Bethan and Drew – Midnight Picnics and Star Watching, A Brecon Beacons Couples Shoot

Bethan and Drew – Midnight Picnics and Star Watching, A Brecon Beacons Couples Shoot

Bethan and Drew – Midnight Picnics and Star Watching, A Brecon Beacons Couples Shoot

Aw these two are so cool, it reminds me of like an album cover.  If you regularly read Adored Bride, you’ll know I’m partial to beautiful photography in raw, edgy locations and the Brecon Beacons can be pretty wild at times. Bright sunshine one minute and the mist descends the next, regardless of the time of year! It’s the perfect place to get your walking books on for a stomp across some epic scenery and perfect for a natural couples shoot.

South west based Elaine Williams captured these super cool images of Bethan and Drew on one of those wilder Brecon days, making for some pretty amazing backdrops. The couple chose the location because they often go stargazing there.

So enjoy and good luck guys with the countdown to the wedding on the 16th June (30 days to go!!!), we cant wait to see the big day itself!

We met 3 years ago in Full Moon, over a cocktail called “a jar of Green Shit”. It was my birthday night out, a few months before I was moving to the Middle East for a year to teach. We spent the summer together and kept in touch while I was abroad, as soon as I moved back to the UK we got back together and got engaged the year after, we now have a beautiful baby boy!

Elaine shot the photos in the Brecon Beacons; which was amazing because we used to take Drew’s van up there for midnight picnics and star watching.

We chose our engagement ring from Crouch Jewelers, it was the first one we saw on the day and after hours walking around Cardiff we went back to get it.

couples shoot in the brecon beacons
brecon beacons

Elaine shot the photos in the Brecon Beacons; which was amazing because we used to take Drew’s van up there for midnight picnics and star watching.

couples shoot by elaine williams
brecon beacons couples shoot

Probably my favourite part of the shoot was when we had to face and look at each other and Elaine stopped us and said “You don’t have to look so serious” – I think both of us were so worried about being awkward in front of the camera we were just staring the other one down! We immediately relaxed afterwards.

Beautiful rustic cake by The Frostery
Beautiful rustic cake by The Frostery
Beautiful rustic cake by The Frostery

My advice to others would be go for something unique and personal, the last thing we wanted were staged shots or something really commercial. Elaine managed to get photos that captured our love of the outdoors and that was perfect.

Also, enjoy it! Trust your photographer, you might feel a bit silly but you get the photos back and it’s amazing to see yourselves photographed like that, unless you’re a professional model you won’t get many more chances to have photos like this of each other!

brecon beacons

Love it! Thanks so much again to Elaine Williams Photo for the beautiful imagery today and all our love and best wishes for the big day to Bethan and Drew, we hope you have an amazing wedding.

If you enjoyed this you may also enjoy this Bridestones couples shoot.

with love

Francesca and Ben – Bridestones Outdoorsy Couple’s Shoot

Francesca and Ben – Bridestones Outdoorsy Couple’s Shoot

Francesca and Ben – Bridestones Outdoorsy Couple’s Shoot

When lovely Maddie Farris Photography got in touch with Francesca and Ben’s couple’s shoot at Bridestones in Yorkshire, I was so excited to share them. You see, on the side I’m a bit of a geology geek ( I studied it at Manchester Uni) so I always adore couple’s shoots and weddings that feature lovely people and real emotions in amazing landscape settings.

Bridestones is 150 million years old, pretty cool huh?  It’s a special place to Francesca and Ben who chose the location for their shoot and Maddie explains why she enjoys photographing couples in such dramatic settings:

Fran & Ben have been dating for over 6 years and wanted some authentic and intimate images to celebrate their relationship. They are both very outdoorsy and Ben is a keen rock-climber. He was the one who suggested this amazing location to me at Bridestones in Yorkshire. I really wanted to capture the dramatic scenery during this session, but I equally wanted to focus on Fran & Ben being themselves whilst making sure that the surroundings didn’t over-power them.

hugging

Francesca tells us more about how they met and the day at Bridestones;

We knew each other vaguely for a number of years before we got together but had only ever spoken a few sentences to each other! Anyway about five years ago out of the blue Ben got talking to me online and suggested we go for a drink and the rest is history as they say! We hit it off and have been together ever since.  

We ended up choosing Bridestones, which is in North Yorkshire, as Ben is a keen climber and often there bouldering. I sometimes go along to keep him company and drink in the view, so it was a great location that has some real meaning to us.

