Wednesday 27 June 2012

Wedding Photography Hazlewood Castle | Pamela and Aidan


We first met Pam and Aidan at a wedding fair before they had set a date and it was great to receive the call, some time later, to tell us that they had named the day and booked Hazlewood Castle for their wedding reception.

Now you'd hope that a wedding in the middle of June would mean decent weather but we had just about everything thrown at us on their wedding day - bright sunshine, wind, drizzle and torrential rain.  However, we took it in our stride, used brollies when we needed to and were thankful that the guys' and the bridesmaids' photographs at the church, Pam's arrival with her dad, Henry, and congratulations afterwards were able to be taken outside without having to use the umbrellas. 

We made an early start with the girls in the Lavendar Suite to capture the activity as Pam got ready, leaving a while later to join the boys in the Vavasour Restaurant as they fixed cravats, cufflinks and buttonholes.  We returned to Pam as she was getting into her amazing dress and just before her mum and dad arrived, enabling us to capture their reactions as they saw their daughter as a bride for the first time.

The pretty Edward the Confessor Church in Clifford, near York was the location for the Catholic wedding ceremony and having met the priest already, we knew that there were absolutely no restrictions on photography.  After the ceremony and congratulations, we took the bridal party back inside for a photograph at the altar as this was something Pam and Aidan really wanted.

The weather continued to hold up as we left the church but as we were driving to the venue, the heavens opened.  Plans to take photographs with the car on the lane had to be abandoned in favour of taking them in the courtyard where there's more shelter and by the time we got there, the rain had eased to more of a drizzle.

We spent a bit of time with the bridal party on the bus the couple had hired to transport the guests and made plans to start photographing the groups inside.  During this time, the majority of the guests had been shower dodging - outside for the big group shot, then back inside to avoid the rain, then outside again as the sun came out.  We were delighted that it stayed out long enough to get some photographs of Pam and Aidan in the courtyard and all except the last two groups before the rain came again, forcing everyone indoors and us into the Great Hall to photograph it all set up whilst the couple spent some time with their guests.

Pam had a special request that she really wanted some bridal portraits taking in the Flemish Hall with its striking black and white tiled floor and as regular wedding photographers at Hazlewood Castle, we know that this is where guests mingle and chat. However, we knew how to get these images for Pam and we are delighted with the results.

With the rain now just a slight drizzle which we could easily ignore, Pam and Aidan joined us outside for some photographs featuring the spectacular backdrop of Hazlewood Castle, before moving from the castle into the marquee for their evening party and first dance. Pam asked for a couple of additional group photographs and once we'd done them, we suggested something fun - a twirl to show off that gorgeous dress of hers resulting in some images we absolutely love and hope she does too.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hughes and thank you for allowing us to share your wonderful wedding day which was lots of fun and full of laughter.
























































Thursday 21 June 2012

Aldwark Manor Wedding Photography | Louise and Phil


It's a while since we've been wedding photographers at Aldwark Manor but we were really looking forward to capturing Louise and Phil's special day and it was so nice to be back at this lovely wedding venue.    

After starting the day with a few scene setting shots which will make a nice opening chapter to Louise and Phil's storybook album, we joined Louise, bridemaids Faye, Amy and Anna and Louise's mum, Jill, as they had hair and make-up done.  Louise's beautiful, elegant dress was moved upstairs to be photographed, along with her shoes and other important bits and pieces.  Her "something blue" seemed to missing, however, until Louise let us into her secret - blue painted toenails!     

We met up with the boys for their photographs around the venue and kept Phil busy for a while longer once the others had gone inside to carry on with their duties.  Andrew, Louise's brother, had flown over from Singapore to attend the wedding and it lovely to see him again.  A quick chat with the registrars and we were very happy to be told that we could take photographs during the civil ceremony which turned out to be really beautiful and quite emotional too.  

The newly married Mr and Mrs King enjoyed a glass of champagne with their guests as we started the group photos and we were very impressed with how everyone was there, right on cue, enabling us to get them done really quickly, leaving time for some fun shots with the bridal party and a short photo session with the couple before the wedding breakfast.    

The weather behaved itself right through the drinks reception and photographs and throughout the wedding breakfast and speeches.  We'd planned to spend some time with Louise and Phil afterwards so that we could take some photographs at a couple of locations around the grounds of Aldwark Manor and although it did start drizzling a bit, those guys were amazing and just carried on.  We'd just got back inside and the heavens opened!  But as the couple wanted some photographs on the staircase, this was the perfect time to do them.

