Best of 2023 –
A snapshot

Less of the formalities. More of the fun.

Thanks as ever to the wonderful couples who booked me to shoot their weddings in 2023.  The privilege and joy for me to be there just keeps growing.
 
For couples who want their day to go their own way, with no fuss or pressure … I’ve got you.
 

If you like my work and feel it could be a good fit for your wedding, get in touch to chat some more. I’d love to hear from you.  


Best of 2022 –
A selection of favourites

Less of the formalities. More of the fun.

A huge thanks again to the wonderful couples who booked me to shoot their weddings in 2022.  What a privilege it is for me to be there on such special occasions, and what a joy to relive them when making the selection below.
 
For couples who want their day to go their own way, with no fuss or pressure … I’ve got you.
 
As Ellie so kindly puts it…
“I don’t even have the words to express how spectacular these photos are. They made us feel like we were right back in those moments. We are so grateful that you perfectly captured our day. Thank you so so much. I keep crying when I look at them…but can’t stop!” – Ellie & John
 

If you like my work and feel it could be a good fit for your wedding, get in touch to chat some more. I’d love to hear from you.  


Rivington Hall Barn Wedding Photographer –
Paula & Mike

Rivington Hall Barn Wedding Photographer

Rivington Hall Barn is a superb wedding venue located just a stone’s throw from Manchester, and from my home, in fact!  It is a treat for couples getting married, and a treat for photographers like me to capture the occasion.  I totally hit the jackpot then, when Paula and Mike asked me to be their wedding photographer at this impressive, romantic and unique venue at Rivington Hall Barn.

Weddings have been hosted at Rivington Hall Barn since 1953 no less, so the team there know a thing or two about putting on a perfect wedding day.  Couples get exclusive use of the whole site, including the grade II listed barn, two grand dressing rooms in the Georgian Hall, as well as the glorious grounds themselves overlooked by a fabulous terrace.  What a place to have a wedding!

Luxury Bridal Prep

Photographing the bride’s preparations is one of my favourite parts of the day.  The anticipation, excitement, laughter and tears make for great photographic stories and lovely images.  And when the space provided for getting ready looks like this, well… happy days!  I found Paula and her pals enjoying the light and airy, spacious and beautifully-appointed rooms dedicated for bridal prep.  Flooded with light and enhanced with mirrors everywhere, the two grand dressing rooms provided the perfect location for some emotional moments and beautiful photographs.

Historical setting for contemporary weddings

The Grade II Listed Saxon Barn is a uniquely beguiling place for a wedding ceremony.  High ceilings, original beams and period features have been lovingly paired with modern lighting and drapery to create a magical space in which to get married.  Paula and Mike’s glamorous wedding ceremony looked just the part under the spotlights, in the ambience of this distinctively stunning Rivington wedding venue.

A Photographer’s dream

The photography gifts kept on coming!  One gorgeous couple, a bevy of beautiful guests from all four corners of the globe, all looking their best, having a great day with their loved ones in fabulous late summer weather, at an incredible wedding venue.  What’s not to love?!  From drinks on the terrace to fun group shots on the lawn, romantic portraits in glorious evening sunlight, and touching, multi-lingual speeches bringing laughter and tears. And what about that EPIC party to finish it all off?!  Just WOW!  I’m feeling breathless as I type this. 

There is so much more I could say about this fabulous wedding, but I’ll leave it there.  Thank you Paula & Mike for choosing me to photograph your incredible wedding at Rivington Hall Barn.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at Rivington Hal Barn, or for another fabulous venue, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more.  I can’t wait to hear from you.

Big shout out to these fantastic suppliers.  It was a pleasure working with you all!

Video: Chumley Films

Entertainment: Six15 Events

Dress: Justin Alexander by Lillian West

Shoes: Pedro Miralles

Hair: Lily & Remi

Makeup: Kathryn Elizabeth

 


Browsholme Hall Wedding Photographer –
Carly & Tom

Browsholme Hall Wedding Photographer

When Carly and Tom booked me to be the photographer for their Browsholme Hall wedding, I was excited for all sorts of reasons.  First of all, Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn is a fabulous wedding venue and any photographer would jump at the chance to shoot a wedding there.  Secondly, Carly and Tom are a fab couple who are just a real pleasure to work with and have fun with.  But also, because I photographed the wedding for Carly’s cousin a while back and so it was going to be really great to catch up with them and many other familiar guests.  Word of mouth recommendations are always warmly welcome.

