cut on the hood of their car! When I asked why they decided to do this they explained that they had a huge wedding the first time around with a whopping five hundred guests, and they wanted to celebrate a decade of marriage with something a lot more intimate and relaxed.
I can't help but smile when I look at these photos, because both Sahana and Sri we're lovely, really enthusiastic, quite out there and up for anything. Thank you both so much for getting in touch and hiring me, it's a shoot I don't think I'll ever forget.
They had an official ceremony on the Saturday and an unofficial and really fun ceremony with me on the Sunday (which was actually their anniversary date). They wrote their own vows, exchanged rings again as Sahana had lost her first ring on a trip to Florida, and they even a cake which they cut on the hood of their car! When I asked why they decided to do this they explained that they had a huge wedding the first time around with a whopping five hundred guests, and they wanted to celebrate a decade of marriage with something a lot more intimate and relaxed.
I can't help but smile when I look at these photos, because both Sahana and Sri we're lovely, really enthusiastic, quite out there and up for anything. Thank you both so much for getting in touch and hiring me, it's a shoot I don't think I'll ever forget.
love & stuff
xo.
Facebook Review: “***** She is extremely amazing, we had so many changes last minute as we were not from Isle of Wight but wanted amazing pictures. She was very understanding and adjusted with all our crazy plans! I’ve had so many photos done before, but none looks real like these. Thank you so much Holly.”
Even though the sun did not come out to play and most of the leaves and flowers had not started to bloom (apart from the daffodils of course), Paul Tracey and I headed to Osbourne House for their engagement session.
Since our first meeting I knew that Tracey and Paul are a great couple and that their wedding day will be fun and enjoyable for me to work at. Between talking about Harry Potter and how members of Tracey's family had worked at Osbourne House over the years, and also managing a quick cup of tea in a very busy cafe, we managed to dodge the rain and take some natural snaps.
Thank you both for choosing me as your Wedding Photographer, I'm so pleased you're happy with your engagement photos and I'll see you in a few months time!
Since our first meeting I knew that Tracey and Paul are a great couple and that their wedding day will be fun and enjoyable for me to work at. Between talking about Harry Potter and how members of Tracey's family had worked at Osbourne House over the years, and also managing a quick cup of tea in a very busy cafe, we managed to dodge the rain and take some natural snaps.
Thank you both for choosing me as your Wedding Photographer, I'm so pleased you're happy with your engagement photos and I'll see you in a few months time!
love & stuff
xo.
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1. Weddings can easily get expensive.
The truth is unless you're Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, everyone has a budget of some kind, so plan what's important to you both and be realistic about how much things you want will cost. I won't lie there were things that we wanted to hire and have for our day that we just couldn't afford, so we had to go without and make a plan B (or C or D... eeek!). But there were certain things that we knew we would regret if we scrimped on and went for a cheaper alternative, so we spent out and just had to compromise on other things.
2. Being yourselves is always the best way to go.
Even though this is a piece of advice that is in nearly every article about wedding planning, I still see stories online and listen to people talk about making compromises for family and friends, even though it makes them miserable and potentially costs them money they didn’t want to spend. Everyone has their own opinions and has their own tastes and ideas as to what "the perfect wedding day" consists of. Always listen to other peoples advice, but if you really don't think something is right for you, be brave and do what will make you both happy. Have a small wedding if you want one, have a huge one if you want that instead, buy the wedding dress you love but your grandma will hate, it's your bloody day!
3. The day itself goes so quickly.
Even though I'm a Wedding Photographer and I obviously think hiring one for your wedding is a good idea, also as a former bride I know the value of having beautiful professional pictures of your day. It only happens once and as the years go by you will start to forget things that happened on the day, and without sounding too morbid as loved ones pass away those photos really do become treasures. It doesn't mean you need to hire a wedding photographer or videographer that you can't afford, but please don't overlook hiring one and try and work it into your budget early. I can honestly say that we hired someone we liked, who knew what they were doing and their main role was to document our day which meant our guests could enjoy themselves and take the occasional snap if they wanted to - It is something we don't regret.
