This is the story of Adam and Jo’s Big Day that took place in the beautiful Botleys Mansion this April. Enjoy!

Photos by Martins Kikulis – Wedding Photography Botleys Mansion in Surrey, and the whole UK. Botleys Mansion Weddings. © Copyright 2013 Martins Kikulis. All Rights Reserved.

Earlier this year I was invited to the magnificent Orchardleigh House in Somerset to capture Tom and Tanya’s wedding adventure. I had done photography in Orchardleigh before, the difference this time was that the weather had decided not to play ball and so it was a very British wedding weather-wise indeed – cold, breezy and raining the whole day. The beautiful grounds of Orchardleigh estate therefore were left unexplored that day by wedding guests and the newlyweds. However the good thing was in the fact that inside of Orchardleigh House is perhaps even more splendid then the outside, so despite the weather it was still a wonderful day for Tom and Tanya.

Orchardleigh House is also a very challenging venue to photograph, even in a good weather. That, coupled with a very overcast and dark day made it to be one of the most challenging wedding assignments I can remember doing for a long time. Good thing I love challenges! :) I managed to get a lot of great story-telling shots from the day in my usual style, using fast lenses and only available light for most of the day. Here are some of the photos from Tom and Tanya’s wedding story.

Photos by Martins Kikulis – Wedding Photographer Orchardleigh House, Somerset, and the whole UK. Orchardleigh House Wedding. © Copyright 2013 Martins Kikulis. All Rights Reserved.

I met Wasim and Madiha last month to do their Pre-wedding photography in London. Madiha is from United States and while Wasim is a local guy, they are both now in process to moving permanently all the way across the ocean to New York. However London still holds a special place in their hearts, so they asked me to do their pre-wedding photos in this amazing city. We met up in Kensington Gardens for some photos around the park and the pond in the middle of it. Next we visited the usual suspects for pre-wedding shoots in London – The London Eye and Houses of Parliament in Westminster. I was so lucky with the weather that day – the moody skies above London added a very special dimension to the photos..

So here comes just a few of my favourite shots from Wasim & Madiha’s pre-wedding shoot in London.

Ohh, just check out the skies above the House of Parliament… A perfect day for pre-wedding photoshoot!

Photos by Martins Kikulis – Pre-wedding photographer London and the UK. Prewedding photographers. © Copyright 2013 Martins Kikulis. All Rights Reserved.

Earlier this year I once again had to pleasure to visit Botleys Mansion to do wedding photography for Matt and Carolyn, a very lovely couple based in London. It was one of the coldest March’s on record, as you can judge yourselves from the icicles on the fountain, however that wasn’t an obstacle at all for the couple and their guests to fully enjoy their wedding in the magnificent Botleys Mansion. In fact, despite the low temperatures, we even headed out to do some wedding portraits.. I must say Carolyn is one of the bravest brides I had the pleasure to work with. I was freezing there in my coat and all wrapped in a huge scarf, while Carolyn was posing for photos in her dress like it was plus twenty outside…

Here’s some of the photos from Matt and Carolyn’s day in Botleys Mansion in a very cold March day.

Photos by Martins Kikulis – Wedding Photographer Botleys Mansion Surrey, and the whole UK. Botleys Mansion Wedding. © Copyright 2013 Martins Kikulis. All Rights Reserved.

First of all, apologies for not blogging a single wedding since start of the year. It’s not that I haven’t shot any, it’s because winter for me is album-designing season and this year I had so many albums to do for my lovely clients, that there was no time left for anything else… Throw in a few winter weddings and it’s official – there’s no such thing as off-peak season for me anymore..

Anyway, I’d love to share with you a wedding I was invited to photograph earlier this year. Trevor and Hilary, although living in London, had their eyes set on a very country-ish setting for their wedding, so they chose to get married in Cripps Barn near Bibury in Gloucestershire. It was my first time doing photography in Cripps Barn, and with barns generally being particularly challenging to shoot in (no windows, high ceilings and so on…) I thoroughly enjoyed the day and managed to get some great photos from the action. Overall it was my kind of wedding – everyone enjoying themselves, having a laugh and not bothering too much with overly traditional wedding stuff. I especially loved the surprise song everyone sung together for the new husband and wife right after the ceremony and the traditional Scottish dance later in the night also was something to remember.

Ohh, almost forgot to mention those guys: Hilary’s dress by Jesus Piero; Hairdressing by Sheena’s Wedding Hairstyes; Make-up: Emily Tarrant; Flowers by Rachel Jones and videography was done by a very nice chap called Richard from White Dress Films.

Photography by Martins Kikulis –  Cripps Barn wedding photography in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. Cripps Barn Wedding Photos. © Copyright 2012 Martins Kikulis. All Rights Reserved.

2012 is been a truly great year for me and, without doubt, the busiest ever… I have been so lucky to be invited along to capture some amazing wedding adventures and it has been also a very rewarding year, I had my photos featured in many of the top wedding magazines and blogs as well as won some awards from wedding photojournalist association and ISPWP, which made the year even sweeter.

Thanks so much firstly to all thirty couples who have trusted me with their wedding photography and also to the people who where following and appreciating my work throughout the year. THANKS SO MUCH! We now have almost 1500 followers on our Facebook page – they surely can’t all be brides and grooms, so it can only mean that wedding photography is not only a subject of interest for those planning to get married, but also for people who appreciate good photography as such.

I feel 2013 will be an even more incredible journey. With the year almost fully booked already I know I have lots of amazing wedding moments to look forward to capture in 2013! Bring it on!! :)

I have just been looking through my wedding photo archive of 2012 and it feels truly amazing to have captured so many very special moments of that most special day, so I thought I share some of the highlights of the year. Below are three random photos from (almost) each of the weddings I’ve photographed in 2012.

