Cementing Anglo-French relations in this Rudding Park June wedding

Rudding Park has seen many weddings, but there is a special and poignant sentiment in the air when the occasion marks the formal entwinement of a couple who have seen 11 years and three beautiful children together.

Laura is British. 11 years ago in a night-club, she bumped into the tall, dark, athletic figure of professional footballer, Tou. If he wasn’t imposing enough on sight, his French accent swung it. The Afro-Parisian hunk and the English rose fell in love. Their commitment endured and flourished, and has led them through over a decade of their lives together. During this time they have grown a magnificent family, and in 2018 they decided that the time was now right to seal the deal on paper.

Bridal prep was busy. Hats off to Laura for keeping her cool when two small girls are wanting the one thing they cannot have - mummy! Hair and make-up was a team affair, and meticulously executed by the super Evangeline (MUA) and Caroline (Hair) from Your Bridal Team. Somewhat confined to quarters due to unforecasted rain, there were a lot of bodies in a small space, but pretty things soon emerged as even more beautiful, in their capable hands.

The bridesmaids all wore soft rosy pink with which they were furnished by Walsall based bridal shop Jeneve Bridal.

Laura’s waist-hugging gown by Suzanne Neville was elegant and traditional, and provided by The Bridal Collection of Harrogate. A cathedral length veil framed her face and soft, wavy hair. Her shoes were from Dune and the wedding bands were both selected from Ernest Jones.

The Follifoot Suite looked stunning for the couple’s relaxed, civil ceremony, with giant floral displays filling the room with soft rose and cream colours. Hurricane lanterns burned softly all along the aisle and the couple’s eldest daughter Nevaeh scattered petals before mum walked in with her father, Steve. The bride’s bouquet was full and weighty, but beautifully crafted. All the flowers were created by the incredibly talented The Rarified. The whole of the proceedings were skilfully orchestrated by The Angels Events team, and, of course the wedding coordinators at Rudding.

I think I’m right in saying that this was the first official meeting for the two families from different continents. Little English is spoken by the groom’s relations, but love is gesture that crosses all boundaries.

Tou waited nervously whilst still managing to cut a handsome and suave figure in his custom tuxedo, crafted by tailors Crown to Cuff.

The best man was also the smallest, in 9 year old son Zayden. No dramas, just quietly dutiful all day long. Baby sister Amiyah took the occasion in her stride too and slept through it all.

There is no more picturesque estate to wander with a bride and groom for portraits than that of Rudding Park. We took a stroll, Tou gallantly helping his new wife with her ample skirt (and trying not to stomp his size 12s on her epic white veil).

A tremendous 5 course meal was followed by a short speeches from the bride’s dad, and an off-the-cuff tribute by the groom-who-claimed-he-was-rubbish-at-public-speaking’s Mike Drop.

This sparkly, edible beastie of a wedding cake was conceived and created by the epic brilliance of Poppy Pickering of Ilkley. I never did get a taste!

When the party commences, I usually take my leave. No-one needs theses moments on a public gallery. DJ Mark Green led the festivities, and the beautiful duo kicked things off in traditional style with a song that has been the backdrop to their enduring courtship.

My one regret? Next time, maybe insist on getting this many people into a group shot BEFORE the Prosecco runs out. #carnage #herdingcats

Contact me for more info on wedding photography, or check my other pages for more wedding photos!

Jane & Tom's humanist Orangery wedding at Settrington, North Yorkshire

Well, a week ahead of the big day the forecast had been determinedly spiteful in its threat to give us rain. By mid-week it had softened and offered a mixture. The cats, but not necessarily the dogs. By the time Friday arrived (Friday being the new Saturday in wedding-land), the gods had relented and the clouds were politely and conveniently moved on to t’other side of t’Pennines. As they say in Yorkshire - champion.

It all began with this incredible engagement ring from Tomfoolery. Its snug companion, about to be worn on that fourth finger, left hand for the first time, is from Kendalls jewellers.

Only the most petite of figures can be bold enough to wear this sexy pink underweae by The Lingerie Room, Harrogate (for after the after-party presumably), let alone the cut away sequinned dress which Jane slid effortlessly into. Tom’s contrasting black dinner suit was a Paul Smith, super smart and elegant.

The joy of a humanist wedding seems to be that the tone of the day is super-relaxed. Or maybe that’s just my incredibly cool, uber-fit, easy-going couple. The ceremony was a common-sensical, love filled, non-denominational Humanist one. My first, infact. I found it to be thoroughly refreshing and celebrant, Ewan helped proceedings along nicely with his humour and joy, and all nerves were calmed by the time the deed was actually done.

