Wynyard Hall - Melissa and Matthew

“Matt and I just wanted to say, thank you so much for the amazing job you did at our wedding! Not only did you take fantastic photos, you also helped us out so much with getting ready and getting through the day. You were both incredible and it is easy to see that you both love your jobs!! Thank you so much for the amazing photos - we absolutely love them!!!”

Wynyard Hall in the Tees Valley was the perfect setting for Melissa and Matthew’s wedding day in July. Their day was filled with pretty details, elegance and style. The boys opted to wear smart navy suits for the occasion, while the girls chose a pretty coral shade, lace and coordinating florals. Their wedding ceremony in the Brooks Chapel within the Wynyard Hall estate was followed by a wedding breakfast in the hall's grand ballroom, heading over to the hall’s large conservatory for a bit of a dance!

Le Petit Chateau - Lauren and Paul

“Both me and Paul cannot put into words just how amazing these photographs are. They are just perfect and everything we wanted and more! Such a beautiful day and brilliant memories to cherish for ever. We can’t thank you enough - you both were able to capture everything we wanted, and everyone looks so beautiful and happy. A huge, huge thank you for our beautiful photos!“ - Lauren and Paul

A gorgeously sunny day, a beautiful bride, a handsome groom and a whole lot of guests ready for a party, what more could you want for a wedding day? Lauren and Paul’s awesome wedding day at Le Petit Chateau in Otterburn was certainly one to remember.

It was fantastic to work alongside wedding videographers Janet and Chris from One Digital Image.

Doxford Hall - Jill and Steven

“Oh my goodness, the photos are just amazing. Thank you so much for being there to capture the special moments of our day. You have inspired us when we have been taking photos on our honeymoon! I can't thank you enough for everything you both did going above and beyond.” - Jill and Steven.

It had been a little while since we had last been to Doxford Hall, so it was awesome to be back for Jill and Steven’s wedding day last summer. The bride and groom both looked stunning, and so clearly, deeply in love, did not did not stop smiling or laughing the entire day. It was a joy to witness their marriage and to to be a small part of their special day.

Lartington Hall - Laura and Andy

“We are absolutely over the moon with our beautiful wedding photos. It was so important to us to find someone to capture our special day that we felt comfortable with. Nigel and Chrissie are so lovely and put you at ease straight away; we feel as though we have gained two new friends. If you are looking for amazing wedding photographers then look no further as their work is simply stunning. We only wish we could do it all over again. - Laura and Andy. “

Laura and Andy chose to tie the knot at Lartington Hall near Barnard Castle last August. Their stunning ceremony in the hall’s chapel was followed by a relaxed drinks reception in the grounds and an elegant wedding breakfast with their nearest and dearest. It was a joy to spend the day with this wonderful couple.

Here are a few of our favourite images from their day.

Durham Castle - Laura and James

Durham Castle is a dream to photograph, wonderfully atmospheric, grand and full of history.  It also held some very special memories for Laura and James and so it could not have been more perfect for their wedding. 

I asked Laura to tell us about their wedding herself, so here goes!...

"We met at Durham University in 2006. We shared a few mutual friends, but it was playing college basketball that meant we started spending more time together. The most memorable turning point in our 'friendship' was when we spend a couple of hours together on a first aid course.... practising CPR (!) and then the long walk back home where we chatted for ages.  James proposed after 7 years together, on a slightly random Monday evening after I'd been at work for the entire day. He called me whilst I was driving home and asked me to give him a call 5 mins from home so he could start cooking the chicken fajitas. Little did I know it was actually so he could leave our flat - he left an envelope on the doormat which was the start of a treasure hunt... the end of which was a proposal :) Unfortunately the chicken fajitas didn't exist (!), but we went out for dinner before going on a mini break to Vienna 2 days later."

"We had a facetime chat with Chrissie and Nigel and loved how relaxed they were! I could instantly imagine them sharing in our wedding day."

For Laura and James, Durham Castle was always the one.  

"We were both students at Castle College in Durham, which is very lucky to have Durham Castle as the halls of residence! I lived in the castle during my final year, top floor of the keep - 127 steps up.  James used to refer to it as his 'city centre pent house! For us, there was only one place we could get married if we were ever to 'tie the knot!"

Laura chose vintage inspired accessories along with her stunning shoes - the Ivory 'Paris' stone embellished heeled sandals by No. 1 Jenny Packham.

Laura's stunningly beautiful wedding dress was the Jean gown by Badgley Mischka

"My wedding dress was the first thing I bought for the wedding - I loved the slightly vintage element of it and tried to carry this across the wedding (ie nothing too pristine and perfect - I didn't want 'matchy matchy'!)"

They were married in Durham Castle's medieval private chapel, the Tunstall chapel, constructed by Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall in 1540. 

"When I'm a guest at weddings I never look at the bride first when she walks down the aisle - I always look at the groom to see his reaction! I really wanted two photographers so that both moments could be captured"

"One of my favourite moments was walking back down the aisle after the service and seeing all our friends and family."

Laura and James were so much fun to work with, relaxed and clearly in love.  They made it too easy for us to capture some beautiful images of them alone together

"We loved the confetti gauntlet despite it almost choking James, the photo of him after getting confetti in his face is one of my favourites - even though it really shouldn't be!"

I asked Laura for a little advice for other couples getting married...

"Plan the day you want and that will make you happy. There can be so many differing opinions when planning a wedding. Just do what makes you happy -it's your day."

"As we were getting married in spring, I wanted to incorporate spring colours (light pink and purple). As it was Easter weekend we also wanted to give a little nod to this with the personalised easter egg favors."

Laura and James' beautiful wedding cake was carefully handcrafted by Laura's talented mother

"We looked over some photos that Nigel and Chrissie had taken at a wedding at Durham Castle and fell in love with them. Once I'd seen this there was no debate!"

"Make sure you find even just 5 mins to yourselves at the wedding.  We used the time when we went off to do some photos with Chrissie and Nigel after the dinner."

A favourite moment was our SECOND dance with our amazing band, Detroit Soul, 'This Old Heat of Mine'. We actually wanted this to be our first song, but didn't think the lyrics were appropriate!

Congratulations to you Laura and James once again.  Thank you for your words of wisdom, kindness and warmth - and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us to share with you, your wonderful wedding day at Durham Castle.

Laura and James carefully selected some fantastic suppliers for their wedding day:

Venue: Durham Castle

Venue styling: Pumpkin Events (friends business)

The wedding dress: Badgley Mischka: Jean

The men's suits: Moss

Wedding cake: Mother of the Bride!

Flowers: Style and Seated (friend)

Hair and Make up: Church Hairdressing (Tynemouth), F.A.C.E Makeup (Sarah Stonehouse)

Entertainment: Detroit Soul

Healey Barn - Lyndsey and Richard

Being a Healey Barn recommended wedding photographer, Healey Barn is a venue that we both know very well and love working at.  It's stunning countryside location, idyllic views, cosy but stylish interior and the amazing atmosphere make it the perfect wedding venue.  It was a delight to return back to Healey Barn once again to photograph Lyndsey and Richard's wedding day.  

After getting ready at home, Lyndsey and Richard tied the knot in a pretty countryside church in Witton-le-Wear in front of all of their family and friends.  Dark clouds met us at Healey barn for their wedding reception and the heavens opened, but despite this, we dodged the rain to get some great shots of this happy couple who wouldn't let the weather effect their day in the slightest.

It was such a fun day with a fantastically relaxed couple and a great crowd.  Here are a few photographs from their big day...