July 2010 | DIRK VAN DER WERFF - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Marquee Wedding in North Yorkshire at Moorsholm for Jayne and Stephen

THE WEDDING CAR - LOOKING GOOD!
BEAUTIFUL SETTING FOR THE MARQUEE FOR STEPHEN AND JAYNE'S WEDDING
LOVE THE FLOWERS!
JAYNE'S DRESS READY TO GO - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF
EVERY LITTLE HELPS!
NO SIGN OF NERVES FROM STEPHEN AS HE WAITS FOR JAYNE TO ARRIVE!
A LOVELY GREETING FROM EACH OTHER IN THE TINY CHURCH
CONTENTED SMILES FROM THE GUESTS AS JAYNE AND STEPHEN MARRY IN NORTH YORKSHIRE
THE VIEW FROM OUTSIDE THE CHURCH OF THE CEREMONY
READY TO  HEAD OFF TO THE MARQUEE AT HOME AFTER THE WEDDING CEREMONY
JAYNE AND STEPHEN START THEIR MARRIED LIFE TOGETHER  ... PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
JUST PART OF EVERYDAY LIFE AT MOORSHOLM IN NORTH YORKSHIRE
GUESTS AND VILLAGERS WAVE THE COUPLE ON THEIR WAY!
JAYNE'S MUM AND DAD - A VERY PROUD DAY FOR THEM
STEPHEN WAS ENTERTAINED BY HIS BEST MAN'S STORIES!

YOU CAN SEE THE LOVE IN JAYNE'S EYES AS STEPHEN MAKES HIS SPEECH

READY TO THROW HER BOUQUET ..........
HERE IT GOES ...... 
CAUGHT IT!
CHEEKY CHAPS JUST BEFORE THE FIRST DANCE GETS UNDERWAY IN THE MARQUEE
HAPPINESS ALL ROUND - WITH AN AUDIENCE!
AND AS THE LIGHT FADES ....  A LITTLE BIT OF ROMANCE AT THE END OF A WONDERFUL WEDDING CELEBRATION FOR JAYNE AND STEPHN - PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
NEW ..... SEE ELLIE AND STEVE'S  2012 WEDDING IN MORSHOLM TOO, HERE

Jayne and Stephen are a great couple and when I first met them at one of the few wedding fairs I attend, they had pretty much decided that I was the photographer for them!
They had already viewed my BLOG and my website, checked out my testimonials and loved what they saw, so I think they just wanted to check out my personality and if I would fit in with the wedding they were planning in North Yorkshire.
We met later that week at their home and I was introduced to Jayne's son and their new dog - later at their pre-wedding shoot, I met with Jayne's mum. It's always great to meet different members of the family before the wedding - even the dog!
The plan involved a tiny parish church in the village of Moorsholm between Guisborough and Whitby, and a grand marquee wedding celebration with their closest family and friends.
This was my third marquee wedding recently (see Gill's Teesdale marquee wedding HERE and Charlotte's marquee wedding in the north east HERE), they sem to be very popular at the moment - especially if you have a decent sized garden to host them!
I was at the farmhouse a few hours before the day got under way, meeting with Jayne's charming young bridesmaids and some of her closest friends and family as they prepared for the day and made last minute adjustments to the marquee, the wedding cars, including a beatiful Morgan owned by Jayne's father Russell.
Stephen had apparently returned home rather later than he had expected after popping in for a 'small' drink with neighbours, so I wasn't too sure what to expect at the church when I walked along the lane for 5 minutes to the church.
Luckily, he was in fine fettle - though more than a little nervous, while Jayne had appeared quietly confident as she finished adjusting her veil just 5 minutes before ther wedding before getting into the Morgan with her dad for the short trip to church!
Once the service was over, both Stephen and Jayne seemed relieved and there was a small crowd of villagers waiting their exit, and once the handshakes and kisses and cuddles were over - which made for some lovely relaxed images, and the confetti was thrown - it was time for Stephen to take the wheel of the Morgan (for the first time ... ) and there was a round of applause as the bride and groom headed up the road.
Champagne and canapes was the order of the day once myself and the other guests had walked up the hill and the next hour or more provided ample opportunity for lovely natural observational wedding photography.
After a fabulous wedding breakfast and speeches which had guests rocking in the aisles the bright sunshine had given way to threatening grey clouds, and as we were on the tops of North Yorkshire Moors, I feared the worst, but the weather held as the evening guests turned up.
I took Stephen and Jayne away for ten minutes to get some photographs on their own, before we headed back through the field to get the first dance underway - and let the party begin!
It was getting dark as I headed off down the winding lanes back home, happy in the knowledge that Jayne and Stepehen and their families had a wedding to remember - and thanks to you all for your kindness, and your friendship and hospitality - it was a grand day out!
If you would like me to photograph your wedding in Yorkshire, in a relaxed, professional and natural way, then ring me now to check your date for 2013 or 2014 or 2015

