The Best of 2023

2023 - completed it mate!

Another year of weddings are in the bag, and as ever I’m excited to do my end-of-year roundup to show you a glimpse into my crazy year as a wedding photographer. It’s a selection of my fave images from the year, from the weddings I’m allowed to share with you.

I thought I was going to start the year with a bang; instead I started the year with appendicitis and only one week into 2023 I found myself being swiftly wheeled into abdominal surgery. One malfunctioning appendix removed, I then focused on the calendar of upcoming gorge weddings and even more gorge people.

If there was a running theme of 2023 weddings then it was rain. My god, did it rain this year! I can probably count on one hand how many weddings didn’t experience some kind of rain this year, so we can only assume that 2024 is going to be a scorcher. Despite the soggy weather, this didn’t deter any of my couples, and I’m always thankful for your sense of humour, adventure and determination. No-one let inclement weather spoil their day.

One couple who didn’t experience this year’s rain trend was Ella and Jack, who were my first wedding of the year in March at glorious Holmewood Hall near Peterborough. The week preceding I think it had even been snowing, but the weather gods shone on them and they had an unseasonably dry and mild day.

Not long after that I returned to one of Suffolk’s most beaut wedding venues - Bruisyard Hall - for Josie and Mark’s big day. On this occasion it rained from start to finish but, as ever, they were not to be deterred. J+M took everything in their stride and allowed me to get a bit creative with their photos, including a fave move of incorporating a bathtub (don’t worry, we were all fully-clothed).

From spring into summer, I experienced a kaleidoscope of love, laughter and for the first time, inflatables. As soon as I clapped eyes on the bouncy castle at Amy and Jason’s July wedding (ostensibly for the kids, but let’s be honest here, it was for the adults) I knew I had to get them on it.

Black tie has been a massive trend in 2023 and I certainly saw more of it creep into my weddings, with the potential to knock the stalwart blue lounge suit off of its perch in 2024. As ever, I’m a sucker for a double-breasted waistcoat and some colourful floristry; you guys didn’t let me down this year.

There was an uptick in people giving speeches at weddings in 2023, where the traditional 3 speakers now became 4, 5, 6, or even 7, which was the record from my weddings this year. Brides giving speeches never gets old and ladies, we always want to hear what you have to say.

After the unpredictable weather we at last enjoyed a bit of an Indian summer, as we sweated like Boris Johnson during a lie detector test at Carrie and Mark’s absolute beast of a wedding day at Chippenham Park. The warm weather continued right the way through September as I had my third outing at Blake Hall in Ongar, where I’m a preferred supplier.

My final wedding of the year was an intimate day for Jessica and Ashley at a venue close to my home, where I experienced a first in my wedding photography - a first touch. I’ve done several first looks on wedding days, but this was the first time I captured a first touch, and it was a bloody lovely moment.

As I reflect on another year, I have so much gratitude and thanks for all of my couples. The people that entrust me to capture one of - if not the most - important days of their lives is something I never take for granted. It’s a privilege to witness and capture your love stories, and believe me when I say 2023 has had some epic love stories. Hearing your hilarious and heartfelt memories during your speeches, particularly where you’re remembering the loved ones that are no longer here, always gets me. And to think I used to be an emotionally detached ice queen.

Thanks to all my wedding supplier friends too, as we continue to work together and collaborate to produce the best possible experience for our couples. I freakin’ love you guys.

So without further ado, here’s a selection of my fave images from the year that was 2023. The best of, a round-up, a review, a montage… it’s all in here somewhere.

Thank you class of 2023, you bloody legends.

PS There’s over a 100 images here, which seems like a lot, but when you’ve delivered over 20,000 to your couples in 2023, it’s a drop in the ocean really. Enjoy!