Blog - Sophie Duckworth Photography

Anna & John – Upton Grey

“Ohhh myyyy gooodnesss!!!! We are totally over the moon with the stunning stunning photos you have taken, it has taken us right back to the day, you have captured every moment so so beautifully, thank you so so much from the absolute bottom of our hearts for doing such an amazing job!!!” – A&J

“We have loved your preview shots of Anna and John’s wedding, Sophie, you have captured them and the atmosphere perfectly in every way. Thank you for all you did on the day too to look after Anna, she said you were a real guiding hand, when you are the focus of attention it is not that easy, and you really kept her relaxed and ready for not only the photographs, but wedding ready too. We have received many letters and cards and several have commented how you were so professional in being there, but not seen, blending in so well with all that was going on!” – Anna’s Mother <3

Upton Grey Wedding

I’ve been terrible at blogging this year, much like every other season I’ll admit, but some previews need to be escalated straight to my website, and Anna and John’s beautiful wedding in Upton Grey is one of them! Oh these two! I chose to have a quieter August this Summer due to my son turning two, and wanting to spend a bit more time with him. It meant I had a few more relaxed days and had space in my diary to visit Anna’s parents’ beautiful family home ahead of the day. I don’t ‘need’ to visit wedding locations before the day, I always turn up early to have a scoot around but in this instance, it was incredibly lovely as I just knew that their big day was going to be a fabulous one. All sorts of weather was promised but in actual fact, the weather gods couldn’t have been kinder. A few rain showers appearing at ideal moments, with the clouds parting for gorgeous bank holiday sunshine for the reception – after this July, you could say they got very lucky indeed!

Back to the two at hand. After meeting Anna’s parents (possibly the sweetest people you could wish to have host you) I could see straight away where Anna gets her caring, bubbly and downright loveable nature from. Always concerned with everyone else, so relaxed and a smile for everyone. She had the best team of girls and family around her and the morning was a real pleasure to capture. Not long before this, I had the chance to capture some photos of John and his crew of many brothers, and of course friends from all walks of life, down at the local pub, The Hoddington Arms. With all wedding locations being a few minutes walk between one another, this truly was a wedding with village spirit at the heart of it.

Anna and John met shortly before the pandemic, and spent many hours socially distanced having picnics in an old Previa (the Prev-dog, I learned later in speeches) – this was dressed up to take the couple off round the block after the ceremony by their friends. Anna did however arrive in style in a beautiful family owned Bentley – the first I’ve seen in such immaculate polished condition! (Thanks to John’s Dad)

The ceremony was filled with SO much music, some traditional, and some even composed and performed by John’s talented brothers – they are a very musical family and the pieces they played were incredibly moving. Anna looked absolutely stunning in her custom Madi Lane dress, and the natural but pretty florals were by Hortus Poeticus, a new favourite of mine!

The reception was filled with my favourite kind of super relaxed vibe, a few group photos thrown in under the giant Oak in the field across from St Mary’s Church, and some lovely moments in the early evening sun with John and Anna themselves. I often remark how much I love marquee weddings, but I truly do. The garden party vibe is just where I feel right at home, and perhaps why I felt so happy and content with both families. I didn’t want to leave when it came to home-time…so much so I stayed an extra hour (but slightly regretted that when my son woke up at 5am the next morning!) – but it was just the BEST day and I am so thrilled to have been a part of it. Here are some previews from their wedding…it’s going to be a massive gallery! x

Anna John Upton Grey Wedding Photography 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!

Ellen & Robert – Busbridge Lakes

“Thanks so much for these, these are really really great and you have managed to capture so many great moments! We absolutely love these as these are exactly what we had hoped for when choosing you as our photographer! Thanks again for being so wonderful!”

Amelia & Tom – Albury Fisheries

“Sophie was our wedding photographer earlier this month and she was absolutely incredible! We’ve just received our full set of photos and couldn’t be happier with them. Sophie somehow managed to capture all of the relationships and the little moments and emotions of the day, without us being conscious of being photographed at all. Sophie also went above and beyond to help with everything on the day. She was everywhere all at once – lifting up a dress, carrying a speech, tracking down children – whatever was needed! We are so happy we found Sophie and that she was free on the day – we couldn’t recommend her more!”

AH Previews

Summer Wedding at Albury Fisheries

What a treat it was to return to one of my favourite parts of the Surrey Hills! Albury Fisheries is quite a spectacular space to hold a wedding, goose poop aside, it really does have the most incredible and calming vibe. Perfect for two of the sweetest, gentlest and loveliest of couples. Amelia and Tom’s wedding was one I was looking forward to from the word go, knowing I was working with top class hair extraodinaire Sharon Roberts (I may have mentioned once or twice that she did my wedding hair!) I could tell Amelia had good taste! Meeting her family at her parent’s lovely home was a real pleasure, such genuine and caring people, I knew this would be a lovely day.

Amelia had an army of fabulous bridesmaids, and they were all just SO thrilled for her to see her marry Tom, a truly brilliant person. They are fiercely talented individuals with their own minds and own independence, but together, they are everything. Sometimes I witness a joining of a couple such as this, and I can literally see the love emanating from one another. It was lovely to head back to St James’ Church in Shere once more, I even had my own cones left outside for my car parking space (thank you to Amelia’s brother!). It’s a beautiful village and everyone gathers when a wedding is afoot. The incredible flowers done by Carrie Macey beautiful adorned the church doors and inside too. After an emotional and smile-filled ceremony, thousands of petals fell upon the couple as they made their way to the Fisheries lake.

The weather gods were smiling once again on us (June was a record month of incredible weather wasn’t it!) and the couple were able to enjoy a bustling outdoor reception in amongst their lovely guests. Speeches, as always, were may favourite part to photograph. Amelia’s sister Charlotte absolutely nailed hers with Amelia’s Maid of Honour, and a few tears were shed during Amelia’s father’s very obvious pride as he beamed throughout his own. Tom’s was just so delightful, and I don’t think I saw Amelia stop smiling all day. They were even visited by a less than 24 hours old baby! Humungous kudos to that baby’s Mother, I actually don’t know how she was standing let alone dressed looking as glamorous as everyone else! The day was rounded off by the most beautiful golden hour light ever, and allowed Tom and Amelia to have a few quiet poignant moments by the water, surrounded by swans and cygnets. A pretty special day all round. Thank you lovely A&T for being the best, most easy going and delightful clients a photographer could wish to work with, here are some previews from your day! x

AH Previews

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