The truth is unless you're Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, everyone has a budget of some kind, so plan what's important to you both and be realistic about how much things you want will cost. I won't lie there were things that we wanted to hire and have for our day that we just couldn't afford, so we had to go without and make a plan B (or C or D... eeek!). But there were certain things that we knew we would regret if we scrimped on and went for a cheaper alternative, so we spent out and just had to compromise on other things.
2. Being yourselves is always the best way to go.
Even though this is a piece of advice that is in nearly every article about wedding planning, I still see stories online and listen to people talk about making compromises for family and friends, even though it makes them miserable and potentially costs them money they didn’t want to spend. Everyone has their own opinions and has their own tastes and ideas as to what "the perfect wedding day" consists of. Always listen to other peoples advice, but if you really don't think something is right for you, be brave and do what will make you both happy. Have a small wedding if you want one, have a huge one if you want that instead, buy the wedding dress you love but your grandma will hate, it's your bloody day!
3. The day itself goes so quickly.
Even though I'm a Wedding Photographer and I obviously think hiring one for your wedding is a good idea, also as a former bride I know the value of having beautiful professional pictures of your day. It only happens once and as the years go by you will start to forget things that happened on the day, and without sounding too morbid as loved ones pass away those photos really do become treasures. It doesn't mean you need to hire a wedding photographer or videographer that you can't afford, but please don't overlook hiring one and try and work it into your budget early. I can honestly say that we hired someone we liked, who knew what they were doing and their main role was to document our day which meant our guests could enjoy themselves and take the occasional snap if they wanted to - It is something we don't regret.
Pete and I on our wedding day in 2015 - Photo by Oscar May.
4. Buy a pair of cool flats as well as killer heels.
Especially if you are like me and don't wear heels very often. I had to buy a pair of Irregular Choice heels because I really wanted some but I knew I couldn't really wear them all day, so I also bought a sparkly pair of Converse All Stars to wear when I'd had enough of heels (which I took on honeymoon with me as well!) Yep, that'll mean you'll have two pairs of wedding shoes, and I'm forever talking to brides that are undecided about if they should have flats and heels but just do it, trust me your feet will thank me!
5. There is always more to plan than you initially think.
For example, the biggest thing we overlooked in the early planning stages was the food, which is crazy really because we both love food so much. We also nearly forgot completely to buy wedding rings and remembered about a month before the wedding! Wedding shows are actually a good way of reminding you of things you need to sort out, because there are usually so many different types of vendors exhibiting that it'll jog your memory or give you ideas.
6. HAVE FUN, please.
I really don't think this one can be said enough. Being proposed to by the love of your life is an amazing thing, and getting all excited with loved ones about your wedding is great too. However planning a wedding can be very stressful. I do think that stress is part of the process, mainly because you both care so much about the wedding, but there were a few times when Pete and I made ourselves shrug things off and put the whole thing into perspective. It's an important day but it's just one day, and the whole process should be as happy and as fun as possible.
I hope you found this helpful and happy wedding planning!
If you have any questions you'd like me to answer, feel free to get in touch.
love & Stuff
xo.
It seemed fitting that we went to Arreton for Kirsty & Adam's engagement shoot, as they are getting married there in June this year. Kirsty & Adam booked me over the phone, so it was great to meet them in person and have a shoot before the big day.
A huge mass of black clouds descended on the Isle of Wight about an hour before our meeting, and I was worried we would have to cancel the shoot because of them. Thankfully they scooted away and we managed to have a walk round Arreton Barns and went to look at the church they will be saying "I do" in. (It was a little odd walking around there as a "Photographer" because I used to work there when I was nineteen. I sometimes would have to feed the ducks at the pond in the morning before starting my shift).
It's funny what you get to know about people when you do a shoot with them and when you talk wedding plans. I learned that Kirsty's engagement ring had gone through a whole wash cycle in their washing machine, but thankfully they managed to get in back and in perfect nick!
Thank you both for choosing me to photograph your wedding, and I'll see you in a few months.
A huge mass of black clouds descended on the Isle of Wight about an hour before our meeting, and I was worried we would have to cancel the shoot because of them. Thankfully they scooted away and we managed to have a walk round Arreton Barns and went to look at the church they will be saying "I do" in. (It was a little odd walking around there as a "Photographer" because I used to work there when I was nineteen. I sometimes would have to feed the ducks at the pond in the morning before starting my shift).
