August 2008 | DIRK VAN DER WERFF - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

SPRING WEDDINGS AT MATFEN HALL IN NORTHUMBERLAND

ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH IN LANCHESTER COUNTY DURHAM

PART OF THE BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH WHERE CATE AND ANDREW WERE MARRIED

THE FLOWERS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED ... AND LOOKING BEAUTIFUL

APPARENTLY THIS IS CATE AND ANDREW ... I THINK THEY LOOK A LITTLE STIFF ....

LAST MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MAKE-UP

CATE AND HER MUM ... READY FOR THE WEDDING DAY CELEBRATIONS - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

CATE BUSY SWISHING ABOUT IN HER JENNY PACKHAM WEDDING GOWN AS 'THE GIRLS' GET READY ...


TIME FOR SOME LAST MINUTE CHECKS FOR CATE AND HER MUM IN GRANDMOTHER'S MIRROR

EVERYTHING IS GOOD .. TIME TO LAUGH AND RELAX!

... AND TIME FOR A RFLECTIVE QUIET MOMENT AS CATE WAITS FOR HER CAR TO THE CHURCH

THE BEAUTIFUL AMULET THAT MATCHED CATE'S HAIRPIECE AND THE STRAPS ON THE JENNY PACKHAM WEDDING GOWN - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

TIME FOR ONE QUICK PHOTOGRAPH WITH THE GIRLS BEFORE WE HEAD OFF TO GET CATE MARRIED TO ANDREW!

CATE AND HER FATHER MARTIN ARE MARCHED UP THE ROAD BY TRADITIONAL PIPER

PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS ?  CATE IS MOMENTS FROM BEING MARRIED .... PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

ANDREW AND KATE AT THE ALTER IN ALL SAINTS CHURCH LANCHESTER

THE BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH

COOL, CALM AND CASUAL AND RELAXED ... MARRIED AT LAST!

...AND, WE'RE OFF TO MATFEN HALL .. NOT SURE WHERE THE HORSE CAME IN, PERHAPS IT WAS A LUCKY HORSE I SUGGESTED? NO, JUST WALKING BY ..... !

MATFEN HALL AWAITS ......

SUNLIGHT THROUGH THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW FALLS ON THE WALL DECORATION AND FLOWERS IN THE GREAT HALL AT MATFEN

MUSIC AND ATMOSPHERE AS THE GUESTS ARRIVE

THE BRIDE AND GROOM ARRIVE

TIME FOR A KISS AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE OF THE RECEPTION

CATE, RELAXED AND HAPPY,  CAUGHT IN THE COLOURED REFLECTIONS OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOW IN THE GREAT HALL AT MATFEN - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

ANDREW AND CATE ... SO HAPPY AND RELAXED WITH THEIR DAY AND WITH THEIR WEDDING

PLACE CARDS FOR THE WEDDING BREAKFAST

RELAXED BRIDAL PORTRAIT PLEASE!  CATE CATCHES THE RAYS OF THE SUN AT MATFEN HALL IN HER BEAUTIFUL WEDDING GOWN AND CLUTCHING HER LOVELY WEDDING BOUQUET

I LOVE A LOVELY BLACK AND WHITE IMAGE - CATE LOOKING GREAT - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

TIME FOR FRSH AIR AND SOME THINKING TIME .. THE FIRST DANCE IS NEXT, AND EVERYONE EXPECTS!

ANDREW SCOOPS UP CATE IN HIS ARMS AT THE END OF THEIR FIRST DANCE .....

AND SWINGS HER ROUND TO THE CHEERING CROWD OF WEDDING GUESTS ....... PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

