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What A Wonderful Year Of Weddings!

31st December 2018 by Nicola Rowley Photography

2018 – what an incredible year for specialising in wedding photography!

Not only have I been able to capture weddings for some amazing couples, but I’ve also been able to create memories at venues including Kingston County Hall, The Petersham Hotel in Richmond, Shendish Manor in Hemel Hempstead, Lillibrooke Manor in Berkshire, Leez Priory in Essex and the stunning Royal Pavilion in Brighton.

Each and every celebration has been as unique and special as the brides and grooms I’ve been fortunate enough to work with.

I hope that you enjoy this highlights video and if you are newly engaged, or know someone who is, please ask them to get in touch as I’d love to discuss your plans or indeed their plans with them.

Here’s to a fabulous 2019 and a huge thank you to all of my clients.

Nicola x

Anna and Keith’s Beautiful Surrey Wedding at Burhill Golf Club Walton-on-Thames

1st November 2017 by Nicola Rowley Photography

It has to be said that one of my favourite Surrey venues is Burhill Golf Club in Walton-on-Thames. So I was delighted to be able to capture the beautiful wedding of Anna and Keith at such a great location.

Anna and Keith were lucky enough to win an engagement photo shoot with me in the summer of 2016, so it felt like a long time until their wedding came around in July of this year.

There were so many things that I loved about this wedding.

The hand-picked peonies from the garden, which were expertly made into beautiful floral arrangements by Kate at Lily & Myrtle, the cake by Jackie at Cakes and Drapes, with a topper that truly reflected Anna and Keith as a couple.

And then there was the colour theme itself. Absolutely beautiful deep red, in the bridesmaid’s dresses and the flowers.

One thing that also deserves a mention is the logo for the wedding; a combination of the letters A and K, beautifully brought alive by a close friend of the couple.

Coupled with a stunning venue, and it really was a special day.

Congratulations Dr and Mrs Macaulay!

A Beautiful London Engagement Photoshoot in Southwark…

12th July 2017 by Nicola Rowley Photography

I love engagement and pre-wedding photoshoots – probably even more so when they’re held in London.

There’s something about spending time with my couples, getting to know them and hearing more about their plans surrounded by the architecture of such a beautiful city. It’s incredibly special.

When Rocio and Leonardo contacted me, one of the first things that was mentioned was, “we’re not comfortable having our pictures taken.”

A lot of my clients tell me this – and I say exactly the same to them and to you, if you also feel this way.

By the end of our session, you will come to realise that there’s nothing to worry about. I’m calm, relaxed and reassuring and I think this combination helps me get the best from you in any given situation.

It means you will end up with a collection of beautiful, bespoke and natural images – yours to keep and treasure.

There are several benefits to having a pre-wedding or engagement photoshoot. The most important thing is that you get to feel comfortable in front of the camera ahead of your special day. The knock-on effect of this means you don’t end up thinking about your wedding photography. You already know that your memories are being captured and preserved by a professional who you know, like and trust.

This is important as your wedding photographer is the team member who is with you from the arrival of your flowers until your first dance. I say team member because whoever you choose as suppliers should work harmoniously together as a team – to create the best day for you, as you would like it.

Below are the images of Rocio and Leonardo’s engagement photoshoot. Congratulations to such a lovely couple and I’m so glad that you love your images.

The session took place in the evening around Southwark, taking in London Bridge, The South Bank and St Paul’s Cathedral.

If you like them and my style I’d love to have a chat.

I’m taking 2018 wedding and family bookings and my calendar is already starting to get full…

Nicola x

Essex Wedding Venue Leez Priory Brings Back Happy Memories…

12th June 2017 by Nicola Rowley Photography

Dear bride / groom to be…

Wedding season is well underway and I’ve been busy capturing some absolutely stunning couples and helping to preserve their memories.

Will it be you next year?

I have to be honest with you, I don’t always work with prospective brides and grooms who would like to work with me. And I only take on a limited number of weddings each year.

Why?

Firstly because we have to get on. I like to work with couples who value their photography, are prepared to invest in it, and to make it one of the most important parts of their day.

Because at the end of the day, these are memories that you will cherish for a lifetime.

Why only 25 weddings a year? Because I like to deliver a first class service to all of my couples, whether they get married at the weekend or mid-week.

A couple of weeks ago, I returned to photograph a wedding at the venue where myself and my husband exchanged our vows almost seven years ago.

This time though, I wasn’t the bride, I was the professional photographer.

It was such an honour to be able to capture their special day at Leez Priory in Essex.

It was made all the more special because I knew the venue inside out.

So many happy memories and the sun shone too.

This week I sent across their wedding photographs to them and this is the email that I received back:

“Thanks so much for these. They are absolutely beautiful. Some real tear-jerkers in there! You are absolutely amazing Nicola.”

If you’re still looking for your wedding photographer or know someone who is, please do get in touch.
Let’s see if we’re the right fit for each other and if I can help create some lasting memories for you too…

I work Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm and weekends by appointment. I can be reached on my mobile: 07932 656685 or HERE.

Happy wedding planning!

Nicola x

Choosing Your Wedding Photographer…

15th March 2017 by Nicola Rowley Photography

Dear brides and grooms to be, do you feel that choosing your wedding photographer is a really difficult decision?

In some ways it should be – as they will play one of the most important roles in your special day.

They will be with you throughout, holding your hand and ensuring that everything goes smoothly (within their power of course).

The photographs are also your lasting memory of everything; the details, your friends and families celebrating, and most importantly the two of you taking your first steps into married life.

So how do you choose?

Below are some tips on finding the photographer that’s the right fit for you.

1) Do you click?

