A basket of confetti thrown in the groom's face outside the church in Danbury after a wedding. Essex wedding photography.

A Garden Wedding for Chris & Frances

Couple kisses on dancefloor at marquee wedding. Marquee provided by Muddy Boots Marquee.

Five Years Earlier

I captured this moment on the dance floor between Chris and Sass at the wedding of their friends Sarah and Duncan up in Shropshire. One of the loveliest aspects of my job is witnessing couples, whom I’ve seen as guests over the years, finally tying the knot themselves.

VIEW

It was raining when I arrived at the bride Sass’s parents’ home after a very short drive—a change from the usual as I live in South Woodham, just down the road from Danbury. This is also where Phil Smith, the videographer who joined me in capturing this wonderful wedding day, grew up.

The rain persisted as we arrived at the church, but fortunately, the sun made an appearance during the ceremony and remained out for the rest of the day. This was perfect for hosting the garden wedding reception at their own home near Maldon, where their beautiful dogs joined the celebrations.

It was such an elegant yet laid-back wedding day, with plenty of familiar faces, fantastic food, and a jumping dance floor!

Wedding Suppliers

  • Jesus Peiro 260 wedding dress from Miss Bush luxury bridal boutique hangs from a curtain rail. Satin pencil dress with halter neckline and cut-in waist, featuring tulle panelling. Essex wedding in Danbury, with bedroom furniture visible.
  • Loeffler Randall blue bridal shoes at Essex wedding. Placed next to a Miss Bush bridal gown.
  • An antique veil from the 19th century wrapped in blue tissue paper.
  • A blonde woman at a table laughing. Bridal prep.
  • A blonde woman laughing as she holds up a mirror for her mum, having her makeup done in a conservatory.
  • Colourful flowers. Pink, yellow and blue. Blossom Hill in Danbury.
  • Bridesmaids and bride in dressing gowns are smiling and laughing in a dining room.
  • A woman with blonde hair laughing during her makeup.
  • A woman with blonde hair laughing during her makeup.
  • Polaroids taken by the bridesmaids in the morning.
  • Father of the bride's items on a leather sofa. A tie, a wallet, a shoe horn.
  • A bridesmaid in a pink dressing gown upstairs on the landing.
  • Father of the bride at the bottom of the stairs.
  • Sister and mum doing up the buttons on the bride's dress from Miss Bush bridal.
  • Sister and mum doing up the buttons on the bride's dress from Miss Bush bridal. Jesus Peiro 260. They are in a bedroom, bride reflected in the mirror.
  • Bride looking at herself dressed in the mirror.
  • Bride standing calmly in a wedding dress from Miss Bush bridal. Behind her the hairdresser plays with her veil. A candid wedding photograph taken in Danbury Essex.
  • A bride standing in a bedroom. Wearing a Miss Bush bridal dress and an antique veil.
  • Bride wearing Miss Bush bridal walking down the stairs and smiling.
  • Dad hiding his face with his hand in the living room as his daughter enters the room in her wedding dress.
  • Bride in her parents' living room with her sister and bridesmaids.
  • Bride holding hands with her dad as her mum and bridesmaids look on.
  • Bridesmaids laughing together.
  • Makeup artist Bex Standing-Smith in the kitchen with the bride touching up her makeup.
  • 1932 red Wolseley parked outside the parish church in Danbury Essex. It's covered up in the rain.
  • Two older women sat on pews at The Parish Church of St John the Baptist in Danbury, Essex.
  • Two women arriving at the church for a wedding in the rain.
  • Guests in the entrance of the parish church in Danbury.
  • Mother of the groom wearing blue sitting in a pew and looking at the camera. Waiting in the church for the wedding in Essex to start.
  • Two wedding guests in jumpsuits arriving at the church in Danbury in the rain. The woman in red holds a green umbrella.
  • Three women waiting with their phones and tablets to take photos of the bride. Phil the videographer stands with them sheltering from the rain as they wait.
  • Wearing Miss Bush wedding dress a bride holds her dress off the wet floor. Her sister holds an umbrella. She looks back at her dad and the car park attendant. The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury wedding.
  • A bride wearing Jesus Peiro 260 dress from Miss Bush is outside the church in Danbury Essex. It is raining and her dad and bridesmaid hold an umbrella. Documentary style Essex wedding photographer.
  • A bride wearing Jesus Peiro 260 dress from Miss Bush is outside the church in Danbury Essex. It is raining and her dad and bridesmaid hold an umbrella. Documentary style Essex wedding photographer.
