LJ Photographics Blog

Recently we visited an up and coming wedding venue who will be opening their doors next year to a whole host of excited bride and grooms to be!

Shinfield Grange is licensed for civil ceremonies with the opportunity to host a marquee reception in their stunning grounds.

Shinfield Grange was built in 1655 where a small, redbrick farm house was built as a tenant farm of the Manor of Shinfield. In 1857, it became the private property of the Cobham family who extended the property considerably and it was then that it became known as Shinfield Grange.

Further extensions to the property were made in the early 1930’s.

The late Sir Eric Palmer (family member of the Huntley and Palmer Biscuit Company) was its last private owner.

During 1949 the estate was passed onto the University of Reading who absorbed its farms into the Department of Agriculture and Shinfield Grange became the centre of the Department of Horticulture. Most of the 14.5 acres immediately surrounding it were then simply used as a teaching garden… we didn’t have anything quite so amazing where I went to school!

The College of Estate Management now owns and runs Shinfield Grange and has further modernised the building and continued the up keep of the fabulous grounds.

The small mellow bricks of part of the outer walls and the low ceiling and wide chimney are now the main entrance hall and still testify to its humble farm house origins which continue to portray the cultural history of the building.

The grounds at Shinfield Grange are truly stunning. With over 14 acres of beautiful Berkshire landscape, it is perfect for those looking for an English countryside wedding!

There are around 98 species of different tree in the grounds and we were truly stunned at how colourful the trees were when we took some photos for the venue in November. Anyone wanting a late Autumn wedding would be well advised to consider this venue, as the colours were still strong in mid-late November!

With the grounds being so extensive there is plenty of opportunity for group shots, and a chance for your guests to explore the natural beauty of Shinfield Grange. There is a pond and bridge, perfect for those photographic opportunities and private and more secluded areas for your couple shots – a chance to have some time alone on your wedding day.

The advantage of this venue is having such extensive grounds allows for any size marquee you require – a great choice if you have a large guest list and need the space!

We can’t wait to shoot our first wedding at this fabulous local venue!

For more information please contact Jeanette on 0118 921 4685.

Yesterday we were at the spectacular wedding venue Wotton House, to photograph the wedding of Lee & Danielle.

We started off the day capturing both Lee & Danielle during their preparations, Danielle looked absolutely stunning in her beautiful wedding dress. There were plenty of sparkles, with the wedding having a Swarovski theme, Danielle’s dress matched the theme perfectly!

They had organised for the already gorgeous Wotton House ceremony room to be dressed with candles, flowers, a white carpet runway & pink sash chair covers plus some amazing pink uplights which both matched their colour theme perfectly and set the room off beautifully!
I think everyone had the same reaction when they entered the room before the ceremony… wow!

For the time of year, the weather was absolutely great, we were thrilled for the couple as this meant that they could make use of many of the stunning wedding photography opportunities at Wotton House. We had a great time capturing some beautiful wedding photos at Wotton House and Lee & Danielle were fantastic to work with. They were such fun to be around, as were their family & friends!

During the evening, just prior to first dance, Lee & Danielle asked for some additional shots to take advantage of the beautifully lit Roman temple. We were more than happy to take advantage of this stunning setting & loved the fact Lee & Danielle are as enthusiastic about their photos as we are!

We wish them both a fantastic honeymoon (a surprise destination for Danielle!) and happy future together!

Here is a sneak peak at some of the wedding photos we captured on their special day!

On Saturday we were at Norton Park Hotel, near Winchester, to photograph Lee & Lisa’s wedding.

The morning started off with bridal preparations in one of the bridal suites in Norton Park Manor House.

Lisa’s wedding dress was perfect for an autumn wedding, not having a train – it really helped not having to worry about the back of her dress on the ground. Plus she looked amazing in it!

The ceremony was conducted in Norton Park’s barn which was beautifully lit inside and has bags of atmosphere.

The weather was amazing, we couldn’t have hoped for a nicer day for Lee and Lisa, just how every couple would hope their autumn wedding would be. We made full use the grounds at Norton Park and got some great shots of this lovely couple!

Lee & Lisa’s friends and family were a great bunch who made us feel very welcome and we had plenty of laughs during the day.

Extra guests arrived for the evening celebrations and made full use of our Flaunt, evening mobile studio to capture some fun photos!

We wish Lee and Lisa the best in their future together and hope they have a lovely honeymoon in the Maldives…lucky things!

Yesterday we were just down the road at the amazing Warbrook House for Jon & Yvonne’s wedding.

Yvonne looked beautiful in her dress and was clearly excited to be marrying Jon.

After the ceremony their friends and family congratulated the newlyweds just outside Warbrook House after they were announced by a bagpiper!

It was an amazingly hot day for so late in September, beautiful blue skies allowed the wedding guests to enjoy the gorgeous sunshine with drinks and canapes on the stunning lawns to the rear of the house.

It also made for some beautiful photos and we thoroughly enjoyed making the most of the grounds at Warbrook.

The wedding breakfast set up looked amazing with their black and white theme.

We had a great time providing our Flaunt mobile studio, as all of Jon and Yvonne’s friends and family really enjoyed the props they had provided for their Scottish theme!

Here’s a sneak peek at a few of their images from yesterday!

Yesterday we exhibited at the fantastic Highfield Park wedding fayre.

Just five minutes down the road from us, Highfield Park is a beautiful De Vere wedding venue, set in acres of beautiful countryside with absolutely stunning views!

Highfield Park happens to be one of only a handful of venues in the area where you are able to have a ceremony outdoors.
And WHAT a setting!
There’s no need to worry if the good old English weather has other ideas either, as Highfield are able to transition you indoors to one of their beautiful rooms to continue your celebrations.

We love Highfield Park, as photographers we are spoiled for choice with so many opportunities!

We thought we’d share a few photos of the venue with you, giving you a sneak peak at the ceremony facilities indoors and out, the lovely bridal suite and the stunning main staircase.

** For all photos from the wedding fayre, please click HERE to view slideshow **