Kay and Mat

Close to my heart.
A little session in the studio
Can’t even wait until your wedding this summer.

xo

A Hartlepool wedding photographer, comes the end of a busy wedding season.  Armed with my favorite cameras and lenses im ready for Kayleigh and Pauls Wedding.

I try not to complain, but is somewhat worn down. Pregnant. Emotional. Not feeling entirely myrself. (Yes, I said pregnant) Tired. Suffering from a bad tummy and feeling nauseous. Trying desperately to shake it all off, and get down to making  magic images that will be different from the last wedding, from any wedding.  I meet a cool and collected Paul first who is ready to see Kayleigh. I meet up with her and magic happens, moments stand still within each frame. She doesnt try to pose she just looks wonderful and so easy to photograph.  The both of them so happy, magic through  the day, wonderful christmas images, the both of them looked beautiful. Kayleigh and Paul’s beautiful wedding, was exactly what I needed to fuel me up, and inspire me to finish off this wedding season with a bang. There are not a lot of weddings  for me next year. My brothers is next in Febuary. I believe now, after Kayleigh and Pauls… I am ready to conquer the few of them i have before the birth of our second baby.  Here are a few of my favorites from your wedding congratulations and Merry Christmas. x

I love all my wedding clients, we are coming close to the end of my 2011 weddings, they all turn out different… The intimacy, connection and shared moments of their wedding days often brings me to tears,  as I sit and edit their images, post them online, blog about them, print them… deliver them.   I am working, however I am also spending moments of my life with them and with that, I choose to do so as passionately, lovingly, creatively and honestly as possible.  I am fully aware that I am creating a cherished heirloom.  I am a wedding photographer, their chosen wedding photographer.

They could have chosen anyone, but they chose me.  That is divine intervention, in my opinion. That, is amazing!

My brides this year have been stunning, caring, kind wild and also daring.  Seeing their trust in me, their belief that we are doing something wonderful… is more than I could ever ask for.  If you trust me, we have far better chances of making your perfect wedding album.

The weather this weekend was perfect for us,  My Bride was amazing and kind, all her family behind her, supporting, loving  and waiting for this day for her to be come a Mrs Ward. Wayne as excited and ready, he looked a little nervous but with all his ushers behind him he was doing fine. They were both totally in love and ready to do anything to make a good photo. Being the second to last wedding of my 2011 season, I can’t help but think about all of the weddings that have come before this one. All of the couples, all of the images.  All of the love.

I am really greatful you choose me to become your wedding photographer. I hope your day was everything you wanted and more.  These are my impressions of a beautiful wedding. And lots of them…! xx

Photos don’t just magically make themselves.
They are a reflection (hopefully a beautiful one)  of the people in them.   Their story, makes their images what they are.   These images are happy and fun,  because Kirsty and Mark are awesome.  She said to me when she came in for her pre-wedding shoot…. “I look at your Blog every day”  Well kirsty here is your very own Blog, with your very own amazing beautiful photos.  It was heavy rain on the morning, as soon as my bride stepped into her dress the sky was blue, i was a happy girl, a Wonderful bride, with a wonderful attitude on everything, a groom who was patiently waiting and beautiful blue sky’s . The two of them together ready for there wedding day,  they are just so effortless.  Sweet.  Honest.  All things you’d want to see when photographing a wedding. X

A wedding spectacular, this couple are amazing, such wonderful people, Jenni has a smile and a laugh that is contagious, Mark has charm and and Jenni’s heart. I remember  them when they booked me, i was thrilled to have this couple as my wedding, i knew i would only get wonderful photos with a couple so happy in love as these two.  Their day was organised, we had lots of  time to spare, we where all chilled and ready to she Jenni get married.  She wanted to put her dress on when i got there i think!  I love this couple, love this wedding,  two wonderful people with a recipe that can only lead to amazing things.