The heart of the Ribble Valley

 Our couple chose the rather lovely Spread Eagle Inn in Sawley for their wedding preparations. Nestled within the forest of Bowland, this old coaching inn has been stylishly appointed and provided some cosy moments for wedding prep photos.  It was definitely dark in there, but that can make for some creative and evocative scenes.  Once ready, it was just a short drive through the spectacular Ribble Valley countryside to Browsholme Hall for the wedding itself.

Tithe Barn Wedding Ceremony near Clitheroe

Reputedly Lancashire’s oldest ancestral family home, Browsholme Hall is an award-winning venue that has been hosting weddings for many years.  These guys know a thing or two about hospitality and making sure your wedding goes off with a bang.  Set in over 600 acres in the Forest of Bowland – itself an area of outstanding natural beauty –  this stunning, exclusive-use wedding venue actually offers a number of locations on site for your ceremony and reception.  On this day, Carly and Tom chose the historic Tithe Barn and Courtyard for their big day.  The ancient stone walls, rustic beams, and twinkly ambiance is just made for fairy-tale weddings. After enjoying some late summer sunshine in the courtyard, complete with ice creams and pizzas, we explored some of the magnificent grounds for portraits before heading back for a killer knees-up back in the barn.

Thank you Carly and Tom for choosing me to photograph your wonderful wedding at Browsholme Hall Tithe Barn in the Ribble Valley. 

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at Browsholme Hall, or for another fabulous venue, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more.  I can’t wait to hear from you.


Alternative Wedding Photographer Yorkshire Dales – Christina & George

Alternative Wedding at Kilnsey Park Estate, Yorkshire

Life can be complex. And yet, it is also beautifully simple too.  Take our lovely couple here. These guys work at the sharp end of global IT, for companies you have definitely heard of.  We’re talking cutting edge, mind-boggling future tech.  Complex. And yet, their idea of a perfect wedding is all of their best mates, in a field, with a tipi, a donkey, some homemade stuff and a whole lot of fun. Simple. I love photographing alternative weddings for couples who do things their own way, and this one in the Yorkshire Dales pretty much sums that up to a tee.

Alternative wedding in the Yorkshire Dales

Who says you have to have a wedding in a certain way?  Christina and George certainly don’t buy that. This was their wedding, their way – right from the start.  Bride and groom prep together in the same space?  Why not!  Homemade flowers, homemade cake, homemade décor?  Absolutely! Rings delivered by donkey?  Well the alpaca was poorly.  From start to finish, this wonderful wedding had a really alternative feel in a glorious outdoor setting, complete with fabulous weather and epic Pennines surroundings.  I’m massively grateful that I was asked to be the wedding photographer for this awesome alternative wedding in the Yorkshire Dales.

DIY wedding ideas

Hair and makeup artists, florists and cake makers are great, but you don’t have to have them!  Why not do-it-yourself? That’s what this lovely couple and their family did and it worked a treat. Christina and her sisters took care of the makeup, aunty stepped up with hair.  Many hands made light work of the wedding cake. Even the boys got involved with flower arrangements.  Table decorations, crocheted bunting, even the main wedding meal itself was all lovingly hand-made and served up by the family.  Sustainable, ethical and beautiful. 

Less of the formalities. More of the fun.

Some people go all in for the traditional wedding formalities.  Tried and tested.  Stick to the formula.  Others, like George and Christina here, eschew all of that.  Conformity isn’t their thing.  And I’m down with that.  When you focus on doing the right things, rather than doing things right, then the process trumps the outcome.  But you know what? What they created, was magic.

Thank you Christina and George for choosing me to photograph your wonderful alternative wedding in the Yorkshire Dales.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding in Yorkshire, or anywhere else for that matter, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more.  I can’t wait to hear from you.

