Over the last year I have several blogs of Essex wedding photography at some of the areas’ most popular venues. The sun shone on Charlotte and Shane for their special day at Gaynes Park wedding venue. Although I have been photographing weddings in Essex for many years, this was my first Gaynes Park wedding, a beautiful venue with a lovely walled garden and tree lined fields as a backdrop. On a clear day there is a view of the London skyline form a viewing point, perfect for a romantic moment for the newly married couple to sit on the bench away from their guests.
Gaynes Park Wedding Photography
Charlotte and Shane booked me as their Gaynes Park wedding photographer in Essex from my website and the wedding day was the first time we got to me, they are such a lovely couple. Charlotte met Shane eight years ago when she was just seventeen. He was a mate of her big brother Harry, but it wasn’t long before the two of them fell in love. Shane asked for Charlotte’s Dad if he could have her hand in marriage, and Dad kept the secret not just from Charlotte but his wife and family too – brave man!
Shane and Charlotte were on holiday in Turkey and on evening he suggested they take a walk by the river – ‘why, we’ve been there let’s just go for a drink’, Charlotte had no idea she had ruined his plan. But persistence work and he eventually got Charlotte to go for a walk to a romantic spot along the river, where he got down on one knee and proposed. The answer was of course yes. Charlotte recalls that by that point it had turned to dusk and it was so dark that she said ‘ I can’t see it’ – her beautiful sparkling engagement ring that Shane had carefully chosen for her.
The couple moved to Epping to live together and when they started to look for a wedding venue they started their search for local venues. However it wasn’t a hard decision and the couple fell in love with the venue as soon as they visited and knew immediatelyIf you that they wanted a Gaynes Park wedding.
Originally the couple had planned to marry in the Orangery with the long walk up the garden pathway for Charlotte, but with the unexpected heat of the week running up to the wedding day itself, the couple decided to have the ceremony outside in the open barn.
Best Essex Wedding Photographer
If you are planning your Essex wedding photography and are choose to have a Gaynes Park wedding, the team will recommend local suppliers that will ensure every detail of your day is perfectly coordinated. The Event company, Mediterranean Occasions, dressed the tables and chairs both inside and out and the wedding bouquets, flowers and floral arrangements were created by Panache Flowers, a beautiful display of classic white wedding blooms including roses and stephanotis.
Amazing wedding photos tells the story of the couples special day at Gaynes Park, wedding venue
Charlotte and her family and bridesmaids arrived just after 1230, with hair and makeup ready, so they could just relax with a glass of bubble before putting on their dresses. There were eight bridesmaids, including her younger sister, in elegant long gowns of pale blue and a flower girl in a petal dress. Charlotte got dressed in her parent’s room. Her dress was absolutely stunning, figure hugging with lace embellished design and a long train, designed by Essense of Australia.
The dress was enhanced by the slightest sparkle of sequins in the train. Charlotte’s hair was dressed in long waves and she wore a simple crystal hear clip without a veil. Charlotte’s Mum wore a royal blue dress and matching hat, and Dad was suited and booted complete with silver cufflinks and shoes which at one point were feared left in the taxi! Boxes from Jimmy Choo and Tiffany provided the accessories and everyone looked amazing.
Shane looked smart in a blue suit and tan leather shoes, accompanied by his brother and best man. Shane’s Mum, an incredible lady, beamed with pride all day long.
The bridesmaids made their way up the aisle and then Charlotte made her entrance to John Legend’s ‘You and I’ and the emotions of that moment as Shane saw his beautiful bride to be captured everyone. Following the simple service the couple walked out to ‘Rather be’ by Clean Bandit and their guests walked over to the Orangery and gardens and were met with Kir royals and Bellini’s, perfect on such a warm and happy day. It is such a lovely part of the day to document as everyone is so pleased to see each other, catch up and chat, there is lots of emotions to capture and wonderful natural moments.
The couple wanted their day captured really naturally through documentary wedding photographs because they wanted to enjoy their day with each other and their guests. We did do a few groups of bridesmaids, ushers and parents encouraged by Mum and Dad! And while the guests were invited to take their seats inside ready for the wedding breakfast, we had a few moments to capture the couple naturally together for some beautiful bridal portraits.
Shane did his speech before the wedding breakfast of a delicious four course meal. Then it was the turn of Shane’s brother and Charlotte’s Dad. The theme of football was clearly evident, but also the love that Charlotte and Shane have for each other and that their families have for them both. Both the speeches had moments of real emotion and pride as well as humour that had all the guest laughing.
Dad referred to the Steve Martin film ‘Father of the Bride’ and shared the character’s pain and joy of the wedding planning. Shane’s brother remind him of the five rings of marriage; engagement, wedding, and….. suffering, torturing and enduring. I think for these two this is a marriage that will be one full of love and happiness.
One Band provided a saxophonist for the guests to mingle at the drinks ceremony and then perform in the evening for the couple and their guests to dance the night away. Charlotte and Shane cut their simple three tier white wedding cake and then began the dancing to the acoustic Sam Smith ‘Latch’ before being joined by family and friends to the more up-tempo Disclosure version.
The couple are having the rest of the week off then will be flying out for their honeymoon in the Greek island of Halkidiki.
GAYNES PARK WEDDING REVIEW
Jane James did a brilliant job of coordinating the day at the venue, as part of the Galloping Gourmet wedding and catering service.
Gaynes Park is a stylish and contemporary country wedding barn in the grounds of a historic estate in Epping, Essex which has been in the Chisenhale-Marsh family for generations.
It is available for Civil Ceremonies, Civil Partnership Ceremonies and Wedding Receptions and is easily accessible from London, being only minutes from the M25 and M11 at Epping.
The Orangery, the Gather Barn, the Mill Barn and the Apple Loft Cottage have all been artistically and imaginatively refurbished creating a stylish and relaxed atmosphere. The Walled Garden is pretty all year round making Gaynes Park perfect for weddings in all seasons. Want to look at one of my favourite venues outwith Essex – look at Cliveden House!
This wedding venue is available on an exclusive basis only. With the option to choose your own entertainment and other wedding services, you have the flexibility to create the perfect wedding day in your own personal style.
You can find out all about Mark Here
Nice stuff Mark!
Cheers Martin, really appreciate your kind comment
Such great eye contact and connections between people in all your pictures Mark, great stuff!
MAny thanks David, really appreciate your kind comments. It was a documentary wedding photographers dream wedding
Lovely documentary work Mark :)
Many thanks Winston, Much appreciated
Great work Mark! Some lovely layering and great expressions.
Cheers Nick, much apreciated comments , Thank you
Great images! Love the black and white
Thanks Craig, much appreciated
Lovely candid approach, love the black and white images!
Thank you Tatum, B & W is always my favourite
Awesome images from a beautiful wedding!
Thanks Peter, really appreciate your kind comment
Nice Blog , Thanks for sharing this blog . i appreciate your work