Gemma Williams Photography Blog

A Spring Wedding at Wellington Church | Herefordshire Wedding Photographer

gempics — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 15:00:53 +0000

Kerry & Kyle picked the best spring day for their gorgeous wedding! I joined them at Wellington Church, Herefordshire, where the blue skies and the spring flowers, together with the lilac bridesmaids dresses and the countryside bouquets, made a beautiful palette of colours! Kerry looked absolutely stunning – and I love her excited expression as she arrives in the Deputy Driver car! Later on, the wedding celebrations continued at Munstone House. Here are my favourites from the afternoon… congratulations Kerry and Kyle! x

Engagement Shoot: Liz & Ian in the Whitbourne countryside | Worcestershire Wedding Photographer

gempics — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 14:06:02 +0000

Liz and Ian live in London, but have chosen to get married back on Ian’s home turf in Whitbourne. I joined them there, on Ian’s parents’ farm at lambing time, and we had a stroll through the beautiful countryside. You can see Whitbourne Hall, where they will be celebrating their wedding, from the farm itself (in the last photo). The countryside was filled with lambs and daffodils, and it really was a lovely walk, so I can see why they were keen to come back here for their wedding! As well as taking photos, Liz & Ian told me all about their wedding plans, and it sounds like it’s going to be a fantastic day. Not long to wait now…! x

Engagement Shoot: Victoria & Tom at home in Stourbridge | West Midlands Wedding Photographer

gempics — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 19:44:29 +0000

Victoria & Tom are such a lovely couple, and when I went to see them to do their Engagement Shoot recently, I was welcomed warmly into their home with tea and Easter cake! I had a super afternoon, strolling around their gardens and meeting their gorgeous old dog, Molly. We had a great chat and took some lovely pictures too. I am really looking forward to their wedding in June at Brockencote Hall – here are some favourites from our Engagement Shoot x

A Military Wedding at Clearwell Castle | Gloucestershire Wedding Photographer

gempics — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:23:10 +0000

From the moment that Sophie saw me taking the scene-setting shots at Clearwell Castle early on the morning of her wedding, and stuck her head out of the door to ask if I wanted a cuppa, I knew that today was going to be a good one. It was freeeezing cold outside, but Sophie and Laurie are such a warm and friendly couple, it really didn’t matter. It even snowed a bit, just to add to the fun and excitement of the day. And there was excitement aplenty. Sophie had the best smile on her face the whole day, and every single moment was filled with so much happiness, you couldn’t help but feel your heart swell. Sophie had put so much work into their wedding day and it really showed – from the hand-embroidered shirts she gave her bridemaids to wear, to the lace-wrapped jars and doily place settings she’d made. She wanted everyone to “have their moment” on her day – making sure that each of her bridesmaids did up at least one button on her stunning White Minx dress, for example. And Laurie had designed their Emily Rose wedding cake himself… and had written a speech so moving that there were not many dry eyes in the house. Such a lovely couple and such a wonderful wedding day. Memories of their time together became the theme for their table names, with everything from ‘first day at school’ to ‘the proposal’ covered, and memories were made for the future, with anniversary message jars and a polaroid guest book. Guests danced into the evening, and even for days to come, people were commenting on facebook how it had been such an amazing wedding… and it had been. Here are the pictures that tell the story x

With thanks to my second shooter for the day, Clare West Photography.

The Dewsall Court Supper Club: Jonny Evans & Billy Pallett | Herefordshire Food

gempics — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:41:29 +0000

On Saturday night I had the enormous pleasure of being a guest at a Dewsall Court Supper Club. Dewsall is one of my absolute favourite wedding venues in Herefordshire, so it was lovely to enjoy the place as a guest (although I couldn’t resist still taking some photographs!). With a snowy scene outside, Dewsall extended it’s homely welcome to the diners, and we mingled with champagne while the amazing chefs for the evening, Jonny Evans & Billy Pallett, together with the always-fabulous A2Zest team, made the final preparations to our dishes. The house was filled with delicious smells from the kitchen, with candlelight and an increasing level of chatter, as we were seated for the meal and eagerly awaited the tempting menu. Five courses of the most delicious Herefordshire fayre followed, and the flavours were amazing. Definitely the best meal I have ever had, topped off by excellent company and an incredible atmosphere! A real dining experience. Congratulations to the Dewsall family & team on a wonderful Supper Club, and thank you so much for inviting me! Here are some pictures from the evening (apologies if they get worse as the night goes on!)…

