As Autumn approaches...

August may be at an end but wedding season is still in full flow! September is a very popular month to get married. I'll be busy driving to shoot weddings in Yately, Chilworth, Beaminster, and Larmer Tree Gardens to name but a few of our couples' stunning Autumn wedding venues!

Thrilled to see Charlie and Simon's wedding feature as a Real Wedding in the new issue of Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding magazine! Such a lovely couple and a truly beautiful wedding...followed by fun and games at their post wedding party 4 weeks later!









I am also thrilled to see one of my 2012 wedding couples in the 'Your Wedding' magazine county-wide special editorial on engagement shoots. Jamie and Claire are both dancers and we had a huge amount of fun on their shoot, despite the drizzle, the black clouds and low temperatures...there's nothing quite like a boogie to warm you up!

New addition to my family!

Not exactly photography related but something I want to share!

Today I became a Grandma for the first time (at the age of 44!) when my son Ben and his partner Lizzy had their first child.

Mya Honey Burridge was born at 1pm on 3rd August, 2 weeks early and weighing in at 6lbs 8oz.

I am absolutely THRILLED to welcome my beautiful new granddaughter into this wonderful exciting world!

As you may have guessed, she is destined to be the most photographed baby ever!

Sunshine, rain, hailstorms and beautiful brides!

I'm amazed how quickly the time is passing by this year - it seems like it was only last week that the winter wedding fayre season was in full swing!

June and July brought us the usual mixture of weather conditions to deal with...from soaring temperatures and clear blue skies to cooler days with torrential rain. No matter what the weather threw at us, my wedding couples laughed and smiled their way through their long-awaited wedding days.

Ross and Trudy married at Wincanton Racecourse in June...the wedding day brought sunshine, rain, hailstones the size of marbles and cool winds...but it didn't stop them having a truly beautiful day!

A couple of new wedding 'testimonials'!

I love what I do...and I am always thrilled when I receive a thank you card or a note from the fabulous couples who choose me to capture their wedding day memories. I recently received the following 'testimonials' - and wanted to share them here!

''Just a note to say a big thank you for all your hard work. You are AMAZING! And your photographs are FANTASTIC! I knew you would be our wedding photographer when I found your website - completely by chance! You really are very talented - we are absolutely thrilled with what you have done for us.

Much love, Charlie and Simon x

PS - Also amazing that we are in 'Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding' magazine! FANTASTIC! Thank you so much! xxx''

Charlotte and Simon






''Hi Andrea,

We received our wedding photo DVD yesterday! The photo's look great and we already have lots of favorites, when we get round to ordering our photo book we can see the pages multiplying... it's so difficult to choose!

As we were looking through them we were reminded of moments during the day which we had forgotten in all the excitement. You and Lizzie did a fantastic job of helping to make our day so very special, fun and entertaining as well as being a jolly good photographer! Our guests have also commented on the fun you brought to having their photo taken.

If we hear of anyone requiring a photographer we will definitely be recommending you.
Thank-you for all your hard work and it was a pleasure to meet you!''

Scott and Sabrina

The first dance...

Search YouTube for 'wedding first dance' and you'll come across videos of entire wedding parties dancing down the aisle, re-enactments of the last dance scene from the film 'Dirty Dancing', street-dancing dance-offs, wedding party 'zombies' dancing to Michael Jackon's 'Thriller' and wonderfully choreographed pieces that have clearly taken couples a lot of time and effort to perfect! They're all wonderful in their own special way...but even a 'high school disco shuffle' style of dance can look truly awesome if photographed creatively...because lets face it, not all of us are cut out to dance like Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey!

A published expert - again!

Its a really busy time of the year for wedding photographers - wedding season really 'takes off' for us in May and I have lots of couples booking engagement-style 'test shoot meetings' with me prior to to confirming their booking with me. I still have a few dates available for booking in 2011 and 2012 is already heavily booked, with many key dates already taken!

