The wedding season never really stops and the next date for the diary is this coming weekend at Tatton Park. The Wedding Show, organised by Wedding Link, is on 28th and 29th Jan, between 10.00am and 5.00pm. The venue is somewhere I know well, Tatton Park near Knutsford in Cheshire, as I am currently in the middle of a personal project documenting Tatton and all that happens there. More details on that to follow.
For those who want to come and see us at the show, we are on stand 222. Kristin, myself and possibly Tabitha will all be there and we have quite a special stand designed. A little taste of Spring for those with the winter blues. 
We look forward to seeing anyone who can make it and hope you all have a great weekend.
Mark, Kristin and Tabitha. 

www.theweddingshow.co.uk

A New Year's Eve wedding, what better way to see in the New Year? Rachel and Rob thought so, and I would whole heartedly agree.
Rachel and Rob first saw me at a wedding fayre in Knutsford, over twelve months ago. They liked my reportage wedding photography style and decided to book me. This was to be my first wedding at The Mere Court Hotel, so I was looking forward to shooting at a new location, and to make life a little easier it's only ten minutes from my home! Having started at the hotel in the morning, where Rachel and the girls were getting ready, it was onto St.Joseph's in Sale. The sun was shining and Rob and the boys were at the church greeting their guests. After a lovely service with a festive feel, it was back to The Mere Court Hotel near Knutsford in Cheshire. We went through Rachel and Rob's shotlist and I then mingled with their guests shooting reportage wedding photography. The rest of the day went smoothly and before we knew it, the couple were on the dance floor surrounded by all of their friends and family. I left about half an hour after the first dance and was back home in time to see in the New Year with my wife and daughter. So this was my last wedding for 2011 and for any brides looking for wedding photography in 2012 and beyond, Mark R Williamson photography will be at the Tatton Wedding Show on January 28th and 29th, http://northwest.weddinglink.co.uk/the-wedding-show . Pop in and see us at our stand.

In the meantime, Kristin, Tabitha and I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

It's always a pleasure to work for friends and the wedding of Lucy and Rob was no exception. Lucy is the younger sister of Emma, an old friend of mine, and was having a winter wedding at her parents house in Prestbury, Cheshire. The service was held at St.Catherine's church in Birtles, then back for a marquee reception at the Warburton's family home in Prestbury. I met Rob and his ushers at the church. After a week of wind and rain, the weather stayed perfect for them and they greeted their guests in the December sunshine. I was free to shoot in my reportage wedding photography style and started my day with the guests arriving at the church. Another familiar face was at St.Catherine's church, and that was the reverend James Milnes, who is also rector at St.Mary's in Nether Alderley, Cheshire. James is a young a friendly vicar and deos a great job of combining a traditional service with a relaxed approach. Lucy soon arrived and the service was underway. With all of the guests squeezed into every available space in the church, the couple were soon married and walked out into the fresh December air. We organised a quick confetti photo, then Rob and Lucy hopped into their Fiat wedding car and led the way back to the marquee wedding reception. Back at the marquee, we made use of the last of the winter light and took all of the formal wedding photos, then they headed into the marquee to enjoy the drinks reception. The lighting and audio was supplied by the skilled lads from Lightech, http://www.lightech.co.uk/ , and the catering was under the steady hand of Jane and Steve Gibbons, of Foodies. With this combination, the rest of the evening went smoothly. I stayed after the first dance to cover the guests enjoying the sounds of the Funky Monks. This is my last wedding of 2011, so for those who are reading my blog, from all of us at Mark Williamson Photography (Kristin, Tabitha and myself), we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

I was first put in touch with Deveraux and Gary by Deveraux's brother, Henry Johnstone. For those that don't know, Henry has a jewellery shop in Alderley Edge, http://www.henryjohnstone.co.uk/ . Kristin and I got to know Henry during the build up to our wedding, as he supplied our wedding rings and gifts. We have since become friends with Henry and  couldn't ask for friendlier or more professional service. So that's my little sales pitch for Henry Johnstone. Deveraux and Gary chose the wonderful setting of Capesthorne Hall in Cheshire for their wedding. With Christmas around the corner, the venue was dressed accordingly and had a great festive feel. Deveraux had been pampered in Alderley Edge during the morning and I met her at Capesthorne Hall for her last minute preparations prior to the service.Having seen the girls, I went downstairs to see Gary and the lads arrive in their highland best. Gary greeted the guests as they arrived and then headed through for the service, which was held in the Drawing room. With views over some of Cheshire's finest landscape, the couple were soon married in a wonderful setting and then moved into the Salon for their drinks reception. After some photos outside the Hall and a few formal photos, they all moved into the Dining room to enjoy the excellent food of Barretts Catering, http://barrettseventcaterers.com/ .The evening was spiced up with a very ornate ice luge by Glacial Art, http://www.glacialart.com/ , who supplied the wedding with table centres and an incredible table plan. I stayed until well after the first dance and left as the dance floor was filling up with the guests having a great time.

Teresa heard about me from her niece, Karen, who's wedding I covered at Sandhole Oak Barn last year. She wanted relaxed wedding photography, which is how I normally operate. I met Teresa before the service at the Marriott Hotel in Worsley, where she was getting ready. Then it was onto Salford Cathedral, where her fiancee, Brian, was waiting for her. Salford Cathedral was the choice of venue as it is where father Tony, a close family friend of Teresa, is based. The service was warm, personal and lighthearted and the couple were soon on their way back to the Worsley Marriott. With the winter nights drawing in, the reception was held inside, with a warm winter theme for the wedding breakfast. After the meal and speeches, the guests were treated to their evenings entertainment by hipswing entertainment, http://www.hipswing.co.uk/, and the britpack, http://www.thebrit-pack.co.uk/, who turned up with a ten piece band. I covered the evening to shortly after the first dance and left to the sound of crooners.

The 5th of November will hold a special meaning for Vanessa and Simon, as they tied the knot yesterday on a lovely Autumn day. Prior to the service, I met Vanessa and her two lovely children, Steph and Sam, at her parents house. They had a marquee set up at the house, which was in Bowdon, Cheshire. Everything looked great and I knew I was onto a winner when I was offered a cup of tea and a home made cake. I started shooting in my relaxed, natural style of reportage wedding photography and let the day dictate what I shot. After the preparations, I headed off to St.Vincents church in Altrincham, where Simon was waiting for his bride.The service was personal and touching, and the couple walked out into a crisp Autumn evening. We quickly got through the family photos and headed back to the reception, where Matt and his team at Barrett's were waiting to take care of the guests. The service and food was excellent, as usual from Barrett's, and they all partied on well into the evening. I stayed until after the first dance and left the Shaw-Cooks as one of Cheshire's newest and happiest families.