Personal Ramblings: The Crafting Continues with Inspiration String

gempics — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 17:17:59 +0000

The “spring” weather (i.e. snow and floods) meant that a Couple Shoot I should have been doing today up in the Welsh mountains unfortunately had to be postponed. So instead, I got out my Crafty Fox Box and set to work! Today I made the ‘Inspiration String’ project from Box 2. This involved covering tiny pegs with Washi Tape (my new favourite thing) which was pretty fiddly but very therapeutic! I also made a separate string with bunting made from the Washi Tape. Then you can peg up all sorts of things that inspire you! This has in itself inspired me to undertake a large-scale version of this project – I have bought a pack of normal size wooden pegs, pink twine and floral fabric Washi Tape, and I am going to make a string to go around our lounge with all our Wedding Cards pegged to it. We were married almost a year ago and we got so many lovely cards, but so far they have just sat in a pile on the shelf, so this is going to be a great way to show them off and make the lounge look pretty at the same time! Thanks Crafty Fox Box

Vintage-fest: The Lovebus Weddings Photoshoot!

gempics — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:56:31 +0000

For as long as I can remember, Hayley of the award-winning “Lovebus Weddings” had been talking about the ideas she had for a photoshoot featuring their impressive VW fleet. So when she asked me to shoot it for her this February, I was as excited as she was! The shoot started bright and early one Sunday morning, at How Caple Court in Herefordshire, and we kept shooting until the sun went down! From gorgeous kids in their mini-beetle, to our stunning models showcasing vintage weddings through the decades, we had it all! There was even a cake. Hayley made all the props herself, including the cake and the beautiful flower crown worn in the first set of photographs. Hair and makeup was by the ever-talented Hilary’s Wedlocks and Jennifer’s Dressing Table. The 70s and 60s dresses are Hayley’s own, and the 50s dresses were from Lizzie Jayne. Congratulations to all involved in this shoot, it was an amazingly fun day! Here are my favourites, and there are lots more to see on the Lovebus Weddings facebook page too. x

Engagement Shoot: Emily & Chris at Westonbirt Arboretum | Bristol Wedding Photographer

gempics — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:02:52 +0000

I met up with Emily & Chris for their Engagement Shoot a couple of weeks ago, at Westonbirt Arboretum. It was fab to visit a place I’d never been to before, and have an afternoon stroll and a chat, taking some photos along the way. Westonbirt Arboretum is huge – we barely covered a small part of it in our ramble – but it is lovely for pictures even at this time of year, with the different trees giving lots of interesting and colourful backdrops. Emily & Chris were great with the camera – once we got over the initial giggles! We had a really fun afternoon, and I’m looking forward to their wedding in Bristol in a few weeks’ time. They have chosen their favourite picture to make into a framed signing board for their guests to sign at their wedding, so they will have a great keepsake on their wall afterwards too! Here’s some of the photos from our shoot… x

A Rustic Winter Wedding at Caradoc Court | Herefordshire Wedding Photography

gempics — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 19:48:08 +0000

Katie & Gareth were married in February, at Much Birch church, with celebrations afterwards at Caradoc Court. It was a bright sunny day with blue skies, and it almost felt like summer as guests mingled and drank their winter Pimms outside Caradoc in the warmth of the sun. Katie and Gareth had designed and handmade every aspect of their wedding day decor in their own rustic style, utilising Katie’s creativity and Gareth’s woodworking skills to the full. The ballroom at Caradoc looked beautiful, with the finishing touch being an amazing rustic cupcake tower, incorporating their ‘Scrabble’ theme. I will let the photos tell the story… congratulations to Katie & Gareth on their wonderful wedding day! x

Engagement Shoot: Sarah & Craig (and some sheep) at The Bunch Of Carrots | Herefordshire Wedding Photographer

gempics — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 18:17:25 +0000

I love a story to a couple’s Engagement Shoot location choice… Sarah & Craig’s was their first date venue! We met up at The Bunch of Carrots (also one of my favourite local pubs) and had a stroll along the river with the sheep, getting used to the camera, before heading in to find the warmth of the roaring log fires. We even sat at the very table they had sat at when on their first date… definitely a photo opportunity! Despite the drizzle (and the mud) we had a great time, and I’m glad we got some photos they love! See you in May for your wonderful wedding day Sarah & Craig – can’t wait! x