Hey, I’m Philippa. I set up this blog as a go-to place for couples who are getting married in Oxford and it’s surrounding areas. It’s where I share some ace things I’ve come across at weddings, and all the amazing hidden gems I’ve found in and around Oxford.
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If you're looking for quirky places to eat in Oxford before your wedding, or you want a list to share with close friends and family arriving early, here are some of my absolute favourite spots. These places are relaxed, full of personality, and perfect for gathering...
Planning a wedding is a big task. Planning a wedding while raising children is an Olympic sport. Whether you have babies, toddlers, teens, or a whole blended tribe, this guide will help you create a day that feels joyful, calm, and totally reflective of your...
If you’re searching for a relaxed wedding photographer in Oxford, you’re probably not the type who wants to spend your wedding day posing stiffly for the camera. You want someone who captures the laughter, the fleeting moments, and the chaos that makes your day yours....
As a wedding photographer I've seen many wedding speeches. In this blog post I'm sharing some thoughts on writing and delivering a wedding speech that is uniquely you. Brainstorm ideas Once you've decided that you'll be making a speech (or have been asked) take a trip...
An intimate wedding can be deeply personal and special. It allows you to spend your important day with just those who matter to you the most. Intimate wedding celebrations mean you get real quality time with your guests, provide a bit more wiggle room with the...
Choosing your Oxford wedding photographer can feel overwhelming. Oxford is full of talented people with cameras, but here’s a simple way to narrow it down. Style: What You Want From Your Oxford Wedding Photographer Start with the look you love. Every photographer...
I caught up with Sarah, from Sarah + Maude; an Oxfordshire wedding supplier who designs fine letterpress stationary, to find out more. Why are invites so important? The easy answer is that your wedding invitations let your lovely guests know all of the essential...
OMG, are you ready for this super cute intimate outdoor Oxfordshire wedding? This wedding was a scene from a film, I'm sure of it. Nathanael and Rachel really are something out of a novel. They met in a youth hostel in Switzerland and then chased each...
Your wedding day is probably the biggest party you've ever hosted, even if your wedding is small, you are the ones hosting it and you want your guests to have the best experience. Wedding entertainment can be so much fun and it's also an opportunity to show off your...
From working in the wedding industry, and from planning my own wedding a few years ago, I though I'd put together a post with my top ten helpful wedding blog posts I've read, which I think will be super useful if you've just got engaged and at the early stages of...
Having sparklers on your wedding day is so much fun and they make for some photos! Firstly, I'd recommend purchasing two sparklers per person. You'll want to order the longest sparklers you can get your hands on (the extra long ones are about 40cm), also make sure...
Today I'm catching up with Charlene, wedding cake queen and owner of Cherry Tree Cakerie. I am such a big fan of Charlene's cakes, her style is so unique and she creates the most amazing unconventional designs, some too good to even eat in my opinion!!...
If you are thinking of having a Soho Farmhouse Wedding, or just looking for inspiration on how to have a relaxed wedding day, then take a peek at Tom and Hannah's day below.. Tom proposed to Hannah over a cup of tea in their London home, and this relaxed vibe is...
If you’ve booked me as your wedding photographer, here’s a simple guide to help you get the most from your online wedding gallery. About 4–6 weeks after your wedding, your final images will be uploaded into your very own gallery. You’ll be able to view everything,...
Choosing your wedding band for your wedding can be quite a challenge so I decided to catch up one of the most popular function band in Oxford; Ear Candy. I pretended I was you (aka getting married) and asked them six questions to help me (aka you) through the...
Wedding first dance song ideas that aren't cheesy. When you think of a first dance at a wedding, you might imagine the couple dancing to a song that's filled with meaning and memories from THAT special moment. Like they do in the movies. But what if the song from...
There is something very special in dressing a table ready for a feast. Even for a small dinner party at home I always like to put some effort into making the table looks nice. I feel it's a way to respect the meal and make the guests feel extra special....
Here is a guide to what your wedding day timings may look like. I’ve written this based on the majority of weddings I photograph, but of course every wedding is different. GETTING READY I usually arrive 1.5–2 hours before the ceremony to photograph the busyness of the...
Weddings are full of traditions, even the most alternative ones. But do we actually know where any of them come from? Here’s a short, surprising history of ten popular wedding traditions in the UK. 1. GIVING AWAY THE BRIDE This tradition comes from a time when a...
