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Further down this page is all the usual information you’d expect to find on a wedding photographer’s website and of course you are free to read it – that’s what it’s there for. However, I believe I can show you exactly who I am as a photographer, (and if we’ll be a perfect match!) in under 2 minutes and without you reading all those things you’ve probably read a million times already! Take a look at my little video by clicking here.
Let's Rock Your Story
Thank you for taking the time to visit my website. Finding your perfect County Durham wedding photographer can be a tough task and ensuring you get the right person for you is key. The best thing you can do is find someone who you mesh with!
I am incredibly passionate about wedding photography and being able to document a day of so much importance which is about love, commitment and relationships between people is exciting and rewarding.
Being given the opportunity to photograph this unique day and provide you with images that evoke memories years from now that remind you of what you were feeling or even thinking is a privilege and why I love what I do. For me, every single wedding I am involved in is an absolute honour.
Whether you’ve chosen a rustic barn celebration, castle wedding, fusion wedding, indoor or outdoor ceremony, a blessing or a church service, I would love to be there and capture your story. There are so many amazing venues in County Durham, you have your choice of any type of wedding you want!
What I do
I tell your story from the pre-ceremony, getting ready prossecco fueled giggles – to the rocking-the-socks-off dancing! I love to work with fun loving, laid-back couples who want their wedding day captured naturally, creatively and with a lot of laughs.
My favourite weddings are those that are full of fun, colour, laughter, personality and of course…cake! Themed wedding? Even better! I love to have a laugh and a joke with my couples. So if you want to get a bit a silly, I am very much a bad influence and will encourage it! Everyone looks good when they’re having fun. Many of my couples I would now consider friends – and that’s the way I like it! (aha aha?)
My County Durham Wedding Photography service can also include add ons such as engagement shoots. Whatever you need just ask and I’ll see what I can do.
Feel free to have a nosy through my portfolio and my blog, to view some real weddings I’ve had the pleasure to be a part of.
I now pronounce you husband and wife.
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County Durham WEDDINGS GUIDE
“The most important four words for a successful marriage: ‘I’ll do the dishes.’”
—Anonymous
Need some Venue inspiration?
Living at the top end of North Yorkshire, County Durham is just a hop, skip and a jump for me. I am close enough class myself as a County Durham Wedding Photographer as well as North Yorkshire and the rest of the North East. I have had the pleasure to work at or visit some amazing venues in County Durham. There is so much variation throughout the county, each with it’s own charm. We are lucky to be in a area with some of the most stunning backdrops and landscapes.
Given our location you can pretty much have your pick of any type of venue for your wedding. Whether that be a country house, a barn, or something a little bit quirky. For me, a venue isn’t just about how it looks, it’s about how it feels. Being a County Durham wedding photographer, I get to see a lot of behind the scenes – meaning that I see what couples and guests don’t see. Let me introduce you to some awesome wedding venues from County Durham. All are venues that I have been to in a professional capacity or otherwise.
Not getting married in County Durham?
Beamish Hall Hotel
This is my all time favourite venue! I honestly cannot say enough about it. The whole place gives me all the feels! It just feels entirely magical, I am very lucky to be a County Durham Wedding Photographer and experience venues like this. The grounds, the bridal suite and the wedding rooms are all romantically stunning. Although attached to the main hotel, the wedding areas are far enough away to feel like it’s exclusive use. A hotel full of charm, but with a modern twist – it’s perfect for a fairytale wedding. Picturesque gardens located in the hills of the Derwent Valley and light and airy rooms are a perfect setting for any type of wedding. If you are looking to get married in County Durham, arrange a viewing – I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Durham Castle
Durham Castle is one of my favourite County Durham wedding venues and I have had the pleasure of photographing weddings here a few times. I can personally recommend it! The staff here are fantastic and it’s such a perfect setting. Durham Castle is one of the premier venues for wedding receptions in the North East. I shot one of my first weddings here and I am very fond of it!
Headlam Hall Country Hotel and Spa
An idyllic Jacobean country house in beautiful walled gardens surrounded by picturesque countryside. Headlam Hall stands in its own beautiful grounds surrounded by the peaceful countryside of lower Teesdale. With it’s contemporary style and character it provides a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Oh, there’s a spa too… winner!
