DIRK VAN DER WERFF - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

REDWORTH HALL WINTER WEDDING FOR DANIELLE AND GRAEME

2012-01-05T11:26:00.001Z

SMILES ALL ROUND FROM GRAEME AND DANIELLE ON THEIR WEDDING DAY AT REDWORTH HALL

REDWORTH HALL, WEST OF DARLINGTON, THE VENUE FOR DANIELLE AND GRAEME'S WEDDING

IT HAS TO BE CHAMPAGNE .....

DANIELLE'S MAGGIE SOTTERO WEDDING GOWN - AT THE READY

BEAUTIFUL COLOURS FOR DANIELLE'S WEDDING BOUQUET - IDEAL FOR A WINTER WEDDING

CHEERS GIRLS ..... GLASSES AT THE READY FOR THE VIDEOGRAPHER

A SURPRISE WEDDING PRESENT FROM HER HEN NIGHT!

SHE'S IN THERE SOMEWHERE!

THERE SHE IS......

GUCCI FOR HER WEDDING PERFUME

GIRLIES TOGETHER - FOREVER!

HOW HAPPY TO THEY LOOK?

PLENTY OF TIME NEEDED TO TIE UP THE WEDDING GOWN

NO NERVES HERE .. DANIELLE TOTALLY CHILLED OUT

LOOKING IN ...

DONT DRIP THE CHAMPAGNE OVER YOUR DRESS DANIELLE!

DECORATED WINDOWSILL AND GOODIE BAGS AT THE READY

ORIGINAL WEDDING DETAILS FROM PURPLE PEACOCK

GRAEME AND DANIELLE TAKE THEIR VOWS IN THE GREAT HALL AT REDWORTH HALL ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

WATCHED BY THEIR CLOSEST FAMILY AND FRIENDS

MAKE A WISH - AND RELEASE YOUR BALLOON!

CONFETTI TIME

DAZNIELLE'S NEW DOUBLE-BARRELED NAME!

HOW FANTASTICALLY HAPPY DOES DANIELLE LOOK?

TOTALLY CONTENT ON THEIR WEDDING DAY - DANIELLE AND GRAEME

HAPPINESS AT REDWORTH HALL ON NEW YEAR'S EVE

THEY LOOK JUST AS GOOD IN MONOCHROME TOO

TIME FOR A LAST ONE BEFORE THE SPEECHES!

BEAUTIFUL DETAIL ON DANIELLE'S WEDDING CAKE

LOVELY COLOURS ON TOP OF THE WEDDING CAKE

ALL THE DETAILS FROM DANIELLE'S STYLING

THE GREAT HALL LOOKING ITS BEST AT REDWORTH HALL FOR DANIELLE AND GRAEME'S WEDDING

BEAUTIFUL STYLING FROM PURPLE PEACOCK

CHEERS .. DANIELLE REACTS TO HER HUSBAND'S SPEECH

CARICATURE TIME AS THE PARTY RELAXES

LOOKS JUST LIKE THEM!

TIME FOR SOME NEW YEAR'S EVE SILLINESS FOR THE GUESTS

SOME PEOPLE JUST CAN'T BELIEVE HOW GOOD THEIR CARICATURE IS !!

READY FOR THE MASQUERADE BALL LADIES?

TIME OUT FOR ONE LAST PHOTOGRAPH OF DANIELLE AND HER MAGGIE SOTTERO WEDDING GOWN AT REDWORTH HALL

THE FIRST DANCE GETS UNDERWAY TO A CHEERING AUDIENCE OF GUESTS!

