Victoria and Gavin, Budle Hall, 5th October 2013

Victoria and Gavin's wedding was very much to their own design. For the whole day they did their own thing and it was great!  After some terrible weather recently the sun shone and the forecast was good for the whole day.

It was also a very musical affair too which is always a bonus for me!

We started at The Registry Office in Alnwick...

...and then headed up to Barter Books for some brunch in front of a grand roaring fire  (Their Station Buffet is  well worth a visit for its legendary bacon butties)...

...and Victoria met some new friends over a book

And so to the beach near Bamburgh for a few photos in the sun

The wedding blessing was at the lovely St Aidan's Church in Bamburgh.  Gavin was getting nervous all over again but Dean the Best Man was there to keep things cool.

The service was enlivened by The Heaton Voices choir who sung from the back of the church

Afterwards, with the sun still shining, we went outside for a view of Bamburgh Castle

Heaton Voices, with Victoria taking her place in the ranks, sang for us again outside Budle Hall

The cake was very cute.  We like our puffins in this part of Northumberland!

For reasons too long to go into here there was a world-wide theme to the evening's celebrations

Making the most of the sunny day...

The speeches were all very well written, witty and thoughtful...and very well received.

Finally the sun set leaving a beautiful Northumbrian evening sky...

...and the evening was filled with dancing and fireworks.

I'll be in touch soon with lots more photos.

Best Wishes

Andy

andy craig photography - weddings, kids, music. dogs, creative and Northumberland Photo Training

Andrea & Chris 21st September 2013 - Doxford Hall

Doxford Hall only opened a few years ago after its renovations but it feels like it's been here forever. It's a beautiful venue and the staff and service are excellent.

Another bonus is that it's a couple of miles from my house so no long drive home for me at the end of the night.

I started out in Glanton though where Andrea was first into her beautiful dress before the rest of the girls got changed too.

Andrea's Dad looked suitably proud...

...and so to Doxford.  Everyone was ready to go.  Just a few last minute instructions for the flower girls.

Their entrance got the reaction it deserved...

...and of course so did Andrea's

We all knew that Isobel would be involved in the ceremony whatever the plans were.

That first drink is always a welcome sight...

I took the new couple out around the grounds of Doxford while the families and guests enjoyed the warm weather.

Chris was the victim of his Best Man's speech which came with props!

After the meal we headed down to the beach as the sun was fading.

The bride and groom in the photo booth...

The traditional first dance was followed by something more unusual...

who knows what was going on here - answers on a postcard...!

There will be more photographs ready for you when you're back from Honeymoon

Meanwhile Have a lovely trip

Best Wishes

Andy

andy craig photography - weddings, kids, music. dogs, creative and Northumberland Photo Training

Laura & Gavin at Newton Hall, Northumberland

I'd been looking forward to shooting a wedding at Newton Hall as it has a great reputation as a stylish venue.

It's only 2 minutes from home and on arrival I wasn't disappointed...

I was there in time to find Laura and the girls having the finishing touches to her make-up

There were nice opportunities for photos all morning.

The ceremony was all smiles and there was lots of natural light from the doors that were open to the garden giving a lovely atmosphere

Back to the grounds of Newton Hall for drinks in what was now a sunny day!

Laura and Gavins' families had collected loads of old childhood photos and made a montage.  I thought this was a lovely idea and gave lots of guests a good giggle.

After a few quick family photos we went down to the beach...

Soon we were back at Newton Hall for the meal and speeches

I came back after the meal to find Laura in sporty mood

but we went for a few more photos in the gorgeous evening sun

My work was finished after the first dance (though I stayed around to listen to the excellent band for a while)

More photographs to follow... Best Wishes

Andy

andy craig photography - weddings, kids, music. dogs, creative and Northumberland Photo Training