I love Exeter Castle as a wedding venue, its rooms are so beautiful and full of lovely light, and I felt it should have a little plug! It was built in 1068 as Exeter's castle and in 1770 became a new courthouse. Its other name is Rougemont Castle named after the red stone found in the hill and used in the construction of the original buildings. The front room used as a ceremony sapce features floor to ceiling arched windows letting in huge amounts of light but still feeling very elegant and traditional. The room is decorated with mirrors and chandaliers and was a stunning space for a wedding ceremony. The two other rooms make gorgeous dining and dancing rooms, one of them adorned by a huge impressive painting, just right for a backdrop for speeches. There are also apartments in the complex which are ideal for getting ready.

Exeter Castle (www.exetercastle.uk) is an excellent and lovely wedding venue right in the heart of Exeter (so close to lots of hotels and train stations for your guests!), it has beautiful interiors but also its outside spaces are so nice. The building has beautiful walls and a courtyard, then walking through lovely trees you come out on to the Castle walls which are green and leafy with amazing views of the city and a gorgeous light particularly at golden hour. Photos in front the castle gate are a must too! This bride's dress was www.sassiholford.com and her makeup was by www.changingfaces.net. The groom's suit was by www.hugoboss.com. #devonwedding #exeterwedding #devonweddingphotographer #devonweddingvenue #bride #groom #weddingphotographer

One trend for this year is vivid unexpected colour palettes. Coming out of the pandemic, couples more than ever are looking for ways to energize their wedding. Bold and thoughful colour palettes are looking more and more attractive to couples looking to take a risk and invigorate their wedding with something brighter than neutrals. These bright pops of colour can infuse the bouquets, flower arrangements and installations with a unique personality and colour story. The right balance of hues, contrasts and textures can give your event an aesthetic that is trendy and timeless. The more colours and patterns the better. Take a risk, don't take it too seriously! Florals below by www.katefloweran.com, wedding dress by www.jennyyoo.com

In your wedding gallery there will be a special collection of photos with your bridesmaids showing the laughter and camaraderie between you. These photographs, more than mere snapshots, encapsulate the essence of a cherished bond. Prepare your bridesmaids to have fun with your photos. It is one of their jobs to make you laugh on your wedding day, you can really mess around with them, sing, dance, run, hug. Bridesmaids photos are some of the most fun on the day. Cuddle each other as closely as possible to show the closeness of your friendships. You will love these photos forever. It is the day when you will all be your most glam, wear beautiful dresses and be the centre of attention. Most of your photos will be fun, messing about ones, but you can also try a few serious ones, trying for that editorial Vogue look, be a model for a few moments!

Are you in the midst of choosing your dress and accessories for this year's wedding? There's so much to think about! Well, here are a few helpful facts about one of them - your veil. The wedding veil holds significant symbolism and cultural significance. It traditionally covered the bride's face during the wedding ceremony and was lifted by the groom after they exchanged vows or during the first kiss as a married couple. Historically, they were worn to protect the bride from evil spirits or to symbolize her purity and modesty. A veil is now more of a fashion accessory that adds an element of dreamy elegance and romance to the bride's overall look. Veils come in various styles, lengths, and designs, allowing brides to choose one that complements their wedding dress and personal style. Some popular styles of wedding veils include birdcage (4 to 9", short and flirty covering just the eye, skimming the nose or falling at the jawline), cathedral (108-120", for the most regal entrance, this extends beyond the train of the dress and is the most dramatic down the aisle), fingertip (40", this falls beyond the hips and allows any design on the back of the dress to be seen through the sheer fabric), and blusher veils (30", less traditional but with vintage appeal, a short veil that falls over the face and ends near the top of the dress). Recently, they have beautiful details such as bows, pearls or floral touches. Choosing the perfect wedding veil involves considering the style of the wedding dress, the overall theme of the wedding, and the bride's personal preferences. Some brides opt for elaborate veils with intricate lace or beadwork, while others prefer simple and understated designs. To attach a veil, use a comb or hairpin, and remember to practice attaching and wearing the veil before the wedding day to ensure you are comfortable and confident with how it looks and feels. Ask your mum or bridesmaid to practice with you (it is handy having someone during the day who can help, as sometimes the wind or a guest's foot may pull it out!). Two of my favourite veil suppliers are www.sashandveil.co.uk and www.rebecaannedesigns.co.uk, featured in some of my images here. They create such beautiful designs and are lovely people to work with. Ultimately, the wedding veil remains a classic and timeless bridal accessory that continues to hold a special place in weddings, symbolizing love and commitment, and gives that romantic and mystical look to the bride.

