Gosfield Hall Wedding | Allyson and Joseph
BLACK TIE WEDDING AT GOSFIELD HALL, ESSEX
Ally and Joe’s relaxed and elegant summer wedding at Gosfield Hall, Essex was an absolute delight!
Their beautiful day featured a first look with their young son, Harrison, before a celebrant-led ceremony, hosted by their beloved family friend, against the backdrop of the grand house.
Ally chose a stunning tulle and embroidered Pronovias dress, supplied by Mili Mili Bridal in Chichester, Joe opted for the classic of classic suits with a black tie tuxedo.
Here are some previews of their wedding day, I can not wait to edit the rest!
GETTING READY IN THE ROCOCO HONEYMOON SUITE
This has to be one of the most stunning bridal suites I have ever photographed at a wedding venue.
Decorated during the reign of King Louis XVIII, it is dripping with grandeur with the stunning mirrors and details echoing the Palace of Versailles.
As soon as I saw those mirrors and the chandeliers, I knew I had to photograph Ally before she went to meet her Joe. Doesn’t she look like an actual Queen?
With such a gilded opulence, and historical elegance, this room absolutely made for a special bridal prep.
It was a real family occasion as Ally got ready, surrounded by her best loved ones supporting her and little Harrison was just wonderful to see.
She was helped into her dress by her lovely mum, and little Harrison could not believe his eyes when he saw his mummy in her special dress!
His little face completely lit-up, and he loved playing with the material and making a fuss of Ally.
We then did a first look with Ally’s dad, who couldn’t help himself but tear-up as he saw his little girl for the first time.
Such incredibly sweet and precious memories for them all. These moments are so fleeting as they happen, it is such an honour to immortalise them in photos.
HERE COME THE BOYS…
This is a sweeping generalisation, and slightly sexist, but it rarely fails to be true: boys always leave getting ready to the last minute, but somehow are ready just about on time! This is why having a second photographer can be so beneficial, even if you are both getting ready in the same venue. I was able to focus on Ally, while my amazing second and friend Charlotte, could focus on Joe and the boys just down the hall.
WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A FIRST LOOK AT YOUR WEDDING
This is a wedding custom from the US that I actually really recommend for weddings, the first look. Ally is from the States, and suggested we do this so she can Joe could have their portraits taken in a quiet space away from their guests before the ceremony, and I loved it!
By pushing their ceremony back to 3pm, it allowed them to have some time with their little boy Harrison, to be together so they weren’t condensing group photos and couple photos into a small time slot after the ceremony, giving them more time with their guests. It meant no well-meaning prying eyes as their guests hadn’t even arrived yet, and we could have more time than usual which meant more special memories and photos to treasure.
EDITORIAL AND NATURAL WEDDING PHOTOS
One of my strengths as a photographer that I have really studied over the years, is giving you editorial looking but natural feeling photographs. It’s so important you both feel comfortable to be yourselves, while also getting those super gorgeous and modern photographs without a fuss.
If that’s a super-power you are looking for in a photographer, it’s me, hi, I’m the photographer, it’s me!*
Gosfield Hall is such a wonderful place for photos, with its beautiful gardens outside and grand hallways inside. As with many British weddings, the weather was somewhat of a plot point to their day with rain threatened all day; but with so many amazing indoor options with good natural light, I wasn’t worried at all!
I always recommend you check out the options when you are viewing a venue, ask the team where they suggest for group photos (you’ll need a larger space to fit everyone in), or your couple portraits
(a neutral room with a large window is a bonus for romantic and flattering indoor photos).
THE CEREMONY
The weather decided to be kind and their outside ceremony could take place! Led by the beloved friend, Joe patiently waited for Ally to come down the aisle escorted by her father. There was so much laughter, and the two of them simply looked so happy to be together and celebrating with their loved ones.
THE BALLROOM RECEPTION
What a place for a wedding breakfast! The Ballroom echoes the details across Gosfield Hall with its large mirrors and grand chandeliers bouncing light across the room. Their tables were adorned with eucalyptus, gypsophila and white roses, with elegant white tapered candles, an absolute favourite of mine for a classic and elegant tablescape.
Ally and Joe took a few minutes to themselves before guests joined them for dinner, followed by raucous laughter at speeches! Your reception room will always come to life with you and your loved ones in it, so I will always snap some beautiful photos of you two and your guests enjoying each other’s company before leaving you to enjoy your dinner.
A SPECIAL FIRST DANCE
Ally and Joe’s day was about so much more than just the two of them, their young son Harrison simply had to be a big part of the day. We made sure Harrison could join them for their cake cutting, and it wasn’t long on the dance-floor before he was scooped up in to their arms.
Thank you so much to Ally and Joe for sharing their special day with me, more to come soon!
* yes, that was a Taylor Swift ‘Anti-Hero’ reference.
THE SUPPLIERS:
Venue: Gosfield Hall
Dress Boutique: Mili Mili Colchester
Dress: Enzoani
Hair: Hair So Boho
Makeup: Shanie Wright Makeup
Florals: Stock Florist
Cake: M and H Cake
Second photographer: Charlotte Weaver