Derwent Manor
This venue doesn’t need much of an introduction, I’ll just let this image of their spectacular chandelier in The Grand Gallery speak for itself and make your spidey-sense twitch…
South Causey Inn
South Causey Inn is situated in the beautiful Beamish Estate, with lovely country views. Hidden behind it is a meadow of wild grasses which make beautiful wedding images and a double decker bus, duck pond and orchard in the grounds. Indoors, it has an intimate feel, with stunning decor. Stuffed with faux foliage candles and pretty lighting. Beautifully romantic.
Black Horse Beamish
The lavender field at the Black Horse in itself is totally worth considering a wedding here. Another venue with stunning grounds and panoramic views over the Beamish valley. A location that will make any County Durham Wedding Photographer squeal with delight! A Permanent marquee with full height glass windows allows for viewing over the hills whilst you eat your wedding breakfast. I can also say first hand that the food here is amazing, having had the best Sunday roast I have ever had in a restaurant here. During the summer the lavender is alive with the sound of bees and you can even hear the whistle of the steam train from Beamish.
Hardwick Hall Hotel
Hardwick is a very popular wedding venue and when you see it’s grounds it’s not hard to see why. Set in the picturesque Hardwick Park near Sedgefield, over looking the beautiful lake. Everyone loves a lake! With different areas kitted out for weddings within the hotel you’ll be spoilt for choice and Hardwick can cater for any type of wedding.
Wynyard Hall
If you are looking for absolute luxury, then this is it. Set near to the prestigious Wynyard Estate within 150 acres of private park land. Wynyard Hall is truly magnificent. With it’s high, ornate, hand painted ceilings, luxurious state rooms, and beautiful chapel It doesn’t get much more elegant than this. You can watch the sunset on their terrace over looking the lake.
Blackwell Grange
Located on the outskirts of Darlington. Follow a long, sweeping driveway down the the Georgian venue nestled inside some stunning grounds. Choose from one of their 2 function suites or choose to have your ceremony in the great outdoors under their gazebo.
The Morritt Hotel
Located near Barnard castle, just of the A66 allowing easy access for your travelling guests is this beautiful typically English country house hotel. With beautiful, well-kept gardens and surrounding views, you’ll be spoilt for choice for locations for your wedding photography. Just down the road is the stunning Greta Bridge where the river gently flows beneath.
Wynyard Golf Club
Also set within the exclusive Wynyard Estate is Wynyard Golf course. A smaller venue, but warm and inviting with welcoming staff. It’s a blank canvas and a good venue for those couples who wish to make their wedding space unique. Surrounded by woodland and sweeping views over the golf course it’s perfect for both summer and winter weddings.
New Close Farm Wedding Venue
If you have considered an outdoor wedding then this venue is definitely worth a look. On the outskirts of Durham, on the top of the hill the panoramic views are breathtaking. On a clear day you can see for miles and miles, it’s perfect for a marquee or a tipi wedding. Venues like this where you can watch the most amazing sunsets are definitely favourites amongst County Durham Wedding Photographers!
Redworth Hall Hotel
A stunning 17th century Jacobean Manor House, towering it up over it’s landscaped gardens, not far from Darlington. A choice of 4 lovely function rooms including their stunning Grand Chapel.
Rockliffe Hall Hotel
The only AA rated 5* star hotel in the North East, hidden away from civilisation down a tree lined road in Hurworth, County Durham. With lovely idyllic grounds and a polished interior. It is the ultimate wedding venue. With it’s own spa and golf course, it certainly has an exclusive feel to it. A perfect venue for a 5* wedding.
Bowburn Hall Hotel
Bowburn Hall Hotel really is a hidden gem. The hotel itself and grounds are beautiful. it’s a good place to have a wedding reception with a lovely reception room, good food and a nice outdoor area for your photography.
Lumley Castle
If you’ve always dreamed of a Castle wedding, Lumley Castle will tick all your boxes. This venue has to be right up there amongst the UK’s most impressive wedding venues. A beautiful, historic 14th-century castle standing above the river weir with amazing scenic views. Full of period charm and decor. Being such an amazing wedding venue there are so many options for your wedding photography. The castle is so big that you wouldn’t have a clue that anyone else other than you and your guests were there.
National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool
An extraordinary venue for a unique event! Many people would want to choose a more typical venue for their wedding, a castle or country house for example. But what if you are in the market for something different? The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool is a unique waterfront wedding venue, home to the historic Quay and the magnificent HMS Trincomalee. You can make the most of the spectacular views of the boat to capture your wedding photographs, perfect for a County Durham wedding Photographer. The HMS Trincomalee can accomodate up to 75 guests in the Captain’s Cabin.
