Things that make me happy

Today, like every morning, I wake up and go to the bathroom, fling open the window and look outside and breathe! I stand there for a few minutes and just suck up the air. I look around at the other gardens and then up at the sky. I could probably stay there for more than my mad morning dash allows, but in that moment I am happy. The morning is fresh and new, and is the best morning ever. So, this got me to thinking of the things that make me happy....in no particular order here they are.

Strawberries

The sunshine

Freshly washed bedsheets

Taramasalata and pita bread

My boyfriend when he laughs

(and when he sings in the shower)

Nailing a photograph

Dogs (their funny faces and the way they walk)

Christmas time - the run up to it with the excitement in the air and feeling of merriment

A good book that I can savour

Cooking for my friends and family

This is an evening shot of that view outside of our bathroom window!

Tower Bridge at night

I've felt restless this week and I reckon it must be something in the air as my friend I had dinner with last night felt the same. I've got a four week break between weddings and am busy with designing a new sample album and website - its all new fore me so taking forever just to understand how to import a photograph, make a revolving gallery etc, but extremely exciting...so there should be some fun new things to look at soon. In the meantime I thought I would share with you some photographs I took in the City a few weeks ago. I really wanted to end with a shot of Tower Bridge at night for Paula and Jo's wedding (you'll see why when I blog about it in a few days). These are a few photographs that didnt make the cut, but beautiful all the same.

I like the unusual view - for you Londoners the Gurkin is in the background - had to squat down to try and get the angle right, and a little balancing act having another camera on my other shoulder.Love the fact that sky is red! Makes it look like London's burning. I spied the colour which I zooped up a bit by making it a slightly over-exposed shot. Had to have an extra steady hand.

Im not sure why but I just like this shot. Colour I guess - what with London Bridge being lit up in yellow and red and the boat on the Thames having blue lights.

A bride's tips for the big day - Georgina

So, I thought it would be really useful for my lovely brides-to-be (and for those of you helping out with a wedding) to hear what a recent bride had to say about her wedding, so without further ado, here goes...

How did Stu propose to you?

At a beautiful ruined castle on the Isle of Lismore off the west coast of Scotland, whilst we were on our Hogamanay holiday.

Did you have any ideas on what you wanted your wedding to be like?

To be honest I really wasnt one of those women who has imagined their wedding well before they're engaged! In fact I really didnt think I was the "marrying Kind" before I met Stuart. But then, with him it just seamed like the natural thing to do. After we got engaged we started talking about what our ideal wedding would be and we both through we'd love a country wedding at my parents' farm (marquee in a field type affair) and then it all changed in the end to an Oxford college!

What were the most important things for you when planning your wedding?

For us it was definitely the content of the ceremony. Stuart was very determined not to undermine his vows by including religious promises which he doesnt agree with, but we both quite wanted hymns and the setting of a church. We actually spent ages looking at loads of different ceremony options; including Humanist, Civil, and C of E, but we ended up with a con-conformist ceremony given by a very flexible and friendly minister who is also the Principle of an Oxford college.

Any websites/blogs that you found really useful when organising your wedding?

Not many really. I looked at a few bride websites where people had discussed certain elements of the wedding we were interested in like all British flowers (www.bathorganicblooms.co.uk) and also second-hand dresses of the designer I loved.

What did you do the night before your wedding?

Had a lovely quiet meal with you Mum, Dad and sister and then tried to get to sleep early!

On the day what really stands out?

Being totally overwhelmed with all the attention! The amazing feeling of happiness and everyone saying what a great day they were having - such a positive environment.

What were your favourite moments?

The ride to the Chapel with my Dad, seeing Stuart looking down the aisle at me, and our first dance.

What tips would you give to a bride to be about hiring a photographer?

I would tell them to look at all the photographer's photos and try and pick out ones that are the style they'd like for their own day. Think carefully beforehand about exactly what "formal photos" they really will want printed.

Also be clear about any particular moments they really want captured. But to be honest if they have a great photographer like Natasha [blush], I would allow the photographer to be creative and they'll come up with the great shots that one couldnt have planned for anyway!

What tips would you give to a bride to be organising her wedding day?

Be prepared to be overwhelmed! I think I underestimated the effect of being the centre of attention and how totally knackered you are the next day! Think through the day as a timeline - I found this helped ease any tension I had that we'd forgotten something. Also we then gave the timeline to the ushers and let them take-over the responsibility of it all on the day itself! I was glad we avoided most of the "wedding up-selling" and concentrated on getting the vows right and keeping numbers small.

Big thank you to Georgie for answering these questions - more so considering her and Stuart have now left England to start a new adventure in Africa just last week. I hope you're both finding your feet and making it home!

I couldnt leave without a photograph or two - but check out their wedding in full here.

