Healey Barn - Melissa and Alex

Laughter, fun and emotion, warm people with warm hearts, stunning light for a late afternoon walk in the woods and a wonderfully atmospheric venue.  All words that go together to describe Melissa and Alex's wedding at Healy Barn last year.

Handing over to Melissa to let her tell us about their day...

How did you meet? How did he propose? What is your story?: 'Alex and I met at secondary school; he was 2 years older than me and once I got his attention we were inseparable. We were childhood sweethearts! 9 years later we bought our first home and I never thought Alex was actually going to propose. But in 2015, on a very wet and windy holiday in the lake district; he got down on one knee and proposed. I cried and cannot even remember saying yes but it was perfect.'

What was the inspiration behind your wedding?: 'We always wanted a very relaxed and laid back affair and Healey Barn was actually the only venue we visited. We loved the setting and rustic nature of the barn and booked it straight away. We didn't want a traditional wedding and Healey Barn was the perfect escape from this. We chose not to have a specific theme for our day but the tables were each named after a family from Game of Thrones - the head table obviously being Stark.'

What was the most memorable or your favorite part of your wedding day?: 'We loved absolutely every minute of our wedding day from getting ready, seeing Alex waiting for me at the end of the aisle and enjoying the company of all of our family and friends. Our favourite part was dancing to our amazing wedding band on the evening.'

Why was photography important to you and why did you choose 2tone Photography ?: 'We both agreed that this was the most important choice to us as we wanted the pictures to be perfect and capture the memories forever. We met Nigel and Chrissie at a wedding fair at Healey Barn and loved their work and how they managed to capture natural moments rather than any forced poses. They are both very friendly and we felt at ease with them, which was so important for our wedding day as we wanted everything to be relaxed. We like the fact that it was a husband and wife partnership and they work so well together, each capturing different moments for us to look back on. They were excellent to work with and cannot thank them enough, everyone was so impressed with them on the day! The pictures they captured are amazing and their attention to detail made it really difficult to narrow the pictures down for the album.'

What is your favorite part of being married now?: 'We are expecting our first child next year and we are looking forward to raising a family of our own. We cannot wait for all of the exciting moments we are going to share in future.'

Do you have any advice for brides and grooms who are currently in the planning process?: 'We planned everything very gradually and did not feel stressed or worried about it at all. The best thing to do is remember that it is your wedding day and therefore choose what you want and pick what will make you happy. It should be an enjoyable planning process trying on suits / dresses and eating plenty of wedding cake! The day goes unbelievably fast so make sure you both enjoy it and take a moment to yourselves to take it all in.'

Venue: Healey Barn

Venue styling: Emma Bunting

The wedding dress: Mori Lee

The men's suits: Moss Bros

Wedding cake: Dreamworld Cakes

Flowers: Healey Flowers

Hair and Make up: Hair - Kerry Mobile Hairdressing. Make Up - Lucy Matthews Make-Up Artist.

Entertainment: The Emerald Thieves

Photobooth: Limelight Photobooth

Light up letters: Coco Luminaire

Transport: Lovedub Cars

Langley Castle - Charlotte and Paul

It's been a long while since we were last at Langley Castle in Northumberland.  The medieval fortified towerhouse with it's crenulations and ancient achitecture dates back to the 1300's and speaks of a distant northern lifestlye of days gone by.  The people who once lived there almost blending into mythology in our minds.  

Charlotte and Paul fell in love with the ancient building, it's history and the stunning countryside that Langley Castle sits within.  It was the perfect location for their traditional wedding last summer.  Married in the picture perfect village church of St John's in Snods Edge, they went on to enjoy a wedding breakfast and evening reception at the castle with all of their family and friends.

I asked this beautiful pair to tell us about their day in their own words...

How did you meet? How did he propose? What is your story?: Oddly our families knew of each other long before Paul and I met.  We met, working at the same store but didn't become a couple until almost 18 months after I upped and left for university in Manchester. Transpennine Express has a lot to thank us for, buying many train tickets to and from Manchester until I eventually came back home to the North East. 

We eventually moved into our first home together which we've filled with love, laughter and many happy memories over the years. A long awaited (on my part) engagement came as a surprise after 7 years together, back in Manchester where it all began. Perfect and private, Paul proposed on one knee with a dazzling ring and a joke of whether I thought he'd ever get around to it!

What was the inspiration behind your wedding?: Our wedding was about celebrating a new chapter.  Reflecting who we are as a couple but also how we have become the individuals that we are because of our families and what they mean to us.

What was the most memorable or your favorite part of your wedding day?: Speaking for myself, arriving at the church, a bag of nerves but then turning to walk down the aisle and suddenly feeling nothing but excitement to get married.

