Winter Wedding Photography at Newtown House Hotel Hayling Island Hampshire
After ten wonderful years of marriage, Toni and Vikki decided it was time to throw the party they never got to have the first time around. A vow renewal surrounded by their closest friends and family, full of love, laughter, and more than a few surprises. From the moment we had our first Zoom call — which ran well over time and was filled with laughter and big happy smiles — I knew this was going to be a truly special day.
Getting Ready at Newtown House Hotel
When I arrived I was greeted by Vikki, full of energy and soaking up a rare quiet moment while the kids enjoyed breakfast downstairs with Toni. That calm was not going to last long.
I headed off to find the ceremony room and bumped into Toni outside with her uncle — still in her pyjamas, which was entirely reasonable given the early start! We headed to the rehearsal together led by the wonderful celebrant Mandi, and that was when I had my first encounter with a rather magnificent owl. I will be honest — I was nervous about capturing it in flight. The aisle was short and the timing had to be absolutely perfect. No pressure at all.
The Prank
While chatting with Vikki she let me in on a cheeky plan she had orchestrated to prank Toni and swore me to secrecy. Vikki had arranged for one of her very close and very manly male friends to dress up in a white dress and trick Toni into thinking she was having her first look with her bride. To make it even more convincing Vikki had been telling Toni all along that she did not want a first look at all.
I am absolutely terrible at lying. But I had to play along and convince Toni that this first look was entirely my idea. Let’s just say I had to channel my inner Pinocchio.
The look on Toni’s face when the moment came was absolutely priceless. The photos of her reaction are hilarious and I think even Toni would agree it was completely worth every second of the deception. The laughter that followed set the tone for the entire day.
With all the trickery behind us Toni and Vikki shared a first touch — their hands gently meeting on either side of a door. Their beautiful daughter Elizabeth watching on with a big smile. One of those moments that felt completely genuine and full of love.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was led by the wonderful Mandi whose deep familiarity with Toni and Vikki was evident in every word she spoke. Personal, meaningful and full of warmth — you could tell she truly takes the time to get to know her couples and it made all the difference.
The ceremony was a perfect blend of laughter and happy tears. And yes — I managed to capture that magnificent owl in flight. One of the more unusual and spectacular things I have ever photographed at a ceremony!
Toni and Vikki had incorporated both a sand blending ritual and a handfasting ceremony into their vow renewal. Before the ceremony each guest was invited to add a pinch of sand to a jar as a symbol of their love and support — such a beautiful and personal touch. The handfasting with its intricate ribbons was equally moving.
Family Formals at Newtown House Hotel
The gardens were too wet for family photos on the day but that is where a bit of flexibility comes in. We made the most of the beautiful entrance at Newtown House Hotel which provided a really lovely and characterful backdrop for all the family formals. Sometimes a little adaptability leads to the most creative solutions.
The Speeches and Surprises
The speeches were short, sweet and absolutely packed with fun and laughter — exactly what you would expect from Toni and Vikki’s day.
After dinner I was caught completely off guard when some rather spectacular cool cars made an appearance — belonging to Mandi the celebrant and Gary. Toni and Vikki were absolutely beaming and they made for some brilliant photos.
Balcony Portraits and Evening Celebrations
I whisked Toni and Vikki away for a quiet moment on the balcony. The skies were grey but that is exactly where a bit of off camera flash creativity comes in. The two portraits we created out there were dramatic, stunning and taken just minutes apart. One of those moments that reminds me how much I love making something extraordinary out of the ordinary.
Then it was back inside for a brilliant game of Mr and Mrs hosted by Mandi, cake cutting, first dances, sparklers, a packed dancefloor and a huge group photo at the end of the night filled with vibrant colours and even more singing.
HEY WHAT’S WRONG WITH YOU. You simply had to be there.
Thinking About Newtown House Hotel for Your Wedding or Vow Renewal?
Newtown House Hotel on Hayling Island is a genuinely special venue — warm, characterful and with a team that truly goes above and beyond. Whether you are planning a wedding or a vow renewal it is a wonderful place to celebrate.
If you are planning a wedding or vow renewal anywhere across Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire and beyond and you are looking for a fun candid photographer who will capture every real and joyful moment, I would love to hear from you 😊
Planning your own celebration here? Here’s everything you need to know about getting married at Newtown House Hotel.
