It’s definitely time for something a little bit different… a real wedding feature with a red wedding dress anyone? Oh, yes please — this is absolutely gorgeous.

Gemma’s red wedding dress is by Maggie Sottero — it’s stunning.

The wedding dress is Fiorenza, by Maggie Sottero. Fiorenza is a rich scarlet gown, with soft ruching at the side and fabric flowers scattered around the A line skirt, catching up the fabric in a fabulous tumble of luxury. In each cluster of flowers is a little spray of beads and Swarovski crystals. I believe with all my heart that if you’re getting married, you really should wear this dress… like Gemma did…

Gemma chose striking jewellery to complement the wedding dress

Bride Gemma made her own wedding jewellery to go with the dress. Her beaded necklace is wonderful, really striking (and I love this picture of it hanging by the window to catch the light), while the matching hair comb with coloured pearls and clear beads, and little sparkly red beads, is just lovely. Gemma’s bouquet is simple, with gorgeous colours — rich red roses and that lovely trailing ivy.

Gemma looks amazing, her colouring is perfect for the red dress

Gemma has the perfect complexion and personality to show off this gorgeous red wedding dress. Wow! I love this photograph (by Amy Wass) for the rich colours in the dress and bouquet, for Gemma’s fabulous smile and for that pose — she looks soooo amazing!

Such a pretty fairy bridesmaid — and a beautiful photograph.

I’ll get back to the bride and groom in a minute, but this wonderful picture really stopped me in my tracks when I saw this submission from Amy Wass. She’s the prettiest little fairy I’ve ever seen! With a lovely alice band with white flowers, brown ‘baby’s breath’ and crystal bead sprays, plus those adorable little fairy wings and the perfect smile for the camera — what a beautiful little girl!

Rhinefield House is a luxury wedding venue with bags of character

Rhinefield House is a magnificent country house in the New Forest, built in 1887 and full of romantic and gothic features — perfect for a fairytale wedding venue. It’s licensed for civil ceremonies and caters for both intimate and larger weddings. I love the composition of this wedding photograph: everything’s pointing towards the house, from the water to the clouds… gorgeous!

Groom Jon and his best men enjoy their moment in the limelight

Groom Jon and his best men pose for the wedding photographer, looking fantastic in their chocolate brown suits with white rose buttonholes and cream waistcoats. Jon’s yet to see Gemma in that stunning red wedding dress, and only the red berries in the boys’ buttonholes hint at the colour of the dress!

The wedding ceremony — the opulent setting makes it really special

The wedding ceremony is held in the Grand Hall at Rhinefield House. The room is lavishly decorated, the dark wood panelling and gothic chandelier set the scene as Gemma and Jon tie the knot.

Gemma and Jon, happily married. A really lovely couple.

Jon and Gemma, happily married, pose for portrait photographs after the wedding ceremony. I love Gemma’s smile — she has such an air of confidence and they both look so very happy. The wall behind them, with the lovely textures and mottled lichens, is a really interesting backdrop for the photograph.

The tables look fantastic for Gemma & Jon’s winter wedding theme

I always love to see a wedding from different perspectives… I imagine the wedding photographer silently padding around the venue while it’s quiet and when no one’s looking, sneaking fabulous photographs that capture the spirit of the event. These are just lovely: before the wedding breakfast begins, Amy takes some great detail photos of the table centrepieces with ivy and pine cones, then during the meal there’s this fantastic picture of the guests from above. I love the glowing blue centrepieces and the light of the chandeliers.

The wedding speeches embarrass Gemma, just a bit!

I don’t usually do this, but I can’t resist this quote from photographer Amy Wass’s website: “Reportage, Photojournalism, candid, whatever you want to call it. I shoot to tell the story, from the emotions of the ceremony, the details of your table decorations to your Auntie rocking out on the dancefloor” .… this photo of Gemma suffering the wedding speech (and loving it, I think!) is one of those magical moments you need a great photographer to get. Brilliant!

A lovely relaxed photograph of the bride and groom enjoying their day

Another lovely, candid shot of Jon and Gemma at the wedding breakfast.

What a magnificent tower of cupcakes!

Wedding cupcakes are a fantastic alternative to a traditional wedding cake. I would choose a structure like this one any day! The little cakes are exquisite, colourful and beautifully made, and the cake topper is so cute! I love how the cake topper has that Maggie Sottero dress so perfectly formed!

