Manyee and Keith – Beamish Hall

It was a great pleasure for us to photograph Manyee and Keith’s wedding this summer at Beamish Hall.  We photographed Keith’s brother Jim’s wedding to Susan at Close house earlier this year and so it was a joy to share another special day with the Ho family once again.

Nigel started the day at the Ho family home with a quick shot of the engraved rings,

and a few moments with the lads as the get ready to set off to Beamish Hall

Musical celebrations all the while set a great mood

Meanwhile, Manyee already at Beamish Hall was beggining to ready herself, makeup perfected and hair being adjusted.

A few shots of those all important details

Manyee, helped by her bridesmaids gets into her fabulous Hollywood dreams wedding dress…

…which looked as though it had been designed just for her, she looked amazing.

Downstairs guests are arriving, being met by Keith and the grooms men who arrived shortly before.

Like I said before, Manyee looked amazing, simply beautiful.

An arty almost silhouetted shot to show the shape of her gown

she chose a beautiful shower bouquet of Roses, Orchids and Feshias with pearl accents.

Manyee walks down the aisle with her proud dad to meet her groom.

Keith’s sister Grace gives a reading during the service to the couple.

They exchanged rings…

…and were made husband and wife.

Outside, time for a few pictures, first the entire party.  Just a few guests to organise, this has actually been our largest entire party shot to date with approx 300 guests.  Would you believe it, it only took about 5 minutes to put together.

At the same time, I took a shot from ground level.

Here, Manyee and Keith stand with members of Keith’s family.  We keep our family group shots simple and neat, this way they won’t look out of date in years to come, simple and stylish.

The Chinese like to have a lot of group shots, and I mean a lot.  To help us get through them as quick as possible we asked the ushers to help us out gathering guests.  I had to add this shot because the lads really did an amazing job.  Well done boys.

A moment caught during the group photographs.

The lads.

Guests headed off to Palace Gardens in Newcastle China Town for the banquet and leave the four of us to get some lovely shots of just Manyee and Keith alone.

It is always good to allow plenty of time in your schedule for these shots.  This time is great for the two of you to spend some quality time together during your big day while allowing us to get a variety of romantic, natural, posed, and stylised shots of the two of you in various places around your venue.

Off to Palace Gardens.

Having now arrived, Keith and Manyee are taken around to room as family and friends sing and cheer.

A little different from traditional British weddings, a large 12 course meal is provided to the guests as all the while the speeches are made and guests partake in a little karaoke.  Here Grace leading the singing in a performance for her brother and new sister-in-law.

Manyee disappeared upstairs for a short time and reappeared in this gorgeous traditional Chinese dress.  We catch a picture of the Bride and Groom during the meal and speeches,

A famous face appeared and sang to them during the celebrations.  I will be honest, we had no idea who he was, but everyone else there knew him.  An asian cantonese comedy singer so we were told.

Family toast the couple during the celebrations

We followed the couple back to the Ho family home for the traditional tea ceremony.  The ceremony begins with tea presented to the grooms family. The elder relatives then customary present gold to close family and the couple.  People were roaring with Laughter, cheering and shouting all around us.  An amazing experience to be a part of.

Keith’s Father presents them with his wedding gift, a red envelope.

Tea is presented to all of the family members right down to the youngest, here Keith is presenting Susan his brother’s new wife with the tea.

Jim returns the gift of the teas with a gift of gold coins… yes the chocolate kind.  A great end to the day.

Congratulations Manyee and Keith, and thanks again to the Ho’s and the Chang’s for a great day.

Sunny and Reena – The Hilton Hotel, Gateshead

Sunny, Reena and their families chose the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead to hold their engagement celebrations, with an invitation list of 500 guests- wow.

According to traditional Indian custom and tradition, there will be several prevailing ceremonies prior to the wedding, but the engagement ceremony or the ‘ring ceremony’ will be viewed as the most important since it marks the initial point of the marriage

The ceremony room is ready for the arrival of the guests, with chairs going back as far as the eye can see!

