Wentbridge House weddings are always awesome. It’s such a beautiful venue located right at the head of the ‘Great North Road’ right on the West Yorkshire borderline. It’s been a while since we have photographed a wedding here, in fact it was April Fools Day 2013. You can see a few sneaks from that wedding here. We were really excited to be back in the Western reaches of God’s Country to shoot Natalie and Tom’s big day!
Big day preparation
Natalie and Tom were our first clients to book us for 2017 all the way back in 2015. We first met them at another wedding and we were delighted to be working with them. Hannah and I arrived at Wentbridge House early to help the boys with their preparations. It was all systems go as soon as we got there – especially since the couple’s cravats were particularly ‘home brew’ should we say! Even with my vast amounts of experience of cravat-tying I could not figure these bad boys out!
The boys looked fab in their French blue, 3-piece suits. Once all the finishing touches of button hole flowers, pocket squares, hip flasks etc were sorted and arranged, we headed outside. The boys got some fresh air and I created our signature ‘power shots’ with the boys. Our groom Tom was on fine form and led from the front as we shot in Wentbridge House’s ace gardens. I can’t wait to share these photos from the Boy’s preps!
We left Tom and went spend the last 90 minutes before the wedding with Natalie. Our gorgeous Bride was getting ready in one of the venue’s suites. The bridesmaids were almost ready and Natalie was still in the chair being pampered by her hair and make-up team. The photos we create at this point are always lovely, even more so when the make-up artist has a ring-light. Geeky photographers will appreciate why this got me excited!
Bridal portraits
Once the bridesmaids were ready, we created our portraits of them. We then put all of our attention onto Natalie. She gracefully slipped into her absolutely stunning gown with mid-length veil. Most brides (but not all) wear veils. They are without doubt one of the most photographically interesting items to work with. I love how we can create classical looks by working the veils in different ways. We’re always VERY careful though as we know how the veil is attached to the bride’s hair. Clumsy veil handling can lead to bridal pain – not good!
With Natalie ready, I spent a few minutes creating what I call ‘The Iconic bridal Portrait’. I could have kept photographing our bride for hours just with the window light but alas, wedding days are all about schedule. We then created all the pre-wedding pictures before bringing Dad in to see his daughter. This is always one of the most heart felt moments of the day. Natalie certainly melted her Dad – Geoff’s – heart when he walked in and saw her stood there, waiting to marry.
The ceremony
1.30 came around before we had even blinked and it was time for Tom and Nat to marry. They had lovely reading by young Mason who brought the house down with his Winnie the Pooh poem. There was not a dry eye in the house. I always love looking around the room when a couple are exchanging their vows and witnessing the exquisite looks from guests. Absolutely priceless.
Formal pictures and the speeches
It wasn’t the warmest of days but the wedding party braved it outside. We took care of all the formal group shots in record time and got everybody back inside to the warmth (and the bar!). We even had a quick wander through the gardens with Nat and Tom for them to have their first time together as Man and Wife. They were welcomed into the Crystal Suite for their wedding breakfast. Speeches followed, all the usual suspects spoke – Geoff – Father of the Bride, followed by Tom, our groom, who overcame his emotions to deliver a touching speech. He was followed by 1 of the 3 best men who proceeded to systematically disassemble the groom’s background and laid it bare for all guests to chuckle at!
All the sixes
There’s a very interesting story around this wedding with regards to the number 6! It’s no word of a lie that both Natalie and Tom’s parents were both married 28 years ago on the same day as their children – on the 6th May. Both parents’ house numbers are the number 66 on their respective roads. Although Tom and Natalie’s house number is 6, the actual plot when the house was built was actually – you guessed it 66! Geoff crafted this story into his speech and the gasps around the room were loud and clear. I have chosen 66 images to represent this couple’s story and it wasn’t my intention – the universe made me do it!
Into the evening
After dinner and speeches were concluded, we took Tom and Nat for another ‘Penny Drop Session’. We explored some other areas of Wentbridge House which I knew would make great interior shots – including a very ‘cosy’ lift. Tom wondered if we were recreating a scene from 50 Shades of Grey and I told him he could be whoever he wanted to be!
The night do was full of energy. The couple had hired the services of the amazing magician Mark Waddington. There was absolutely no lull in fun or activity between the day and night ‘dos’. Before we knew it, it was time for cake cut and first dance. We stayed with Nat and Tom until the dance floor had heated up. We captured the 2 Dads take the dance floor in their Stag-Do gangster outfits – very, very funny indeed!
All that’s left to say is that we had an absolute blast shooting Tom and Nat’s wedding. The family and guests made us feel so welcome and this really allowed us to get ‘under the skin’ of the bride and groom’s story. We have a fabulous Wentbridge House Weddings story to share with them when they get back from their Northumberland ‘mini-moon’. We wish Nat and Tom all the very best for a fantastic married life together.
Want to talk about your Wentbridge House wedding pictures? We’d love to hear about the plans for your big day – just get in touch.
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