Wedding photography group shots often get a bad reputation. We’ve all been to a wedding where guests stand around for ages while the photographer arranges every possible family combination. It’s slow, awkward and not much fun. Some couples even tell me they don’t want...
Who doesn’t love an explosion of confetti at a wedding? The tradition of the confetti toss comes from old rituals where guests threw rice or petals to bring prosperity and fertility. Today, wedding confetti comes in all kinds of shapes, colours and creative...
The morning of your wedding day is where the story begins. You might wake up early, or you may not have slept at all, but none of that matters. The day is finally here. You’re getting married. I love photographing this part of the wedding day. It often starts calmly...
So you've chosen your girl gang, you're stunning bouquet has arrived, and you are all looking hot! But how the hell are you supposed to hold this damn thing?? “LADY GARDEN” That's all I'm going to say.
We live in the UK, so even in the height of summer there’s always a real chance of rain on your wedding day. No one dreams of rain, and no one plans for it, but if it does happen, it helps to prepare yourself both emotionally and practically. 1. PLAN FOR RAIN...
I caught up with Lynn from Lynn Tierney Ceremonies and asked her to share her top five tips for couples who want to run their own wedding ceremony.You might choose an alternative location where you can’t legally marry, so you can either hire a celebrant (read WHAT IS...
If you're looking to have an alternative wedding ceremony or perhaps you'd like a ceremony on top of a mountain, but marriage restrictions in the UK mean that you can't, you may want to think about hiring a celebrant. I had a catch up with Lynn from Lynn Tierney...
Just got engaged? Amazing… now what? WEDDING PLANNING If you have no idea where to start with wedding planning, give yourself a couple of weeks to simply explore.Scroll online, read a few blogs and pick up a couple of magazines to spark ideas. I highly recommend...
This blog post walks you through what to expect from me as your wedding photographer. It covers everything from booking to the wedding day itself, and finally receiving your images. Every wedding is unique, but this will give you a clear picture of how I work. Grab a...
When I say five controversial ideas for weddings on a budget, some really are controversial and II don’t mean that you shouldn’t have them, it’s your wedding – you can have whatever you want! But in my experience of going to so many weddings, if you chose to get rid...
Weddings in Oxford... That's what this year has all been about for me. Not just photographing them, but researching and digging deeper to discover about what's on offer in this area. I've been seeking alternative venues, and amazing suppliers to write about in this...
Over the years I’ve come across some brilliant wedding ceremony ideas. Today I’m sharing my top six. They’re simple, personal, and full of heart. I’m pretty sure a few of these won’t be on your radar yet. 1. SING DURING YOUR WEDDING CEREMONY This is one of the most...
Never assume a wedding disco automatically means a buzzing dance floor. I’ve seen many sad, lonely looking dance floors in my time as a wedding photographer, and at the same time I’ve seen crazy buzzing ones that are never empty. So in comparing them both, I decided...
When planning for your wedding day you can get so bogged down in the detail that it can sometimes be hard seeing the wood for the trees. In this blog post I'm going to clearly point out the five most important things to think about when planning your day, and the bits...
Oxford wedding fairs can be a bit hit and miss if I'm honest, so I've created this post to tell you about the one's I think are pretty cool and some of which I'll be attending. The great thing about wedding fairs is that they can be a great place to start when you are...
If you’re having children at your wedding but you’re not sure how much to entertain them, feed them, or generally do with them… you are not alone. I’ve photographed many weddings with children, and at my own wedding we invited fifty kids (you can peek here: an...
I married my man Alex, FOUR years ago today!! Wooohoooo!!! We had the best weekend wedding festival in Oxfordshire, so I though it would be appropriate to write a blog post about it and share it with you. The great thing about being a wedding...
Last week I had a great time meeting up with the lovely Camille from A Little Je Ne Sais Quoi about wedding styling. Camille is a talented event stylist working in and around Oxford. I caught up with her for a coffee and a chat about how to style a wedding… What...
Finding out you will be pregnant on your wedding day can be mega exiting, but it can also come with a few logistical challenges that you may want to think about. In this post Alana shares her experience of being a bride with a bump, and shares her 5 top...
The simple way to say it is this: I photograph a wedding with a lot of feeling. What does that even mean? I hear you say! When you look back through your wedding images in years to come, I want them to take you straight back. I want you to remember the nerves, the...
Creative ways to celebrate your wedding day when we are living in a pandemic... GET DRESSED UP If your wedding date was planned for sooner rather than later and you have your outfits ready to go, why not get dressed up in them for the day. LOTS of my clients are...