Matfen Hall - Emma and Richard

Married at Matfen Hall last summer, Emma and Richard went all out to wow their guests with spectacular visual effects.  Their elegant and minimalist day took on a different tone as we progressed into the evening.  A dance floor filled with dry ice created a dreamlike setting for their first dance as husband and wife, and a crowd-stopping firework display ended the day with a bang.  We were even treated to a red arrows fly past! 

Here's a few words from Emma...

How did you meet? How did he propose? What is your story?

'We met at work (Cooper BMW Durham). 'Richard took me back to our first holiday location in Gran Canaria and proposed on a boat in the middle of the sea before we went parasailing.'

What was the inspiration behind your wedding?

'The inspiration for our wedding was minimalistic accessories with a modern look. We wanted the wow factor so we booked dry ice for our first dance and fireworks to end the night.'

What was the most memorable or your favourite part of your wedding day? 

'I loved each and every bit of our wedding... I wish we could do it all again but if I had to pick my most memorable part that would have to be our first dance. Walking down that staircase with my husband onto a floor filled with dry ice! I will never forget that feeling and how happy I was at that moment in time with all of our family and friends around us.'

Why was photography important to you and why did you choose 2tone Photography? 

'We chose 2tone photography because we liked the idea of having 2 photographers on the morning of the wedding. It was very important for us to have photographs of both myself and my now husband on the morning of the wedding. When we met up with Nigel and Chrissie we instantly knew that they were the photographers for us. We felt so welcome and you could see the quality of their work how passionate and enthusiastic there job was to them! We absolutely love the photographs that you took of our day; the album and photo frames are spectacular!'

Do you have any advice for brides and grooms who are currently in the planning process? 

'Get a good wedding planning book and create a spreadsheet with amounts and dates things need to be paid. Just have fun! It might feel like there is loads to sort but try not to get stressed and enjoy every bit of it as your wedding date will come around so quick!'

Venue - Matfen Hall

Venue styling - The Finishing Touch Company

The wedding dress - YAP Bridal

The men's suits - Moss Bros

Wedding cake - The little elephant company

Flowers - The finishing touch company

Hair and Make up - Hair - Lisa Cameron Make Up - Gabby Walker

Entertainment - Luke Howell - magician

Fireworks - Spectrum - fireworks and dry ice

Chinese wedding at Matfen Hall - Jordan and Yvonne

Jordan and Yvonne's spectacular wedding last summer took place over two days.  Surrounded by all of their family and friends, they said their vows and became husband and wife at the True Jesus church in Newcastle.  Arriving early to Matfen Hall ahead of their guests, together we explored the gardens, took in the sunshine and enjoyed creating some beautiful portraits before heading inside. Sweeping down the grand staricase, Yvonne and Jordan were greeted with a grand reception, followed by ice-cream, a bite to eat, and of course games, fun and frolicks.

Day two found us in Newcastle's china town, and popular restaurant, Palace garden, for a cultural celebration filled with colour and love for the newlyweds.

We have worked with the Newcastle chinese community, photographing weddings for many years now.  We have come to know this group of people very well, seeing many of them time and time again.  They welcome us with open arms and treat us as a part of the family.  It is an absolute honor and a joy to spend time with every one of these warm, loving and welcoming individuals.  We too, think of every one of you as part of our extended family, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us into your lives once again.  We look forward to seeing you all again at Deborah and Justin, and Fiona and Rico's weddings later this year! 

A Chinese wedding at Jesmond Dene House - Nico and Cherry

To anyone who knows us, it doesn't come as a great surprise when I say how much we love shooting Chinese weddings.  The colours, the traditions, the fun, the abundance of energy and most of all the warm hearted wonderful people.  Nico and Cherry's wedding at Jesmond Dene House certainly didn't disappoint.  

The day started at the crack of dawn with both the bride and groom at the Village Hotel in Newcastle as they prepared for the traditional tea ceremony.  Before they could leave the hotel to join their families, Nico took part in the traditional door games.  A hilarious mix of challenges designed to see how far the groom is willing to go for his bride.  Nico and his groomsmen of course took upon the games with gusto and spirit, and the results were priceless!

As time drew on, together they travelled across to the grooms home for the tea ceremony.  It is always such an honour to bear witness to this ancient tradition with such profound meaning.  The tea ceremony simply put is the traditional Chinese marriage ceremony.  The bride and groom kneel in front of their respective parents, serve them tea and thank them for their upbringing.  It is a devout way to express their gratitude for raising them.

Cherry was every bit the perfect bride, graceful and elegant as she walked down the aisle to meet her groom at Jesmond Dene House.  They gave their vows in front of all of their family and friends in the great hall and enjoyed a drinks reception with their guests in the grounds of the beautiful stately home.

For their great wedding banquet, Palace gardens in Newcastle's China town was the perfect location.  The bride and groom were warmly but very loudly welcomed into the room to the sounds of drums and symbols, cheering and applause.  Guests lined up in front of the bride and groom acting out another tradition, the dragon boat, leading them to the stage to give the first speech.  The huge feast was attended by friends and family from far and wide all coming together to celebrate the newlywed's union.  Around 12 courses of delicious Chinese delicacies were provided for the guests with entertainment from the guests themselves on a karaoke machine and speeches from the family throughout the course of the meal.  The tea ceremony commenced once again for a number of their relatives who could not attend the house that morning, and then came the toasts.  Moving through the room, Nico and Cherry visited every table to toast the guests and thank them, in return the guests toasted the bride and groom. 

A quick trip back to the grooms home for another tea ceremony was followed by their evening reception and the bride and groom's first dance as husband and wife in Great Hall at Jesmond Dene House.

What a day!  It was exhilarating, fast paced and an incredible experience we will never forget.  Thank you to you both for welcoming us into your lives and allowing us to document your first day as husband and wife.