Bride Jane was sickeningly gorgeous in her low cut gown from Ghost Orchid Bride, Hull, and with hair and makeup by friend Lauren, as well as the delicate gold choker she wore from OnFoundations, there was a cool and unconventional twist to her styling. The colour scheme was monochrome, and simplicity itself. Fresh flowers are beautiful enough, so orchids and sumptuously-scented Lily of the Valley were simplistic and abundant, accompanied only by black ribbon, white balloons and greenery. All courtesy of Kymm Queen.

The Orangery is without a doubt amongst the prettiest of settings I have ever experienced as a wedding photographer. I’m used to scratching around in alleys and dark rooms hunting for reasonable backdrops and chinks of daylight with which to construct some ‘magic’ for my clients. I had not expected to have my senses bombarded with options at the turn of every corner.

Take this by way of illustration. It’s a cottage which is allocated to the bride for her pre-nuptial overnight stay, and provides a very cool location for the girls and their ‘getting ready’ shots.

In every direction, more surprises and aesthetically pleasing views. Yes, of course, there is the well-utilised stone ‘folly’ with its arches, lawn and fountain, but there is also a shady woodland, acres of cow parsley (or daffodils if you marry in early Spring), a vine-wrapped pergola and a glorious yellow love seat. See what I mean?

It is also well-managed, and the organisational expertise of Karen and Sara ensured that drama was absent throughout.

The interior of the Orangery is expansive and barn-esque, in a sophisticated kind of way. Our bride and groom, (being fit as butcher’s dogs) selected a Tour de France theme, complete with a ‘tandem’ DIY photo booth and cycling related table settings.

Even the guests were beautiful, it seemed. If the sunshine and surroundings weren’t enough to keep them happy, the champagne and percussionist duo, InPulse, certainly did the trick.

The perfect summer evening eventually moved indoors for further entertainment (mainly at the groom’s expense), cake (always a bonus) - in this case skilfully crafted by Rachel Duffy, and a smidge of dad-dancing.

This was an understated, gloriously happy day, fuelled by late May sunshine and Thai street food. Pretty damn perfect. Congratulations Tom & Jane.

For wedding enquires, contact Helen at eyesomephoto@gmail.com or 07957627217.

An 'Up' movie-themed wedding at Harrogate Sun Pavilion

So, when I met E to discuss the prospect of photographing her forthcoming wedding, she told me it would be colourful. Hands up, I completely underestimated the degree to which she would be drawing upon her own personal creativity for the event.

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It didn’t take long for me to realise that artist, E and her American fiancé S are major fans of the crowd-pleasing Pixar movie, Up. The touching love story between curmudgeonly octogenarian balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen and his childhood sweetheart/wife Ellie, has a simple and heart-wrenching innocence. How could artist, E, resist tapping in to the fictitious couple’s lifelong promise of adventure? “You and me, we’re in a Club now”, says Ellie, as she pins the Grape Soda Club badge on Carl’s chest. What more poignant or appropriate talisman for this bride to replicate for her husband-to-be and to present to him on the morning of their nuptials? He rightly wore it with some degree of pride.

The theme did not stop there. Trinity church, no doubt not unfamiliar with the sight of the occasional stunning floral display, was instead utterly festooned with foil balloons, giving an air of celebration and joy that I have never before experienced in a serious building such as this. The wedding cake didn’t disappoint either.

The bride held an indiscreet bouquet as quirky and colourful as the church decor. The flowers were paper; in the brightest, most vivid colourful combinations imaginable; lush and screaming ‘Hey, over here, don’t look at her, look at me!’ All provided by Dandie Creations.

E’s wedding gown was sleeveless and lacy. Feminine and elegant without any ostentation whatsoever.

The Reception was held at the Sun Pavilion in Harrogate. The large, open room was laid with round tables with simple white cloths, but the next level table trappings could only have been provided by an artist. The centrepiece for each table was a to-scale replica of Carl Fredricksen’s house. Remember, the one that he flew across two continents by attaching a gazillion balloons to the roof? Yep, that one. Utterly Upperly.

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A dusk-lit stroll around the neighbouring 17 acre Grade II listed Valley Gardens sealed the deal, providing us with some quiet corners and lush autumnal backdrops for our bride and groom portraits. “We’re terrible in front of the camera”, they told me. Thirsty minutes of locked eyes and locked lips later, I’m not even sure they noticed I’d been photographing the entire time. And who can blame the groom, when his bride looked so ravishing, thanks in part to the handiwork of Chrys Chapman, hair & make up artist.

