Vintage Wedding Fair

On Sunday 17th March we were asked to exhibit at the Braintree Vintage Wedding Fair. We had a great day and met so many lovely brides and other suppliers! Here are some of our picture highlights from the day:

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Choosing a Wedding Venue

Here at Mark Ammon Photography we know that choosing your Wedding Venue is one of the most important decisions to make when planning your Wedding. This often comes before choosing your wedding photographer, wedding videographer, florist or any of the other suppliers.

So what are the most important deciding factors when choosing a wedding venue? We spoke to some of our previous clients and we have compiled their most popular responses:

1, Choose a venue that suits your theme and personality.

We have seen a trend over the last couple of years for couples wanting something unique and personal for their wedding. Does your venue suit your style of wedding dress, colour scheme and theme of the day? Does it reflect your personality i.e a relaxed outdoors wedding or a vintage style themed wedding?

2, Cost and budget.

This needs no explanation really! Can you afford the venue? Is it over priced for the services you get or is it worth every penny? Is there any other cheaper venue that still has the same vibe but for a cheaper price? Will the venue do deals for off peak or mid-week weddings? Just a few questions to think about!

3, Location and ease of access.

Is your chosen venue easy for the guests to find? Will your choice of transport be able to get you to the venue? For example a stretched limo up a tiny winding track may not be possible.

4, Places to stay nearby.

If your guests are having to travel long distances does the venue have rooms or any local hotels or b&b's for your guests to stay in?

5, Beautiful grounds.

You have your perfect photographs in mind...all your props ready...but does your venue have the sort of grounds that will allow for the photos you want? A good experienced wedding photographer will be able to help you out here!

6, The Ceremony room or location.

When looking around venues make sure you ask where the ceremony is taking place. If it is outside, what provision will be made if it rains? Is the alternative indoor room suitable  for your theme? Will you be happy with the photo opportunities in the room? Is there enough room for your wedding photographer to get the shots you want and are their restrictions on where they can stand?

7, Friendly and helpful staff.

The staff and suppliers at the venue will play a huge part in your day. They will often be on hand to organise events and to be there in case something should go wrong. Do you trust the staff at the venue? Do you like them and want to spend your most important day with them?

8, Recommended by friends/family

There is nothing better than have a trusted close friend or family member recommend a venue or suppliers to you. If this is not possible you could ask to see examples of testimonials from former weddings at the venue. this is also a good strategy when booking your wedding photographer, video or any other suppliers.

We hope you have found these points useful! If you would like to share anymore with us and our blog readers please reply to this post!

Vintage 50's Beach Wedding Feature

We have just been featured on the wonderful 'Under the Vintage Veil' wedding blog! Read about our 1950's inspired beach wedding here:

http://underthevintageveil.com/2013/01/a-fifties-inspired-seaside-wedding/

Mark Ammon Photography

Wedding Venue of the Week: Ye Olde Plough House, Bulphan, Essex

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Ye Olde Plough House

We have enjoyed coming to photograph and film this small but friendly venue. There are some lovely grounds at this venue and we have included pics form our latest wedding at this venue to show you.

Here is a bit more about the venue:

Set amongst 12 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, Ye Olde Plough House is conveniently situated in the village of Bulphan, within easy access to the M25, A127 & A13. Offering 71 bedrooms including 2 luxury Bridal suites and 5 executive rooms, which are scattered throughout our grounds. Boasting two function rooms which exude charm, which are ideal for Wedding Receptions, functions & conferences. Ye Olde Plough House also offers Elona’s Restaurant, Sunday Lunches and many events with entertainment taking place throughout the year.

http://www.yeoldeploughhouse.co.uk/

Wedding Venue of The Week: Mangapp Manor Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Mangapp Manor

We always love coming to Mangapp Manor! We always receive a wonderful warn welcome from owners Kate and Ben and from wedding organiser Sasha. We travel to many venues but we really do rate Mangapp as one of the friendliest and most organised venues we have ever visited. The grounds are truly stunning and getting married on a pontoon on a lake is very unique!

