Our very good friend Chris Franklin from Devizes is a popular choice as wedding photographer.
He supports all the activities of the big day, and works hard to ensure all runs smoothly for the benefit of the bride and groom.
" After all, it is their day!" he says.
Chris takes on weddings in return for a donation to our Happy House which he has supported for many years.
He is in the sponsor family of Harrison and enjoys sharing updates on this special little boy with the happy couples.
As a wedding photographer, Chris, who is also our webmaster, is well known for his quirky comments, managing the event, working with the bride and groom and even bringing along his mascot Chuck the Duck to meet them.
He is supported in his wedding work by his wife Helie. She helps Chris with arranging groups, ensuring dresses are picture perfect and taking ‘paparazzi’ style photos to add to the album.
Chris says “I have been known to take “one more photo just in case”, and often end up giving the couple 1,000 plus photos. We combine the posed shots with the candid and create a documentary style photo shoot." It's a pleasure to be part of the big day and to know the children at the Happy House will benefit from the donations we get for taking the wedding photos”
Chris and Helie have recently photographed three weddings in exchange for Happy House donations.
Paul and Ellie
Pau and Ellie married at the lovely location of the Cotswold Water Park Hotel in South Gloucestershire. A warm and sunny day made this a great location where they and their guests and could enjoy the beautiful backdrop of lakes. The couple also got to meet Chris’ mascot Chuck! The couple are keen to find out more about the Happy House and would like to visit one day. On donating the money Paul said "We hope this helps support the fantastic work going on - Good Luck".
The second wedding - Katie & Newlands
A perfect summer's day greeted Newlands and Katie for their special day. Maid of honour, sister Amy, had arranged a surprise for the bride, groom and father. A carriage pulled by two white horses arrived before the ceremony at the Bear Hotel, Devizes.
Katie and her father Mark were taken out for a carriage ride around the town of Devizes as local people waved and cheered them on.
The ceremony and reception took place in the Bear Hotel. Newlyweds Katie and Newlands were waved off by family and friends as they too had a carriage ride around the town as they sipped champagne.
Chris said “It was a great day did and I was pleased to meet the bride's Uncle, Phil Evans who by chance visited the Happy House in June, certainly is a small world”
Amy and Mark
Amy and Mark chose the church of the Immaculate Conception, Devizes, for their wedding on a lovely August day. The sun shone as everyone arrived. Amy posed happily in her mother’s garden enjoying the sunshine, before leaving for church for a touching ceremony with family member Father Vincent leading proceedings.
The weather changed just as the church service ended. The heavy rain did not dampen their spirits with lots of *smiles* and, of course, photos. Amy and Mark lefttyhe church, leading the way to Norton St Philip where the reception was held in Tipi tents. A dramatic setting which everyone enjoyed.
Amy and Mark, both teachers, were keen to support the Happy House and to sponsor a child in Kenya who could then have an education.
Helie said “I was lucky to take photos of the bride at her house and she did not stop smiling for the whole day. I was pleased to be able to do my bit to help raise money. An amazing day and we all raised our glasses to all the children at the Happy House”
