Wedding Photography at The SPA Hotel + High Rocks | Samantha and Lee | gavin conlan photography Ltd Kent Wedding Photographer

Last Saturday (16th May 2015) I had the absolute joy of photographing the wedding of Samantha and Lee at High Rocks in Tunbridge Wells.  If you've never visited High Rocks then I suggest you should, you can arrive in style via the Steam Railway (Spa Valley Railway) and High Rocks has its own station in the grounds. 

"The magnificent High Rocks, from which we acquire our name, are steeped in history dating back millions of years. Acres of breathtaking sandstone rocks interlinked with eleven bridges, provide a scenic walk in a tranquil woodland setting. Once a stone age camp, now a National Monument these impressive rocks, which belong to The High Rocks complex, have always been a constant source of wonder".

Both Samantha and Lee got ready at The SPA Hotel a 4 star luxurious 18th century house hotel set in 14 acres of picturesque grounds on the edge of Royal Tunbridge Wells, The Spa is a family run Hotel offering 70 well appointed and individually styled bedrooms. 

Leading up to their wedding I asked Samantha and Lee a handful of questions about how they first met and their particular wedding theme and details, here's their answers;

1. What is the theme and colours of your wedding?

Pink and white

2. How did you come up with your theme?

We have an 8 month old little girl so pink seemed the most appropriate colour

3. Please list the name and website of the wedding pros you’ve hired:

Wedding Venue(s)  - High Rocks in Tunbridge Wells

Photographer - Gavin Conlan (gavin conlan photography Ltd)

Video - Matthew Crisp

Entertainment (DJ) – Bob Dyer

Florist - Jo Wilkinson

Wedding Dress Designer - Blackburn Bridal Boutique, Blackheath

Bridal Hair Stylist -  Kamuran Enver

Bridal Make Up Artist –  Tiffany Humphreys

Wedding Cake - Marks and Spencers

Bridal Shoes -  River Island

Wedding Planner -  Maggie

4. How did the two of you meet?

We met through a mutual friend (the best man) when I was about 18 and Lee was 21. After being friends for a little while our best man decided enough was enough and done a bit of match making.

5. How long did you spend planning your wedding and have you any budget advice?

9 weeks. We have been engaged for 7 years due to IVF financial commitments and decided due to my Grandad not being very well that if we left it much longer then we may not have the important people there with us.

6. What are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?

I'm most looking forward to marrying my best friend and my soul mate and completing my little family.

7. Any other details I should know about ?

Lee and I have been through the worst times together; years of disappointment in failed IVFs and the absolute worst losing our little boy (Frank Aubrey Tilly) at full term after 4 hours together as a family but we have gone through it all together and this has only made us stronger. We now have our beautiful daughter, Summer-Rose Frankie Tilly, and she has completed us both. After 6 years of failed IVF attempts, my Grandad supported us financially to see "The God of IVF" in London and because of this we had Frank and Summer-Rose. Sadly my Grandad who we called "Grumps" passed away this weekend just gone.

Whilst I'm editing their wedding I wanted to share a selection of my personal favourites with you to enjoy, feel free to use these images on your social media profiles (as long as you do not remove my watermark) and feel to leave Samantha and Lee a lovely comment below!!

All the best, Gavin

black and white detail shot of the Samantha and Lee's beautiful table plan. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

exterior detail shot of the entrance of the beautiful 4 star hotel in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative reflective detail shot of the bride's beautiful wedding dress hanging in front of the four poster bed. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

beautiful and creative family portrait photograph. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative detail shot of the bride's beautiful wedding dress hanging in front of the four poster bed next to her baby daughters dress. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative detail shot of the bride's baby daughters beautiful dress hanging in front of the four poster bed. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

wedding detail shot of the brides shoes next to her baby daughters shoes. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

close up of the brides bracelet containing sentimental details. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

the bride holding her flowers whilst she is having her make up done. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

The bridesmaids flower bouquet. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

family portrait of the bride and her daughter looking so happy together. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

black and white creative portrait of the bride in her wedding dress. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative detail shot of their wedding rings displayed on the SPA Hotel magazine . Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

black and white portrait of the groom posing as his getting dressed. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative portrait of the groom getting dressed.  Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative black and white portrait of the best man and usher helping the groom get dressed. Wedding photography at The SPA Hotel by gavin conlan photography Ltd

exterior to the entrance of the rocks. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative detail shot of the red High Rocks sign. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the groom looking back at his bride walking down the aisle with her father. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the groom placing the wedding ring on his brides finger whilst she is looking so happy. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the bride placing the wedding ring on her grooms finger. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the bride and groom cuddling after becoming husband and wife with their guests celebrating. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the bride and groom signing the registrar after becoming husband and wife. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the group photograph of all the guests with the bride and groom in the grounds of The Rocks during their drinks reception. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative portrait of the bride and groom with both sets of parents in the grounds of The Rocks. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative portrait of the bride and groom with their beautiful daughter in the grounds of The Rocks. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative portrait of the bride and groom with their beautiful daughter in the grounds of The Rocks. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative landscape of one of the bridges in the grounds of The Rocks. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