We have included some of our own photos we have taken at Mangapp to give you an idea on how stunning this venue is!

Here is a bit more about Mangapp:

Mangapp Manor is a former 16th Century Manor House set in 12 acres of formal gardens and paddocks dedicated to providing exclusive and intimate weddings in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.

Few Essex wedding venues can boast the colour and true spectacle of the grounds at Mangapp Manor during the spring and summer months. Offering outdoor weddings, couples can marry on a floating gazebo in a unique and stunning lake setting. Wedding receptions are held in a beautiful silk lined marquee on the lakeside, surrounded by idyllic gardens.

Mangapp Manor has charming wedding accommodation for couples and their immediate family and friends. There is further luxury accommodation for large numbers of guests very close by to this Essex Wedding Venue. There are ample hotels, pubs and B&Bs within the historic town of Burnham on Crouch, located a mile away.

Mangapp Manor is owned by Kate and Ben who moved to the house from London in 2005. Initially struck by the beauty of the grounds and the backdrop of the house they saw the potential of the location for a unique and romantic wedding venue.

Organising their own wedding reception at Mangapp Manor in 2006, they had a vision of creating a magical garden setting for wedding celebrations and of using the lake as a feature for outdoor marriage ceremonies held on water.

Based on their own experiences as a bride and groom and of being guests at many other venues in Essex, Kate and Ben attempt to offer a great deal of flexibility to couples planning their weddings matched with reasonable venue pricing. They understand that brides and grooms want to have some control over making their own arrangements for their wedding day whilst all the finer details are taken care of.

Mangapp Manor is a small, family business run by Kate and Ben and a loyal and hardworking team.

Wedding couples are well looked after and given a great deal of personal attention at Mangapp Manor within a relaxed, homely and friendly environment. These qualities are often lacking in larger or more corporate wedding venues. Kate and Ben coordinate all weddings themselves and manage the smooth running of events by both being present throughout the day and evening celebrations, ensuring their high standards are maintained.

http://www.mangappmanor.co.uk/

Wedding Venue of the Week: The Channels, Chelmsford, Essex

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Channels Golf Club

Situated on the Cliffords Estate just north of Chelmsford, on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Little Waltham, and set in over 300 acres of undulating parkland with stunning views of the Essex countryside. Both venues offer the perfect setting for your memorable wedding.

The Essex Barn at Channels

The beautifully restored 17th century thatched Essex Barn is an idyllic venue for your special day. Set in tranquil surroundings, with large outside areas, a 20ft fountain, and an avenue of mature trees.

Capacity: 90 civil ceremony guests, 130 seated guests for the wedding breakfast and up to 200 guests for the informal evening reception.

The Courtyard Suite at Little Channels

This original mid-19th Century working farm complex has been superbly restored to create the perfect intimate wedding venue in Essex for your special day. The Courtyard Suite has exclusive use of the beautiful flagstone courtyard, with plenty of opportunities for those memorable photographs.

Capacity: 60 civil ceremony guests, 90 seated guests for the wedding breakfast and up to 150 guests for the informal evening reception.

http://wedding-venue-in-essex.co.uk/

Wedding Venue of the Week: Dove Barn, Sudbury, Suffolk

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Dove Barn

Everyone who comes to Dove Barn discovers a unique experience. Something special, something a little different, something that stays with you long after the day is over.

Set amidst the rolling fields of South Suffolk, the barn is just two miles outside the pretty village of Boxford. It feels rural and remote but is in fact just 30 minutes from Colchester, Ipswich and Bury St Edmunds. It offers a unique and unusual venue for wedding receptions, civil ceremonies and conferences.

