I've known Mike for a little while but met Gabi for the first time at Rowan and Faye's wedding a couple of months back.

The engagement shoot
We met up at Blaise Castle which you may of seen a couple of times on the blog here, here and here!
When couples ask to shoot there, it's music to my ears! It's on my backdoor step, and it's beautiful there!

We started the shoot in the typical way by having a chat and helping them to see that although I may look like a total hunk in my picture, I'm actually very approachable, as is my camera!

The actual pictures!
Enjoy them, leave a comment and more importantly look out for their wedding on here soon!

I've been really keen to blog this wedding even before I shot it!
Joseph and Emma are a really lovely couple and their wedding was beautiful.
They just ooze personality and their guests and family are no exception at all.

They were married at Clifton Mansion House in Clifton, Bristol.
With the weather on their side, they had the ceremony in the pagoda, then they enjoyed a receiving line over champagne.
Joseph and Emma, along with their guests walked from the mansion house through Clifton, over the world famous Clifton suspension bridge and then went on to enjoy their reception at Burwalls.
The atmosphere on the walk between Clifton Mansion House and Burwalls was fantastic! Cars were tooting their horns, people were shouting their well wishes and so many people just wanted to stop and chat!

It was the first time that I had shot at Burwalls, but I'm so keen to do it there again.

Enjoy these pictures and remember that Jessica has created another flipbook that if you've not seen, head on over here.
Before I forget, here's a little challenge for you; Try to find just one picture of Emma where she's not smiling.
Emma had to be the happiest Bride ever! Thank you Emma, and thank you Joseph for making her so happy.
You did good!

A beautiful setting right in the middle of Clifton!

A few of Joseph and Emma's amazing guests!

Joseph's Nephews were guarding the fort...

Meanwhile, Emma prepared herself with the help of her Bridesmaids.

A few friends gave some personal readings.

Joseph's Dad was a real character! Lovely guy!

And Emma's Dad was also a real character. He was just as much of a smiler as Emma for sure.

The walk to Burwalls began! Such a nice day for it!

Emma shared her favorite view of Clifton Suspension Bridge with a friend!

Next to the Clifton Suspension bridge is this natural slide that has been worn away over the decades by thousands of people sliding down on their Bristolian bums.
I may have exaggerated  the angle of the slide but it's all good!

I've done it before and I'll be honest, it's pretty scary! You pick up a lot of speed!

...to Burwalls!

They had four wedding cakes, each cooked by different friends. I thought that was a lovely idea. Joseph created the cake stands himself.

Emma's smile is incredible isn't it?

I'll leave you just looking at this for a while.

Joseph and Emma grew these bluebells in their house especially for the wedding!

And onto the speeches.

Joseph's Best man's speech was great! He gave it in such a relaxed and dry manor. He had everyone in hysterics with his stories of Joseph's earlier days. Brilliant!

The Clifton suspension bridge peering through the trees. I love this picture as I love the bridge!

After teaching this chap all my Jenga tips;  he wooed pretty much all the ladies one at a time.

So Joseph and Emma met at ballroom dancing classes, so there was plenty pressure on them for the first dance!
When we met up a few days earlier, Joseph and Emma had explained that to practise their dance, Emma tied a duvet around her to act as her wedding dress!
That's a top tip right there!

I've never seen a conga-line start so quickly! Impressive!

Amazing live music provided by Evolution. I'm recommending them right here, right now.

And that's it!
Joseph and Emma, you're an amazing couple and you're just so happy. It's nice to see such massive smiles all day!
Thank you to the guests for being so welcoming, friendly and accommodating.

We shot around the Bristol docks for some grungy textures but ended up in the Millennium Square area of Bristol to make use of the artificial lights and cool architecture.
It was a little strange doing a shoot in my own city. It's very rare that I'm this close to home, I'm usually doing an engagement shoot in a field in Shropshire, a forest on Halloween or on a farm in mid Wales! I loved it though, it's great to welcome in the wedding season with a couple like this!

This photo was taken at the Lloyds building on the floating harbor in the centre of Bristol.
Mark was saying that this is a world famous spot for skaters and although there was just a handful of skaters around they were more than willing to help out. Cheers guys!

Look out for their wedding at the end of the month and of course the rest of their pictures from this shoot very soon. Mark and Amy are getting married at the beautiful Priston Mill, just outside Bath. I'll be there a few more times this year, so that'll be good!

On a side note, Mark ran the Bath Half Marathon yesterday, not sure how he did yet though!

Enjoy!

Jessica had a snow day, as did most of the country I presume, so we had a nice breakfast and walked up to Blaise Castle Estate.
You'll probably remember Paul and Cassie's Wedding ceremony was held there in the Museum?
It's a beautiful building inside and I'd love to shoot there again.
Shooting at a museum is pretty amazing, but it's in walking distance, that just makes things perfect!

It snowed here in Bristol around christmas time, but my mum was in hospital having two operations and ending up in ICU, not the most fun we, or she's had, so we didn't get to enjoy the snow!
I'm just glad that she's out now, and that things are getting back to normal.

I'd imagine there are hundreds of bloggers who have posted snow pictures. So I'll just copy them!

First get out there and build a snow man, then come back and check out these pictures!

Here's Jessica for those who don't know what she looks like.
Pretty isn't she?


I seem to always take pictures of Beech leaves when I'm out.
I think they're beautiful leaves. Such a warm fiery orange and they seem to take forever to fall off the trees.

So this is the actual Castle. We can see it from our house! Which is pretty cool!

Such an incredible view.


