Michael & Natalie ..Venetian themed wedding at Dalston Hall

Michael and Natalie met at University. After ten years of togetherness they decided to make their love official and marry back in Natalie's home town of Cumbria. St Mary's Church in Rockcliffe was the place they chose with a venetian themed wedding reception at Dalston Hall for 80 of their close family and friends.

I started out by photographing Natalie in the bridal chamber up in the turret of Dalston Hall. Natalie had carefully selected everything and her attention to detail was fabulous! Natalie selected some wow Christian Louboutin shoes in silver from Harrods. Her beautiful dress was Maggie Sottero and her birdcage veil and roses with lace and feathers finished the look she had chosen it was stunning!



Natalie had a great presence infront of the camera....





Mike looked great in his suit from Edwards in Penrith..



On arriving at the church the first glance always a nice shot!



Mike and Natalie live in London but I was fortunate to meet them both before the wedding to go through their requirements for their day. This is always important as it means that we already feel we know each other which is crucial to getting great photographs and helping each couple relax on their big day.

Loved the veil on Natalie's dress this pose had to be done!



We went down to Rockcliffe Marsh very close to St Mary's which is a stunning setting for romantic photographs!



Back at Dalston Hall family photographs were taken and the bridal party having fun!



Because Mike and Natalie were engaged in Venice they chose to have a Venetian themed wedding with masquerade pieces for all the guests. The Great Hall of Dalston Hall looked stunning!



This has to be my favourite shot of the day. It really shows the fun loving personalities of this happy couple coming through and sums up why I love my job!



Just want to say thanks for letting me shoot your wedding. I had great fun and I hope you are having a wonderful honeymoon in Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket!

Wedding fashion Shoot..

I had a great time last week shooting models Jane and Natalie. The theme was hair with a vintage feel. Vintage is big for 2011!

Styling was by Amanda Jennings a freelance hairdresser from Penrith who I have enjoyed working with on weddings here in Cumbria. The very talented miliner Sara Gadd gave us some hair pieces that are very in at the moment including a bird cage veil that I loved! If any of you bride's are looking to buy one you can purchase one from Sara who hand crafts everything herself!

Jane wearing a vintage wedding dress bird cage veil and her bouquet is also on a vintage theme by the highly creative team at Vandella.







Natalie wearing a large bow comb with pearl theme. Nat's short hair was given a more sculpted look.
Natalie wears a lily head dress and fur vintage coat.





Thanks girls. I am really looking forward to working with you all again throughout this year!

Sam & Monica...a simplistic romantic spring wedding

I had the pleasure of photographing the lovely Monica and Sam's wedding last Friday.

I have known Sam and Monica since they were kids. (I must be getting old) So it was so nice to see them arrive at the Kingdom Hall in Carlisle with all of their family and friends gathered to see them be married.

The day started out at Monica's parent's home where Monica's sister's helped her get ready for her big day. Her dress looked lovely as did her vintage themed fur, shoes and flowers.





Outside there were some lovely doorways and period features that I incorporated into the photos.



Monica and her father Robert arriving...



During the ceremony there was a little difficulty getting the ring on!



Afterwards we returned to Monica's parents where guests and family enjoyed champagne. We just managed to get outside for some romantic photographs before a heavy downpour of rain!



The gardens had a rustic french feel which made for some great backgrounds..



Although I would say Monica and Sam are quite a shy couple the camera loved them!



Monica on her own.. loving this one!



After family photographs had been taken, the guests enjoyed a vintage style afternoon tea.



Hope you have had a lovely time in Edinburgh. Everyone is looking forward to your second party this week!
Watch more of their lovely wedding on their SLIDESHOW!

She married the boy next door!

Kimberley has known David ever since they were kids. She even lived on the same street as him! At Friars Carse two weeks ago these childhood sweethearts met with close family and friends to seal their love for one another after so many years.

Kimberley looked stunning as she got ready in one of the bridal suites of the Friars Carse hotel.



Kimberley selected a beautiful sculpted bouquet of orchids and crystals by Brenda at Gardenalia. Her makeup looked amazing by the brilliant Laura and her team at BLUSHA.



Laura's Pink stylish Shoes were from Dune, and co-ordinated with her bridesmaid's dresses. Kimberley's dress was from Maggie Sottero.



David and his best man Steven waiting for Kimberley's arrival...



During the ceremony...



The bridal party with the beautiful backdrop of the River Nith at Friars Carse.



In the beautiful grounds of the hotel which is located on the outskirts of Dumfries. The snowdrops were just starting to come out..





Friars Carse has a marquee and it looked fabulous thanks to Brenda at Gardenalia.

I end on this photograph I don't know why but I just like it–it seems to say and they lived happily ever after!!..



To see more of their wedding watch their slideshow by clicking here.

Andrew and Rebecca..New Year's Eve at Smiths Gretna Green

It is not often that I get to photograph a night wedding. On New Year's Eve Andrew and Rebecca decided to marry at the World Famous Blacksmith's Shop in Gretna Green.
Family and friends had travelled from Wales to see this lovely couple get married. I have never seen such smart outfits Andrew in his Welsh tartan kilt and Rebecca wearing a beautiful wedding dress toped off with a beautiful navy blue coat trimmed in welsh tartan and the welsh dragon. All the guests dressed in evening wear as after the ceremony they all enjoyed a Gala dinner at Smiths Hotel.

Late afternoon I arrived and found Rebecca and her parents along with the bridesmaids getting ready in the Penthouse Suite of Smiths Hotel. Rebecca is very close to her parents and we were able to get some lovely photographs of them before the ceremony.
Rebecca's bridesmaids helped her to get ready they all looked Amazing!!





Every last detail was beautiful....



The ceremony was very moving with readings one from Captain corelli's mandolin...



After the ceremony the guests walked back to Smiths Hotel it was a great atmosphere.

A lovely shot of the newlyweds...



Rebecca posing for me...



The cake and details of the reception were fantastic



Night photography.. I actually used my car head lights to assist me with the lighting that night!



Hope you have a wonderful honeymoon in Borneo. To see more of their amazing wedding watch their slideshow!!

Dave & Anna..Snow at Muncaster Castle

Dave and Anna met over 3 years ago working out in Kuwait. They decided to come back to the UK to marry. Family and friends travelled from all over the UK to share with them in their special day. The snow had been falling the week before the wedding and some guests had to abandon their cars to make it to the church in the grounds of Muncaster Castle!

Fortunately Dave’s brother who too had flown in from Kuwait and Anna’s bridesmaid from Australia made it safely to see this great couple get wed!

With a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes and a stunning white gown Anna looked radiant as she prepared to marry Dave…



Muncaster Castle looked so pretty covered in snow and Anna was a princess for the day…



Anna and her father arriving at church and guess what it was snowing!



The moment that Anna and Dave saw each other…



During the ceremony…



Back at the castle in the library the interiors of the castle were stunning…





We braved it outside in the snow but it was sooo cold well worth it for that view though!!



Anna and the bridesmaids looked so glamorous



The reception details. Anna and her mum Janet had put so much thought into the details of the ceremony and it really paid off! The Great Hall looked fantastic!



Thanks to Anna and Dave for letting me be a part of your special day it really was beautiful. Glad to hear you have had an amazing time in Barbados and hope you like the photos Anna whilst out on holiday in Australia!