Yesterday I joined Jo & Martin to document their wonderful big day, which included a quick portrait shoot at Oakwell Hall, in Batley
and a fun filled reception round the corner at Gomersal Park Hotel.
I hope you enjoy my story of their lovely day!
I joined the girls at Jo’s Mum’s lovely house in Tingley
Where Jo & her lovely bridesmaids were enjoying a spot of buck’s fizz!
It was an impressively relaxed morning, considering the house ended up bursting with family & mini flower girls and page boys!
After a long run of planning, Jo did the perfect thing and really let the day unfold and enjoyed every moment.
Unfortunately Jo’s dad passed away some years ago, but his picture was up and he was there in spirit.
Hanging upstairs, Jo’s beautiful dress was waiting to go out to play.
Mini people’s outfits were also dotted round the house
Jo’s mum, enjoying a few bubbles!
Jo’s Auntie did an outstanding job doing all the flowers for the day.
Jo’s brother Andrew took on the responsibilities of giving Jo away…
…and was later doing a brother of the bride speech.
I like this one of the girls doing their makeup
Meanwhile, Clare joined Martin, Dad and best man Paul at Jo & Martin’s house for the chap’s preparations
Clare spotted this lovely card from Jo to Martin.
A few final tweaks…
…and a quick portrait outside…
…and a relaxed snap with his brother & best man, Paul.
The button holes looked fab.
Then the lads nipped to the pub for a few cheeky pints!
Back with Jo, mum helped her into her beautiful wedding gown (while the bridesmaids loitered downstairs, not wanting to see!)
Love this one.
This page boy was a little star!
Here he is helping mum put Jo’s shoes on
A few tears from happy bridesmaids nearly set Jo off!
One blushing bride, good to go!
With her impressive planning, we had a bit of time to shoot a few groups of team bride!
The flowers (literally put together in mum’s garage!) looked wonderful
The Beauford Tourer’s arrived to whisk off the first run of family & bridesmaids
and while they were gone, Andrew gave Jo a thoughtful little present
and after a quick toast
we were on our way
The church service was at the lovely St Mary’s church at Woodkirk
Guests were waiting excitedly 
Some more nervous than others!
And down the aisle came Jo, chaperoned by her dear bro.
I love shots where a bride catches eyes with her groom for the first time on their wedding day.
[ The relaxed vicar Amanda was brilliant; letting us photograph from the choir stalls at the front & from the back ]
The rings
The vows
The kiss!
And the excited bridesmaid!
A quick official snap signing the register
and after coming down the aisle, a first cuddle outside as man & wife!
As has been the case through most of June & July, the lead up was precipitous and forecast ominous!
But Jo & Martin ended up with beautiful sunshine most of the day and were able to mingle outside in the sun!
Though umbrellas were on standby!
The vicarage gardens were the perfect spot to get a shot of everyone
and bomb the happy couple with confetti!
Cheers!
Jo had arranged to do a few portraits at Oakwell Hall, a picturesque spot round the corner from their Gomersal Park Hotel reception.
I’d met them there for their practice shoot a while back (check out their pre-wedding photos here), to limber them up and get them used to being papped!
It certainly helped in getting a lovely set of pics there!
The weather was perfect! Â I adore the light on this one!
Very sweet
It was great to see Jo having such a ball all day long. Â On the drive over I heard her say, “I can see why people would want it to be their wedding every day”
Over at Gomersal Park, the stage was set, bound in purple and white!
The bride and groom arrived, and settled into catching up with their near and dear.
The wedding breakfast room looked spectacular, with tables named after famous cricket grounds!
Jo’s auntie did a splendid job indeed at dressing the room in beautiful flora!
Wow.
Speeches, from the brother of the bride, the groom and best man Paul were great fun.
And it’s always refreshing to see a bride say a few words too!
While we left the gang to enjoy their meals, and started putting together our On-The-Day slideshow, Jo had specially ordered us some camera cupcakes to enjoy while we waited for our roast beef! Â How kind is that?! Â Talk about thinking of everything, ey?
What a star.
After dinner we did a full teamshot of their massive wedding party!
The kids had a great time running around in the sunshine
Jumping shots (though co-ordinating everyone to be off the ground at once proved impossible!)
I rather like the broken up groups of this one.
The dudes, throwing their best catalogue model shapes!
Jo’s Angels!
Between the afternoon and evening reception, they had an impressive caricaturist called Mike Bryson to join them and draw their guests.
In the evening their lovely Orchid covered cake was was cut
And before the first dance was danced, my helpful page boy assistant helped me test my flash with some impressive kung fu moves!
The first dance was danced…
…and we left the gang to it for lots more dancing thereafter!
It was so lovely joining Jo & Martin for their big day, and seeing them really settle back and enjoy every moment! Â Thank you both for making us feel such a special part of your big day (and massive thanks for the thoughtful cupcakes! Nom nom nom)
Here’s to a wonderful life together and a wicked minimoon in Newquay / honeymoon in Mexico in December!
Barnaby & Clare