ADD ME AS A FRIEND ON FACEBOOK WITH NO OBLIGATIONS TO SEE MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM JAYNE AND STEPHEN'S WEDDING, AND LOTS OF OTHER ADDITIONAL WEDDINGS.
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DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Crab and Lobster Wedding for Fay and Nick in North Yorkshire

THE CRAB AND LOBSTER AT ASENBY, NEAT TOPCLIFFE, NORTH YORKSHIRE - ONE OF MY FAVOURITE WEDDING VENUES IN YORKSHIRE
CRAB MANOR FRONT DOOR ... READY TO REVEAL A WEDDING PARTY INSIDE .....
THE FAMOUS RESIDENT OF THE HOUSE AT THE TOP OF THE STAIRS  ... PART OF A VERY QUIRKY WEDDING LOCATION!
FAY'S BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS ARE DELIVERED TO THE CRAB AND LOBSTER
TIME FOR TEXT MESSAGES TO FRIENDS, CHAMPAGNE AND RELAXING WHILE WAITING FOR THE WEDDING CEREMONY TO COME AROUND AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER
FAY'S BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DRESS - READY FOR HER BIG DAY AT CRAB MANOR 
SO RELAXED .. FAY WAITS  AS THE TIME DRAWS CLOSE

DETAIL FROM FAY'S BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DRESS
HOW GREAT DOES FAY LOOK? A FABULOUS PHOTOGRAPH OF FAY JUST 10 MINUTES BEFORE SHE DECENDED THE STAIRS TO BE MARRIED TO NICK AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF
SMILES ALL THE WAY FOR FAY ... READY FOR NICK!
PINK WAS THE ACCENT COLOUR FOR THE DAY ..... FAY AND HER FATHER AND ATTENDANTS HEAD OFF TO THE WEDDING CEREMONY - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
WHOOPS .. THE TINY BRIDESMAID FINDS SOMETHING MORE INTERESTING!
SHE'S BACK! OUR BRIDEMAID MAKES IT BACK TO THE WEDDING PARTY AS THEY HEAD TOWARDS THE CONSERVATORY AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER
ONE OF THE GUESTS CHILLS OUT WITH A DRINK ON THE LAWN IN THE SUNSHINE AT FAY'S SUMMER WEDDING
HOLD ON TIGHT!  IT WAS ALL A BIT OVERWHELMING FOR ONE YOUNG LADY, SO CLINGING ON TO MUM WAS THE BEST IDEA - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF
I  COMPLETED FAMILY GROUPS OF COURSE - QUICKLY. BUT AFTERWARDS THERE WERE JUST AS INTERESTING PHOTOGRAPHS TO TAKE OF THE MORE SENIOR MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY CHATTING AWAY TO FAY.
HAPPINESS AND FUN DURING THE SPEECH BY FAY'S FATHER!
NICK ENJOYS HIS WEDDING DAY CHATTING TO FRIENDS AFTER THE WEDDING BREAKFAST AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER
CANDLELIGHT ILLUMINATED THE BEAUTIFUL BRIDE AS SHE CHATS WITH FRIENDS IN THE RESTAURANT AT CRAB MANOR
FUN AND LAUGHTER MAKE BETTER GROUP PHOTOGRAPHS - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF
ONE OF MY FAVOURITES ... A SIMPLE PHOTOGRAPH OF FAY'S BEAUTIFUL WEDDING BOUQUET FOR THE DAY
NICK MAKES HIS SPEECH ALONGSIDE HIS WIFE FAY WHILE GUESTS LOOK ON AND THE BEST MAN AWAITS HIS TURN
LOVE IS .. NICK AND FAY ENJOY THEIR TIME TOGETHER AT CRAB MANOR
A KISS TO SEAL A WEDDING .. FAY AND NICK ONLY HAVE EYES FOR EACH OTHER - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER
DANCING AWAY TO THE BLACK-EYED PEAS AT THEIR WEDDING RECEPTION ON THE EVENING AT CRAB MANOR
The Crab and Lobster and Crab Manor Hotel at Asenby near Topcliffe in North Yorkshire has always been a popular wedding venue with brides and grooms who didn't want a 'corporate' wedding.
Something a bit different, something a bit quirky if you will, and over the past couple of years I've covered a number of weddings at this country house near Thirsk.
Fay and Nick certainly wanted somethinga bit different, and once they had visited Crab Manor, they knw it was the place for them!
I met with Fay and her mum Pauline and Fay's Gran about 18 months or so ago and talked about their forthcoming day. It was memorable for me as her Gran had made a beautiful cake and along with a cup or two of tea, it was like we were all old friends by the time I left!
Luckily for me, Fay and her mum and gran were convinced, so I guess Nick only needed a little arm twisting to sign me up as the official photographer for their wedding celebrations.
