December 2012 | DIRK VAN DER WERFF - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Wynyard Hall Wedding Photographers at Christmas for Rachel and Kevin

WYNYARD HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER:
WYNYARD HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL - THE VENUE FOR THE WEDDING OF RACHEL AND KEVIN

LOOKING GOOD ..  RACHEL'S PREPERATIONS UNDERWAY ....

CHAMPAGNE AT THE READY

IT'S ALL COMING TOGETHER ... 

.. AND MUM'S GETTING READY TOO!

RACHEL OVERJOYED WITH HER STYLE ... 

RACHELS' BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET

... AND SHE MADE SURE THEIR TWO PET CATS MADE AN APPEARENCE AT THE WEDDING TOO !

I'M HERE !!! 

THE RONALD JOYCE WEDDING GOWN DETAIL

LAST MINUTE CHECKS FOR OUR BRIDE TO BE ... 

A LITTLE BIT OF TROUBLE WITH THE VEIL ... !

BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS ON THE WRIST OF EACH BRIDESMAID

RACHEL AND HER MUM .. LIKE TWO PEAS IN A POD!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY ....

A MOMENT OF CONTEMPLATION AS THE WAITIJNG GAME STARTS ... 

ALFIE STAYS CLOSE TO GRANDAD ....

MEANWHILE ..  A LITTLE BIT OF TENSION IN THE AIR FOR KEVIN AS HE WAITS AT THE CHAPEL AT WYNYARD HALL

RACHEL'S A LITTLE EARLY .. SO SHE GOES TO CHECK OUT THE MIRROR ROOM

CHECKING OUT THE MIRROR ROOM WHERE THE WEDDING BREAKFAST WILL BE .. 

THE STAFF AT WYNYARD HALL COME IN HANDY FOR WEDDING DRESS CARRYING DUTIES WHEN THE BRIDESMAIDS HAVE GONE AWOL

THINGS ARE STARTING TO RELAX IN THE CHAPEL ..

IN THE ZONE .. KEVIN AWAITS HIS BRIDE

HAPPY TO  SEE EACH OTHER

A MOMENT FOR EACH OTHER BEFORE SIGNING  THE REGISTER

TIME TO SAY HELLO TO GUESTS AS THEY LEAVE THE CHAPEL

CONFETTI .. OF COURSE!

FOR SOME REASON KEVIN RESISTS THE LURE OF A KISS FROM HIS BEST MAN ... 

LOOKING VERY HAPPY IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE AT WYNYARD HALL

CLASSICAL MUSIC TO ENTERTAIN THE GUESTS

THE CAKE .. OF COURSE ... 

THE MIRROR ROOM - READY FOR THE WEDDING BREAKFAST

THE MENU ...

TIME FOR A QUICK FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH .... WHICH ... SEE BELOW ..

TURNED INTO A GIGGLE FEST .....

RACHEL ONLY HAS EYES FOR KEVIN AT WYNYARD HALL

THE FATHER OF THE BRIDE WITH HIS HUGE SPEECH

RICKY ENTERTAINS .... 


THE BEST MAN WAS ILL .. POOR FELLA, BUT BATTLED GAMELY ON .. 



CHINESE LANTERNS TO  CELEBRATE THE WEDDING AT WYNYARD HALL


LOTS OF CHINESE LANTERNS AT WYNYARD HALL

PAUL LYTTON CUTS THE ARM OFF A GUEST .. 