We knew there was a surprise firework display planned and we were hoping that the rain would stop so that everyone could enjoy it to the full and we could get some great photographs.  We did get our wish and we were over the moon to be able to capture some really good images which will be the final chapter in Louise and Phil's album.

Congratulations Lou and Phil and thank you for looking after us so well and for being such a pleasure to photograph.  We had a fabulous day with you and with your families and friends and we can't wait to show you the pictures.  Here's a small preview.















































Thursday 14 June 2012

Wedding Photography Hazlewood Castle | Tracey and Patrick


On Saturday, 2 June, we had the pleasure of sharing Tracey and Paddy's special day as they married at St Augustine's Roman Catholic church in Leeds and then enjoyed a great celebration afterwards with lots of family and friends at Hazlewood Castle.

Although the weather was dull and overcast, this was brilliant for photographs and we were very happy that the rain held off all day, allowing us to work outside and make the most of the lovely locations on offer at Hazlewood Castle Hotel.

First stop of the day was at Tracey's parents' home where her dad, Tommy, gave us a very warm welcome and looked after us until the girls returned from having hair and make-up done.

As Leeds wedding photographers, we've worked at St Augustine's church before and we met up with Paddy and his attendants for their photographs, being joined around the same time by our friend, Alan Macmillan from Macmillan Films and his assistant, Jack, who were expertly capturing the day on video.

Tracey arrived with her proud dad for the ceremony and some time later, she and Paddy were showered with confetti, had a few photographs taken in the garden beside the church and then we left for Hazlewood Castle.  With the weather holding up nicely, everyone enjoyed the champagne and Peroni drinks reception in the courtyard whilst we got on with the group photos.

At our consultation a few weeks before the wedding, Tracey mentioned that she loves the Hollywood sign and so her dad made a very special gift for his daughter and her new husband, a Hollywood style Tracey & Patrick sign which was set up on the grass opposite the marquee. 

We love capturing the whole wedding day, although our favourite time is when we get the bride and groom on their own to create some of our signature shots and this is when we get some very special images for them.  As Hazlewood Castle wedding photographers, the only problem with this venue is that you're spoilt for choice when it comes to the backdrops to choose, but Tracey and Paddy were great to work with and up for giving anything we suggested a try, resulting in some fabulous images.

Following the wedding breakfast and the speeches, including a particularly touching one from Tracey's twin sister, Berni, we managed another short photography session with the new Mr and Mrs Heneghan before their evening guests arrived.  The evening party kicked off with Tracey and Paddy's first dance together, followed by some very lively music from the band, The Crackers, and some very lively dancing from a lot of the guests.  Tracey and Paddy's family and friends really know how to party!

Our sincere congratulations to you both and a huge thank you for choosing us to be there to capture your fabulous fun wedding.

We are recommended wedding photographers for Hazlewood Castle so please call us on 01977 730159 to check our availability on your wedding date.






















































Friday 8 June 2012

Wedding Photography at Rogerthorpe Manor | Xanthe and Phil


Our first port of call was with Xanthe and her sister, Poppy, as they got ready for the ceremony.  As Rogerthorpe Manor wedding photographers, it was great to be back at this lovely venue and we are very lucky to work there regularly, being recommend photographers for Rogerthorpe Manor Hotel.

Phil had let us in on a surprise he had for Xanthe.  He had bought her a beautiful heart shaped sapphire, displayed in a heart shaped box, which he had delivered to her room. Xanthe and Phil also surprised us and everyone who had played a part in their wedding with a lovely gift bag of goodies.  This was such a wonderful, kind gesture and something we really appreciated.  The chocolates were delicious!

We caught up with the boys outside for their photographs before returning to Xanthe who was now in her gorgeous dress.  After the civil ceremony in the Lawrence Suite, everyone enjoyed the drinks reception and the sunshine on the main lawn as we started with the group photographs plus probably the most spectacular shower of confetti we've ever seen.  Xanthe really wanted the confetti photographs and was taking no chances, providing numerous boxes of it for her guests to help themselves to.  

Xanthe had some beautiful and unusual shoes which gave us an idea for an arty image with a fashion feel to it.

With great weather, generous timings and efficient co-ordination, Xanthe and Phil's groups were quickly taken care of, leaving time for a the new Mr and Mrs Brown to have photographs together before the speeches and the wedding breakfast.  

With a mid-day wedding and long daylight hours, there was lots of free time after dinner and Phil made good use of some of this time to play cricket with the children on the rear lawn, but we did manage to get him to join his new bride for a few more photographs together.  

After the first dance featuring an exploding balloon, it was time to say goodbye to everyone.  Our sincere thanks to Xanthe and Phil for choosing us to capture their special day. Congratulations to you both!