Our last album before Christmas 2007

Emma and Mark love spot colour and we were delighted to make the hot pink gerberas zing. They came round last night to collect their GraphiStudio wedding books - with mini books as Christmas prezzies for friends and family. We're so pleased they're delighted with their wedding photos. Buxted Park is a fabulous wedding venue and we look forward to returning again this year.

Emma and Mark told us about the behind the scenes planning for their big event which now features on our website to help other couples planning a great wedding.

We look forward very much t our 2008 weddings and we wish you all a very happy Christmas and joyful New Year.

A very wet day was had by all and a terrific time too

Cold wet December afternoons aren't dream winter wedding weather and the traffic snarls up, making everything late, late. late. And when the poor Groom leaves the CD with all the Church music behind at the hotel and the Order of service doesn't arrive until the ceremony is well underway, it's fantastic when everyone pulls together to make the wedding go with a swing.

Thanks to Father Raja's CD collection, Jenny looked radiant as she walked up the aisle with her father to the cheerful Arrival of the Queen of Sheba. The Order of Service turned up before half time and the rain eased off (a bit...) when the bridal party emerged. No confetti, alas, as it had been mislaid somewhere. Perhaps a good thing as damp red bits can stain a white dress.

A great welcome was there for us all at The London Marriott West India Quay. Lisa Warren and her team had made the Ballroom stunning and smoothed disappointment of the non show of the booked Frank Sinatra act. We photographers had the chance to catch up on some requested group shots, everyone had the opportunity to write their good wishes on the signature mount. And then the meal was served. It was absolutely outstanding. Top class.

It goes to show that rain by itself doesn't necessarily spoil a wedding day - but London traffic is unforgiving and you need to allow a lot more time than you think for travelling around the capital. Especially when the rugby's on in Twickenham or there are some home games going on.

Our new studio and office development

We're very fortunate to have our own architecturally designed photographic studio to welcome couples. It's a great space with north facing lights so we can take great pictures and use the best possible filtered light. It gives fantastic results.

Now we're looking to develop our home office/work space which our clients don't usually see. We face the same challenges shared by many people who work from home. How to make the most of what you already have? How to add value to your house? How to combine work and family life? And add value to your property?

Simon Smith, a trained architect from Betternest http://www.betternest.co.uk/ has come to our rescue. He visited us today for a consultation on our garden room. Planning laws will change next year and we all have a window of opportunity to add value to our properties. It sometimes takes an outsider to spot the potential can that can be unlocked in a home and we're very excited to be working with him and his team.

We plan to have a brand new London office studio area opening in 2008. We are confident that Betternest will help us improve our studio and the service we offer all our wedding couples. Watch this space for updates and recommendations.

Enchanted Garden at Syon House Syon Park: Nigel Havers to switch on the lights

Don't miss the magical Enchanted Garden at Syon House. Tomorrow evening Nigel Havers will be switching on the lights - the Great Conservatory and the gardens become absolutely spectacular. Visit the official website www.syonpark.co.uk for information about opening times - and we hope to see you there!

Wedding photography at Cliveden House, wedding location in Berkshire

We love it when we're booked to photograph a wedding at Cliveden House in Berkshire. Weddings don't come more glamorous than this and the House is looking great, even though the formal parterres look their best in the summer.

We did a great pre-wedding shoot there, making the most of the sun - actually even when it's pouring, there are plenty fantastic rooms inside. We find that Cliveden clients value privacy and discretion, so we won't mention any names. You know who you are! Thanks for choosing us as your wedding photographers.

We've updated our website

Over the summer, we've rather neglected our blog - we've been busy shooting weddings and updating our website. It's now a lot more useful to our couples, with real life weddings, links to venues and recommended suppliers.

Our homepage venue sums up our approach - fine art photography with hommage to the great French masters, firmly based in the twenty first century and with an eye to capturing the fun and excitement of the day.

We still have a few bugs to fix on the site, and lots of new information to add. Our website will keep us busy until the Christmas wedding season starts. And we hope it will add value to our service, particularly for all the 2008 couples who have already booked us as their wedding photographers.

