Before the wedding.

You’ve booked me! Yay! This is going to be one amazing journey - I can’t wait!

So what’s next?

I love meeting up with my couples - I think it’s important that we get to know each other as we’ll be spending a lot of time together on your wedding day! Quite often I am told at weddings by guests that they think I’m friends with the couple which is amazing really. When I hear this I know that I’ve done my job well. To come away from a wedding and your guests question whether you had a photographer there at all is one of the best compliments a candid wedding photographer can get. My aim is to be unseen but everywhere!

Having said that about meeting up, around half of my couples don’t meet me until the day of the wedding and that is absolutely and equally fine too, so if you can’t meet up beforehand, or would rather not that’s no problem. I’m really friendly and approachable and we’ll feel like old friends in no time.

There may be some time (maybe even years!) between booking me and your wedding day so please do stay in touch - I absolutely love to hear how all the wedding plans are coming along! I’m also able to help with supplier reccommendations - florists, DJ’s, bands, videographers, love letters, gin trucks, prosecco vans, Ceilidh bands etc…. because I am super lucky to have worked with some of the absolute best in the business!

Six weeks before your wedding, your remaining balance is due which can be paid by bank transfer. I’ll send over an email reminder about 8 weeks before the big day and around this time I’ll also ask you to complete a final wedding details form too. This will give me all the important details, locations and final timings for your day and your group shots too. All of this is sent over electronically as I’m a huge believer of saving paper and looking after our beautiful planet.

Two weeks before your wedding I’ll be back in touch to say hello and check if anything has changed. Time seems to speed up at this point - before you know it you will be walking down the aisle :)

The day before your wedding I’ll be busy preparing all my equipment. My batteries (and spares) will be charged, my cameras and lenses (and spares) will be cleaned until they sparkle, my SD cards (and spares) will be formatted and everything-but-the-kitchen-sink will be packed up ready to go! At this point I am SO excited for the day ahead and I can’t wait to see you and your guests and how your amazing day will unfold!

Southend Barns Wedding Photography / Megan & Paul / 9th February 2019

Paul and I went to school together, but never dated at school. We went our separate ways after secondary school, keeping in touch every so often with trips to the pub and through mutual friends. It wasn't until after I'd graduated that Paul sent me a message about cheese sauce out of the blue whilst I was in Malawi! We went to a fireworks display with another couple of couples, Paul took me out to dinner for our first date a few days later, and the rest is history! We were lucky enough to be able to buy our beautiful house together after 3 years together, and then got engaged after nearly 5 years together, at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro! Incredibly romantic, until you consider the fact we hadn't showered for over a week by that point.....! We got married exactly 16 months to the day after our engagement, at the stunning Southend Barns

I always say I bought my dress by accident, it was only the 4th dress I tried on, and I only went into the shop that day to have a look and try a few one to get an idea of what I wanted! One of the only reasons we booked a winter wedding was so I could wear a gorgeous faux fur bolero, and when we found my cream UGG boots, my winter outfit was complete! Paul went with the traditional morning suit, with burgundy cravat to match the bridesmaids colours. We stopped short of top hats for the men, much to everyone's relief!

Our vows were standard, and we choose not to have any readings, as we simply weren't able to agree on what we would have or who would do it! We kept the ceremony short and sweet. I particularly enjoyed the fact there was a mirror at the front of the ceremony barn, which meant we could see our guests behind us during the ceremony.

We knew we wanted a converted barn venue, and a wedding where the whole day would be in one location, we looked at about six or seven different venues, but Southend Barns won by a mile. We loved the simplicity and the character, plus Paul was a big fan of the huge expanse of polished concrete floor!

The barn was beautiful as it was, so we kept out decorations simple with fairy lights and floating candles in glass jars. We spent over a year collecting more than 350 glass jars from everyone we could in order to do all the table decorations ourselves. Paul is an amazing woodworker, so a lot of the other decorations were made by Paul, including the table plan and the name place setting. Our florist used fantastic winter colours to match the colour scheme, in natural and loose bouquets, nothing too preened, quite rustic to match the venue

I loved watching our guests having fun and laughing and chatting together, and Paul enjoyed his speech, because it went much better than he thought it would! I also loved his speech, as he sprung an amazing surprise on me at the end, revealing a hidden message on the back of a drawing he'd given me as a gift on our first Christmas together over 6 years ago!

We danced our first dance to ‘How Long Will I Love You’ by Ellie Goulding, I choose this song because the lyrics seemed to fit, and we both like Ellie Goulding, plus it was short so we didn't have to stand and sway in front of everyone for too long.

We had a string quartet (Sussex String Quartet) during the ceremony, drinks and wedding breakfast, who were fantastic. Then a ceilidh band (The Brighton Ceilidh Collective) in the evening, who got everyone up on the dancefloor and laughing, exactly as we'd hoped!

