Aug

Fairy Hill Wedding Photographer –
Jo & Jon

Fairy Hill Wedding Photographer

I’m so delighted that Jo & Jon asked me to be their wedding photographer. Although I’m based in Manchester, I also love the opportunity to travel to new places to shoot happy occasions like this one. Set in the glorious Fairyhill venue in Gower, this beautiful South Wales wedding was a gorgeous, intimate and joyful occasion.

Oldwalls wedding venue

Fairyhill is an award-winning venue and part of the Oldwalls group in Wales. It is set within 24 acres of lawns, lakes and woodland, and looked just stunning in the wonderful summer weather we’ve been having this year. I arrived in plenty of time to explore the magical grounds and buildings before Jo arrived to get ready with her sister as bridesmaid. These two lovely ladies were a pleasure to be around as they exchanged gifts and jokes and generally giggled their way through their preparations. I try to be as unobtrusive as possible, but it’s always nice to be involved in a couple’s special day, and these guys really made me feel part of the occasion.

Outdoor wedding – indoors

Over in the groom’s room, Jon was channelling his excitement into some seriously speedy preparations. We just about had time to grab some key shots before it was time to make our way to the ceremony itself. This was held in the ‘kaleidoscope room’ – a new glass-panelled annex that was adorned with lovely flowers, mirroring the abundant foliage visible through the windows. It was like an outdoor wedding, but indoors! This was a great place for wedding photography as the light was flooding in all day long.

Fun, creative photography

Following drinks in the sunshine, formal family portraits and then a delicious meal (Fairyhill is renowned for its food), it was time for some funny and emotional speeches. Nice to hear some words from the bridesmaid on this occasion too. And that light again in the ‘K-Room’, allowing me to have some photography fun – superb! The fun then continued outside for the happy couple as we took a short walk through those magical grounds for some romantic portraits.

Dancing divas

This beautiful South Wales wedding ended in fine style with some seriously funky Michael Jackson moves from the Sharifi brothers which was all the encouragement that was needed for the rest of the guests to get their groove on. I love shooting dance floor action and the guests at this fantastic wedding did not disappoint.

Massive congratulations to Jo and Jon. Thanks again for choosing me to shoot your day. Below is a small selection of some of my favourite images.

If you’re looking for a Wales wedding photographer or anywhere else, please check out some more of my weddings, my portfolio or my packages & contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Bride in dress with celebrity on-lookers

Bride and sister in mirror and silhouette

Keeping child occupied waiting for the bride

Night time couple portrait in garden as guests party in background

Jul

Alfreton Hall Wedding Photographer –
Chelsea & Thomas

It was a lot of fun supporting Martin Cheung on this wedding in Derbyshire: first at the very lovely church in Stanton by Dale, and then on to Alfreton Hall, with all its majesty and charm.

Derbyshire wedding venues

Whilst Martin covered the girls’ prep, I met up with the groom and his mates at the family home as they were wrestling with some lively youngsters, trying to get them into their suits for the big day. Thank goodness for the maid of honour who was able to pop back from the bridal prep to help these poor suffering gents and their excitable charges. Once everyone was ready, it was off to the lovely, quaint village of Stanton by Dale where the guests were already beginning to assemble at the gorgeous church. I have to say, top marks to the vicar on this day as a more gracious, humble, funny and accommodating official you couldn’t hope to meet. Once vows were exchanged and nerves settled, it was off to Alfreton Hall for a wonderful reception with friends and family.

Documentary wedding photographer

Apart from a couple of posed shots on this occasion, as requested by the couple, I spent the majority of my time enjoying the freedom to take a documentary approach to wedding photography. I love trying to capture the story of day from an unexpected perspective. Below are a handful of images that give a flavour of this happy day in the Derbyshire sunshine.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for Derbyshire, Manchester or further afield, please check out some more of my weddings, my portfolio or my packages & contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Pub and pint time for best man and groom

Groomsmen portrait outside Derbyshire church

Keeping the wedding dress clean on walk to the car

Children playing on the lawn during family group photographs

Wedding shoes come in all shapes and sizes

Couple portrait with grand manor house in background

Couple portrait in sun-kissed Derbyshire field

Children peek at wedding guests through window

Page boy priorities during wedding breakfast

Groom sitting in bath in grand manor room

Wedding guest child enjoying the gardens

Night portrait of couple with dramatic sky

Jul

Owen House Wedding Barn Photographer –
Jemima & Mark

owen house wedding barn

I was so pleased Chris Foster asked me to help him be the Owen House Wedding Barn Photographer. This understated event in the picturesque Cheshire countryside was a model of sophistication and class.

