The English Toastmasters Association - International

Readers of my blog may well recognise my support and admiration for the English Toastmasters Association and its members.

One fact that may not be known about this progressive and dynamic organisation is that there are a number of Internationally based members from far afield as the USA, Italy and even Rochdale.

It was with Rochdale member David Pinder that I had pleasant lunchtime meeting earlier this week with my good friend and Toastmaster Richard Palmer discussing all aspects of the wedding industry.

Tea and Toastmasters (no marmalade)

One of the greatest pleasures that I have is meeting my good friend and Toastmaster - Richard Palmer (seen below with Lucy and Steve when I photographed their wedding at Ivy Hill last month) and members of the English Toastmasters association.
Yesterday I met newly enrolled Toastmaster Geoffrey Cornwell from West Sussex. We discussed at length the role of Toastmasters and how from an Essex Wedding Photographer's perspective we can work together to ensure the happy couple's day goes without a hitch (other that between themselves).

All photography copyright CourtOnCamera Wedding Photographers in Essex

Gareth and Carenna Pre-Wedding Shoot

One of the delights about being an Essex Wedding Photographer is that one catches a glimpse of the sheer scale of the organisation and planning undertaken by the Brides, Grooms and most importantly Mums'.
This week I met Gareth, Carenna and Ann (Carenna's Mum) for the planning meeting and pre-wedding shoot at their home in Chingford. Carenna and Gareth are getting married later this month at Boreham House, with my good friend Richard Palmer as the Toastmaster.

CourtOnCamera are the Wedding Photographers in Essex of choice.

Lucy and Steve's Wedding Photographs - St Mary's Church Great Baddow , Furze Hill and Ivy Hill

On Saturday I had the great honour and pleasure to be invited to photograph Lucy and Steve's wedding at St Mary's Church Great Baddow. The reception being held afterwards at Furze Hill and Ivy Hill Margaretting.

Lucy has a great love of horses, and what better way to arrive and leave the church than in a carriage drawn by two greys provided by Heritage Horse Drawn Carriage Masters.

As is fitting Lucy got carried away.........
My good friend Richard Palmer was the Toastmaster for the day - as well as providing the evenings entertainment with the Classic Nomad Disco.
Richard is also a family friend of Lucy, whose horses are stabled next to Richard's Office, and whose family home he passes every day.

Absolutely no pressure then on me as an Essex Wedding Photographer, having been recommended by one of the country's top Toastmasters, to photograph a friends wedding at Furze Hill and Ivy Hill in his presence!

The weather on Saturday was really quite amazing for Lorna and Stephen's wedding at St Mary's Church Bocking and Gosfield Hall. I really have to stand back and take a reality check sometimes, am I really getting paid to photograph two people at such a wonderful and happy event? I do soooooooooooo love my job as a Wedding Photographer in Essex.

As an added bonus the supporting crew were first class - Sue from Gosfield Hall really made us all at home, Theresa the Wedding Planner made sure we washed our hands before we sat down for our tuck, Phil Judd and the Video Crew were just plainly nice guys and are highly recommended, Mitch from Classic Nomad provided the music to his usual high standard, whilst my good friend and Toastmaster Richard Palmer made sure the day ran like clockwork - and tucked in Stephen's shirt when necessary.

Good things never last, the evening ended in fireworks - Lorna and Stephen's Wedding at Gosfield Hall was CourtOnCamera by THE Wedding Photographers Essex.

When will it ever stop raining? Last night's pre-wedding shoot with Lucy and Steve was held in a stable with just a 100 watt bulb hanging high in the roof for light. We had intended to catch the "golden hour". Having spent most of the last 16 years in stables with my eldest daughter Rebecca I felt really at home. Lucy and Steve are getting married at St Mary's Church Great Baddow in July with the reception being held at Ivy Hill - the toast master will be my good friend Richard Palmer and the evening entertainment will be provided by the Classic Nomad Disco. Photography will of course be provided by Wedding Photographers Essex - CourtOnCamera

For the technically minded the above photograph was taken with a Nikon D3 24-70mm zoom 1/60sec f2.8 at 6400 ASA.

Despite the weather on Saturday I had a wonderful time photographing David and Ann's wedding at the Church of St John the Baptist Leytonstone with the reception at Gaynes Park Epping . My colleague Andrew Morgan of the The English Toastmasters Association www.englishtoastmasters.co.uk/ provided vital assistance throughout the day - as can be seen toastmasters are not only known for their ability to operate a Dualit www.dualit.com/.

The evening entertainment was provided by DJ Mitch and the Classic Nomad Disco www.thedisco.co.uk/.