Kate & Ross – Hampton Court House

‘Oh my goodness Sophie, I can’t tell you how many VERY HAPPY tears your photos have just had us all shed today! A real mixture of laughter and sobbing! Thank you thank you thank you!!’

Kate Ross Wedding Previews Sophie Duckworth Photography

Hampton Court House Wedding

My penultimate wedding of 2022 and oh what a cracker! I had to send this Hampton Court House wedding straight to the blog because, well, just look at them. Kate & Ross, the absolutely loveliest, funniest and brilliant couple you could hope to meet. Winter weddings are not for the faint hearted, there is a lot to consider, weather being one of them, but mainly the venue. It simply must have space indoors for photos, and room to mingle so you don’t lose out on all those precious parts of a wedding day that can happen when spaces aren’t considered. I hadn’t photographed HCH in a few years, bar a styled shoot I co-hosted which was featured on Love My Dress, and it was a total joy to be back again.

It had snowed just a few days before so alongside the BEAUTIFUL and perfect low winter sun, we had gorgeous opportunity to brave the outdoors for some snowy Bushy Park shots.

Kate and Ross both got ready at The Mitre just down the road, again, a perfect spot and the cosiest hotel in winter. A London taxi ferried various members of the bridal and groom parties (including myself!) to Hampton Court House where all their guests eagerly awaited them. I was lucky enough to work alongside one of my recommended and favourite videographers, OWP Productions and we had a blast capturing this duo’s day for them. Make up was done by the fab Jojo Hicks and the flowers were by the one and only Fairy Nuff Flowers – all absolutely glorious.

I think it would be remiss of me not to mention Kate’s incredible wedding dress by Freda Bennet from The Waterloo Wedding Wardrobe – with stunning fabric and those sleeves! It was to die for and Kate took everyone’s breath away when she entered. The couple’s utter sweetheart of a dog, Poppy also competed with many show-stealing moments and had her very own bespoke collar made for her ring-bearing duties. Too much cute indeed. I could prattle on longer about how much I loved this wedding, but I think the photos will show just how much I adored it, so many moments, and glimpses and smiles, everything I could ask for, along with the best couple to boot.

Thank you Mr and Mrs C, you are going to have the loveliest life together I just know it. xxx

Kate Ross Wedding Previews Sophie Duckworth Photography

If you’re planning a similar wedding and would like to know more about my approach or have any further questions please just shout!

Briony & Ciaran Loseley Park Wedding

“You’ve done an incredible job and you were brilliant on the day. You made us feel totally at ease which is really saying something as I can be quite awkward with posed photos (as Briony has experienced several times already on our honeymoon so far)…We love all the pictures; we will spend the next month or so agonising over which ones to print. Thank you so much for all your hard work; you’ve been professional, thoughtful, and helpful throughout. We will be sure to recommend you to everyone we know who is getting married.”

Briony Ciaran

Summer Loseley Park Wedding

Oh I do love a Loseley Park wedding!

Every time I get an enquiry for this stunning countryside venue I say a little prayer in the hope the couple choose me. I’m incredibly fortunate to have worked here several times a year since I started over 10 years ago, and it hasn’t lost its magic. It also seems to attract the loveliest couples so that’s always a bonus. Briony & Ciaran were no exception and when I met them to chat through their day I knew it was going to be fab!

They had a beautiful Church wedding…

They chose a church ceremony at the stunning St Nicholas Church in Peper Harrow. This has got to be THE cutest most exquisite church I have photographed. It wasn’t the first time and it was a joy to be back, albeit on the hottest day of the Summer. Usually churches are cooler buildings but thanks to Ciaran and Briony’s popularity it was rather packed with guests! Briony wore an absolutely incredible dress from Madi Lane Bridal, it honestly took my breath away when her mother helped her into it. The stunning Victoria Harper headpiece just finished off the look beautifully and made gorgeous Briony shine even moreso.

Once the ceremony was over, and after a long and brilliant confetti run, we all made our way to Loseley to continue the celebrations. Despite the intense heat, the guests enjoyed being in the White garden for their reception, the flowers by Edge of the Florist complimented Loseley’s stunning grounds perfectly.

I would like to say the speeches were great fun, but I don’t think I’ve witnessed quite such a roasting as poor Ciaran by his hilarious (and of course loving) brother John – I am shooting his wedding to his lovely fiancee Sarah next year so I shall look forward to hearing Ciaran get his own ! :) We lucked out with the incredibly August golden hour and had a few quiet moments where the couple practised what was to be a spectacular first dance! Dirty Dancing eat your heart out.

The night for me ended after a brilliant Ceilidh band had made sure the guests were warmed up and even more sweaty, and some photos that will be favourites of mine for life. Here are some previews from their day, if you’re planning a Summer Loseley Park wedding, do get in touch!

Briony Ciaran Previews

Sarah & Steve – Lago di Como

“Ahhhh these are just absolutely perfect. Thank you so much. Honestly. We cannot thank you enough, you made our day so perfect. Your photography style is just what we wanted. Relaxed, yet absolutely stunning…We are seeing family later and I cannot wait to show them! If we win the lottery, we are all doing this every year!!”

Sarah Steve Varenna Lake Como Previews Sophie Duckworth Photography

Lago di Como – An intimate wedding in Varenna

A wedding that I waited SO long for, but not as long as Sarah and Steve. The most fabulous, intimate Lake Como wedding in stunning Varenna. I was asked by the wonderful Louise Perry Weddings if I would consider a wedding in Italy – it took all of three seconds for me to announce that if I wasn’t chosen I would probably have got on a plane regardless and shown up with my cameras.

Another covid postponement, but oh so worth waiting for. Sarah and Steve brought their closest family and friends with them, including of course their absolutely gorgeous little man, Finn. It was hotter than the sun, but hasn’t most of this Summer been this way, it seems we are in for warmer Summers than ever before, and I will admit the heat got to me at the start of the ceremony, but thankfully drinks were flowing day and night, thanks to the brilliant staff at their venue Hotel Villa Cipressi. What a location to be wed!

Italy is a place I hold dear but I’d never visited the Lakes before, and I was truly blown away. It’s no surprise that Sarah and Steve chose such a beautiful setting to hold their wedding. Planners Louise and Natalie were outstanding as usual, working tirelessly to make sure everything was perfect, which it truly was. The boat trip with the couple and Finn is a memory I will keep forever in my heart, some welcome wind and respite from the heat, and some lovely moments for them as a family of three.

The evening was filled with incredible food, the most laid back vibes by the water, and some absolutely amazing speeches. Sarah looked breathtaking in her dress and the bright and colourful flowers by Fiori Q set the look perfectly. We ended the night with some dancing to the fabulous duo who played all day and who were such fun to have around, Akira Manera – highly recommend these guys, they travel too!

I had the most amazing few days, it was hard leaving my family but it felt like a home from home, as I now consider these guys family too. Thank you Sarah and Steve, for sticking with me and having me along with you, it was over so quickly but I know we’ll always have these lovely memories and for that I am truly thankful. Here are a few previews from their glorious and magical day…x

Sarah Steve Varenna Lake Como Previews Sophie Duckworth Photography