We did the shoot up in the moors near where we live… We are both really outdoorsy and spend a lot of time on the moors or up mountains so Maddie suggested we went somewhere like that. We ended up choosing Bridestones, which is in North Yorkshire, as Ben is a keen climber and often there bouldering. I sometimes go along to keep him company and drink in the view, so it was a great location that has some real meaning to us.

fran and ben at bridestones
lovey image of couple sat on rocks
fran and ben at bridestones
lovey image of couple sat on rocks

I think my favourite moment of the shoot was towards the end of it when I decided to try a piggy back with Ben. It was just a funny few moments which had us all laughing and ended up creating some really good shots… I think I weigh a little more than I thought!

My advice to other’s having a couple shoot….I’d just suggest having a good chat with your photographer beforehand if you haven’t already so you are all on the same page and they know what you want from the day. It will make things much easier and you’re going to be happier with the results.

Thanks to Francesca and Ben for sharing their shoot with us and to Maddie Farris  for the lovely images. Be sure to check out Maddie’s website for more of her beautiful work,

with love

Photographer – Maddie Farris Photography

Anna and Troy – A Sunny Kensington Pre-Wedding Shoot

Anna and Troy – A Sunny Kensington Pre-Wedding Shoot

Anna and Troy – A Sunny Kensington Pre-Wedding Shoot

This gorgeous pair, Anna and Troy are from California and were visiting London for the first time, passing through to a wedding in France. They met up with talented Leanne Jade Photography for this perfectly sunny Kensington pre-wedding shoot ahead of their wedding day later this year in Napa Valley.

I’m absolutely loving these images, Anna and Troy are having such a lot of fun discovering the city and the backdrop of sunny Kensington and it’s variety of stunning architecture, pretty painted shutters, cobbled alleyways and greenery makes for such a beautiful setting. These images are very endearing and Leanne has so perfectly captured how in love they are!

Let me hand you over now to beautiful bride to be Anna to tell you a bit more about how she and Troy met;

Couple outside sunny kensington street
anna smiling at troy
couple strolling down london street
couple laughing

A few months after I moved to San Francisco in 2012, my girlfriend and I found ourselves with a spare bedroom. We listed it on craigslist and decided to do something a bit more fun and have a little “BYOB” party for all applicants. We invited our friends to the party, had a “sign in sheet” and started interviewing. After a fun filled Saturday with lots of conversation, new faces, and a few too many drinks we found ourselves with a still very empty bedroom.

The following day, Troy knocked on the door. He was a day late for the party but never had better timing. He moved in later that month. The three of us became very close friends. Troy and I would stay up late chatting about life and love. It was not until a year after he moved in that we started dating….we have been together ever since.

Engaged couple pre-wedding shoot in London
Anna looking at Troy
troy looking at Anna
Troy kissing Anna's hand in Kensington pre-wedding shoot

I took a work trip to Tahoe in April of 2016 and Troy asked if he could join. On the drive back to San Francisco he suggested we take a little hike and it was on that hike overlooking a gorgeous lake, that he asked me to marry him. He is my very best friend and love of my life!!

The engagement shoot was on one of our first international trips together – we were on our way to France for a wedding and Troy had to work in London for a week so I joined. I had never been to London and was soooo excited to explore. We spent a lovely few days in the city and Leanne was kind enough to offer us a shoot.

couple stood outside red garage doors
couple walking down cobbled alleyway
Anna and Troy walking towards Leanne

Troy sourced the diamond from a friend in NYC and then found a jeweler in SF. I had mentioned that I love ovals and so he went with that shape and designed the ring himself. He then had them hand engraved with linnea flowers (my middle name/mothers name/Swedish flower) along both sides of the metal.

Leanne Jade Photography
Couple kissing
Couple embracing

On the drive back to San Francisco he suggested we take a little hike and it was on that hike overlooking a gorgeous lake, that he asked me to marry him. He is my very best friend and love of my life!!

Anna and Troy under the arches

We absolutely LOVED hanging with Leanne – she is the damn best!! We think about the shoot all the time and feel so lucky to have had the vacation, Leanne’s availability, and incredible weather all work out in our favor. Watching Troy be a bit goofy and have as much fun with it as I did was pretty awesome! We loved the whole afternoon!!!

Anna in Kensington
Troy in Kensington
Troy and Anna

My advice for others……It is always awkward having your photograph taken but I think the best thing you can do is a) choose a great photographer (Leanne!!!) b) not take it too seriously, have fun with it! c) a glass of wine or two before doesn’t hurt!

troy and anna embracing Leanne Jade Photography
Troy and Anna

Thank you so much to Anna and Troy for sharing their wonderful pre-wedding shoot with Adored Bride, wishing you both a fabulous wedding day later this year. We’d absolutely love to see the images of your big day too.

