Shy guy and gorgeous girl's fairytale wedding

I've wondered many times why it is that makes a couple pick us for their wedding photography over all of the other photographers they could have chosen.

Is it because I'm a bit more *cough* mature and they feel I'm a bit of a motherly figure?

At least one bride chose us because she thought I was 'quirky' and thought that would be reflected in the photographs (umm, can you define 'quirky' please?).

Is it because when we first meet we get on well with them and have things in common?

I really don't know. Maybe a bit of all of the above.

Certainly my advice would be to pick a photographer who you feel comfortable with, one who you 'click' with when you meet them. I mean, you're going to be spending a lot of time with them on your wedding day and wouldn't it be awful if you couldn't relate to them.

I don't know what the reason is  - just keep coming!

Natalie and Caine met us at a wedding fair. I don't think they'd be offended if I described them both as a bit shy.

A couple of few words. Their love for each was very obvious - no words were needed for that. Their love for their family shone from them like beacons, but a quieter couple I've never met in my life.

I can't begin to imagine what drew them to loud, larger than life me - but whatever it was I'm glad it did because they're just lovely.

Here is their wedding album. Enjoy.

Claire and Adam's wedding blessing

Claire and Adam came to see us. It was a bit of an unusual consultation because you see, they're already married.

It turns out that the official wedding was a very low key affair for many a rreason and this was to be the wedding they'd actually wanted. I can relate to that!

They'd told us the location was to be the Netherwood Hotel in Grange Over Sands. We hadn't worked there before so as normal, if we haven't shot a wedding somewhere we go and check it out beforehand.

They didn't tell us it's just like Hogwarts!!

My eyes nearly fell out of my head when I saw it on the pre wedding recce trip a few weeks before the wedding. "Remember that it will be all trimmed up for Christmas as well so it'll look even better on the day."

Even better? How? It's magnificent.

True to their word, it was even better.

Here are some of my favourite photos from the day. Enjoy.

 Nerves were starting to kick in: Luckily Dad was there for a comforting hand.

 
These ties proved to be a bit of a challenge

 Almost ready

 Right, we chaps are ready. Where are the girls?

 Not quite ready yet. Won't be long!

 Dress on: Almost time to leave. I just need my flowers.

The flowers were fabulous. Gorgeous rich purples, set off with black berries and white roses. So rich looking and elegant, absolutely stunning!

                                                    

                                                                                                     

There was just time for a moment to reflect before setting off to the church in it's beautiful location at the top of the hill

 

Claire and Adam arrive at the church. Together?  Huh? 

Oh wait. I forgot. They're already married. 

 The church, the vicar and the service were all lovely.

SSSHH!

The little bridesmaids made me giggle. The little one was force feeding her mother chocolate during the ceremony. I didn't think it was fair to post that photo though, you'll just have to take my word for it. I had to work really hard to stifle the giggles at that point. 

Claire and Adam, quite rightly, only had eyes for each other. 

 After the ceremony it was off to the Netherwood Hotel

The room looked
absolutely amazing.

Many congratulations, Claire and Adam.

Wow! It's Natalie and Caine's wedding!

"Here we go again," I thought as I pulled on my waders when I was setting off to natalie and Caine's wedding, "another wet wedding."

Wet?

Understatement of the year.

It was the Saturday when we had the second lot of floods.

Honestly, by the end of this year I'm going to have developed webbed feet and started quacking!

Still, the good thing is that I had bought a lovely new umbrella just for the occasion and  this was my opportunity to use it. Not only that, the reception was at the lovely Dunkenhalgh Hotel and rain or shine, there is always somewhere to take the bride and groom and get lovely shots, it could have been a lot worse.

So, make a brew, grab a garibaldi or two, pull up a chair while I tell you all about it:

We arrived at the church, a beautiful church in the centre of Burnley. As so many of these churches are, it was a hidden jewel. Not a lot to look at from the outside but stunning inside.

A little bird told me that Caine made the invitations and orders of service. Didn't he do a good job?!

Natalie arrived at the church, nervous but gorgeous.

                                              

Caine waited inside, more than a bit nervous. 

                                                                     

We've done it!!

                                                                                                                       

 While the ceremony was going on we could hear the rain thundering down. At times it was difficult to hear what was being said because of it. I was quickly forming a contingency plan:  Group shots inside the church.

A quick peep out the door to establish that it was still raining - and sure enough it was. Back inside then!

How did that confetti get in there?

Then it was into the car and off to the Dunkenhalgh.

Caine looks a bit James Bond-ish in this shot.

You have to love the staircase at 'The Dunk' It's just perfect!

One of the things I loved about their wedding was the absolute attention to detail. Everything was beautifully done. The table decorations and the childrens' flowers were gorgeous.

Talking of children, there were quite a few at this wedding:

I couldn't resist this photo:

Aren't they just the cutest kids ever?

After the meal it was time for the speeches. Oh, the speeches!

Natalie's Dad did a brilliant job.

During the best man's speech, I'm not sure people could quite believe what they were hearing!

 Once the meal was over the guests moved back into the lounge. The weather was still doing it's thing. I felt so sorry for the man in charge of the bouncy castle and the kids who were itching to get on it.

 Still, we got got some lovely photos, and I got to use my new umbrella.

We went back inside to get some photos of Natalie on that lovely staircase.

Isn't she gorgeous? 

Eventually, guess what? It stopped raining! YAAAAAYY!!!

Let's all jump for joy! 

We managed to get some photos in the garden after all!

What a sweet wedding!

Congratulations, Natalie and Caine!