Clare & Matthew Wedding Photography Northamptonshire

I met with Matthew and Clare via a wedding fair in Stratford a few years previous to their date to discuss their Wedding Photography Northamptonshire. We then met again, at their exclusive use venue, Holdenby House.

Wedding Photography Northamptonshire

Holdenby House is magnificent and stately, quiet and mysterious. Hidden by woodland. You drive through an avenue of trees, it suddenly appears and you catch your breath because it is unexpected and beautiful. A large country establishment, privately owned and the family still living in. Dark oak interiors, rooms full of bookcases, lavish decor, lush drapes,  and paintings. It is steeped in history.

Holdenby was built in 1583 by Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord Chancellor and favourite of Elizabeth I,  the largest private house in Elizabethan England – with 123 huge glass windows around two courtyards, specifically to honour his beloved Elizabeth.  It’s only available for hire a couple of dates a year which makes it even more special a location. Wedding photography Northamptonshire barely describes as the venue seemed miles from any city location. A place lost in the countryside.

Clare and Matthew have incredibly busy lifestyles and to agree a final shoot agenda was difficult, near impossible. And so driving along country lanes to towards Holdenby House,  to photograph their wedding, I am aware there has been only a loose signing off of any kind of a shoot plan for their creative wedding photography.

I meet Clare and bride to be in the white room. It is  flooded with light from a large and prominent leaded bay window. Her blue eyes match the walls and bridesmaids dresses and I wonder if she is aware?  This will be an unpredictable day. Discovery as it unfolds. I love a truly documentary wedding photography shoot as I can open up my mind and think and create more intuitively. Some of the observations around the lawned house and wedding breakfast illustrate some of the best documentary wedding photography of the day. The best documentary wedding photography being when the wedding party have accepted and excused my inclusion. Guests have chatted and I am established and forgotten. ‘Invisible status ensures I can achieve some great shots.

Photographer: Suzanne Fells
Couple: Clare & Matthew
Date: July 2016
Location: Holdenby House, Northamptonshire.