wishing you a long happy life together with love and happiness. x

I arrived at Gemma’s home and immediately i was welcomed and joined in there wedding celebration, mum dancing around the chairs, step dad popping open the champs Gemma in makeup ” No photos yet” she said!  The four sweet bridesmaids called me the Frographer, So much love in this house i knew i was in for a wonderful day of photos. Dom was calm…even though Gemma was twenty minutes late he stayed calm.  Their energy, their love. Their family, friends and locations.  All  amazing opportunities to create wonderful photographs. I am so lucky to have a wonderful bride and groom.  I mean it when i say it ” You two are wonderful people inside and out,  It was a pleasure to work with you.” Thank you both for sharing your moments with me, and allowing me to create images that I truly love.

I arrived at Rockcliff and meet up with Kirsty,  She looked impossibly stunning and not to mention calm.  Her bridesmaids buzzing around getting hair and makeup applied,  her mum and dad came in just after with Daisy looking on lovingly.  The best thing  was that in the moment of  my bride getting ready,  taking it all in, she still found time to have a little dance with her beautiful daughter.  Gary was smiling and ready, surrounded by his handsome fellas and amazing Aston Martin.  It was a beautiful day in Darlington and they were ready to finally “tie the knot”.

An amazing family, a wonderful little girl, Dasiy who witnessed her mummy and daddy get married today along with wonderful friends, every part of there day was stunning. so excited to work on all your photographs i wish you nothing but love. x

xx

Two wonderful souls married this weekend. Natalie was doing ok, composed and calm… but also pacing a bit, Evey now and then she would hold her hands out and look at them shaking!  Nervously looking at the clock, but still breathing and looking beautiful.  She was doing ok, until George, her beautiful little boy came in to get ready, She had glistering tears in her eyes. Then no one was doing ok. so sweet.  Chris is the groom but aka Bailey, he was quirky from the moment I saw him,  laid back, cool as a cucumber kinda guy!  I knew my  time with this couple would be full of fun and wonderful photos. There day was amazing, full of friends, children and there parents watching them enjoy the wonderful moments of the day. I hope you both share a beautiful  life together. I’m grateful to be a part of your story. xo No more words… only images. \

Sarah and Marks wedding was a wonderful day.  We didn’t have a lot of time for images. As it usually happens during a wedding, things were running a bit behind,  This was based on the thunder storms we were having.  I wasn’t sure if we’d have enough time for Ward Jackson park like we’d talked about.  The sky’s opened and we were staying put. With the car gone and finally when the rain stopped, i jumped them into my car and drove them around the marina. We managed to get some  amazing shots, sun in full blast, perfect. Congratulations to the three of you, may you have long happy life together. x

I was inspired before I even got to them, and was so excited to create images with them. They are the picture perfect couple, with big hearts and  big smiles.  The best part about Becky and Bri’s wedding at Redworth Hall wasn’t their stunning location, It wasn’t her amazing dress, beautiful flowers or her perfect shoes.  Nor was it Bri’s handsome suit, there sweet little daugthter Mia,  it was them.  Two wonderful people with everyone there watching them get married, everyone there just for them.

There are so many images I love, for so many reasons… but the main reason, in all of them, is that it was all real.  I didn’t ask them to be so totally in love, so happy, They did that, they are comfortable and happy in each others arms, so easy to see that this was the best day of there life’s.

I need to touch on the father of the bride speech, they always get me, i always listen carefully,  This day for them is the day they pass on there little princess to another man to take care of and look after. He spoke from his heart, his speech was pulling on my heart strings, its hard for me not to cry when a good father of the bride speech comes along, but when you hear one like Tom said I’m an emotional reck. It made me think of my dad and appreciate the happy times we had with each other, it made me think about my childhood, it touched on so many memories that i have’nt thought of for so long. You must be so proud of your dad Becky, i can see how much love and respect you both have for one another. enjoy your married life with Bri, but just remember… Your dad loved you first.