Kilnsey Park Estate Wedding Venue

Set within 1000 acres of fields and woodland within the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Kilnsey Park Estate channels all the surrounding natural beauty into a spectacular wedding venue.  And it does so in an ethical and sustainable manner too. The team there has a philosophy and approach to weddings that puts the environment right there with you at the top of the agenda. From the simplicity of its licensed ceremony field with hay bale seating, to the magnificent riverside reception meadow –  Kilnsey Park Estate is the right place for a wholesome, bespoke and beguiling outdoor wedding for couples who love planet Earth.


Portico Library Wedding Photographer –
Lauren & Richard

Portico Library Wedding Photographer

I feel so honoured to have been asked by Lauren and Richard to be the photographer for their beautifully bijou wedding at the enchanting Portico Library in central Manchester. What an incredible and highly unusual wedding venue and a joy to photograph! I love shooting weddings for couples who do things their own way. This perfect occasion was short and sweet, cosy and intimate.  It was everything that mattered most.

Central Manchester Hotel Prep

Our couple chose the fabulous Abode hotel for their wedding preparations – gathering all of their guests in the same place, just a short walk through the centre of Manchester to the ceremony venue.  Keeping it brief and easy, I just dropped by for some quick shots in the contemporary surrounds of this stylish hotel.  I just loved that intense blue in the bridal suite, and brief glimpses of the city beyond the windows.  A cool place indeed.  From there, I took a stroll with Richard and his groomsmen through the city centre to the library.

Portico Library – A Hidden Gem in Manchester

The Portico Library itself is a hidden gem right in the heart of Manchester city centre.  I’ve lived here for over twenty years and have only just heard about it!  Founded in 1806 at the height of the industrial revolution, and home to some 25,000 books, the story of the Portico Library is the story of Manchester itself – the first modern city in the world.  The Portico Library combines that very history with literature, creativity, artistry and sanctuary to make for a very special place indeed. 

The main library and exhibition space is situated under a glorious glass dome and flanked with shelves of ancient books. It’s a fabulous place for wedding guests to gather and enjoy drinks etc. Even more glorious though, is the members’ reading room where the wedding ceremony took place on this occasion.  Such an unusual and splendid backdrop for a wedding. 

A Manchester Icon

On a high from this unusual, elegant and sophisticated wedding, we had a quick walk through the city centre grabbing some casual portraits along the way.  Stopping off for a shot outside Sandinista, where Richard and Lauren first got acquainted, we then headed down to the Blackfriar Pub for some emotional speeches and a meal in a beautifully appointed private room.   This pub is another Manchester icon – well, Salford technically – and for good reason.  Lovingly restored and recently reopened, it played perfect host to finish this splendid wedding day. 

Thank you Lauren and Richard for choosing me to photograph your perfect wedding in the Portico Library, Manchester.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding in Manchester, or anywhere else for that matter, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more.  I can’t wait to hear from you.


Liverpool Wedding Photographer –
Jade & Nathan

Photographing a Liverpool City Centre wedding

When Jade and Nathan asked me to photograph their special day in Liverpool, I jumped at the chance.  I love to shoot weddings for couples who do things their own way and these guys knew exactly what they wanted.  One beautiful couple, three iconic venues, and a whole heap of fun wrapped up in a perfectly unique Liverpool wedding.  Boss!

Titanic Hotel wedding prep

The Titanic Hotel Liverpool is located on Stanley Dock, just minutes away from Liverpool city centre.  This once historic warehouse has been transformed into a chic, contemporary hotel worth a special visit just for its own sake. Exposed brickwork, steel columns, concrete ceilings and the original windows combine with stunningly modern and unfussy décor throughout.  It is a photographer’s playground at every turn.  Jade had the wedding suite booked for her bridal prep; Nathan was just down the corridor.  Boy did this place deliver with the photography gifts!

St George’s Hall Wedding Ceremony

From there it was on to St George’s Hall for the wedding ceremony itself. Built in 1854, this neoclassical Grade I listed building is located right in the city centre of Liverpool.  Nathan and Jade’s family and friends were all packed in to witness a beautiful ceremony in this celebrated Liverpool wedding venue.