The pre-wedding shoot went well during a sunny evening at Hartlepool Marina about 8 weeks before the day - this hour or two is a great time for us to get to know each other again, often we have not seen each other for a year, sometimes two, so we chat about the day and talk about how plans are shaping up and then take a few photographs too (Join me on Facebook to see some of the photographs from their pre-wedding portaits HERE).
So, the great day arrived and I was down to North Yorkshire early on the day, even though the wedding wasn't until 3.30pm It's always nice to be on site, get settled, get my bearings and meet up with the bride as things start to come together!
There were plenty of laughs as Fay and her mum and best friends got to work to finish dressing the room with some last minute touches and the florist was finishing things off. There were lots of photographs to be had of course as the girls were getting ready - and it was good to see that the famous 'Sasquatch' or 'Yeti' was still in his usual place at the top of the stairs.
An early guest was trying to persuade me to give away the 'secret' location of the beer barrel in the main house, which is for the use of the (mainly) male guests during the day and evening!
Nick arrived about 1.30pm with his best man and went in search of his friends at The Crab and Lobster terrace - and while they were already ordering a pint to steady their nerves, Nick was trying to get a print out of his speech after deciding that maybe it was a bit risky having his speech to read ONLY off his iPhone!
The small conservatory at The Crab and Lobster seats about 35 people, so often guests have to stand at the back too when the ceremony is on, or even stand outside on the lawn and listen to the proceedings - very pleasant on a VERY, VERY warm day. It was so sticky and warm, and it didn't let up at all during the celebrations.
The ceremony was over in a sprint and all the guests along with Fay and Nick spilled out onto the lawns for some welcome refreshments!
The last thing I ever do is start hearding people into groups, my plan is always to let everyone chill out and relax and have a few glasses of champagne and canapes for an hour or so , grab a couple of 'essential' small groups with mums and dads and grandads and grandmas in a five minute spell.
I then wait until after the wedding breakfast and speeches to gather up those other important relatives and guests and spend another five minutes cracking jokes with them all as we get some more group shots, but 95% of all my images at a wedding are all informal and relaxed, showing the happiness and fun of the wedding celebrations. Nothing stiff or formal at all.
Fay's dad got his speech out of the way as soon as the reception started and once pudding and coffee had been served, we all piled out onto the terrace for the speeches by Nick and the best man - both drawing wild applause!
Time to grab the bride and groom for 10 minutes as it was now close to 8pm and the evening guests arriving. Neither Nick or Faye particularly enjoy having their photographs taken, so a quick ten minutes was probably more than they could bare, but I made it quick and we headed back to get the cake cutting and the first dance - or the first shuffle as they put it before some more upbeat tunes filled the dancefloor with their friends and relatives!
It was a great day for Fay and Nick, a day of happiness and fun and relaxation for their families and as I headed up the A19 back north "I got a Feeling" by the Black Eyed Peas was still ringing in my ears
If you would like me to photograph your wedding at The Crab and Lobster, in a relaxed, professional and natural way, with no bother or hassle or stress, then ring me now to check your date for 2013, 2014 or 2015 at Crab Manor or The Crab and Lobster ... from £850 midweek intimate to £1250 and £1600 peak season
ADD ME AS A FRIEND ON FACEBOOK WITH NO OBLIGATIONS TO SEE MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM FAY AND NICK'S WEDDING, AND LOTS OF OTHER ADDITIONAL WEDDINGS.

