Elle Hitchens - Wedding make-up

As a wedding photographer I've come across lots of wedding make-up artists in my time. But at a wedding about a year ago I came across the best yet....Elle Hitchens.

Not only do I consider Elle THE most amazing make-up artist but she has the perfect personality. She is friendly, relaxed and a true professional. On the wedding day itself she is a hugely calming influence and the one thing I REALLY love about her is the fact she doesn't impose her ideas on people but works 'with' her wedding clients to come up with a look that not only suits them but they love.

Make-up is a very personal thing and it's a fine balance to get something that looks stunning for your wedding photographs but doesn't look 'plastered' on 'real-life'. Elle gets that balance right every time.

I recommend her to all my wedding photography clients and every time the results (and the feedback) is fantastic. Elle.....we love you!

Here are a few photographs of her in action at Kate & Morgan's wedding.

Venetia xx

For fabulous wedding make-up drop Elle a line on elle@ellehitchens.co.uk.

Cinderella shall go to the ball...!

Unsung heroes from offices across the South West attended a stunning showcase event in Bristol last Thursday at Brunel’s ss Great Britain, supported by....yours truly!

Secretaries, personal assistants, marketeers and event organisers are regularly asked to do all the work for events, but like Cinderella do not always receive an invitation to attend. And if they do.....there is little opportunity for enjoyment.

The event gave 200 event planners from across the region the chance to see the stunning ocean liner for themselves, without the pressure of work, and to taste fine food and wine. Starting with a champagne reception and canapés on the Promenade Deck, guests were able to experience different function styles throughout the ship and discuss special new packages, designed to make life easier for events planners.

Guests planning to marry also had the chance to discover why the ss Great Britain is Bristol’s most popular wedding venue outside of the registry office, with wedding ceremonies held on the Promenade Deck and receptions in the First Class Dining Saloon.

The team at Brunel's ss Great Britain work closely with a number of key suppliers, including myself, and wanted to show event planners and potential bride & grooms what could be achieved with flowers, modern technology, lighting, furnishings, entertainment and photography.

It was a pleasure to be invited to and be part of such a magical evening....a big thank you to Bronwen, Dagmar and the whole team on board. (I've already taken one wedding photography booking as a result!).

Venetia x

I obviously couldn't chat and photograph at the same time so below are a few pictures from the night taken by Bristol press photographer, Stephen Lewis.

Me (far left) doing what I do best....talking!




Lots of goregous photography products....

Looking at new album ideas....

The great Brunel himself....

New, exciting wedding photography service.....

I'm not going to disclose too much as I'm still perfecting the final details but I promise to add more details shortly.

It will be an extension to my wedding photography service and comes following a great deal of client demand and hours of research. It will be fully launched by the end of next month and will be available as an extra to brides who have book their wedding photography with me and also as a stand alone service to those who have booked with other wedding photographers.

Watch this space!!

Venetia xx

Bristol & Somerset wedding magazine

Look out for this months issue of Bristol & Somerset Your Wedding magazine....very exciting for Firetop Photography.

As the resident wedding photographer expert I have been answering readers wedding photography questions about those all important group shots at weddings and the etiquette of dressing room wedding photography.

They have also featured a wedding I photographed at Cadbury House in Bristol. You can read all about Mark & Lucy's big day and maybe even get some inspiration for your own wedding too!

And....you may recognise the bride on the front cover?! And no, for all those wondering she isn't a model! I photographed Claire & Adam's big day last year....pick the right weddng photographer and your wedding photographs could look beautiful!

It's packed with lots of great features, giveaways & competitions too all for £2.95!

Venetia xx

Lucy & Matt's wedding.....a cold Eastbourne!

I travelled to Eastbourne this weekend to photograph the wedding of Lucy & Matt. It was a gorgeous, intimate affair and a total pleasure to be their wedding photographer.

The day started with a dip in the sea for the boys (yes...you did read it correctly...more to follow on that!) before getting ready at The Cavendish Hotel, Eastbourne, which was the location for the wedding reception. Over the other side of town Lucy, her mum and four bridesmaids enjoyed a warmer, more civilised champagne breakfast at the house.

The Church is directly opposite a lovely little wine bar called Bebendum and after photographing the fun & frollicks at the girls house I nipped down there for a few pictures with Matt and the boys. Once he was safely in the church the girls arrived at Bebendum for a cheeky shot of Sambuca (Lucy is well known for her love of it!) to calm their nerves....sorry Father Seamus!

'Our Lady of Ransom' is a beautiful church and the perfect setting for what turned out to be a very moving ceremony. After the ceremony and a few pictures outside (quick ones at I think Sally was actually blue by this stage!) Lucy, Matt & I headed off to the beach for a few romantic pictures of the two of them.

A gorgeous reception in the stunning Canvendish Hotel rounded a perfect day off in style.

Guys, it was so, so lovely to be there and share your special day. I can't thank you enough for your kind words especially during the speech. You are wonderful people, have a great family & fantastic friends and I look forward to seeing you for your viewing very soon.

