Wedding Photographers St William's College, York | Samantha and Chris's Wedding

As West Yorkshire wedding photographers we're very lucky to get to work with some lovely couples and at some beautiful wedding venues.  It's really nice to have the chance to work at new venues as well as those we are familiar with, and Samantha and Chris had chosen to hold their ceremony at St Wilfrid's Garrison Church, Strensall and their reception at St William's College, York which is right next door to York Minster, both brand new venues for us. 

We first met Sam and her mum and dad, Margaret and Brian, at a local wedding fair and soon after the couple booked us, Chris left on a six month tour of duty, leaving Sam to plan the wedding with the help of her parents and sister, Victoria.  It was such great news when we received a message from Sam to say that Chris would be on his way home in a few days' time and could we arrange to meet for a chat about their plans for the day and their photography.  

The morning of the wedding was pretty cold and windy, typical of our English summer! However, at least the rain stayed away so we were extremely thankful for this.  We started at Margaret and Brian's house as Sam was having the finishing touches made to her hair and her spectacular feathered fascinator.  She really wanted photographs with her mum and dad before we left for the church and she was ready just in time for us to take these before we set off for Strensall to meet a very smart and very nervous Chris.  

The appearance of two beautiful classic cars from DoveCote Wedding Cars signalled Sam and Brian's arrival, right on time, plus Margaret and all the bridesmaids in the second car. Cars like these make for great photographs but at this point our attention was firmly on a smiling Sam, as she was helped out by her dad. 

The padre had already told Sam and Chris that he had no problems at all with us capturing the ceremony and this is always great news.  As a two photographer team, there are lots of advantages, one of which is being able to document this most important part of the day from the front and also the long shots from the back - two completely different perspectives.

After a shower of confetti and the group shots at the church door, everyone left for York and the reception.  As St William's College wedding photographers, we knew that the courtyard, so full of history and character, would be a great place for a few bridal portraits and some couple shots before the wedding breakfast.  Sam, although not keen on anything overly posed, did agree to a few classical style portraits.  She looked amazing!  

After a leisurely wedding breakfast and speeches, to which we were delighted to be invited, we had just enough time left before the evening party to disappear with Sam and Chris for some important photographs outside York Minster.  Sadly, it was impossible to use the front because extensive restoration work is taking place and scaffolding is everywhere, but the back of the minster was still a great place as a backdrop for some romantic portraits.  

We followed the new Mr and Mrs Wilson back to St William's College and the evening reception, which was kicked off with their first dance together as husband and wife, followed by party time expertly hosted by Ray and Daniel Gibson from Raise the DJ.  

Thank you Sam and Chris for booking us as your York wedding photographers and for giving us such great feedback on the day.  Enjoy your honeymoon!

Looking for a York wedding photographer?  Please give us a call on 01977 730159. Like our images?  Please Like us on Facebook, and if you were lucky enough to share Sam and Chris's special day, why not leave a comment?  Thank you.

Commercial Photographer West Yorkshire | Rogerthorpe Manor Team Photographs

As recommended photographers for Rogerthorpe Manor, we regularly work at this lovely venue, not only as wedding photographers but also whenever our friend Richard, the managing director, needs a West Yorkshire commercial photographer, or in this case, an update to his management team photographs.

We photographed the team a couple of years ago and since then certain members have moved on and others have joined.  Richard asked us to come in and capture some updated images of the new team and as well as taking similar shots to those we took last time, we discussed ideas for something different to reflect a more informal, friendly and approachable style, which is what his team are all about.

Unlike last time when it threw it down and we had to work very quickly to avoid everyone getting soaked, the weather was a lot more pleasant, enabling us to get the outside shots without problems before moving into the conservatory, where Roger the Hotel Goldfish, a much valued and important member of the team now joined the group, having decided to give the walking shots outside a miss!

Alex took a sequence of photographs as everyone in the team enjoyed coffee and chatted together, all the time keeping an eye out for Roger as he swam around his bowl!

After everyone else had returned to work, Richard had a couple of photographs taken on his own before we were left with Danny, Rogerthorpe Manor's Master of Ceremonies. A few standard shots later and we hit on a slightly different take on a photograph of the welcoming MC in his red tailcoat outside the entrance at Rogerthorpe Manor.  

Bagden Hall Wedding Photographer | Victoria and Chad's Wedding Photography

It's been a while since we were Bagden Hall wedding photographers, so it was a really nice to return to this venue for Victoria and Chad's civil ceremony and celebrations.  It was an early start at Victoria's parents' house which is local to us as Castleford photographers and when we arrived, hair and make-up was in full swing.

Working in Sue and Brian's bedroom, we sneaked Victoria's gorgeous dress in there whilst Brian was out of the way, as there were strict instructions that he wasn't to catch even a glimpse before Victoria was in it!  Alex set to work photographing jewellery, shoes, perfume and flowers whilst Janet kept an eye on Victoria's progress in the hair styling department.  There are so many benefits to having two photographers on a wedding day.   

Victoria's mum, Sue, had taken care of all the flowers which were spectacular.  She really did her daughter proud, even putting together a spare bouquet for her to throw to all the single women and a few not so single ones too as it turned out!  Personal touches like this make weddings really special and today was even more so because Chad's parents and brother had travelled unexpectedly all the way from New Zealand to attend and his sister, Cloe had made the long journey from Australia. 

Chad was all smiles when we met him at Bagden Hall and very enthusiastic about posing for photographs.  With dry weather hanging on by the most slender of threads, we just managed to complete the boys' pictures outside and were setting up for a shot of the wedding rings when the rain came.

The rain became a torrential downpour as the ceremony started and we and everyone else were willing it to stop and for this lovely couple to have the good weather they deserved.  Following the ceremony and Alex getting well and truly soaked to take some photographs of the cars, we started shifting furniture to take the group photographs inside when Tom, the wedding co-ordinator, announced that the rain had stopped.  As professional West Yorkshire wedding photographers, there is no better news you can hear on a rainy wedding day!

The sun came out and stayed out for the rest of the day, enabling us to work outside, capturing confetti, bouquet throwing, group photos and fun shots before Victoria and Chad greeted their guests for the wedding breakfast.  By the time they joined us after the speeches for their couple photo session, the grass was much drier, the light was much softer and we were all raring to go.

We had such a brilliant time photographing the couple together and when you get a bride and a groom who are equally enthusiastic about working with their photographers to get some fabulous images, you grab the opportunity with both hands, which is exactly what we did, working around the grounds of Bagden Hall and having lots of fun in the process.

After capturing the first dance, during which there was some amazing lighting to enhance the images, we left everyone to enjoy the rest of the evening party.  Victoria and Chad, have an amazing time in Thailand and we look forward to seeing you soon.

If you are looking for Bagden Hall wedding photographers, please call us on 01977 730159 and if you were a guest at Mr and Mrs Ensbey's wedding, you are welcome to leave a comment or Like us on Facebook.  Thank you.