Wedding Reception in the Baltic Triangle Liverpool

Just a short walk south of Liverpool city centre is the Baltic Triangle, an alternative hub for cool kids and creative types to hangout. I love these neighbourhoods, and Liverpool hipsters have really got it made with this one. Jade had some clear ideas about locations for portraits using the street art and murals that are found around here. Night was falling so I had to get creative with off-camera flash which definitely added some drama to the images.  Then it was off to the Baltic Social for a meal and party time.  What a way to end a fabulously unique Liverpool wedding.  This venue has now unfortunately closed, but it just goes to show how important it is to capture key moments and memories from your wedding day in photos that you will treasure forever.

Thank you Jade and Nathan for choosing me to photograph your incredible wedding in Liverpool.

I shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding in Liverpool, or anywhere else for that matter, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more.  I can’t wait to hear from you.


Best of 2021 –
A selection of favourites

Together

Shhh… Nobody mention 2020! Fortunately, weddings finally got back into full swing around the middle of 2021 and my brilliant couples absolutely made it count. Weddings are always beautiful and emotional events, but this year’s festivities held extra significance for all sorts of understandable reasons.  What a privilege it was then for me to capture something of the range of emotions poured out at these wonderful occasions as people were finally able to celebrate with their loved ones.  Together at last.

To say that 2021 was a significant year in all our lives is an understatement. The photos below are just a small snapshot of what being together on their wedding day means for these couples and their guests – from early morning anticipation to end-of-the-night party blow-outs!  Please take a look at my blog posts for more complete stories of their most special day.

As one bride put it:

We absolutely needed to see these today. We’ve had a tough old couple of months. Thank you so, so much! Love them! 🙌🏻❤️

If you like my work and feel it could be a good fit for your wedding, why not get in touch to chat some more. I’d love to hear from you.  


Inn on the Lake Wedding Photographer –
Kath & Rob

Inn On The Lake – A Fabulous winter wedding venue

The Inn on the Lake at Glenridding has to be one of the finest wedding venues in the Lakes and in the whole country in my view.  So when Kath and Rob got in touch about their winter wedding at this incredible Ullswater venue, I naturally jumped at the chance.  The Lake District National Park is a glorious place to get married at any time of year, but to tie the knot with the snowy mountains in the background was a particularly enticing proposition, not just for the happy couple, but for this happy photographer too.

The Inn on the Lake is a fabled wedding venue, and with good reason.  The hotel is a luxurious, 5-star venue set in acres of sweeping grounds that lead right down to the shores of Ullswater, with its own private jetty, bandstand and more.  The inside is steeped in comfort and class but it’s the breath-taking views all around of the Helvellyn Mountain range that really steal the show.

Having rescheduled once, the new date was now set: late November, Christmas coming, winter well on its way.  The prospects were tantalising.  But wait… I drove up from Manchester the night before, just as storm Arwen was at its peak.  That drive over Kirkstone Pass was hair-raising to say the least.  And when I arrived at Glenridding, the whole village was suffering a power cut.  What on earth would I find when I arrived at the Inn on the Lake for a wedding the following morning?

I needn’t have worried about the power outage!  This spectacular wedding venue was more than ready…

inn on the lake at christmas time before sunrise

idyllic wedding setting

Kath and the girls were getting ready in the bridal suite and adjoining rooms which, when the sun started to climb over the horizon, unveiled incredible lakeside and mountain views through the windows.  The storm had passed.  The skies were clear.  The rising sun slowly revealed an idyllic dusting of snow on the tops.  The stars had certainly aligned and everything was set for a most perfect wedding.

For his prep, Rob was mostly herding excited children and had little time for exquisite views.  But I love this part of the day for that exact reason.  The photos that transpire are the stuff that keeps you going for years afterwards.  It’s the stories and the moments that matter most.

After an emotional and beautiful ceremony, festooned with Christmas trees and decorations, set against that staggering lakeside backdrop, the guests retired to the lounge for drinks and canapés.  But our intrepid couple weren’t satisfied with views through windows.  It was time for everybody to get outside for a group shot.  At this point, a certain reality struck home… it was COLD out there!  My goodness!  We had to move fast.  Fortunately, these fabulous wedding guests were hardy enough to cooperate.  We even had fun in the process.  Same story for the portraits too – it was a case of move fast, or be frozen to the spot. 

surprise wedding entertainment from the region’s finest

This incredible winter wedding had  one more surprise in store after dark.  Having nailed the sparkler exit down by the twinkling bandstand, the guests were greeted with live al fresco music.  It was none other than the very excellent Mr Wilson’s Second Liners.  This Bury-based band are something of a legend around these parts.  Think technicolour New-Orleans marching band smashing out the 90s club classics to rapturous applause.  These boys led our wedding guests back around the building and into the hotel snug for a full-on brass rave.  I was loving it! 