This should always be the number one as far as I’m concerned. Your photographer has a unique position in your wedding team. They are with you from getting ready on the day, right through to the first dance and sometimes even beyond. Will they be prepared to button up your dress when your bridesmaids have already left for the wedding venue? Will they ensure your engagement ring makes it onto your finger ahead of the service, as you have forgotten and given it to your mum for safe keeping? Will they be good at calming your nerves before you meet your other half and stop you from visibly shaking? You have to trust them, have a rapport with them, and most importantly like them. If you can, have an engagement or pre-wedding shoot with your photographer. It will mean that you won’t be thinking about photography on your wedding day.

2) Do they understand light?

When I started training en route to becoming a professional photographer, I completed a course where the photographer was an advocate of seeing the light. It was a complete game changer for me. Your wedding photographs should be beautiful, no matter what the sun, rain, or wind is doing. Your photographer should know where you should stand to get the most stunning images, how to help you look your absolute best, and know how to cope with anything and everything that is thrown at them. Do they know about avoiding dappled light, how to shoot into the sun or what to do for you first dance to make it look as epic as possible?

3) Have you seen images from an entire wedding?

This is an important one as you should be able to see how an entire wedding looks from start to finish. Not just a selection of images on their website. Scrolling through their previous blog posts is a good way to see these. It will give you an idea of what they’re like as a photographer and their style. And if you particularly like something, do let them know, so that can recreate your version of it, on your wedding day.

4) Do they pay attention to detail?

I never really considered this until tasked to look for a wedding photographer. I found the choice simply overwhelming and didn’t know where to look especially as our preferred one was already booked out for our date. In the end, I found someone who had photographed at our venue before, and I got in with really well. But, and here’s the but – the only image I have of me full length in my dress and it is tucked under at the front! I just wish that he had paid more attention to detail, had spent more than 10 minutes with myself and Matt taking our couple images, and had delivered much more of what we wanted. Ask your potential photographers this – what is their background? Have they organised events, or are they used to producing videos or filming people. You should get a feel for how important they will rate being able to get the perfect images for you.

5) You should feel that it is all about you

In November, I celebrated six years of marriage with my husband and I know what a blessing it can be. I not only love photographing weddings, but I love marriage even more. To me, wedding photography is way more than just taking images. For all my couples, I want their day to be better and even more memorable because I am there serving them and capturing all of the memories that are being made. Your photographer should also be there to help make these first steps on your marriage journey that bit more special, memorable and unique for you. It’s YOUR special day, and should be celebrated as such.

Below are a selection of images from one of my all time favourite weddings at Swallows Oast in Ticehurst, East Sussex. The first few photographs were taken by a second photographer I was with on the day, and show how closely and collaboratively I work with my couples on their wedding day. The final two are some of the edited images that Darren and Kelly received as part of their collection.

I love to chat with all my couples about their special day – so if this sounds like we’re the right fit for each other, do get in touch on: 07932 656685 or email me at: nicola@nicolarowleyphotography.com

Nicola x

PS You can currently save 10% off your wedding if you book with me by 31st March 2017. Please CONTACT me for more details… x

Beating the Wedding Planning Overwhelm…(by a former bride)

5th March 2017 by Nicola Rowley Photography

Dear bride to be…

Are you starting to feel overwhelmed with planning your special day?

Do you feel as if no one understands the pressure of organising your wedding, whilst juggling a full time job and still being able to see your friends and family as you used to?

Is it all starting to get too much?

My advice to you is to take a tiny step back. Treat yourself to something that makes YOU feel good – a facial, a pedicure, a massage – anything that will take the edge off all the planning.

When and only when you’re ready to dive back in, it will help you to do so with renewed energy. In short, be kind to yourself!

Getting everything arranged for your big day can feel as if it’s all too much at times.
The good news is that your wedding team (the suppliers you have chosen) should be able to help take the pressure off.

Is your florist lovely and creative, and able to share some thoughts and suggestions with you to make things run more smoothly both before and on the day?

Does your venue have a wedding planner who can ensure that everyone is where you need them to be at any given time?

Does your photographer provide you with a timeline so that you don’t miss the best opportunities for the imagery that will be with you long after your wedding?

It’s worth also reaching out to friends and family and getting them to help too.

For instance you could assign a bridesmaid or friend of the family to make the confetti cones, an usher to choose the music for the evening reception (provided you have the same / similar taste), and an usher / bridesmaid to help arrange any group photographs on the day.

The only thing that you should be thinking about on your wedding day is YOU and your partner having the best time possible.

I have to admit, I’m a big fan of lists and this really helped me when organising our wedding.

As we booked a last minute deal, it was a very intense four months. That’s right – I did everything from start to finish in only 16 weeks! So if you have more time than this, I can assure you, you will be fine.

It helps of course that my background is event planning and that I knew exactly who to call on to help me when I needed them.

Good luck with it all – take a deep breath – you will be fine.

It will be an amazing day from start to finish.

Oh and it doesn’t matter if it rains – this is the one thing that you have absolutely no control over, so if it does – then make a thing out of it and smile. It will be so much more fun.

Trust me. In my five years of photographing weddings, my brides who have embraced the rain clouds are always the ones who enjoyed their days the most.

In November, I celebrated six years of marriage with my husband and I know what a blessing it can be.

I not only love photographing weddings, but I love marriage even more.

To me, wedding photography is way more than just taking images. For all my couples, I want their day to be better and even more memorable because I am there serving them and capturing all of the memories that are being made.

If you would like to chat further about your special day, drop me a line at HYPERLINK “mailto:nicola@nicolarowleyphotography.com” nicola@nicolarowleyphotography.com or even better pick up the phone: 07932 656685.

Congratulations again on your engagement and happy planning…

Nicola x

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