The Simons' civil partnership at Syon Park

It was a fantastic occasion! Solemn and moving in the ceremony, fun and spectacular afterwards - a great party hosted by a two wonderful new official partners. We loved the ceremonial footmen and Marilyn Munroe too. We look forward to showing you your photographs when you get back from Mauritius.

Guess the meaning of this sign?

It's worth checking with your priest/registrar that photography is allowed during your ceremony - and spelling out how important your wedding pictures will be to you and your family. In a recent wedding, we weren't allowed to take any pictures at all during the Church service. It's a great shame. All the good photographers we know are very discreet and make every effort to keep a low profile, while getting some great pictures. We managed to catch up at the Reception, of course, but it's a pity not to have photographs of the couple exchanging their vows with all the accompanying emotions.

Wedding Photography at Stoke Park for Denise and Andrew

Your pre-wedding photographs look amazing and we'll be sending you your private password protected link very soon. Meanwhile, this is one of our favourite photographs.

You've chosen a fantastic wedding venue with Stoke Park. It looks wonderful, the interior has that lovely staircase - and outside, you get to drive round in a golf buggy to find some wonderful spots for photography. We look forward very much to your big day.

Wedding photography at Burford Bridge Hotel for Darina and Brian

Congratulations, Darina and Brian, on your forthcoming wedding. We look forward very much to photographing you at The Burford Bridge Hotel very soon now and to meeting your fellow dancers from Lord of the Dance. We'll see (you all?) on the dance floor...

Wedding photography at the Vineyard Stockcross for Victor and Katerina

We have some great photographs to share with you. It was a great day and Katerina looked amazing. You're a very handsome couple- it was such fun taking those special pictures with you too. Have a great honeymoon and see you soon.

Wedding photography at Syon Park

This was an amazingly well kept secret! Charlotte (now Mrs Ng) sprung a noisy, colourful surprise on her Groom. Everybody was told they had to do yet another group photograph, this time outside the main house so they all dutifully obliged, including us photographers. And out of the bushes, right on cue, sprang this very friendly dragon and his band of drummers. You'll have to wait until you see your photographs to gaze at Jason's expression at this point. He was absolutely delighted and completely taken unawares.
Enjoy your honeymoon in Sri Lanka, Charlotte and Nuggy! We'll see you very soon after you get back.

Ruth and Sanjiv's Wedding at The Vineyard, Stockcross

Ruth and Sanjiv chose the amazing Vineyard at Stockcross for their civil ceremony and first reception. We meet again next Saturday for more celebrations in London - so we won't give too much away yet. Saturday had its wet and windy moments but it was really cosy inside, the Music Room looked fabulous for the ceremony and everyone enjoyed the California Bar in between. The Vineyard is renowned for its exquisite cuisine and top class service. It lived up to its reputation on Saturday and Maren was as charming and professional as ever. The sun came out in the afternoon too and we made the most of this opportunity.

And we look forward very much to showing Ruth and Sanjiv their wedding photographs.

Wedding photographs in The Great Conservatory at Syon Park

Little known fact - during the Second World War 69 bombs fell on Syon Park. Fortunately the Great Conservatory, created by the architect-engineer Charles Fowler of gun-metal and Bath stone, was spared. It is a wonderful space, transformed into a magical Reception venue. Whatever your colour scheme, you won't be disappointed.

Hats - a neat idea at Syon Park

The ceremony's over and now the wedding breakfast is about to begin. What to do with the Hat? Here's a neat idea at Syon Park. Hang it up on a washing line with a peg. Simple.

We took some fantastic photographs at your wedding last Saturday, Louise and Chris. We won't put them on show until you get back from Hong Kong/Borneo and you're ok with them. Well, maybe just one of the Great Conservatory to show Camilla and Daniel how fabulous it will look on their wedding day.

Camilla and Daniel are getting married on 16 June

Six weeks to go now! Camilla and Daniel are marrying at St Mary's with St Alban's Church, Teddington on 16 June and having their Reception in the Great Conservatory, Syon Park. It was good to meet and talk through their plans for the day, look at the spots where we could take some fantastic photographs on the day and of course, have some fun taking pre-wedding pictures around this amazing Grade 1 listed building.

