Oh my – that wind was fierce! But fortified with a couple of glasses of champagne we ploughed gamely on and I have to say Kim and Anders were real troopers. Even when the heavens opened and a brief shower rattled through they kept on smiling and cuddling up to one another for warmth. Just as we were about to call it a day a huge double rainbow filled the sky overhead and were were able to finish off our shoot in brilliant sunshine. Really looking forward to their wedding tomorrow

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Beltane is the Gaelic May Day festival marking the beginning of summer and when cattle were driven out to summer pastures. Rituals were performed to protect the cattle, crops and people, and to encourage growth. Special bonfires were kindled and their flames, smoke and ashes were deemed to have protective powers. The people and their cattle would walk around the bonfire, or between two bonfires, and sometimes leap over flames or embers. All household fires would be doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire and doors, windows, byres and the cattle themselves would be decorated with yellow May flowers. The si -often described as the spirits or the fairies- were thought to be especially active at Beltane and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease the si.

Not only was this a great opportunity to spend time shooting these wonderful set ups at a relaxed pace but also encouraged a bit of networking between likeminded photographers and friends, and other professionals who keep the wedding industry ticking over and on it’s toes each season!

Full credits go to the Styled Shoot Team here:

Hannah Best www.the-tea-set.co.uk/
Elizabeth Ruby www.ruby-roux.com
Melissa Love www.melissalove.co.uk/

Lead Photographers
Joanna Brown www.browns-photography.co.uk/
Lisa Devlin www.devlinphotos.co.uk/

Set Styling, Flowers & Catering
Hannah Best www.the-tea-set.co.uk/

Web Design
Melissa Love www.melissalove.co.uk/

Fashion Styling
Hannah Best www.the-tea-set.co.uk
Elizabeth Ruby www.ruby-roux.com
Laura Kate O’Rourke http://noirmusic.tumblr.com/

Make Up Artist and Hair Stylist
Carolanne Armstrong www.carolannearmstrong.com/

Gypsy Caravan Dress
Joanne Fleming Designs www.joanneflemingdesign.com/

Spirit of Beltane Bridal Scene Models
Kristy Tsois
Sam Beahan

Gypsy Caravan Scene Model
Meredith Hepner Phillips Theodorou

Jewellery contributed by:
Union Jewellery www.unionjewellery.com/
Chrysalis Couture www.facebook.com/chrysaliscouturedesigns

With special thanks to:
Rebecca Douglas www.rebeccadouglas.co.uk
Emma Thwaites http://www.emmylouphotography.com/
Jayne & Joe Sacco http://saccophotography.co.uk/
Laura Brennan http://www.cherryredphotography.co.uk/

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Crozet really is the perfect place to ski if like us you have not had much practice in recent years or have a young family since it is relatively quiet but offers a fair number of runs and cross country trails to keep you busy and which we are really looking forward to exploring over the next few trips. We had such a great time and can’t wait to go back

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I arrived to find every one present and correct and the bride to be and her maids all looking fabulous and Laura’s mum on hand to help her get ready before we braved the rain and made our way to the church in Midhurst where Laura’s own grandparents had got married, for the ceremony. Despite the gloomy weather, inside the church all was calm with the twinkle from the tree lights giving this wedding a real christmasy feel. James, waiting at the front with his brother and best man was suitably nervous but all hint of nervousness disappeared when Laura walked in and this couple who have known one another since childhood made those all important vows. As the register was signed Laura’s friend sang beautifully for them and afterwards we determinedly made it outside for a photograph under the arch. However the weather was so wet and chilly that we decided to use the church for portraits and photos – I doubt that this church had ever seen the like of  ’pinard horns’ fashioning an arch for the bride and groom but it certainly made for some fun group photos with Laura’s midwife work colleagues!

Afterwards we headed along the road to the Greyhound pub for speeches and a full on christmas dinner reception followed up with slices of  homemade wedding cake and bags full of retro sweets. The dancing then got going –  (look away now if you are not a fan of Chelsea Football Club! )  -  and as the clocked ticked away the last hours of 2012 the rain eventually stopped. Just before I left  we popped outside into the cold evening air for some sweet portraits. James said he always knew he was going to marry Laura because she said he would and on this most magical of nights that prediction had finally come true

The post A New Years Eve Wedding In Midhurst – James & Laura Got Married appeared first on Sue Kwiatkowska Photography.

