Wedding Photography Waterton Park Hotel | Louise and Robin

It was lovely to be invited to be Waterton Park wedding photographers for such a great couple.  Louise and Rob booked us to capture their celebrations, which were held on an autumn day at this beautiful, picturesque venue and as Louise got ready there before the civil ceremony, it was a day of wedding photography at Waterton Park Hotel.  As this was a 3 pm ceremony, every minute was precious as we knew that any photographs which had to be taken in daylight had to be completed by just before 5 pm, when everyone was called for dinner, as it would be pitch black by the time the speeches were over.

We'd just arrived and checked out the ceremony room when we were greeted by Louise's auntie Rosemary, who was accompanied by her dad and Louise's granddad, John, who at 91 years young, is still very much a charmer.  It was lovely to see Rosemary again, who, along with her husband Geoff, we've had the pleasure of getting to know during the run up to the wedding, and it was uncle Geoff who had the honour of giving his niece away.   First though, there was the important job of capturing a beautiful bride getting ready for the ceremony and photographing her dress and accessories.  We were given a warm welcome by the bridesmaids, Louise's mum Teresa and auntie Ann when we arrived upstairs and it was something of a luxury to have a huge room to work in.

The walk over the bridge to meet Rob confirmed that it was windy and quite cold but we were hoping that after two rainy weddings the previous weekend, the wet stuff would stay away.  We also had our fingers crossed that the wind wouldn't have completely stripped the autumn leaves from the trees.  The backdrop of colours at this time of year is stunning and we kept Rob and his attendants busy for while until the guests started to arrive, returning to Louise to capture her dress being fastened before her walk down the stairs and into the ceremony with her proud uncle Geoff.

Louise had taken no chances when it came to confetti shots, placing boxes of it on the chairs in the ceremony room.  This is such a great idea when you really want these photos because you can't always guarantee that guests will remember to bring it.  Her planning was well rewarded with a very impressive effort from everyone and some great images captured, before we headed back over the bridge to the drinks reception and the group photo session.

As we were very much working against the clock to maximise the time we had, we were really grateful for everyone's co-operation in helping us get the group shots in the can as quickly as possible, so that we could then work with the couple and get some photos in the must have locations that are very much a part of Waterton Park wedding photography. The eye catching backdrop of autumn colours just begged to be used in some beautiful bridal portraits and couple photos.  Louise and Rob were wonderful to work with, smiled throughout and enthusiastically went along with our ideas. Couples like them are the reason we love being wedding photographers!

Amy was on hand to look after everyone and we really appreciate how well she looked after us too, ensuring that the wedding breakfast room was ready for us to photograph at the scheduled time and liaising with us throughout the day to make sure that everything ran smoothly.  The room really did look lovely in its turquoise and white scheme and once these images were captured, we had a few minutes whilst the guests took their seats, to photograph the new Mr and Mrs Meegan at the front of the hotel.  We returned in time for the speeches, which were a perfect mix of the emotional and the hilarious and a selection of these will make a brilliant double page spread in the couple's storybook.

It was completely dark by the time Louise and Rob joined us again and as we knew that their evening guests would be arriving soon, we had to decide on the best use of the time we had and what should take priority.  This turned out to be some lovely, creative portraits of Louise on the staircase and some evening photos of the couple at the front of Walton Hall, before it was first dance and party time.

Our thanks go not only to Louise and Rob for being so fantastic and for working with us to cram as much as possible into the time we had, but also to their wonderful families.  It was our absolute pleasure to be there to capture this beautiful autumn wedding.

If you are looking for a Waterton Park Hotel wedding photographer, we are recommended by the venue and we would love to hear from you.  If you'd like more information, please call us on 01977 730159 or visit us at our West Yorkshire wedding photographer website.   You can also follow us on Facebook.

Please enjoy the images, which are protected by copyright Alex & Janet Durasow.

Wedding Photographer Hatfeild Hall | Helen & Martin's Wedding Photography Wakefield

It's been a long winter and we were very happy to kick off our 2012 wedding season which started with Helen and Martin's wedding in early March.