A perfect honeymoon destination

Every couple should honeymoon at least once a year. We're just back from ours; we went to Venice. It was perfect - amazing April weather, beautiful sights and relaxing canal walks or rides in vaporetti. Incredibly romantic.

So to all our 2007 couples, we say have a wonderful time on your honeymoon, wherever your dreams are taking you. To our 2008 clients, we say - think Venice, out of season.

Terry on the Lake

Terry on the Lake - thank you so much for so many years of friendship. We were so pleased to meet Daniela and we have the warmest memories of the time we spent together last week. All good wishes in your filming projects www.terrydoyle.blogspot.com, your life with loved ones on the Lake - and long live friendship! Yours most affectionately, Susan and Godfrey

Ekaterina and Victor are marrying at The Vineyard, Stockcross

Ekaterina and Victor have set their date: Friday 1 June and it's going to be a fantastic day. They came round to our studio this morning for their pre wedding shoot. It's a lovely hot April day today (it's 8 degrees in Moscow guys) so we took some shots in the garden

They're both great fun and very photogenic. Ekaterina showed me a picture of her wedding dress when Victor wasn't looking. It's stunning. I'm sure the Jimmy Choos will be as well.

We can't wait for their wedding day!

Audrey Hosier's 87th birthday on May 7

Many happy returns, dear Aunt. We look forward to taking tea with you again soon.

Charlotte and Jason's pre-wedding shoot at Syon Park

Charlotte & Jason will be getting married on 2 June & we met up at Syon Park. The weather was perfect and we grabbed some great shots.

Syon Park Open Day

Louise and Christopher get married on May 5 in Syon Park - it was great to see them yesterday when they visited our stand. Amazing that in 5 weeks Louise will be coming through the door behind her, in all her wedding finery. They're a very smiley couple and very much in love. We photographed their pre-wedding shoot at Syon. Here's the link to their photographs:

http://albums.westlondonphotography.com/louiseandchristopher

We missed Sarah and Richard from Capture It - they had the best excuse not to be there - photographing a wedding at Warren House. Their stand looked terrific as did their albums on display. http://www.captureit.co.uk/

Beccy Thorpe told us that when Syon's diary for 2008 opened recently, 22 couples booked in one day. We met quite a few couples, or parents, who were planning weddings next year and also other wedding suppliers.

Simon Lycett had brought a floral arrangement which looked fantastic. The colours suited the black and white Adam design in the Great Hall. It was contemporary and bold - we enjoyed looking at it all day. www.simonlycett.co.uk

Caterers were in the Long Gallery. We look forward to tasting Rhubarb www.rhubarb.net on 22 June. Godfrey found Simon's cakes very yummy www.foodshow.org.uk And we look forward to working with Acclaim at Louise and Christopher's wedding on May 5th

www.acclaimfood.co.uk

Lighting designer Nick Ratcliffe from YES EVENTS www.yesevents.co.uk had set up in the State Dining Room. We look forward to photographing his spectacular lighting later in the year.

And we'll be back at Syon this Thursday for Charlotte and Jason's pre-wedding shoot.

Meanwhile, here are a few images from the day - we couldn't leave our stand to take too many - if any other fellow supplier would like an image, I'd be happy to email you a complimentary photograph and I'll look forward to meeting you one day soon at Syon. http://albums.westlondonphotography.com/syonparkopenday

Thank you Beccy, Victoria, Val and Margaret for looking after us so well - you're the magic ingredient that make Syon weddings go so smoothly. See you next week!

Our first posting

Our first posting, inspired by our friends Abi and Giles at www.mediawisdom.co.uk and Gurwinder at www.eastwestphotography.com
We're preparing for a busy wedding season and we're very much looking forward to returning to some favourite locations.

Syon House http://www.syonpark.co.uk, a fantastic wedding venue, is holding its Annual Open Day on Saturday 31 March and they've invited us to come along as one of their 'excellent approved suppliers to show our work to couples who are thinking of Syon as their wedding venue in 2008. Thanks Victoria!

The invite is for 'anyoneconsidering holding a civil marriage, partnership or celetratory reception on the Estate' and you'll get to view the Great Hall, the State Dining Room and the Great Conservatory. If you want to go along, email Victoria@syonpark.co.uk