Shilstone Manor: Stunning New Devon Wedding Venue

Yesterday, I visited the most amazing new wedding venue - Shilstone Manor - which will be opening this summer.

The experience starts long before you step out of the car, as Shilstone is set in the most beautiful Devon countryside, with country lanes full of wild flowers - wild garlic and bluebells, beautiful ferns unfolding in the sunshine - it really is delightful....

Right now the smell of wood shavings and paint fills the air as the joiners add their finishing touches. Crockery and lampshades huddle together for safety (or at least wait to be put back into position) and oak panelling is stacked ready to go back on the wall. But plainly, these are the final stages and its difficult not to be impressed by the attention to detail of the new design. Beautiful arches, window lights and perfect finishing touches give this venue a very cool, relaxed charm - combined with the stunning setting, its easy to imagine this as a very exclusive venue.

So I'm especially pleased to say that Andrew Jackson Photography is recommended by Shilstone Manor, with our first bridal shoot scheduled for early June. I can't wait to show you the pictures!

Wedding Photography Bristol & Bath

Had a great meeting with make up artist Charley B last week. Charley has a massive amount of experience, with fashion pictures published in the national press. Looking through the portfolio I was really impressed and I'm looking forward to working with Charley on a couple of projects on the horizon - more of which later. But looking through the portfolio really made me realise what a great investment having a specialist wedding make up artist is. It is so easy for brides to misjudge their make up, especially in all the excitement of the wedding morning - too little and so much of the facial definition is lost for the pictures - too much and the groom will wonder who is walking down the aisle! So if you are planning your Bristol or Bath wedding, do give Charley a call on 07960 017462.

Today I have been mostly listening to Saxon ..."Fill your head with heavy metal thunder"!!!

Wedding Photography at The Manor House Castle Combe

Just a quick blog to say a big thank you to all the couples who stopped and said hello at the wedding event on Sunday at The Manor House at Castle Combe. Carla & Sophie were working flat out all day, giving couples - and their families - guided tours of what has to be one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the area. Lovely to see Jo from Passion (one of my favourite florist's - as readers of the blog will know!) there as well, so all in all a fab day! Our next "Public Appearance / Wedding Event" is in Bradford on Avon on Thursday, 5 May, 5-8pm. Find me at Orton's Jewellers - definitely the best place to go if you want stunning hand-made wedding bands or engagement rings. Lee & Christine create the most beautiful pieces - so call in and talk about wedding photography and jewellery. Other wedding shops will be open in Bradford on the evening, so call for more details...

Today I have been mostly stuck at my desk - thank you Claire & Lee for giving me a pre-wed shoot to escape to this evening!

Wedding Photography Bristol & Bath

Just to make it three colour shots in a row... but I couldn't resist adding the B&W shot as well! The colour shot is back lit and its a look we try really hard to incorporate into our albums. Obviously, it needs sun or at least a light source of some description, so it doesn't work so well on the grey, overcast days, but I love the way the picture really zings off the page! The B&W is another trademark image, with all the focus being on the bride's gorgeous smile - if this is the style of picture you might like in your album do get in touch via the Andrew Jackson website! We're mainly Bristol & Bath based, but very happy to accept commissions from across the UK.

Today I have been mostly thinking that the Easter portraits are going to have fab weather if this beautiful Spring carries on.

Andrew Jackson Photography Weddings

Its been a really busy weekend with a fab wedding: still processing the pictures from that one, but just wanted to share this with you. I love black & white, and I know that lots of the couples who commission me are keen on B&W too, but this year, I'm really looking for colour shots to create something a bit different. The blue background is just from a piece of art on the wall but it brings a whole new dimension to the shot... that said, it did also look good in B&W, but I'm trying not to think about that!

Today I have been mostly eating liquorish allsorts...diet starts tomorrow!