Allerton Castle Wedding Photographers
York Documentary Wedding Photographer | Creative Documentary Wedding Photography
Each and every wedding I am invited to photograph is special, but I would be lying if said I hadn’t been looking forward to this one!!
I first met Sarah + Craig two years ago when in Sorrento photographing the wedding of Amy + Ave where Craig was Best Man, and if memory serves me correctly, they actually booked me to photograph their wedding there and then during the evening reception on the terrace in Sorrento…I think it’s safe to say we hit it off perfectly!
The wedding back in Sorrento was very special as it was actually during our mini-moon that me and Beki were out in Italy that we captured the wedding, and with Beki there as a guest, we became friends with the whole party, and so the connection to Sarah and Craig’s day was a bit stronger than usual!
When I first looked at Allerton Castle when Sarah + Craig booked me to document their wedding, I was blown away with just how stunning it was. Keeping my fingers well and truly crossed on the lead up to the day for kind weather, we could not have been treated better. Glorious sunshine and clear skies all day long…the sun really did shine down on Sarah + Craig, on what was the anniversary of their first date!
To capture the full story for Sarah + Craig, coverage was extended to include my brother Stephen, my associate photographer, capturing the boy’s preparations at The Principal Hotel in York before adding a different coverage through to the meal with me at Allerton Castle.
It’s not that often I get to work alongside Steve, and I always love to opportunity. His work is simply fabulous and sits perfectly alongside my coverage, adding to the complete story beautifully…
On the lead-up to the wedding, I got to spend a truly fabulous morning with Sarah + Craig at RAF Cosford for their engagement shoot and truly loved photographing them both! Such a great, fun couple, who happen to look pretty fine on camera too…I just knew this wedding was going to be something special!!
Dropping Steve off at The Principal to capture the boy’s preparations, I knew he’d have a great time!
It was comforting to see Ave hadn’t changed at all! :)
Whilst Steve was capturing the boy’s preparations, I was at the stunning setting of Allerton Castle in Yorkshire, capturing the preparations of Sarah and the Bridal party.
What a dress! Sarah chose PERFECTLY with her gown from Adele Louise Bridal!
Steve and the boys travelled in style from The Principal to Allerton Castle, courtesy of Cupid Carriages.
One of the things I absolutely loved about the day was catching up with those who I’d first met out in Sorrento…people who are definitely friends!
As I said before, Ave definitely hasn’t changed… :lol:
What a setting!
I loved looking through and editing the photos that Steve caught of the boys, making the most of the fabulous billiards room!
‘Great shot’ Rob…honest!
The light in the bedroom for the bridal party preparations was just gorgeous to work with, giving me and Chris (the fab videographer from Boynton Studios) so many opportunities to capture the morning…
This shot of Ave and Craig cracked me up!
Whilst Steve captured the arrival of the guests for the wedding with the boys, it was time for the finishing touches to hair and makeup.
Just holding the tears in check, soon to be replaced with laughter, mirrored at exactly the same time with the boys sharing a joke downstairs…
Always a favourite moment…the grand reveal to the Father of the Bride!
Holding it together perfectly, I love documenting the building of emotion for the groom as he awaits the arrival of his beauitful bride…
Love this shot from Steve…
Such a stunning setting, and great to have both angles covered with the coverage from Steve adding to my coverage from the front perfectly.
The side room where the register was signed was such a stunning space… The opportunites for ‘wet weather’ weddings at Allerton Castle is just insane!
Such a gorgeous moment, as the new Mr & Mrs Hill took their first journey together as husband and wife, the the cheers from their adoring guests!
As Sarah + Craig headed upstairs, Steve headed into the sun-bathed gardens capturing the guests enjoying the drinks reception in the stunning surroundings…
Ahead of their short drive in the waiting Aston Martin, I just had to make the most of the stunning landing overlooking the saloon…
Such a stunning countryside setting…
And from their short time together…it was time to join the guests, waiting with their confetti!!
From the family groups in the gardens, we had a few minutes to explore some of the settings offered by Allerton Castle for the couple shots with Sarah and Craig…
Just how stunning does Sarah look in her gown? Simply perfect!
The afternoon was simply racing by, and it was soon time for the wedding breakfast, styled to perfection with beautiful flowers from Karen and venue styling from Function 54.
The cake from Quite Contrary Cakes was just stunning!
The receiving line can often provide a few cracking photo opportunities, and I just LOVE this moment captured by Steve!
From the entrance into the wedding breakfast to their waiting guests, it was straight into business for those with a few words to say, led off by the Father of the Bride, Pete.
Following Craig’s speech, it was the moment we’d all been waiting for…Ave’s Best Man’s speech!
Following the comforting words that ‘you’re looking at the person statistically most likely to kill you’, and highlighting the emotion of the day, stating “even the cake’s in tiers…”, there was a little confusion on Ave’s part I think as I’m sure they’re on honeymoon in Thailand, but Ave had a note about Wales instead…
Great job sir!!
Talking of great jobs, I have to give great kudos to Russell Shaun who entertained us all fabulously during the wedding breakfast with his rat pack performance! Cheered on very heartily by Ellie…who is definitely a ‘mini-Ave’! Not lacking in confidence…at all!!!
It’s not often you get light THIS GOOD at a wedding…we were truly spoilt!!
With the arrival of the evening guests, it was soon time to get the party started…
Rob, you crack me up mate!!
As a surprise for the guests, it was soon time to head outside for a fabulous five minutes of fireworks!
From the excitement of the fireworks display, it was back inside to Russell Shaun on DJ duties, and time for Ave to continue strutting his stuff!
As the party drew to a close, it was only fitting to finish the story in style, with a few nighttime portraits of Sarah + Craig…
Sarah + Craig, can I just take this opportunity to thank you for entrusting your memories to me, and inviting me to document your day!
From when we first met we have considered you as true friends, and capturing your day was a massive high for me!
You are both stunning people, and I could not have been happier for your day to be as perfect for you as it was…with quite possibly the best light of the year!!
Congratulations once again guys – I hope you are having the most terrific time in Thailand. Cannot wait to hear all about it!!
Contact Allerton Castle Wedding Photographers Stuart James : info@stuartjamesphoto.co.uk : 0800 331 7741 : 07834 978905
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