Thank you Kath & Rob for such an epic day.  Congratulations to you both!

There are probably too many photos below, but what the heck!  It really was an amazing day with so much to capture.  Supplier credits at the end…

There is so much more I could say about this fabulous wedding, but I’ll leave it there.  Thank you Kath & Rob for choosing me to photograph your incredible winter wedding at the Inn on the Lake. What a way to end the year! 

I try to shoot the day as I find it, with minimal posing and interruption from myself. If you like the sound of this and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at the Inn on the Lake, or for another fabulous venue, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more.  I can’t wait to hear from you.

Big love to the long list of hard-working and talented suppliers:

Dresses: Sugared Almonds

Suits: Heathcliff Menswear

Hair: Ashley from Greg Malloy and Jade Ingham

Makeup:  Keseme Bridal

Cake:  Mama Cakes

Flowers: Wild Ivy

Band:  Mr Wilson’s Second Liners

DJ: Simon Vogt

Photobooth:  Cumbrian Photobooth

Favours:  Sarah Nelson’s Grasmere Gingerbread

Table decorations (and sparkler help!): Memory Knot

String Quartet: Rondino Strings

And of course Jonathan and the staff at The Inn on the Lake.  What a fantastically helpful, friendly and fun bunch.  Thanks everyone for making this such an amazing wedding!


Yeldersley Hall Wedding Photographer –
Lucy & Lewis

I’m very grateful to Lucy and Lewis for choosing me to be their Yeldersely Hall wedding photographer in the magnificent Derbyshire countryside.  This traditional country house, steeped in history, situated on the edge of the glorious Peak District, provided an elegant and beautiful setting for a fabulous and intimate wedding, filled with fun and laughter.

Crash! Bang! Wallop! What a wedding!

I knew it was going to be a fun wedding right from the initial enquiry when the couple described their plans for the day as ‘a little off-beat’ and having a ‘tasteful Partridge’ theme.  True enough, there were numerous nods to Alan dotted here and there, some more oblique than others.  But the whole celebration certainly remained dignified and refined.  Lucy and Lewis are both comedy writers and they had plenty of wit of their own to shape this discerning, fun-filled day.

Bespoke alternative wedding

Yeldersley Hall, with all its splendour and grace, prides itself on being versatile too.  With acres of gorgeous grounds, numerous magnificent buildings and stunning interiors at your disposal, this sophisticated wedding venue can be adapted to suit any style of marriage celebration.  Lucy and Lewis knew this and used it to their full advantage. 

Natural, colourful, documentary photography

Lucy and Lewis wanted a wedding photographer to capture the moments and the stories that unfolded through the day with minimal fuss and staging.   That’s exactly how I work, from start to finish.  I just loved the light in the bridal suite as Lucy and her friends got ready in the morning.  With a careful kiss of flash here and there to accentuate the story, I’m really proud of the photos that came out of this stage of the wedding.  From there, the rest of the day whizzed by in a blink of an eye as they always do. From Lewis’ jolly preparations to the utterly enchanting ceremony, the fun-filled drinks reception and the hilarious speeches.  All capped off with one of the most fun dance floors I’ve had the privilege to shoot all year.  We had a blast! 

Sure there were some posed moments for group shots and portraits, but I try to keep those quick and breezy.  The photos below hopefully show that wedding photography need not be serious and staged to get beautiful images.  This fun-loving couple had a party to attend and I wasn’t going to be the one to interrupt it!  I want to thank Lucy and Lewis for having me along to capture some memories of their amazing wedding at Yeldersely Hall.  It really was a privilege. 

If you like these images and the way that I work, and are looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at Yeldersely Hall, or for another fabulous venue, please check out some more of my featured weddings and my portfolio. Why not drop me a line to chat more.  I can’t wait to hear from you.


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