Vendor recommendations
Limelight Photo Booth Hire
Limelight are an family run photo booth hire company covering North Yorkshire, County Durham, the North East and beyond – They have covered thousands of events with their fleet of photo booths, media selfie booths and Magic Mirrors. They are a well established company and they have one of the best reputations of any photo booth company in the country.
Lovelight Hire
Helping to bring your fairy tale wedding to life, Lovelight specialise in adding the wow factor to your event with their unique, one of a kind giant letters and other illuminated props. in the North East and Yorkshire. Adding the wow factor to your event. With many different options available, and happy to consider special requests, you can pick a combination as unique as you are. Their lights will instantly set the mood for your wedding or event and will instantly put a smile on everyone’s face. As a County Durham wedding photographer, there’s nothing I love more than photographing a couple’s first dance in front of Lovelight’s exquisite giant heart. The perfect way to light up your special day.
Tim Lichfield – Magician and Entertainer
Tim is an excellent addition to any wedding. An incredibly witty, likeable character who will have your guests roaring with laughter. He is an excellent magician and takes such pride in what he does, and it shows. Tim will perform magic tricks that blow your mind and keep you trying to work it out for days.
Lisa Wilson Celebrant
Having a celebrant offers you a lot more flexibility in your choice of wedding venue and your style of ceremony and help you to create a celebration as unique as you are! Lisa is a genuinely lovely lady, who exudes warmth and character. Turning your ceremony into something personal and meaningful. Lisa will take the time to get to know and understand what is special to you. Every ceremony is bespoke and unique to you. Meaning it truly will be YOUR wedding day.
Sprig and Thistle
Floral design and event styling. Jess and her team’s work is absolutely stunning and so creative! From bouquets to flower arches, back drops and centre pieces. Every piece that they create is breathtaking and their artistic work will help bring all your perfect wedding dreams come to life.
"I love being married
It’s so great to find one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life”
Rita Rudner
How to Choose Your County Durham Wedding Photographer
There are a few things to think about when choosing a wedding photographer. Hopefully this guide will help you to find the one that’s perfect for you. I’d love to be able to say that is me, but that may not be the truth. All photographers are different and I am a big believer in there being a perfect photographer for each individual couple. There is no such thing as one style fits all in the County Durham Wedding Photographer category!
Photography is an art form. And as with all artists, every individual one is different and unique. Each has their own signature style and way of working and each photographer will provide you with different types of images. We all know how to work a camera (hopefully!), but the camera is just a tool. Just as a paintbrush is to a painter, or a pan is to a chef. And it’s how we use that tool that produces the end piece of art.
Style
Before you choose your photographer you should decide what type of images you are most attracted to. Get on Pinterest and see which images speak to you. What do they all have in common? Are they light and airy, colourful, or dramatic? Are they posed photos or pictures of people having fun and enjoying the moments? You are not going to fall in love with every photographer’s work, and a good photographer shouldn’t expect you to either. Pin the images to a board and you can share your inspiration board with your photographer after you’ve chosen them.
Once you have figured out what style of imagery you think will best represent you as a couple and your wedding, now is the time to start the search for photographers. Spend time looking at their on-line galleries, blogs and their social media. Could you see your faces in their galleries? Could you see those images proudly displayed on your wall? Does it make you feel that warm, gooey feeling? It is worth remembering that many wedding photographers will do a blend of portraiture and documentary-style shots. But, if there’s a special style you love, make sure to focus on finding photographers who specialise in it.
Get to know your County Durham wedding photographer
If you are entrusting someone with your big day you need to be able to trust them and be comfortable with them. The best way to do that is to get to know them! You also need to make sure that you “click” with your photographer and that the chemistry is right. Otherwise it will never be a good relationship, you’ll never feel comfortable with them and that’s a recipe for disaster!
Your photographer will be present at one of your most intimate moments, they will be closer to you when you say your vows than your friends and family. The last thing you need is to feel awkward. You are probably going to be spending more time with your photographer on your wedding day than any other individual person. So it’s a good idea not to completely hate them! Get on the phone or Skype for an informal chat. A good photographer will be more than happy to chat to you without obligation. It’s also a good opportunity for you to ask anything you want to know. Really get a feel for their personality and the way that they work.
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