Sunny anticipates the arrival of his guests

The guests have arrived, everyone is in a great mood, laughing and cheering.

Before Reena’s arrival, Sunny takes part in the engaged man to be’s ceremony, consisting a holy man sitting chanting prayers and performing rituals to promote heath, wealth and fertility for the forth coming marriage.

Meanwhile, Reena is getting ready in one of the Hotel rooms nearby.  Her fabulous and and make up stylist, Meena flew into Newcastle from London for the occasion.

Reena’s carefully selected accessories matched perfectly with her engagement gown

We took a few minutes after her preparations to get some pre-engagement portraits, She looked sensational.

Absolutely gorgeous

This is Tina, Reena’s identical twin sister looking radiant

As per traditional Indian custom, Reena’s sisters and other un-married female relatives escort her to the ceremony, the family form a line who slowly march towards the hall for the presentation of the gifts and the ring ceremony.

Where she is seated with her fiance-to-be.  Sunny’s family place a pink cloth over her head and shoulders, it is the first sign that she is an engaged woman.

As per tradition, the groom and his family then present her with gifts of jewellery and other finery, tokens of their unity.

Kavita, Sunny’s sister dresses Reena in a beautiful diamond necklace and earrings.

They exchange rings, and become engaged.

After the ceremony, the four of us head off nearby for  a few pictures of the newly engaged couple.  A simple pose on the High Level Bridge in Newcastle.

An intimate moment.

Again, using the High level bridge, a great spot for some urban portraits

Back at the Hilton, the room was I have to be honest unlike anything we have seen before, it was like literally stepping straight into Bollywood.  This set up was the fabulous creation of TLC Ltd, event organisers of everyone who’s anyone – including organising Wayne and Coleen Rooney’s wedding a few weeks before – so we were told.  Very nice.

The attention to detail was nothing short of impressive, with servieral different table centres spread across the room, all complimenting in colours, uplights placed between the walls and cloth creating pink splashes of colour on the walls, silver table cloths and chair covers, crystal candle holders, purple and pink roses everywhere, and the biggest pink chandelier I have ever seen hanging over the top table.

A beautiful, but simple cake sat on a table in the centre of the brand new mirrored dance floor.

Sunny and Reena cut their cake together, and then as per custom feed each other small pieces of cake and then their close families.

A picture of that mirrored dance floor I mentioned before, reflecting the top table, that chandalier, and the lighting rig and fairylights put into place for the occasion.

Sunny’s niece had been practising for months for this wonderful performance of traditional Indian dance.  She was incredible.

Sunny’s sisters now join in the traditional dancing…

…and she is carried off by her father and uncle, sunny’s brothers-in-Law.

The speeches are made to the guests.  SUnny speaks last after which he invites his fiance to dance…

…and sings to her as they dance,  it was very romantic.

The party begins, and wow do they all dance!

Congratulations on your engagement Sunny and Reena, it was a joy and honor the share your special day with you.

Jackie and Steven – Alnwick Castle

Jackie and Steven were married in their home town of Alnwick in their beloved Alnwick Castle

I started the day with the girls, a bridesmaid has the last touches of make up applied

A simple grab of the tag of Jackie’s Alfred Angelo dress

Another shot which details Jackie and Steven’s colour scheme for the day perfectly.

The maids and pageboy stand for a moment for me to grab this keepsake shot.

Meanwhile., Nige has spent the morning with the lads, following them to Alnwick Castle in time to catch this glimpse of Steven having his chat with the registrars.

Jackie arrives in style to Alnwick Castle…

…and is greeted by her bridesmaids and registrar.

She makes her entrance.

Steven eagerly anticipates his first glance at his bride.

They meet and exchange personal vows…

…some of which Steven needs a little help with.

They exchange rings…

…and share a kiss.

