South Woodham Ferrers, King Edwards Road in the snow.

South Woodham Ferrers

My family moved here in 1983 when there was a marketing campaign to attract young families to this ‘new town’ that had been planned and built according to the Essex Design Guide.
South Woodham even had its own theme tune and advert!

In this photograph from 1986 (I think), I can be seen eating candy floss while walking home from a rainy May Day fete in Saltcoats Park with my mum and sister.

Tracy Morter Photography as a child in South Woodham Ferrers in the '80s. The building behind is now home to Westbury Windows and Joinery.

Middle-earth in Essex

The town planners of South Woodham Ferrers, seeking inspiration beyond the 1973 Essex Design Guide, turned to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien for naming the streets.

Celeborn Street road sign Tolkien in South Woodham Ferrers in Essex. The sign is in a green bush.

Celeborn Street

Celeborn Street will lead you up The Withywindle.

Gandalf's Ride street sign in South Woodham Ferrers near Chelmsford. The sign is on a wall of red bricks.

Gandalf’s Ride

Take a walk down Gandalf’s Ride and you could end up down Hobbiton Hill.

Swans by the River Crouch in South Woodham Ferrers. Snow on the ground.

The River Crouch

Spar shop in South Woodham Ferrers, Used To Be Called Mister Gees. At Night.

Spar

Will always be Mister Gees to me.

Sainsbury's at night. Burnham Rd, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5QP

Sainsbury’s South Woodham Ferrers

After decades of Asda’s retail domination a competitor finally opened in November 2019.

KFC in South Woodham Ferrers at night.

KFC

The River Crouch

A view of a house along Gandalf's Ride as seen from Inchbonnie Road, near Fenn Creek in South Woodham Ferrers during the gentle autumn light of 2020

Inchbonnie Road

The view of the corner of Gandalf’s Ride from Inchbonnie road.

An image of a historic South Woodham Ferrers house formerly known as Orchard Stores on Hullbridge Road, captured during the early morning.

Hullbridge Road

South Woodham is renowned as a new town, yet a few older buildings have endured the test of time. Among these is the house along Hullbridge Road, once home to a small shop known as Orchard Stores. George, who resided in the shop during his childhood in World War II, has shared his story, which you can read here on the BBC website.

The railway line in South Woodham Ferrers in Essex. It is snowing at night.

South Woodham Ferrers Railway Station

The South Woodham Ferrers Railway Station, opened in 1889 by the Great Eastern Railway Company, underwent a few name changes. Initially named Woodham Ferris station, it was later known as Woodham Ferrers, and eventually, in 2007, the ‘South’ was added to its name.

The view down the track toward Wickford is one direction, while the other leads to Southminster. Before 1939, passengers could also board trains to Maldon from this station.

Young people in the middle of the road in the snow. King Edward's Road in South Woodham Ferrers near Chelmsford.

King Edward’s Road

Probably my favorite road in town, it’s one of the older streets. However it didn’t exist when the station was named Woodham Ferris. It began as a grass track earlier in the 20th century, and in the ’60s and ’70s, new homes started to appear. It was eventually surfaced and became a proper road in 1978. The formal inception of the new town plans began in 1975.

A car approaching the South Woodham Ferrers station on Hullbridge Road at night, amidst a snowy scene. In the background, The Cedars flats are visible.

Hullbridge Road

Near the station. To the right is Champions Way, and behind this car, you can spot the flats at The Cedars. I have a particular interest in the architectural plans for these flats, which were designed in 1976. The typography used in these plans is something I am a bit of a fan of.

Essex countryside in the snow. Looking at Woodham Ferrers.
The Essex Countryside

Looking out towards Woodham Ferrers (top Woodham).

Bride holding a glass of wine surrounded by people on the dance floor. In a Sail & Peg marquee, in a field near South Woodham Ferrers. Essex wedding photography.

Millie celebrating at her wedding reception on a vineyard overlooking South Woodham Ferrers


South Woodham Ferrers Wedding Photographer

If you’ve landed on this page in search of a wedding photographer in South Woodham Ferrers, you’re in the right place!

The best starting point is my home page, where you can learn about my documentary style and how I approach wedding photography candidly. This will help you determine if my style suits your personalities and how you want your day captured.