It's funny what you get to know about people when you do a shoot with them and when you talk wedding plans. I learned that Kirsty's engagement ring had gone through a whole wash cycle in their washing machine, but thankfully they managed to get in back and in perfect nick!
Thank you both for choosing me to photograph your wedding, and I'll see you in a few months.
Love & Stuff
xo.
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After an overdue catch up since Lawrence & Nick booked me as their Wedding Photographer last year, we finished our cups of coffee and decided that even though the sun hadn't came out as the forecast had promised, we would venture into Cowes and have our engagement shoot anyway. I have to say I'm so glad we decided to do that!
The couple do live on the island, but they are getting married on the mainland in July of this year, at a beautiful hotel in Burley in the New Forest. They have a few plans for the big day which sound so much fun and I am really excited to capture them, along with the joy and love that I am sure will be there, as it certainly showed up at this shoot.
Thank you both for trusting me to photograph your wedding day and your engagement photos, I'll see you in a few months!
The couple do live on the island, but they are getting married on the mainland in July of this year, at a beautiful hotel in Burley in the New Forest. They have a few plans for the big day which sound so much fun and I am really excited to capture them, along with the joy and love that I am sure will be there, as it certainly showed up at this shoot.
Thank you both for trusting me to photograph your wedding day and your engagement photos, I'll see you in a few months!
Love & Stuff
xo.
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I haven't done a shoot like this in ages. When I initially got into Photography I used to do a lot more Portrait/Fashion photo shoots, before I got hooked on wedding photography. So when Imogen asked if I would be interested in doing a photo shoot together, I felt like I was taking a step back in time, but in a really good way! Imi has her own style and I love working with someone and capturing who they are, rather than just telling them what to do all the time (She even made the headdress!). Thank you Imogen for asking me to do a shoot with you, and for giving me such a lovely review.
Love & Stuff
xo.
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"***** - Recently I had the honour of helping a friend and someone that I've admired for quite some time. I've seen Holly grow and achieve amazing things, and it was clear even from early on that she has tremendous talent. Initially the idea was to do portraits but this quickly progressed when creativity began to flow, she has a way of making you feel comfortable and never forceful which produced some wonderful shots. Holly is mostly known for her wedding shoots these days, but I highly recommend that anyone who wants to do something a bit different to give this lovely lady a call."
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What is a "Micro Wedding", and should you have one? - From a Wedding Photographer & Former Bride
26/2/2018
I was reading an article the other day that caught my attention about a term I had never heard of. Reading it I learned that Pete and I had a “Destination Micro Wedding” and didn’t even realise! (I even photographed one at the end of last year! Pictures below)
Yes yes it sounds like a trendy idea that could go out of vogue in a matter of years, but I’m prepared to go out on a limb and say that I think they might be here to stay. If you don’t have a big budget, or are low key or introverted people who don’t want a fuss but a nice intimate wedding day, they are definitely something to consider.
Yes yes it sounds like a trendy idea that could go out of vogue in a matter of years, but I’m prepared to go out on a limb and say that I think they might be here to stay. If you don’t have a big budget, or are low key or introverted people who don’t want a fuss but a nice intimate wedding day, they are definitely something to consider.
Micro Wedding
[ˈmaɪkrəʊ ˈwɛdɪŋ]
An small and intimate wedding that is similar to an elopement, but you invite a small number of close family and friends along too.
PROS:
Sometimes less really is more, and if you have a smaller budget it can go a lot further and you are able to have more of the things you want for less. For example, feeding let's say 12 people is obviously going to cost you far less than feeding 100 or even 200, so you have the option to spend more per head than you would if your guest list was bigger.
A lot of wedding suppliers such as photographers, florists and bakers are willing to do the same great quality of product you want, but for less because you probably need less of a service from them. If there's only 12 of you for dinner, you are less likely to have a huge wedding cake that feeds 200 right? (or maybe not, maybe you really like cake!)
From personal experience you also get around to talk to all your guests much easier than you would at a larger wedding, and I found the day is so much less stressful.
[ˈmaɪkrəʊ ˈwɛdɪŋ]
An small and intimate wedding that is similar to an elopement, but you invite a small number of close family and friends along too.