3 reasons to choose Dove Barn:

*Licensed for civil ceremonies

*Beautiful grounds for wedding photographs

*Unlike some venues, Dove Barn is exclusively yours for the whole weekend

The Barn has built a low key but enviable reputation as a stunning wedding venue. The combination of two inter-connecting barns and a large sheltered terrace offers brides the opportunity to organise their wedding day in a unique and personal way.
The management team is always on hand to advise, but there is no ‘house style’ at Dove Barn. We believe that it is your special day and that it should reflect your style rather than ours!

http://www.dovebarn.com

Wedding Venue of the Week: Hedingham Castle, Essex

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Hedingham Castle

What can be said about Hedingham Castle that hasn't been said before? It is a truly stunning and atmospheric location for a Wedding. What can be better then having your Wedding staged in one of the oldest castles in England! We love photographing Hedingham as there are just so many stunning locations to shoot both photographs and video. We always receive a very warm welcome from the staff and especially Lauren the Wedding planner! We have included some shots from our latest wedding at the Castle to give you an idea of the stunning locations this venue offers.

Here is a bit about the castle:

A wedding is one of life’s great occasions, and every couple dream of a perfect day in a perfect setting. Few locations could be more suitable for a grand marriage ceremony than Hedingham Castle, which has overlooked the Essex village of Castle Hedingham for almost 1,000 years. Unquestionably one of England’s most romantic settings, the Norman keep and nearby Georgian country house collectively offer a unique and unparalleled venue for couples on their wedding day, in tandem with an enviable roster of facilities including a vintage Rolls-Royce.

Hedingham Castle was constructed in 1140AD, both by and for the famous de Vere family. These Earls of Oxford lived here for more than five centuries, and to this day the castle remains under the ownership of their descendants, the Lindsay family. As one of Britain’s oldest buildings, the stunning keep still overlooks almost the entire county of Essex, with its 12-foot thick walls and original Norman architectural flourishes having been admired by numerous royal visitors including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Close by is the Queen Anne House, constructed in 1720 and overlooking a lake and glorious wooded grounds which are populated by a profusion of birds, flora and fauna.

http://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/wedding.htm

Please contact Mark Ammon Photography to find out how we can capture your day with stunning photography Web: http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk . Tel: 07523 953579. Email: markammonphotography@hotmail.co.uk

Wedding Venue of the Week: Parklands, Quendon, Essex

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Parklands – Quendan Hall

Parklands has lovely grounds and we always enjoy taking photographs and video at this venue. We have included some samples of our work from this venue on this page.

Here is a bit about the venue:

Parklands, on the Essex/Hertfordshire border, is an idyllic setting for the perfect wedding venue. Exclusive use of this beautiful listed mansion, in its own country estate, is guaranteed for the day.

It can be the perfect setting for your wedding venue and reception, business/corporate function, or any celebration, and will be your stately home for the day.

Situated on the Essex/Hertfordshire border our 17th century mansion, set in over 100 acres of picturesque deer park, is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Create your own special atmosphere
From relaxed and intimate, to awe-inspiring and grand, the impressive elegance of Parklands has it all.

It provides the perfect setting for your wedding venue and reception in the Essex/Hertfordshire area, including Asian weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, or any celebration - and can be your stately home for the day. Parklands can also providing superior business conference facilities.

Parklands creates the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable wedding. Whether you have a civil ceremony at Parklands or an alternative ceremony elsewhere, Parklands is an idyllic venue to cater for your special day.



Your personal Wedding and Event Manager will work with you from the initial planning stage right through to running your special day, ensuring we create the wedding of your dreams.



The Mansion can create a warm atmosphere for parties from 30 to 450 guests. The Drawing Room offers a cosy setting with a roaring log fire in the winter months: ideal for reception drinks or ceremonies of smaller numbers with tranquil views onto the picturesque grounds and lawns.



Parklands grand Banqueting Hall is a perfect room to seat between 30 to 120 guests for your wedding meal. This room can host up to 200 guests with a dance floor and separate stage, perfect for your evening entertainment - overlooking the fountain with doors accessing the veranda with the deer park rolling as far as the eye can see.

