Rogerthorpe Manor Wedding: Philippa & Joe

Ceremony: St Cuthbert's Church, Ackworth, West Yorkshire
Reception: Rogerthorpe Manor, Thorpe Audlin, Pontefract, West Yorkshire

More and more couples seem to be opting for mid-week weddings this year. It's easy to see why with the discounts many venues offer and you are fairly sure to get the date you want, even at relatively short-notice. I don't know if it's just me but mid-week weddings generally seem more relaxed than the traditional Saturday ones. Unfortunately, no-one seems to have told Joe that!

I arrived at Philippa & Joe's house, a beautiful converted stable block surrounded by fields full of poppies, and immediately saw loads of potential for shots, which we rattled off before I headed off to the church, leaving the lads to look after Joe.
Phillipa and her Dad arrived at the church in real style in a beautiful carriage drawn by two horses, much to everyone's delight. Thankfully, the threatened rain held off yet again to allow plenty of opportunities for photos both before & after the service.

The happy couple set off for Rogerthorpe Manor in the carriage with a well-deserved glass of bubbly and were no doubt glad of the chance to have a few minutes to themselves.

Having assembled everyone at Rogerthorpe, formal shots were kept to a minimum and the rest of the day was spent snapping "reportage" style to get some nice natural shots of Philippa, Joe and their guests having fun.

The day was rounded off with the obligatory hog-roast (or Wedding Photographer's Platter, as it is now known) - How could anyone be vegetarian, I ask you!

Congratulations and a big thank-you to Philippa & Joe for a brilliant day.



Cambridgeshire Marquee Wedding | Helen & Ed

Ceremony: The Church Of St Kyneburgha, Castor, Cambridgeshire
Reception: Marquee, Ailsworth, Cambridgeshire

Second-shooting with Gav Harrison

 



The long journey south necessitated an early start, 8:15am to be precise, but I was very much looking forward to returning to one of my old stamping grounds (I lodged with a friend in nearby Orton Wistow for a while when I worked in Peterborough over 20 years ago).

Gav was driving so we arrived ridiculously early, to be honest, and took the opportunity for a wander around the Castor & Ailsworth looking for interesting features to use later in our photos. Needless to say, there were plenty. There are beautiful thatched cottages and weathered stone walls everywhere. The imposing St Kyneburgha's is an ancient church, dating back to well before the Norman conquest and it has a particularly impressive ceiling (see below). Not only that but it is unusually bright inside, making it ideal for photography. Add to that a very friendly vicar who was happy to allow total photographic freedom and things were looking pretty good!

The only slight fly in the ointment was the weather which consisted of blustery wind, unpredictable showers and occasional blinding bright sunshine - Never mind, nothing we couldn't cope with!

After the ceremony and the main group shots we went for a wander with Helen & Ed for some intimate shots around the village, then headed back to Helen's parent's house for the reception in a huge marquee which only just squeezed into the back garden. Apparently, flower beds & trees had to be removed to make way for it.

Helen & Ed are both confirmed Hispanophiles (no, that's neither rude nor illegal!), hence the Spanish theme to the reception. The evening's entertainment was provided by The Debbie Boyd Band who kept everyone entertained and the dance floor well filled all evening. As well as being Helen & Ed's wedding day, it was Ed's Grandad's 83rd birthday and all I can say is I hope I have as much energy as him when I'm 50, let alone 83!

Congratulations to Helen & Ed and thanks to them & Helen's parents for a great day out!

SEE ALSO
Helen's sister, Jen & Alex's wedding at Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons
Leanne & Ben's wedding at St Kyneburgha / Greetham Valley Golf Club
Katie & Chris' wedding at Harlaxton Manor