Yesterday I joined Laura & James to photograph their wedding at Woodlands Hotel in Leeds.

Woodlands is such an ace place to photograph a wedding.  Laura & James & all their guests seemed to have a fantastic time.

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

We joined the girls at Laura’s parents absolutely beautiful house, bathed in glorious low Spring sunshine.Laura was having her makeup done under the watchful eye of one of her bridesmaids Kat.Hanging in her mothers bright and airy room was the most beautiful gown!After an initially weird period stalking the gang around the house, the girls soon started to ignore me and I caught some lovely moments like this…

…and this.

I love being able to capture these things.

On an amazing chest upstairs, I set Laura’s fab pair of fab Kirk Geiger wedding shoes!Dad was upstairs in his study, quietly writing out his speechThe fantastic floristry was supplied by the amazing Fiona at Firenza Floral Design.

I believe Laura met Fiona on my advice, and they clicked right away.  Laura said when they met, she just splurged out what she had in mind and Fiona understood her straight away and created exactly what she’d hoped for.  She was so pleased with the final result.

The bridesmaid’s dresses looked absolutely stunning.

Anyone familiar with the colour…?The bridesmaids shoes!The girls were having fun in the kitchen, and on the shopping list was a Bride and Groom.

Bride had a tick!Love this one.

Mum looked fab in her dress.

Cheers!Meanwhile, over at the chaps, Clare joined James & the boys for their preparations.A spot of ironing……collars and cuffs…

…and a quick check from one of the best men for the rings.Suiting up!

A relaxed portrait of the groom!
A quick teamshot in the garden before hitting the road

Back at the girls’, mum & Laura readied the dress!The bridesmaids slipped into their aquamarine frocks…

…before joining mum to help Laura into her gown.

Love this this one.About to don the veil.

The resplendent finished result!

Mum & Dad were thrilled to bits!Their beautiful church was St. John the Evangelist in MirfieldInside, the church was bursting with wonderful flowers!

Guests filled the church ahead of the arrival of…

…the lovely bride!A quick shot of the girls……before hitting the road!A final few tweaks outside the church!An expectant crowd (& groom)!The vicar spoke with us before the wedding and was quite strict about not taking any photographs apart from the official signing of the register.  But as a friend of the family, she kindly let us talk her round to letting us take a few from the back of the church.

Both we and the happy couple so appreciate images like these.

Making things official

Then back down the aisle as man & wife!This may be my favourite image of the dayWell wishing outside the church…

…and a fun runway confetti shot!

I’d met Laura & James for their pre-wed at their church a month or so back and they really liked the practice images we did in the church grounds (check out the post here), so as guests headed off to Woodlands, we did a few pics in the spring trees!

I like this natural one.Aww.Meanwhile, over at Woodlands, guests mingled on the verandah in the glorious sunshine!

To think we’d been forecast rain for this day!

Mum had booked a little surprise for them, and hired in a bagpiper to pipe them into the reception!We did a quick shot of everyone

and a bunch of fun groupshots with the wedding party!

Especially with the chaps, working their best catalogue poses

The girls wanted to get all Charlie’s Angel’s with groomsman ‘Shag’

(apparently so called because of his resemblance to Shaggy from Scooby Doo!)Afterwards, Laura & James & I did another quick round of causal portraits round the beautiful grounds of Woodlands Hotel.

I like to do a separate set of individual shots

This is also one of my faves from yesterday, smooching in front of the blossom!

The wedding breakfast had New York themed table namesAnd I FINALLY clicked why the aquamarine colour theming was so familiar!

It’s the colour of the Tiffany’s & Co. New York jewellery store (which was also the name of the top table!)

The colours even made their way to the beautiful cake!

Speeches were brilliant all round.  Each one hilarious and brilliantly delivered.  The two best men had me in stitches!

As evening settled over the grand house… Richard Daniels sang some brilliant lounge songs in the bar, another rooms was turned into a Casino as a surprise for James!  He’d always wanted a casino at the wedding but Laura said it was tacky, secretly planning to do it all along!

Love itAs evening guests settled into the marquee…

…Laura’s bridesmaids kindly embarrassed her with a big projection of a hen performance them doing a routine of ‘Fame’ at the hen do!

We then cut the cake…

…and dived straight into the first dance!Then the floor opened up for some real partying!Awww

It was a brilliant day all round, and we thank James & Laura for asking us to join them to document their fantastic big day!

We hope you have a brilliant honeymoon in the Bahamas!

x

Barnaby & Clare

If you enjoyed this post, check out these similar posts: