Leez Priory, Chelmsford

Leez Priory weddings are always a pleasure to photograph, but Jennifer & Calum’s big day was off the charts in terms of cuteness. They were awesome together & their friends and family were really welcoming. I always say that people make weddings what they are, so I knew I was in for a heck of a day.

There are plenty of possibilities for where the Groomsmen choose to get ready, and today they decided that the picturesque cottage by the lake took their fancy to adorn the traditional Scottish clobber.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

As you can imagine, it’s like lads abroad when you walk in (or certainly like a typical university dorm room experience). It never takes too long to capture the guys getting ready and they appreciate this approach.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Weddings here do run like clockwork, I have to say, after being lucky enough to have photographed this venue on many occasions. The bridal party often stay at the nearby cottage overnight and then head upstairs to the main building overlooking the large tower, (which in fact was where the couple tied the knot).

I like to photograph the scenes nearer the end of the getting ready session where possible. I think this is where most of the magic happens. Jennifer was the kind of bride I would refer to as an English Rose. Elegant, yet always up for a laugh and didn’t take herself too seriously.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

The mood in the room was upbeat and emotionally charged. A photographers dream! Leez Priory has multiple rooms for the bridal party to get ready in and this offers a slightly different look from one scene to the next. We had the giving of gifts and then the first look with dad, (something I always look forward to). It hardly ever disappoints and I love how this one unfolded.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

THE CEREMONY UNDER THE TOWER AT LEEZ PRIORY

Outdoor ceremonies are a thing of beauty if you’re lucky enough to have the weather for it. Today, we have awesome people, a beautiful location and amazing weather. I mean, I love my job so much haha.

It’s actually one of the longer walks down the aisle because you have to come from the main building and walk all the way across the grass until you get in line with the tower, and then make your way through the guests and finally end up at the altar.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

You could tell Jennifer and Calum were really excited for this moment and it was a lovely ceremony that had many people shedding a tear of two.

During at Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

We then headed for the front of the main building where the couple wanted to have their confetti shot. This is where this venue really comes into its own. There are so many cool locations here that you’re really spoilt for choice.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

I often leave the couple to enjoy a drink with their guests at this stage. It’s the first time their friends and family get to talk to them, so I just kick back with a long lens and keep everything candid.

I’ll approach the couple when I feel that we need to get some couple shots. I don’t overshoot this part because it’s not a photoshoot – it’s a wedding, and I want my couples to be part of that and enjoy it.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

We chose the lake, the piano room and a nice secluded location away from everyone so the couple could enjoy a breather and a glass of champagne. They were so into each other and always having fun. It made my job easy to be honest.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

From here, most weddings head up to the coach house near the car park. The speeches were after the meal and provided another great opportunity for some special memories for Jen and Calum. It wasn’t long before the party worked their way back down to the main building where the evening entertainment began.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

The cutting of the cake always happens between the two large wooden doors where you first arrive. It’s a fantastic setting for this to happen and I’m really pleased with how things turned out. Again, we see everyone really taking in the moment and it’s the difference between an ok shot, versus an epic shot!

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

The first dance immediately followed the cake cut and often takes place in the same location. The guests dispersed around the edges and the couple did their thing. The wedding day coverage ended on the dance floor where the DJ played some classic tunes to get everyone going. A really enjoyable wedding.

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

During at Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

Leez Priory, Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom on 22 4 2022. Photo: Chris Woodman

So there you have it, this wedding at Leez Priory had everything you could want from your big day, and I just hope Jennifer and Calum enjoy these memories as much as I enjoyed creating them.

If you have a wedding booked here and want to see more inspiration, check out this blog: https://chriswoodmanphotography.co.uk/weddings-at-leez-priory-two-wedding-dresses-two-ceremonies/

Feel free to explore my website further if you’re looking for a wedding photographer: https://chriswoodmanphotography.co.uk/

Tel: 07746134504

Email: chris@chriswoodmanphotography.co.uk

Until next time guys,

Take care

~ Chris