The last wedding of 2011 for us and a lovely setting.
Biffy (aka Elizabeth) and Brian chose Kirkley Hall as their venue as it’s set in the heart of the Northumbrian countryside.  It turned out to be a great choice.  Having had more than our fair share of dodgy weather through the summer we were blessed with a lovely day.    The only problem we had was when the fire was lit to warm up the ceremony room, the room filled with smoke setting off the fire alarms.  Biffy thought she was going to have to run outside in her lovely dress before the main event but we managed to avoid that.  If you look closely at some of the shots of the ceremony you’ll see that we were working in smoke!  Even worse for Sheila who shoots from the back of the ceremony room during the service.  As for the shots taken outside, the light at this time of year is something special so we were delighted to be given the chance to play with it.  Although it was freezing - and I mean cold - everyone was very obliging so we took advantage of the couples good nature and played outside until it got dark.  

Biffy and Brian had a great day and we just know they are going to be great together so thanks guys for letting us play our part.

What a treat to be involved with a wedding like this.

We met the couple earlier in the year and it was clear that they were always going to be up for a laugh.  They take the mickey out of each other constantly so you never know what to expect or what’s going to happen next.  We were with Caroline quite early which is just as well as there was a lot going on with activity covering three floors!  We also planned to spend some time with James at Beamish Hall before the ceremony but we had to be careful as we got wind that Caroline had left early and would be here at any minute.  And she did arrive - three times!  She was quite happy though to be driven around the block a few times in the lovely red Jaguar which they were using.  Quite grand.  Later in the day we were also treated as both James and Caroline joined the band to add their own personal touches.  All in all a great day and a real pleasure to be part of it.

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A family wedding and a great chance to catch up with folks we haven’t seen for a long time.

That was the plan anyway but plans have a habit of going off piste every now and then.  And so it came to be.  Unfortunately Craig and Jill had their fair share of problems in the days leading up to the wedding, not least of which was Craig just getting out of hospital a few days earlier after a bout of pneumonia!  It was a miracle really that everything came together in the end.  When we arrived in South Yorkshire on Friday afternoon, final changes were being made to the cake and to the childrens suits.  We spent the rest of the day driving around between the various places we would need to be on Saturday to get our bearings and I’m so glad we did.  Understandably on the day itself, time just flew by and Sheila and I just had to let everything flow and try to keep up until such time that we were able to add a touch of direction to move things along.  And it all came good in the end with Jill getting into the dress in record time to be swept off to the church.  The lighting was stunning in the church so we grabbed some great images.  And for once, the weather shone on us and we were able to grab some images of the couple at Elsicar before moving off to the lovely village of Wentworth  and the venue itself, the Rockingham Arms.  In the end we only had the briefest moments to catch up with family, which was a shame really but the images had to come first.  Thanks Jill and Craig - and everyone else involved for allowing us into your big day.  Cant wait for your viewing so here’s a small sample to whet your appetite.

Great to catch a few days near Keswick with Sheila and Jake. We’d been looking forward to getting back across there for some time as we hadn’t really had a day off in about seven weeks being full on in the wedding season.  It turned out to be pretty grim as far as Landscaping was concerned, even though I did carry two tons of gear everywhere with me.  On the other hand it wasn’t time wasted as Jake’s proving to be really at home in the wilds and takes to the water without any hesitation - great non load bearing exercise for a growing dog. We managed to catch up with some friends who introduced us to a short low level walk in and around St Johns in the Vale. It turned out to be a lovely stroll with good company and Jake being on good behaviour. Jake now has his full complement of swimming badges - not bad considering he’s completely self taught. Next time we will be over there will be late November but I don’t think the cold water will be bothering him at all.

All weddings are different and this one was very different - in a nice way of course

Rachel and Scott love the outdoors and in particular the wilds of Northumberland.  They didn’t want traditional so they chose Cuddystone Hall in the remote College Valley for their ceremony.  It’s certainly remote being well down the valley and almost in the shadow of Cheviot.  If the weather is against you then it can be an inhospitable spot but we got our share of luck on the day.  It was a bit overcast but in this area that’s heaps better than driving rain!  We were up there in good time to catch up with the girls getting ready at the wonderfully named Hethpool Mill - with Rhum their dog joining in.  We had to be pretty mobile, chasingup and down the valley to check on the guys and other goings on and it was here that I realised that our 4WD is truly an important part of our kit.  Meeting the coach on the single track road as it ferried people up the valley to the hall could have proven to be a bit of a problem so it was a case of engage low ratio and get off road for a while.  I haven’t had so much fun in ages.  On top of that we knew we were going to be out in the wilds so Rachel had kindly given us her blessing to turn up in outdoor wear.  It felt so naughty!

This did however turn out to be a blessing as we’d been told that there was a small lake tucked away behind Hethpool House which would make a great backdrop.  I had a quick look at it and then sort of asked permission to use it later in the day.  With permission “sort of” granted it was great to drag Rachel and Scott over the field to get them in position, even if Sheila had to lend some shoes to Rachel to protect her wedding shoes.  Thanks for being up for it guys.  We had a great day.

Wedding Photography in Northumberland, Wedding Photography in Newcastle

An early start for us but we love to be on site in good time to get a feel for what’s going on and to give us plenty of time to gather those all so important bridal preparation shots.

