A few weeks back I joined Charlotte & Tom for their pre-wedding catch up ahead of their wedding this weekend.

They’re getting married at the luxurious Woodlands Hotel in Leeds.

If I’m unfamiliar with a couple’s wedding venue I generally meet there for the prewed, so we can explore the grounds together and so I’m familiar with the best spots for portraits and such on their wedding day.  But if I’ve photographed at a venue many times before (like I have at Woodlands) I give couples the option to choose somewhere special to them for the shoot.

Charlotte & Tom decided to meet at Temple Newsham in Leeds, on a stunning summer’s evening!

I’ve been to Temple Newsham many times as a child and on school trips and as an adult; noseying around the historic Tudor-Jacobean mansion (home to an acclaimed collection of decorative British art), explored the expansive, landscaped park land & checked out the rare breed animals on the ‘Home Farm’ there.

So after Charlotte & Tom & I had caught up over afternoon tea in the cafe…

…we set about exploring the gardens for the practice shoot!
There were so many fab places to stop and have a smooch and a cuddle around the main house

One a wander further into the grounds, we spotted all these gnarley branches to pose in.We took a wander down to the lake

For a few more natural portraits.

Excellent choice in footwear!

Another reason Charlotte wanted to do the pre-wed at Temple Newsham was because her gran’s ashes were scattered in the Rose Garden there

There’s was a beautifully calm vibe in there

I always do these shoots with couples in advance of their big day to show them how it feels to be photographed so it’s easier on their big day.

It also shows them that it can be fun, and shouldn’t be something to worry about.

♥

Inside the giant greenhouse the light couldn’t have been nicer to photograph in!Love this oneAwww.  It didn’t take long to get them in the groove!

After we went our separate ways I wandered back up and took a few snaps around the house, including this one looking up at the main house, thinking to myself I really must go back here to run the dog around!

So I’m really looking forward to joining Charlotte & Tom this weekend for their big day!

Fingers crossed they get more weather like this…

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