I always seem to start these posts talking about the weather! Hey guess what!!! It's been a big feature of my weddings this year. The lead up to each wedding has been spent watching a constantly changing forecast. For Louise and Graeme's wedding, the forecast for their magical seemed to change by the hour. By Thursday we were expecting none stop torrential rain.....but when Saturday arrived....blazing sunshine and very very humid!
Alnwick Garden is one of my favourite venues to shoot at. I've been there so many times now and to be one of the preferred wedding photographers there is extra special! I spot something new every time I go there.
Having got to know Louise and Graeme over the months leading up to their wedding, I had decided that for them we would go for something more traditional. "I don't like that Bride at the front and Groom at the back stuff" was the first thing Louise told me. That's the sort of stuff I want to hear. I always start my consultations and planning meetings with the question, "What don't you like". And to be honest, The Garden was the perfect place to capture some really romantic imagery.
Louise and the bridesmaid got ready at the stunning Longhirst Hall prior to heading up the A1 to Alnwick. At the Garden, the Pavilion was decked with Union Flag bunting following the recent jubilee celebrations and the guests sipped on Pimms while they waited for the two stars of the day.
Graeme does go down as one of the most chilled out grooms I have ever worked with, taking it all in his stride, although there was a point in the day when that went out the window. When the registrar began the ceremony with "We are gathered here today to celebrate the marriage of Graeme and Sarah....". Louise saying "Who's Sarah?" will stay with me forever.
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| "Who's Sarah??!!" |
One of the lovely things about the Garden is that although it is open to the public while the wedding is going on, the visitors all keep their distance especially from the Pavilion when the ceremony is taking place.
It was such a relaxing day at Alnwick Garden and was a joy to capture. Have a fantastic time in Florida Graeme and Louise and I'll see you when you get back.
Louise and Graeme's wedding was planned and coordinated by North East Wedding Planner, and featured the talents of The Timeless Table, KF Makeup and DJ & Presenter Colin Cook.
When I first met Emma and Gary they talked me through the plans for their wedding...stunning church, wacky vicar, route-master bus, reception at The Stadium of Light....the list went on. It sounded amazing. The idea was modern with a vintage twist. Emma was infectiously enthusiastic about everything.....Gary on the other hand was quite relaxed about everything. "Trust me, I'll be like this on the day" he assured me.
An early start on their big day saw me heading to Emma's parents house to start bridal prep pictures. The sun was out, a few clouds here and there and a light wind made for a great day. Emma and Gary's little girl Elizabeth was running around getting caught up in the pre-wedding excitement and resisted any attempts to get her to have a quick nap.
Over at Emma and Gary's house, Gary, the two best men and usher were fighting with braces and cuff links. Nerves were showing but all in all the four of them, Gary in particular were taking everything in their stride.
St Paul's Church in Ryhope look amazing in the lunchtime sun. The vicar was indeed a bit different. Jokey, approachable and above all pro photography...as long as I didn't get in his way. Inside the church Gary waited while Emma made her way through the church grounds to be met by Elizabeth at the church door. Emma's vintage dress glistened in the sun and looked stunning. As she walked down the aisle, Gary turned and looked awestruck. Meanwhile, Elizabeth strolled around the church with her toy doll blissfully unaware of what was happening around her raising chuckles from the congregation.
The ceremony was simple, the singing was passionate and a the vicar cracked some jokes. Such a refreshing approach.
Once at the Stadium of Light, everyone relaxed. With photos being taken in the changing room and the stands, the ground offered something a little different to the norm in terms of a backdrop for wedding photography.
One thing that particularly caught my eye during the reception was the donation being made to the Help our Heroes charity rather than giving people favours. I thought this was such a lovely touch especially with the best men and usher being in the forces.
With the evening guests congregating in the bright and airy Riverview bar at the stadium, Emma and Gary mingled before dancing into the night.
As wedding days go, this one was possibly the most relaxed wedding I've covered. I wish Emma and Gary (and Elizabeth) all the best for the future and hope they have a fantastic honeymoon at the end of July.
Emma and Gary were assisted in the planning of their special day by North East Wedding Planners.
