I arrived at Blake Hall nice and early to capture the bridal preparations on a gorgeously sunny winter day which was quite unexpected.

Meanwhile my good friend and fellow photographer Steve was meeting up with the boys at Mulberry House (www.mulberry-house.com) which is just down the road.

The ceremony took place at 3.30pm in the main barn at Blake Hall which at this time of year the sun sets around 4pm.

Straight after the ceremony we took a very quick tour of the grounds as the light was fading fast, allowing us about a 10 minute window for outdoor photographs.

We then head back to the warmth of the barn and took the group photographs.

After the meal were the speeches, the cutting of the cake and of course the first dance.

I had a great time photographing Gemma and Simon’s wedding day and it was a pleasure to have Steve as 2nd photographer for me. We headed outside for one last moment.

By Dean Robson LBIPP – RT Weddings (December 2011) Qualified Member of the British Institute of Professional Photographers – Professional Wedding Photography for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

I arrived on what was forecast to be a cold, damp and wet day, although it was chilly, dry and overcast. I was so pleased to see that the Autumn colours were still on the trees.

I do love the mirrors that have been added outside the bridal cottage.

Even on an overcast day the orangery offers a lovely, bright setting for the marriage ceremony.

With the promise of rain we decided to do the romantic shoot first, utilising the lovely grounds at Gaynes Park.

After letting the couple warm up and catch up with their guests I then took the family group photographs.

The wild flower garden area around the pavilion looked great, especially with the fairy lights on in the background.

Yet again the weather forecasters got it wrong as it had stayed dry which I was so pleased about. It was time to enter the Mill Barn for the wedding breakfast. My friends at Piano DJ (www.pianodj.co.uk) were providing the piano music.

As it was bonfire night the children had a special surprise… sparklers! This gave me the opportunity of trying out some slow exposures.

We couldn’t resist having some night lit shots in front of the pavilion.

I was also on hand to capture guest portraits on the evening.

Then it was time for the first dance again the music was provided by James from Piano DJ.

By Dean Robson LBIPP – RT Weddings (November 2011) Qualified Member of the British Institute of Professional Photographers – Professional Wedding Photography for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

It was a lovely, warm, sunny Autumn’s day.

The girls were getting ready in the cottage at the Reid Rooms.

I caught up with the boys when they arrived. Mary was on hand to assist with the button holes.

After a couple of formal photographs it was time for the ceremony.

After the ceremony we had some family group photographs and the romantic shoot.

We all went in for the meal and the speeches.

I borrowed the couple briefly as the early evening light was perfect for some more romantic shots.

On the occassions when I am unable to find a location suitable for a sunset I use the evening light through the trees which gives a similar feel.

It was then time for the cutting of the cake and the first dance.

The Reid Rooms courtyard is lit up which makes for a great night lit shot.

I had a lovely day photographing Mel and John’s wedding.

By Dean Robson LBIPP – RT Weddings (October 2011) Qualified Member of the British Institute of Professional Photographers – Professional Wedding Photography for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

I arrived at the brides home on the morning of the wedding and the forecast was for some rain showers.

Whilst photographing the shoes outside, the family cat came over and introduced himself.

I then headed for the church and the rain began.

During the ceremony, the rain stopped briefly and a gorgeous beam of sunlight shone down on the couple as they made their vows.

As we left the church the rain continued so we all made the journey to Fanhams Hall, by the time we arrived the sun was shining and the clouds had disappeared.

The couple had a toastmaster, Clive Maynard (www.toastmaster4u.com) and we decided to take the group photographs straight away as we didn’t know if the rain would return.

Again not wishing to miss out on the weather we took the opportunity of utilising the gardens for the couple’s romantic shoot. Fanhams Hall has some amazing grounds!

We then made our way back to the drinks reception and the weather continued to stay dry and quite pleasant.

I was on hand to capture any portraits and couple shots for the guests. I bumped into Sonya and Steve who’s wedding I photographed in 2010.

It was then time for the wedding meal, the speeches and the cutting of the cake.

Having a toastmaster really can help the day run seamlessly and smooth, Clive was fantastic, especially his assistance during the group photographs.

I had a great time photographing Chloe and Steve’s wedding and the rain stayed away at the right times during the day.

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings (September 2011) Professional Wedding Photographer for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

I arrived at the brides home on the morning of the wedding. I had fellow photographer Steve assisting me as 2nd photographer and he went straight to the cathedral to meet up with the boys.

The bride arrived traditionally late and in perfect style. She was in a beautiful horse drawn carriage.

We then all made the journey from Chelmsford to Braxted Park where I had a few minutes to take some shots by the house with the car before we headed to the drinks reception for the group photographs.

After a short time the guests were all requested for the meal.

After the meal and speeches there was just enough light to take the couple around for their romantic shoot.

We then headed back for the cutting of the cake and the first dance.

With the night drawing in it was the perfect opportunity to get out my video lamp and take some night shots.

I had a lovely time photographing Karen and Jonathans special day, and it was nice to return to Braxted Park again.

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings (August 2011) Professional Wedding Photographer for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

Unfortunately it was forecast a very wet summers day so I knew we would have to work around the elements and use our wet weather contingency plan.

Even though the weather was wet, it didn’t dampen the mood, the steel band kept everyone smiling.

I stepped aside to let this little professional photographer get his shot.

We then went for a quick visit to the giraffe enclosure, luckily for us the wet weather meant we could get up close and personal as the giraffes were all inside keeping dry.

We then went back to the Phoenix suite for the drinks reception and I took the group photographs inside on the dance floor.

There was a brief dry spell so we all rushed out to the “bird steps” to grab a big group photograph before heading back for the meal and the speeches.

