Matfen Hall Wedding Photography for Cate and Andrew

MATFEN HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER:
THE FLOWERS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED ... AND LOOKING BEAUTIFUL

MATFEN HALL WEDDING PHOTOS:
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!

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

LANCHESTER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER:
THE BEAUTIFUL INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH AT LANCHESTER COUNTY DURHAM

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

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!

MATFEN HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR CATE AND ANDREW
Cate and Andrew 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 .. 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.
If you would like me to be your photographer at MATFEN HALL, capturing a great documentary record of your wedding day celebrations, with no bother, no hassle, just great natural photographs of your day.
Ring me NOW on 0778 7150966 and tell me all about your PLANS and CHECK YOUR DATE as I only photograph a limited amount of weddings each year. Prices from £550 midweek for less than 25 people to £1250 - £1475 traditional weekend dates!! 
Check out Kathryn and Richard who flew in from the CAYMAN ISLANDS FOR THEIR WEDDING AT MATFEN HALL - HERE
VIEW Anna and Warren's Winter Wedding Photography at Matfen Hall HERE
Have a look at my BRIDAL INSPIRATION BOARD on Pinterest for NORTHUMBERLAND WEDDINGS - HERE


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 anytime on my mobile 0778 7150966 and let's chat and check your date ..
HAVE A LOOK AT THESE OTHER NORTHUMBERLAND AND NEWCASTLE WEDDINGS I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED RECENTLY!

Nikki and David's wedding at Guyzance Hall in Northumberland, HERE
Jennifer and Simons wedding at the Tynemouth Grand Hotel HERE
Danielle and John's Bamburgh Castle wedding in Northumberland HERE

Sharon and Martin's Slaley Hall wedding in Northumberland HERE

Rowena and William's wedding at Ellingham Hall in Northumberland HERE

DIRK VAN DER WERFF