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

HEADLAM HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

BEAUTIFUL HEADLAM HALL BRIDE RACHEL  ARRIVES AT ST GODRIC'S CHURCH IN DURHAM IN A CLASSIC JAGUAR - PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

RACHEL HAPPY AND SMILING AS HER FATHER LEADS HER DOWN THE AISLE

APPLAUSE FROM RACHEL'S PARENTS AS THE COUPLE EXCHANGE A KISS IN ST GODRIC'S CHURCH

SMILES ALL ROUND FOR THE HAPPY COUPLE

RACHEL AND JONATHAN IN THE 'SECRET GARDEN' OF ST GODRIC'S CHURCH WHICH OVERLOOKS DURHAM CATHEDRAL

BEST DRESSED YOUNG LADY AWARD GOES TO ....

ALL READY FOR THE WEDDING BREAKFAST AT HEADLAM HALL

THE BEAUTIFUL WEDDING BREAKFAST MENU AT HEADLAM HALL

CANAPES ANYONE?

TIME FOR A NICE RELAXED GROUP PHOTOGRAPH - PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

ONE OF MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE DAY AS RACHEL AND JONATHAN LISTEN TO THE SPEECHES - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

RACHEL 'SWISHES' ACROSS THE MAIN LAWN AT HEADLAM HALL

LOVE IN THEIR EYES ..... THE HAPPY COUPLE ONLY HAVE EYES FOR EACH OTHER - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

A MOMENT TOGETHER IN THE WALLED GARDEN CAUGHT BY THE LATE EVENING SUN

... AND TIME FOR THE FIRST DANCE
ST GODRIC'S CHURCH DURHAM AND HEADLAM HALL
Rachel and Jonathan wanted a really chilled out wedding with their closest family and friends at St Godric's Church in Durham with a beautiful reception at the incomparable Headlam Hall near Darlington - and they got their wish!
Both training to be dentists, I had met with them at Headlam Hall with Rachel's mum too about 18 months or so before their wedding, just chatting and laughing about their plans for their wedding in Durham and their plans for their reception at Headlam Hall.
I was delighted when they asked me to be their official photographer and we kept in contact BY e-mail before meeting a few weeks before their wedding when we went for a walk and a chat around the river in Durham on their pre-wedding portrait session.
It was a beautiful day in August and the gathering friends and relatives at St Godric's Church on the hill close to Durham were full of excited chatter about the day ahead. Jonathan was calm cool and collected, and later, when Rachel arrived in her beautiful classic Jaguar car, not only did she look stunning, but she was also pretty cool and relaxed too.
The wedding ceremony was fun too, and the clergy were kind enough to allow me to discreetly take photographs during the ceremony from the front of the church - usually no bother in a Catholic church, but rare in a C of E Church nowadays.
The 'secret' garden lay down pas a car park, and through a covered walkway, and down the side of a house which opened out into quite the best viewpoint of Durham Cathedral I have seen - and terrific for a few formal family wedding photographs before we headed to Headlam Hall.
Headlam Hall, along with Crathorne Hall is one of the finest wedding venues for civil ceremonies and receptions for many, many miles around. One of my all time favourite venues.
Service, attention to detail and staff are second to none - highly recommended
Champagne and canapes on the terrace with the vast gardens at the guests' disposal gave me the chance to capture the fun and atmosphere of the day and after an hour or so of relaxed conversation in the sun, I quickly gathered close relatives together together with siblings and bridesmaids for a few quick, relaxed group shots and one main photograph of the whole party on the lawn - total 10 minutes, everyone was smiling, that laughed at my silly jokes and the photographs looked great!
Into the Edwardian Suite for the wedding breakfast which was superb as always, and then tears, laughter and fun during some excellent speeches - giving me lots of photograph opportunities.
By the end of the fun, it was 7pm and it was time for me to grab Rachel and Jonathan for 15 minutes to create some nice photographs of them together in the grounds - but return them in time to greet their evening guests and ready themselves for their first dance and the fun of the evening ahead!
When I left the party was in full swing ... and I was off to edit their photographs so they would be ready on their return from the Far East from honeymoon.
I hope you enjoyed a small number of the 400+ final edited images which documents their fantastic wedding at Durham and at Headlam Hall.IF YOU ENJOYED THESE IMAGES ..WHY NOT HAVE A LOOK AT RHOANNE AND ANDREW'S WEDDING AT HEADLAM HALL?
CHARLOTTE AND CHRIS' WEDDING WAS AT BARNARD CASTLE SCHOOL CHAPEL AND HEADLAM HALL IN 2011, HERE
If you would like me to capture great images at your Headlam hall wedding, then ring me in the office until 6pm on 01429 423165 or anytime on my mobile on 0778 7150966. 


My latest wedding news and photographs HERE




DIRK VAN DER WERFF