“We LOVE our photos. We honestly can’t thank you enough for capturing our day so beautifully. Thanks to you we have the most amazing record of the happiest day of our lives. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You are a legend.
Karli and James”
Get ready because this is a big one.
If you’ve seen my blog post from Karli and James’ engagement shoot in London, you’ll know these guys mean a lot to me. I just knew that shooting their wedding The Coach House at Marks Hall Estate in Coggeshall was going to be one of the best things I’ve ever done. I mean, you don’t get many opportunities in life to shoot your best mate’s wedding now do you?! James when one of my best men when I got married in 2007. Along with my other best mate Andy he did amazing job. They organised a fantastic stag do and delivered one of the funniest best man speeches I’ve ever heard. I couldn’t think of a better way of returning what he did for me on my wedding day than to give him and Karli photographs that will trigger memories that will last a lifetime.
Photographing Karli getting ready surrounded by her friends, mum, sisters and nieces was so great. Karli’s sister Shelley had made the trip over from Australia to there. Champagne was flowing and excitement was definitely in the air. The boys were getting ready at The White Hart Hotel in Coggeshall. I was chuffed to see James rocking a bow tie. Not many people can pull that off but I think he definitely did.
When I arrived at Marks Hall Estate I was blown away by the venue. It really is one of Essex’s best kept secrets for wedding venues. Beautiful flower gardens surround the outdoor ceremony area with a vast arboretum containing an amazing collection of trees in the grounds beyond. If you’re looking for a venue with nature at its heart, this could be for you.
The weather was one our side so the ceremony was outdoors which I know was important to Karli and James. It was a ceremony with plenty of smiles, laughs and a few tears of joy. A mix of joy and emotion continued through the day and could be felt especially during the speeches.
Then there was the dancing. Wow, the dancing. I’ve seen a few crazy dance floors but this one took some beating. Shapes thrown, maracas shaken, butts bumped and Mr Brightside belted out whilst jumping in unison. Every good dance floor needs Mr Brightside.
I also need to give a special mention to the details Karli and James put together. From the beautifully designed invitations to the personalised table cards to the incredible table plan, everything was perfect and massively impressive. I’m not sure how many hours it took James to find a suitable Victoria figure and photo for each and every person at the wedding but I’m pretty sure it was a lot. You’re a talented man my friend.
A big thank you to all of the staff at Marks Hall Estate for their hard work and to Katie from Glam Ready for making the girls look so incredible. Also massive thank to my second shooter for the day Luke Hayden, it was so good to have you along with me mate and look forward to the next time.
That’s enough writing I think, here are the photos which sum up the day much better than I can in words. Karli, James, you’re both awesome. x
Venue: The Coach House at Marks Hall Estate
Flowers: Dereks Florist
Hair and Makeup: Glam Ready
Dress: Essence of Australia
Groom’s suit: Ted Baker
Cracking set man! Top shot is a killer, and love the confetti shots. Don’t normally comment on details, but that cake shot is fab too. And awesome dancing captures. Top stuff!
Well shot! Love the wide shots in the field especially!
Really stunning, Matt.
Px
Amazing work. I love that dress shot!!
Absolutely love love love these pics! Can’t thank you enough Matt – we are over the moon with them xx
Really awesome set!
Awesome. Seriously. And so lovely for both you and them that it was you behind the lens and that you nailed it. Brilliant story telling, beautiful portraits and I love the dancefloor stuff. Again. That shot that looks a bit like a double exposure on the dancefloor is brilliant. High five.
Wonderful work!
I love the black & white with all the trees, you know the one I mean!
Struggling to decide which are my favourites but I think the confetti ones clinch it! Great work buddy 🙂
Fantastic photos Matt – really captured all the magic of the day.
Loving the storybook presentation too. James & Karli must be thrilled with these.
Top draw!
Great pic’s. makes me want to get married again!! (don’t tell Tony though!!) ; ) xxx
Some really creative work here. Love it! Great coverage!
Ooh, love that first shot. I love how crisp clean all of these are. Beautifully captured!
How lovely to have the ceremony in the garden.
Love love LOVE! You captured every single mood throughout the whole day. Wish you’d been our wedding photographer! X
Beautiful! That first one is a stunner! Beautiful wedding design and you captured it all very well.
Top shooting fella, that portrait in front of the tree line is knockout!! I’d have that printed 60×40 if it was me!!!
Lovely pictures! Contrast of colours is beautiful. The ones in front of the green trailers are stunning Matt x
Matt, you did such a fantastic job of really capturing the heart and soul of the day. So many memories caught in some awesome photos.
This is INCREDIBLE! Love all the creative details – in particular the invitation design, cake and signage, and your photography is immense. You capture all the stages of the day so beautifully. I literally feel like I’m there. Wonderful!
Cool set buddy!
great photos! love the first photo x
Just brings a smile to my face every time I see them! Well done Matt and thanks for taking such good care over capturing our friends special day!
WOW!! That first one?!! Mindblowing!
Beautiful work!!
Wow, what a wonderful wedding. And I love your perspective on everything… the unconventional dress shot, and the framing on a lot of the images are fresh and unique. Lovely stuff 🙂
Beautiful beautiful pictures x
wow dude. these just got better and better with every scroll! the B&G portraits are unreal! so good man, so good!
Amazing!! You captured an amazing day beautifully 🙂 x
Fabulous pictures Matt…as always.
Nice work!!! Looks like a great wedding!
Great pictures. I particularly like the one with the fairy lights coming down the stairs.
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Great stuff, Matthew! Beautiful getting ready pics and emotions.
Yes Matt! What an incredible set of images. I’m a sucker for details and you’ve certainly nailed it in that department. (as usual) your processing is perfection, I’m inspired looking through this collection! MINT – but then I’d expect nothing less 🙂