I have great affection for all my brides and grooms.
When you spend ten to 20 hours with two people through two or three meetings with a pre-wed shoot and their wedding day too, you become pretty close for a while.
I have particular affection for Danielle and Graeme as I first met Danielle and her Mum over 2 years ago when the wedding plans for Redworth Hall were starting to come together.
In between, they had a devastating fire at their home in Suderland that was no fault of their own, and with the support of their families and their closest friends, they pulled through, worked extra hard and all hours to be able to have the wedding of their dreams despite their home being destroyed.
So, their New Year's Eve wedding at Redworth Hall was always going to be a special occassion - and so it turned out to be! PHOTOGRAPHS LATER THIS EVENING
It was a mid-day wedding so I was out the door early and arrived at 10am, 2 hours beforehand as I usually do, to capture the girly giggles, early champagne and make-up and families gathering for the special day.
Danielle was cool as a cucumber throughout, with just the odd tear or three, and the whole atmosphere was very relaxed at Redworth Hall where family and friends had taken 40 rooms for a couple of days.
Dominique is Danielles sister and one of two bridemaids along with Kay, Graeme's sister.
Dominique has already booked me for her wedding in 2012 at The Morritt in Teesdale, but I said that if she didn't like my 'performance' at her sister's wedding, it was OK to cancel!
I haven't heard from her yet - so I think were still on!
It's always nice to meet parents before the big day so they know how I approach wedding photography, most people have only had bad experiences of 'wedding photographers' unfortunately, and as long as parents and grandparents know that group shots are as important to me as they are to them, its just that I will do them at different times and do them quickly, they gain confidence and trust as well.
Danielle's beautiful Maggie Sottero wedding dress was perfect for her - it must be the most popular designer wedding dress from my weddings in 2011, there have been lots, and once the photographs of her dress were complete the bridesmaids were keen that she get it on as soon as possible b ecause they had been told that it would take between 20-40 minutes to tie Danielle into it! That gave me a chance to pop downstairs to the bar (where else?) where Graeme and his friends and family were gathering.
Graeme was really looking forward to the fast approaching service, but he was a bit quieter than normal - and who could blame him!
We had a few last minute dramas which meant that we called for sewing thread and a needle from Housekeeping in the hotel, then another 'minor' problem meant that poor Graeme was left waiting for his bride-to-be for more than 20 minutes ... poor fella!
The readings and civil ceremony were over in a flash once started and before long there were balloons in everyone's hands outside on a balmy afternoon of 12ºC on the 31st December 2011 .. bonkers.
The wishes and balloons were released, then it was time for a co-ordinated Confetti Shower so that everyone could join in and take photographs, before the hand-shaking, air-kissing and bear-hugs could begin as everyone wanted to rejoice in the marriage of Danielle and Graeme.
I let everyone chill out and really get into the spirit of the day for an hour or more before I borrowed some of the key players for 15 minutes to make sure we had the important family groups - all done quickly and with a smile, working with parents and Danielle and Graeme to make sure we had the images needed for family keepsakes in the future.
Wedding breafast was served after some really great speeches, where Graeme surprised himself by the emotion his own speech brought in thanking his parents and Danielle's parents for their support in what has been very difficult times for the young couple recently.
Food was beautiful (thanks folks!), then afterwards I caught up on some bridal portraits, and a few casula groupings of the girls' and 'the boys' around the hall as it was already dark outside.
A magician had entertained the guests earlier in the day, and for the evening Caricaturist Mike Gilbey was around for much of the evening, and provoked much hilarity in his superb drawings - Danielle's father John also insisted that I get one done too - you can see it on my Facebook account HERE.
First dance was different and entertaining and received huge cheers from the guests, before everyone donned Masquerade masks and celebrity masks to continue enjoying the day's events.
With the clock heading towards 2012, it was time to bid farewell and thanks everyone for their hospitality and congratulate the happy couple once again.
Great day for everyone - I hope you enjoy this sneak peek of more than 350 photographs which tell the story of Danielle and Graeme's wedding day at Redworth Hall.
They will send out a LINK and a PASSWORD so that you can see al the photographs of the day that I captured.
If you would like me to photograph your wedding, naturally, to capture the fun and the happiness of your wedding day with a laugh and a smile and great customer experience and service, then ring me anytime on 07787150966 and CHECK YOUR DATE!
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

OLD ENGLAND HOTEL WEDDING AT BOWNESS ON WINDERMERE FOR LINDSAY AND WAYNE

2011-12-21T12:14:00.003Z

BEAUTIFUL BOUQUET AND FLOWERS READY FOR LINDSAY AND WAYNE'S BIG DAY

ALL CALM ON THE OUTSIDE ... A SWAN MAKES THE SCENE OUTSIDE THE OLD ENGLAND HOTEL IN BOWNESS ON WINDERMERE - THE VENUE FOR LINDSAY AND WAYNE'S WEDDING IN THE LAKE DISTRICT

THE OLD ENGLAND HOTEL WINDERMERE

EARLY MORNING PADDLE FOR THE BIG FELLA ...

