Farnham Castle Wedding Photographer | Sam & Amanda

I met Sam and Amanda at a wedding fair on a hot, sunny day at Goodwood… when most sensible people are sitting in a pub garden enjoying a nice cold beer! I’m very glad we’re not all sensible people mind you! Sam and Amanda booked me for their lovely Farnham Castle wedding. As with most of my wedding collections, we start with a little “getting to know each other” on a pre-wedding shoot. I met them at a stunning lake near Petersfield which was a regular spot for them both in their early dating days. Here’s a little peek of that!

Amanda is a keen historian with a passion for archaeology working in a brilliant West Sussex museum. It came as no surprise then that she chose a castle venue for their wedding. Farnham Castle is steeped in history, with the keep still standing and open for visitors. The rest of the modernised venue remains in keeping with the stately nature, whilst providing a versatile space for weddings and events. Both Sam and Amanda got ready at the venue, Amanda at the gatehouse while Sam had one of the rooms. Personally, I feel that the morning of preparations is one of my favourite parts to capture… the excitement, anticipation, and the first look of the beautiful dress that until now has been kept hidden and treasured. Amanda had previously found THE dress on a chance visit back to Leeds with her family, but logistically it was too far to make repeated trips for alterations, but with a little communication was able to source the dress from Proposals in Chichester. The Groomsmen also looked very dapper in their suits with cravats to complement the purple and lilac hues of the colour scheme.

Sam and Amanda opted for a civil ceremony in the bright and airy Lantern Hall. The thing I love about being a Farnham Castle Wedding Photographer is that there is great flexibility on where you can marry there, offering both a Civil Ceremony in the Lantern Hall and a Church of England service in the Norman Chapel. I don’t know many other venues that can boast that dual option.

After the ceremony, Sam and Amanda were showered with confetti before settling on the steps for a group portrait and some family photos. The team here at Farnham Castle are well versed in keeping their guests fed and watered, seamlessly moving from drinks and canapes to the Great Hall for the wedding breakfast. We worked with Sam and Amanda to find quiet moments for their portraits that didn’t keep them from their waiting guests too long. The newlyweds have the pleasure of having the Castle Keep to themselves once opening hours have finished, so we made sure to get some portraits befitting a princess in the castle. The wedding breakfast looked amazing…. Amanda presented a person from each table with a butchers apron where they then discovered they were in charge of carving the roast for their table! A great way to break the ice if you don’t know whom you’re seated with!  The Speeches made for some great entertainment too with some hilarious photos of Sam, courtesy of the Best Men popping up for the guests to enjoy!

The evening celebrations opened with Sam and Amanda cutting their beautiful cake before heading to the dance floor for the most amazingly choreographed first dance, They wowed the crowd with their ballroom moves. This also enabled me to get the shot that won me The Master Photographers Association | Reportage Photographer of the Year (South Central Region). They had the moves, I was very glad to have captured them. As the evening went well on into the night, John and I said our goodbyes and started the journey back to prepare for the next stage of editing and album design.

Sam and Amanda opted for the Duet by Graphistudio… A double album consisting of the included 30page Young Book and an additional 100 Primo, a larger A3, magazine style album which enables the whole day to be printed, not just the highlights. They also treated their families to a Parent Copy each, a wonderful Christmas present to give in that first year of marriage!

Thank you so much for having us share your beautiful day! We wish you every happiness in your future together.

xX Fiona Xx

Farnham Castle Wedding Photographer | Sam & Amanda