The final wedding of the year for me was also the smallest with 15 guests, the intimate wedding took place in the library at Oulton Hall late Saturday afternoon.

An informal drinks reception followed in the Calverley Bar where we  headed out in the darkness to take photos of Melanie and Richard on the patio.  Their wedding breakfast was held in the library which was brilliantly laid out with just on large table to accommodate all the guests.

A relaxed and informal wedding during the Christmas break was perfect for James and Emma who married in a civil ceremony at Bagden Hall on Thursday.

Often the best man will joke about losing the rings and today, he almost did, half way through he ceremony he is proudly showing the groom's mum that they are still in his possession when he drops them, just as the registrar is about to ask him to step forward. With their backs to the whole proceedings the bride and groom are oblivious except for the sudden laughter behind them and me facing them shoulders shaking as I  trying not to laugh!

The day continued in a similar vein with squirrel spotting from the bridesmaids providing masses of entertainment through the formal photos. The evening was wrapped up nicely with hot beef sandwiches served just before the firework display.

A pre-wedding shoot just over a month ago had got Amy and Karl geared up for their wedding photos, arriving at Amy's parents house early Saturday morning there was an air of tranquillity (doesn't happen all that often when their are so many people all getting ready). A bright and breezy Amy was well into the prep for the big day and quickly were shooting dressed photos before we made our way to the church in nearby Ryhill.

Thankfully, during the pre-wedding meeting we'd discussed photo locations and had agreed that if the weather was OK outside the church we'd quickly roll through the formal images before leaving for Tankerlsey Manor. Just as the shutter clicked the last of the formals the first drops of rain struck and we quickly headed off.

With the formal photographs all finished off, Amy and Karl had plenty of time at Tankerlsey for chatting to their family an friends and allowed us to rattle off plenty of more informal images.

It seems an age since I met up with Darren and Joanna at the Ramada Jarvis for their pre-wedding shoot earlier in the year, so it was good to catch up again on Saturday at the hotel for their wedding.

The weather dictated that we weren't able to make full use of the grounds, but a secluded and wind free area allowed the Darren and Joanna at least some time outside for their photos.

During the evening the couple and their guests enjoyed two chocolate fountains and a Casino complete with Craps and Roulette.

I don't normally post individual wedding bookings, but today the first wedding date to go in the 2010 diary was booked. Rebecca and Gareth are marrying in almost three years time but by planning ahead they have ensured their chosen venue was available and that they could choose suppliers early and have the best possible choice.

My  2008 diary has been full and closed since October and 2009 is filling up nicely. All 2010 weddings are able to take advantage of the current 09 package prices. Thank you Rebecca and Gareth!

Wet Wet Wet, not quite the Scottish pop group of the early nineties,, more the weather for today. The day began bright and early with bridal prep photos at Trudy's parent's house in Huddersfield before the ceremony at St Patrick's in town. After making the dash along the M62 to Oulton Hall the bride, groom and guests enjoyed  a wedding breakfast in the Oulton Suite before the evening reception in the same room. Although the weather tried it's hardest Rob and Trudy had a superb day and ensured there were some excellent fun images to be had. The couple have now jetted off on a surprise destination (for Trudy) honeymoon. Enjoy!

A late afternoon wedding actually meant it was dark by the time Tim and Davina had said 'I do'. Thankfully Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa on the outskirts of Leeds offers plenty of indoor locations to shoot and a fun half hour was spent roaming the hotel shooting Tim and Davina in a variety of locations.

Richard and Helen chose the fantastic Hodsock priory near Blyth for their wedding. This was my first visit since the newly opened Pavilions have been added to provide a first class function suite. Following their civil ceremony at Hodsock, Richard and Helen enjoyed  a relaxed afternoon of drinks and photos, in fitting with the informal nature of the day, guests were served hot beef sandwiches and later pie and peas.