Lou and Jess were simply AMAZING! We both hate having our photo taken and posing, so we were really keen to have a photographer who wasn't going to insist on a lot of posed shots. Jess and Lou simply blended into the background and threw themselves into everything, being both un-noticeable and a huge part of the day at the same time. We cannot WAIT to see the photos.

There is nothing we would do differently, it was a perfect day. Words of wisdom - don't worry about the little things, because no-one will notice them, and take a few moments throughout the day to just sit and watch the goings on around you.

Shout outs to the amazing suppliers & friends:-

Dress - Truly Gorgeous
Suits - Moss Bros

Brides boots- UGG boots  

Brides Jewellery - Sarah Hickey  

Happy Socks for the groom and groomsmen 
Florist - Fern Cottage Floristry 
Venue - Southend Barns 
Decor/Styling - To Have and To Hire 
Cake Maker - Victoria Hersey
Caterer - Roots Catering (In house caterers at Southend Barns)
Bridesmaid dresses - Sexy Her 
Stationary - Hannah Wood, Etsy

String Quartet - Sussex String Quartet
Ceilidh Band - The Brighton Ceilidh Collective 

Plus a massive thank you to Jess Yarwoood Photography for second shooting!

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Southend Barns is a stunning wedding venue!

Surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens, romantic courtyards and tranquil hideaways with resident swans and Sussex wildlife, Southend Barns provides a romantic backdrop for all country weddings.

A picturesque courtyard lies at the heart of the venue, with its luscious lawn, well-kept pots and Cornish slate patio lined with dairy inspired milk churns – it is the perfect spot for photographs and for mingling with your guests over drinks and canapés.

The 200-year- old Threshing Barn radiates rustic charm with its authentic wooden beams and wrought iron chandeliers. This history combined with stylish contemporary touches make the wedding barn a beautiful and versatile venue for a wedding party.

The elegant Dairy Barn is fully licensed for all civil ceremonies and partnerships. With a wonderful sweeping 22 metre aisle, exposed wooden beams and benches made of sweet chestnut, the wedding barn is an idyllic setting for loved ones to exchange their vows.

Located adjacent to the Threshing Barn, the high vaulted ceremonies room has a stylish and romantic ambiance. The soft, muted colour scheme gives you the freedom to make the Dairy Barn your own and beautifully complements all wedding themes.

As evening falls, the gardens are lit with romantic up-lights that show off the fantastic flint and log walls of the wedding barns. Here guests can gather around the relaxing Collecting Yard with its sumptuous sofas and fire pit to enjoy an enchanting evening setting. 

The Collecting Yard has subtle glass screens so you and your guests can still enjoy being outside without being affected by the unpredictable weather. The screens come down during June, July and August. Another recent addition to the Collecting Yard are the eight patio heaters which make the area really cosy and inviting for guests.

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No stone is left unturned at Southend Barns, the attention to detail is exquisite and the staff are simply incredible. Book your wedding here! You won’t be dissapointed! If you’ve already booked this amazing venue, like Megan and Paul did and if you are looking for a wedding photographer who won’t dictate your day, please do contact me - I would love to hear all your plans!

Congratulations Megan & Paul! I hope you enjoyed your highlights. I wish you a lifetime of love luck and happiness :) Lou x

www.louisejacob.co.uk

Relaxed Documentary Wedding Photography

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Pryors Hayes Wedding Photography / Jemma & Dyfan

These are the famous first words of Dyfan after he first met me onboard the Logos Hope (part of the organisation Operation Mobilisation) in October 2015. Little did he know then, what God had planned ahead for his time onboard the ship. We first starting getting to know one another while we helped prepare, and take part in, a murder mystery party for ship's company. From then on, we took part in the drama group together and started to get to know each other more. We had to be careful on the ship not to break their rules about spending too much time with each other. It was very difficult, especially as it was becoming obvious to everyone that our feelings for one another were growing. By January 2016, we both realised, but didn't tell each other, that we had fallen in love with another one. It was the one big unsaid thing between us as I finished my time on the ship.

In September, I sadly left the ship and Dyfan behind too. A month later, on the phone, Dyfan finally told me he loved me, and I too. But we decided to commit our feelings to God, and wait until he came home to see where God would lead us. We kept in touch while we were apart, I had the opportunity to visit him in the November in the Canary Islands too. In September 2017, he finally came home and I was there to meet him at the airport. I was nervous, but it felt like we had never been apart and nothing had changed. In October, during his first visit to my home in Oswestry, we visited the ruins of Valle Crucis Abbey in Llangollen. There, on a bridge over stream, he asked me if we could start a relationship together. I was expecting him to take a few months to settle back into the UK after his time on the ship, but no. He only waited 2 weeks! I was ecstatic!