Tara and Dave's Jersey Wedding

As I make my way out of the arrivals gate I see Tara standing, smiling waiting for me. With a hug and a hello we make our way outside to where Dave is just pulling up with the car. I feel like royalty. They are both so welcoming and kind, inviting me to the family BBQ later that evening. But before that we head to where they are getting married - and what a venue! Perched on the very edge of the peninsular high above the town is Corey Castle. Its beautiful, imposing, and feels like its seen alot. Tara tells me that she when she was young she came here with her family and on visiting the castle told them she had built it in a former life and would would get married there. Fast forward to the the next day, because that's what she did - in the gorgeous, intimate chapel room in the castle which was decorated with roses and candles.

Tara is lovely - organised, laidback, funny and extremely caring. She knows her mind and when Dave came into her life that was it. Dave is equally laid back - perhaps more so, one of those really kind, gentle people that you immediately feel relaxed around. I was so honoured to be a part of their very intimate wedding and wish them both all the happiness in the world.

Dave was nervous, worried about the rest of the party arriving and the everything else. It was only when they arrived and Jake and him could set off for the Chapel Room that he relaxed and was able to flash a big grin at Jake.

5 minutes later, Tara arrived with her dad and Sophie and Emily. I think most brides would have been stressed at the rain, but not Tara. She arrived laughed and joked about it, and then headed up what seemed like 1000 steps - in heals, to the Chapel.

One of the few pictures of both girls under the umbrella - I love this shot of them both looking at their flowers and sorting out their dresses.

I love this picture too - it really shows what the weather was like - properly unleashing all its might.

Having made it to the top of the Castle Tara and the girls had a quiet few minutes to gather themselves, comb hair and shake off the rain. You can see Emily grinning at Tara with excitement.I love the backdrop here, the old limestone which has been dyed over the years. The different nooks and crannies, which make it seem like a Mediterranean church. Tara is waiting for the go-ahead from the registrar.

You can spy the sash of Tara's lovely dress, which was understated, modern and gorgeous.

Tara walking down the aisle with her dad - Tara's dad was hilarious, and full of stories.

How beautiful and romantic is the venue?! I think the registrar said it was build in the 12th century. I love the pointed ceiling, the old limestone walls, the lead windows, and the candles placed everywhere. It was so atmospheric.

The exchange of rings - Dave beaming and Tara serious.

I loved that I could move about a bit during the ceremony, so that I could get different angles. In terms of photography I didnt want to use a flash which would have been a distraction and instead set a really high iso (2000/2400), and as low as I could get my shutter speed (about 1/40).

Both Tara and Dave laughing as they are pronounced man and wife - dont worry the kiss came after this!

I love this framed shot of Tara concentrating on signing the register with Dave looking on. The light is streaming in from the window and shining on the marriage certificate.

Yeay - the happy couple walking down the aisle, their first steps as man and wife.

Here's a picture of Tara's bouquet, lilly's and orchids.

Tara's sister Hil had managed to smuggle in confetti and armed the girls with it. I love the natural expressions. After the confetti Tara threw her bouquet, which both boys (Jake and Thomas) caught!!

Tara had arranged for some dressing up kit to be left in the rooms so that the kids could muck around whilst the rest of the family were celebrating with champagne. I physically laugh out loud every time I see this picture. The girls by-passed the princess outfits for swords and armour and proceeding to "attack" the older boys. I asked them to give me a couple of poses between fighting and this is what they did! Love it.

Both Tara and Dave told me they werent that keen on having their picture taken (like me), but they were so natural in front of the camera - Tara's beaming and Dave couldnt stop smiling.

La cake!Beautiful beautiful table setting. Candles, wooden heart shaped place settings made by Nicola (the wedding planner), bags of old style retro sweets, and presents for the children. Le Chef created the wedding breakfast of melon start, roast beed and trio of deserts - what a banquet.

ANd here's the castle - so impressive. I wanted to get a night time shot which I thought would be more atmospheric using the lights from the houses shinning on the sea, and the castle lit up. Photography wise, I was on about 2000 iso and 1/8 f2.8...which meant lots of breathing in, steady hand and standing in the water....so preoccupied was I that it got properly dark and I couldnt find my way off the beach. oops. Anyway, I think the final shots were worth it.

Bud

The phone goes...."hey bud", its my sister, my best friend and the person who I chat rubbish with, laugh with, tell my innermost thoughts and feelings to and go off on mad crazy adventures with. And this year we have been faced with some pretty tough stuff yet she has been so positive and just pretty much fantastic....this year was also her 30th, and to celebrate the family de-camped up to Wales, for lots of eating, drinking and boules playing! Happy Birthday Bud, chickadee, swiss cheese, best friend ever!

I havent sorted out the photos from this year, so here's a few from last year's celebrations with our bro.