Last week the new office was officially opened and here is the end result The rest of the ‘Brighton Pier’ themed work space looks pretty damn amazing as well.

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I met Rachael at the house for  some getting ready photos and having heard that her Mum had handmade ALL of the dresses I was really looking forward to seeing what Rachael was going to wear. And boy oh boy did this gown have the wow factor! Short, with real fifties style flair and plenty of ruffled under-skirting, this was perhaps one of my all time favourites. The teal coloured bridesmaids outfits and daughter Flo’s sweet little flower girl’s dress with matching ribbon finished off a great look

All dressed up and ready to go we headed into Brighton for the ceremony at the Register Office and then hopped on to a vintage Southdown bus for a ride along the front to The Brighton Ballroom. Seriously, this venue is  - in the words of my daughter – totally awesome! Quirky boudoir a go-go and so right for David and Rachael’s wedding. As Rachael quite rightly pointed out there was very little detail-wise that she needed to add to make this venue any better apart from the handmade gingerbread biscuit place settings, lovingly cooked up and iced the night before by her bridesmaid!

Leaving them to enjoy the rest of their evening I headed home in that beautiful golden light thrilled to have been part of something a little bit different and wishing this lovely family all the very best for a long and fifties, fabulous married life together

The post A Wedding At The Brighton Ballroom With Fifties Style Flair – David & Rachael Got Married appeared first on Sue Kwiatkowska Photography.

When Zimmie entered the room, I don’t think anyone in the room existed apart from the two of them for quite some minutes. I love catching those precious moments when a couple’s love for one another really shines though and when Jo  carefully straightened Zimmie’s necklace and gave her a small kiss on the cheek as the ceremony got underway I saw one of those moments right there. The girls had also prepared their own vows and ended the ceremony by adapting an ancient Yoruba wedding tradition involving the four elements of taste – sour, bitter, spicy and sweet. By tasting each flavour, the couple symbolically demonstrate that they will be able to get through the hard times in life, and, in the end, enjoy the sweetness of marriage. What a lovely sentiment – although judging by their faces I’m not so sure that whatever was in the glasses went down so well!

Drinks and photos followed outside on the terrace in the late afternoon autumn sunshine and then the evening party got started back at Brighton’s Murkaba with curry and cocktails making the rounds throughout the evening followed by brilliant little trees of retro sweets and cookie pops. The night ended with a very funny surprise speech and as I left with the party in full swing it was great to look back and see so many of Zimmie and Jo’s friends and family literally packing out that bar and wishing them all the absolute best, as do I, for a bright and sparkly future together

The post An Elegant and Relaxed Civil Partnership at Pelham House – Zimmie & Jo Got Married appeared first on Sue Kwiatkowska Photography.

We are all so super excited for baby’s arrival so come on little person – hurry up now!! (Oh and if baby does decide to come in the middle of Friday’s expected snowstorm Caroline and I will be more than happy to step in as impromptu midwives if a home delivery proves necessary!)

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One other very important thing that this year has taught me is this –  ”everything will be all right in the end and if it’s not all right, then it’s not yet the end”.

So here it is, a round up of 2012 in pictures –  and I look forward to photographing many, many more of you in 2013 – enjoy

Music: Annalise Emerick – This Love Won’t Break Your Heart

The post We’ll Take a Cup Of Kindness Yet And Toast To The New Year… appeared first on Sue Kwiatkowska Photography.

The ceremony was held at Field Place in Worthing and Michelle arrived in true vintage style in a retro camper right in the middle of a fierce downpour. Mark’s face broke into the most enormous of grins when he saw his gorgeous bride walking down the aisle and what followed was a truly lovely ceremony filled with real from-the-heart readings and lots of tears – including mine!

The formalities finalised, we headed outside into glorious late afternoon sunshine for photos and then on to Shaan for a slap up Indian meal. The tables looked so pretty decorated with dozens of flowers in jam jars and named with a nod back to Mark’s South African roots. The meal kicked off with speeches  - and a few more tears! – and afterwards we headed back to Field place for the evening reception.

The barn had been given a real village hall feel with a heaving cake table and the most glorious little table centrepieces. and the walls had been hung with framed photos from Mark and Michelle’s 20′s styled pre wedding shoot on Worthing pier.  The evening kicked off to a great start with Mark on guitar and his band getting friends and family in the mood for an evening of dancing ahead and it was here that I left them to relax and enjoy the party and the very beginning of a fantastic married life ahead

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