Love, Vee (& Karl). xxx



How many guys does it take to do a button-hole....?!



The very sparkly, princess tiara.......



And the shoes.....oh the shoes (not as painful as Sally's!!!)



Lucy's mum is a dress designer and created the most amazing gown for her....




And was there to lace it up....phew!



Two beautiful ladies......





Lucy looked radiant.....





And Matt....well what can I say.....

The church & the kiss.....

Lucy & I had conspired beforehand about the wellies.....!



She was very proud of them....






The happy couple.....

Judith....I promise we sat her on a coat....and didn't dirty the dress!

She got her hand on his bottom at last........!

All set for a long and happy life together......

Matt's moment of madness.......

When Matt informed me that he & his best man & ushers were intending on a spot of swimming the morning before the wedding I never believed them. As a meer women I clearly under-estimate the braveness (or foolhardiness) of men......

Getting ready to go.....



Fine specimens of men!!



They even ran in.....

Just to look at it chills your bones.....

They soon came out again.......

And here they are triumphant!

Respect.....is all I can say!

Vee xx

Happy New Year....!

Well as the first evening of 2009 draws to a close I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

2008 was a fantastic (hectic!) year for me especially as a wedding photographer. I had the pleaure to work with some fantastic clients and photograph some beautiful weddings at some gorgeous locations. I've photographed weddings around Bristol, the South West and as far afield as London, Manchester and even Cyprus! I had the pleasure to photograph at some of the countries finest venues; The Matara Centre, Cadbury House Hotel, Mere Golf & Country Club, St Mary Redcliffe, Priston Mill, The Celtic Manor Hotel, Guyers House, Belton Woods Golf Club and also some lovely intimate venues such as Coed-y-Mwstwr and the beautiful Glassboat in Bristol....to name a few. I've also had the pleasure to work with some superb suppliers and been featured in some great magazines, web-sites and venues.

On the portrait front I've photographed a record number and the end of the year ended excitingly with the launch of my new portrait studio near Taunton, Somerset. The new studio is attracting a lot of attention and I've already welcomed several new and long-standing clients there already. Gift vouchers were flying out the door before Christmas and I look forward to welcoming clients new and old in 2009.

As a wedding photographer 2009 is looking to be a very exciting year too. I have been booked by some lovely wedding photography clients and I am looking forward to seeing them again and photographing their big day. I have also being approached by a number of well-known wedding venues to work with them as a recommended supplier and also a number of high-profile magazines and web-sites to work with them on wedding related features....more about that soon!

Anyway enough from me.....I hope everyone had a fun filled Christmas with their loved ones and that 2009 is one of fulfilled dreams for everyone. I love every minute of my work and look forward to the exciting year in store.

Venetia xx

Sarah & Richard's Wedding - Leigh Park Hotel

Last month I had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Sarah & Richard at the Leigh Park Hotel in Bradford-on-Avon. Sarah was recommended to me by her colleagues at Future Publishing as I have photographed a number of their weddings.....thank you very much everyone who recommended me!

Sarah & Richard got married in a very moving wedding ceremony at the Leigh Park Hotel and stayed there for their reception. It's a beautiful location for a wedding with lots of gorgeous places to photograph. Despite the cold once we had done the group shots we braved the chills and took advantage of some of the grounds for some lovely photographs of the two of them.

Sarah & Richard have a gorgeous little boy, George who was lots of fun to play with and after we had done their group shots we had a great time playing with the autumn leaves...I don't know who had more fun me or George!!

It was a pleasure to be your wedding photographer and I hope you had a wonderful day and have a great honeymoon.

Sarah & Richard are coming in the New Year to have a family portrait in the studio and I look forward to seeing you all again.

Venetia x

P.S. Sarah I hope these few keep you going! x

Lucy & Mark's Wedding

I am lucky enough to be one of the recommended wedding photographers for Cadbury House Hotel near Bristol and this is how Lucy & Mark found me.

Having done the initial consultation at their beautifully decorated and co-ordinated house, it became clear to me that Lucy was going to be organising a wedding with lots of attention to those gorgeous little details!! How could I miss to photograph them all.......

Lucy's tiara......

Her shoes.....

Her jewellery.....

Her flowers.....

The gorgeous bridemaids flowers.....

And the co-ordinating rose petal confetti.....

The ceremony was in a beautiful Catholic church with lots of lovely little touches like lighing a single candle from two seperate ones......

And as a beautiful touch afterwards Lucy & Mark released two white doves......

The simply stunning reception carried through the bird theme from the tabel plan, the place names, through to two gorgeous lavishly decorated bird cages....

The favours were even little woodland trees (thank you both for mine....it's in a pot in the garden now!).....

Both Mark & Lucy looked gorgeous.....

It was a bitterly cold day but I managed to persuade them to spend a few minutes outside getting some gorgeous pictures off the both of us. Thank you for bearing with me guys......I think the shivering was worth it!

Venetia xx