Thank you for letting me photograph your beautiful day, i enjoyed every minute of it.  The photos are a pleasure to work on. x

Jenny and Jon were married under blue skies and sunshine. ( Unlike the week before! ) There friends and family watched them say their vows at Walworth castle.
She was calm, composed and stunning.  He was happy, eager and very excited. The faces of everyone involved say it all and I was honored to join them creating images with them, Two best friends finally married.  Amazing day and  lovely family and friends..
Thank you, for choosing me. x

I remember looking in my dairy last year and and i saw Jacki and peters wedding, i thought to myself “this will be the last wedding i photograph before my big day” WOW it has come round so fast! Four weeks till our big day and im so excited.

Jaki and Peters wedding was fab, I love it when everything  just melts together seamlessly.  The wedding, the light, the beautiful spring morning and the colours.  Jaki and Peter are simply amazing. Together, with their children, one happy family.  They are the real deal, I am so honored to have been chosen to photograph their wedding . Big hugs and may you have a wonderful life together. Xx

Here is fabulously gorgeous Lisa and her handsome husband Michael. If i thought i was preped for my wedding i was wrong, everything was labeled on boxes, every finish was perfect… lisa you are the queen of bows! The full wedding was just perfect. Her wonderful mum fran who was my assistant, you rocked!  My day didnt feel like work it was a pleasure to be with you on such a wonderful day.  You both looked fab and I wish you evey happiness for your long life together. x

The emotion hit her here i think!

We got engaged on July the 1st, my venue was booked by July the 3rd.! i am an organised person , but i have been dreaming about this day since i was six years old so i have had 24 years to know what i wanted and being in the profession  i am in its been a very big help!  My friend Nicola passed me on the wedding bible which was a god send thanks Nic, i will pass it on for the next bride.
As a little girl i would dream about this day, my barbie and ken would get married every day. i knew what i wanted! Things change, i changed, i would have gone for the big wedding list and the big wedding dress but its a personal day for us and in that case we are having only our family with us during the service, sitting, watching, supporting, smiling. I will hold hands with my new husband, smile, laugh, cry and celebrate what we have found in each other. LOVE.  I am so looking forward to our fabulous life together and becoming the new Mrs Thubron.  Pete is amazing and im so happy to be marring this wonderful man.

The bridesmaid and my fairy’s thank you for doing this job for me, i know how excited you all are and i can only imagine how nervous you are Caroline to do your song, it means so much to me and Pete and i will be amazed if there is a dry eye in the place when your finished. Our  little ushers how smart you are all going to look i cannot wait to see you all together for the first time in your suits, and Pierce you have such a big job to do on the day, your going to walk with mammy down the isle with the rings. such a lovely thing for him to witness his parents get married.

I suppose one of the best things about orginising your wedding is choosing the dress, finding THE ONE!  Well i had such a dilemma with it, I went around the full northeast looking and not finding anything, and being very off put from some of the people who worked in these shops! Hello iv never been married before how am i to know what dress looks good till i try them all on! A baby book client Julie was great help in sending links and emails to me, thank you Julie.  One of my good friends Kay approached me and asked me to go to Hollywood with her to look! OH yeah lets just go eh…! I did..! It was the highlight of my wedding planning. So much can be said for you Kay, thoughtful, WILD, awesome caring girl ever. You made me feel so comfortable and we, if not YOU, found the DRESS!
I would never pass up an opportunity to go shopping with you for your wedding dress, just call me and I’m there! Thank you im so lucky to have my very own personal wedding dress shopper!

The cake, so many to choose, its all the time it takes to put every detail on there. I looked and looked and found my sister in law to be would be the best choice. Apart from the fact that they taste so incredibly yummy but i know that i would get exactly what i wanted. She has had so many practise runs bless her, don’t worry Sarah you will do a grand job. I have ordered freeze dried peony heads to sit in the tear of the cake, i have them at home already and they smell lovely.   www.shropshirepetals.com

I bet your wondering who is photographing my wedding? Would i do it myself..? NO, I want to enjoy my day and i want to look back through the photographs an see the real me the real emotion the real day as it was. Its hard shooting a wedding, You can plan, you can obsess, you can put everything into place.  But they have a life of their own.  Hard to control,  you just have to move with them. That’s why i am happy to have Derk Van Der Werff photographing my day for me. He is an insperation and when you see his work its truly Art! dirkvanderwerffphotography.blogspot.com
The band is central park, the drummer is Peter’s dads friend and peters dad will also be up to sing mine and peters first dance. Again just like Caroline we are so pleased that you accepted it means a great deal to us that you are doing this for us. Thank you.