Sam was super composed and that in itself was remarkable given that she had been let down late the previous evening by the car company who she had secretly booked to ferry Stephen and his best man Wayne to the venue.  The good people at Linden Hall hotel sprang to her aid and came up with some suggestions and at the very last minute a new car was sourced.  By all accounts the girls were up half the night but they all looked lovely so it didn’t show.  At least the guys turned up on time!  A tightly packed ceremony with guests watching from the upstairs gallery added a special touch, even if I had to breath in to avoid standing on top of the registrar!  Group shots completed we had a little time with the new Mr & Mrs Janes and even managed to blag a golf buggy from two guys finishing their round.  It’s amazing the grin that a guy gets on his face when you put him in a golf buggy.  As well as making use of the lovely views at Linden I was keen to try out some new angles inside and as Sam and Stephen were chuffed with the images when they saw them last night, I think I am too!  Let’s know what you think folks. 

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Ailsa and John had planned this wedding beautifully and chosen Meldon Park Gardens for their celebration

It was a first for the gardens and once the couple decided on the venue they just let their imagination flow.  Ailsa worked with her own wedding planner to create a village fete theme and spent hours creating bunting, folding napkins and collecting china and glasses for the table settings. And…not only did Ailsa have five bridesmaids, she also had five bridesmen and that’s a first for us.  With everyone getting ready in the same house it was a case of keep moving or you would get a job.  Pretty different approach as well with the guys having a beer or two and then getting ready in about ten minutes whilst the girls took a little while longer.  Travelling to the venue in a Double Decker bus added a nice touch with Sheila travelling with them, trying to maintain a steady hand and keep track of the on board party.  Ailsa and John wanted the ceremony to take place under some of the trees in the garden.  This presented me with a teeny problem though in that in order to get any angles on the couple as the ceremony proceeded, it meant that I had to sneak around the backs of the trees from time to time and try to avoid snapping branches.  You just don’t want to draw attention to yourself as the couple get married!

That done, we had a great time with them as they were just up for everything and as far as Ailsa was concerned if there was a chance to pose a bit and have a laugh, she would go for it.  Bless them both. 

The weather gods we’re having a bad day so decided to let it rain full on for about ten hours

Not fair on the couple really but when this happens it’s up to us to make the day the best it can be for everyone involved.  No problem with the Bridal preparation shots even though it was a bit of a squeeze with make up artist, five bridesmaids, two flower girls, Mum and Joanne herself.  When the flowers arrived I didn’t think there would be anywhere to put them!  Still. we toughed it out and tried to get shots at each stage of the preps.  The good news was that nobody was letting the weather spoil their fun.  The Church on the Hill at Washinton village is lovely in that it has a gallery so Sheila could hang over the edge to get some shots of the ceremony.  I got the easy bit at the front of the church.  The Wedding breakfast was at Ramside Hall and with it still raining hard there was no chance of any outside shots so we managed to blag some time with the couple in an older part of the hotel.  There was a large birthday party being held there and a number of the guests decided that it would be good fun to hang over my shoulder and admire the beautiful bride.  We couldn’t blame them really but there’s nothing like a bit of pressure to raise your game, is there?  The end of the procedings for us was Scott and the first dance.  Joanne knew what to expect but we didn’t, as he went through all manner of moves.  Joanne did well to hang bless her!

Cheers Scott & Joanne and thanks for inviting us to be part of your day.

Really looking forward to this shoot. Biffy (aka Elizabeth .. but we prefer Biffy) and Brian have their winter wedding booked at Kirkley Hall in December

Biffy has been known as Biffy since she was very young so we’ll happily stick with that.  When we discussed locations for their pre-wedding shoot we said we’d go almost anywhere.  “Fair enough”  they said, “How about coming to our place in the country for a bit of a location shoot”.  As this was where Brian proposed to Biffy then we jumped at the chance, particularly since it was out in the wilds at East Woodburn.  They had an idea that they would like to go up to a local crag used by climbers so that we could take in the view.  Another great idea but it proved a bit of a challenge as the North East was being battered by the back end of hurricane Katia.  Standing up was a challenge in itself and holding the camera steady at low shutter speeds just wasn’t going to happen.  Still we gave it a brave shot and then tramped back through the rocks and bracken to get back to the cars, with Biffy’s prized Nissan Figaro and Daisy, their dog, sneaking into a few shots.  Then, off to their remote little dwelling.  Biffy spent every summer here when she was young and has sort of adopted the place.  Brian’s got plans for some remodelling and as he offered to take the patio door off for me just so I could get them into the best light, I get the impression that he’s a fairly handy chap.  They also held their engagement party there with people either cramming into the cottage or camping in the back garden.  The whole place has a lovely feel to it and Sheila and I just fell in love it.  It really is escapism.  With no running water or mains electricity available they just love to get up there with the simple things and immerse themselves in the solitude - and each other of course.  So, thanks Brian, Biffy and Daisy for letting us into something which is obviously so personal to you.  See you soon.

I promised that I would keep you all up to date with Jake’s progress so here goes

Jake’s coming up to eight months old now and looks like a proper Border Collie.  He’s lost his puppy look but is still a cutey and gets admired by everyone he meets.  Most people cant believe the length of his coat for a young dog and thankfully he seems to keep himself pretty clean.  He’s become a great companion on our daily walks.   Jake doesn’t appear to have an off switch - or if he does, I haven’t found it yet.  This means that if we allowed him he’d just run and run all day but as we want a happy healthy dog in future years we still need to restrict his walks a little to make sure he doesn’t overdo things.  We’re really lucky in that we have in woodland almost on our doorstep and this leads onto farmland, ideal for a Border Collie to do a bit of exploring.  We’ve come across all manner of wildlife in the past weeks and it’s not unusual to come across a few deer or the odd fox.  I was just thankful that Jake showed the fox a bit of respect as it crossed our path and didn’t feel the need to introduce himself to it.  Once a week we book Jake into Doggy Creche so that he has some intensive socialisation time.  It’s the only time we ever see him the slightest bit tired so it’s worth every penny.  Here’s a few images taken this week. The last two are early morning shots. Great to be out just as the day is starting.