Huge thanks also to the lovely Leanne of Leanne Jade Photography for these images, make sure you pop over to her website and take a look at her stunning work;

with love

Photographer – Leanne Jade Photography

Happy Valentine – A Relaxed and Intimate Couples Shoot by Agnes Black

Happy Valentine – A Relaxed and Intimate Couples Shoot by Agnes Black

Happy Valentine – A Relaxed and Intimate Couples Shoot by Agnes Black

So it’s Valentine’s Day! Traditionally a pretty romantic 24 hours and of course quite a popular day to pop the question. So I thought that this brilliant couples shoot from Agnes Black of the lovely Teri and Phil relaxing at home would be just perfect today.

I really enjoy featuring pre-wedding shoots that show how laid back, relaxed and natural they can be. Just hanging out with your photographer and taking the time to find out how to be yourself in front of the camera. I know that many couples shy away from the idea of doing these type of shoots as they don’t like having their photo taken, or are concerned it may feel unnatural or posed. I think these images show how chilled out a shoot can be. Honestly guys, just do it!

I’m a big fan of Agnes’s photography style and am really excited to share these images today. So let me hand you over to Teri to tell you a bit about how she and Phil got together;

agnes black couple on sofa

We first met when Phil moved into the flat below mine. He came up to ask about the gates and meters and that was the first time we spoke to each other.

Six months later after just saying hello as we passed in the hall I knocked on his door to ask if I could borrow some tools and to ask for some help taking some stuff apart as I needed help and my friends above where not in. He helped me and from there we started hanging out watching TV and eating take outs. A month after that he said to me….”can I take you on a real date?…” and the rest is history.

Agnes Black couple sat in front room

Our dog Murphy didn’t like the fact he wasn’t getting attention and decided to join in by jumping everywhere and climbing on us during the shoot. 

The shoot took place at our home, Agnes suggested this as we didn’t have anywhere in particular where we wanted to go. We both wore just casual clothing suggested by Agnes. Jeans and t-shirts and then later I changed into shorts, socks and a baggy Top Shop cardigan. In fact…..everything I wore was Top shop.

Agnes Black couples shoot

Our dog Murphy didn’t like the fact he wasn’t getting attention and decided to join in by jumping everywhere and climbing on us during the shoot. 

I would say to anyone thinking of having an engagement shoot – do it! It will help you get to know your photographer and get you relaxed in front of the camera. It does put your mind at ease for sure. Also always choose a photographer that you both feel comfortable enough to be yourself around, the way we felt around Agnes.

Thanks so much to Agnes Black for this brilliant couples shoot and huge thanks to Teri and Phil (and of course Murphy the dog!), wishing you a wonderful Valentine’s day,

with love

| Photographer – Agnes Black Photography |

Ross and Bethan – A Misty Moorland Pre-Wedding Shoot

Ross and Bethan – A Misty Moorland Pre-Wedding Shoot

Ross and Bethan – A Misty Moorland Pre-Wedding Shoot

I love Bethan and Ross and their misty moorland e-shoot by the fantastic Let Love Flourish photography as it’s so natural. No fuss, no staged poses, no pretense just the couple being themselves with the backdrop of the dramatic but understated moorlands. The thing I adore most about these images and pre-wedding shoots in general is that it’s a perfect opportunity for couples to relax in front of the camera and see what happens. I know it can seem a bit daunting to be yourself when someone is pointing a camera at you, but it’s such a good way to get to know your photographer and for them to get to know you ahead of the wedding.

Before I hand over to Bethan to tell you a bit more about themselves and the images, I asked the couple for their views on having a pre-wedding shoot;

moorland

If you’ve found a photographer that you click with then just relax and enjoy it – and have fun getting to know the person/people that will be with you for the whole of your wedding day. Plus, how often do you get the chance to have your picture taken by professionals? Trust their vision and go with the flow, the results will be worth it.

We met at university in Southampton back in 2008, I was asked by a fellow student to model for a photography project (back then I had a bleach blonde pixie crop) and met Ross on the day we all got together to do the shoot. We ended up hanging out at Ross’ student house where he wooed me with his guitar playing, and we’ve been together ever since.

 

We had discussed getting married quite a few times over the years and Ross had always said that he’d propose when I’d least expect it. So when romantic trips to New York, Tobago and Mexico had passed and still no proposal I had kind of pushed it to the back of my mind.