5 months later, in March 2018 we got engaged! Knowing Dyfan, I wasn't surprised to discover that his proposal was very detailed, and very carefully planned out including a treasure hunt with clues to answer. His whole family was involved in it too! After a morning of walking around Cardiff answering clues with his Mum and sister I finally found Dyfan in a forest dressed in his smartest attire. He led me on a short walk through a forest, to a bridge over stream, where he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him!

I found my dress in Copplestones Bridal in Chester, and it wasnt what I had in mind at all. I didnt want a big train or sparkle...but fell in love with the dress as soon as I tried it! It wasn't what I had in mind, but for a winter wedding it was perfect, especially with the addition of the fur bolero. For Dyfan, he has a unique personality, and he didnt want just any boring waistcoat. He wanted to stand out, it had to have something different about it, and the royal blue scrolls went well with his navy suit, and fit the theme perfectly. The bow tie was my choice, because I love them on him!

I grew up attending St John's Church, Hartford in Cheshire, and I found Pryors Hayes while researching wedding venues in the local venue. For the reception, I was looking for somewhere that had character that wasn't a boring function room. Pryors Hayes certainly had character and charm, with its oak beams (that we dressed in fairy lights) and it also had enough space for our guests and for dancing too!

 As Dyfan’s first language Welsh, the wedding service had to be completely bilingual which was very exciting. The readings from the Bible were important ones for our relationship, about not being anxious and trusting in God with everything. The legal vows were done in English and the ring vows were said in Welsh. We could not word the vows better than the traditional one' "for better or worse, in sickness and in health, for richer, for poorer, till death us do part". We really meant it when we said those words, and it forms the core of our philosophy as a couple. The speaker at the ceremony spoke about self-sacrifice being a core aspect of marriage, just like Jesus' self-sacrifice for us, so should we to each other. We will both never forget this encouraging and challenging message. As we signed the register, we had a Welsh quartet performance, followed by a modern worship song performed by my close friends and colleagues. There was just a huge feeling of joy throughout.

We went for a nautical, sea, ship theme because of the Logos Hope. Its where we met and is a very big part of our story! The flowers and bouquets, and all the decorations, were done by my Mum, Nan, and some ladies from my local church. I am very grateful for the hard work they all put in, it was perfect!

Working with Louise Jacob Photography was fantastic, she was very friendly and relaxed. Right from the moment we met her for coffee, we knew she was the right person to capture our special day. We really loved her being part of it. I loved her style of not too many posed photographs, with the majority of photos being candid. I can wait to see what the final image look like! She was willing to travel to our different locations and capture every moment which was great too

 Our first dance was to Everything by Lifehouse, and I choreographed it myself. On the ship, one of the dramas we performed frequently together was a wordless drama illustrating the love of God, to the song Everything by Lifehouse. Again, the drama was a big part of our time on the ship so we wanted to include it in someway. We used the song, and some of the moves from the drama, to choreograph a dance especially for our wedding.

We enjoyed a ceilidh in the evening, followed my some disco music which my Uncle Mark arranged. Most people took part in the ceilidh and had immense fun, especially the dance 'Strip the Willow' We didn't see the disco, but it sounds like everyone had fun!

If you could give any words of wisdom to a couple planning their marriage and wedding day, what would they be and is there anything you would do differently?

Firstly, the key for us was just to relax! Yes, there are lots of details to pull together, but getting stressed and anxious wont be helpful. Relax, and enjoy the journey and experience of planning the wedding. You will enjoy the day more if you have relaxed in the process. On the day, my husband and I were so relaxed with no nerves, just excitement and joy! Secondly, before the wedding day, every small detail seems really important, but on the day itself you will not have time to take in the details you may have stressed so much about. Your mind you will be on each other on the day and not the details anyway! Somethings may go wrong, but that is ok! Your marriage is the most important thing at the end of the day. Finally, get a team to help wth preparattion, dont go it alone.

What was your favourite part of the day and why?

All of it!

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Jemma & Dyfan,

I hope you enjoy looking at your wedding highlights. Thank you so much for allowing me to capture your special day. It was truly amazing and I wish you a lifetime of love, luck and happiness together!

Lou xx

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Credits:-

Jodyann MUA

The Hair Shop

St Johns Church Hartford

Pryors Hayes Golf club

Copplestone Bridal

Jess Yarwood Photography

Castello Di Meleto Wedding / Natalie & Richard / Tuscany

INTERNATIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY- CASTELLO DI MELETO

I know we are in the middle of Winter, but cast your mind back to the Summer of 2018 (…I know, it’s a distant memory now) but in August last year I travelled to Sienna in Tuscany to shoot Natalie & Richard’s wedding at the stunning Castello Di Meleto in Gaiole in Chianti.

