Wednesday 11 November 2015

Jersey, Channel Islands, what an amazing place to get married!

So recently I was looking around for somewhere 'different' to go on a post-wedding season short break, preferably flying from Newcastle Airport... and I discovered that EasyJet fly direct to Jersey, Channel Islands in just over an hour. Having been to Guernsey as a teenager and loved it,  I checked the weather estimates, and a quick look on google images and was absolutely sold, beautiful beaches and green sea, and I didn't even need my passport to get there! 

So last month we (me & friend!)  had a trip over there. From the first morning waking up at L'Horizon Spa Hotel  we didn't want to leave! 

Then I discovered that L'Horizon Spa Hotel does weddings. Because there was a bride and groom walking through reception looking very happy, of course, they were getting married with a beach view. This beach view.... St Brelades Bay... wow. It's October, and the sea is that colour... 

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And I decided at that moment that I really, really want to return to Jersey to photograph a wedding.... 

sooooooo I had to do a blog post about it to tell you how much of an amazing place it is...Please excuse the not amazing quality of the photos as these were just snaps, mostly on my phone... (well I was on holiday after all......)

At L'Horizon Spa, you can have your wedding overlooking the beautiful bay, sea, and it has a terrace for drinks... lots of windows so you can see the view as much as possible. And sunshine, lots of sunshine... plus.....

It has sunsets like this: 

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Secluded beaches such as Beauport Bay, with a rocky dramatic backdrops for some romantic wedding photos..... 

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Seriously. I didn't need my passport to get here?! 

You could also get married at Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, which has some amazing animals such as gorillas and orang-utans.... 

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ANNND if that wasn't enough. Jersey has some AMAZING food. Jersey cream, Jersey butter, Jersey Potatoes, Jersey Black Butter (seriously, look it up!)... the food is incredible and really will wow your wedding guests.

In October for around six weeks, Jersey plays host to Tennerfest which where lots of restaurants across the Channel Islands put on some fantastic and great value menus to sample their food. Of course we took advantage of this by going to the 5* Longueville Manor. A beautiful cosy country manor just outside of St. Helier with amazing food. If your wedding style is more country than beach....don't worry, you can also get married at Longueville Manor....

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And there's me, happy in the sunshine and blue sky, in my sunnies, after a wonderful meal at Longueville Manor. 

Even the clouds make love heart shapes above St Brelades Bay....

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If you're getting married in Jersey or on another of the Channel Islands,  and you're looking for fun & relaxed wedding photography... please drop me a line via my website . I am more than happy to travel for your big day :)


Thursday 5 November 2015

She asked, She said yes (Ashleigh & Kylie got engaged!)

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Ashleigh & Kylie are childhood sweethearts. They met at school and have been together ever since. I met Ashleigh at college back in 2004(!) and was over the moon when her girlfriend Kylie got in touch to reveal after nearly 13 years together, she was going to propose to Ashleigh. 

She described Ashleigh as 'her rock' and tbh, being a soppy person, I find it absolutely beautiful that they have grown up together and had so many adventures along the way, already! 



Kylie decided to whisk Ashleigh away for a week in the Lake District staying at a cosy cottage. They both enjoy the outdoors, nature, walking, hiking, running... On their first full day there, Kylie couldn't wait any longer and took Ashleigh on a hike in the torrential rain, up Loughrigg Fell. Nearing the top, Kylie went really quiet and Ashleigh started to wonder what was going on. It was then that Kylie pulled out the ring, got down on one knee and through the tears and the never ending rain, asked Ashleigh to marry her.

 Ashleigh was delighted and forgot to say yes, through her tears, but once the ring was on her finger, shouted in joy right across the valley. The sun came out later that day too ♥ How blumming adorable ♥ 

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Kylie couldn't wait any longer to tell Ashleigh that she had booked an engagement shoot with me later in the week (bless her!) and the ladies spent some time deciding on their favourite locations to have some photographs taken to celebrate their engagement. 

We spent several hours together around Ambleside and Coniston water, laughing, chatting, catching up on lots of years and feeling like no time had passed at all. 

Thanks so much for such a fab day spent with you two! 

Here are some highlights of the shoot.....


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All images copyright Katie Byram Photography and must not be used without written permission from the photographer. 

Thursday 6 August 2015

Two Less Fish In The Sea: The Andrews' Wedding at Baltic Art Gallery

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Andrew & Andrew wanted to have a stylish but relaxed, city wedding and found the perfect venue for them: The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art.

 The guys got ready together at the Malmaison, it was very relaxed and they enjoyed their stay in one of their favourite hotels. They love Starbucks coffee and were happy when they realised one has opened up in the lobby.


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Not only do both Andrew love Starbucks they both have a mutual love of their Mini Coopers and when I saw the keys I just had to use them for a ring photo.  

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Lorna from The Design Studio provided all the flowers for the wedding including the button holes with succulants and herbs.

They walked across the Millennium Bridge together to The Baltic to get married... 

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 As the guests were waiting for the grooms to arrive both Andrews were peeking around the corner to see if it was time for them to get married yet.

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The talented Jessica Avison sang during the ceremony and the drinks reception.

There were some wonderful readings during the ceremony, including one entitled 'Falling In Love Is Like Owning A Dog' which I loved!

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After the Andrews were pronounced husband & husband, it was time to relax and celebrate with their family and friends. 

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The couple choose to have three long tables to make it more informal. 

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The two grooms met on Plenty of Fish website and this gave them a great idea for their wedding theme. Now they are 'two less fish in the sea'. 


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The speeches were very personal and fun. The little hand out booklets with embarrassing but funny photos of Andrew (R) was a good touch and made Andrew so embarrassed he hid behind his napkin. 

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We wandered along to the Quayside Seaside after the meal. The guys working there were already packing up and we asked if we could borrow a couple of deckchairs for the wedding photos and thankfully they were very happy to oblige! 

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The Andrews decided to get their new identical initials in lights from Coco Luminaire

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Func On The Rocks sang for the first dance and throughout the night. Their first dance song was Luther Vandross - Never too much.



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Congratulations again to Mr Andrew Richardson- Brown (x2) on your marriage and fun wedding!

All photographs and text copyright Katie Byram Photography and must not be used without written permission from the photographer.