PROS:
Sometimes less really is more, and if you have a smaller budget it can go a lot further and you are able to have more of the things you want for less. For example, feeding let's say 12 people is obviously going to cost you far less than feeding 100 or even 200, so you have the option to spend more per head than you would if your guest list was bigger.
A lot of wedding suppliers such as photographers, florists and bakers are willing to do the same great quality of product you want, but for less because you probably need less of a service from them. If there's only 12 of you for dinner, you are less likely to have a huge wedding cake that feeds 200 right? (or maybe not, maybe you really like cake!)
From personal experience you also get around to talk to all your guests much easier than you would at a larger wedding, and I found the day is so much less stressful.
CONS:
Restricting your guest list can be difficult and challenging, there are certain people that you wish you could invite, but inevitably they mount up and the micro-ness of the day is no more. Also trying to explain your micro wedding plans to some family and friends might be challenging.
But to avoid this you can have a party for your extended family and friends when you get back, like we did. A party is also an excuse for you guys to wear your wedding dress and suit again, and because it isn’t your actual wedding day there is a lot less pressure. We managed to get around to speak to all our party guests easier, and we felt there was less pressure and demand to be doing a lot of things all crammed into one typical wedding day.
If you decide to go for a "Destination Micro Wedding" you do have to consider the reality that some of your invited loved ones might not being able to attend depending on where you choose. Because of this we decided to not go abroad and got married in the UK (Although Las Vegas did seriously tempt us, we settled on going there for our honeymoon instead. It's a place I highly recommend visiting as it's a hell of a great city!). For some families and friends this might not be an issue, but it is something to consider.
Restricting your guest list can be difficult and challenging, there are certain people that you wish you could invite, but inevitably they mount up and the micro-ness of the day is no more. Also trying to explain your micro wedding plans to some family and friends might be challenging.
But to avoid this you can have a party for your extended family and friends when you get back, like we did. A party is also an excuse for you guys to wear your wedding dress and suit again, and because it isn’t your actual wedding day there is a lot less pressure. We managed to get around to speak to all our party guests easier, and we felt there was less pressure and demand to be doing a lot of things all crammed into one typical wedding day.
If you decide to go for a "Destination Micro Wedding" you do have to consider the reality that some of your invited loved ones might not being able to attend depending on where you choose. Because of this we decided to not go abroad and got married in the UK (Although Las Vegas did seriously tempt us, we settled on going there for our honeymoon instead. It's a place I highly recommend visiting as it's a hell of a great city!). For some families and friends this might not be an issue, but it is something to consider.
Ultimately it's your wedding day and no one can tell you what is perfect for you.
If you really like the idea of lots of your family and friends being there, then absolutely go for a more traditional wedding, there is nothing wrong with that, it's your day after all!
From a photographic and personal perspective, I think weddings that are big and small when done well, are equally fabulous. You do you.
I hope you found this helpful and happy wedding planning!
If you have any questions you'd like me to answer, feel free to get in touch.
love & stuff
Xo.
So around New Year I decided to give away a family or portrait session to one lovely winner picked out at random on my facebook page, and Helen was that winner.
Helen decided to have a family photo shoot with her partner Ben and their two beautiful boys. It was a very cold Sunday afternoon in February, but everyone was great and braved the freezing (but sunny) weather. I was told the boys were really looking forward to it and had been "practicing their smiles" which really made me smile actually - It's always nice to do a shoot with anyone who's looking forward to it!
Thanks for entering Helen and I hope you and your family enjoyed the shoot, didn't get too cold and like the snaps I got!
Helen decided to have a family photo shoot with her partner Ben and their two beautiful boys. It was a very cold Sunday afternoon in February, but everyone was great and braved the freezing (but sunny) weather. I was told the boys were really looking forward to it and had been "practicing their smiles" which really made me smile actually - It's always nice to do a shoot with anyone who's looking forward to it!
Thanks for entering Helen and I hope you and your family enjoyed the shoot, didn't get too cold and like the snaps I got!
Love & Stuff
xo.
tHE ramblings OF HOLLY CADe:
Wedding and Portrait Photographer - based on the Isle of Wight.
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