The bride and groom have some fantastic portrait photos done

Once again saving the best until last. Well… one of the best. I’ve loved all of these pictures. But this final portrait photo shows Gemma and Jon sharing a romantic moment together, relaxed and cleary deliriously happy, and that Maggie dress in all its glory. It’s everything you could possibly want from your wedding photos, in one single picture. And that dress… wonderful!

Thank you to Hampshire wedding photographer Amy Wass for submitting this wedding. It will remain a favourite for me for a long time. Gemma is so beautiful, her dress is out of this world, and the photos even match the blog colour scheme! For more information see Amy’s fabulous wedding photography website, or visit her blog at http://amywass.co.uk/Info/blog

Here’s another real wedding full of character and style for you to enjoy next: a vintage styled wedding at Hurst House

Lauren and Barry’s lovely English wedding

Lauren and Barry were married at Burley Manor on the 6th of February this year. I love Lauren’s look — she’s a real English rose. Her wedding gown is a very classic, traditional style but with an extravagant full skirt and ruched fabric in lots of lovey layers, while the bodice is simple and looks beautiful on her slender frame. I love this first wedding picture for its Englishness… a stroll in the woods, with oak leaves lining the ground and the lovely greens of moss and holly framing the bride and groom.

Lauren and her Dad before the wedding ceremony

Lauren and her dad just before the wedding. Lauren’s hair is lovely — she has the perfect oval face for a style that sweeps across her forehead, with soft curls and the simplest of jewellery: just a pretty pearl necklace and matching earrings, with natural make up. Lauren’s dad wears a rich red cravat and matching buttonhole. Photographer Greg from TP Photography clearly puts the bride and her dad at ease for this traditional wedding picture.

Lauren’s pretty bridesmaid looks great in this photograph

Lauren’s bridesmaid has the same soft curls in her hair, and looks ever so pretty with her white bridesmaid necklace to match Lauren’s.

Lauren glows with happiness as her dad walks her down the aisle

I love the expression on Lauren’s face in this picture. As her dad concentrates on the wedding ceremony, Lauren meets Barry’s eyes and they both look so delighted to be there!

Lauren shows off that beautiful wedding dress!

Outside Burley Manor, photographer Greg stops Lauren for a picture of that glorious dress, and the angle of this picture really emphasises the fullness of those cascading fabrics. Lauren’s bouquet is a lovely style for winter, and goes beautifully with her wedding gown. The rich reds and the green of the ivy are a very popular combination for winter weddings. It’s good to see all the guests admiring the wedding dress, even the little ones!

A toast to the bride and groom!

This is a really romantic wedding photograph. Lauren and Barry, happily married, share a toast in the wedding car. They make a lovely couple.

Lauren’s dress fills the doorway in this wedding photo

If you have a wedding dress this magnificent, you have to show it off! Lauren and Barry share a kiss in the doorway, and I love the way their shadows are central in this picture. Lauren’s dress is amazing, the bodice suits her slender figure and the full skirt makes for some fantastic photos.

Lauren and Barry make the most of the New Forest setting for their wedding!

I’m saving my favourite four photos, and the ones I think really make this wedding special, until last. Photographer Greg from TP Photography captures some lovely scenes during the formal wedding portrait session. This picture makes the most of the interesting shapes of the trees, and the sunlight casts some great shadows on the forest floor.

Another lovely picture: the reflection adds depth to this photo

This is another favourite for me: photographer Greg makes the most of our English weather to take this lovely photograph of the bride and groom’s reflections in a still puddle! The mixed, bright sky and dark contrast of the hedgerows add loads of interest to the picture.

The first dance at Lauren’s wedding is a colourful affair!

The first dance makes a lovely picture, with the rainbow coloured lights on the dancefloor, the fairy lights around the venue and candelabra all combining to add lots of shine and sparkle to a romantic wedding photo.

A darker picture, almost silhouettes of the bride and groom

And finally… with the lights faded and the bride and groom taking centre stage, this shot is such a contrast from the previous one. It’s one of those pictures where there’s nothing else in the world but the bride and groom, the muted lighting with scattered highlights on the wedding dress, just picking out two big smiles and a twinkle of fairy lights.

Thanks to Greg from TP Photography for submitting this lovely wedding to the English wedding blog. I really love Lauren, she’s stunning in her wedding dress and so clearly enjoying every one of these photographs. See more shots of the wedding on Greg’s blog, as well as latest wedding photos from Dorset and around. Greg — thank you.