The Billiard Room is a perfect space in which to serve your your reception drinks. With French windows opening up to the veranda, it is accessible to the outdoor seating area.

http://www.quendonpark.co.uk

Wedding Venue of the Week: Crabbs Barn, Essex

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Crabbs Barn

Crabbs barn is a small but friendly venue near Kelvedon in Essex. The barn is very cosy and atmospheric and the grounds are small but pretty. The late summer evenings really show this venue off as the sun often sets behind the lake which makes for some stunning photographs. We have included some pics of our latest wedding at this venue to show you in this blog post.

Here is a bit more about the venue:

Situated on the outskirts of the quiet North East village of Kelvedon, Crabbs Barn is a stunning 15th century restored building set in beautiful gardens overlooking a picturesque pond. We are easily accessed from the A12, directly off the northbound Kelvedon slip road, with good parking facilities and first class bed and breakfast and hotel facilities close by should your guests require overnight accommodation.

Our stunning garden pavilion with exposed beams, vaulted ceiling and French doors out to the garden is the perfect setting for the service of your reception drinks, to a background of gentle music, this truly is a special place. A garden room extension has been added to compliment the old barn, with French doors onto the veranda that overlooks the pond. To ensure quality of catering and service we have specially chosen caterers that offer you excellent cuisine at very realistic prices.

The cost of catering is entirely your choice. It can be anything from a barbeque or hog roast to an exotic buffet, or a 2, 3 or 4 course meal. Whatever your budget may be our caterers can accommodate you.

We are a fully managed venue, our staff are at your disposal to co-ordinate the smooth running of your Special Day. If you are looking for a very special Wedding Venue, that has an intimate atmosphere, is exclusively yours and offers every couple a very personal service, then Crabbs Barn is the perfect choice.

Perfect for weddings in Essex, civil ceremonies in Essex, corporate hire or private functions.

http://www.crabbsbarn.co.uk/

Please contact Mark Ammon Photography to find out how we can capture your day with stunning photography Web: http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk . Tel: 07523 953579. Email: markammonphotography@hotmail.co.uk

Wedding Venue of the Week: Leez Priory, Essex

Every week we will be telling you about a different Essex Wedding Venue that we have worked closely with in the past. This weeks' venue is:

Leez Priory

Winner of Wedding Ideas Magazine ‘Best Wedding Venue’ two years running (2007 & 2008), this magnificent Tudor mansion is one of the most sought after wedding venues in the country and has over twenty years of experience in providing perfect wedding days. Set in 40 acres of parkland, complete with lakes, lawns and a sweeping driveway, Leez Priory is offered to you exclusively for your wedding day.

Civil ceremonies can be performed in any of six licensed settings including the stunning Great Tower which stands adjacent to the main house and outside beneath the carriageway for a truly unique setting. The stunning Great Hall can seat up to 86 guests for the wedding breakfast and the newly converted Coach House can seat up to 110 guests. As we offer exclusive use of the entire house you can also invite up to 250 guests for the evening reception and party.

Leez Priory also boasts 15 lovely bedrooms which are exclusively reserved for you on your wedding night as well as a hidden cottage within the grounds for the Bride and Bridesmaids to stay in the night before the big day.

Leez Priory is located in the heart of rural Essex, yet is only 15 minutes from Chelmsford and the M11 to London.

http://www.countryhouseweddings.co.uk/leez-priory

If You Go Down To the Woods Today....! Woodland Wedding Photo Shoot!

We were delighted to take part in a woodland photoshoot today with our good friends Clare from The Traditional Vintage Flower Company and Kim from Such Sweet Memories! Clare is, in our opinion, one of the most unique and talented florists we have ever met and we can't recommended her highly enough.

We had a rustic vintage woodland theme planned...with a bit of bear thrown in for good measure! We thought we'd share with you some of our favourite shots from the day. Hope you like them!

Please contact Mark Ammon Photography to find out how we can capture your day with stunning photography Web: http://www.markammonphotography.co.uk . Tel: 07523 953579. Email: markammonphotography@hotmail.co.uk