Our florist is Irene Bell, your work is amazing and thank you for all the ideas i cannot wait to see them.  07810443369

Sweets for the sweet, we are making up our own sweets table an idea passed onto me from grace’s grandma one of my baby book clients. I want to say thank you to Jane and dean for the trips you took to the wear house for all the sweets, i know they will go down well. And also a big thank you to Carl from the secret garden in Hartlepool for all the vases you are lending me for the sweets to go into. Carl, also a very talented florist 01429 281 018

Sylvia without you we would’nt have a beautiful dress for Caroline to wear. although it was hard finding the perfect material we got there in the end.

The garter, a website was passed onto me from one of my wedding clients Jo, who married graham in july 2009. i have it and it looks great thank you.

The invites, its a big thing, its the first thing your guest see and you want them to look the business dont you! Maxine Mortram thank you for the info and ordering them for me, I did have sore hands when i was finished but was all worth the while they look fab. www.christyweddingstationery.co.uk

Nicola you have literally  just been on the phone to me to tell me your wonderful news. congratulations. Nicola was another one of my brides who set off on her own little venture of designing chair covers, i booked her in asap. its great news to see that she is very busy and doing well. 07748925491

The make up was bought while away with Kay in Hollywood we went and had a makeover, i have come home and can i for the life of me apply the same as she did so i have Becky King, one of my Brides to be, applying it for me. She has a fab new little business just opened, the beauty room. She  made a wonderful job of my lashes. Looking forward to my next treatments. 07827915734

The hair, it has to be right, and i cant really give to much away of what it will look like as Pete will read this! I have eventually got a hairdresser who can do what i asked! thank you Steph from the hair room, and congratulations on the birth of your new baby girl. six more weeks and i have you back at work im sorry!  01429 861 558

Fitness… I love chocolate! simple, i love food!  All over crimbo i was naughty. I started my boxing with my good friend Laura who i am now scared of,  my god girl you have a really hard punch!  Each step of the way through the pain we push each other on, thank you for training with me.  My Friend also has a very good talent which i tell her to pursue. Every girl loves shoes but if you where to see Laura’s shoes you would fall in love!  She decorates them and they become bespoke.She has a real talent and the finished result look great.  She has mine and is in process of  making them. I am excited to see your cleaver creation. thank you Mrs Picken. xx

Last week it all went a bit fussy when i got took away on my hen doo. Vicky and Caroline picked me up with the girls and took my off to do a little adventure, they had me tree top hopping…. Perfect thank you so much for an amazing day. they then whisked me off to a surprise meal which was overwhelming, i cried thank you to everyone who made the effort to come and join me on my hen doo. again whisked away for spar treatment which was perfect. followed by a very drunk night out in Durham dressed as super woman.  An amazing day love you guys. x

After a busy weekend of work, family moments, spring cleaning,  and entertaining Pierce  I feel the need to bring you an awesome wedding.

Sarah being soooo orginised and wanting to be in her  dress hours before, wanting to leave, because today was the day she would become Mrs Lavelle. she had it all planned out from hour to hour.

Their wedding couldn’t have been an ounce more perfect,  or more them.  It was exactly as they wanted it to be,  and I am always honored to share such intimate moments with my wedding couples.

Sarah and Scott we dont have to tell you twice to kiss!  You made my job easy and it was an absolute pleasure to photograph it for you both.  Congratulations and a happy life together. x

unfortuantly Sarah lost her mum before the wedding. We know she was there with you looking down.