A bridesmaid brings out a huge basket full of cones of confetti and very quickly passes them around to the guests…

…who then throw them in spectacular fashion as Jackie and Steven leave the Guest Hall.

We take a few minutes away with Jackie and Steven to take some shots of the two of them alone together, before which, we caught this rather impressive shot of the beautiful Alnwick Castle.

The classic shot of the bride and groom on the Lions gate bridge.

We head back and get a few more shots around the castle its self.

We mingle with the guests for a while and catch some lovely moments including this one of some of the youngsters playing on on of the canons on the gun terrace.

The Guest Hall looks great, all set up for a wedding breakfast.

With fab details such as this really unusual table centre of fruit and quality street.  Steven has a nasty allergy to flowers, so fruit in the table centres solved that problem, a solution rather indeniously though up by Dawn Marie.  Dawn is a local wedding and event planner and having worked with her a number of times, we can say is seriously good at her job.  Here is her website if you are thinking about hiring a wedding planner or just need a little advice regarding your big day. http://www.dawnmariewed.co.uk/

Jackie and Steven make their entrance into their wedding breakfast, greeted by their guests.

The party begins, and the day for us is now at an end.  Congratulations to you both.

Michelle – Fashion Photoshoot

A few pictures to share with you from Michelle’s fashion photoshoot.

Jaime and Wayne – Hallgarth Manor

We met Jaime on the morning of her wedding to Wayne at their home for a few getting ready shots.

The wedding bands.

Jaime’s uncle Barry, the man given the honour of giving her away makes time to look at Jaime’s Mum and Dad’s wedding album.  They were married in the same church as Jaime and Wayne will be, as well as her Grandparents before them.

Nige heads off to see the boys, and gets a few shots of them getting ready and heading off to church.

Wayne finds a lucky horse shoe on the bottom of his shoe and shows Nige.

The church of choice was the Independent Methodist Church in Houghton-le-spring.  Guests are seated, waiting for the arrival of the groom, and then the bride.

Jaime arrives and walks down the aisle to Wayne.

They pray together during the service, hands clenched tight, they have just been made man and wife.

At the Hallgarth Hotel a set of simple family group photographs are taken in no time at all.

The suited lads

Time for some personal portraits.

The portraits end with the arrival of the two best men Victor and Darren waving cigars in Waynes direction.

A quick grab of Jaime as she heads inside for their reception.

Jaimie gets emotional as her new husband compliments her.

The best men pass old photographs of the groom around the room to everyones amusment.

Jaime and Wayne take to the dance floor.

Congratulations to you both.

Terri and Sean – Otterburn Tower

Terri and Sean chose Otterburn Tower in the Redesdale Valley in Northumberland for their wedding ceremony and celebrations.

A sneek peek at the Oak room, laid out for a wedding ceremony and ready for guests to arrive.

Terri gets pampered before getting dressed, nails, lippy, even a friend keeping her cool with a fan.

The finishing touches to her perfect French manicure

This gorgeous little one is Poppy, Sean’s daughter and official flowergirl for the day.

A beautiful bouquet of roses and Freshias.

Terri gets into her dress…

..and in no time she is ready to get married.

The beautiful bride.

Meanwhile, downstairs Nige is getting shots of the guests arriving for the ceremony.

Terri and Sean meet in the Oak room, exchange rings…

…and are married.

A gust of confetti greets them as they head outside.

Time for some pictures, and a little time together for Sean and Terri.

Making use of the castle inside and out, even despite the rain.

A wedding breakfast in the Garden room, beautifully laid tables…

…and some great speeches.

This little one was such a little charmer.

The evening do took place in the Tower marquee.  Terri and Sean took their first dance watched by loved ones.