This marriage was made all the more tender and emotive due the fact that it signified a second union; that of two separate families, since both E and S each have a child from previous relationships. These four humans are so close and emotionally entwined that it would be impossible for an objective observer to recognise that they were not, up to the point of repeating their vows, already one single unit.

I’ve been to a lot of weddings, of all sizes, budgets and themes, but none have been more joyous than this.

E’s wedding gown was supplied by JJ’s House, whilst the fabulous boots were from Schuh.

The Up house table centrepieces were from Etsy and hand painted by the bride.

The photo booth and giant games were supplied by Sunshine Events.

The Grape Soda pin can be purchased from eBay.

Congratulations E, S & family. To quote Dug the dog, “I have just met you and I love you.”

Denton Hall wedding shoot

Denton Hall is a 2500 acre estate in the beautiful Wharfedale countryside near Ilkley, North Yorkshire. I was chuffed to be invited to capture some images to represent both the epic-ness of this place as a potential wedding venue, as well as the work of a number of local wedding suppliers who were gathering for a day of nuptial creativity.

The first of these clever peeps was hair and make-up stylist Chrys, whose transformation skills are legendary, and who carefully and lovingly embellished the already-exquisite face and hair of model bride, Christy.

Wedding details come in many forms. In this case, many of the artistic accompaniments were created and curated by Natalie, a local wedding stylist who showed her flourish with this set of delicate stationery and table settings, as well as a fabulously charming ladder altar. See more of Natalie’s work on Instagram at HandMaid.

A short photographer’s ‘reccy’ stroll around the immediate surroundings of the Denton Hall estate presented a number of appealing spots for photographic opportunities; none more eyesome (see what I did there?!) than the frontage itself. I’m a sucker for symmetry, so I was practically cock-a-hoop when I saw the proportions of those great stone columns on offer.

“What are those CAKES?” I hear you cry. Pretty huh? All crafted by the uber-talented Gayle from Where The Ribbon Ends. Check out her mad, mouth-watering creations and fabulous handiwork, you won’t regret it.

Our groom was suited and booted by the trendiest menswear store in the Dales, Jenson Samuel of Skipton. Modern, mix and match check suits with beautiful details and complementing waistcoats/accessories, spoiling groom George for choice.

The elegant autumnal florals were all created and designed by Leeds-based wedding planner Gillian from Planned with Gill.

Amongst some of Denton’s lush features is a pretty, winding staircase - a florist’s dream for embellishing. It’s customary during Denton Hall weddings to host the cake cutting ceremony underneath the staircase, and guests have been known to gather up, over and around, in order to observe and throw confetti. Epic.

The epitome of elegance, this beautiful crossover lace-and-bead gown is from Rachel Allan Bridal’s Lo’Adoro range. Fitted to the hips, it then spills down into a soft tulle full length skirt with a lush train.

One of Denton’s most elegant features is the enormous stone carved fireplace, in front of which the team set out the table with all its settings. Burgundy, green and orange were the perfect tones to usher in an early autumn, complementing Natalie’s hand-crafted menus and name cards to a tee.

The delicate rose gold jewellery pieces worn by Christy were all created and provided by So Belle Jewellery of Skipton. Stunning.

If you haven’t found your photographer yet, 2019 and 2020 wedding dates are still available. Contact Helen at eyesomephoto@gmail.com or on 07957627217. Tell me a little about your big day and we can go from there.

To veil or not to veil

Long ones, short ones, thick ones, thin ones, or no ones at all. To veil, or not to veil on your wedding day? The veil has been around for centuries and historically signified the bride's modesty and virginity. Her unveiling, at the end of the marriage ceremony was said to represent the husband's gaining of paternal permission to enter in to conjugal relations with his new wife. Perhaps this is the reason that modern weddings rarely employ this tradition - after all, how many 21st century couples can say that they have abstained from their conjugals before the day of their wedding?!

From a photographer's perspective, a veil provides a number of creative opportunities. There is the chance to add texture to an image, whether shot in close-up or to be appreciated in full length. 

A partially concealed face can be beguiling, and just as appealing as full flesh and make-up. There is a certain mystique about an anticipatory bride-to-be making last minute adjustments to her headwear and moving her fingers beneath the lace of her veil. Poetic, methinks.

One thing to bear in mind is the location and conditions in which you are expecting to be married. A clifftop, whilst the epitome of romance, is rarely without a breeze; ditto the beach, so watch out for windy days...even a short veil will take off if the conditions are blustery!

Heavier fabrics and longer, cathedral lengths can give a vintage impression. The almost impenetrable mesh of a classic, old fashioned veil hides the bride's beauty until the second of the great reveal, and the mystery of her virtues remain intact until that moment, helping to create an early 20th Century feel. It is said that a veil was once also designed to actually prevent the bride and groom from seeing each other before they were married, so heavier fabrics were a necessity.