  • Bride and bridesmaids walking to the church with dad. They are carrying white umbrellas. Rain on a wedding day in Essex. Three women take photos.
  • Weddings by Rosie wedding planner holding an umbrella for the bride.
  • Weddings by Rosie wedding planner holding an umbrella for the bride.
  • Groom and best man waiting as the bridesmaids walk up the aisle. The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury.
  • Father walking daughter down the aisle of The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury.
  • Revd Canon Jacqui Jones conducting a wedding ceremony.
  • Bride and groom singing during wedding ceremony.
  • Black and white photograph of bride and groom during a hymn. A wedding at the parish church of Danbury.
  • Revd Canon Jacqui Jones during a wedding ceremony at the parish church in Danbury.
  • Revd Canon Jacqui Jones during a wedding ceremony at the parish church in Danbury.
  • A couple singing during their wedding.
  • A photograph during a wedding ceremony at the Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury. Revd Canon Jacqui Jones stands at the front.
  • A photograph during a wedding ceremony at the Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury. Revd Canon Jacqui Jones stands at the front.
  • A man in a suit reading at a wedding in church.
  • A bride in a halterneck Miss Bush bridal gown sat next to the groom in the church during the wedding. The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury. Candid Essex wedding photography.
  • A woman with long hair smiles sitting among the other guests sat in the pews.
  • A photograph from the back of The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury in Essex. Bride and groom are stood at the front of the church.
  • Revd Canon Jacqui Jones conducting a wedding ceremony. A view from the back. The bride's veil can be seen.
  • Bride and groom kissing during wedding ceremony at the parish church in Danbury.
  • A photograph from the back of The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury in Essex. Bride and groom are stood at the front of the church.
  • Mother of the bride is signing the marriage paperwork as the newly married couple look at each other. Danbury church wedding.
  • A photograph from the back of The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury in Essex. Bride and groom are stood at the front.
  • A photograph from the back of The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury in Essex. Bride and groom are stood at the front of the church for a blessing.
  • Bride and groom walking down the aisle at the parish church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • Bride and groom walking down the aisle at the parish church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • Revd Canon Jacqui Jones smiling with a handful of confetti outside the Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • A woman in a peach floral dress holding some confetti and a white handbag. Outside a church in Danbury.
  • Bridesmaids holding flowers and confetti.
  • A woman in a floral dress and a dark jacket holding confetti.
  • Two women holding confetti and smiling outside a church after a wedding.
  • A bride wearing a wedding dress from Miss Bush walks through a shower of confetti with her husband. At Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • A bride wearing a wedding dress from Miss Bush walks through a shower of confetti with her husband. At Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • A bride wearing a wedding dress from Miss Bush walks through a shower of confetti with her husband. At Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • A bride wearing a wedding dress from Miss Bush walks through a shower of confetti with her husband. At Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • A bride wearing a wedding dress from Miss Bush walks through a shower of confetti with her husband. At Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • A bride wearing a wedding dress from Miss Bush walks through a shower of confetti with her husband. At Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • A bride puts her bouquet in the air is wearing a wedding dress from Miss Bush walks through a shower of confetti with her husband. At Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex.
  • Man in morning suit looks at the camera.
  • Family and guests leaving the church in Danbury in the sunshine.
  • A woman wearing white and blue, with a hat, laughs as she's talking to some men in suits.
  • Woman wearing a red fascinator.
  • A woman with long hair in a blue dress in the sunshine.
  • A couple who married last year speak to the Revd Canon Jacqui Jones, after their friend's wedding at Danbury church.
  • The Parish Church of St John Baptist in Danbury Essex. People are outside leaving after a wedding ceremony. The sky is blue on a sunny day.
