Charlotte and Marcus (known to some of us as Charcus or Marlotte) recently got married in a small village in the Pyrenees region of southwestern France. Marcus’ mum and dad retired to a beautiful farmhouse down a country lane in the village of Caubous, where one of the most charming and delightfully bucolic weddings I’ve ever experienced took place.

About 1.5 hours southwest of Toulouse are a cluster of villages lying in the shadow of the mighty Pyrenees mountain range. Forming a natural border between France and Spain, this mountainous corner of the country has all that you’d expect of a jaunt to rural France but is unspoilt by the crowds you’d find in more well worn parts.

The neighbouring village of Castelnau-Magnoac was the epicentre of pre-wedding festivities and guests descended upon it for morning rituals. The village ticked away as normal with the busyness of the morning market and villagers running their weekend errands. The square was occupied with stalls of fresh produce, cheese and baked goods and the cafes warmly welcomed us visitors in for pain au chocolats and cafe au laits. The fogginess of early morning eventually gave way to sunshine and newly energised from a quiet breakfast overlooking the village centre, guests readied themselves for the celebrations to begin.

The ceremony took place in the village church down the same lane from the farmhouse. Guests as well as locals piled in to see Marcus and Charlotte join hands in marriage and exchange their vows. As no one had gotten married in the village for well over a decade, this was certainly an event not to miss. Surrounded by loved ones, they became Mr. and Mrs. Littlejohns, and not a dry eye was found. The exit from the church to reception saw the entire wedding party walking casually in the warm afternoon sun towards the house.

From this point on you were in a dream. There was light music in the background being played by Charlotte’s talented musician friends, a lemonade station upon entry to the property, an aromatic hog roast greeting each passerby as well as mason jars filled with floral delights leading you up the gravel drive and into the back garden. Canopied by an old, blooming tree whose reach extended across the entire cocktail area, each guest nibbled on canapes, sipped champagne and thanked themselves profusely for having the good sense to RSVP “yes” to an affair such as this.

With atelier stations serving shaved jambon, smoked salmon, and other grilled selections all overlooking the surrounding countryside, the atmosphere was not surprisingly one of satisfaction, excitement and utter class. The evening carried on as entrees were served, wine was drunk and meaningful words were spoken. Music carried us into the night and joyful proclamations of our affection for them both were communicated with drinks in hand and songs in our hearts.

Marcus and Charlotte throughout the day were as they always are, present in the moment and the absolute picture of ease and contentment. Both from sporting backgrounds and years of experience managing athletes and the events that promote them, these two are usually more comfortable in the background. But for those that know them well, we’re aware of the paradox of this. Two people as highly intelligent, openly warm and generous, unendingly interesting in thought and conversation, exceedingly talented in life and work, and absolutely lacking in ego and self-importance, never successfully fade into any background. Their brilliance shines wherever they choose to stand. And standing together on this Saturday there was never a more perfect day put together to symbolise the internal and external converging of two synchronous souls and the celebration that should follow such a life-affirming occasion.

Lots of love to you both. It was a privilege. xxxx

This was a wedding I was so happy to be a part of because I knew the bride from years ago…

Emily and I were in the same major together at University of Illinois, and we shared many a morning coffee and walk to class together. We were great college friends that hadn’t seen each other in years.

So when Emily got in touch to ask whether or not I would like to document their day, I was thrilled! Not only to be a part of it, but to be reunited after so long!!

After their lovely intimate wedding dinner with just a few close family and friends a few nights before, this day was the big party version to match it!

What a fantastic day it was. Though it was one of the coldest days in one of the coldest winters on record in Chicago, NOTHING could stop the good vibes that day.

The wedding party was based at the hotel, which is where the reception was also taking place. So whilst Emily and her bridesmaids were leisurely getting ready they were also able to check on the last minute details of the party that would soon kick off.

It was such a fun day from start to finish from the chilled out preparations in the hotel room to the gorgeous Assyrian ceremony to the NON STOP dancing at the reception.

Never have I seen dancing like this before at a wedding, it was impressive!

It was wonderful to be able to capture both of their wedding celebrations, and for me it was a pleasure to be around such genuine and lovely people who were kind enough to make me feel like a special guest.

Wishing them all the best in their future and hoping another reunion is not too far off…

Drive 2 hours northwest, leaving London behind you, and you will find the most beautiful pocket of England.

Undulating green and yellow hills, winding tree-lined roads, grazing cattle, and the smoke of distant chimney tops dotting the horizon…

…this part of the Cotswolds is a film set…

Except that it’s not, it’s an actual place. It is the stuff your country dreams are made of and it’s where Sally and Macca hosted their incredible wedding.

Sally is from the surrounding area so it was a place close to her heart, and close to London as well, which made many a quick weekending guest happy.

This was a special day to document for me because they are my friends. I can only thank them for making my job easier by creating an utterly photogenic event!

No detail was overlooked on this day. If you’ve seen it somewhere across the pages of “Dream Rustic Weddings Magazine” (if that’s a thing) then I can assure you it was there that day, and it was better.

