Wynyard Hall - Laura and Jonathan

Laura and Jonathan's wedding day at Wynyard Hall turned out to be the last wedding that we would photograph before the UK locked down due to the Covid 19 pandemic. They were married only two days before the national lockdown was announced, but aside from the chatter about the pandemic, and more hand-washing than usual, it didn’t affect their day at all.

Laura got ready in the cottage within Wynyard Hall’s walled gardens, it was the first time that I had been inside the cottage, and I loved it. Not too big, not too small, cosy, and traditional. A lovely spot to get ready for a wedding. Nigel met the lads in the Wellington bar down in the Hall. Wynyard Hall is one of the only local venues that has its own consecrated chapel, and weddings in the chapel are always so beautiful. Laura looked stunning in her lace gown as she walked down the aisle to meet her groom. After a rather emotional ceremony, the newlyweds enjoyed drinks with their friends and family in the Statue Gallery.

Every year, around March to the beginning of April, Wynyard Hall’s grounds fill with thousands upon thousands of daffodils, which made for gorgeous pictures of the happy couple together, we took a walk around the grounds and took in the views of the lake before heading back inside for their meal and a few really fab speeches in the large conservatory. After the room was turned around, the party began. They cut their cake and hit the dancefloor. Everyone got up out of their seats and gave it their all, even the Nana’s and Grandad’s. It had been quite a while since we’ve seen such a full and enthusiastic dancefloor, and as it happens, we haven’t seen one since. I am so looking forward to seeing jam-packed dancefloors again, hopefully, it won’t be too long away now.

Slaley Hall - Sarah and Craig

“Just wanted to say a huge thank you guys, I honestly can’t recommend you enough. I’ve never met such a nicer, sweet couple who work amazing with each other. You made us feel at ease and helped run the day as smoothly as possible for us.

If you are looking for an amazing couple as your photographers to capture outstanding shots then Nigel and Chrissie are the ones to have. I can’t thank you both enough, your talent is out of this world and that’s why we picked you. As soon as we met you both we just knew that we needed to book you. You left a big impression on us as we could tell that you absolutely love your job and your knowledge is unbelievably fantastic, it blew us away. Thank you so so much.” - Mr and Mrs Davies xx

I’m taking us back today to a rather chilly early March day last year for Sarah and Craig’s wedding at Slaley Hall. It was great fun working with this super chilled out pair at their amazing venue, based in the Northumberland countryside set within acres of moorland and forest.

Le Petit Chateau - Lauren and Simon

Lauren and Simon chose Le Petit Chateau in Otterburn, Northumberland for their wedding.  They were won over by it's quirky decor, beautiful gardens and friendly feel.  The weather sadly wasn't on our side and rain poured down the entire day. As we let our creative juices flow, Lauren and Simon were only too happy to play along to make the rain a thing to remember, and it all turned our rather well in the end!

How did you meet? What is your story? 

"We met at school, we were friends from first school but actually got together as a couple at high school."

How did you get engaged? 

"It was the night before my 30th birthday.  We were living with my parents at the time as we were in the middle of moving house. When we got back from the cinema I went upstairs to check on our daughter Fearne and found the ring box and a card in her cot and in the card it said ‘Mammy please will you marry my Daddy?)"

Tell us about your venue. Why did you pick it?

"We chose Le Petit Chateau because after having lots of friends weddings over the last couple of years we liked that nobody we knew had been married there before. We loved how different and quirky the venue was, it had a lovely feel about the place and the staff were all so friendly. We loved the inside and the outside and also that we had plenty of rooms for people to stay, however it was definitely the ceremony room that really won us over."

What was your absolute favourite part of the day? Does your spouse have a different favourite?

"I just loved every minute of it!!  His favourite part was the morning, the build up when all of the lads turned up and the adrenaline started before they went in for the ceremony."

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

"Photography was important because although we will always have the memories, the day really does just go so quick and we wanted some great pictures to be able to look back on over the years and remember. We chose 2tone because we loved the photos they did for my sister and friends wedding and liked how there was Nigel to be with the boys in the morning and Chrissie to be with the girls to get a picture of the whole morning both sides. We also love how relaxed they make everyone feel and the natural pictures they capture."

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

"Just dont stress about the little things. Everything will come together in the end."

What is your favorite part of being married now?

"Feeling slightly closer as a family now we all have the same surname."

Venue: Le petit chateau

The wedding dress: Accent bridal

The men's suits: Moss bros

Wedding cake: Gillian banks

Flowers: The Flower Shed

Hair stylist: Reflections

Stationary: Myself

Entertainment: Proctor entertainment & Helena Pearson harpist

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...

Newton Hall - Denise and John

Denise and John chose to get married in one of Northumberland's most unique venues, the bold, romantic and fantastical Newton Hall.  Filled to the rafters with style and character, quirky trinkets and statement pieces, it is a lot of fun to walk around and explore - and fun really was the word for the day.  Our fun loving couple with their fantastic guests created a relaxed and informal wedding filled with laughs and happiness all around, it really was a great day to shoot and a joy to be involved.

A shorter day than normal for us, we met them both for their preparations at the hall, they were married in the beautiful glass house making full use of the surprisingly good weather (for march) with the folding doors flung open and looking straight out on to the grounds.  After celebrating with their guests in the hall and a few pictures around the grounds, the four of us nipped off for a quick 10 minutes to the beach down the road before heading back to join their guests again for their wedding meal in the garden suite.  Nige and I said our goodbyes and left them to enjoy the rest of their wonderful wedding day.

Here are a few of our favourites from their day.