RACHEL WITH HER GRANDMA WHO SHE PRESENTED HER BOUQUET TO

... AND THE FIRST DANCE .....
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Wynyard Hall Christmas weddings in the intimate Mirror Room are what Christmas is all about.
Lots of candles and low level lighting, celebrating with friends and relatives, with lots of happiness, fun, food and some alcoholic beverages!
I've been lucky enough to photograph smaller more intimate weddings in the Mirror Room before at Wynyard hall Country House Hotel, and it's my favourite room, and smaller more intimate weddings are lovely too, they're just more relaxed and happier than ever, and so it proved to be with Rachel and Kevin's wedding in December! 
Kevin is from Sri Lanka and his father flew over for his wedding day celebrations, and just a few weeks before I had met him at the wedding dress rehearsal in the chapel at Wynyard hall - and he had just enjoyed his first ever REAL SNOW .. he was very pleased indeed!
The weather was pretty good, quite mild with a blue sky as I photographed Wynyard hall for some establishing shots before popping over to Rachel's parent's home to capture some nice relaxed, natural photographs of the wedding day preoparations.
Rachel's parents are a whole load of fun and very welcoming indeed and Rachel herself was cool, calm and relaxed - just how I like my brides-to-be, the bridesmaids were a lot more nervous than she was!
Rachel had changed her mind at the last minute about her wedding dress and opted for a Ronald Joyce wedding gown and veil from Butterflies Bridal in Stockton on Tees, with the touch of Spanish feel she was looking for and she was giggling away and getting very excited as she and the bridesmaids had their hair and make-up completed upstairs.
There was much excitement when the young paige boy turned up looking as smart and as sharp as a new pin, while there was a scream of delight from Rachel when her flowers from Butterflies Florists also turned up at the same time - and I have to say her bouquet looked stunning, and I've seen a few in my lifetime!
Time for a few quick family photographs before I'm heading up the road to Wynyard Hall, a venue I have photographed at more than a score of times in recent years.
I found Kevin and his (very under the weather, poor thing) best man in the chapel, greeted his father warmly and was introduced to more of the De Silva clan before I checked out the Mirror room to see how things were going with things before I headed back outside to await the arrival of the bride - who was early!
Never been known!
Kevin was in 'the zone' as Rachel came down the aisle to greet him and there were two smiles coming together as he opened his eyes and he saw her standing there .. BIG wide smiles!
It was a lovely relaxed service and soon we were out into the sunlight with confetti before heading to the statue gallery for mulled wine and that Christmassy feeling that comes with it, and live classical music beautifully played by Opus Four String Quartet.
There was some time for relaxed natural wedding photography, lots of 'weditorial' images as I call them and then 10 minutes for some key family groups, done quickly, with a smile and a laugh before we entered the mirror room and enjoyed a sumptious wedding breakfast (thanks folks!) and the speeches where Kevin paid a wonderful tribute to his new wife which had the tears flowing - including mine (again .. ). Amazing close-up magician Paul Lytton turned up to rally the tropps and went down a storm while wonderful pianist Michael Mulroy filled the statue gallery with beautiful tunes as day turned into evening .....
We popped outside to light some Chinese lanterns in the car park too!
There were many new people, team-mates from Saltburn Cricket Club turning up and even more from the hospital where Rachel works for the evening celebrations before the happy couple cut the cake and completed their first dance as man and wife.
The party was really starting now so  I thanked Rachel's parents and Kevin's father for their kindness and hospitality and bade farewell to the bride and groom before they headed off to Spain and Sri Lanka on their honeymoon!
I hope you enjoy this Sneak Peek of their wedding photography, just 35 photographs from the 400+ that tell the tale of ten hours of the happiest day of their lives.
Once they are back from their time in Spain, they will send out an email with a LINK and  password so that you can see all their photographs from the day.
Don't forget to join me here on Facebook, on my website HERE and view my Pinterest Inspiration Board for Wynyard Hall HERE
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Matfen Hall Wedding Photography at Christmas for Anna and Warren

MATFEN HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY:
ANNA AND WARREN ALL SMILES UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE GREAT HALL AT MATFEN HALL IN NORTHUMBERLAND
MATFEN HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER: WINTER BRIDAL BOUQUET

ANNA AND CAROLYN CLAYTON, HER HAIR STYLIST, SHARE A LAUGH  - ONE OF MANY!

BONKERS BRIDESMAIDS ...  I GET A LOT OF THEM .. :)

THE BRIDESMAID DRESSES ...

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR ..  FROM ANNA'S MUM AND DAD ...

LIPPY TIME .... 

EVERYONE SEEMS HAPPY ...

THERE WERE A LOT OF PHOTOGRAPHERS ........

BEAUTIFUL BRIDESMAID AND BEAUTIFUL HAIR DETAIL ...

ALMOST READY ....

HIGH AND MIGHTY .. CAROLYN USES THE BED TO HELP HER FIT ANNA'S VEIL

EMOTION .......

WAITING ....

WAITING .... 2

BOOTS AND WELLIES FOR THE BRIDESMAIDS .... WELL, IT WAS SLIPPY, AND THEY CHANGED INTO LOVELY RED SHOES ...

ITS LOOKING A LOT LIKE ..  A NEW HUSBAND ....

THE EYES TELL THE STORY ...

THE EYES HAVE IT ...

SO CONTENT .... ANNA LISTENING TO THE READINGS .. 

THREE OF THE BRIDESMAIDS ... LOOKING GOOD

SOMEONE HAS TO COLLECT THE BOOTS ...

MATFEN HALL ... READY FOR THE WEDDING RECEPTION OF ANNA AND WARREN FOR THEIR WINTER WEDDING

MR & MRS MOUSE .. AND THEIR CHEESE WEDDING CAKE!

ANNA AND WARREN .......... AT MATFEN HALL NORTHUMBERLAND

CHRISTMAS TIME .. MISTLETOE AND WINE ....

ELLIE WITH THE SIGN .......