portrait of the father of the bride during his speech. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

portrait of the maid of honour during her speech. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

portrait of the brides sister her bridesmaid during her speech. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

portrait of the groom during his speech. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

portrait of the best man during his speech. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative portrait of the bride and groom just before they cut their wedding cake whilst smiling at each other. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the bride and groom during their first dance showing the groom looking so happy. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the bride and groom during their first dance showing the bride looking so happy. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

the bride and groom with their daughter during their first dance. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative portrait of the bride and groom showcasing the brides wedding ring. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative couple portrait taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative couple portrait of them sharing a kiss taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative couple portrait taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative bridal portrait taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative and fun bridal portrait taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative couple portrait taken at the top of The Rocks whilst posing on one of the bridges at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

a portrait of the groom posing whilst looking at his watch standing in front of bluebells. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative portrait of the groom taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

a relaxed couple portrait taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative couple portrait of them cuddling and smiling taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative couple portrait of the bride looking back at her husband taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

creative couple portrait of them walking together whilst taken at the top of The Rocks at dusk. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

a night time landscape showcasing High Rocks from the view of the garden. Wedding photography at High Rocks by preferred supplier gavin conlan photography Ltd

Essex Wedding Photography | Gavin Conlan UK Wedding Photographer based in Essex | www.gavinconlan.com

Update

on 2012-06-21 17:39 by gavin conlan journal

1. To understand the value of wedding photography especially the wedding album.

The simple fact is the wedding album is an heirloom, the first gift of your married life together that will be cherished not only by yourselves but by the future generations of your family.  There is no one out there that can convince me that having images on a disc is the same, knowledge tells me the life span of images on a disc will be viewed no more than 3-4 times mainly by the bride and the groom may look at them fully once.  Whereas your wedding album will be on display, shown to guests at every opportunity and will be loved by yourselves and your family.  You cannot put a price on having something you can interact with, feel the quality of and admire the perfect material showcasing your imagery in all there magnificence.  Honestly if you don't believe me just look at your own family albums of loved ones that are no longer with you and ask yourself how much would you pay for those beautiful memories? My own personal albums are priceless to me.

2. To understand the importance of hiring a professional photographer.

So many people out there are doing it badly these days the industry has suffered massively over the last few years because of cowboy shooters just wanting to make some fast cash, having no respect for the images they're producing and trust me you'll never be happy with the results.  There is no point in spending thousands of pounds on your wedding day then pay next to nothing for your photography - the photographs are the only lasting memory of the emotions felt during your wedding day.  That famous saying "You get what you pay for in life" has never been so true, please don't become one of those couples emotionally distraught with shocking photographs.

3. You need to trust your wedding photographer.

The photographer is responsible for capturing those beautiful images that will be loved and cherished by yourself, your children, your grand children, your great grand children.  If you can't trust the photographer 110% then walk away and find someone you can trust, first impressions and that gut feeling is something not to be ignored.  Treat the photography search just as the bride searches for her perfect dress - when she sees it she just knows.  You need to be totally comfortable with the photographer because they will be there with you throughout your emotional day and if you don't feel confortable it will really show in your photographs.  Personally speaking for myself it's vital I have that best friend working relationship it's the only way I can work and on the wedding day I will do whatever it takes to make sure I do my very best for you. 

4. To understand the work that goes into shooting a wedding.

You see the photographers fee and think "my god that's really expensive for a few hours work?" but you need to be aware that your not only paying for the day of photography, the fee also includes the consultation meetings prior to your wedding, the post production of images, the album design and manufacturing and the overall experience to help make your special day so perfect.  Your wedding photography must match and exceed your own memories of the day, personally speaking I want to you to be so excited and in love with your images that your beaming with pride when showing them off.  Most people have DSLR cameras these days even the latest iPhone includes a fantastic camera so it is getting harder for people to understand the difference between "uncle bob" and the professional photographer.  All I ask is that you don't end up like those poor couples you read about who have been left upset and hurt because of really bad wedding photography. 

5. Meeting a potential wedding photographer.

Make sure you always ask to see a complete wedding from the photographer and don't just settle for the portfolio containing their best shots - you'll be amazed how many so called photographers out there are stealing other photographers images, website designs and even text.  Another thing to be wary of is that its easy to attend a training course and then pass the instructors image, set up and pose off as their own, by viewing a complete album this will help to reduce the possibility of you being conned.  You should also research the photographers website, blog and social media sites as this will also give you a good understanding of the quality of their work.  Remember it's your special day the day you've always dreamed about so don't let poor photography tarnish your beautiful memories.

The information above is purely my views and my views alone, I hope by reading this it'll give you something to think about before you take on the vital decision of choosing your wedding photographer.  

Feel free to comment and share this article, I'd love to hear your thoughts on whether you agree or disagree.

Have a great day!!! - Gavin