OLD ENGLAND HOTEL AT BOWNES IN WINDERMERE .. THE VENUE FOR LINDSAY AND WAYNE'S WEDDING

COLD, BUT CRISP DECEMBER DAY

BLUE SKY AND SNOW AROUND THE LAKE

SMILES ALL ROUND AS LINDSAY GETS HER HAIR DONE

LINDSAY'S SISTER HAS HER OWN MAKE-UP TO DO BEFORE DOING LINDSAY'S ....

JOKE MESSAGES SENT OUT FROM THE ROOM TO LINDSAY'S FRIENDS ...

WEDDING DAY PERFUME

A BEAUTIFUL GIFT TO LINDSAY FROM HER BRIDEMAIDS .. COMLETE WITH HER WEDDING DAY JEWELLERY

WAYNE CHILLS OUT WITH FRIENDS AND A BOTTLE OR TWO OF CHAMPAGNE

THE DRESS!

THE DRESS - BIGGER AND BETTER!

STILL SMILING .....

NOW THEY'RE ALL LAUGHING .. I SAID THIS WAS A CHILLED OUT WEDDING!

LINDSAYS MUM GETS SOME HELP GETTING READY

WAYNE'S BEST MAN SI AND NINA ARE OBVIOUSLY IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY THAT WAYNE SCRUBS UP!

TEARS AS SHE SEES LINDSAY IN HER DRESS FOR THE FIRST TIME

LINDSAY AND HER SISTER .. READY TO GO!

TIME FOR A QUICK RECORD SHOT OF 'THE GIRLS'

£1 MILLION SMILE .. LYNDSAEY SEES WAYNE FOR THE FIRST TIME

A RING ON HER FINGER .....

TIME FOR A KISS TO SEAL THE MARRIAGE

LINDSAY'S FATHER LOOKS HAPPY

CLOSE-UP TIME FOR BEST MAN SI .....

TAKING THE APPLAUSE

THE NEW NAME TELLS THE STORY

I DO LIKE A MONOCHROME PHOTOGRAPH .... LINDSAY IN HER WEDDING DRESS

QUICK RECORD SHOT FOR PARENTS!

THIS IS THE ONE FOR THEIR THANK YOU CARDS ....

... OR IS IT THIS ONE FOR THE THANK YOU CARDS .. ?

WAYNE HAS A FIT OF THE GIGGLES IN THE COLD

BUT RECOVERS FOR HIS PHOTOS WITH THE BRIDESMAIDS ....

BOYS WILL BE BOYS .....

THE LOVE-IN BEGINS .....

FUN ALL THE WAY FOR THESE BOYS

THE HAPPY COUPLE

ITS CHRISTMAS .. SO WE NEED A CHRISTMAS TREE!

WATCHING THE SPEECHES ...

HAPPINESS THAT HIS BEST MAN SI HASNT DROPPED HIM IN IT ....

LINDSAY SEEMS PLEASED TOO ....

SI MAKES A POINT IN HIS SPEECH ABOUT WAYNE KILLING A DUCK WITH A GOLF BALL ... OOOOPS!

WAYNE'S FAVOURITE TEAM, EVERTON REPRESENTED ON HIS WEDDING CAKE

LINDSAY ONLY HAS EYES FOR WAYNE

SOME TIME ALONE .. AWAY FROM THE GUESTS

THESE GUYS WERE A NIGHTMARE TO WORK WITH TO BE HONEST ....

THE PARTY TABLE DO WHAT THEY DO BEST ... PARTY!

CHEERS ALL ROUND FOR THE SINGER!

TIME FOR KISSES ...... A GREAT WEDDING WEEKEND!