ELLIE AND TEAGAN AND MYSELF SNOOK UP TO THE BRIDAL SUITE ..... TO LEAVE A LITTLE GIFT FOR THE BRIDE AND GROOM

ANNA'S FATHER BRUCE MAKES HIS SPEECH

 GUESTS  LISTEN TO THE SPEECHES IN THE GREAT HALL AT MATFEN HALL

BRUCE HAS A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE ....

GLYNIS MAKES HER SPEECH .. TO TEARS AND LAUGHTER ..

WARREN BRINGS THE HOUSE TO TEARS WITH HIS SPEECH ...

LAUGHTER WAS AMONG THE EMOTION  TOO ... 


ANNA .. SMILING THROUGH WARREN'S SPEECH ......

WARREN ENJOYING HIS BEST MAN'S SPEECH ..... 

WARREN ENJOYING HIS BEST MAN'S SPEECH ... EVEN MORE .. !

PARTY TIME AT MATFEN HALL ....

FIRST DANCE FUN .... LOVE IN THEIR EYES ...


MY Reviews are HERE
MY  Facebook Page is HERE
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CONTACT ME on 0778 7150966
OR Contact me HERE
MY Website is HERE
MY Pinterest Inspiration is HERE
SKYPE ME on ' aqphotos.com '
Matfen Hall and Northumberland are beautiful places in winter, a sprinkling of frost and snow, low temperatures and a Christmas tree and candles with a roaring fire ....  It's what Anna and Warren's winter wedding at Matfen Hall was all about!
Warren is an airline pilot and Anna works in television production in Liverpool but are heading out for a new life in Dubai after their wedding, and they wanted a no-fuss wedding, with lots of their closest family and friends from all over the world to share their special day at St Michael and All Angels Church Felton,  a small village near to Anna's family home in Swarland, Northumberland. PHOTOGRAPHS LATER TODAY!
I first met with them on a flying visit to Matfen hall some 6 months or so beforehand, we got on well, they liked the way I worked and had been impressed with my endorsements and reviews online, so signed me up!
I met with them back at Felton about 6 weeks before the big day for a pre-wedding shoot to share a pot of tea and have a chat and take a few photographs around the church - so we were not strangers on the day.
The weather was pretty terrible in the days leading to the wedding, but luckily cleared enough for me to travel on ther day to meet Anna and her bridesmaids who were busy getting their hair and make-up completed with the lovely Carolyn Clayton .. there were empty champagne bottles and more waiting to be consumed when I arrived - no wonder it wa so chilled out!
Anna's bridesmaids had travelled from afar for the big day, and her sister was also part of the 'gang' .. what a lovely group of young ladies they were too - very welcoming and fun!
Warren ahd stayed at a pub close-by and wrote a very emotional Facebook message about marrying his soul mate Anna at 2am, and he was sharing his evening with 22 other people - and some of the Itish band who were playing at Matfen Hall on the evening ...  I was getting a VERY good feeling about this day!
Soon it was time for the dress to go on, Anna's father Bruce appeared and Carolyn stood on the bed to make the final adjustments .. Anna truly looked lovely in her Cathy Ireland Wedding gown with a beautiful fur stole and a veil to finish things off, while the bridesmaids looked fab with their red shoes and  very different dresses!
We had over-run att he house a little, but that was fine as the bus with the guests making their way from Matfen was threatening to turn up AFTER  the bride, but luckily, all was well ijn the end.
The bridesmaids were in BOOTS when they arrived because of the slippy conditions, but changed into their fab red shoes as Anna arrived with her father and came down the aisle to meet a BIG grin from Warren ... their eyes told the story!
Afterwards, it was 150 mince pies at the back of the church - which Warren's Mum Glynis had made before we all headed down the road for 45 minutes to Matfen Hall, where roaring fires, Christmas trees and candles awaited us all!
After a few quick family groups around the fireplace in the warmth, it was time for the wedding breakfast (thank you folks - delicious!) and then speeches which made me cry, again.
By now it was 8pm as the wedding didn't start until 2pm and it was almost dark as we left the church. There was a little down time, before we headed downstairs for the band and the first dance of the new Mr and Mrs Russell!
Later, I thanked Anna's parents and Warren's Mum for their friendship and hospitality, offered Warren a handshake and a big cuddle for Anna - and they both had the look of love still in their eyes .. it was time for me to head back home and leave the 150 people to party on!
Great day for Anna and Warren - when they get back from their honeymoon in New York, The Hamptons, they will send out an email with a LINK and a Password so that you can view all their images.
I hope you enjoy this Sneak Peek of their wedding day in Northumberland in the meantime.
If you would like me to photograph your wedding, naturally, and document your great day of celebration, in Northumberland, or anywhere else in the UK or abroad, ring me NOW on 0778 7150966 and CHECK YOUR DATE for 2013 / 2014 / 2015!
DIRK VAN DER WERFF