Jazmine & Gaz's cozy, winter micro-wedding at Careys Manor, Brockenhurst
Sometimes, people cross your path at just the right time in life, and a new friendship is formed, and you know it's going to be a lasting one. This is what happened when Jaz and I met, and it didn't take long to realise that we had some serious friendship chemistry going on (is that a thing? It is now!).
Jaz and I met at the New Milton new parents walking group. We meet every Wednesday at 10am on the cliff top at Barton on Sea, and go for a walk, and chat, and complain, and laugh. It's for anyone with a baby who wants to get a bit of exercise and chat to some new people who have just been through the trauma that is childbirth. The volunteers who run the group are such lovely people, so I really would recommend joining us if you're a new parent. We have a Whatsapp group too. We're very cool. ;-p
Anyway, Jaz and I both went one day in September. Her lovely little'un had arrived in August and I had been taking Amber since the group restarted in May. Jaz and her lovely fiancee Gaz had just decided that they wanted a Christmas wedding, and by some strange coincidence she met me the following day!
With only a few months to plan the wedding, they kept things small and intimate with the guest list. Careys Manor in Brockenhurst was the perfect venue for a winter wedding. If you're going to get married in December, I really think you just have to embrace the Christmas vibes! Venues are decorated so beautifully at this time of year, so couples can choose their decorations to enhance what is already there. Reds, greens and golds galore, with a couple of special touches that show the bride and groom's personalities, like empty rum bottles with fairy lights in as centre pieces. There was even a special surprise from the best woman - 101 wooden Dalmatians with numbers on, that spelt out a message for the bride and groom!
I really love micro weddings. I always feel more like one of the guests than just the photographer. Guests want to chat to me and keep trying to feed me and get me drinks. I keep having to remind everyone that i'm there to work, not to socialise. But I love it. I love how friendly everyone is at a small wedding.
After a beautiful (and very emotional) ceremony, with Gaz's daughter as the perfectly gorgeous bridesmaid, we even had time to get all of the family photos and bride and groom photos outside the stunning venue! And on the shortest day of the year too! With a 3pm ceremony and sunset at 4pm! I was actually pretty impressed with myself on that one! Admittedly, it was a bit chilly being outside on a crisp December day, but it was well worth it for the gorgeous portraits of my lovely new friends.
It was the perfect day for a gorgeous couple - Congratulations Jaz and Gaz!
Take a look at some more photos from their beautiful big day on the Weddings page of my website.