... AND FINISH IT ALL OF WITH A KISS!
Andrew and Cate are a great couple and I have been looking forward to their wedding for a long time!
Cate's mum Maria booked me way before I met with Cate herself as she had been so impressed with some of the relaxed images I create at some of the lovely weddings I'm asked to be part of.
I had photographed weddings before at All Saints Lanchester Catholic Church, and it's a lovely bright welcoming church and  Canon Bob Spence is a fun chap and welcoming of professional photographers, while weddings at Matfen Hall in Northumberland are always a treat!
I'd been chatting with Cate on Facebook and Maria on the phone in the run up to the wedding and even popped in to say hello the day before as I checked on the timings between the two venues ... and all was remrkably fine and relaxed - and so it proved to be on Cate's wedding day too!
Driving through Durham on my way from the east coast, the sky was dark and foreboding, and the rain was really coming down, but heading west of Durham the skies were clearing and as I arrived at their home, the blue skies appeared and the sun was out, and it was out to stay for a beautiful April wedding!
Cate and 'her girls' were busy in the main bedroom having their make-up done, while mum and dad were busy ferrying bacon sandwiches and champagne around the place. I was promised something special with Cate's wedding gown, and so it proved to be with a stunning Jenny Packham wedding dress with beautiful jewel encrusted straps and even an amulet and hairpiece to go with the outfit ... just stunning, and I just knew that Andrew would be knocked out when he saw Cate coming down the aisle towards him!
I took some lovely photographs of Cate and Maria as they both got ready for the day, while dad Martin went through his speech downstairs and kept out of the way!
I greeted Andrew and his brother and best friends at the church as the guests and family arrived and said 'hello' to Canon Spence. I gave him one of my A3 San Francisco books of Nicola's wedding at the church the previous year - he was thrilled that his church looked so fine!
Before long, the bridesmaids had arrived, Andrew had gone rather quiet and we awaited Nicola and her dad to make their entrance, and I'm sure that the whole church were amazed at the beauty of Cate and her dress!
Soon the ceremony was over, and Cate and Andrew, who only had eyes for each other, greeted their closest and nearest and dearest outside before we headed off in convoy to Matfen Hall, a 30 minute drive away.
There was classical music, canapes and champagne on our arrival and 15 minutes later when the beaming happy couple came down the grand staircase in the Great Hall at Matfen, there was a great round of applause.
Soon, the speeches started, from the staircase while 120 people gathered below to laugh and to wipe away a tear, especially at a tale about Cate's grandmother's diary as tributes were paid and tall tales told about Andrew (!), before we swept in for our wedding breakfast.
We had time for a few formal happy family photographs before new guests arrived for the evening ceilidh celebrations, and word had speared that Cate and Andrew had been practising a first dance for some time!
The moment came and Andrew and Cate danced around the Great Hall of Matfen Hall to warm applause and loud cheering as Andrew at the end of the dance lifted Cate into his arms and kissed her.
Oh how we cheered!
One of Cate's guests took the video below of their special dance on their iPhone 4 .. it's worth watching!
And so the ceilidh  started, many people danced the night away, and after capturing the fun, it was my time to wish the happy couple goodnight and thank their parents for their fine hospitality and friendship for the day.
I hope you enjoy this 'sneak peek' of a few of the 500 or so final edited images of the great wedding celebrations.
Cate and Andrew will have access to the password protected website soon where you will be able to see all their wedding images .. they will email the password out to you so you can once again enjoy their fabulous wedding celebrations!


DIRK VAN DER WERFF






Cate and Andrew's first dance at Matfen Hall  .. there's a grey haired photographer getting in the way and then he disappears up the stairs! Sorry Cate  ... :)


If you would like me to be the official photographer at your wedding at Matfen Hall, or in Northumberland or across the north east, anywhere in the UK, or your destination wedding abroad, I would love to hear about your plans. Please ring me in the office on 01429 423165 until 6pm or anytime on my mobile 0778 7150966 and let's chat and check your date!!
Dirk

RAMSIDE HALL HOTEL AND GOLF CLUB BRIDAL AND WEDDING SHOWCASE


I was invited to exhibit at the Ramside Hall Hotel and Golf club Bridal and Wedding Showcase event on Sunday 5th October 2008 a while ago, and Kate Smith has now confirmed that our exhibit will be in the Grand Marquee between 12pm - 4pm

I very much look forward to meeting with any couples planning their wedding day in the near future or in the year or two ahead, and to whom professional creative wedding photography is an important part of their day

As ever, happy to offer help and advice about ANYTHING to do with your wedding day - after all, I've been to more than most people!

If you would also like me to be your photographer at Ramside Hall on your wedding day I would be honoured to be part of your celebrations!

PHOTOGRAPH: Victoria's magnificent wedding dress from Belgian couture designer Mathyro and purchased at WILD BRIDES in Sunderland

My latest wedding news and photographs HERE:

DEBBIE'S COUTURE WEDDING GOWN FROM JENNY PACKHAM AT CRATHORNE HALL HOTEL IN NORTH YORKSHIRE



I come across many beautiful wedding gowns and dresses, but one of my favourites was Deborah's when she married Rick at Crathorne Hall Hotel - a Jenny Packham couture wedding gown - quite beautiful!

My latest wedding news and photographs HERE:

WEDDING TESTIMONIAL FROM NICOLA AND DAVID'S WEDDING AT HARDWICKE HALL AND ST MARY MAGDELENE CHURCH HART VILLAGE














Nicola and David have kindly offered a review of my wedding photography service during their wedding at Hardwicke Hall at Heselden after their church service at St Mary Magdelene Church, Hart Village.

"......Dirk was exactly the wedding photographer we needed.

He photographed our special day in a relaxed, informal way – just another one of our guests. Before our wedding we chatted a lot, exchanged e-mails and he visited us at home on a number of occasions, a thoroughly excellent service and put us at our easy even before the day.

Everyone that I have spoken to enthuses about our wedding photographs, from as far away as Australia. I knew what I wanted, we both did, no formal lines, rehearsed smiles and what Dirk has created are some fantastic images, portraying the day exactly as it was.

I smiled all day because I was having a wonderful time not because I was being pushed around to do a whole series of photographs just for the photographer's portfolio.