Why was photography important to you and why did you choose 2tone Photography ?: The photographs of our wedding capture all of the 'moments' of the day, to look back on in years to come.  Being transported back to our most memorable day.  We chose 2tone Photography based on a family recommendation.  The fact that we would have two fantastic photographers and two angles of everything for the whole day was a real draw for us!  They have the style that we were looking for, modern and fresh but with the potential for a mix of traditional shots to keep the family happy and more adventurous ones too.

What is your favorite part of being married now?: As the best man said, marriage changes nothing inwardly about how we feel, but changes everything outwardly. The fact we're married and share a name means people see us in a different light and that unity gives us a stronger sense of togetherness.  Our own new family unit starting out!

Do you have any advice for brides and grooms who are currently in the planning process?: Know what you want your day to be and look like, and then do your homework.  Find the suppliers who can offer what you are looking for and will share your passion to achieve your dream day. Having that will take a weight off your mind to focus on all the other parts of the day.

Venue: St John's Church, Snods Edge and Langley Castle, Hexham

Venue styling: Simply Bows & Chairs

The wedding dress: La Sposa (designer) from Eve & Ellis (boutique)

The men's suits: Ted Baker at Moss Bros

Wedding cake: Sara's Kitchen

Flowers: The Enchanted Florist

Hair and Make up: Hunter & Dublin (Hair), Kate Alexandra Howlett MUA

Wedding video: Michael & Alice from Bennett Media

Entertainment: Dan James McClew and Groove Central Station from AMV

Wedding stationery: Silverbirch Designs

Transport: ATW Wedding Cars in Washington.

THE BEST OF 2017

Well, it’s that time of year again!  The time when we collate our work and choose our top picks from the past year.  We have shared some amazing moments with some amazing people, visited some incredible places and made so many new friends.  Simply all I can say is what an absolute pleasure it has been working with each and every one of our couples throughout the year.  It is the people that we meet that make our job so special.  Thank you to you all for inviting us to your wonderful weddings.  

We both need to also say a huge thank you to all of those who have already booked us for 2018, 2019 and 2020.  Exciting times ahead folks!

So we give you...2017!  A year filled with laughs and tears of joy, moments and memories, spectacular sunsets and most importantly - incredible people.  Cheers guys, and here's to an amazing 2018!  

Beamish Hall - Joanne and Steve

Joanne and Steve chose Beamish Hall for their glorious early summer wedding day this year.  It was one of those days that the weather just couldn't make up it's mind.  Showers in the morning, crazy wind during their drinks reception, and some beautiful summer sun later, which made for some amazing portraits.  It was a day for fun and cheer, filled with love and wonderful moments and a joy to attend.

Venue: Beamish Hall

Venue styling: Beamish Extras - Beamish Hall

Hair: Lisa Cameron

Make up: Patrycja firmanty

Entertainment: Hip Operation - evening band & Snaparazzi photobooth

Beamish Hall - Anna and Adam

Anna and Adam were married in St Patrick's Church in Consett, heading over afterwards to the grand 12th Century Beamish Hall in County Durham.  Anna and Adam were both not only warm hearted, loving and two of the kindest souls, but they were also alot of fun to work with.   

Here is Anna to tell you all about their day...

How did you meet? How did he propose? What is your story?: "Adam and I met through a friend when I was at university in Liverpool. We got on really well straight away and started to spend a lot of time together. Before we met, Adam had booked a trip to travel around Australia for a year, so we only had a few weeks together before he jetted off! Luckily while he was away we stayed in touch, racking up some expensive phone bills (sorry mam & dad). When he got home we became a couple. After 5 years together Adam booked a trip to Rome. When we arrived he was spending a lot of time on his phone, trying to get us to destinations he had researched. He used his phone to direct us to the Church that my grandparents had renewed their wedding vows at 10 years ago. Typical me, did not recognise the church and had no idea why Adam was so stressed! Because Adam was then unsure whether or not this was 'THE Church' he took us to the restaurant he had planned to go to after the proposal! Still unaware I ordered a big salmon dish & tried to chat away to Adam while he again was on his phone (frantically texting all of my family to find out whether this was the correct church). We finished our meal and Adam decided to give the church another go, and with our left over salmon boxed up, off we went, me still non the wiser! Adam took us back to the church and when seeing it from a different angle I realised it was indeed the Church we came to with my grandparents 10 years ago. A relieved Adam got down on one knee, salmon in hand and popped the question! We had a few cheers from the people passing by & I was very surprised and excited! The surprises did not stop there as Adam had asked my parents & his parents to come to Rome the next day to celebrate with us! It was a really special trip that we will never forget!"

What was the inspiration behind your wedding?: "We didn't really know what we wanted when we started to plan the wedding - both of us had only been to a handful of weddings, years ago so we didn't have a lot of ideas. After going to a few wedding fairs & reading some wedding mags we decided to go for a simple & classic look, mainly white as the colour scheme with a little bit of pink and grey throughout. Luckily I had a very helpful wedding planner (my mam again) who did lots of research & alongside the rest of our families, helped to plan a wedding which was perfect for us!"

What was the most memorable or your favorite part of your wedding day?: "We loved the whole day! Both Adam & I really enjoyed the morning of the wedding - the excitement of getting ready with our families & friends. A really special part for me was coming down the stairs in my dress to see my Dad, that was a lovely moment! We enjoyed the mass, the speeches and just spending the whole day surrounded by people we love!"

Why was photography important to you and why did you choose 2tone Photography ?: "Photography was really important to us because we wanted to capture all of the special moments throughout the day so that we could see the day from every angle & have lots of memories to look back on. We were recommended 2tone photography from a friend and after meeting Nigel & Chrissie, speaking to them & seeing their work we knew they would do a fantastic job! They made us feel at ease from the beginning and answered any questions we had. We loved the idea that we would have 2 photographers so the day really would be captured from every angle - and that it was. We absolutely love our wedding pictures, 6 month on and we are still trying to decide on an album as there are too many beautiful photos to choose from!"

Do you have any advice for brides and grooms who are currently in the planning process?: "Think about what is really important to you and your day, you don't necessarily need all of the expensive 'wedding props' to make it special. And on the day try to take it all in and don't stress because it's over before you know it! Just enjoy!"

What is your favorite part of being married now?: "Not having to plan a wedding!! Haha!
We love being married now, enjoying the special memories of our wedding day and looking forward to many memories to come!"

Venue: Beamish Hall

Venue styling: Beamish Extras - Beamish Hall

The wedding dress: Accent Original Newcastle

The men's suits: Swarbricks - Manchester

Wedding cake: Burnett4cakes Tanfield

Flowers: Flower Style Consett

Hair and Make up: Lynsey Charlton - Hair & Roxy Mann - Makeup

Entertainment: The Fusion Dukes - evening band & Saxophonist from Soul Control for reception

Healey Barn - Rosie and Anthony

School teachers, Rosie and Anthony were married at St Robert's R.C Church, heading over to Healey barn for their wedding reception.  I asked them to tell us more about their school themed wedding day, their favourite moments and any advice that they could offer to couples getting married.

How did you meet? How did he propose? What is your story?: "Both of us are teachers and Anthony and I met as we were both teaching at the same school. Three years later, Anthony proposed when we were on a trip to Edinburgh, a couple of days before my birthday. I had no idea what he had planned and was so surprised when he got down on one knee in front of Edinburgh castle. It was very romantic!"

What was the inspiration behind your wedding?: "We wanted quite a relaxed and rustic theme to our wedding day. We visited a wide range of venues looking for the perfect place and as soon as we visited Healey Barn (even though it was still being built!) we fell in love with it straight away. As we are both teachers and that is how we met, our wedding had a school theme to it. The table names were the names of different subjects written on chalk boards and our favours were school-themed cookies! Our master of ceremony (my brother, Chris) used a traditional school bell throughout the day before making his announcements."

What was the most memorable or your favorite part of your wedding day?: :"I think our favourite thing was having all of the people that we love all together in one place and being able to celebrate with them. We both smiled from start to finish! We also made sure we snatched a few moments together throughout the day. The car journey from the church to the Reception was really nice as we had some time just the two of us to take it all in and enjoy it."

Why was photography important to you and why did you choose 2tone Photography?: "Choosing the photographers is such an important part of planning your wedding as the memories are so lovely to look back on. It's vital to have a good rapport with your photographers so that you all feel at ease on the day. As soon as we met Nigel and Chrissie and saw examples of their work, we knew they would be perfect for our wedding. We cannot praise them highly enough and all of our family and friends were so impressed with their professional and friendly approach on the day. The group shots were planned in advance and there was no waiting around on the day.  Nigel and Chrissie got so many fantastic pictures without us even noticing they were there! We could not be happier with the wedding photos we have received, the difficult thing was narrowing them down for the album!"

Do you have any advice for brides and grooms who are currently in the planning process?: "Just enjoy it! We had a two year engagement and planned the wedding very gradually. Everyone says that wedding planning it such a stressful time but it honestly doesn't have to be, we really enjoyed planning ideas around our theme and just had fun. Remember that it's your day and go for whatever will make you happy. Do look around at a range of venues, photographers, florists etc so you can choose your favourites rather than just going for the first ones you see. Try not to stress too much over who to invite or sorting the table plans, do what you feel comfortable with, it will all come together on the day and it will be the best day of your life!"

What is your favorite part of being married now?: "It's just nice to know that we are finally Mr and Mrs and can look forward to lots of exciting times ahead. It's been funny for the children at school to get used to calling me by a new name, so I just respond to both names now!"

Here is their day...

Venue: Healey Barn

The wedding dress: I Do

The men's suits: Slaters

Wedding cake: Vanilla Teas

Flowers: Flowers Unlimited

Hair and Make up: Hair- Lisa Cameron Make up- Sarah Stonehouse

Entertainment: Aaron Bayley Band