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.

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.

Claire and Simon were married Saturday 17th at St. Benedict's church in Garforth. The light inside and outside the church was fantastic, following the ceremony Simon, Claire and their guests headed off to Wentbridge House for the wedding reception where we made full use of the lawns for some formal and informal images.

Married in a civil ceremony at The Hotel St Pierre on Saturday were Danny and Julie. With a ceremony late in the afternoon, we had to act quickly to make the most of the light and fabulous colours and so headed down the road to the picturesque Newmillerdam for photos of the happy couple.

Waine and Hayley were married at All Saints Church in Pontefract on Saturday the 3rd November. The wedding had a black and white theme complete with Black and White cars for the bride and groom and bridal party. A pair of Excalibur limousines, a white stretched and a black open top. Following the ceremony the Bride and Groom and guests made their way to Oulton Hall near Leeds for the wedding reception held in the Oulton Suite.

Late evening and with the first dance out of the way all the guests gathered outside on the lawn for a large group shot complete with Sparklers. (A well choreographed lighting routine enables almost all of the 250 guests to have lit sparklers for the main image).

All Saints Church and the open top Black Excalibur car

Mark and Jenny were married Saturday at Ripley Church before making the short journey to the adjacent Ripley Castle. Set in stunning grounds with a vast lake and woodland, Ripley Castle is an ideal wedding venue and thanks to some glorious Autumnal weather we were able to make the most of the stunning scenery and backdrops. The wedding had a 1940s RAF theme with Jenny's dress and shoes looking very period, whilst Mark a serving RAF officer wore his 'Number Ones' which have a distinctive 1940s feel. The Rolls Royce wedding car was two tone complete with Royal Air Force blue and the tables were all named after second World War fighters and bombers.

October 14^th Dean and Debby – Wedding, Walton Hall at Waterton Park Wakefield.

If anyone was ever in doubt, Autumn has arrived, the spectacular colours in the trees at Walton Hall today were testimony to the season change and with such warm golden colours as backdrops, a photographers dream . (Sadly though of course this also serves as a reminder that winter is just around the corner). Making the most of the backdrops today were Dean and Debby who following their civil ceremony at the hotel headed to the island for photographs and drinks. A small and intimate wedding with just seventeen guests allowed the couple the chance to spend plenty of quality time with their family and friends.

October 13^th Dan and Yvonne – Wedding, Armthorpe to Hellaby Hall

Dan and Yvonne were married on Saturday at St Marys and St Leonards in Armthorpe before making the journey along the M18 to Hellaby Hall near Rotherham. Following their pre-wedding shoot at home with daughter Grace only a few weeks ago they were quickly into the swing of things and the photos were quickly and smoothly despatched. The weather played ball all day and the mild weather meant we were able to get outdoors for all the photos, something which in the morning hadn’t looked possible.

Late evening we headed back outside to catch the bride and groom around the front of Hellaby Hall’s unique facade for some final photos under the floodlights.

Jason and Rebecca were married in a civil ceremony at the Courtyard in Tong Village (Formerly known as the Marriot Tong). Following preparation photos in the bridal suite and the ceremony upstairs in the Pastures Suite, guests made their way outside, mild autumnal weather allowed plenty of time for relaxed conversation and photos.

The evening reception including entertainment from 'The Solicitors' a local band that quickly managed to fill the dance floor and even provided instruments for the guests to partake.

Amended Tuesday October 9th. Before jetting off on Honeymoon Rebecca added the following comments.

We are just getting ready to go on our honeymoon but can't stop looking at the amazing photos that you have taken at our wedding on Saturday.

You were a true professional, keeping the guests upbeat which clearly shows, and keeping us relaxed and natural. We really can not thank you enough for the wonderful pictures that will be treasured always! Only one problem....How ever will we decide from them as we love them all!

I can not tell you how many people stopped me and said 'your photographer was fantastic!'. You just caught the mood and atmosphere perfectly. The guests who had a preview of our photos all commented on how we would have very special pictures.

We really again can not thank you enough, I wanted to send you a letter when we returned from our honeymoon but felt after seeing them on line I could not wait to tell you how happy you have made us.

Marrying on Saturday in a civil ceremony at Oulton Hall near Rothwell in Leeds, Geoff and Anita broke with tradition to walk down the aisle together before enjoying a relaxed and informal drinks reception (and some photos!) before their wedding breakfast was served in the Repton Room. 