If you haven’t been to Tuscany before, go! It is beautiful beyond words! It’s breathtakingly beautiful actually and on Sunday 12th August, with barely a cloud in the sky, the hazy Italian sun shone down on the gorgeous Natalie and Richard as they said perfect wedding vows overlooking the Tuscan hills, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

Confetti and a champagne reception followed, then the wedding party dined al-fresco in the courtyard complete with festoon lights, emotional speeches and a Mille Feuille wedding cake.

As the night drew in, the stars came out and Natalie, Richard and their guests danced, drank and sang into the early hours of the morning.

If you are getting married at Castello Di Meleto, like Natalie & Richard did (or indeed anywhere else in the world!) and are looking for an international wedding photographer, to capture your day then please say hello, I would love to hear all your plans!

Ciao!

Fantastic to work with:

Castello Di Meleto

Forte D Video

Federica Nascimben

Cheshire Wedding Photography - What happens when you book Louise Jacob to photograph your wedding?

I’M INTERESTED IN BOOKING YOU WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

Great! If you’re interested in booking please fill out my contact form, give me a call or email, I get booked up to two years in advance so the sooner you start the process, the better.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Once I’ve confirmed that I am available for your wedding I’ll email you over my wedding guide.  If I'm not available on your date, I will be happy to recommend  available documentary photographers for you.

WE'D LOVE TO BOOK SO WHAT NOW?

A £500 non-refundable retainer secures your wedding date, I have my bank details within my contract.

WILL WE TALK BETWEEN BOOKING YOU AND OUR WEDDING?

So I have the main details about your wedding, but for now, there's not that much to do as a lot of the day won't be planned yet but if you need to speak to me about anything then please do get in touch. There's very little I can do until around six weeks before your wedding.

SIX WEEKS TO GO…

The balance of your payment is now due, and around this time I’ll get in touch with a plan of your day as I know it.  Over the next few weeks we'll work together to fine tune it – We’ll set aside time in your day for couple photographs and formal photographs.  If you are having a church wedding now is a good time to ask your vicar if there are any photography restrictions during the ceremony. I'll also ask you to plan a list of between 5 and 8 group photographs.

AROUND THE WEEK BEFORE!

It's all very exciting now! I’ll be in touch to check timings and to confirm final details.

THE WEDDING DAY!

I shoot with two Sony mirrorless cameras, which are really unobtrusive and quiet and I have plenty of batteries and memory cards to sink a battleship. I have back ups of everything too and I am ready!  The only thing I need you to do today is to enjoy yourselves!

AFTER YOUR WEDDING

After your wedding, I will go home and back up your images (twice) and over the next few weeks, your photographs will be lovingly edited by myself in my signature style. Unlike some photographers I don't outsource my editing.  Around 4-6 weeks after your wedding, you will receive a link to your very own password online gallery to view, download and share your wedding photographs with your family and friends.

Cheshire Wedding Photography - Why I Love This Image by Louise Jacob

I absolutely love light.... which is a good thing, I suppose being a wedding photographer because without it I wouldn't have a job.   At every wedding I'm always scouting out the best light, so when a beautiful evening like this happened at West Tower it would have been rude not to embrace it fully.

Relaxed couple portraits are something I always offer alongside my documentary wedding photography package, it's so important to have some alone time away from your guests to take a moment to reflect upon the day and gather your thoughts.

Are you getting married at West Tower? Or indeed anywhere else in the UK? Would you like to hear more about my relaxed approach to wedding photography?  Well say hello, call me on 07531938693 or visit my contact page to find out more.

Lx  

Cheshire Wedding Photography | Documentary Photographer Louise Jacob | UK

Why I love this image.

As a Documentary Wedding Photographer, the First Dance is something I love to capture candidly and there are many reasons I love this image.  I love the joy on the grooms face, I love the movement in the brides dress and the detail in her hair, I love the happy faces in the background and I love those beams and fairy lights. In fact this room (The Georgian Riding School at Firle Place) was a dream to shoot in.

A documentary approach to your wedding day means that none of this is set up. The first dance happened without orchestration from anyone but the bride and groom.  When photographing the first dance, I love to capture it from many angles and I always move around the bride and groom I love working with on and off camera flash too and I love getting creative with my shot..

Camera Settings:-

Nikon D750 // 24mm 1.4 @ F5.6 // 1/125th // ISO 1600 with off camera flash set camera right to Manual @  1/64 power

Cheshire Wedding Photography - Why I love this image by Louise Jacob

CHESHIRE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY - ODDFELLOWS

I'm a spaniel lover at heart but I love this French Bulldog peeking over the shoulder of the bride at one of my Oddfellows weddings in Chester.  I love playing with available light and shadows in my images.  Oddfellows is an amazing wedding venue to shoot at in Cheshire - every room is full of quirkiness and the light is gorgeous through those huge sash windows.  You can check out Kirsty & Tony's full wedding here.

Camera Settings: D750 // 35mm // f4 // 1/200 // ISO 3200. Edited in Lightroom