A well-timed breeze can definitely be a benefit in other ways, however. A half-caught glimpse of a bride's eye beneath her billowing veil can be a very romantic treat. 

Whether or not you are planning to be veiled on your big day, consider the pros and cons. Yes, they add a certain coquettish charm, but they also require careful handling and need to be matched with your headgear and hairstyle.  Try on several in different styles before settling, and since you've gone to all that trouble, ask your photographer to capture your careful choice on film.  

For wedding photography enquiries, please contact me, Helen on 07957627217, or at eyesomephoto@gmail.com.

Boutique bouquets - wedding florals

The brides that come to me for wedding photography tend to be chilled. Their wedding-day-in-planning is destined to be relaxed and intimate. It will be a day without pomp, but chock-full of celebration and love. 

No expense will be spared on the important items - an exquisite bridal gown, fabulous food and a half decent photographer, but neither will money be thrown out of the window like the proverbial baby with the bathwater. When it comes to the florals, my girls, being both classy and romantic, opt for understated and generally petite bouquets which enhance but do not overpower their look.

In many cases I've noticed that my brides have chosen a single colour for their flowers, often just cream or white, and have added herbs and foliage to strengthen the design. Often it is the waft of these herby additions which out-plays the perfume of the flowers themselves. The bouquet above belonged to Frankie, whose bohemian Italian themed nuptials with Richard were inspired by the couples' engagement in Sicily. 

Elegance and romance appear to be the consistent watch-word, however. I have rarely had a bride who has thrown investment at great swathes of rose pergolas, or festooned the altar with six foot standing floral displays. They have selectively added their splashes of scent and colour in a discreet and well thought out manner, in order to optimise their impact whilst saving the bigger bucks for the real show stopping items.

A pink posy accompanied its owner, Tala, her hubby and their three children at their relaxed and gloriously summery, tiny family wedding. The occasion was less about big statements of ostentation, and more about the affirmation of their togetherness. The roses came along for the joy ride.

The gents are never forgotten. These gloriously cute daffodil buttonholes which featured in the recent Easter wedding of Charlotte & Simon summed up the time of year perfectly. Little sprigs of rosemary and string ties added a rustic touch.

So when you're planning your big day, remember that size isn't everything. Spend it, but spend it well. The carefully curated selection of blooms you hold in your hands on the day you meet your man at the altar will most likely remain special in your heart for many years to come. Make sure you have them photographed.

Happy under the weather

When you wake up on the morning of a long-awaited wedding and, no matter how many times you check the forecast begging it to be wrong, it still says....

....it's stressful. 

Someone is entrusting the memories of the most important day in their life (so far at least) to you and your camera. They came to you because you promised romance and soft sunshine, beautiful natural light portraits and backlit kisses, but how can you achieve a decent ambience on a grey and soggy April day?

Flowers by Kate Mell

Opportunism is the watchword. The moments BETWEEN downpours, outdoor light in preference to the indoor yellowish shadows, natural light in lieu of flash. Getting the dress outside and the bride close to a window. And umbrellas. In this case, transparent.

It is possible to have fun with photos when situations don't conform the norm, and since I'm no magician, there is only one possible option when it comes to rain, and that is to do the very best I possibly can with the raw materials I am given.

Thankfully for me, a pretty face is a pretty face in any weather, and Charlotte's looked glorious. Her super-slim figure was emphasised by her lace-bodied open-backed gown, with her dark brown hair swept up and back in a semi-formal knot. 

Whilst I was busy dishing out my wise advice to the bride: "It's only rain and it won't spoil your day", I realised that I should probably take a spoonful of my own medicine, stop stressing about those things we cannot change and just get on with it.

The sky may have been lacking blue, but the wetness did subside for us temporarily, long enough to take a stroll, capture some him 'n' her portraits and ruin the bride's and her maid of honour's LK Bennetts (but that's another story).

When the damp gets too much, I always prefer to use handy trees as shelter, or a cool doorway, over and above a dash back inside a dark venue, so a nearby leafy church lane provided us with some dry respite for a few minutes.

So, whilst mud and frizz were destined to be more of a part of Simon & Charlotte's amazing day than backlight and romantic sunsets, the location (The Crown Inn, Roecliffe) and situation offered quirk and a good deal of atmosphere of a different kind. And besides, they were bloody happy!

Still feel pretty bad about those shoes, though....Ah well, they'll always have the memories.

Winter nuptial challenges

A winter wedding comes with many challenges.

