Sarah & Tim 11th May 2018

I love Yorkshire Weddings!

(I also love Leeds United, but no-one’s perfect!) 😉

I think as wedding photographer I’m a little spoilt to live where I do.  There is always a beautiful backdrop to find.  Some little hidden Yorkshire gem.. We just have to look a little harder sometimes!

I was booked a few weeks before Sarah and Tim’s big day and popped over to see Sarah to chat through the plans for the wedding day.  I’m learning that no two weddings are ever the same.  There are always challenges and opportunities in every schedule.

The plan was to do the Bridal Portrait session before the ceremony so the challenge this time was to find somewhere en route to nip to and get some shots.  The Wedding Ceremony was due to take place  at the Box Tree Restaurant in Ilkley at Noon so time was of the essence!  When I think of Ilkley I automatically think of the Cow and Calf..

I wanted to do something different and more importantly I wanted to make sure we weren’t too far from the venue.  I think we managed it!

Read on and see!

So the 1st stop of the day was breakfast!!! I am in a really bad habit of having a big brekkie.  I dont know why but I know that whatever the day holds I’m good to go!!

I arrived at Sarah & Tims at just after 8am.  We were on a tight schedule and had to be in the cars and heading to Ilkley no later than 10.  No pressure!!

I love photographing bridal preps.  It settles me into the day and gets everyone relaxed in front of the camera too.  I also think it’s really important to document all the little things that have gone into the months of planning your big day!! Those wedding shoes, that special perfume, the wedding rings! The details matter

Sarah looked stunning!!

A lovely moment where Tim first saw his Bride..   magic!

Ok so we were now running late!!!

The one thing you can guarantee about plans is that they don’t tend to stick on wedding days lol

So onto the location!!!  Like I said I wanted to do something a little different!!  Throughout late April / early May we’re lucky to be spoilt in our woodlands with amazing displays from the bluebells. Many a photographer can be found in them shooting children.. (sounds a little bit wrong that!)

I’d nipped up to Middleton Woods in Ilkley with the Mrs a few days before to see if there were any on show.

We weren’t disappointed!!

Sarah and Tim were a pleasure to pose.  I think Sarah was a little nervous about the posing when we had our first initial chat.  For me it’s about making the couple feel at ease and be themselves.  My style is to try to pose as naturally as possible, Lots of little cuddles and kisses and just be yourselves.

(unless you like to bicker, in that case don’t be yourselves!!)

I have a really bad sense of humour which I’m not afraid to use.. I’m not sure if people laugh with me or at me but hey ho, they end up relaxed and it shows in the pictures.

As you can see Sarah and Tim were incredibly natural and tender.  I love this shot guys!!!

When we’d finished it was great to say to them ‘shall we go and get married then?’

Sarah and Tim were beaming from ear to ear.  🙂

So this was my first time at The Box Tree Restaurant.  Its absolutely beautiful there!! It was a small and intimate wedding which was perfect.  A really great idea for any couple that just want to go and get married and spend an afternoon been wined and dined in true Michelin Star style!!

Now I’ve been to a few weddings where either the bride or groom forgot their lines but this was the first time I’d ever known a registrar forget hers.  I have to say though she recovered well and what could have been a really awkward moment ended up being a lovely moment with lots of laughter.

At this point I took a step back and soaked up the atmosphere.  Its always a nice relaxed time watching the new Mr & Mrs have their first drink with their wedding party and guests!

I also took a few minutes to capture some of the beauty inside the Box Tree.  just stunning!

So all that was really left for me to do was to grab a couple more pics of the new Mr & Mrs Goodwill having a cheeky kiss on the stairs and cutting their amazing wedding cake!!

and to leave them to enjoy this!!!

Sarah and Tim, you and your family are absolutely lovely.  It was such a pleasure to be a part of your wedding day.

I wish you both all the joy, happiness and love the future could possibly offer..

Another fantastic Yorkshire Wedding!!

Ben x

When Ema & Michael got married… 31/03/18

Ok so I’ve been really slack with my blogging, in fact to the point of non existent! Sooo I’ve challenged myself to get this running regularly again…

So… Michael & Ema! I took this job as a friend and colleague was called in for surgery so it was all a bit last minute to be fair..

I have to say though it was a blessing in disguise!!  From the 1st meeting with them over coffee I knew this was going to be a whole lot of fun.  They seemed a little bit nuts, just like me!!

I’ve recently moved to Dewsbury myself so it was also a pleasure to only have to fall out of bed to head to theirs for the bridal preparations.

Gutted… Bad start.. I could have stayed in bed longer.. lol

I had got up to make a full English before the shoot (standard) and when I got there Ema had put on a load of breakfast stuff..

Anyone who knows me, knows full well I’m partial to the odd bacon, sausage, egg, mushroom and hash brown sarnie 😉 but… given the fact I’m now struggling to get into my wedding suits I had to decline…

Ok back to the wedding blog Ben!  Bridal preps were fun as always.  Ema is a beautiful young woman so the shots looked great!

So next we were on to the Venue.  Its the 1st time I’ve shot at the Town Hall in Dewsbury and it was a pleasant surprise.  A beautiful Room!!!

First up though we had a giggle with the lads striking some poses on the steps.

(One thing I haven’t mentioned yet is Michael and Ema’s second home from Home The Muscle Pit in Dewsbury run by a bit of a Legend Sam Cullingworth (who turned up sporting an awesome Kilt on the day.  He had us all in stitches … one very cool dude!)

The Ceremony was beautiful.  Lots of emotion and as ever a privilege to be a part of..

So here’s a really cool twist and definitely a first for me!  I shot straight off after the wedding ceremony to head to Woodkirk Valley Country Club .

I had to get there quickly as Michael & Ema were due to arrive by Helicopter !!!  Courtesy of Michael’s friend …..

An impressive entrance and definitely trumps any wedding car I’ve ever seen!!!

A great place to have a wedding reception and everyone had a blast!!

One or two got a little carried away though…

 There we go I got my bad joke in there.. 🙂

Standard

The weather wasn’t the kindest for us but that didn’t dampen  our spirits (sorry..)

We did get a little break in the weather to do some portraits too which was fab!!

I even hung around after the 1st dance to grab some night shots which was well worth it as there is a lovely little bandstand at Woodkirk Valley Country Club 

A real pleasure to meet Michael & Ema and to have been a part of their special day. The love between Michael & Ema was just beautiful to see.

Two amazing people

Wishing them every happiness in the future too!!

Ben x