  • Game and Flames catering at a wedding. A marquee in the background.
  • Chelmer Marquees. A white marquee for a wedding in a garden near Maldon in Essex. The sky is blue, there is a fence, trees and grass.
  • View of the bride in her garden, and her veil. She's talking to wedding guests.
  • Bride and friends drinking champagne in the Maldon garden.
  • The bride's bouquet of colourful flowers laid down on a table in the sunshine. Flowers by Blossom Hill in Danbury near Chelmsford.
  • A woman in a halter neck bridal gown from Miss Bush stands in her garden talking to her friends. A sunny day near Maldon.
  • Wedding guests outside in the sunshine laughing.
  • Two older wedding guests sat on chairs next to a marquee.
  • Man in sunglasses looks at camera while bridesmaids chat.
  • Chelmer Marquees. A marquee for a wedding in a garden near Maldon with a pond and a tree. Wedding guests outside on the lawn.
  • Bride's sister holding her antique veil.
  • Bride and her sister laughing in front of some trees.
  • View from behind of the bridesmaid, bride and groom walking by the pond.
  • Bridesmaid holding bride's antique veil.
  • Newly married couple posing in front of some birch trees at home in Maldon. Bride is wearing Miss Bush.
  • Newly married couple laughing in front of some birch trees at home in Maldon. Bride is wearing Miss Bush.
  • Newly married couple smiling in front of some birch trees at home in Maldon. Bride is wearing Miss Bush.
  • Bride and groom walking towards the camera in their Maldon garden. It's their wedding day, there are trees behind them. Miss Bush bridal gown. An Essex wedding.
  • Bride and groom walking towards the camera in their Maldon garden. It's their wedding day, there are trees behind them. Miss Bush bridal gown. An Essex wedding.
  • A bride rubbing her dog's belly on her wedding day in the garden.
  • A newly married couple on their wedding day with their dogs at home near Maldon in Essex.
  • A newly married couple on their wedding day with their dogs at home near Maldon in Essex.
  • Bride and groom with one of their dogs in their garden near Maldon in Essex.
  • Bride and groom posing in their Maldon garden with their dog. Flowers from Blossom Hill in Danbury.
  • Bride and groom posing in their Maldon garden with their dogs. Flowers from Blossom Hill in Danbury.
  • Bride fixing her hair as she walks in her garden in Maldon. She is wearing a dress from Miss Bush.
  • Ellie of Get Ahead Hats Chelmsford at a wedding in Maldon.
  • A woman in a man's jacket at a wedding in a garden.
  • A marquee from Chelmer Marquees ready for a wedding breakfast.
  • A table placement for the bride at a table. Ready for the wedding breakfast.
  • A place at a table for a wedding breakfast.
  • Homemade gin wedding favours.
  • A wedding guest plays up for the camera as the bride talks to friends.
  • A woman walking in to a wedding marquee.
  • A man hugging someone and laughing.
  • Bride and groom outside in their Maldon garden walking towards the marquee from Chelmer marquees.
  • Bride and groom enter the marquee with arms raised.
  • Father of the bride holding a microphone.
  • Father of the bride during speech.
  • People sat at round table laughing.
  • Bridesmaid smiling at wedding breakfast table.
  • Woman in red jumpsuit smiling sat at wedding breakfast table.
  • Bride and groom with best man sat at the wedding breakfast table in a Chelmer Marquee.
  • Wedding guests sat at tables during speech.
  • Groom's speech at a Maldon garden wedding.
  • Father of the bride smiling sat at the table with other wedding guests.
  • Bride looks up at husband during speeches.
  • People laughing during wedding speech.
  • In a Chelmer marquee the bride looks up at the groom delivering his speech.
  • In a Chelmer marquee the bride smiles as the groom is delivering his speech.
  • In a Chelmer marquee the bride looks up at the groom delivering his speech.
  • In a Chelmer marquee the bride laughs as the groom delivering his speech.
  • In a Chelmer marquee the bride looks up at the groom delivering his speech.
  • In a Chelmer marquee the bride looks up at the groom delivering his speech.
  • Black and white photo of wedding guests sat at a table.
  • In a Chelmer marquee a view from behind the bride as she holds up her dress as she walks. The backless halter neck wedding dress is from Miss Bush.
  • Microphone, clipboard, sunglasses and wedding water beer... Peroni!
  • People laughing at a phone sat at a wedding breakfast table.
  • Woman filming the best man's speech on the phone.
  • The top table at a wedding laughing during the best man speech.
  • The top table at a wedding laughing during the best man speech.