Challenge #1 - it's bloody cold

Meet Claire and Russ, blissfully happy (and rightly so), but on this occasion most of the laughter was goosebump-related. Between shots, Claire hurriedly and repeatedly grappled with the zip of her Parka and tried not to look blue. A veritable trooper, I must say, who never once complained when I told her to 'lose the coat' again and again.

Are those goose pimples or are you just pleased to see me?

Ha! Brainwave! Let's warm up my couple, thought I, and asked if they were up for an impromptu visit to the posh wedding gown shop next door. I had in mind a quirky shot of them standing in the shop window, mannequin-like, dressed as, well a bride and groom, obviously. The rather officious lady in the shop, however, failed to see the funny side, and politely declined. Parka reassembled (admittedly with more than a touch of 'up yours' on my part), and back to the great outdoors we went, tails between our legs.

Claire braving the cold

Challenge #2 - it gets dark early

The scheduled time for the wedding ceremony on this occasion was 3pm. Having consulted the sun gods in advance, I was armed with the knowledge that sunset was scheduled for around 4pm. Now, it doesn't take a maths genius to calculate that by the time Russ & Claire had actually signed their marital contract, it would be too dark for the photos which they were paying me to deliver. Awkward in the extreme.

Hurriedly shooting between Parka moments

It is thanks both to the excellent natures of my sporting and awesome bride and groom, and to the relaxed mood of their nuptials that we were able to negotiate meeting up an hour before the ceremony, in order to get some portraits 'in the can'. This was only possible because they were unconcerned about seeing each other before their wedding, and really underpins why my favourite weddings are just like this one, where both parties are super-chilled and entirely without pomp or formality. 

Fading light for a confetti shower

Challenge #3 - shooting at a register office

Register Offices are perfectly fine places to get married, but generally offer up a stinker of a challenge for photographers. 

In this particular case, the windows are curtained and let in little natural light, the walls are beige (they suck up the light and are highly unflattering for skin tone) and there are ill-placed 1970s light fittings bracketed around the walls. The latter provide a cherry-on-the-cake type of challenge, which requires the person holding the camera to attempt to capture the deep emotion of the moment without the bride appearing as though she has well-lit metal antlers growing out of her head.

Letting someone else do the hard work

There are other obvious limitations to an urban Register Office, of course. Whilst the car park is a godsend for a photographer with a heavy bag of equipment, it is generally not my location of choice for newlywed portraits. 

Scouting for interesting nook and cranny opportunities ahead of time has become essential. They must be within a few yards, as brides wear high heels. They must be free from mud and dog kak, as brides wear pretty, long dresses. It must be aesthetically pleasing. Trees are good. Gravel is bad. Bright sunshine is bad. Shade is good.

A helpful log, randomly but conveniently placed next to the car park

When the bridal shop failed, we hot-footed it to a small courtyard which served a handful of apartments. No-one seemed to mind that we didn't belong there, and we had enough peace and quiet to relax into a few shots.

Handsome Russ in a quiet moment before the ceremony

Harrogate also managed to offer up the Stray. Whoever once said "water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink" was bang on here. Acres of grass (= mud = no go), thousands of trees (= no leaves = mud = no go), parked cars (= ugly = no go). Thank goodness for the odd path.

Challenge #4 - cozy indoor spaces 

When the sun is gone, it's cold with a capital C, and the Reception has yet to begin, there is an inevitable retreat indoors. 

Claire & Russ held their delightfully informal and cozy reception at the gorgeous General Tarleton at Ferrensby. In addition to champagne, open fires, candles and fairy lights welcomed their guests into the low-beamed room filled with sofas and snacks. 

Time to reach for the flash. 

Rearranging the accessories to capture the mood

Whilst natural light produces a romantic and dreamy air to wedding photos, indoor flash can be the polar opposite. I was keen to ensure that Claire and Russ's story remained true to events, and that the mood wasn't ruined by an over-zealous light bulb.

Someone needs to remind her to never upstage the bride

An upstairs room was laid out with a long table, set for dinner for about 30 people. It was pitch dark, apart from the twinkle of a few fairy lights and some tea lights, which the kids were (if I were paranoid, I might say sadistically) enjoying blowing out as they ran rings around the table. All's fair in love and wedding photography.

The atmosphere was loving, congenial and perfect for a winter party.

Mum and dad

So, whilst shooting a winter wedding throws up a veritable minefield of obstacles for whoever's in charge of the camera, all is not lost. Challenges aside, this was a totally beautiful day from start to end. I was thrilled to be asked, and lucky to be part of it. 

My fondest and best wishes go out to Claire, Russ and family, for the future.