Last Saturday I joined Zoe & Chris to photograph my last wedding of 2014 at Wood Hall in Linton, near Wetherby in Yorkshire!
I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, as Zoe’s an old pal of mine & I know she’s a creative soul, so suspected this one to be funky!
I hope you enjoy our the story of this special day!
It’s always nice when there’s a sunny forecast all day at a winter wedding, and the weather didn’t let us down as we came over the hill and down the drive to Wood Hall!
I like to set the scene before joining the wedding party people when I arrive somewhere.
There are loads of lovely details at this ace boutique Hotel, including circling Red Kite, that have flourished in the area since they were bred for release at Harewood.
While Hamish wandered off to join the guys in a different wing, I joined Team Bride for their excitable morning’s preps!
Zoe’s hair looked fab with it’s vintage style!
It was lovely to catch up properly with Zoe and the family, as I knew them quite well once upon a time (and fun to see her little bro Ben, who’s now married + not little!)
Zoe’s Dad is fun, and it was nice to capture some lovely relaxed moments between them over the day…
As well as a quiet portrait of him revising the Father Of The Bride SONG he’d written and planned especially!
I knew if anyone was going to have a special and probably vintage wedding dress it would be Zoe, and her customised, hand-beaded ball gown was quite marvellous!
Zoe’s parents had made her a special book of her life, full of photos through the ages!
Cheers!
Meanwhile, in an altogether more peaceful suite across the hotel, my wingman Hamish caught up with Chris
A few last minute notes for the speech were being made before the dudes arrived to suit up…
Outside the guys did a few relaxed team shots before greeting guests
The ceremony room was all set…
Then all of a sudden it was that time!
Aww
One beautiful bride ready to rock!
Here comes the bride!
Their little ring-bearer did a sterling job
Then the newlyweds headed back down the aisle and into the sunshine!
It’s so lovely, and lucky to get weather like this, where guests can enjoy a warming mulled wine in the sunshine
We started the groupshots with a quick shot of everyone…
Then had a bit of fun with the wedding party
Then it was back into the bar to warm up around the fire!
I like this little tender moment.
Then before the wedding meal, I took the now warmed up newlyweds for a quick round of portraits.
Like a lot of my couples, these guys weren’t overly fond of having their portraits taken, or doing anything too staged and awkward. So we met up a few weeks back in York for a round of practice pics. It was great to get them used to the process and to show them they’d look fab and there was nothing to worry about. You can see the shoot on my blog here.
It makes all the difference having done the a ‘pre-wedding’ portrait shoot…
I like this one.
It’s always nice to capture a full length portrait of the bride like this
Then before everyone piled into the wedding reception meal, I like to get a few details of the festively themed tables!
It was like a Christmas winter wonderland, all white and with crackers to pull!
Hamish and I later agreed that Dad’s song about Zoe’s life was one of the best speeches we’ve heard this year!
He even got everyone to join in with the Choruses! Genius.
After the meal, there was a brilliant quiz with loads of different rounds (unbelievable truth, Dingbats, Anagrams, Deal or No Deal and a genius round of songs done in the style of a club singer a la Vic Reeves!). Loads of fun for bizarre prizes!
Afterwards, we noticed the evening was setting rapidly, so got Zoe & Chris for a few quick additional evening portraits, which are always nice for a different vibe
And then when the evening room was turned around, we opened out fun Photobooth!
Always great craic!
I even jumped on for a pic with my ol’pal Michelle!
Then it was time to cut the cake!
And while there was no official first dance (Chris’ only stipulation, apparently!), the gang soon hit the floor to party…
It’s always an honour to be able to join old pals to be so closely involved in their big day, and to hopefully give them a memory of all the fun and games to look back at in years to come.
Zoe & Chris, here’s us wishing you massive congratulations for being ace and for a wedding brilliantly done!
All the very best indeed for a fantastic life together guys!
x
Barnaby + Hamish