One of the most gorgeous and unusual wedding venues in Kent (or in the whole of the UK, really!), I’d been dying to shoot at the beautiful Preston Court wedding and events venue ever since I moved to the UK. Thanks to the lovely Debs Ivelja asking me along to second shoot with her last summer, I finally got the chance to shoot a Preston Court wedding, and it did not disappoint! Tor and Paul were the brilliant couple whose wedding it was, and I loved every minute with them and their wonderful, welcoming family and crazy fun friends.
I started the day with Paul and his family at his parents’ home, where he and his brothers had all grown up. I absolutely love photographing my couples getting ready in their homes or in a family home, because everything in the background of the photos will have a special meaning to them, and getting dressed for your wedding somewhere that means something to you is just that extra bit special. Paul’s mum was keen for me to get a photo of the three brothers in the same spot as they took their annual “first day of school photo” every year while the boys were growing up, and I loved that.
Then it was off to the ceremony, which was held in St Mildred’s Church, which is on the grounds of Preston Court, and another thing I absolutely love about the venue. How lovely to have the church ceremony you’ve always wanted, but not have to drive off to another venue afterwards! And if you don’t want to use the church, Preston Court has other outdoor and indoor options for your ceremony too.
After that it was photos and craziness on the vintage carousel (which I admit was the thing I was looking forward to the most!), and finally, wonderful heartfelt speeches and my favourite, kickass crazy fun dancing! Yay! Oh and also, Tor wore a beautiful Jenny Packham wedding gown, which I ADORED, since Jenny Packham is one of my favourite designers. I had my eye on one for my own wedding, but unfortunately it never happened. So I get to live vicariously through my brides now!