Lindsay and Wayne are a lovely couple, much loved by all their close family and friends, so it was natural for them when they decided to get married that they would want to share their special day in a special place with those people closest to them.
Their favourite place is in the Lake District, especially around Bowness and Lake Windermere, so they chose The Old England Hotel on the lake front at Bowness in Windermere for their lovely relaxed, informal wedding celebrations just a week before Christmas.
For weddings 2 hours or more away from my home I travel the day before and stay overnight, usually in the hotel where the bride is staying. This means that there are no problems in case of accidents on the roads, or weather problems that stops me being 'on site' on the day of the wedding, and it often means that I can 'hang out' with the bride and groom and their family the evening before the wedding - all part of the 'bonding' process I cultivate with the couple and their family before we even get to their BIG day.
Even the pre-wed shoot is a bonding opportunity, it just means that we are not strangers on the day, everyone can chill out and have a fabulous day of fun!
The weather was very good for December, we even saw sunshine too - though it was pretty cold outside it was warm and full of sunshine inside the hotelas I met with Lindsay and her bridesmaids and hairdresser early on the morning of her wedding to Wayne.
Lindsay is a Photography Tutor at a 6th Form college and I first met with her before she decided to get married when I did some mentoring work with her students, she saw some of my stylish modern A3 wedding books and the relaxed way I photograph weddings, and she decided that when her wedding day came, she wanted me to be a small but important part of her and Wayne's day!
There was lots and lots of laughter as she got ready for the wedding, and when I popped along the corridor to see Wayne and he friends, he was lying on the bed, drinking champagne and chatting away with friends as though it was just a 'normal' day!
Both Lindsay's parents and their friends and Wayne's parents and their friends were excited for the wedding celebrations, while colleagues and friends had travelled safely from all over the country for the day, so that when Lindsay came down the stairs (crying ... ) with her father, there were quite a few tears among the guests as well.
Wayne was very quiet and a little bit pale as the moment arrived, but the look on both their faces as Lindsay arrived at his side was worth a £1 million!
The civil wedding ceremony in the Old England Hotel in Bowness in Windermere was over quickly and soon there were hand-sakes and kisses and cuddles and bear hugs as everyone congratulated the bride and groom.
These moments make for some lovely relaxed images, and my wedding guests appreciate that I let them have an hour or so to 'get into' the wedding, have a drink and a few canapes before I 'borrow' mums and dads and grandparents and bridesmaids to make sure we have some 'official' moments from this day of record which are important to older members of the family, so 15 minutes outside in the cold to capture some happy relaxed key images of family with a big group shot turned around in a few minutes so no one got cold and we were back inside for speeches, fine food and champagne!
We then had three of the finest speeches at a wedding I have heard this year from the father of the bride and the best man Si while Wayne's fantastic speech saw me struggling to see through my viewfinder as he outlines his love and deep devotion to his new wife Lindsay .. tears all round!
Time to chill out for an hour or so after the wedding breakfast and then I made a few more photographs of the happy couple around the hotel, nice and relaxed, nothing too posed or formal, before a friend played his guitar to the gathered throng before the first dance beckoned and the dance floor was filled until late.
Because I was staying a second night in the hotel as it was too late and too far to drive after 12 hours on my feet, I flopped down with some of the guests and treated myself to a few fine pints of beer!
What a great weekend for Lindsay and Wayne - one to always remember, and I hope my photographs give yo a flavour, a sneak peek of the happiness of the day!
All the photographs should be ready to view in the next day or two, so ask Lindsay and wayne for the access LINK and passwords soon.
If you are getting married in 2012 or 2013, anywhere in the UK or abroad, contact me now on 0778 7150966. I only photograph about 30 weddings per year so it never becomes a 'production line' and the diary fills quickly!
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

AS YOU LIKE IT NEWCASTLE WEDDING FOR MORAG AND JONATHAN

2011-11-09T18:27:00.001Z

AS YOU LIKE IT IN JESMOND, NEWCASTLE, THE VENUE FOR THE WEDDING OF MORAG AND JONATHAN

AWAITING SPECIAL GUESTS ON A SPECIAL DAY ....

AS YOU LIKE IT, SET UP FOR A CIVIL WEDDDING CEREMONY FOR A SMALL INTIMATE WEDDING

THE WEDDING CEREMONY ROOM AT AS YOU LIKE IT IN JESMOND NEWCASTLE

MORAG AND JONATHAN PERHAPS ... ?

OUR PAPPARAZZI PHOTOGRAPHER CATCHES JONATHAN AND HIS BEST MAN HAVING A LATE WHISKY BEFORE THE BRIDESMAIDS ARRIVE ...