The evening reception saw the wedding party move to the Blaydes bar where the couple and guests danced the night away

Amended Monday October 1st - Following their wedding on Saturday the proofs went online today. Anita sent the following email this morning.

We have just been looking at the photos on line. They are fabulous, thank you so much – you are very talented and so brilliant with the guests and children in making them relax for the photos. Every one of the guests commented on how good you were and how the photography became a feature of the day instead of a chore that they have found at some events.

The photos are all we would want and more.  We cant thank you enough. 

Married on Saturday in Wakefield Roger and Joy chose Newmillerdam as a wedding photo location before making their way to the reception at nearby St Pierre Hotel.

Gavin and Victoria married at Castleford Methodist Church before making their way to Wentbridge House Hotel for their wedding breakfast and evening reception. Drinks were served out on the lawn where a steel band were also playing to entertain the guests.

Terence and Natalie were married in a civil ceremony on Friday at Healds Hall Hotel in Liversegde.

Alan and David were made civil partners yesterday at a civil ceremony at The Bluebell in Dodworth near Barnsley. Following their ceremony the guests and Alan and David made their way outside for drinks and  relaxed photos.

After the speeches, David (a singer on the club circuit) sang to Alan and the guests before everyone was entertained with a short video the guys had made. Another first during the evening reception was a first dance with all the wedding guests taking part to celebrate the day.

Following their pre-wedding shoot just a few weeks ago it was good to catch up with Neil and Emma again at Walton Hall, Waterton Park, this time though for the real thing.

Following the civil ceremony, excellent wedding weather allowed everyone time on the island for photographs and drinks.

Emma chose a fantastic Ian Stuart wedding dress, and with both the bride and groom working for Frank Bird menswear in Wakefield the guys couldn't fail to be anything but smart.

Dan and Melanie married at Christchurch South Ossett before taking a short hop down the M1 to Brooklands Hotel in Barnsley. The architecture and layout of Brooklands lends itself excellently to shooting indoors so following a few formal photos at the church we were quickly putting some of the hotels features to good use as backdrops to the photos of the happy couple.

A surprise for Dan in the evening took the form of a pair of casino tables offering Roulette and Blackjack. Guests were also able to take advantage of the opportunity for portrait photographs during the evening within the mobile studio offered within the wedding packages.

The final wedding of the week saw Nick and Gaynor marry at Wentbridge House Hotel on Sunday. Following their civil ceremony the couple and their guests enjoyed drinks and photos on Wentbridge's excellent lawn before the wedding breakfast.

Under gin clear blue skies, Lee and Sally were married on Saturday at Christ Church, South Ossett before moving onto the Garforth Holiday Inn.

Married in the village church at Barwick in Elmet, Dale and Sophie chose Holdsworth House in Halifax for their wedding reception. A quick trip along the M62 to Holdsworth House left behind blue skies and our arrival was greeted with a rain shower! Dodging showers for the photographs outside even resulted in some sunshine before the guests moved inside for the wedding breakfast.

A live band in the evening were joined by a surprise for the groom in the shape of a Michael Jackson tribute act.

The busiest week of the year continues with Paul and Laura's wedding at Carlton church in Pontefract before moving onto Walton Hall at Waterton Park.

Although a really nice little church sadly photo opportunities outside are lacking and so following some informal and candid images as the newly weds greeted their family and friends we quickly made our way over to a sunny Waterton Park to make full use of the island.

Darren and Sarah were married yesterday at The church of Jesus Christ and latter day saints in Horbury before moving onto Rogerthorpe manor for their wedding reception.

They say its tradition for the bride to arrive late and as no surprise to those who know her, Sarah did just that, albeit forty minutes late (Talk about making the groom sweat! - atleast he'll never need an excuse for being late home from the pub).

With our arrival at Rogerthrope Manor  running slightly behind schedule we split the photo session to shoot the formal groups before the meal so the guests could still sit down at the agreed time I met up again with Darren and Sarah following the meal to take photographs of just the two of them.

A trip to Washington (sadly the one in Tyne and Wear and not the US!) on Saturday for the wedding of Matthew and Danielle at Holy Trinity church.

Following their ceremony the wedding party moved onto Beamish Hall Hotel near the Beamish museum. With good weather and plenty of grounds at our disposal, guests enjoyed drinks on the lawn whilst the photos were taken.