JAMES WAS OUR BEST WEDDING DECISION BY FAR! WE CHOSE HIM FOR HIS NATURAL, NON POSED REPORTAGE STYLE, AND BOY DID HE DELIVER! OUR PHOTOS ARE SIMPLY STUNNING, FULL OF LIFE AND CAPTURING GENUINE MOMENTS OF LOVE, LAUGHTER, AND EMOTION.

When Alex and Paul first got in touch with me about their DIY festival wedding in Hampshire, I was so excited ? they were planning a really fun outdoor wedding with a traditional church ceremony, a live band and even a homemade bar. Alex and Paul are the nicest people and I couldn?t wait to shoot their wedding!

GETTING READY

I turned up at Coldeast Mansion, where the girls were getting ready together, and it was so chilled out, because everyone was in a good mood. When I arrived there was already a great atmosphere and the drinks where flowing.

THE CEREMONY

The wedding took place All Saints Church in Southampton and was a traditional religious ceremony. They had a full choir, which was so beautiful. After the ceremony, they had a sweeping first kiss, and then the celebrations began.

AFTER THE CEREMONY

The wedding reception took place at YMCA Fairthorne Manor, which was decorated so well, Alex and Paul had done everything themselves. I love Hampshire DIY festival weddings, Alex and Paul had transformed Fairthorne Manor, it was so wonderfully personalised. The wonderful bell tents were supplied by the fantastic Baylily Bell Tents – Emily who runs it was also helping oversee the day. It was an overcast day, which was perfect for photos. While the guests enjoyed the drinks reception, we wandered around the venue doing fun and creative portraits. I always have so much fun shooting DIY festival weddings.

During the reception, the bride and groom provided a homemade bar which went down a storm. For the wedding breakfast, they served a hog roast, and it was loved by all the guests. After the meal everyone enjoyed the free bar to the max, then the amazing Davey Jones’ Locker kicked off and the party got started. They also had sparklers, which was a huge hit. After the band had finished the wedding guests got stuck into a cracking barn dance!

WEDDING ADVICE

Alex and Paul met at Fairthorne Manor and decided it was the perfect spot to get married. Alex was kind enough to add a few bits of advice for future brides.

Botley held a big place in our hearts, and so was the obvious choice for our wedding. Remember that this day is for you two. Resist the urge to try and please everyone (because you won?t!). We made a lot of non-traditional choices because it felt more comfortable for us as a couple and because it just seemed easier! We chose not to have a table plan because we didn?t want the worry of where to put everyone, so on the day, everyone just sat where they wanted and it worked beautifully.

Weddings can become all-consuming of your thoughts and energy, so use it wisely and don?t stress about the little things. On the day, you honestly don?t even notice if something is out of place or not right! Paul and I were really keen to make sure that our day reflected us as a couple, our journey and what we loved, which is why we created everything we possibly could for our Hampshire DIY festival wedding. Our wedding was a real labour of love (I dread to think how many hours we spent folding 1001 paper cranes!) but it was worth every second to see it all bought together and everyone enjoying it as much as we did.