So we thought we’d put together some of the many highlights into one post. We absolutely love engagement and pre-wedding shoots. As much as we enjoy the buzz and excitement of a wedding, there is something really satisfying about spending a few hours really getting to know the people whose wedding we are going to photograph – plenty of time to chat while we stroll around the town, the grounds of a stately home, a farm or the seaside. As there are few time constraints they are very often improvised shoots, finding lovely locations as we go, rather than the well organised and planned bride and groom shoot at a wedding. Clients always tell us how enjoyable and beneficial they find it (despite initial nerves!) and we also find it invaluable as photographers: not just a chance to build on the relationship with our clients but also an opportunity to find out about their style, their likes and dislikes: all vital information for the big wedding day.

Anyway – introducing a few of our new friends (and their pooches!) getting married later this year or next. Come wind rain or shine…..or snow! Enjoy…

Love, R&C xx

As you know, Easter this year was chilly. Actually scratch that – it was freezing! Luckily Easter Sunday was at least bright and one of the major plus points of the Priory Cottages is that they have an amazing sheltered courtyard that keeps the icy wind at bay! Amy and Luke were getting ready for their big day just yards from each other (in opposite cottages) so Caroline and I didn’t have far to go to cover both camps in the morning! Just as a footnote, our dashing groom Luke officially wins the award in the “most nervous groom ever” category. Not that you’d know it from the photos where he looks as a cool as a cucumber….Here are some of the preparation highlights:

The wedding ceremony was just beautiful, and all the more meaningful as it was led by Amy’s uncle. There is one photo in particular here that keeps putting a lump in my throat: Amy’s Mum and Dad looking up at their daughter as proud as punch. Now isn’t that what it’s all about? After that (and of course the confetti) it was off for a beautifully sunny bride and groom shoot around the courtyard and the extensive Priory grounds, followed by some fun family/group photos:

The wedding marquee was decorated to perfection with an Easter theme throughout and, after the wedding party received their guests into dinner, it was time for the speeches. Actually Simon, the best man, saved his speech until after dinner and boy, was it worth the wait. Very very funny – take a bow Sir.

And then there wasn’t much left to do other than party! Superb band, even better shapes thrown on the dancefloor, and of course with that ambience outside we had to whisk the lovely couple outside for a final photo:

So we left Amy, Luke, family and guests to their celebrations, and we left the Priory Cottages sparkling under the Easter Sunday night sky. What a day – what a wedding! Love and thanks to a wonderful couple for asking us to capture such a fantastic event.

R&C xx

We were really looking forward to this wedding, and not just because Bolton Castle is one of our very favourite wedding venues – a proper medieval castle perched on a hill overlooking the rolling Dales. Gemma and Asa are one of the lovliest, funniest, warmest couples you could ever hope to meet, and after numerous conversations on Facebook we were pretty sure their family and friends were going to be the same. We weren’t disappointed – starting with a very pleasant bear hug from Alison, the bride’s Mum, upon arrival at Gemma’s house in the morning! I had a really fun morning with Gemma, Mum, Grandma (who had turned 98 the day before), beautiful bridesmaid Melissa and the lovely Becci from Hair by Becci. Caroline met up with Asa and the boys for their preparations and the obligatory trip to the pub in Askrigg (commonly known as the “middle pub”). Here are some highlights from the wedding preparations:

It was then time to head up to Bolton Castle for the Wedding Ceremony and Reception. It’s such an atmospheric, romantic setting for a wedding. The ceremony took place in the beautiful bright Solar and was full of laughter (as is usual with these two) and some tears – just lovely. You have to be hardy to live in Askrigg so there was never any question about heading out into the very low temperatures for some bride and groom photos. When I say “heading out” it was more of a “slipping and sliding out”…followed by family and group photos in the old Chapel.

The wedding breakfast room looked stunning, complete with plenty of personal touches: individual favour bags filled with treats including Gemma’s fine homemade shortbread, and a fabulous wedding cake baked by Gemma, topped with Gemma and Asa sheep doppelgängers!

And so to the speeches, starting with a traditional Scottish toast by the piper and then another toast to Grandma’s 98th birthday! The speeches were fantastic with much hilarity and no shortage of emotion around the room. Full of fine food and wine, everyone was then ready to hit the dancefloor as the ceilidh band struck up the first chords.

A truly fantastic day. We left everyone hurling each other around the dancefloor, just stopping to look back at magnificent Bolton Castle, nestling under the stars. Our heartfelt thanks to Gemma and Asa for asking us to capture such a special event.

Love, Richard & Caroline xxx

Unusually this was the first time we’d had the pleasure of meeting these two lovely people and of course Tyke the Staffie. It was Kay’s Mum we originally spent a long time chatting to at a wedding fair at the end of last year and it seems she’s done a pretty amazing job in helping get things sorted for the wedding this July at beautiful Wood Hall in Wetherby.

It was a lovely engagement shoot – full of sun and laughs – and we can’t wait for the wedding! Something tells me these two are going to scrub up pretty well

Enjoy, R&C x

Amy and Luke’s wedding is fast approaching, taking place this Easter Sunday at the fabulous Priory Cottages near Wetherby. A beautiful venue, a gorgeous couple and a day we are really looking forward to! Here are a few highlights from their Engagement shoot.

By the time I got to Hull the snow was well and truly on the melt and only the church needed a little bit of digging out by some impressive ushers (see below). Caroline was exhibiting at a wedding show for us on the same day and I was pleased to have my good friend and ace photographer John Hope along for the day. He slipped and skidded along the road to Tom’s house where the boys were making themselves dapper while I spent a really fun couple of hours in the company of Fi, her bridesmaids and parents.