Chris and I arrived at the bride’s parents’ house to find Jemima a picture of dignified calm, serene amidst the bustle. With seven beautiful bridesmaids all on the scene, things can get excitable very easily. Yet Jemima radiated poise and elegant composure throughout. And her dress absolutely fit the bill – so graceful and subtle, exquisitely beautiful. She looked incredible. Before long, it was time to head over to the venue, just a short drive away.

sophisticated wedding venue

Owen House Wedding Barn is a family-run farm in the heart of the beautiful Cheshire countryside that has been transformed into a sophisticated and fashionable wedding venue for couples seeking understated elegance and style. Dressed to impress, Mark and his groomsmen were meeting and greeting their guests in the glorious British summer weather, and spirits were high.

Rustic chic

The ceremony itself was conducted with aplomb as you would expect, with a particularly touching and erudite reading from all seven bridesmaids. Then after a quick refreshment in the Summer sun, we sheltered from the heat in the barn for some portraits. A wall of hay bales, vintage carts, old crates and some clever use of light and shadow, the designers of this place have really put together a great space for some memorable couples shots. It was a joy to shoot and Jemima and Mark were experts in love.

Party time!

After a delicious meal and some suitably entertaining speeches, it was party time! Our beautiful couple commenced proceedings with a graceful first dance but the guests were quick to join in and let their hair down. I always love this part of the day, when all the jobs are done and inhibitions are shed. The night beckons and the good times roll.

Below is a small selection of some of my favourite images from the day.

If you’re looking for an Owen House Wedding Barn photographer, or for services around Cheshire, Manchester or further afield, please check out some more of my weddings, my portfolio or my packages & contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Bridesmaids ready in mirror while bride does makeup

Lipstick prep overlooking Cheshire garden

Bride's sister sorting earrings by wedding invite

Rehearsing the bridesmaids special ceremony speech

Groomsmen stand in wait at Owen House Wedding Barn

Ladies inspecting the wedding breakfast room

Helping a lady duck through short doorway

Amusing antlers on wall behind wedding guest

Bridesmaids deliver special ceremony speech

Couple exchange vows at Owen House Wedding Barn

Bride and bridesmaids in Wedding Barn gardens

Hugs for the groomsman in wedding barn garden

Getting ready for evening fun at wedding

Groomsman enjoying the attention on the dance floor

A packed dance floor at Owen House Wedding Barn

Jun

Preston Wedding Photographer –
Emma & Alex

Preston Wedding photographer

I was thrilled to be asked to help Ally M Photography be the wedding photographer for Emma and Alex at The Park Hall Hotel in Preston.

Emma and her seven bridesmaids got off to leisurely start sharing bubbles and giggles in the hotel suite. Mother and Grandmother of the bride soon arrived to lend their hands too, and before long, there was real hive of activity. There is a certain luxury in being able to get ready on site – and these glamourous ladies took full advantage as they readied themselves in gorgeous matching dresses. The bride looked stunning in white.

Ring the alarm!

Meanwhile, Alex and his groomsmen had started their proceedings off-site but made the grandest of entrances. They arrived at the hotel in a fire engine no less! I’m not sure which of the three generations present was most excited but it certainly provided a suitable spark! With the rest of the guests arriving just after, it was soon time for the ceremony.

Medieval banquet hall

And what a ceremony! According to this Preston wedding venue, the medieval banquet hall, complete with stone walls and oak-beamed ceiling, dates back to 966AD. It was certainly a stunning, unusual and beautiful venue for a wedding. As Ally was covering the action from the front of the hall, I was free to scamper around the sides and even up on to the balcony at the front in an effort to photography some interesting angles and perspectives.

Celebrity couples

The reception room was soon in full swing while the hotel turned around the main hall ready for the meal. We grabbed the love-struck couple for a short walk at this point around some of the beautiful countryside that the hotel boasts on site. Then it was time for everyone to take up their places at the amusingly labelled tables: celebrity marriages from Ross & Rachel to Kate & Wills. My personal favourite had to be Marge & Homer. From this point on, through a terrific meal and speeches, the party gathered pace. By the time Emma & Alex had shared their first dance with their young son, there was a rush to join them on the dance floor. Myself and Ally could barely squeeze through the action at times! What a brilliant way to end a truly beautiful wedding day.

Congratulations to Emma and Alex – what a gorgeous wedding and a brilliant way to start your married life together. Thanks again to Ally M Photography for letting me support.

