Wynyard Hall - Rachel and Kenny

As a recommended photographer, Wynyard Hall is a regular haunt of ours - but even after so many years, it still doesn't fail to wow us.  The stunning stately north east wedding venue stops you in your tracks from the moment that you arrive. The Regency architecture with it's towering pillars invite you into the enormous octagonal statue gallery.  A huge domed stained glass skylight and crystal chandelier above your head.  The feeling is something like walking into a palace.  Amongst its many other delights, Wynyard Hall also boasts the most stunningly beautiful private chapel, which last year, became the setting for Rachel and Kenny's wedding, and what a day it was!

In her own words, Rachel talks about their day.

THE PROPOSAL

'Kenny had travelled out to the United States where I had been working at the time. We had taken a short holiday on the Californian coast and one afternoon he had planned a trip to Newport Beach where we took a gondola ride around the canals to watch the sunset. I had absolutely no idea whatsoever that a proposal was coming my way!'

THE VENUE

'We were initially wowed by the statue gallery and it’s incredibly stunning stained-glass ceiling and imposing chandelier. As soon as we stepped in to the chapel, the deal was sealed: I couldn’t imagine being married anywhere else. The chapel is sensational in every sense of the word.'

'The wedding co-ordinator Ashleigh and master of ceremonies Ryan were there for us every single step of the way and on the day they were like my right-hand men (& woman)! There was no decision made alone and the help and guidance provided by the wedding team at Wynyard Hall was a godsend in areas where we felt we needed further advice.'

HER MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT

'I wish I could rewind back to that moment where the Wynyard Hall chapel doors swung open, I could hear Canon in D playing and saw my husband-to-be waiting at the altar. I’ve never seen or experienced such emotion from so many people in one moment in my life, and that is something I’ll forever cherish.'

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

'We spent a lot of time browsing bridal magazines that were specifically focused on the North for initial inspiration, and used social media to find the photographer who we believed would suit the overall tone of our day.  We kept hoping that we would find a team that could work naturally around us and capture those beautiful shots without us even realising! We wanted the laughs, our smiles and even our tears. That’s when Nigel and Chrissie at 2Tone Photography came along…'

'Nigel and Chrissie are two of the nicest people we have ever met and so passionate about what they do. The whole experience felt incredibly personalised.'

'We received our beautiful wedding images when we were in the middle of the Eastern Cape on Safari in South Africa with the most hopeless Internet connection. We spent hours of our honeymoon “ooh’ing and aah’ing” with laughter, tears and the biggest grins on our faces reliving the day over again.'

THE DETAILS

'We envisaged a classic elegance at Wynyard Hall, combining ivory and sage green. We had enormous vases of fresh Roses on each table that filled the room with the most beautiful scent, and a carried a gorgeous bouquet of ivory Roses.'

THE DRESS

'I fell in love with a half satin, half lace Allure Bridals gown that I found at First Glance Bridal in Sunderland.  The long train fluted out and accentuated my waist allowing me to feel demure, elegant and beautiful at the same time. I could never imagine getting married wearing anything else.'

THE SPECIAL TOUCHES

'I created and designed all of the stationery that we used on our wedding day with the help of my Dad. We spent hours together fussing over fonts, alignment and paper choices, eventually seeking help from the team at Prontoprint who ordered paper samples and printed our designs. The hard part was when we got to work tying over 200 ribbons and bows!

We had a range of spirits as favours – as you can never go wrong with a good old G&T – but tied a personalised tag for each guest around the bottle neck advising its exact use depending on the recipient: a truth serum, courage builder, love potion, or of course, the pain killer!'

RACHEL AND KENNY'S BEAUTIFUL CELEBRATION WAS FEATURED IN ISSUE 08 OF UNVEILED.

The Suppliers

The Venue - Wynyard Hall

The dress - Allure Bridals at First Glance Bridal

Hair - Show Off Salon

Make up - Katie Robson Make Up

The suits - Baker's Tailoring

The bridesmaids - Dessy

The flowers - Ashbrooke Florists

The cake - Joanne's Cake Creations

The cheese wedding cake - Blacks Corner

The band - The Andy Usher Trio

The photobooth - Party Pics

The Videographers - One digital Image

Helena and Gareth - Wynyard Hall

Helena and Gareth's beautiful wedding took place at Wynyard Hall in the Tees Valley the day before new years eve.  Helena chose pretty pastel shades and delicate florals to contrast with the deep navy blue gowns that her bridesmaids wore.  The overall look was stylish and classic, perfect for their elegant venue.

They were married in the Brooks chapel within the grounds of the Wynyard Hall estate itself, heading over to the statue gallery for their drinks reception, the ballroom for their wedding breakfast and then finally into the large light filled conservatory for their evening party.

Here are a few of our favourites from their day...

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 - Vicky and Tom

Wynyard Hall's grand pillars, state rooms, ornamental lake and private chapel make it one of the most admired buildings and one of the most sought after wedding venues in the uk.  It is always fantastic to photograph here and so it was great to return once again to photograph Vicky and Tom' big day last August.  

Their love for one another was clear, Tom overcome with emotion could not take his eyes off of his beautiful new wife and she beamed with happiness the whole entire day.  Vicky and her girls enjoyed a morning of relaxing and pampering in the hall's own beauty salon the Reef before they got dressed for the big day while Tom and the boys met Nigel in the Wellington bar for a few getting ready shots and pre wedding drinks. They were made man and wife in the charming Brooks Chapel, located within the estate of Wynyard Hall before heading outside.  After much celebration on the terrace, canapés eaten and the string quartet listened to, they all headed inside to dine in the magnificent ballroom.  

It was a fantastically fun day with a great couple and a great crowd.  It was a pleasure as always to work along side Paul Lytton the Magician, Coco Luminaire supplying the light up letters and of course the fab team at Wynyard Hall.