Durham Castle - Yuze and Fedir
It’s been a long time since my last post, too long. This last year has been one of the most difficult many of us will have known and my lack of posting comes entirely down to just simply doing what I can to stay mentally healthy while coping with the devastating blow the pandemic has caused to our whole industry. Despite this, I still want to share with you some of the photographs that we have taken from the wonderful weddings that we were privileged to attend in 2020. Our first wedding of 2020 was also our first wedding to have been impacted by the terrible virus that originated in China that later came to be known as Covid 19.
After meeting Fedir, Yuze moved from China to be with him in Sweden, and together, they arranged for their wedding to take place at Durham Castle, with friends and family due to travel across the globe to attend. Due to the outbreak in China, only two weeks before their February wedding day Yuze’s parents and friends had to make the difficult decision to not attend the wedding. It was a devastating blow to our couple but determined to be married, they continued on with their plans with the addition of the very talented duo, Janet and Chris from One Digital Image wedding videographers, who would record the ceremony for Yuze’s family to view over in China. While considerably smaller in numbers, the day was perfect.
Deciding to throw out tradition, Yuze and Fedir got ready together at the Hotel Indigo in Durham. Without bridesmaids or the mother of the bride to help, Fedir stepped in and helped his bride into her wedding dress before escorting her down the aisle to exchange vows. After their intimate wedding ceremony in the Bishop’s Dining room, they celebrated with their guests in the Tunstall Gallery before returning back to the Bishop’s Dining room to share a meal together. They enjoyed laughs during a game of Mr and Mrs, and we left them as they partied the night away.
Looking back at Yuze and Fedir’s wedding pictures from February 2020 - with everything that has happened since, people laughing together, hugging, kissing, no social distancing, it’s been so long it seems almost strange and weirdly uncomfortable to look at, but as national restrictions ease, today of all days being another milestone reached towards getting back to life as we knew it, I look forward with excitement and even a few butterflies to all of the wonderful wedding days that we shall be photographing later this year.
Lumley Castle - Emma and Alex
Emma and Alex chose Lumley Castle in County Durham for their wedding last December. Despite the dreary weather throughout the entire day everyone had a wonderful time. They were married in the Scarborough Suite in the castle itself, moving over to the Barons Hall for their wedding meal and evening party. They ended the day with an amazing live band and firework display in the grounds of the castle. Emma and Alex, we dearly loved getting to know you both and it was an honour to capture your first day as man and wife. Congratulations to you both once again!
Durham Castle - Ruth and Andrew
Historic Durham castle is one of our all time favourite venues. Filled with stunning light and so many creative opportunities for photographs - as well as of course simply being a stunning setting for a wedding. Nigel and I were naturally delighted to return for Ruth and Andrew's wedding day.
Ruth and Andrew travelled all the way from Auckland in New Zealand to be married in St Mary's Church in Blackhill going on Durham Castle for their reception. I was an incredible day with a fantastic crowd and certainly a day to remember.
Working alongside our friend, the talented Richard Leng from Real Life films co.