As wedding photographers in Wakefield, Alex had been exhibiting at a local wedding fair and it was here that he met Helen and her mum.

The couple had some unusual and quirky ideas mixed in with their traditional wedding. Or rather, their wedding at St Peter's Church Centre in Stanley, near Wakefield.  The problem with St Peter's church is that, well, it's literally falling down which is such a shame as it's a very picturesque and beautiful church.  However, the family have been using the church centre for a long time and Helen's mum, Dawn got married there so the church centre means a lot to the family.

After the ceremony, a few shots at the church and confetti throwing, we moved off having decided to take most of the wedding photographs at Hatfeild Hall where we met up with Helen and Martin as soon as they arrived to take some photographs of the new Mr and Mrs Walker, featuring their lovely blue Bentley.

It was a very windy day and as Helen was wearing a gorgeous full length veil, shelter was called for, so after the big group shot on the lawn, we moved the short distance to the front of the hall which improved things for everyone, in particular our bride.

We'd heard about the cake the couple had chosen and it was pretty impressive!  A Disc World cake inspired by the novels of the same name.  The problem was, Helen didn't have the heart to cut into the turtle!!!!  With the speeches before dinner which is always a good idea for a nervous groom, we left everyone to enjoy the wedding breakfast.

After dinner was over and with the light fading, we suggested to Helen and Martin that we get a few photographs of the two of them together before they went back inside to join their guests, take their first dance as husband and wife and party.

Thank you to both of you for choosing us and for being our first wedding couple of 2012.

West Yorkshire Wedding Photographers

Wedding photography at St Luke's church, Sharlston and the New Wheatsheaf, Whitwood for Natalie and Chris on 4 September 2010

Natalie and Chris's wedding day was one of perfect weather and understated elegance.  It was a privilege to be asked to capture their celebrations, not least of all because Natalie's dad, Dave, was a wedding photographer in Wales in another life and we knew how much of a compliment it was for him to trust us with photographing his beautiful daughter's wedding.

Our first stop was at Dave and Jude, Natalie's mum and dad's house where we got to work on photographing Natalie's lovely, elegant wedding gown and her accessories, including something else Chris didn't know about - a pair of striking red satin shoes.  Natalie made us laugh because she said that she had been trying to wear the shoes in a bit to make them more comfortable before the wedding but because Chris didn't know about them, she kept sending him out whilst she wore them around the house, including while she did the ironing!  Natalie was determined to be ready before we left so that she could have photographs with her mum and dad and also with one other member of the family - Cari!

Leaving Natalie to her finishing touches, we met up with the boys at the church to capture their pictures before the ceremony.  As Wakefield wedding photographers, we have worked at St Luke's church before and it was nice to be back. 

With permission from the vicar to photograph the ceremony from the front and the back, we got some brilliant images as the couple exchanged vows.  Natalie's expression throughout the ceremony was one of pure joy and just beautiful to watch and to capture. 

To give the couple more variety in their images, we had arranged for them to join us at Queen's Park in Castleford for their pictures together after the ceremony.

After spending some time getting some relaxed photographs of Natalie and Chris together, we headed off for the New Wheatsheaf and shots of the red London bus which had transported the guests from the church.

With confetti throwing and group shots taken care of, it was time for some laughter with the bridal party.

A beautiful, elegant bride and those wicked red shoes...

Dave had already briefed us to watch out for Jude's expressions when he started his speech, as he had two versions of it - one which they had worked on together and which Jude had vetted - and another one...  The plan was that he would tear up the original and read from the second one.  Jude's face was a picture!

After a delicious meal which the family very generously invited us to, it was outside for a few minutes to make the most of the last of the late summer daylight before Natalie and Chris were asked to take to the floor for their first dance.

Our sincere congratulations to the new Mr and Mrs Hughes and our thanks to Dave and Jude for allowing us to capture this very special day.  It was wonderful to join you all and we've really enjoyed getting to know you during the run up to the wedding.

If you are a member of Natalie or Chris's family or one of their friends, please leave a comment.