A 12th century barn, a vintage bicycle with floral basket, antique watering cans full of flowers, wooden wagons carrying iced beverages, haystacks for seating, woollen blankets, baby’s breath, lanterns, fairy lights, candlestick chandeliers like something out of a medieval wedding, burlap detailing, recycled paper menus, linen table settings, monogrammed soap favours, tea light lined pathways, mason jars and bluegrass tunes in the background (by the amazing Wire & Wool). I swear I’ve been there in a dream before but Mumford and Sons were there too and we were filming their next music video.

To top it off, Europe’s second highest fountain was on the grounds. (!) I mean, they were almost making it too easy on me.

Walking the grounds around the barn was like walking around a bit of English history and the buildings were worn with age but clearly in their glorious heyday.

The heavy rains of the morning had turned to bright sunshine upon arrival at the barn and the late afternoon light was glistening on the arches, the doorways, and the golden Cotswold stone.

If you’d gone back 100 years to this wedding the only way you’d know it was a modern affair would be the clothing, mobile phones, and the projector screen used during the best man’s speech. Oh and perhaps the illuminated decorative letters ‘S & A’ perched just beside the dance floor. Genius. But that’s it, everything else was of a different time. With the men all handsome in their kilts and Sally looking absolutely stop-you-in-your tracks stunning, the stage was set.

For as aesthetically pleasing as it all was though, the details didn’t even come close to overshadowing what was the genuine love, happiness and joy in the atmosphere. Anyone that knows Sally and Macca knows how down to earth they are, and absolutely perfect for one another. Their personalities set the tone for the day and their love for each other and elation at being married was highly contagious. It was joyful. All of these feelings and emotions were even more visible than the trimmings that so gloriously intertwined themselves into the celebrations. The trimmings were the background music, and what sweet background music it was, but Sally and Macca’s happiness was the unmistakeable main event.

Congratulations to you both!!

Lots and lots of love,

xxx

I’ve just finished an editorial shoot and the full thing is now up on the site.

It’s darker, possibly dangerous and a little bit mysterious. Kind of like The Enchanted Forest.

Stop by and take a peak.

BRIDES REVISITED

This lovely wedding dinner was truly the best of both wedding worlds.

Emily and Jacob come from two very different, but very loving families. One big and boisterous with parties and celebrations being their forte, and the other, a smaller and more reserved family who better express themselves in a more intimate and private way.

So how better for both families to comfortably celebrate the union of their children than to have two kinds of weddings!

This beautiful dinner and private union ceremony took place just a few days before their big wedding day. and it was perfect.

The venue was Nana, a local cult classic organic restaurant in Chicago serving handcrafted seasonal meals, and a favourite of theirs. With their very nearest and dearest they shared a quiet meal over candlelight, told stories, made speeches and affectionately expressed their feelings about the two.

It was small, authentic, real, and the love in the air was contagious.

It was a pleasure to document their special night.

This was the fabulous London wedding of Halcyon and Tim…

They both currently live in sunny Abu Dhabi but flew back to the motherland for their beautiful wedding in the City.

This was an extra special day to document as I have known Halc and Tim for quite some time and Halcyon’s family are dear friends of mine…

The day started off so quietly and peacefully I was sure I’d entered the wrong hotel room that morning. I walked in to Halcyon’s suite as she was getting her hair done and the vibes were so incredibly ZEN…the room was still, the pleasant scent of hair spray filled the air, and though it was the shortest day of the entire year, the daylight poured in beautifully through the window onto Halc’s smiling face. Don’t think I’ve ever encountered a happier looking bride. It was cool, she was cool… and the tone for the day was set!

I ran between hotels that morning as the guys were getting ready at one and the girls just a few streets over. A few bottles of hairspray, a bottle of champagne, a few practice speeches, a handsome groom, and one GORGEOUS looking bride later, and everyone was ready to head to the church!

It was a lovely and intimate ceremony, which started sweetly with Halc being led down the aisle by her proud big brothers, Andrew and Matt. Love was definitely in the air and it was so lovely to see two people so genuinely happy and excited to be standing next to one another up at that altar. All smiles! Before we knew it, Halc and Tim had said “I Do” and we were all happily on our way to the reception at the HAC, The Honourable Artillery Company. The venue was absolutely exceptional… candlelit tables, old wooden staircases, historic paintings. It was beautiful, it was British, it was London, and with Christmas around the corner, it was festive in every way.

The night went on as it should have.. with fab speeches, food, drink, dancing, a photo booth, a sweets table (brilliant), laughter, merriment, music, and lots and lots of love.

It was a gorgeous day from sun up to sun down and I was thrilled to be a part of it.

You guys did an amazing job planning a wedding from overseas – it was perfect!

Always wishing you all the best, and hoping to see you soon,

Lots of Love,

Annie

xxxx

Kristin and Chris are American, currently living in DC, but Kristin is from West Virginia originally and Chris’s family is from South Africa, but they decided to get married in London.

They clearly like to move around these two!!

It was a truly fantastic day spent with an intimate group of their closest friends and relatives in one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world.