MUNCHKINS HAVE ARRIVED - AND HOW BEAUTIFUL DO THEY LOOK!

MUNCHKINS STEAL THE SHOW AS THE BRIDES MUM AND SISTER AND BRIDESMAID HAVE THEIR PHOTOCALL!

ONE BEAUTIFUL MUNCHKIN BRIDESMAID

TWO BEAUTIFUL MUNCHKIN BRIDESMAIDS ....

THREE BEAUTIFUL MUNCHKIN BRIDESMAIDS

SURPRISE! MORAG ARRIVES AND SEES THE BRIDESMAIDS FOR THE FIRST TIME

BRIDE TO BE AND CHIEF BRIDESMAID TO BE AT AS YOU LIKE IT IN NEWCASTLE

EVERYONE A BEAUTY .. TIME TO GET MARRIED!

OUR BRIDESMAIDS SUCCESSFULLY NEGOTIATE THE STEPS AND SPOTLIGHTS AND LOW LEVEL LIGHTING IN THE CEREMONY ROOM

YOU CAN SEE THE LOVE AND THE TEARS IN MORAG'S EYES AS SHE SYAS HER VOWS TO JONATHAN

WHAT? YOU DON'T BELIEVE THAT JONATHAN GOT THE METRO TO HIS OWN WEDDING? HERE'S THE EVIDENCE, AND I TOLD YOU IT WAS A SMALL INTIMATE AFFAIR!

DO WE LOVE THE WEDDING CAKE?

DO WE LOVE THE WEDDING CUP CAKES?

SIGN HERE PLEASE!

I GUESS THE J AND THE M STANDS FOR JONATHAN AND MORAG ....

SO .. JONATHAN IS A TREE SURGEON, HE KEPT PEICES OF WOOD FROM DIFFERENT TREES AND WHITTLED THEM AWAY TO MAKE PLACE SETTINGS AND NAPKING RINGS .. CLEVER EH?

ONE OF THE QUIRKY TABLE SETTINGS IN AS YOU LIKE IT FOR MORAG AND JONATHANS WEDDING

SMILE PLEASE ..... FATHER OF THE GROOM TAKES A FAMILY SNAPSHOT ... SOPHIE DECIDES TO PLAY FUNNY ....

DETAIL FROM MORAG'S STUNNING BALL GOWN SHE USED AS HER WEDDING DRESS

MORAG AND JONATHAN WITH JONATHANS PARENTS

MORAG AND JONATHAN WITH MORAG'S PARENTS

MORAG WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE LEOPARDSKIN SOMEWHERE FOR HER WEDDING DAY!

A BEAUTIFUL BRIDAL PORTRAI OF JONATHANS NEW WIFE!

... AND A KEEPSAKE FOR JONATHAN ON HIS WEDDING DAY TOO ...

DETAIL FROM THE AUTUMNAL WEDDING TABLE DECORATIONS

JONATHAN AS A TREE SURGEON SELECTED THE DIFFERENT WOOD FOR EACH TABLE TO BE WHITTLED AND CARVED AND BURNT FOR EACH GUEST AS A KEEPSAKE

JONATHAN AS A TREE SURGEON SELECTED THE DIFFERENT WOOD FOR EACH TABLE TO BE WHITTLED AND CARVED AND BURNT FOR EACH GUEST AS A KEEPSAKE .. AND THIS IS THE OTHER SIDE

HAPPY DAYS FOR THE HAPPY COUPLE

THAT LOVELY FUR STOLE COMES IN HANDY AS THE TEMPERATURE DROPS OUTSIDE AS YOU LIKE IT IN NEWCASTLE

LOVE IS ... MORAG AND JONATHAN .. TRULY IN LOVE!

... AND WITH THE LIGHT DISAPPEARING FAST .. .TIME FOR A QUICK GROUP PHOTOGRAPH!

