Almost exactly two years ago, we were the Leeds wedding photographers for Claire and Neil when they married at the Woodlands Hotel in Gildersome. Today it was such a pleasure to be at the stunning location of Oulton Hall to capture Melissa and Gareth's celebrations. Melissa is Neil's sister and we always feel very privileged when a brother or sister of a previous client asks us to photograph their wedding too and it was so nice to see a few familiar faces - Melissa's mum and dad, Mandy and Brian, brother Neil and sister in law Claire, plus a new addition to the family - Neil and Claire's cute baby son Alex. We joined Melissa and the girls in the Knaresborough Castle suite and as we arrived, Melissa was in the make-up chair. After photographing Melissa's gorgeous Sophia Tolli gown and all the other girly bits and pieces, including her bouquet of cabbages - ornamental cabbages that is - we left the girls to finish getting ready and went to find Gareth, Craig and David for their photographs. The weather forecaster got it right and we enjoyed a lovely, dry day with no wind - perfect. The boys' shots were soon in the can and we were back with Melissa who by now was almost ready for the ceremony. The Leeds registrars were fantastic, allowing us to capture the civil ceremony as Melissa and Gareth tied the knot. With a fairly short drinks reception, we worked quickly through the group shots which left time to get some photographs of the newly married couple around the spectacular grounds of Oulton Hall before we went indoors to photograph them on the staircase and the Repton Room all set up for the wedding breakfast. With dinner and speeches over, including a very touching one from Melissa's dad, the sky was almost at that perfect dark blue colour, so the couple joined us outside for some evening shots. As artistic wedding photographers, we just love it when the bride and groom are happy to spend some time with us between the end of the wedding breakfast and the start of the evening party. This is when we create some of our most beautiful images. After capturing Melissa and Gareth's first dance as husband and wife and a father and daughter dance too, we left everyone to party. We have to say thank you to attendants Kirsty, Sarah, Craig and David for all their help in making everything run so smoothly. Their help was invaluable and much appreciated. Thank you so much Melissa and Gareth for asking us to share your wedding day. Have a fabulous honeymoon!
If you were a guest a Melissa and Gareth's wedding, please feel free to leave a comment below - thank you.
