Wynyard Hall - Kim and Doug

Autumn. I have always loved it, but more so since becoming a wedding photographer.  The low sun gives us sublime light, and the trees and foliage burst into an array of wonderful colours.  An autumn wedding at a venue like Wynyard Hall, working with a great couple and a fantastic team of suppliers. what more could we ask for?

Kim and Doug were a dream to work with.  Kim was effortlessly elegant and Doug was quite the gentleman.  Their stylishly classic wedding naturally flowed throughout the day from Doug preparing in Kim's family home right through to their fab evening reception where even Doug's Grandad showed off his moves on the dance floor.  Personal touches such as Kim's sister singing during the ceremony and her brother using his skills as a graphic designer for the table details added something extra special to the day.  This wedding was made special for us too, having worked with two of Kim's siblings in the past, it was a real joy to join the family again for this, the third family wedding.

Wynyard Hall - Ashleigh and Jonathon

 Ashleigh and Jonathon held their colourful wedding at Wynyard Hall last September.  It was a day filled with fun and laughter, energy and love, and it was a joy to capture.  

Ashleigh got ready at her parents home in Wynyard Village before heading over to meet Jonathon in the Brooks chapel at Wynyard Hall for their wedding ceremony.  She looked dazzeling in her Amanda Wyatt wedding gown, finished off with a sprig of Gypsophila in her hair and the most colourful wedding shoes I have ever seen!  Their fun and playful nature showed in their choice of colours for the wedding, each bridesmaid dressed in a different colour and each groomsman dressed to match with colourful cravats, pocket squares and even socks!  Their amazing wedding cake was the creative end result from a collective of favourite disney characters, Rapunzel, Mickey and Minnie, Buzz lightyear and Darth Vader who all made an appearance.

After dinner, we all headed over to Wynyard Hall's beautiful walled gardens - a first visit for all of us.  The beautifully manicured gardens felt calm and serene as the early evening began to draw in.  It made a perfect spot for a few more pictures of the happy couple and a very relaxing way to spend a few minutes before the party kicked off.

Wynyard Hall - Sonia and Craig

I still remember very clearly meeting Sonia at the Qwest Wynyard Hall wedding fayre at the end of 2013.  The wedding fayre was more of a supplier showcase really with a select few of us invited to show our work in a more intimate environment than you would usually expect.  Less couples coming through the door, seated areas to chat and a real opportunity to meet one another properly.  Sonia and I really hit it off straight away, she seem to completely understand our artistic direction and our passion for our craft; she even came back at the end of the show to help me pack down the stand!  I was so happy when she came over with Craig a few days later and booked us for the big day.  

Sonia and Craig were married at the very end of July at the stunning Wynyard Hall in the Tees Valley and they were blessed with the most perfect weather.

So, I asked Sonia - How did you two meet?

"We met like many others, whilst under the disco lights.  A night where I had not planned to be out past 12 o’clock but after being politely asked to dance by a sun kissed RAF Airman, my Cinderella curfew was forgotten.

Like a lovesick puppy, Craig told his Mum the very next day he had met the girl he was going to marry. Six years on he was right.  After returning from a four-month detachment in the Falklands Islands, Craig decided to pop the question on the banks of Lake Windermere in the ‘Temple of Heroes.’ " 

They chose an elegant fairytale theme for their wedding.  I loved their inventive touches like the mirror table plan and the books post box.

Sonia told me:

"I tend to favor the posed shots over natural ones so I wanted photographers that were equally good at both.  We also wanted two photographers as we felt one alone may not capture all the moments of our day." 

"We had seen photographers at wedding fayres and had been given some recommendations from friends and family.  Most of our research was done online, looking through portfolios of peoples work.  I must have looked through thousands of images so I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted by the end of it.  We first met Chrissie at one of Wynyard Hall’s wedding showcases.  After sitting with her and seeing 2tones work we knew they were the photographers for us. Not only were their natural shots amazing their posed shots were out of this world. Chrissie was so lovely that it felt like we had known her years."

Nigel met the lads in the Wellington bar as they got ready for the day ahead.

Sonia's stunning wedding gown by Pronovias hanging in Wynyard Hall's Frances Anne suite.  

"Due to nature of Craig’s work in the military, we had to set a date that only gave us eight months to plan our big day. With precious time ticking away and the deadline to purchase a dress fast approaching, I received advice from sisters, friends, magazines and endless internet searching. To my amazement, I found my dream dress on the first day of shopping!  The Pronovias ‘Alcanar’ gown was the dress, with it’s beautiful lace details and a sweetheart neckline, as soon as I looked in the mirror I knew it was the one! When I turned around to find my sisters opening up a box a Kleenex, I could see they echoed my decision."

Sonia chose lace adorned shoes and veil to complete her look.

Sonia's sister was appointed as her makeup artist and did a perfect job.

A creative shot of Sonia's engagement ring, sitting inside the laser cut wedding card that she had been given from Craig.

The suites in Wynyard Hall are all absolutely stunning however I really love working in the Frances Anne suite.  The three large feature windows fill the room with wonderful light and the pale turquoise and camel shades help to bounce the great light all around the room which always makes for great pictures.

It was great to work with Sonia who as a teacher is naturally organised.  She gave me plenty of time to work with her to get some gorgeous bridal portraits before her ceremony.

A simple but creative portrait of our stunning bride Sonia.

The ceremony took place in Wynyard Hall's own chapel.  

Craig and his best man make their way to the chapel

The stunning chapel originally build as a place of personal worship for the Marquesses of Londonderry is decorated in blue, blue marble and gold.  Wonderfully romantic, it makes the perfect setting for a wedding.

Sonia and her dad make their way together through the Hall and outside around to the chapel.

In Sonia's words:

"Obviously we wanted photographers who were capable of great shots in a number of styles and who had experience of the business.  It was also important that they could work alongside our videographers, One Digital Image.  To our delight they had not only worked together but were close friends, this made future meetings easier.  I think above all we wanted someone who is passionate about their work; Chrissie and Nigel are definitely passionate about photography.  It is amazing to watch them bounce ideas of each other whilst working together.  They are consummate professionals co-coordinating the photography over the day, whilst maintaining a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. 

Sonia as well as being and teacher and also the head of the school choir is a very talented singer.  A few days prior to the wedding day she visited a recording studio and sang, creating the music that she would walk down the aisle to lead by the children from her choir.  It was beautifully romantic and a wonderful suprise for Craig.

The school choir who joined us for the ceremony sang beautifully during the signing of the register and did the both of them very proud.

Their wedding portraits were styled classically with very good light, timeless and elegant to suit their wedding and their tastes.

In Sonia's words:

Wow! 2tones images completely surpassed our expectations. I managed to sneak a peek at a couple of shots on the day, but to see them on a large screen and all together I really appreciated the level of attention to detail that they managed to capture.

A romantic moment with a fresh colourful look showing the beautiful weather our couple were able to enjoy on their wedding day.

Wynyard Hall's stunning statue gallery with it's marble, gold and warm toned pallet, grand piano, huge chandelier and wonderful directional light from the open doors all combine together and become a wonderful portrait opportunity. 

Classic styling while still keeping with the elegant fairytale theme for the wedding breakfast and table details.  The roses suspended in water filled glass vases become a subtle reference to the classic story of Beauty and the Beast.

The top table even had it's own Cinderella castle, created by the talented girls at Celebration wedding cakes in Peterlee.

Still loving the gorgeous light, back lit champagne glasses and shooting speeches through those rose filled glass table centres.

Sonia said:

We have received the images and the proof of the wedding album. After viewing hundreds of images, 2tone have managed to do the impossible.  They have created a timeless album encapsulating our wedding memories and telling our story of our day seamlessly.  Chrissie and Nigel offer honest feedback and there experience is highly valued by us.

Sonia's RAF Airman changes outfit to become her man in uniform once again, and Craig takes to the dance floor with his very own Cinderella on his arm to dance the night away.

"I have always had an interest in photography and I understand the time and effort that goes into each shot. My perception has changed since working with the professionals. 2tone’s passion and expertise have made me see things in another light. I now view photography as an art and I hope there will be another opportunity to work with Chrissie and Nigel again."

To our new friends, Sonia and Craig, thank you to you both from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us into your lives, for allowing us to witness your beautiful wedding day, and for your friendship.  It has been truly wonderful working with you both, right from our first meeting at the Qwest Wynyard Hall wedding fayre right up to delivering your wedding albums.  We both wish you the very very best for the future - be insanely happy together! x

See Sonia and Craig's gorgeous Wynyard Hall wedding day in the current issue of the luxury wedding magazine Unveiled

Photography: 2Tone Photography
Venue: Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley
Bride’s Dress: 'Alcanar' gown by Pronovia purchased at Laura Day (Middlesbrough)
Bridesmaids: Custom made by Tina Allenby
Hair : Sarah and Leanne at Deep Hair Salon, Marton 
Flowers : Ivory Roses by Silk Wedding designs 
Cake: No longer trading due to retirement Celebration wedding cakes 
Stationery: Homemade
Entertainment: The Ultimate Wedding DJ
Wedding Videographers: One Digital Image