Below is a small selection of some of my favourite images.

If you’re looking for a Preston wedding photographer, for Manchester or further afield, please check out some more of my weddings, my portfolio or my packages & contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Makeup artist at work with dress hanging in mirror

Bridesmaids gather to check bride's hair

Father of the groom and best man hip flask

Groomsmen check button hole flowers in hotel

Medieval banquet hall ready for ceremony

Groom playing with children while waiting for bride

Exchanging rings shot from above - colour

Newlyweds on a walk in the hotel grounds

Bridal portrait in Park Hall Hotel gardens

Three young boys climbing on the furntiure

Bridesmaid showing the boys how it's done

Dapper young boys the first on the dance floor

Cutting the wedding cake in medieval banquet hall

Apr

Belsfield Hotel Wedding Photographer – Rachel & Jason

Belsfield Hotel wedding photographer

Rachel and Jason got married at The Belsfield Laura Ashley Hotel on the shores of Lake Windermere in the stunning Cumbria countryside. Big shout to Andy Griffiths Photography for asking me along to this beautiful Lake District venue to help shoot this amazing wedding.

Magical Lake District Location

As I drove up from Manchester that morning, I arrived in Windermere in the most glorious winter light. The Lake District is always a magical place and the hills and lakes were looking particularly gorgeous that day. What an auspicious start!

Sure enough, the beautiful bride Rachel and her bridesmaids were certainly enjoying their sunny lakeside view as they relaxed into their morning. Andy took care of most of the bridal prep, so I ran along to cover the groom Jason as he steadied his nerves alongside his family and best man.

St Martin’s Church, Bowness-in-Windermere

The ceremony itself took place at St Martin’s Church, just a short walk through the hotel grounds. This is an idyllic setting for a wedding, no doubt, and the guests were treated to a suitably beautiful ceremony. Singer and pianist Jennie Sawdon provided a fantastic musical accompaniment both here and back at the Laura Ashley Hotel for canapes later.

Your carriage awaits!

Having taken their horse drawn carriage back to the Belsfield Hotel, the party quickly got underway. There’s nothing like a good wedding to bring people together and this joyful occasion had plenty to celebrate. Heartfelt speeches, Mighty Leeds football fandom and much hilarity on the Jager-train kept spirits well and truly elevated. Dancing duties were expertly supplied by Little Red Live Scottish Wedding Band.

Congratulations to Rachel and Jason – what a gorgeous wedding and a brilliant way to start your married life together. Thanks again to Andy Griffiths Photography for letting me support.

Below are a handful of some of my favourite images from the day.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for the Belsfield Hotel, elsewhere in the Lake District, or further afield, please check out some more of my weddings, my portfolio or my packages & contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you.

Best man looking relaxed in Lake District church wedding

Wedding guest child looking the wrong way

Bride's son wants a hug at Belsfield Hotel

Bride and groom walk from Belsfield Hotel

Couple walk through Belsfield Hotel gardens

Romantic wedding walk in Lake District hotel

Leeds lads raise a glass to absent friends

Aug

Sale Wedding Photographer –
Carly & Wayne

Sale Town Hall wedding

Carly & Wayne nailed it at their Sale wedding – and managed to extend their celebrations for nearly 4 months! Following their Sale Town Hall wedding ceremony, this beautiful couple managed a ‘mini moon’ in Portugal, a family garden party in Yorkshire, a friends’ shindig in Manchester and an incredible road trip ‘full’ honeymoon in the USA. Not too jealous then!

These two peas in a party pod know exactly what they want, so I was thrilled to be picked as their wedding photographer to kick things off in Sale, near Manchester. Actually the big day itself was reserved for just the nearest and dearest, closest family members on each side ahead of the multitude of celebrations they had planned further down the line. Therefore it was somehow even more special to have been invited to take part in this most special and intimate occasion. With just a hint of posing by the canal, most of the occasion was shot in a relaxed, unobtrusive documentary style. As a Manchester wedding photographer, it’s great to explore the many venues of this amazing city and its surroundings.

I shot for just two hours on the day but still managed to supply 200 photos that captured the emotion and energy of a very lovely wedding. Congratulations guys! It was short and sweet, and I’m so happy to have been a part of it. But where was my invite to the rest of the shenanigans?!

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer for Sale Town Hall, elsewhere in Greater Manchester or further afield, please check out some more of my weddings, my portfolio or my packages & contact page. I can’t wait to hear from you.