On Friday I joined Charlotte & Tom to photograph their wedding at Woodlands Hotel in Leeds

I’ve photographed at Woodlands many times before (see the blogs here) and it’s such an ace place for a wedding.

I hope you enjoy this story of a very special day!

I joined Charlotte for her chilled out preparations at Woodlands 

Dresses were hanging in wait

The kicks

And the bridal bouquets.  When I first saw these & the flora throughout the wedding reception, I thought they were real, but it turns out they’re made of foam!  Impressively life-like, eh?!

Bridal jewels. including a bracelet made by Charlotte’s Gran

Donning the warpaint

I like this little shot of the two wedding readings.

Mum’s wedding necklace

As Clare couldn’t make this wedding, my good pal John Hope stepped up to the plate for 2nd shooty duties.  A good few years back I photographed his wedding in Nottinghamshire and in recent years he’s started shooting weddings himself.  He’s established himself brilliantly and takes inspiring, arty portraits, always striving for the very best he can deliver.  Plus, as you can tell by his taste in shirts, he’s got a sense of humour & is a top laugh to shoot along side.

John joined Tom & the chaps at home

The man of the hour

Charlotte’s Dad helping Tom on with his buttonhole

A quick snap of the rings

Team groom ready to roll!

Time for a bit of Xbox!

The Brooklands Suite at Woodlands was all set for the ceremonySee what I mean?!

After the chaps had a arrived at Woodlands and checked the place was set, John took the chaps for a few creative teamshots

Meanwhile, upstairs, the bride was getting into her gown

Aww

Another bridesmaid had had a bit of trauma having her nails done and arrived in the nick of time!

I like this quiet little portrait of Charlotte

Dad was a little emotional to see his little girl all dressed up on her wedding day!

Proud as punch

Here comes the bride

Wedding guests assembled, tick.  One excitable groom, tick.

One thing missing…

There it is!  The rings

The kiss

And back down the aisle as man & wife!

Awww

These guys were super lucky with the weather, it had tipped it down in the morning and also had a go during the meal, but otherwise, stayed beautifully sunny when it counted!

Motherly congratulations

Competition!

There’s always one

Everyone!

After the family groups I took the wedding party for a few relaxed teamshots

A bit of sass from the ladies

A little groomy detail

And a bridal detail to match

Then I took the happy couple for a spin around the woodlands grounds

Smoochy

They’re a very sweet couple indeed

I always try to keep the portraits quick and painless, so the couple can get back to the party and hang out with their near & dear – which is why I do a pre-wedding shoot to help the couple get used to being papped by me (check theirs out here)

Inside Woodlands’ Mulsanne suite, the wedding breakfast was set for dinner

A few details around the top table

The tables were named after Game of Thrones families!  I hope they put the naughty family members on the Lannister’s table…

Speeches were short and sweet, and didn’t include a best man speech!

But the groom did manage to make Charlotte squeeze a tear!

Good advice if I ever heard it

After dinner, there was some beautiful low sun in the sky, so John & I took C&T out for another quick round of portraits

A container in the back carpark caught our eye!

As evening rolled in, we even found a bit of time for some flash fun in front of the hotel.

Once the evening got into full swing, the cake was cut

And the first dance danced!

Then after a bunch of party pics of guests getting down…

We bid our farewells and left the party to party!

It was lovely to join Charlotte & Tom for their wonderfully relaxed big day at Woodlands!  Here’s hoping they have a fab honeymoon in Tuscany and a long and happy life together!

x

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