Chester Zoo Wedding Photographer | Lynsey and Stefan's Wedding

Lynsey and Stefan had been planning their wedding for a long time and they had booked us as their Chester Zoo wedding photographers almost two and a half years before their big day.  Although this was our first time photographing a wedding there, the couple had complete trust in us, we had some fantastic feedback from the staff, and we hope that we will get to work there again.  Chester Zoo is very special to the couple, as it's where Stef proposed to Lynsey.  The distance they had to travel each time meant that planning their wedding wasn't easy, but everything came together perfectly and they were both delighted that all the time and effort had paid off.  The plan was for a very informal day with afternoon tea on the terrace, a zoo safari, and a hog roast buffet and ice cream in the evening.  We always wish for great weather on a wedding day but it's hard to imagine a day when good weather would be more important and Lynsey and Stef struck lucky with a beautiful, warm and sunny day.  We started off with the wedding photography at the Mollington Bastre Hotel, Cheshire with Lynsey and the girls as they got ready, before we gatecrashed Stef and the boys as they got suited and booted.  A few portraits in the garden later and we set off to start the wedding photography at Chester Zoo.  Debbie, the wedding co-ordinator, couldn't have been more helpful, the staff couldn't have been more pleasant and the registers couldn't have been more accommodating.  So far, so good! The sun was blazing whilst we did the group photos and Lynsey ditched her stunning Irregular Choice shoes in favour of a pair of comfortable, white Converse trainers as soon as we'd finished them!  Her dad, Terry, and Stef's mum, Rita, were stars, helping us make the group photo session run smoothly and quickly, and it was lovely to see Gemma, Paul and Jasmine again, previous clients of ours and now friends.  The guests enjoyed their afternoon tea whilst we disappeared with Lynsey and Stef for a while.  We even got to ride in their wedding car - another first for us - before we headed back for speeches on the terrace and an early evening zoo safari.  We waited until the sun had gone down and the quality of light had improved for the couple's photographs at some locations we'd planned on using, including a beautiful circle of lavender and a bridge with a backdrop of spectacular colours. After the hog roast buffet, Lynsey and Stef were invited to cut their amazing and very unusual cake and dance their first dance together.  Thank you so much for allowing us the privilege of photographing your lovely wedding, for working your socks off to help us get beautiful images for you and for your very flattering comments about us and our work.  And Gemma and Paul, you deserve a very special thank you too.

King's Croft Hotel Wedding Photographers | Victoria and Joanna

We had a fabulous day as King's Croft wedding photographers for Victoria and Joanna and we had really been looking forward to their celebrations.  This was the second time we've been asked to photograph a wedding for the Carr family, having photographed Vicky's sister, Samantha's wedding to Chris.  We were also invited to photograph their baby daughter.  There were some other familiar faces amongst the guests too and it was lovely to be surrounded a warm and friendly bunch of people.  Joanna had opted out of bridal prep photographs but Vicky really wanted them so we started our coverage at her parents' home, just as we had done for her sister.  Vicky was keen to have some photographs ready and in her dress before we left to catch up with Joanna at the venue and start the King's Croft wedding photography.  Both brides looked gorgeous!  They had chosen dresses which were completely different to each other but their bouquets were identical.  They each had their own bridesmaids; Vicky's dressed in pale pink and Joanna's in silver grey.  The only blot on this fabulous day was the weather, which conspired to prevent the couple tying the knot in the Pavilion with their guests gathered outside.  Doesn't seen too much to ask for in late June but this is the British weather for you!  The venue staff held on as long as they dared before taking the decision to move the ceremony into the King's Suite, but afterwards things improved enough to allow us to photograph the groups and confetti throwing outside. The restaurant was beautifully dressed for the wedding breakfast and there were some pretty details to photograph before everyone enjoyed a delicious meal, and both dads and Lucy made their speeches.  Lucy did steal the show with hers, it has to be said!  During dinner the dismal weather of earlier in the day gave way to sunshine and the grass dried enough for us to venture into the gardens with Victoria and Joanna and their bridesmaids for some couple photographs and fun shots.  Mrs and Mrs Carr-Will's wedding oozed happiness and a touch of craziness too.  Just how a wedding should be and it was obvious what a brilliant time everyone had.  A huge thank you to Margaret and Brian and Vicky and Joanna for allowing us to share it and thanks to your guests for keeping us entertained, giving us some great photo opportunities and for making us laugh!  It was an absolute pleasure to share this special day!

Wedding Photography Bagden Hall | Melanie and Richard

Summer seemed to take a long time to arrive this year but it finally burst in on Melanie and Richard's wedding day.  As experienced Bagden Hall wedding photographers we know that this venue has beautiful grounds offering great locations for photographs but during the early afternoon the light was very harsh, meaning that certain photographs we had planned would wait until after the wedding breakfast when the light had softened.  Melanie got ready at her parents' home and we were warmly welcomed by her mum and sister, as Melanie had her hair and make-up done.  After we'd taken photographs of this, Melanie's gorgeous dress and accessories and a few lovely shots as Melanie's dad saw his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time, we left the girls to their final preparations and set off to meet Richard and his best man to begin the wedding photography at Bagden Hall. Before the wedding Melanie wouldn't let anyone into the secret of what kind of car she and her dad were going to arrive in.  She had chosen an elegant Rolls Royce from Rolls Hire Vintage Limousines.  The couple married in an intimate civil ceremony in the restaurant with their closest family and friends around them.  Afterwards Melanie and Richard left everyone and enjoyed a ride in the Rolls Royce and when they arrived back we worked through their group photographs.  By the time we'd finished the groups the restaurant had been transformed and once we'd photographed this, the cake and the table details, the receiving line started.  As creative Wakefield wedding photographers we're always on the look out for opportunities for stunning wedding photographs which make our work stand out, and as soon as we'd arrived at Bagden Hall we'd spotted the meadow near the lake.  It always looks different depending on the time of year and now it was full of bright yellow buttercups. There had been no time to make the most of it earlier in the day and in any case, the early evening brought with it beautiful soft light, a bit of time and the opportunity to get something really special.  The guests were treated to a selection of delicious ice creams, as Melanie and Richard had hired Graham and Lisa of A Taste if Italy to come along in the evening and set up their cart in the grounds.    Apparently, the banana flavour was the couple's favourite and the strawberry was delicious too!  Mr and Mrs Tanfield danced their first dance together and we ended their coverage with a some photographs of the two of them at the entrance to Bagden Hall.  Thank you so much for booking us to capture your special day.

Getting married at Bagden Hall?  We would love to hear from you.