Polly Alexandre Photography | Fine Wedding & Portrait Photography

Castelo di Melato, Tuscany

April 20, 2015

This week allow yourself to be transported back to sunkissed Chianti in Tuscany, Italy. I had the privilege of visiting the enchanting Castelo di Meleto for a wedding last summer and captured the estate and surrounding area whilst I was there.

Set on a hill overlooking the Massellone Valley, the historic and elegant Castello Di Meleto is set in Chianti and has incredible views. It offers rooms and apartments with Tuscan-style furnishings, and a traditional semi restored original interior, which is wonderfully atmospheric. I love it when old interiors are not restored to within an inch of their life, and still hold some character and signs of age.

The best part? You can actually stay here without getting married! Yes, it is also a hotel, and has some gorgeous swimming pool areas with beautiful views, perfect for a summer holiday.

It truly is an authentic castle, and a taste of old Italy. As well as the stones and bib urns of flowers, it has those quintessential rows of poplar trees lining the roads and views of rolling hills and vineyards.

The wedding I shot here will soon be published on Martha Stewart Weddings. Keep your eyes open for lots of gorgeousness on their site very soon!

Joanna & Adam – Jewish Wedding in London

April 13, 2015

This August wedding on a beautiful summers day truly complimented a beautiful bride and her handsome groom as they tied the knot under a traditional Jewish Chuppah in the orchard at Fenton House. After a wonderfully romantic Parisian pre-wedding shoot with Joanna and Adam, it was very special to shoot their London wedding.

Joanna, elegant in a Jenny Packham creation with her hair in an intricate up style was relaxed and clearly enjoyed every moment of her wedding day. A couple like this, so obviously in love, allows for wonderful natural photography, capturing those special moments that will evoke the same feelings all over again when looking back on their wedding album.

The wedding ceremony was followed by a drinks reception for the guests and then onto the formal reception where the traditional Jewish wedding dancing took place – before the formalities of speeches and eating! No Jewish wedding is complete without the chair dance, the Hora, in which strong guests hoist the bride and groom on chairs high above the crowd. The expressions on Joanna and Adam’s face really told a story of joy and celebration.

Joanna and Adam wanted me to capture their wedding day in way that would create a true story when looking back, showing the little details that made the day special and capturing the spirit of the celebration in all its tradition and elegance.

If you are planning your Jewish Wedding in the London area, please drop me a line..

Videographer : Bloomsbury Films // Florist : Mary-Jane Vaughan // Hair/Make Up : Michael Van Clarke // Dress Designer : Jenny Packham (both dresses) // Band : The Beat Union // Catering : Rhubarb // Venue : Fenton House Stationary: Signore del Mare

Joanna & Adam’s Paris Pre Wedding Shoot

April 6, 2015

Paris has to be every photographer’s dream. Around every corner is the perfect backdrop, a cute little nook, a hidden delight – all oozing romance and charm…..

In Paris even the street names are photogenic!

Paris however, was also the city that kept Joanna and Adam apart for several months before they married, when Adam’s job required him to relocate for a few months…. weekends on the Eurostar and a long distance romance kept the magic alive, but it’s no understatement to say that they were over the moon to be reunited when we did this shoot, a time when their return to London – together – was so imminent.

We stopped off for ice-cream, sat down at al fresco Bistro’s and paused in front of a cheese shop. Joanna & Adam danced in the street and stole a few little kisses. Joanna skipped beautifully round the cobbled streets in her high heeled Jimmy Choo’s, with the boundless joy of an American in Paris.

I can almost hear the gentle sounds of that typical Parisian music gently floating through the air…

If you would like to find out more about my Paris pre wedding shoots please email me.

Angie & Dag’s Wedding at Gaynes Park

March 30, 2015

Angie met Dag, and such was her love for him, she even committed to learning his native language, Norwegian, going to classes after work each week, such was her dedication to her husband-to-be.

Gaynes Park is set in the sprawling English countryside and has the most beautiful gardens, perfect for a quintessential English summer wedding. The old barn with an outdoor/indoor feel was the perfect place for guests to gather pre-ceremony for a drinks and chats.

The ever talented Sev, from The Hepburn Collection , worked his magic on Angie creating a timeless up-do in the form of a ballerina bun topped with a lace trimmed, cathedral length veil. I just love the oversized bun with it’s nod to the 60’s; so elegant…..

Florals, by Poppies Designer Flowers , were kept simple and elegant with white roses for the bridal bouquet and a mixture of purple hues for the bridesmaids who wore lilac. The colours played cleverly off of the gardens which had blooming lavender throughout. I first shot at Gaynes Park the year it opened as a wedding venue and it’s amazing to see how the gardens are developed. They really make a gorgeous backdrop for photographs.

Angie wore a halter neck, lace gown by Pronovias which added a modern twist to a classic look. This was accompanied by one of the most beautiful beaming smiles I have ever seen! Angie you just radiated happiness and love!

During the reception I love to shoot a lot of black and white. With black and white you focus in on the pure emotion, the feeling behind an image, and it lets the viewer connect with those special moments; a hug between father and daughter, a kiss from wife to her new husband, laugh out loud speeches, and a first dance to showers of paper confetti: the perfect celebratory end to a magical day.

Angie & Dag: with your first baby due soon, I would like to wish you a beautiful long and happy marriage and joyful and loving life together. It was a pleasure to be a part of your journey! Much love for your future together xxx

Credits: Brides Dress: Pronovias // Hair: Hepburn Collection // Florist: Poppies Designer Flowers // Cake: The Cake Parlour; Catering: Galloping Gourmet // Videographer: Gorgeous Films // Ceremony & Reception: Gaynes Park // Stationary & Paper Design: Rose Ruby Paper Co

Contact me for your Wedding Photography At Gaynes Park

Hilary & Ben’s Pre-Wedding Shoot in Ibiza

March 23, 2015

Hilary & Ben, who you may recognise, have been featured a few times here on the blog. Their engagement shoot in Ibiza where Hilary sported a modern red number, their pre wedding shoot in full wedding attire in Ibiza, a photo shoot around Oxford where they both attended Uni and finally the couple’s wedding day held at Claridge’s in London.

You & Your Wedding Magazine featured Hilary & Ben’s wedding in print, so you may have seen it there too!

It is couple’s like these who come along, just a small handful of times, who are so into their photography as well as their wedding, that really light me up. We had so much fun in all the various locations from Ibiza to Oxford and finally the grandeur of London Claridges. By the time the wedding came around we all knew each other very well and it made for a very relaxed and smooth day in terms of the photographs.

One final thank-you, Hilary & Ben, for selecting me to photograph such a special time in your lives.

If you are interested in a pre wedding shoot in Ibiza please drop me a line..