I have been a professional full-time wedding photographer for 14 years and have lived in South Woodham for 40.

The bride in a lace wedding dress stood by a pond. The sun is setting so the light is low and casting shadows. The wedding is in Essex near South Woodham Ferrers. Candid wedding photographer from Essex. Bride is wearing Stella York 6648 from The Wedding Shop in Colchester.

Latchingdon Wedding

Pip and Polly held their wedding reception in a marquee, with views of the River Crouch.

Wedding guests are chatting to each other but the bride is looking at the camera, illuminated by the sunlight. The door of The Church of St Mary & St Margaret in Stow Maries is behind her. She is wearing a long lace wedding dress with long sleeves.

Stow Maries Wedding

Anna in the sunlight after marrying James in the The Church of St Mary & St Margaret.

Amelia from Bellissima Weddings, a bridal shop in South Woodham Ferrers. She is wearing Badgley Mischka dress Adele. Standing by the pool at High House in Althorne.

South Woodham Ferrers Wedding Suppliers

I am not the only one in this small town.
First up, we have Bellissima Weddings, who have been helping brides say yes to the dress for over two decades! Laura and her loyal team go above and beyond for every bride that walks through their door. They stock bridal gowns from many designers, including Eliza Jane Howell, Justin Alexander, Maggie Sottero, and many more.

Here are a few pictures from a Bellissima photoshoot at the local Althorne wedding venue, High House. Amelia, the manager, was our model for the day. As I specialise in a documentary style of wedding photography, my favorites from the shoot tend to be the more genuine moments—such as during the preparations when Amelia sat on the bench to chat with the handyman, and the High House gardeners working in the background as Amelia walks past

At the wedding venue High House near South Woodham, Amelia in a wedding dress sits on a workbench with a handyman on his break.
A photograph my local wedding photographer Tracy Morter.
The manager of Bellissima Weddings walks along in winter sunshine in a wedding dress, a coat held over her shoulder.
Gardeners at High House work in the background.
Where to find Bellissima Weddings designer dress boutique:

22 Market Square
South Woodham Ferrers
CM3 5XA

Philip Smith Visuals at a wedding in Essex near South Woodham Ferrers. He is holding his camera.
Philip Smith Visuals

Next up, we have Phil of Philip Smith Visuals, who, like myself, grew up here in South Woodham, and we attended the same secondary school (he was a couple of years below me). Our paths crossed later on due to a shared love of music, and eventually, in the realm of capturing weddings!

We have worked together at many weddings over the years, and he’s an absolute delight to work alongside.

Philip Smith Visuals wedding film maker stood with bridesmaids. They are laughing at him! At Houchins wedding venue.
A small bohemian style bouquet in a brown vase by Delicate Daisy florist in South Woodham Ferrers.
Delicate Daisy – Essex Floral Specialists

And finally, we have everything you need for your wedding flowers right here in town at Delicate Daisy, just a stone’s throw from Asda.
I’ve been fortunate to receive their bouquets as gifts on my birthday the past few years. Here is a photo of a beautiful arrangement they kindly created for me to decorate my table at the Alpheton Hall Barns open day last autumn.

Valentine Cuisine caterers of South Woodham Ferrers serving food to guests at a High House wedding in Althorne.
Valentine Cuisine

Bancrofts Road
South Woodham Ferrers CM35UG

Tony Valentine of Valentine Cuisine South Woodham Ferrers manning the barbecue at High House.
A transparent marquee surrounded by trees on the morning of a wedding.
In a garden in Stow Maries near South Woodham Ferrers.

Stow Maries Garden Wedding

Yes, this is the venue for a wedding reception located right on the border of South Woodham Ferrers and Stow Maries, offering a beautiful garden wedding in the month of September.

Justin Hawkins of The Darkness at Brownstock festival. He is in a pale blue suit and singing.

The Brownstock Festival

Once upon a time there was a music festival on the border of South Woodham Ferrers and Stow Maries.

Some amazing acts came to our little corner of Essex— Grandmaster Flash, Kelis, and The Darkness to name just a few.

I had the pleasure of photographing the festival for many years. Many happy memories.


People enjoying the snowy scenery at Bushy Hill, also known locally as Radar Hill, with a view overlooking South Woodham Ferrers.

Radar Hill

Looking out over the town in the snow.