Small intimate weddings with 20 or 30 close friends and family in boutique hotels, cafe's and restaurants are as attractive to me as grand weddings in country houses with hundreds of guests - often they are more fun too.
That's why I always have an option for my prospective brides and grooms that I will offer the service for those brides and grooms who really enjoy the happy, natural photography I produce from a wedding, just as long as they understand, that for me, the chemistry between us is more important to me than the photography!
The photography should always be good or excellent as I have been a professional photographer for so long, for me it's all about trust and confidence - and in Morag and Joanathan, I just knew their small intimate wedding planned and executed in a matter of weeks would be a whole load of fun!
I booked and met with the happy couple at As You Like It, a quirky, homely 'Eating House' and 'Terrace' which has dark ceilings, low level lighting, little available light and it's the sort of place that brides will love - all lit with fairy lights and spotlights, but a place that is REALLY challenging for a photographer.
I think all three of us got a good vibe from each other .... Morag and Jonathan 'knew' each other for years, the were on the peripheral of each others social circles in their hometown of Morpeth in Northumberland.
Both came out of unsuccessful relationships, and by their own admission were not sure that they would meet anyone else, let alone fall in love again and commit, but after one particularly 'fun' weekend, they got talking in the garden of a local pub, and something clicked, something BIG clicked, and after a whirlwind romance, with their friends and families urging them on, they decided to marry as soon as possible - and after being with them and their friends and family for many hours, I'm so sure they are so right for each other!
I met with families before the simple civil ceremony, and spent time photographing relaxed and natural photographs of everyone mingling and drinking in As You Like It after the ceremony, before taking five minutes out to get some portaits of the happy couple before grabbing a quick group shot out on the terrace and photographing the speeches.
There was love and happiness everywhere, and both Morag and Jonathan had tears and smiles for each other ... I hope you enjoy a small selection of photographs from their wedding and it gives you an insight and a feel for their relaxed wedding day at As You Like It in Newcastle.

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

BEAMISH WEDDING REVIEW FROM CATHY AND DAVE

2011-10-30T22:44:00.001Z

CATHY AND HER BEAUTIFUL WEDDING GOWN AND BOUQUET AT BEAMISH PARK HOTEL

Cathy and David were a great couple to work with on their wedding day, starting out at Beamish Park Hotel, before heading over to St Mary's Church Ponteland and then heading back to Beamish park Hotel for their wedding breakfast with their closest family and friends.

Unfortunately, I have been unable to BLOG about this wedding as I usually do, for security purposes.

That happens a few times a year, but I have been given special permission to use one image which doesn't identify my lovely couple to go with this review of their time spent with me.

".... When we first started looking for wedding photographers, we realised it wasn’t going to be easy.

All the websites of the photographers we stumbled across showed photograph upon photograph of formal, cheesy poses, brides and grooms peeping out from behind trees or set up ‘wacky’ faces from the bridal party.

Not exactly photos you’d want to have on your living room wall for years to come...

In a moment of frustration, I think I typed something like ‘relaxed wedding photography, no cheesy poses’ into Google and Hey Presto, Dirk’s name came up!

From our first meeting, we knew we weren’t going to have to look anywhere else for our wedding photography.
Dirk knew exactly what we wanted, but answered all our questions, and he was even happy to meet the parents before the big day. Even though he encouraged us to look around and make sure we were happy with our choice, we didn’t bother, knowing that Dirk would do the job exactly as we wanted.
And Dirk didn’t disappoint!
Despite the torrential rain on our pre-wedding shoot, we had a fun and relaxed afternoon in Durham a few weeks before our wedding, and he settled all nerves by ensuring he stayed in contact right up until the big day.
I was so excited to get a text from him saying ‘I’m on site, will be there in a second!’ on the morning of our wedding, knowing that he would get some lovely shots right from when he arrived!
I’d read reviews on Dirk’s website about how well he fits in on the wedding day and sure enough, every single guest we spoke to after the wedding commented on him.
Everyone said what a lovely bloke he was – one guest even said ‘that was the only wedding photographer I’ve seen who I’ve actually liked – I usually want to punch them by the end of the day after they have made the guests wait around for three hours before herding them into some ridiculous formal pose’.
Dirk was the opposite – the group shots were taken in about a minute and every single person is smiling from ear to ear!
Dirk was with us from 11 until around 9 on the day of the wedding, and he was hard at work for every single second. He even became like a third bridesmaid (minus the dress…), helping me with flowers and gifts when I was looking a little overwhelmed!
He took us away during the lull before the disco for a maximum of five minutes to get some photographs of the two of us alone – nobody even noticed we had gone and they turned out to be some of our favourite pictures!
Because of our jobs, we had asked Dirk if he wouldn’t mind leaving our photographs off Facebook and his BLOG, and we were very grateful to him for respecting our wishes.
Our photographs were ready for viewing less than a week after the wedding, and a gorgeous box with over 600 photographs was waiting for us on our return from honeymoon.
We love every single picture as they are so relaxed and everyone looks so happy – the photographs really tell the story of the day and we’ve looked at them over and over again since the wedding.
Thank you, Dirk – we couldn’t have picked a better wedding photographer!
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