No “smile please” just fun!

The wedding photography package is excellent value and we ordered two individual parent photobooks and a modern wedding book for ourselves, which I regularly look at and smile, - our wedding day comes flooding back.

My mum’s friends have told me she loves her book and likes taking it to show the day to everyone and anyone!.

We can recommend Dirk wholeheartedly, everything worked as it should all day and Dirk’s input was just the icing on the cake.

I don’t believe the images Dirk captured can be topped.

A wonderful day portrayed by the perfect photographer for us....."

Nicola Banks


Outstanding natural wedding photography across the north east and beyond .

My latest wedding news and photographs HERE:

More Photographs from Nicola's wedding day at Hardwick Hall HERE

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

CHRIS AND CATHERINE'S WEDDDING AT CRATHORNE HALL HOTEL NORTH YORKSHIRE 2009

UPDATED .. with PHOTOGRAPHS FROM CATHERINE'S WEDDING - SEE LINK BELOW....

I've recently been to talk with Catherine and Chris at Harrogate about their impending wedding at Crathorne Hall in North Yorkshire early next year.


They're a great couple and are intent in chilling out and having a great wedding day celebration with their closest friends and family, and they've had a few problems with selecting a wedding photographer.


Luckily, I convinced them that I'm the man to capture their day and they understand that as hard as I will work to create great images at their wedding, I want to enjoy myself too!!

So if you had 20th March 2009 in mind for your wedding - sorry, I now won't be available, I'll be at Crathorne Hall Hotel in North Yorkshire for Catherine's wedding to Chris!


My latest wedding news and photographs HERE

UPDATE .... a Sneak Peak of some of Catherine and Chris's photographs from their wedding day are HERE


DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Crathorne Hall Wedding Review from Jo and Jez

CRATHORNE HALL WEDDING REVIEW:
HALF BOTTLES OF CHAMPAGNE EACH .. ? WHY NOT?

JO AND JEZ IN CRATHORNE VILLAGE CHURCH BEFORE THEIR WEDDING BREAKFAST AT CRATHORNE HALL

JEZ AND JO'S FATHER SHARE A JOKE OUTSIDE CHURCH

JO AND JEZ IN THEIR FAIRYTALE CINDERELLA COACH ON THEIR WAY TO CRATHORNE HALL IN YORKSHIRE FOR THEIR WEDDING

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE EVER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS - PHOTOGRAPHED AT CRATHORNE HALL - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

A BIT OF FUN WITH JO AND JEZ AS THEY TRY OUT THE DOUBLE DECKER BUS FOR SIZE AFTER IT TRANSPORTED THEIR GUESTS TO CRATHORNE HALL FROM CRATHORNE CHURCH FOR THEIR WEDDING BREAKFAST

JO'S FABULOUS WEDDING CAKE

LATER ON THE LAWN AFTER THE SPEECHES - JEZ AND HIS ATTENDANTS HAVE SOME FUN WITH JO
Jo and Jez have kindly offered a review of their fabulous wedding at Crathorne Hall in Yorkshire.
".......Who needs OK Magazine?
When looking for a wedding photographer in the early stages of planning our big day at Crathorne Hall we had been made aware of some nightmare scenarios by friends and family.
Our closest friends had all their wedding photographs 'lost' by their photographer.
Several others asked their guests for photographs as they were not happy with the professional ones.This, combined with deciding not to have a professional videographer made our decision for a professional photographer even more vital.
Looking on the internet we found Dirk’s website site and were impressed immediately.
The photos where professional, natural and flattering.
With this we made an immediate appointment to see Dirk, he made every effort to meet our needs and travelled some distance for the meeting.
Beforehand, we still had some reservations due to the magnitude of the decision. On meeting Dirk these were soon dismissed. Dirk put us, and both sets of parents at ease, impressing everyone with his work, wide range of styles and more importantly his enthusiasm.
We immediately decided to use Dirk’s skills and booked him for engagement photos, which were fantastic.
We chose a package and decided on two photographers for the morning. This was accommodated by Dirk, and his associate Louise was also booked for the big day.
Our wedding day was fantastic and Dirk’s professionalism and realism made this possible.
Hours of standing around doing set photographs were not our, or our guest’s idea of fun - or Dirk's!! He was able to capture natural photos that amaze us and yet still has the family and friends shots that are a necessity - but in a relaxed manner!
Our wedding book is breathtaking, the quality is beyond belief, we will look back on our special day thanks to Dirk's masterpiece.
Dirk is professional, he is a funny, enthusiastic and a genuinely good bloke.
So much so, we will, and have recommended Dirk to friends and family, some have already booked his excellent services...."
Jo and Jez 
SEE Sarah and Dan's recent wedding coverage HERE, Karen and Andy's wedding at Crathorne Hall in north Yorkshire HERE and Catherine and Chris' wedding at Crathorne Hall HERE
My latest wedding news and photographs HERE: