Chinese wedding at Matfen Hall - Fiona and Rico

We are no strangers to photographing Chinese weddings in Newcastle. Over the years we have had the joy of attending and photographing countless Chinese weddings for local couples, and we have had the pleasure in creating long lasting friendships within the Newcastle Chinese community. We know and understand the traditional Chinese wedding customs, the fast paced fun of the day and we know that they are never the same twice.

Fiona and Rico’s big day was one such wedding. It was a feast for the eyes, Chinese wedding customs were combined with English wedding traditions resulting a multifaceted wedding day of fun and silliness, emotion and sincerity, elegance and romance.

The day started at Fiona’s family home. Inside, the ladies were busy getting ready, while outside, the street filled with family and friends, waiting for the boys to arrive. Moments after stepping out of the car, Rico was presented with a series of tasks set by the bridesmaids before being allowed entry into the house to collect his bride. The boys really got stuck into the challenges and luckily, they suitably impressed the girls. Once allowed inside, they all took part in the traditional tea ceremony before heading over to Rico’s parents home to perform the same ceremony with his family.

Later in the day, everyone poured over to Matfen Hall in Northumberland for their elegant and very English wedding ceremony and wedding breakfast.

Here are a few images from their day.

St Nicholas Cathedral and Kirkley Hall - Naomi and Alexander

Listening to the local news on television while getting ready for this amazing wedding, two familiar voices stopped me in my tracks. Looking up, I saw Naomi and Alex, blissfully happy, sharing their thoughts about getting married the next day - the same day and at the exact same time as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Their day proved to be no less memorable, and just as stunning.

They chose a real contrast in venues for their wedding - which we loved! It was a city meets country affair filled with love, celebration and fun. Their traditional religous wedding ceremony took place in the Cathedral Church of St Nicholas in Newcastle, attended by all of their family and friends, (I have never seen the Cathedral looking so full.) moving onto Kirkley Hall, and a huge marquee set up for them within the grounds of the hall.

Their day reflected the very best of a relaxed yet traditional english wedding bringing two wonderful families together.

The Fig House at Middleton Lodge - Barbara and David

Not only did we have the pleasure of photographing the first event held in Middleton Lodge’s brand new venue, the Fig House, but also the extreme honour of photographing Barbara and David’s vow renewal.

11 years ago, we met Gayle and Edd, a charming young couple, newly engaged and planning their wedding at Headlam Hall. In the lead up to their wedding in 2010, we met a number of times. By the time the day came around, we were firm friends. The day was simply amazing, the sun shone, and happiness radiated, the love shared between them and their families evident for everyone to see. That was the day that we met Barbara and David, Gayle’s wonderful parents.

Married for 43 happy years, Barbara had never once removed her wedding ring, until a necessary operation on her left hand changed that. Something that had held so much meaning and sentimentality for so long, she and David both came to the decision that the right thing to do was to put it back on her finger while renewing their vows in front of their children and grandchildren.

We are truly so grateful that you got in touch to ask us to be a small part of your intimate family celebration. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for inviting us into your lives again.

Wynyard Hall - Louise and Chris

I am not quite sure that I have ever seen a bride more besotted with her wedding dress. Louise looked a vision as she laughed - spinning in circles, enjoying and admiring it from every angle before heading down the great spiral staircase to marry the man of her dreams. She and Chris were wed in Wynyard Hall’s stunning Brooks chapel earlier this year.

Louise and Chris are energy personified. Outgoing and fun, they are two people who love a good party - (well who doesn’t?) They have a taste for the finer things in life, impeccably organised, kind and warm hearted. They are a perfectly balanced pair. Together they planned, and surprised their guests throughout their day, from a rousing sing along during the ceremony, to a little bit of dancing on the tables during the wedding breakfast, and to end the day, a full on Ibiza style party, complete with an LED saxophone and some pretty impressive dance moves.

The awesome beauty of the setting sun appeals to all of us. the crisp colours and warm light, a romantic moment in which time seems to stand still. Nigel and I are often asked to take a special portrait at this time of the day. For Louise and Chris, their sunset portrait meant something much more. Their story started with a sunset when Louise and Chris first became a couple. Chris, ever the romantic once again found the perfect sunset to propose to his wife. Photography is all about stories, each shot holding special and often very personal meaning. Knowing their story, it seemed that we just had to make sure that they had a shot of this special time on their wedding day. Our window of opportunity arrived after their meal, just before the wedding speeches were due to begin. Nigel and I met Louise and Chris outside the conservatory to take the quick shot after which, we made our way back inside, leaving Louise and Chris to enjoy their sunset. It wasn’t until then, that we saw it - the shot. The two of them, totally unaware of us, enjoying their moment together, framed perfectly within the open door of the conservatory, the setting sun casting the window frames into silhouette. It was truly a beautiful moment, that I won’t forget in a hurry.

This Wynyard hall wedding had it all - a stunning venue, two people deeply in love, and all the emotion that surrounds that.

If you are planning a wedding at Wynyard Hall, we would love to hear from you, in the mean time, take a look at more weddings at this amazing wedding venue.

Wynyard Hall - Kathryn and Luke

Snow snow snow…and ice!  And that light!  Wow!

Covered with a fresh fall of pure white snow, Wynyard Hall created a dream setting for Kathryn and Luke's January wedding earlier this year.  The winter low sun, which we are always fans of, only added to the effect, and created ideal conditions to capture some truly magical images for Kathryn and Luke. 

Kathryn and Luke's story began at the tender age of 14.  She didn’t want to play paintball with her friends so she decided to go and chat with the lad working at the venue instead.  Some weeks later Luke looked her up on facebook, they got chatting again and arranged a date.  8 years later, they were wed.

Luke works on a farm and wanted to make his much loved career path a small part of their day.  He asked to borrow a tractor which became his wedding transport to the venue. Kathryn had no idea of his plan and after a quick peak out of the bedroom window, loved the surprise, seeing the brand new huge green tractor clad with wedding bows and ribbons. 

Kathryn is a very talented singer, and to much delight of all of their guests decided upon an impromptu performance with their evening wedding band.  She sang a stunning rendition of Edd Sheeran’s Photograph, relaying afterwards funny stories about her and the band members who are long friends, to the raucous laughter of her guests. 

Here is a brief glance of our first wedding of 2018, enjoy!

The Italian Villa, Dorset - Carla and Dannel

When wedding photographer bride, Carla got married, we knew the day was going to be something special.  She and Dannel were married in the Italian Villa in Canford Cliff's near Poole, a stunning mediterranean styled venue complete with ornamental lake and extensive individually themed gardens.

Carla's innate style carried through to their big day.  Her wedding dress was hand made and bespoke designed to her tastes, with a smaller version of the same gown created for her daughter.  The floor to ceiling floral decor were adorned with garlands and glittering baubles suited to match their Christmas themed December wedding.  From her accessories to the tea light candles that decorated the garden stone folly, she gave everything such attention to detail.  The surprise wedding singers were a fantastic addition to their already amazing wedding. Grace carefully posed as a wedding guest throughout the day, and even had a table place set out for her, but when the cook came in to entertain the guests in song, she stood and joined her husband in a marvellous performance. 

Here is a little insight to their fantastic big day!