Andreea & Brendan's English Rose Wedding

Andreea and Brendan’s day at Childerley Estates is one I’ll always hold close. From the moment I first met the beautiful couple at a wedding at Voewood in Norfolk, I had a feeling we’d be a great fit.

After our first meeting, we later had a Zoom call, and Brendan told me, “I absolutely want to book you. I love your style, I love your colourway.” Hearing that meant so much, and spending time with them during their pre-wedding shoot and on their wedding day only confirmed what a special connection we shared.

Is a pre-wedding shoot worth it?

Brendan and Andreea’s wedding is a perfect example of why I recommend a pre-wedding shoot. These sessions are perfect for building up excitement before your wedding, but in addition to that, they’re also key for building trust, understanding and confidence before the big day.

After their pre-wedding shoot, Andreea was able to look through the images and tell me which she loved and which didn’t quite match her vision. She realised she preferred more traditional wedding portraits, and that was incredibly helpful. It meant I could carry that knowledge into the wedding day and make sure I was creating exactly the kind of images that felt right for them.

Most couples only get one wedding day, so it’s important that their photos truly reflect who they are and what they love. A pre-wedding shoot gives us the chance to fine-tune poses, angles and the overall mood together, so nothing feels like guesswork on the day.

These sessions are also a lovely way to experience how I work in a relaxed setting. Being photographed can feel daunting, especially if you’re not used to being in front of the camera or don’t always feel confident in photos. A pre-wedding shoot gives you time to get comfortable, try different poses and expressions, and discover what feels natural and flattering. By the time the wedding arrives, you already know what to expect, and that makes a huge difference.

Capturing beautiful wedding moments naturally

Brendan and Andreea are the kind of couple photographers dream of working with. They’re affectionate, playful and really at ease with each other. During both their pre-wedding shoot and the wedding itself, they were so giggly and relaxed. Brendan is great fun, and Andreea has such a warm, joyful energy. I felt instantly connected to them, which made documenting their story feel so natural.

Their day was filled with personal touches. Brendan actually made their wedding rings himself (such a meaningful detail!). Andreea is Romanian, and in one of the most romantic moments of the ceremony, Brendan said his vows in Romanian. Later, all the speeches from her side of the family were spoken in Romanian too, with printed English translations for guests. But honestly, you didn’t even need to understand the words. You could feel every bit of emotion in the room: the love, the pride, the closeness of their families. The atmosphere was incredibly moving.

Their first dance was another highlight: a beautifully choreographed routine to Ordinary (Wedding Version) by Alex Warren. As Andreea swooshed around the dancefloor in her stunning white gown, I knew this moment was completely “them”.

Getting wedding-ready and celebrating at Childerley Estates

Childerley Estates in Cambridge was the perfect setting for their celebration. The estate is full of history and surrounded by romantic gardens, old-fashioned roses, sweeping lawns and a peaceful lake. There’s even a restored Jacobean chapel on site, and the sense of history is everywhere.

Andreea got ready in the beautiful little chapel on the grounds, which gave the morning such an intimate feel. Later, the reception took place in the Long Barn - a rustic space filled with fairy lights that created a warm, cosy and romantic atmosphere. Outside, the gardens gave Andreea exactly the traditional English rose setting she had dreamed of. The flowers by Juliet McDowall at Willow and Wolf Flowers were absolutely stunning and tied everything together perfectly.

Driving down Childerley’s long private drive, through orchards and the Cambridgeshire countryside, feels just magical. And their day really lived up to that first impression.

Black and white film photography: Capturing unique, once-in-a-lifetime moments

I also photographed part of Brendan and Andreea’s day on black and white film, which added such a timeless, artistic layer to their gallery.

There’s something incredibly special about film photography at weddings; every frame is intentional, and that brings a beautiful sense of depth and authenticity to the images. Film handles light and contrast in a way that feels soft and ethereal, which suited their day perfectly.

Knowing these are once-in-a-lifetime moments makes shooting on film feel even more meaningful; each click of the shutter captures a real, unrepeatable memory. This results in a set of timeless photographs, sitting beautifully alongside the digital images to tell the full story of their wedding.

The kind of love story I adore capturing

Brendan and Andreea were a dream to photograph. Adding to that, they were surrounded by so many wonderful friends and family, and there was such a strong sense of love and togetherness all day long. I feel so grateful that they trusted me to document such an important chapter in their lives.

Suffolk-based wedding photographer: Capturing weddings in East Anglia and beyond

These are exactly the kinds of couples I love working with. If you’re planning your own wedding and want photography that captures not just how everything looked, but how it felt, I’d love to hear from you.

Please don't hesitate to make an enquiry about your wedding date, or find out more about my work on weddings and elopements.

Suppliers:

Photography: @mikaelajadephotography

Venue: @childerley_weddings

MUA & hair stylist: @makeupbysambridal

Rings: made by Brendan (the groom)

Florist: @willowandwolfflowers