Farnham Castle Wedding - Claire & Tommy

Claire & Tommy’s Farnham Castle wedding took place in December 2016 on a chilly mist-shrouded day shortly before Christmas. Claire and her attendants got ready in Farnham Castle’s beautiful (and very convenient) gatehouse, a stone’s throw from the main venue. Claire’s bridal party was lovely. Three wonderful, and very ‘on it’ grown-up bridesmaids and four supremely cute flowergirls. The gents, suitably sharp in dinner jackets, dressed in Farnham Castle’s bridal suite before crossing to the Lantern Hall for the ceremony itself.

Claire & Tommy’s florist was the remarkably talented Hannah Berry Flowers. I’ve been looking forward to working with Hannah for ages; not only because her floristry is so superb, but also because she’s based at Lower Old Park Farm, where my wife lived when we first met! As you’ll see, Hannah (who is ace) put together some absolutely beautiful bouquets, displays and table centres for Claire & Tommy and Farnham Castle looked simply amazing from top to bottom.

Following the wedding ceremony in the beautiful Lantern Hall, the new Mr & Mrs were showered with confetti by their guests on the Castle steps before we braved the cold for some groups and creative portraits. As you’ll see, Claire and Tommy both looked amazing and, despite the rather flat winter light, I adore the portraits we created. We then headed back into the Stone Hall for the drinks reception, where everyone was excellently entertained by vintage vocalist Rose Lancaster and magician Richard Kettle. I love magicians at weddings – they so often make for great images – especially when kids are involved!

Farnham Castle wedding shoots play a big part in my 2017 schedule. I currently have five lined up at present. I’m looking forward to all of them immensely, not least because it’s such an interesting venue in which to photograph a wedding. Claire & Tommy’s wedding breakfast in the Great Hall was catered by the invariably delicious Galloping Gourmet and, following dinner, everyone boogied long into the night accompanied by the excellent Partystarters. The evening in particular was great fun and I particularly love the potential The Great Hall offers for shooting a variety of angles thanks to the high walls and multiple elevated vantage points. Getting in close is absolutely key to my approach, but sometimes it’s worth pursuing something different and Farnham Castle is a setting that truly rewards that pursuit.

My thanks to Claire & Tommy for having me and to the team at Farnham Castle for being terrific. Here are a selection of my favourites from the day.