From start to finish the plans for the day were perfect, from the girls getting ready at the beautiful Grosvenor House in Mayfair to the photoshoot rendezvous with Kristin and Chris around some of the more famous landmarks in London. We dodged crowds, we jumped in and out of black cabs, we even went to a pub, and all of this before the festivities even began! They were both so chilled out and game for anything. Kristin looked like something out of Vogue, absolutely GORGEOUS, and Chris right next to her was as handsome as ever.

Their ceremony was at St. Mary le-Bow church in The City. It was a beautiful ceremony for Kristin and Chris and what followed for the newlyweds and their guests could not have been more ideal… A red double decker bus tour around London. People piled out of the church and into the bus for a good couple hours of touring, with the champagne flowing of course.

The group were all dropped off around dinner time at the very quintessentially British restaurant Bumpkin in Kensington, where dinner, the reception, and even more fun and merriment continued. From what I am told, the fun continued into the wee hours with a bar crawl around SOHO!! So sad to have missed that one!

It was the perfect wedding day, and Kristin and Chris I am in absolute AWE of your event planning skills.

The day was gorgeous from morning til night, and full of everything that a special day like this should be…laughter, love, fun, your dearest family and friends, and memories that will last you forever!

Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your day I was so happy to have met you, and I really hope you visit London again soon!

Lots of love and future happiness to you guys,

Annie

xx

….are getting married!

In December they are tyin’ the knot, but their lovely selves who now live in Abu Dhabi were in London for a brief time planning the nuptials….so we kicked it around East London for an afternoon.

Here’s the result below

Can’t wait to shoot the real thing in December!

- Annie

This was the AMAAAAAZING wedding of Molly and Matt in NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana.

Otherwise known as…. JOONENPALOOZA!!!

Shooting this wedding was fabulous for so many reasons, but it was extra special because Molly is one of my best friends. I was honoured to document their day, and I was thrilled to head back to the homeland to such a cool city and reunite with my best mates for such an event!

The Bridal party’s day started out leisurely at the hotel with coffee, bagels, champagne, light chatter, excited smiles, the glistening Louisianan sun shining through the windows, and Margaret’s ipod full of blaring dance hits from the 90′s. Standard.

Excitement was on the rise, and so the shenanigans began. Mostly involving the Noonan sisters… no surprise there!

Though once the tears from their uproarious laughter were carefully blotted from their eyes, and their heart rates went back to normal, they all happily resumed their lady-in-waiting roles and helped Molly to get her things together.

Molly looked like a movie star. Better than that really. Like a Greek goddess. IMPOSSIBLY GORGEOUS. I almost asked for her autograph. She was breathtaking, and we were in awe of her.

Told you.

The guys were keeping Matt company snacking on Jimmy John’s and Coors light, and spirits were high…

The venue was the Pavilion of the Two Sisters at the Botanical Gardens in City Park. It was idyllic in every way.

Molly and I stopped for some portraits at the area in the park where Matt had proposed.

With the Spanish moss hanging from the trees and gently swaying in the breeze, the intensity of the heat, the sunlight piercing its way through the branches creating designs over the landscape, it all felt like something out of a southern dream…

…and that was even before Molly stepped into the frame.

Matt arrived and was blown away by the sight. I’ll say tears were present, and it was a beautiful beautiful moment.

Ms. Top Model and Mr. Handsome…

I usually always get requests from the Bride and Groom for certain specific photos to be taken at the wedding, aside from the ones I normally try to get, and on this day there was no exception…

Except that the ONE and ONLY photo that Molly and Matt requested to be taken that day was this one below….

That was literally their only request the ENTIRE DAY.

If you didn’t love them before, now you do.

But then it was back to the serious business of being beautiful….

The handsome men…

Managed to get a somewhat serious one….

Until the fake fist fight broke out….

and more antics….

But antics or not, these guys were looking so cool.

The bridesmaids were all looking stunning not surprisingly…

and anyone that knows the Noonans would know that Motot certainly had to make an appearance that day.

and make one he did.

The lovely Noonan sisters.

The Bridal Party. Being all beautiful and charming and talkative like they always are.

The families…

Their gorgeous ceremony goes down in my history as being the most enjoyable ceremony I have ever been to, working or not. Not just for the stunning location, or the people involved, but for the fact that they contained all of the importance and intimacy of a wedding ceremony into… 15 MINUTES!

If you’d have blinked you would have missed it. and it was just perfect.

Given that it was 100 degrees fahrenheit with 100% humidity that day, having a ceremony that short meant they had fast become everyone’s favorite people IN THE WORLD.

Molly’s adorable nephew making sure, above all else, to help blow the candles out on his way back up the aisle. I’m sure the event staff were much appreciative of the gesture.

But he carried an important message with him, as it was time to party indeed!!!

Moll and Matt, you did a fabulous job with the wedding, it was so full of all the good stuff. So happy for you both, thank you for asking me to be involved in your day in this way, love you guys!

- Annie

The AMAZING New Orleans wedding of Molly and Matt…

Up on here shortly!

-Annie