On Monday I had the pleasure of photographing Zara & Adam’s gorgeous wedding at The Orangery in Maidstone.
After grabbing a few scenic shots around the venue, I headed to the Wisteria Suite, where Zara was getting ready with her sister (maid of honour), her mum, and six bridesmaids. The room was buzzing with excitement as Abi Richardson styled hair while Nikita MUA and Georgia Charlton MUA worked their make-up magic. Alongside me were Leah from Social Brides UK capturing content and Will from William Harrison Films filming the day.
With everything happening onsite, I popped out briefly to photograph Adam and his groomsmen pinning buttonholes and for a few quick portraits, before returning to Zara for final prep shots, some portraits, and a lovely first look with her dad.
The ceremony took place outside at The Lapa, bathed in brilliant sunshine. Zara walked down the aisle with her dad, and in a sweet, simple ceremony, she and Adam said their “I do’s.” Their guests then showered them with confetti as they walked back up the aisle — always one of my favourite moments to photograph.
Drinks and canapés followed on the lawn while we started the group photos — complete with a surprise visit from the resident fox! This cunning chap showed no fear around the guests and somehow managed to nab himself a canapé. Adam, being a nature lover, was delighted by the fox’s appearance and happy to share his big day with him.
Before the wedding breakfast, Zara & Adam launched something I’d never seen before at a wedding — a duck hunt game. They’d hidden rubber ducks around the grounds, each earning the finder a free drink. Guests instantly turned into competitive treasure hunters, and it was brilliant fun to watch — setting such a playful, relaxed tone for the afternoon.
Inside, the wedding breakfast room looked stunning with flowers by Sweet William and styling touches from Events in Bloom. Speeches came before dinner and featured a hilarious table drinking game (each table had a keyword — whenever it was said, everyone drank!). Zara’s mum kicked things off with a heartfelt toast, followed by Adam’s speech, and then Adam’s cousin (one of the two best men), who had everyone laughing with stories about the groom.
After dinner, we slipped out for some golden-hour portraits before the evening party began. Zara & Adam cut their cheesecake masterpiece from Cheesecake Please, then opened the dancefloor with their first dance to “Biblical” by Calum Scott before jumping straight into something more upbeat to get everyone moving.
It was such a fun, love-filled day from start to finish — full of laughter, clever ideas, and so many happy faces. A special mention to Zara & Adam for their incredible thoughtfulness — myself, Leah, and Will were blown away by the goodie bags they’d prepared for us with food and drink to keep us going throughout the day.
Congratulations Zara & Adam — thanks for having me there to capture it all!
Suppliers:
- Venue: The Orangery
- Wedding Photographer: Parkershots
- Videographer - Will Harrison - @williamharrisonfilms - https://www.williamharrisonfilms.co.uk/
- Content Creator - Leah Offen - @bridalbyleahh
- Florist (bouquets, buttons holes, corsages) - Sweet William - https://www.sweetwilliamflorist.co.uk/
- Floral Arch & big signage - (Welcome, Table Plan) - Events in Bloom - @eventsinbloom - https://www.eventsinbloom.co.uk
- Cake - Cheesecake Please - @Cheesecakeplease2023 - www.cheesecakeplease.com
- Hair - Abi (my actual hairdresser + friend from school) - @abi_richardson_hair
- Bride + MOH Make-up - Nikita MUA - @nikitamua - www.nikitafullermakeup.com
- Bridesmaids and MOB makeup - Georgia - @georgiacharltonmua
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