Ross popped the question in our kitchen after work on Wednesday 8th July 2015 and it couldn’t have been more perfect or more of a surprise. He gave me a huge bunch of flowers and whilst I was distracted arranging them he presented me with the most beautiful ring and nervously asked “will you marry me?” We spent the evening drinking Prosecco and telling all our favourite people the news. The funny thing is, Ross had decided that morning that he was going to propose, so he rang my Dad who was in New York on business to ask for his permission, (he took a lot of people by surprise that day) bought the ring and asked me all on the same day!

He gave me a huge bunch of flowers and whilst I was distracted arranging them he presented me with the most beautiful ring and nervously asked “will you marry me?” We spent the evening drinking Prosecco and telling all our favourite people the news.

Ross: I saw a ring I loved in Denmark years ago when I was on a work trip and I kept a photo of it on my phone for years, but was never able to track it down again. Then I saw one just it like (but much nicer) in Pravins, Southampton – when I went in to the store I chose two rings to look at, and when the member of staff helping me told me they were the same ring just with different diamonds I knew it was right.

As soon as I found Let Love Florish on my search for photographers I knew that Amy-Leigh and Daryl were the ones for us (despite us living 250 miles apart). After emailing back and forth with Amy and instantly feeling like we’d been friends for years, there was no way that I was going to wait until our wedding to meet them both.

One of my closest friends got married in August this year in Sheffield so we made the most of being close by and arranged to do our engagement shoot. Amy-Leigh and Daryl picked Snake Pass in the Peak District as they’d not shot there before and it was such a beautiful location – Ross and I were blown away by the scenery, it really is such a beautiful part of the country.

We can’t recommend Let Love Flourish enough (and they’ve not even shot our wedding yet!), Amy-Leigh and Daryl are amazing and so talented – we can’t wait to see them again next year for the main event.

Thank you so much to Bethan and Ross for letting us see their amazing images and of course to their wonderful photographers Let Love Flourish. I hope you guys are having a blast organising the big day and I’m look forward to seeing your images from the wedding!

If you want to see Amy-Leigh and Daryl from Love Let Flourish in full wedding action, I’m delighted to be bringing you a stunning rustic and emotional wedding later this week that they recently shot. It’s awesome!

If you have a pre-wedding shoot you’d like to share with Adored Bride, please get in touch,

With love,

Photography –  Let Love Flourish

Sarabeth and Mark – Sunlit Hay on Wye Bookshop Shoot

Sarabeth and Mark – Sunlit Hay on Wye Bookshop Shoot

Sarabeth and Mark – Sunlit Hay on Wye Bookshop Shoot

Happy 2017! Any newly engaged out there? It’s a pretty popular time to propose and today I’ve a really lovely seasonal shoot to share with you. Set in and around the bookshops of the quaint market town Hay on Wye, famous for it’s Literary Festival.

I love this shoot because the light is amazing, Sarabeth and Mark are really relaxed and the town provides such a cool backdrop. The early start for the shoot on New Years Eve meant that they have the place pretty much to themselves too!

Sarabeth is from America and she and Mark live there now, although Mark is originally from Hereford. They got engaged back in 2015 and whilst over visiting family in Hereford for Christmas, Sarabeth contacted Lucy G Photography as she thought it would be a really nice idea to do an engagement shoot while they were over here.

Lucy discovered that the couple both really love literature and travel and so suggested Hay On Wye for the location. She had a bookshop in mind that also had a really cool map wall for a shot, which on the day was so perfect as the sunlight pours in through the window.

As the day approached, the weather forecast for later on was not looking great at all, with heavy rain on the horizon. Lucy specialises in golden hour light photography which is usually early evening but to dodge the rain suggested an early start as with the sunlight rising fully by 9am it might just be perfect! Which of course it was.

So they arranged to meet on the morning of New Years Eve with Lucy having selected some fantastic locations around Hay on Wye for the shoot. They were really lucky as they even had a rainbow, you can’t plan that stuff! Can I also say….LOVE your scarf Sarabeth!

They arranged to meet on the morning of New Year’s Eve with Lucy having selected some fantastic locations around Hay on Wye for the shoot. They were really lucky as they even had a rainbow, you can’t plan that stuff!

Lucy G Photo

Sarabeth and Mark are returning to Hereford in June this year for their wedding along with friends and family from all over the world. Lucy will be photographing the day, I can’t wait to see the results!

Big thanks go to Sarabeth and Mark for sharing their images with us, hoping the transatlantic wedding planning is going well. Thanks again to Lucy G Photography for allowing Adored Bride to feature these lovely images.

I really enjoy looking at and sharing pre-wedding shoots and would love to hear from you if you you would like to share your own shoot,

with love

Photography –  Lucy G Photography

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