I did find time to sit down with a cup of coffee this morning and enjoy browsing the latest issue of 'Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding' magazine - a fabulous bi-monthly bridal glossy. I am really thrilled to be a published 'expert' again ... there I am on the 'Ask the Experts' page (p59!) - the second time in 6 months that I've featured on the experts panel!

'Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding' is a great way to source suppliers for your wedding day and pick up ideas from the featured real weddings and articles. The magazine can be found in all leading newsagents and supermarkets across the south - the May/June issue is on sale now!

About time...! Hello 2011!

I've been rather neglectful of my poor blog! Time to make ammends!

After a busy end to 2010, the start of 2011 is looking even busier!

The spring wedding fayre season has kicked off in fine style! I'll be talking to couples at wedding fayres across the south, from Somerset through to Sussex. Wedding fayres are an excellent way to get some ideas for your wedding day and going along to a wedding fayre is also a great way to get to know the people who work so hard to make your day go so smoothly!

I'll be exhibiting on Sunday 27th March at the Meon Valley Marriott Hotel, Sandy Lane, Shedfield, Southampton, SO32 2HQ. If you're in the area, come along and say hello!

I still have some available dates for 2011. I'm already booked for many key dates in 2012 and 2013 - it's never too early to book your wedding photographer! Please CLICK HERE if you'd like to check my availability for booking or if you'd like to arrange a test shoot meeting!

Wedding of the year...another request for votes!

With just over a week to go, another request for votes as the deadline approaches for this months heat of 'Wedding of the Year'! If you haven't already voted and would like to help boost the vote count for Gemma and Michael who are shortlisted in Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding magazine's 'Wedding of the Year' competition, please click here and vote for them! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Another weekend, another wedding fair!

Tomorrow will see us spending another Sunday chatting about weddings and photography to brides and grooms - and their families and friends!

We'll be exhibiting at the Southampton Hilton, Bracken Place, Chilworth, SO16 3RB - click HERE for further details.

The fair is open from 11am through until 3.30pm. Come along and say hello...! It's a great opportunity to see more of our fabulous photography, look through our range of Graphistudio wedding books, ask us any questions you may have and discuss arranging a free test shoot meeting.

See you there!

Andrea get's 'published'!

I was absolutely thrilled to received my copies of Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding magazine yesterday, not only to see Gemma and Michael 'in print' in this month's shortlist for Wedding of the Year (vote for them HERE!) but also because I was asked to be 'an expert' on this month's 'Hot Topic' panel - on p.59 for those who intend to buy a copy! Quite a surprise to see a picture of myself in print rather than one of my couples!

Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding is a bi-monthly glossy publication, on sale in WHSmith, Martin McColl and all leading supermarkets from 22nd October.

Wedding of the Year 2010

I was absolutely thrilled to receieve a call today to tell me that one of my lovely couples has been shortlisted in Your Hampshire and Dorset Wedding magazine's 'Wedding of the Year' competition!

Gemma and Michael were married in August at Highfield Church, Southampton and had their reception at Balmer Lawn Hotel. Despite opting for an August wedding, it was a very rainy day with a stiff breeze and cool temperatures. Not a problem! Bridal umbrellas make great props...and the cool wet day certainly didn't deter any of the guests from celebrating...and enjoying the delicious ice-creams that were served outside the church!

Please click on the link below to vote for them - they'd appreciate your support!
http://www.yourhampshirewedding.co.uk/woty_vote.cfm?GI_WOTY_ID=652

A few images from the wedding day...

Looking for wedding ideas and advice?!

If you're looking for ideas and advice about your big day, then come along and say hello to us at The Exchange's first ever wedding fayre on Sunday 26th September! The Exchange, set in the historic market town of Sturminster Newton, is becoming quite a favourite with local couples. Entry to the wedding fayre is free and doors open at 11am.

Rain can be romantic...!

Another busy weekend saw us capturing wedding day memories in Boxgrove Priory on Saturday and chatting to lots of beautiful brides (and nervous grooms!) at a Wedding Fair held at Holbrook House, a fabulous country house hotel in the beautiful Somerset countryside.

