Gaynes Park Wedding Photographer
As a Gaynes Park wedding photographer, I know firsthand how challenging it has been for couples planning their special day during the past couple of years. The COVID pandemic has caused so much uncertainty and stress, and many couples have had to postpone or cancel their wedding plans altogether. That’s why it was such an honor to be able to capture Jenny and Ant’s wedding at Gaynes Park back in April.
Despite the uncertainty in the lead-up to the wedding day, everything came together beautifully. The weather was perfect, the venue looked stunning, and Jenny and Ant were the picture of calm and serenity. As a wedding photographer, I always love capturing those candid moments when couples are simply enjoying each other’s company, and Jenny and Ant provided plenty of those.
Of course, the wedding celebrations themselves were fantastic, with lots of laughter, tears, and joy. One of the most special moments of the day came during the speeches when the couple shared the news of a new arrival to their family. It was incredible to capture the reactions of their loved ones, and it added an extra layer of emotion to an already unforgettable day.
Looking back on this Gaynes Park wedding, I’m reminded of just how important it is to cherish these special moments. As a wedding photographer, I feel privileged to be able to capture these memories for couples, and I’m grateful to Jenny and Ant for allowing me to be a part of their special day. If you’re planning a wedding at Gaynes Park, I’d be honoured to capture your memories too.
How did the two of you meet?
We met when we were 16 through a mutual friend and we began as friends for quite a few years. After sixth form, we happened to both go to Kent University and stayed friends all through our time there. It wasn’t until about 6 months after we graduated that we started dating!
How did he propose?
After 5 years together, we definitely knew we were going to spend our lives together. On the day that we got the keys to our home, I decided to film a tour of the house for some friends who live far away. I went outside the front door to start the video and when I let myself into the house, he was down on one knee! I screamed and didn’t let him get his words out before I shouted yes! He still teases me about that three years on.
What Wedding Venue/s did you choose and why?
We chose to have our wedding at a Gaynes Park Barns because we loved the relaxed beauty of the setting. The orangery was the perfect place for our ceremony and we loved the large barn for the reception.
Where did you buy your dress? Was it a choice between many?
I bought my dress from Serena Bridal in Wickford. The team there are so lovely and were really helpful with recommending styles that would suit me. I tried lots of different types of dress because I wasn’t sure what I wanted but when I tried my actual dress on, I knew!
What about the groom’s suit? Did you already have a set style in mind?
Anthony knew he wanted a blue suit. Secretly I think this is because he supports Southend United and knew I wouldn’t let him wear his SUFC tie! His mum bought him the waistcoat separately to stand out against the suit. He got his suit from Anthony’s Formal Wear and the groomsmen’ suits were from there too.
Did you have a theme or colour scheme for your wedding?
We wanted the wedding to have a rustic feel to it which we felt suited the venue. Our flowers were shades of lilac and pale pinks mixed in with lots of cream roses and eucalyptus leaves. They were beautiful and such a lovely addition to the venue. I especially loved the way they looked in the orangery and on the ceremony table.
We also had lots of different vases and decorative items that had hearts on. Over the three years of planning our wedding, I had time to collect things that saw in shops that were used to decorate shelves and tables on the day
What source did you use for wedding inspiration?
Instagram and Pinterest were both great sources for inspiration for our wedding but mostly, we asked our suppliers for their advice. In discussion with them, we were able to build the picture of our perfect day.
If you could turn back the clock before planning started, what advice would you give yourself?
Enjoy the process of planning your special day because it goes by so fast!
What was your favourite photograph/s from the day?
All of the photos from the day have a special place in our hearts but my favourite photos from the day are the shots that Gary managed to capture of our closest family and friends hearing the news that we will be having a baby later this year! This was an incredible moment for us and one that we are so happy we can relive time and time again.
We have chosen a number of photos from the day to go up in our house. Gary took some beautiful ones of us walking down the driveway and we really like the pictures of us in the gardens of the orangery just after our ceremony.
What song did you choose for your 1st dance and why?
Sadly, we didn’t have a first dance due to the Covid restrictions. We never came to a final decision but we had a few top contenders. One of our favourites was Lucky by Jason Mraz because of the fact that we had been friends for such a long time before we got together. It reflects the fact that we feel like partners as well as best friends.
Was “Gary Derbridge Photography” the right photographer for you?
Absolutely! We were quite nervous about being in front of the camera and from the beginning, Gary helped us to feel at ease. It really helped to have the engagement shoot close to the wedding so that we could get an idea of what it would be like on the day. I’d really recommend doing that with Gary if you can!
The photos that we have from our wedding day are something we will cherish forever and we can’t thank him enough!
Gaynes Park Wedding Photographer
Your Suppliers?
Venue: Gaynes Park Barns
Wedding Dress: Serena Bridal
Men’s suits: Anthony’s Formal Wear
Florist: Courts of Rayleigh
Cake: Sticky Fingers Cake Company
Hair: 25 Hair Rochford
Make-up: I did my own!
Stationery: Little Button Nose