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Hollinghurst

Lorrette and Gunther, The Mansion House

Lorrette and Gunther were lucky enough to enjoy two weddings together, the first a smaller occasion for immediate friends and family in Las Vagas, the second a large ceremony and celebration at Newcastle’s Mansion house.  A second home to Lorrette and Gunther, they spend alot of their time at the mansion house as Gunther just so happens to be the manager of the house, they even have their own flat within the house!  Their traditional jewish wedding ceremony also included elements from Gunthers German roots.

Lorrette spends time with Julie in the morning who does an amazing job with her make up, here, she is fixing the veil in place.  To go to julie’s website click here

Ready to go, she looks just beautiful.

Friends and family arrive for the ceremony.

In traditional Jewish wedding ceremonies the Groom walks down the aisle escorted by his parents, in this instance he is escorted by his brother and son…

…and the bride is escorted down the aisle shortly after, again by both her Mother and Father.

The Kallah (Hebrew for bride) customarily circles the Chatan (Groom) seven times to symbolise their belief that the world was built in seven days.  In Jewish custom the number seven also symbolises completeness and wholeness.  As per custom, she then stands on the grooms right hand side.

The ceremony takes place under the chuppah (canopy), the chuppah symbolises the home shared by the couple.  It is open on all sides as a gesture of hospitality, welcoming in friends and family unconditionally.  .

Blessings of Betrothal (Kiddushin)  Two cups of wine are used within the ceremony which accompanies the blessing.  Both the bride and groom drink from the cup.  The exchange of the rings is then made to contract the marrage

The Rabbi travelled the journey from Leeds just to take the ceremony for Lorrette and Gunther.  During the ceremony he sings ancient blessings in Hebrew Song.  After which Gunther takes part in the custom of the breaking of the glass.  The glass is wrapped and placed on the floor in front of him, he then smashes it with his foot.  The Jewish believe that while the glass pieces kept seperate the marrage will be strong.

A guest list of 200, the wedding party enjoy the sunshine.  The informal meal takes place on a lawns all the while guests dance together and music is supplied by the live jazz band.  

As shower of confetti greet the bride and groom

The releasing of doves…

..who then pose very nicely for us in a near by tree.

Log sawing is a German tradition nd is designed to be the first task they have to accomplish together as a married couple. It is supposed to show how they will manage to accomplish tough tasks in the future.

Time for the speeches

and some romantic portraits around the grounds.

Lorrette looking radiant

Inside the house, we also make time for a few shots.

With a change of outfit for Lorette, the traditonal waltz of the bride and groom kicks of the evening do after which the brides Mother and Father dance a traditional Jewish dance together.

Congratulations Guys, and wow what a day!  Thanks for the experience.

Joanne and Darryn, Seaham Hall

Joanne and Darryn were married in St Cuthbert’s R C Church in Durham moving on to one of our favorite venues, Seaham Hall in Seaham.

Jo’s choice of antique pink and ivory flowers with gold and pearl accessories complimented her vintage lace dress perfectly.

The wedding rings posing nicely for us in a plant pot

Jo arrives at St Cuthbert’s to meet her groom

The boys waiting for the brides grand entrance

A beautiful ceremony was taken before family and friends.

The vows were given and he exchange of rings was made and before long they were man and wife.

A stolen moment before heading off for their reception.

They speed off to Seaham hall.

A sunny August day, one of only a few this year!

The lads stand for a picture with the vortex water feature…

…and Jo and Darryn pose under a rather brooding sky

We take a wander around Seaham Hall’s terrace and grounds making time for a few pictures…

…moving on to the infamous Seaham Hall spa for a few pictures with the baby elephant

The wedding breakfast is almost ready to serve, the room looks just lovely.

A detail from the Chocolate wedding cake.

Speeches were conducted at the start of the wedding breakfast, first to speak was Jo’s father, Neil.

Darryn’s father Les toasts the couple…

…and Darryn’s best man Simon gives a heartfelt speech to his best friend since childhood.

Their evening do, and their first dance.

Congratulations Jo and Darryn, it was a pleasure to be with you on your special day.