I have just refreshed my website page about this topic https://www.jocunninghamphotography.co.uk/wedding-photograph-poses so thought it wouldn't hurt to do a blog post about it too. I think it is one of the main things couples worry about before their wedding day. Obviously not many of us are used to have professional photos taken - if we're lucky, we're good at quickly doing a pose with friends for Instagram! And these days couples do want good quality, candid-looking couple photos from their wedding. Unfortunately 'candid' photo opportunities do not always arise during the hectic wedding day and most photographers need to spend at last 20-30 minutes alone with the couple to create what looks like candid moments (where there aren't lots of guests with them/in the background). My "Poses Tips" page includes images of couples standing/walking/hugging in different ways - they are not embarrassing or cringing and the reason why photographers ask couples to do this is to create laughter, smiles and intimate moments. I find that when couples have looked at these examples together and had a little practice in front of a mirror, it really helps them feel more comfortable on the wedding day. The key is to try and ignore your photographer!, just be intent on each other, smile pleasantly, try and be relaxed and move as gracefully as possible. You don't need to be model-like, we just want natural moments and expressions. Get as close as possible, make each other laugh, whisper sweet nothings and tickle - anything which will make the photos relaxed and not stiff. Once you have seen my page, you can then have little practices together when you're out and about for a walk or just in the kitchen. Get in touch if you want any more advice on this, or a pre-wedding practice shoot - I think they are the best way to get to know what to do so you don't have to think about it again in the run-up to your big day!

Weddings are moving towards an 'Old Money' aesthetic at the moment, embracing timeless elegance and sophistication. Rather than cutting your cake for photos, think about having a champagne tower, with champagne saucers stacked on top of each other. Bride and groom pour the fizz in to the top glass and let it gradually drip down to the lower levels. Toast each other and all your guests for that 1950s style glam feeling. If your wedding venue does not have the coupes, try your friendly Swedish superstore! Visit my Wedding Tips page www.jocunninghamphotography.co.uk/wedding-tips-help for more trends and helpful wedding suggestions.

Tammie and Sal had their couple photos wandering around the grounds of their hotel which were very beautiful. Tammie's dress was by www.haloandwrenbridal.co.uk. Her makeup was by Amy Rose Makeup. The key to natural unforced couple photos is to move and walk gently and gracefully, looking at each other, having nice facial expressions and forgetting that your photographer is there.

It was. a beautiful November day, driving over Orchardleigh Park www.orchardleigh.net amongst the autumn colours, on my way to Lucy and Ben's wedding and first of all, getting ready/bridal prep photos at the Castle for the girls. We captured some very special light in the drawing room for Lucy's dress (www.thewhitecollectionbridal.co.uk) photos, and then made our way over to Elmhay www.elmhaypark.co.uk for a first look. Not many UK couples do a first look yet, but this was very special, with Ben facing away from the gateway where Lucy would appear, and she walked towards him with the beautiful walled garden behind her. We did couple photos afterwards before the ceremony, which again was different, but was lovely with the colours and statues around the couple (bouquet by www.lesfleursbristol.co.uk). The ceremony was in the Italian Garden and then the couple joined their many guests for canapés and champagne. The dinner was later in the afternoon by which time it was already dark, the candlelit room was beautiful. The couple had hired Katy Locke Design for the day - she was amazing, taking phone photos of couples and quickly painting them in watercolour postcard size. The guests and couple loved her designs, that would be a great big recommendation from me! Sparklers were before the first dance - tips for sparklers, PLEASE get the long ones, have lighters for everyone (as they all need to be lit at the same time) and please be careful as on this occasion I and the two videographers were walking backwards down a corridor of lit sparklers! Then came the first dance and mad dancing to the DJ - the bride stayed on the dance floor for hours and therefore so did their guests!

Alice and Karl got married on the Isola del Garda, an island in the centre of Lake Garda. Alice's wedding dress was by Mara Marie Bridal and her make-up by Amy Rose Make-up. The amazing colourful wedding florals were by Kate Floweran. The grounds of the villa were so beautiful, perfect for your group and couple photos. #italywedding #destinationwedding #weddingphotographer #weddingdress #weddingflowers

Hannah had some model test shots done at Exmouth Beach this autumn and also modelled outfits from Siena Boutique. The sea was still quite warm and she dared to go in! We were hoping for more of a sunset but actually the soft light we had was lovely. Hannah had been a bride earlier in the summer. #model #devonphotographer #devonmodel #exeterphotographer #modeltestshot #exmouthbeach

This lovely couple had their August wedding at Rockbeare Manor which is a beautiful country manor house venue very near to Exeter. The grounds and interiors are lovely, great for sunny and rainy weddings! The bride started prep over in the Dairy and then at 11am moved over to the glorious Drawing Room upstairs with a balcony looking over the driveway and fields. The men had a great time getting ready downstairs in the Billiards Room, with dark furnishings and beautiful light, just right for those 'manly' getting-ready photos. The weather was lovely for outdoor drinks, confetti and group photos. We did couple photos outside at goldenish hour! and some flash photography around the house. Bridal hair was by Gorgeous Bridal Hair, make-up by Kayleigh B Make Up , the bride's wedding dress was by Timeless Elegance Bridal Cardiff, flowers by Whoopsadaisy Florist in Sidmouth