The rain seemed to follow us from Dorset to West Sussex on Saturday morning but the day was still beautifully romantic with many giggles and lots of hugs...with umbrellas and bubble machines in abundance! Congratulations to Marie-Louise and Aidan!

Sunday's Fair at Holbrook was bustling with lots of couples looking for ideas for weddings  - where else could you chat to a photographer, sample champagne, check out wedding stationery, ask a dressmaker to design the gown of your dreams, order a five tier cake made from local cheeses or watch a fashion show, all under one roof?!

If you're looking for ideas for your big day, come along and see us at The Exchange, Sturminster Newton, on Saturday 26th September. The Exchange is a fairly new venue for weddings but is proving to be extremely popular with local couples. This is the first wedding fair for The Exchange and doors will be open from 11 am until 4pm.

September...and the start of Wedding Fayre season!

Wedding Fayre season usually kicks off in September but we were lucky enough to enjoy a fabulous evening meeting lots of couples at Stanton Manor's Autumn Wedding Fayre held on the 9th August - a great way to start off the season!

Our next Wedding Fayre is on the Sunday, 12th September at Holbrook House, Wincanton. Holbrook is a fabulous country house hotel set in the beautiful countryside of Somerset. The wedding fayre is open from 10.30am - 3.30pm and entry to the fayre is free - so come along and say hello!

The guys...!

A small selection of wedding photography...!

Busiest year on record!

The last weekend in August proved to be the busiest yet with another busy weekend next weekend.

It's been hectic but it's been great fun! I love my job - so much!

Congratulations to all my couples this year!

Andrea Burridge, LMPA!

I'm very pleased to announce that I have passed my Licentiate panel submission with the Master Photographers Association! I was a bundle of nerves after I submitted my panel of 20 images to the judges for critical evaluation and judging...but was ecstatic when I was told 1.5 hours later that I had passed my submission!

Watch this space for news on my DipPP qualification...

Hearts and flowers abound in the wake of Valentines Day! I wonder how many lovers felt the urge to take the plunge and propose to their partner?!

Last weekend I did a test shoot at Careys Manor, a fabulous venue in Brockenhurst. Caroline and Lee have chosen this venue for their wedding in August. We had a lot of fun taking some test shoot images in the hotel grounds - much to the amusement of the hotel guests who we imagined were thinking 'Are they famous? Is he that guy off the tv?!' They brought along Phoebe who also had fun pulling faces in front of the camera...!

The value of having a 'test shoot' should never be underestimated. Phoebe is going to be a bridesmaid at the wedding and having already met me, she won't be quite so worried about having her picture taken on the day itself. Caroline and Lee had met me at a wedding fayre and knew that they needed to book a photographer they enjoyed being with as well as loving the photographer's work.

After seeing their test shoot images, Lee emailed to say how much they loved them and confirmed the booking.

''Thanks for meeting us at Careys Manor last weekend. We have had a look through the pictures you have taken and we have to say they are great...it's not just the pictures, but your personality was really entertaining! We would love you to capture our wedding day, and we think that you will certainly get the best from us all. We look forward to speaking with you soon, and certainly look forward to some fun on the day!''

I'm looking forward to capturing Caroline and Lee's day too!

A test shoot taster...

Test shoots usually happen at your wedding venue, but can take place at another venue that has some special significance for you...maybe the place where the proposal happened or possibly where you first met. We spend about 45 minutes discussing how my wedding package would fit in to your wedding day, looking at examples of my work from previous weddings, and chatting about different ideas you may want to try out with regard to how we will capture those memories from your wedding day...and then the fun begins! Time to relax as we find somewhere suitable to take some fun and yet romantic 'engagement' style images of the two of you! The main point of this part of our test shoot meeting is for you to see how it feels to have me photograph you...if you're not relaxed with your photographer on your wedding day, it will be reflected in the resulting images. The final thing to remember is that I don't ask you to commit to a booking until you've seen the edited images from your test shoot and after you've had a chance to discuss how the meeting went and how you felt with me taking your photos!
A sort of 'Try before you buy' offer...it's an important decision, so why not!