Blog - Sophie Duckworth Photography

Charlotte & Adam – Kew Gardens

“I am not the best with words (this is usually Adam’s area) but we both wanted to thank you again so much for everything. You really were such a great part of our day, you were so lovely to be around and I know that you didn’t just make it super special for us, all of the wedding party have also commented on how amazing you were on the day.

The images are truly stunning and (apart from how much I cried on the day!) you really have managed to capture our happiest day perfectly. We couldn’t have asked for anything more.”

Charlotte Adam Kew Gardens Wedding Sophie Duckworth Photography

Kew Gardens Spring Wedding

So yes it may have been last May (2018, whoops), but this wedding is worth the wait! The best part about blogging weddings months after they occur, is that I get to revisit the memories and emotions and the whole day comes flooding back to me, one smile after another. It’s always SO tricky choosing the ones I want to blog. I try and focus on the moments, the tears and laughter and all the pretty in between that makes up the wonderful day.

It was my first wedding working alongside my lovely friend Louise Perry Weddings. Louise and her right hand woman, Natalie, have been industry friends for a while now, and working with them far exceeded my expectations! So much fun, as well as feeling looked after and watching everything running smoothly made things nice and easy for me. We began at the Hilton in Syon Park, with plenty of girlie chats and bubbles flowing, before we headed off to the stunning Kew Gardens to start the celebrations. I’m sure those who know Kew will know the gardens are always gorgeous, but it was looking especially pretty that day in May!

A slightly nervous looking Adam greeted myself and videographer Jessica Tottman, and moments after the doors flung open, anxiety faded and there began the grinning. These guys, are honestly, two of the bubbliest, funniest, and smiliest people I’ve had the pleasure to work with. I had SUCH a laugh with them, I felt so at home with their families and guests, everyone was just there to have the best time. An emotional ceremony with the prettiest light proceeded a wicked bubble run, whilst the guests enjoyed Pimms and chats outside the Nash Conservatory.

The best part of Kew is the buggies! A few hopped on board during the reception for tours around the grounds, whilst the rest enjoyed canapés by Caper & Berry in the beautiful Princess of Wales Conservatory. Charlotte, Adam and I took advantage of this time by hopping on our own buggy round the grounds for their couples session. We ended the the reception with the beautiful sun setting and a few more happy tears from Charlotte (and almost certainly myself, *cough*). The speeches were absolutely brilliant. I mean, I don’t usually blog as many images as this, but with so many awesome guests and so much emotion it’s hard not to. It was SUCH a pleasure to end my day with them after the most stunning evening reception and ruddy great first dance, and I can only hope these photos give some essence of the awesome day that they had.

Charlotte and Adam, every single step of the way with you guys has been wonderful, I’ve loved catching up with you both every now and again since the wedding, and I hope we keep in touch as we still need to go out and get drunk ;) Thank you, Louise and team, and of course Charlotte and Adam for trusting me with such a brilliant day. I loved every minute of it!! xxx

Charlotte Adam Kew Gardens Wedding Sophie Duckworth Photography
Thanks for looking! Like what you see? Head over to my Portfolio page for more images, and my favourite images from previous years! x

Kate & Tom – Garden Wedding

Kate & Tom – Chilworth Wedding

It’s no surprise that in peak season (which appears to start in May these days!) I rarely find time to blog my beautiful weddings. I am shamefully behind on last year’s offerings and have a list as long as my arm to post. This year due to this, I’ve decided to blog longer previews from a few weddings, so up next is the very wonderful Kate and Tom, who were married last Saturday in Chilworth, Surrey.

Well, the forecast was, as ever, as ropey as a British summer can be! Thunderstorms and pouring rain, yet by some miracle, the clouds departed right on cue. I was SO pleased that Tom and Kate were able to enjoy their day as planned. It’s always a bit of a risk planning a garden wedding, as you never know what you’ll get, but you will always make the best of it!

I began my day at the very stunning Great Tangley Manor, just a short drive away from the day’s main events. If anyone knows me they’ll know I’m a tad obsessed with beautiful light, and this building had it in abundance! Kate wore possibly the most beautiful Jesus Peiro dress I’d ever seen (apart from my own, of course ;) – which was designed especially for Miss Bush Bridal‘s Pearl anniversary. And honestly, I truly believe this dress was made for Kate as much as it was for them. WOW. I also absolutely adored that her girls wore white dresses, so classy, simple and pretty. We topped the hill at St Martha’s for their beautiful ceremony, with Rosie Orr‘s flowers finishing off their styling beautifully.

A short drive from here took us to Tom’s childhood home. What a special place to hold their reception, for so many reasons it was important to have it there. The lake in the centre was quite the backdrop for all of my photos! Spoiled is not the word. It was a wedding that I so love to capture, relaxed, playful, full of happy, loving faces, and two wonderful people in the middle. Kate & Tom, I so loved and appreciated being part of your big day and it’s no surprise this preview turned into a fairly lengthy blog post! Before I waffle on any further, I just wanted to add how lovely it was to work alongside the incredible Jacaranda again, one of my favourite caterers, whose food was just perfection. Here are some of my favourites from a truly wonderful day. Thank you, Kate & Tom, for having me along, I am very excited to edit the rest! xxx

Kate Tom Chilworth Garden Wedding Sophie Duckworth Photography

Thanks for looking! Like what you see? Head over to my Portfolio page for more images, and my favourite images from previous years! x

Charlie & James – Fetcham Park Previews

Fetcham Park, with Charlie & James, a preview

What a day. I don’t often get nervous before weddings these days, but I always have butterflies and a sense of adrenalin pouring through my veins each week I get to capture two people becoming one. Saturday’s beautiful day was no exception, it was in fact my first wedding back at the stunning house that is Fetcham Park in a few years. It is also the place I chose to get married in, in just a few weeks time. So yes, you could say my nerves were coupled with some anticipation about my own special day.

But in reality, it was the task of focusing on two wonderful people, who I’ve so enjoyed getting to know this past year, who are family with the owners of the house itself. So no pressure then…

Well, it was inevitable that this was never going to be an ordinary set of previews, but one that tells a mini story of Charlie and James, the house, the people connected with it and of course, me, and the way I viewed a truly magical day. It was simply, wonderful. Charlie and James, could you be more perfect for one-another? I think not. Absolutely hand in hand the dream team. James I know you were nervous, but the moment you locked eyes with your Charl, I knew it was all going to be fine. And I think you did too :)

Speaking of the absolutely beautiful Charlie, who was quite frankly elegance personified in her chic Suzanne Neville gown, (from none other than Miss Bush of course) I just have to say, you rocked it lady. Smiling, laughing and with a few happy tears, you took it all in your stride and were a joy to photograph. The house has light like no other, and I was in my element being able to capture the calmness of the interior, as well as the bustling, fun energy of the outdoor reception. Speeches were second to none, and I think I cried more tears that day than I have all year. A beautiful dance set the evening antics off and I left with a happy heart and two new friends. Charlie and James, I’m sorry I went overboard with your previews, there are just SO many more to come that I cut to as few as I could possibly manage.

Thank you, THANK YOU for having me along for the journey. It was the biggest honour and I shall remember your day so fondly, for years to come I just know it. Enough waffle…enjoy your previews, and your honeymoon! Lots of love, xxx

Charlie James Fetcham Park Wedding Previews \

Thanks for looking! Like what you see? Head over to my Portfolio page for more images, and my favourite images from previous years! x