After the meal we all headed down to Whipsnade Central, the Zoo’s very own private railway as the train is one of the best ways to see the animals. As you can see the rain had cleared and the sun was even breaking through.

We headed through a short tunnel and the steam made for a romantic shot.

We took a quick tour of the zoo for some romantic photographs.

We had rain, we had sunshine, but most of all we had great fun capturing Rachel and Dzinja’s special day and it was a very unique setting.

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings (August 2011) Professional Wedding Photographer for Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent and Bedfordshire

As the couple had asked for my two photographer service I brought my good friend and fellow photographer Sean along with me to assist in capturing their day. We were also working alongside Lester and his assistant from Ocean 7 (www.ocean7video.com) who I had worked with only the week before. The Bride was getting ready in the Cottage at Blake Hall, I do enjoy photographing in there as the light is perfect!

I was so pleased the weather stayed nice as it meant the ceremony could take place in the Saddlery in front of the main Barn.

After the ceremony we took the couple and Bridal party around to the main gardens for some special photographs. The gardens at Blake Hall are amazing and the effort that the owners put in really does make it the perfect setting for wedding photographs. I have photographed at Blake Hall many times and I still find new and exciting places to take photographs each time I go.

After the romantic shoot it was time for a couple of group photographs.

After the meal and the speeches I took the couple around to the old lane that runs at the side of Blake Hall as this is the perfect sunset location.

The disco and entertainment was provided by Dean from LoveLight (www.lovelight.me.uk) and they lit up the barn beautifully!

I had a fantastic day and it was great to work with my good friend Sean again!

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings (August 2011) Professional Wedding Photographer for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

I arrived at the Brides home on the morning of the wedding, it was a really warm sunny day. I was working alongside Lester and Natalie from Ocean 7 Video Productions (www.ocean7video.com) who were very friendly and professional.

I left for the church to meet up with the groom and groomsmen, it was still fantastic weather.

Surprisingly we only had a few minutes outside before some very heavy rainfall. The good British summer didn’t disappoint us and we all headed to the venue for the drinks reception.

With the help of the familiar face of Ted Prior the Toastmaster (www.toastmaster-tedprior.com) I took the small group photographs by the fireplace and had my fingers crossed the rain would pass. Ted is a great Toastmaster and with his organisation skills you can guarantee your day will run smoothly and to good time. PianoDJ (www.pianodj.co.uk) who I have worked with many times supplied the entertainment.

After about an hour the rain had stopped and the sun was shining… and blue skies! Some of the strangest weather I have encountered on a wedding day, from one extreme to another and then back again… very bizarre. We took the opportunity of taking the romantic photographs, time was quite short as it was soon time for the meal.

After the meal and with the assistance of Ted again, I took the large aerial group photographs and a few larger family and friends photos.

As we still had some time before the evening party started both myself and the videographer took the couple for a wander. Stockbrook Manor (Country Club) is a lovely wedding location. It has been a couple of years since I last photographed there, so it was a pleasure to return.

It was then time for the cutting of the cake and the first dance.

It was a great surprise to see Gill and James whose wedding I photographed back in April.

I really enjoyed my day with Nicola and Sean, and we made the most of the mixed weather.

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings (August 2011) Professional Wedding Photographer for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

I arrived at the brides home on Canvey Island to capture the pre-wedding photographs and had a special request to take some shots with her dogs.

I then moved on to The Room In The Rodings for some shots with the groom and groomsmen. I also met up with the videographer, Peter from Cherished Moments (www.c-m-dvd.co.uk) who I have worked with before. It’s always good to work with people I’ve met before.

This is when the wedding became a little different to the norm as we all climbed aboard a rather large trailer being towed by a tractor.

We took the bumpy but very amusing journey to a place called The Meadow Pavillion (www.meadowpavillion.co.uk) which is deep in the middle of the countryside and awaited the brides entrance.

As The Meadow Pavillion is in the countryside it seemed fitting to take the group photographs there.

As I hadn’t taken my step ladder with me on the tractor, I used the next best thing and climbed on the back of the trailer to capture this aerial group shot.

The guests then headed back to The Room In The Rodings for the reception drinks and I took the opportunity of taking some romantic photographs with the couple.

We all headed back to the venue, myself and the videographer caught a ride with the events coordinator Mary in her Land Rover, that was a bit more comfortable :-) When we got back to the venue I took the couple out to the corn field which is at the back of the venue and was so pleased with the photos we got. The clouds were so dark they turned blue, was very dramatic!

It was then time for the wedding meal, speeches and the cutting of the cake. The food was amazing!

After the meal there was an almost sunset, I managed to capture some of the golden sky.

The evenings entertainment began with the first dance and the entertainment was provided by James from Piano DJ (www.pianodj.co.uk) who is also an associate of mine.

I had a fun day and it was a real treat to photograph the outdoor ceremony at the Meadow Pavillion.

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings (August 2011) Professional Wedding Photographer for Essex, Hertfordshire and Kent

I arrived at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel on the morning of the wedding where both the Bride and the Groom were getting ready before the ceremony. The make-up was being done by Rachel from Enhance My Beauty (www.enhancemybeauty.co.uk).

After the ceremony the couple went on a punt ride up the river Camb which runs alongside the hotel gardens.

After lots of casual photographs I then took the formal group photographs for the couple.

The hotel does have a lovely area which is perfect for some romantic photographs.

I was also on hand to take any guest portraits and family shots by request.

It was then time for the wedding meal.

After the meal I took the couple over the other side of the river to a wild meadow which made a great backdrop for some extra photographs. Cambridge is great location for wedding photographs!

It was then time for cutting of the cake and ofcourse the first dance.

I had a really fun day with Rebecca and Jonathan and hope they like their wedding photographs!

By Dean Robson – RT Weddings (August 2011) Professional Wedding Photographer for Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent