Kathryn and Phil were first told about me by my good friend, Lucy, at The Wedding Shop in Alderley Edge. Having shot Lucy's wedding, four years ago, she's always been very kind about my photography. Reportage wedding photography was very important to Kathryn, and she actually called me the week before their wedding just to ensure that I wasn't going to make them pose for any set up "cheesy" shots. The resounding response was "absolutely not", if I were to have a slogan it would be "I don't do cheese". So off to Yorkshire I ventured on Saturday morning. After meeting Kathryn and the girls at her parents house in the morning, it was off to Heptonstall Methodist Chapel in the beautiful village of Heptonstall. With the Autumn sun shining, it was like stepping back in time as the bridal party arrived in three vintage Rolls Royce's down the cobbled streets. After a very relaxed service, in a stunning chapel, the guests walked out to enjoy the spectacular views over Hebden Bridge. Kathryn and Phil headed back to the wonderful Holdsworth House for their reception, as the guests were treated to a ride in a vintage double decker bus. With the sun still shining, we were able to get all of the formal photos done outside, alowing me to shoot my reportage style photography for the rest of the wedding. With venues like Holdsworth House, I'm spoilt for choice and the afternoon flew by. I left after some very entertaining speeches, as the party settled in to enjoy a lovely Yorkshire wedding.

A little non wedding blog update.
On Friday 7th October, Kristin gave birth to a little baby girl, who we have called Tabitha. She weighed 7lb 6oz, has blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes. Mother and daughter are both doing great and we are quickly getting used to no sleep whatsoever every night. Of course, she is going to be the most photographed daughter ever, so here are a few images from week one.

Denise and Phil chose the classic Cheshire setting of Prestbury church, followed by Adlington Hunting Lodge as their wedding venue. After meeting Denise at her parent's house in Macclesfield in the morning, it was off to Prestbury. Patrick, the vicar, conducted a lovely service, with a funny little anicdote about swimming with alligators. After which, they hopped into their vintage Rolls Royce and sped off to Adlington Hall. As the guests arrived, we spent ten minutes shooting in the rose garden then the newlyweds joined their guests in Adlington Hall for their drinks reception. This then left me free to shoot my reportage wedding photography as they all enjoyed themselves. The wedding breakfast was served in the Hunting Lodge, as the guests were entertained by crooner Paul Guard. I stayed to cover the first dance and left as some of the guests were doing some pretty funky dancing. Thanks for the entertainment guys, thouroughly enjoyable wedding.

Mottram Hall in Cheshire was the venue for this weekend's wedding. Nicola and Nigel booked, hopefully on the strength of my work and for my reportage style of wedding photography, however I suspect that being a fellow Cocker Spaniel owner swayed their decision.
I met Nicola at her parents house in the morning. where I bumped into my old friend Jeff Wood. For those that haven't seen Jeff's work, you need to have a look, I'm sure you'll really enjoy his work, http://www.jeffwoodvisuals.com/ Anyway, that's my little plug for Jeff, back to the wedding. A great soft top Pontiac Firebird arrived to pick up Nicola and her father, so I quickly headed off to St.Bartholomew's church in Wilmslow to get the guests arriving. Nigel was there to greet them all, dressed in his finest military regalia. Nicola arrived on time and the service went without a hitch. There was a little suprise for Nicola as they walked out of the church, Nigel had organised a guard of honour from his fellow TA Royal Engineers. The couple sped off in the soft top Firebird to their reception at Mottram Hall Hotel where their guests were treated to drinks and canapes on the lawn followed by a beautiful dinner and some great speeches. The evening continued with dancing to a swing band and the Bride and Bridegroom having lots of fun.

Rowton Hall Hotel seems to be a popular choice of venue for me at the moment, and was the venue of choice for Helen and Ben. They booked me after seeing me work at one of their best friends weddings last year, so it was really nice to see some familiar faces again. I met Helen and the girls in the morning, at her parents house, then it was on to their local church for an early 11.00am start.After a very emotional service, Helen and Ben jumped into a vintage VW camper and headed back to Rowton Hall Hotel, where all of their friends were waiting to greet them. After a few photos of them and the camper, we did a few formal family photos and spent the rest of the day shooting in my reportage style of wedding photography. Bizarrely, the videographer was a guy called Mark, who is also expecting a baby in the next two months. What are the chances? Helen and Ben are off on a four month around the world tour. Now that's what I call  a honeymoon. Have a great time guys and congratulations again!

Manchester city centre weddings don't get much better than this. Cass and Pete heard about me through a friend and liked my style of reportage wedding photography, knowing that I'd get the shots they wanted without making them do any embarrassing poses or taking too long about it. I'll give Pete credit, he had nerves of steel after Cass made him wait for a little longer than he'd anticipated at the alter. When she arrived, in customary relaxed fashion, she looked great and full of smiles.The service was in Chorlton cum Hardy, then it was back to Albert's Shed in Castlefield. We managed to spend about ten minutes getting some of the relaxed wedding portraits, that we had previously talked about, which gave their guests time to get back to Albert's Shed.The reception and evening went perfectly and I left them shortly after their first dance.