Moments
This is what it’s all about for us. searching for those elusive moments that go mostly unnoticed. The “Hero” shots – portraits – are great but it’s the little things that we hope you’ll look back on and laugh (and cry). I’m not going to say too much more (there’s more after the images) as there is a lot of wedding photography below. I try to narrow it down but it’s really hard as all of our clients were fantastic this year and it’s really hard not to choose everything.
So here it is. Our favourite unscripted moments from 2018 (and a few portraits obvs). The story of our year follows the gallery. I know people like to look at pictures first but if you would like to find out more about our year then it’s all there after our favourite wedding pictures.
The Best Wedding Photography of 2018 – as taken by Carol & Kevin Belson
Best Wiltshire wedding photographers
We started off the year photographing a Military wedding in the snow. As we arrived for the Bristol wedding at the Square Club in Berkeley Square people were dragging sledges into the park. The Military wedding we were shooting had guests arriving from all over the world even when flights were being cancelled due to the weather. Even with people managing to arrive from the middle east and beyond some locals were snowed in. The make up artist was one of them. This meant a mad dash into town for the Bride and Bridesmaid for supplies. It was a fantastic day and my first with naughty naked people.
Award winning weddings
The Indian wedding we photographed next was the first to feature a tortoise – Ravitoto – as a ring bearer. It had a tropical theme on a freezing cold day. There were two ceremonies both outdoors. Matara is an amazing venue with an Eastern flavour and plenty of variety in all weathers. By the end of the second ceremony in the woods the bridesmaids were turning blue with cold. We’re blown away to have won a “Best of the best” award for this wedding from Matara.
Next up we were back in Tetbury for a Wiltshire wedding. Many times we photograph a wedding and it leads to photographing many more weddings for their friends and family. This was one of those. Back in 2015 we photographed a wedding at Wick Bottom Barn for George and Simon and that’s led us to many more including this one for Emma and Mike. They were married at St. Mary’s in Tetbury followed by an hour’s drive to the reception in Tewksbury. For us this wedding will be remembered as the best sweet cart ever. Chocolate buttons and chocolate peanuts are my favourite things and this cart delivered on both fronts.
Our Favourite Wedding Venues
Another one of a favourite venues next; Stone Barn with Lauren and Mike. A beautiful day a gorgeous venue, a fantastic couple. A “hip-hop” best men speech.
We got some amazing images from Jen and Jordan’s wedding at Kingscote Barn. Carol got a great shot of Jen’s veil blowing over Jordan during the ceremony and I got one of my favourites of the year with the guys playing Boules. we also got to see The Indie Killers again who are always great.
Hot Summer Weddings
A red hot wedding at Berkeley Castle on one of the hottest days of the year for Matt & Howard. The guys were suffering in their wool waistcoats in the 30+ degree heat. It was the height of the World Cup finals and England were doing well. Football was banned so there were many small clusters of guests trying to look inconspicuous as they gathered around a phone. We love a same sex wedding. They are always energetic and fantastic fun. Bristol doctors are one of our friends recommended groups and it’s so lovely to meet old clients and hear how they are getting on, how many kids/house moves they’ve had.
Back to Matara for Gen and Matt’s wedding. It was a first for us as they were married at the church, a short walk through the woods from the house. A brilliant and quirky band – The Destroyers – played in the courtyard before moving into the Hilarium for the party.
I was on my own in the New Forest next for Margaret and Stewart. We did a little boudoir shoot before the wedding which was another first. I’ve done boudoir before but never on a wedding day.
Joyous and Emotional ceremonies
Laura & John had a joyous and emotional outdoor ceremony at Notley Tythe Barn. The whole day was a big family party full of energy. Both bride and groom did a joint speech and the party was started with a group first dance. When I say group I mean everyone. We loved it.
We were at Grittleton House three times in 2018. It’s an incredible venue that used to be a school and has slowly been upgraded into an impressive Wiltshire wedding venue. Tess and Mike were first with a beautiful ceremony in the orangery and a fun laid back reception with some brilliant wedding breakfast games – top tip; always follow the bride. She usuallky knows the correct answer. Next, later in the year we had two Grilttleton weddings in a row. Lucy & Martin followed by Jen & Ryan. Lucy’s dad stole the show at their wedding. He was such a character, full of hilarious stories.
Weddings All Over The Country
Beth and Jordan’s wedding in Oxfordshire led us into an incredible series of weddings. We had Hayley and John who were married in Swindon and travelled to Westonbirt House for their reception. Unfortunately they weren’t followed by their guests who got stuck on a coach following an accident on the M4. It gave us plenty of time for portraits but I’m sure that they would have preferred their friends with them. After a couple of hours and some rescue missions the guests finally arrived and the party got started.
Married in the Church Next Door
A back to back couple of celebrations on August Bank holiday starting with the riotous Julianna and Peter who were married in Sevenhamption church and had their reception in a marquee in Peter’s family home next door. It was a crazy day and we loved it. We didn’t know what was happening from one minute to the next but we captured some amazing images and just had to go with the flow.
The following day was again a church next door to the family home and a marquee in the grounds. The difference was the weather. It poured down from beginning to end. Even so everyone had an absolute blast and even the rain couldn’t put off the fireworks that lit the sky as Laura and Ian sped off in their open top MG (and then came right back to the party).
An Amazing Wedding Party
A semi-Military wedding was next up at a venue we’d never been to before but is incredibly beautiful; Lower Lawn Barns. We love a church wedding, we love an honour guard and we love energetic guests and we got all three. Bee and Olie were a fabulous couple agreeing to be photographed driving to the venue with me hanging out from the boot of our car in front. We arrived at the venue for drinks followed by an awesome meal and amazing party.
Some First Time Wedding Venues
After the Grittleton back to backs we were at Cripps Barn for the first time. We’ve photographed many weddings at Stone Barn but never the original Cripps barn. It’s a gorgeous place with incredible gardens set in a stunning landscape (did I get enough superlatives in?) This was another friend’s recommendations and it was fantastic to see everyone again for the second time this year.
Another new venue again for us. Oxlease Barn in Oxfordshire with Maddi and Dan. It was a joyous and emotional wedding with close family and friends. All DIY including the food (and the delicious chocolate fudge cake) which makes the day much more personal.
Gorgeous Autumn Light
Glenfall House in Cheltenham is a fairly new wedding venue. I think Dan and Emma were the first to book while it was still being renovated so it was fingers crossed that it would be finished in time. I’m happy to say it was and we had one of the most amazing sunsets of the year to finish off a wonderful wedding day. Emma’s dad couldn’t make it to the wedding so he delivered his speech via a laptop which was a very emotional surprise for Emma and brought out the tears for her and Mum.
Winter Weddings Round Off The Year
A short day in Moreton in the Marsh with Mihaela and Dan was followed by a chilly November wedding at Priston Mill with Hannah and Brett. This was another double wedding weekend with Jen and Nick’s wedding in Painswick. We had a fantsic day with them and their hollywood themed marquee wedding. All the men were in black tie and the women dressed to the nines as if for the Oscars.
We ended the year in Oxfordshire at Eynsham Hall with Sara and Harvey. I think every wedding from October on looks like Christmas with winter decoration and everyone wrapping up. This had the addition of Christmas trees as well which made the festive feeling complete.
Thank You To All Our Newlyweds
All in all we had an incredible year once again with some really lovely couples. Thank you to everyone who invited us to their weddings. Let’s hope that 2019 brings more of the same.
Kevin & Carol.