Now the wedding service at The Vineyard church in Hull was like no other I had seen before. I knew it was going to be a little different having visited the church with Fi & Tom a few weeks earlier. For a start there was the music. No sign of an organ and a bashful congregation unsure of the words. Here was a mightily impressive band making a huge noise and a congregation belting out the words and getting very emotionally involved in the music. Nerve-tingling stuff. The ceremony itself was beautiful, uplifting and stirring; the sermon brilliantly written and delivered and the participation of the huge congregation in the whole thing was awe-inspiring. When Fi and Tom were finally pronounced man and wife and kissed, I can honestly say I have never heard a din like it, their popularity clear for all to see. I loved it!

Then it was off to the Guild Hall in the centre of Hull – another first for me. The Guild Hall serves as the main Council office and is stunning inside. A beautiful high-ceiling banqueting hall with stained glass windows, a sumptuous Reception room for drinks and a maze of wood-paneled corridors and impressive staircases as a backdrop for bride and groom photos – which we made the most of! The Wedding Reception continued in the same way as the ceremony had ended: full of high spirits, warmth and laughs. In the evening Fiona & Tom decided to dispense with the formalities of the first dance and launched straight into a rip-roaring ceilidh.

It was a wonderful day and I enjoyed it immensely. Thanks again to John Hope for his brilliant assistance and of course to the lovely Fiona and Tom for having us play a part in their very special day.

And so it was this fine Sunday morning a few weeks ago, that I met up with Leanne and Adam for their engagement shoot. This lovely couple, both teachers, are getting married at the beautiful Denton Hall in Ilkley next Summer, and this was a chance to practice getting loved up in front of the camera. And to be fair, they didn’t need an awful lot of time to get into the swing of it! A great morning, great banter and lovely weather. There are few more pleasant ways to spend a Sunday morning!

Rachael’s gorgeous bouquet by Sasha at Rose & Co

A stunning dress from Amelia Elliott Bridal

A special mention for David Fields, one of Swinton Park’s recommended hairdressers. One of the nicest, funniest, most helpful people we have had the pleasure of meeting. And he doesn’t just do hair, he opens champagne, helps fasten the dress and generally makes everyone laugh.

Rachael & Neil’s wedding was also to be the first time we had photographed an owl swooping down the aisle to deliver the rings to the best man. We had all sorts of visions of this huge Harry Potter style bird of prey until meeting the cute little thing back in November when we saw Rachael & Neil at Swinton Park for a catch-up, and all went to plan with the ring delivery as you can see below! It was a lovely, emotional ceremony with both Rachael and Neil having to bite their lips to get their words out. Before all that though, a few photos of a beautiful bride on a lovely staircase!

We did venture outside briefly for a shot of the newly-married couple with their very special ringbearer before continuing with bride and groom photos in the warmth of the Swinton Park corridors. After dinner, some lovely speeches (cue more tears), it did finally stop raining so we stole out for a few romantic shots in front of the impressive tower before it was time for their first dance.

Thanks to Rachael & Neil for involving us in such a brilliant day, and thanks for the wine & choccies (fine additions to the Christmas stash)!

Richard & Caroline xx

Ann & Joseph are childhood sweethearts from Cavan in Ireland and both moved over here to live and work in Didsbury (aka the Bohemian aka the posh part of Manchester). They are heading back to their home town for the wedding next December when I am assured the weather in Ireland is beautiful. It will be a small wedding by Irish standards – just the 300-odd guests…..

Thanks to both Ann & Joseph for a fun-packed morning in York, you were both amazing!

When thinking about the main words that spring to mind when trying to describe Emma & Jonathan, “fun”, “YOUNG”, “dedicated” and “mad as a box of frogs” all tussle for first place. We knew it was going to be a fun day and boy were we not disappointed.

So basically….here’s the thing……they made, well, everything themselves. For example (and I know I will miss loads): the DRESS, the bridemaids dresses, the flower girl dresses, the boys waistcoats, the boys ties, the bouquet, the corsages, the table centre pieces, the table plan (and not just any old table plan – see later), the jewellery, the photographers sharp suit (ok, maybe I’m running out of things). Just incredible.

Anyway – let’s have some photos starting with my trip to the hairdressers where the girls were starting the day, and Emma’s Mum and Dad’s. Caroline, as ever, grabbing tea and breakfast with the boys.

The wedding service took place at St James’ in Manston. Although we had been blessed with the one day of sunshine over the Christmas period, it was just a tad on the blustery side and although Emma did pretty well at controlling her emotions, controlling her wedding attire was a different matter altogether. In all seriousness I had to stop myself constantly gauping at Emma’s beautiful dress and the fact that she’d made it. Maybe it’s time I got over it…

Daylight was fading fast by the time we arrived at Oulton Hall for the Reception, so it was off, champagne glass in hand, for a few bride and groom shots in the grounds before heading inside to complete the job. This was the third shoot we had done with Emma and Jonathan and they just fell back into it – just like riding a bike!

The evening was a little unorthadox. Dinner and speeches were followed by a pub quiz (so hard not to shout out the answers!) and then, to top it all off, a game of Mr and Mrs for the newly married couple. Including authentic headphones! Great entertainment and well worth sticking around for.
The first dance took place discretely to Take That’s “Greatest Day” played by one of Jonathan’s ushers on the keyboard. Even the first dance was “do it yourself”…..

Ah yes – the table plan. Jonathan hand-drew it and it depicts an ordanance survey map of some of their favourite Lake District spots, including Scarfell Pike where Jonathan proposed. Apparently he did it while watching Formula 1 races on TV. It took him a whole season!! Told you – mad as a box of frogs. But soooooo romantic!

A brilliant wedding where all the meticulous planning and hard work really did pay off. We loved being part of it.

Richard & Caroline xx