Wedding photography, Lainston House, Hampshire
Lainston House
Dear Laura and Karsten, may your love bloom brighter and your companionship grow sweeter with each passing year. Congratulations on your wedding! It was an absolute pleasure meeting you both and a true honour to be part of your special day at Lainston House, a stunning venue in the heart of Hampshire.
Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer
When it comes to selecting your wedding photographer, finding someone who can truly reflect the essence of your day is essential. For this lovely couple, having Kristina and Diego capture their special moments was a perfect choice. They wanted photographs that were fun, colourful, and exciting, while also preserving all the intimate details and heartfelt moments.
From the very first meeting, the couple felt at ease. Kristina and Diego’s friendly and genuinely interested approach made the decision simple, and the results speak for themselves. Every photograph reflects the love, joy, and personality of the day — from the big moments to the tiny details. These images will be treasured for years to come, serving as a timeless reminder of a perfect wedding day.
Creating the Perfect Atmosphere for Your Wedding Day
Karsten and I met in the spring, so naturally we wanted our wedding to reflect the bright, fun, and fresh feel of the season. From the very beginning, we kept this vision in mind as we selected every detail — from bunting materials to glass jars and jugs for the tables, and even the floral “Mrs & Mrs” letters for the mantelpiece.
With so many beautiful ideas online and in magazines, it’s easy to get distracted. Our advice is simple: keep your final vision in mind at all times. By staying focused on the overall theme and atmosphere you want to create, you’ll be able to choose decorations and details that complement one another perfectly, resulting in a cohesive, joyful, and unforgettable wedding day.
Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue: Why Lainston House Was ‘The One’
For us, selecting the wedding venue was a no-brainer. I had worked as a casual waitress at Lainston House Hotel during university, so I had already attended hundreds of weddings there and knew firsthand what a magical setting it could be. The memories I had from working there made the venue feel familiar and special.
On top of that, Karsten is from Hannover, Germany, and we wanted his family and friends to experience a traditional English country wedding. Many of them had never visited England before, and Lainston House offered everything we were dreaming of: rolling lawns, a ruined chapel, a stately country house, and a charming barn.
With these factors combined — personal connection, breathtaking surroundings, and a classic English wedding experience — no other venue was even considered. It truly was the perfect backdrop for our celebration.
Wedding Inspiration: Blogs and Websites That Helped Us Plan
When it came to gathering ideas for our big day, we found some fantastic online resources that were both inspiring and practical. One blog that I highly recommend to future brides is 100 Layer Cake — it’s a treasure trove of wedding inspiration, and you can easily spend hours browsing through it!
For unique wedding details and personalized gifts, we loved browsing Cox & Cox and Not On The High Street. Karsten in particular found some special items for the day, including personalized map cufflinks — one showing his hometown in Germany and the other where we first met in England. These thoughtful touches made our wedding even more meaningful and personal.
Creative Wedding Table Titles: A Fun Story Behind Our Choices
Karsten and I left the idea of naming our wedding tables until quite late in the planning process. We struggled to find something personal and meaningful, until my sister suggested a brilliant idea: using words that describe moments or stories from our relationship that our guests might not know about us.
Each table title was displayed on the table plan, and our guests were invited to visit their table to discover a “dictionary-style” definition related to Karsten and me.
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Radio – Represented the time we both forgot Valentine’s Day and I got a shout-out on the radio while Karsten was commuting to work!
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Tattoo – Highlighted Karsten’s two tattoos and the flat we shared above a tattoo parlour when we first met.
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Zoo – Told the story of the location where we got engaged.
Our guests absolutely loved it, and it became a fun conversation starter, especially bridging the gap between our English and German friends. It was a small touch, but one that made our wedding day feel even more personal and memorable.
A Fun and Personal First Dance: Karsten & I’s Story
Karsten and I wanted our first dance to feel personal, fun, and memorable—not just the usual slow shuffle around the dance floor. To make it special, my Mum and I choreographed a routine to Cliff Richard’s Congratulations.
We chose this song because it appealed to both our German and English guests across generations, and the lyrics were surprisingly meaningful for us. Practicing it was such a joy, and keeping it a secret between my Mum, Karsten, and myself made the final performance even more exciting!
The result? A first dance full of smiles, laughter, and personality, which our guests still talk about. For couples planning their wedding, don’t be afraid to put your own twist on this magical moment—it’s your chance to create a memory that’s uniquely yours.
Wedding photography in Hampshire at Lainston House