The first wedding of the year was for two doctors – David &Natasha who got married in Leigh Court near Bristol. Here’s a link to full wedding.

For second wedding of 2012 I headed to Grafton Manor near Birmingham.

The photo below was recognised in AGWPJA photography contest earlier in the year.

The next wedding was a long-awaited return to the amazing Botleys Mansion in Surrey and the first (and certainly not last) rainy wedding of 2012. CLICK.

Then I was so happy to visit my all time favourite venue, the Maunsel House to do wedding photography for Craig and Julia. It was an amazing day and I got a lot of amazing photos from this one.

Ohh, I love Irish people after meeting some of them at this next wedding. It was a small wedding, but they managed to rise the roof off one of the oldest and quirkiest hotels in Bristol - the Hotel Du Vin.

In May I headed to the deepest countryside of Cheshire to do the wedding for Martin and Rhian – they were the best models ever. We even went out in a muddy field to grab some unforgettable photos among the sheep. One of the highlights of the year for sure! :)

Since I first visited North Wales a few years back, I always dreamed about shooting a wedding in this breathtaking scenery. This dream came true this year when Rhodri and Sioned booked me for their wedding in North Wales. And what a beautiful couple they are… I couldn’t ask for more!

Later that month and much closer to home I was invited to a Chinese wedding of Hui and Tian… and finally had a chance to do some wedding photographs at the Bristol’s Suspension Bridge.

I then visited Wicks Barn near Bath for Ryan and Claire’s wedding and this reminds me about one of the best groom’s speeches I’ve heard. ever.

The next two weddings took place at the same venue – the Great Tythe Barn in beautiful Cotswolds.

And then, at the start of June came my highlight of the year – my first wedding in Cyprus where Yiannis and Elena were tying the knot over two amazing days and sharing their wedding reception with over 2,000 people, which I had never experienced before. I also used the opportunity and stayed in Cyprus for another week and completely fell in love with the island. Can’t wait to return there, hopefully, this year.

Back in Bristol for a wedding of Rob and Amy much closer to home.

In a very rainy July day (which reminds me of how rubbish this year was weather-wise in UK) I was once more invited to the magnificent Belvoir Castle to do wedding photography for Cliff and Jessica. What made this even even more special for me was the fact that the couple flew in from Honk Kong specially for their wedding and they had chosen the Belvoir castle only by seeing a few of the photos I did for another wedding taking place at this same venue a few years ago.

Next day I headed to Oxford for a Russian-French wedding of Victoria and Julien. After that day, I can say I know most of the Oxford’s parks very well! :) Very much enjoyed the excursions around Oxford with such a lovely people.

Then it was back to the Maunsel House which I always love to return to for Tom and Kelly’s wedding. The summer was so incredibly busy that I still haven’t found time to blog the full wedding…

Next stop – Royal Berkshire Hotel for the wedding of Nick and Gemma.

A long drive to Essex to photograph Scott and Jessica’s big day in Leez Priory.

And another long drive to Leeds Castle in Maidstone, Kent for British-American wedding of Antony and Nicole.

Back in Bristol for Andrew and Sarah’s wedding in Merchants House and the reception in St Georges Hall.

St. Georges hall was where I headed the next week also for the football-themed wedding of Andre and Catherine.

My next wedding adventure took me to Houses of Parliament where Joel & Christina had their wedding reception. What an epic day!

Next there was a wedding for American couple who together with their family and closest friends flew over from Oklahoma in United States to have a very British wedding in a Thornbury Castle which is one of the finest Tudor Castles still standing.

At the very end of September I was invited to Steph and Anthony’s wedding in Sandon Hall. Such a lovely couple.

My third wedding in Maunsel House was for Adam and Catherine who came from London to have a grand party in British countryside. What a blast that was…

Next – a visit to Botleys Mansion in Surrey once more.

This next wedding was absolutely brilliant. Enough said. CLICK.

How often you hear about a Chinese-Greek wedding..?! Well, not too often I guess. But I had the chance to attend one and I loved it – the best of both worlds – amazing Chinese 13-course meal followed by dancing like there’s no tomorrow. Brought back memories from the Cyprus wedding.

I am so excited to share this next wedding with you.. This was something truly special and not so much because of the venue of choice (although Knowlton Court was superb) or the lovely church ceremony, or the beautiful dress, or the amazing attention to details all around, but mostly because of the two people getting married. Richard and Caroline are such a fun and genuine couple, and I was so glad they chose to share their day with me! I loved every bit of their wedding, despite even having to spend almost 9 hours driving that day, it was well worth it at the end.

Knowlton Court in Canterbury, Kent was the venue of choice for Richard and Caroline and I must say it was a superb venue for a winter wedding with the cosy rooms, fireplaces all around the house and beautiful gardens. Before heading off to Knowlton Court for their wedding receptions we had lot’s on fun in Caroline’s parent house, where the bridal party was getting ready, which was then followed by a church ceremony in the nearby St.Peters church in Broadstairs.

Richard and Caroline are very artistic souls themselves (check out Carolines music and dance tuition stuff HERE) and that shown through everything on the day. Even Caroline’s parents house, where she were getting ready, was a bit like visiting a temple for music and art.

OK, enough of that, let’s see some pictures.. :)

Thanks so much guys for sharing the day with me and I wish you all the best for your married life! :)

Photography by Martins Kikulis –  Knowlton Court wedding photography in Canterbury, Kent. Knowlton Court Wedding Photos. © Copyright 2012 Martins Kikulis. All Rights Reserved.