  • Toasting the wedding couple.
  • Man clapping the speech.
  • Half eaten pudding with drinks.
  • Outside in the garden wedding guests laugh.
  • Man in blue waistcoat laughing, wedding guests behind him on a sunny evening.
  • Men at a wedding greeting each other and drinking Peroni.
  • Three wedding guests in the garden under some trees laughing. Candid wedding photography in Maldon.
  • Three wedding guests in the garden under some trees laughing. Candid wedding photography in Maldon.
  • Wedding flowers by Blossom Hill in Danbury.
  • Men in blue waistcoats.
  • Bride with her friends.
  • Couple on their wedding day with friends. Trees behind them.
  • Outside in the evening light, bride and groom with guests.
  • Two wedding guests chat.
  • Couple have first dance in Chelmer Marquee as Andy Hatman Laurie DJs.
  • Couple have first dance in Chelmer Marquee as Andy Hatman Laurie DJs.
  • Couple have first dance in Chelmer Marquee as Andy Hatman Laurie DJs.
  • Couple have first dance in Chelmer Marquee as Andy Hatman Laurie DJs. Bride is wearing the Jesus Peiro 260 dress, a satin pencil dress, halter neckline and cut in waist with tulle panelling. From Miss Bush.
  • Couple have first dance in Chelmer Marquee as Andy Hatman Laurie DJs.
  • Couple having first dance in a marquee in Maldon. They invite their friends and family on to the dance floor.
  • First dance with wedding guests joining in.
  • Married couple together as people dance around them.
  • Surprised bride on the dance floor.
  • Bride, groom and guests jump up and down on the dance floor. Chelmer marquees and Andy Hatman Laurie DJs. Bride is wearing the Jesus Peiro 260 dress, a satin pencil dress, halter neckline and cut in waist with tulle panelling. From Miss Bush.
  • Bride, groom and guests jump up and down on the dance floor. Chelmer marquees and Andy Hatman Laurie DJs.
  • Bride, groom and guests jump up and down on the dance floor. Chelmer marquees and Andy Hatman Laurie DJs.
  • Bride mends over with laughter on the dance floor.
  • Busy dance floor at Maldon garden wedding.
  • Bride in the middle of the dance floor in a marquee.
  • Bride drinking wine and dancing.
  • A bridesmaid smiling and holding a glass of wine as people dance around.
  • Father of the bride dancing.
  • Sound City playing a wedding in maldon in a marquee.
  • Daughter and father of the bride smiling and dancing together.
  • Men pointing with beer.
  • Bride dancing with a glass of wine.
  • Chelmer Marquees next to a pond and a tree in the evening. A Maldon wedding.
  • Sound City wedding band.
  • Sound City wedding band.
  • Dancing wedding guests.
  • DJ Andy Hatman Laurie at a wedding in Maldon.
  • Sound City wedding band playing.
  • Woman in blue and white dress in a marquee.
  • Wedding reception dance floor.
  • DJ Andy Hatman Laurie at a wedding.
  • Wedding planner Rosie with the band Sound City.
  • Man leaning on a bar talking to a woman.
  • Bride lifting up her Miss Bush dress and dancing with friends.
  • Bride in Miss Bush dress and dancing with friends.
  • Bride in her Miss Bush dress dancing with friends. In a Chelmer Marquees.
  • Bride in her Miss Bush dress dancing with friends. In a Chelmer Marquees.
  • Bride kisses her husband on the dance floor.
  • Bride and groom singing.
  • Men laughing at wedding reception.
  • Bride and groom dancing at their wedding. Miss Bush wedding dress and Chelmer Marquees.
  • Groom singing at reception.
  • Woman in jumpsuit being thrown in air by man on the dancefloor. Chelmer marquees.
  • Woman in jumpsuit being thrown in air by man on the dancefloor. Chelmer marquee.
  • Woman in jumpsuit being thrown in air by man on the dancefloor. Chelmer marquee.
  • Bride in a Miss Bush dress holding wine in the evening in a Chelmer marquee.
  • Bride dancing with sister.
  • People dancing at a wedding reception.
  • Woman in a jumpsuit dancing.
  • Woman covers eyes at man's dance moves.
  • Woman in floral dress singing and dancing.
  • Man poses for the camera at wedding reception.
  • Man dancing with hands up.
  • Wedding reception dance floor.
  • Laughing and dancing at the evening reception. Maldon wedding at home.
  • Woman holding drink in the air dancing.
  • Man and woman dancing and pulling faces on the dance floor.
  • Black and white photograph of a marquee wedding reception at night. People dancing.
  • Chelmer Marquees at night.
  • Groom dancing with friend.
  • Sound City playing at wedding reception.
  • Wedding guests on dance floor.
  • Wedding guests on dance floor at night.
  • Groom's parents dancing.
  • A marquee from Chelmer Marquees at night. There are trees and a fence lit up with lights.
  • A picture at night of the home and garden on a wedding day. Near Maldon in Essex.