Ivy Hill Hotel Wedding - Ingatestone, Essex.

This was my first time photographing a wedding at the Ivy Hill Hotel in Ingatestone, Essex—and what a day it was! Louise & Dale were the perfect couple and absolute naturals in front of the camera during their portrait session after the ceremony. It was a magical summer wedding in a beautiful setting. As an Essex-based wedding photographer, I always love working at local venues like this one—it makes the day feel even more personal.

The ceremony took place in the Margaretting Suite at the Ivy Hill Hotel, with 55 of Louise & Dale’s closest family and friends there to celebrate. As an Essex-based documentary wedding photographer, I’m always focused on capturing real, heartfelt moments—and this ceremony had so many. From Louise walking down the aisle on her dad’s arm, to a touching moment with her mum and their little girl, Elizabeth, just before it all began—these were the kind of scenes that tell the true story of the day. It was an emotional and intimate ceremony, and a privilege to document it all in an honest, storytelling style.

Just after the ceremony we headed outside for a quick confetti throw. I gave the usual heads-up to the guests—“aim up, not at their faces”—which mostly worked! Louise & Dale came through to a shower of colour, big smiles, and a few direct hits, but they took it in good spirits. It made for some great, relaxed shots that really captured the energy straight after the “I do’s.”

After the confetti, we took a bit of time for some relaxed group shots with family and close friends. Nothing too rigid—just making sure we got the key people together without it feeling like a photoshoot. I always try to keep this part moving quickly so everyone can get back to enjoying the day.

While that was happening, I also grabbed plenty of candid shots—guests chatting, kids running around, little interactions that often go unnoticed. These are the moments that really show the atmosphere of the day and bring the story together when you look back at the full gallery.

After the ceremony and confetti, we took some time for Louise & Dale’s couple portraits around the grounds of Ivy Hill Hotel—and what a fantastic backdrop it was. The venue offers a perfect mix of manicured gardens, elegant architecture, and lovely natural light.

We started with some relaxed walking shots along the gravel path, where I captured them chatting and laughing together, completely in their element. From there, we headed over to the beautiful pond area—one of my favourite spots at the venue. Louise & Dale shared some quiet moments on the little bridge, followed by a few portraits on the grass nearby. The light was absolutely brilliant—soft, golden, and perfect for capturing those warm, intimate moments between them.

It’s always a joy to shoot at venues like Ivy Hill, where the setting naturally complements the couple and helps tell their story so effortlessly.

With the group shots and candid moments wrapped up, we headed inside for a relaxed cake cut to round off the afternoon. No big reception or formal sit-down—just a laid-back moment with their guests gathered around, followed by some great laughs as Louise & Dale sliced into the cake together. Simple, honest, and very “them.”

After the cake cut, it was straight into a full-on evening on the dance floor—and the atmosphere completely shifted. Not only were we celebrating Louise & Dale’s wedding, but it was also Louise’s 40th birthday, so the evening became a joint celebration with an extra level of energy. The music kicked off, the lights went down, and the party really started.

To properly capture the feel of the evening, I used flash throughout the dancefloor coverage—getting right into the middle of the action to freeze those big moments, reactions, and movement. There was no standing back; I was up close and involved, which you can really see in the final shots. Everyone was in great spirits, dancing, laughing, and making the most of the night.

Flo Events were also there with a 360 video booth, which added another fun layer to the evening. Guests jumped in wearing fancy dress bits—hats, glasses, wigs—and I managed to grab some brilliant candid photos around the booth while people were messing about and getting involved. It was such a lively, fun end to the day, and the kind of coverage I love to shoot—real, messy, joyful moments with loads of personality.

If you’re planning a wedding at Ivy Hill Hotel in Ingatestone or at any of the beautiful venues across Essex, I’d love to be part of your special day. Based near Burnham-on-Crouch, I’m an Essex wedding photographer who regularly covers weddings throughout the county, including Maldon, Chelmsford, and the surrounding areas. Whether your celebration is at a historic manor, a charming barn, or a stylish hotel like Ivy Hill, I focus on capturing the genuine moments and emotions that make your day unique.

My documentary-style approach means I work unobtrusively to tell the full story of your wedding—from the quiet, intimate moments to the lively celebrations—allowing you to relive your day through natural, heartfelt images.

If you’re looking for a photographer who knows the local venues and understands the beauty of Essex weddings, get in touch—I’d love to hear about your plans and help create lasting memories.