Thanks for reading.
 Joseph

We had loads of fun in the fog and the cold on that day.
Unfortunately, Jimmy and Louise wern't exactly blessed with good weather for their wedding either, but what I love about Clearwell Castle is that if the weather is poor outside, then there are so many rooms to discover!
In fact, embarrassingly, I didn't realise that there was a downstairs to the castle, full of a dance floor and even more rooms!
I've always finished shooting before the dancing starts at the other Clearwell Castle weddings I've shot.
I much prefer these longer weddings, sure they're far more physically exhausting, but I enjoy it as I really get to know the guests and they get to know me.

This was the biggest wedding I've shot at Clearwell and certainly the most fun!
It was also my first Chinese wedding, so plenty of new sights I've not witnessed before, like the tea ceremony which I found fascinating!
I'd love to be there for their Chinese wedding in Hong Kong, it sounds loads of fun!

Friends and family flew in literally from all over the world to see Jimmy and Louise get married, so the atmosphere was amazing!

This was the last wedding of the year which is a bit sad, but I've had an incredible year.
I'll be posting some of my favorite images up on here later on in the week!

Thank you so much Jimmy and Louise for choosing me, I was so flattered!
Enjoy these pictures!

With light pouring in like this, you know it's going to be a good day!

And with this level of military precision, not much could of gone wrong!

So many friends and families flew over from Hong Kong.
This was just Jimmy's luggage though.

All day, there were smiles like this, everybody was so happy!

And so many cute faces!

Although, some were either clearly jet-lagged, or just not that crazy about weddings! 


Jimmy and his boys. 

Louise with her bridesmaids, Jo and Rachel.  

A few last minute tweaks!


On more than one occasion at Jimmy and Louise's wedding, I attempted to use other peoples camera flashes to enhance my own image.
I've never seen so many cameras at one wedding, so this was quite easy.
Also, the gentleman checking the image on the back of his 5d mk II is Bristol photographer Jordan Chung




And now the tea ceremony. It's a chance for the older members of the family and important relatives to give gifts and advice

I really took a shine to "Uncle Joe"... not sure he realised it though!

I don't know what this friend was saying but I'm sure its profound.

Glad I'm not washing up!

And so begins the toasting!

Another two not overly fussed by weddings! Or just knackered from jet lag!

Another use of other peoples camera flashes to get a cool cake cutting shot!

One of the smartest and cute kids was sat on my table.

And the lovely couple themselves!
Thank you so much Jimmy and Louise!
You could've chosen anyone to take your pictures, so I'm so grateful you chose me!

You'll remember Matt and Yvonnes pictures from a few weeks back, that was a pretty long journey for us. We drove down one more time for their wedding a few weekends back.
The weather was pretty questionable to say the least. We had gale force winds, thunder and lightning and horses strewn across the road!

But i'm doing my best not to be a walking cliché here when I say "the bad weather was no match for the smiles on everybodys faces!" (sorry)

I met up with Yvonne in the morning whilst she was having her make up done by Melissa, I then met up with the rest of the guests at the Beaufort Arms.
Goodness me! It was like the annual "past, present and future bride, groom and guest at a josephyarrow.com wedding" there!

It was weird to know or recognise so many people just from my weddings that I've shot. It made me feel so proud inside! (thanks D&C)
The pub was gorgeous inside with allot of low autumn sun peeking through the storm clouds coming through the windows. Loads of noise, excitement and general merryment! Lovely stuff!

The guests (not I) walked to Beaulieu Abbey, an incredible building that once acted as a dining room for the monks there. It was a little bit like your dining room at home, but a bit bigger.
It was a very relaxed and personal ceremony with friends giving readings, singing and performing songs for Matt and Yvonne.
The guests moved over to the Abbey Domus where the party started.

Enjoy the pictures!



I love me a real chuckle!

And here's the man of the hour, looking slightly windswept, but ever-so-awesome.

L>R Best man, as well past guest on www.josephyarrow.com and future groom; Chris.
Groom; Matt.
Best man; Chester. What a great name and a lovely guy!

It was great to see Craig again


I really love this series of four pictures here, especially the first one of the car.
It's my job here to tell a story, and I think that I've done what I needed to do.

Eagerness:

Freedom:

Suspense:

And excitement:


Playing it cool! Smooth

Ah, not so smooth now!







This Gentleman's voice was so soft yet powerful and filled the whole Abbey.





Remember Victoria?
The weather was all over the place!

There was a gap in the weather long enough for a few shots in the beautiful grounds.


Great looking couple aren't they? Even when they are battling with the wind!




Just in case!





An incredible room, mostly lit by candles.
At one point, the open log fire at the back of the room started really smoking and the visibility was actually pretty terrible!
Smoke poisoning put nobody off though and the party carried on like nothing happened!


Such a cool wedding cake! I love all the details on it!





I love taking pictures of people using their cameras. I don't know why, perhaps it's because I enjoy looking at how other people capture their own memories. (and the poses they get into!)






Our Deb!






Yvonne's Mother is Polish and also gave a speech. At the end, she said that it wouldn't be a real wedding without this drink. Then almost the whole room broke out into this Polish song whilst knocking this back, which just topped it all off! I loved it!

I think Yvonne looks amazing here!

The Abbey by night

And a very cool choreographed first dance! Loved it!


The live music was provided by one of the best bands I've worked along with.
They're called Grouper and played loads of Pop-Rock stuff, from Razorlight to Snow Patrol










And that's about it!
What a wedding, I really enjoyed this one!
It was very tiring, but looking back at these images, I'm thrilled with what I did!

Matt and Yvonne, thank you so much for asking me to be your photographer, I felt so honored to be included and treated so well by yourselves and your amazing guests!