Stuart Bendig Photography: 2010

Tuesday, 1 June 2010

Rhia & Andy's Wedding by Stuart Bendig Photography

Rhia & Andy's wedding started at Mister Marks Hair Saloon then onto Rhia's home in Sawbridgeworth to photograph her getting ready including makeup bridesmaids & dress etc. The church Great St Marys Sawbridgeworth where I met the groom and guests arriving was beautifully decorated with flowers and the sunlight was aimed directly through the church windows onto the the bride and groom.

After the ceremony we had a shot of confetti then a 5 mile drive to Hanbury Manor Ware. Hanbury Manor is a Jacobean Mansion set in acres of green land. The staff where very helpful and friendly througout the day. The food was 1st class and the seating area was spacious.

The cake cutting and the first dance was held in what can be described as a big conservatory that was light and airy and great for photography. I stayed until the end to capture the Chinese lanterns being let go in the grounds for a spectacular picture.

Hanbury Manor

Monday, 26 April 2010

Zoe & James' Wedding

Venue: Latimer House

Chesham

Buckinghamshire

HP5 1UG

Latimer House is a wedding venue and a popular location to hold events and conferences. Latimer House is surrounded by beautiful country side that is a fantastic backdrop for wedding images.

I had previously photographed Zoe & James at Latimer House so as to find the best locations on the day of the wedding. This also helped the couple to get used to the way I shoot and build their confidence to help me achieve more relaxed images on the day.

First I visited James and the best man at his home to get some shots of both of them getting ready and playing Mario karts on the Nintendo.

The wedding ceremony was held at the church directly within the grounds of Latimer House which was convenient. I met Zoe to photograph her getting ready and I also managed to get some nice detail shots of her dress and flowers.

The church at Latimer House has a beautiful interior with angels painted with gold leaf facing up the isle.

I had previously spoken with the vicar who said it would be OK to take shots during the ceremony without flash. This does not pose a problem for me as I prefer natural light.

After the ceremony I was given the opportunity to take a posed signing of the register.

The staff from Latimer House greeted the bride & groom and guests with champagne and refreshments.

The weather was a bit cold so after the main group shot was taken the smaller family groups where taken in the library in front of a nice old fire place.

Romantic photographs of the bride & groom were taken in the locations that we used previously on the pre-wedding portrait. The light was great not too sunny only a bit cold so I had little time for photography.

The time came for Zoe & James and the guests to be seated. During the wedding breakfast I captured every couple at the table a task in itself. The speeches are something that I really enjoy photographing. The reactions on people's faces and laughter everyone apart from the best man is relaxed.

The cake was really amazing and even more so because the bride's mother made it. I made sure to get plenty of nice shots and details before the cake cutting.

I also took the opportunity to get some more romantic photos of Zoe & James on the elegant stair case that joins within the centre of Latimer House.

I have to say I was most impressed with the staff at Latimer House on the day. They where genuinely friendly and well organized.

After getting some great shots of the first dance it was time to say goodbye.

Kate & Dave

Pre Wedding portrait of Charlene & Kevin within the grounds of Sopwell House St Albans Hertfordshire.

I always offer the bride & groom pre Wedding portrait as part of all my Wedding packages it is a fantastic way to build trust with the bride & groom. I also talk through the best locations for the day.

Wednesday, 14 April 2010

Rhia & Andy

Pre Wedding Portrait taken at Hanbury Manor Ware Hertfordshire, England SG12 0SD United Kingdom.

Hanbury manor is a fantastic venue with hundreds of locations for photography. During Rhia & Andy's pre-wedding portrait I had the opportunity to show them the best locations that we could use on the day.

Tuesday, 16 March 2010

Zoe & James' Pre-wedding portrait

Latimer Place

Michael & Laura's Wedding

Great Fosters Hotel & Restaurant

www.greatfosters.co.uk

Stroude Road
Egham TW20 9UR
01784 433 822

After a pre-wedding consultation two visits to Great Fosters hotel and a pre-wedding portrait the big day had finally come.

The whole wedding was to take place at Great Fosters Hotel a Jacobean Mansion that has kept its character and charm.

I arrived approximately an hour earlier to the hotel to capture the details including the dining area and the place where the ceremony was taking place. This also gave me the opportunity to get a nice shot of the gardens without people walking into my shots.

I let Laura know that I arrived and asked if it was possible to come and get some getting ready shots. The couple's room was fantastic for photography with an antique four poster bed and dressing table. I like to use available light and there was plenty to set the mood.

Michael arrived with his son and I managed to get a great shot of them in front of the hotel then back to capture some more images of Laura having her make up applied and getting ready to put on her dress.

The ceremony was held within Great Fosters. Providing I did not use flash I was allowed to photograph the ceremony which was great. I think if you are getting married it would be an idea to find out whether photography is allowed during the ceremony as I think they are important memories of the day.

After the signing of the register I was invited to photograph the bride & groom with the witnesses.

Once the ceremony was over I left the bride and groom to relax and be congratulated by the guests and I took a few informal pictures of this.

The ceremony was at 4pm so I had to think about getting everybody outside while the light was still good for photography. I usually start by photographing the main group of everybody so that people do not have to hang around and they can go to the bar etc.

Great Fosters Hotel has some of the most beautiful gardens so for the main group I photographed looking down from a window. This way I can get everyone in the shot. The smaller family groups where easily arranged in front of the hotel. Romantic shots where taken at different locations within the gardens and on the bridge.

The main hall for the wedding breakfast was a great size and memorable for its old exposed timber. The table decorations and cake were carefully chosen and looked fantastic in the photos.

The seating arrangement gave me a good view of the top table so I was able to capture some great reportage shots of the speeches.

The couple had a live band who covered some great funky soul music and their lighting set up helped me to capture some intimate first dance shots without flash.

The couple where over the moon with the end result of the completed wedding album and DVD show. This is for me one of the best parts of the job.