MATFEN HALL WEDDING REVIEW FROM CATE AND ANDREW

2011-10-30T19:35:00.001Z

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

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

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

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

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!

Cate and Andrew are a great couple and I had 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.... This is Cate's review of my part in her wedding to Andrew at Matfen Hall in Northumberland.
"Dirk had been a recommendation from a friend of my mam’s. We took a look at his blog and website, my mam snapped him straight up ... then we met him!
It could have been risky, but we loved the relaxed style of his photographs, and we had a lot of trust in the personal recommendation.
We did not need to worry.
Dirk came out to my parents’ house to meet us in Lanchester and he was full of energy and enthusiasm, and really made us feel confident he would deliver the photographs we wanted.
It’s obvious he loves his job, and the amount of brides he has as friends on Facebook is a clear marker to me that he’s great at his job, and cares about giving each of us the best photographs of our big day.
Dirk was thorough and professional throughout the whole journey. Our pre-wed shoot had Andrew on edge at first, but Dirk explained it’s better to get that feeling out of the way well before our wedding, and on the day we could relax knowing Dirk that little bit better, and comfortable he knew exactly what we wanted from him.
Our friends were oblivious that he was our professional photographer, fitting in so well and joining in the fun.
As expected, we had hundreds of photographs from Dirk to peruse from the long day.
All absolutely gorgeous!
He had captured the relaxed pictures of our friends and family just as we’d hoped. And even though we wanted to keep the group photos to a minimum, when we squeezed more in on the day, Dirk took it in his stride and kept us extremely happy.
He even found time to keep my bridesmaids happy with their photo requests!
Andrew and I hadn’t warned him that we had a special first dance planned, but he caught it all, and we’ve got magical photographs to remember it, with all our friend’s faces watching. Their reaction was priceless!
He stayed long into the evening, longer than he’d planned, but seemed to be enjoying spinning around in the middle of the ceilidh dancers, ducking inbetween, producing some great action shots!
After our wedding, Dirk kept in touch, ensuring we would get our perfect album, and we did. He swapped photographs around, trimmed and rearranged (even airbrushing annoying dress tags out of shot!).
I felt Dirk gave us a real personal treatment, so enthusiastic and excited about our day.
Seeing all his brides’ comments on facebook, you can tell he’s a complete professional, and he manages to give us all a five star treatment!
Thank you Dirk!! .... "
Cate and Andrew Key
SEE THE ORIGINAL SNEAK PEEK BLOG POST HERE
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!

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

Kathryn and Richard's Matfen Hall Wedding HERE

... AND GET IN THE MOOD WITH MY Northumberland weddings inspiration board HERE on Pinterest

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

WYNYARD HALL WEDDINGS: ALEX AND JON'S AUTUMN WEDDING AT WYNYARD HALL

2011-10-19T18:15:00.001+01:00

WYNYARD HALL GRAND ENTRACE BATHED IN AUTUMN SUNSHINE FOR THE WEDDING OF ALEX AND JON

ALEX CONCENTRATING ON HER EARRINGS AT WYNYARD HALL

BEAUTIFUL WEDDING BOUQUET TO GO WITH ALEX'S CLASSICAL MAGGIE SOTTERO DRESS

A MAGGIE SOTTERO DRESS FOR ALEX ... WAITING FOR IT'S PLACE AT THE CENTRE OF HER WEDDING TO JON AT WYNYARD HALL

ALEX IS VERY EXCITED TO TRY ON HER WEDDING DRESS AT WYNYARD HALL

YOU CAN FEEL THE EXCITEMENT IN THIS PHOTOGRAPH AS ALEXS SISTER HELPS HER WITH HER MAGGIE SOTTERO WEDDING DRESS AT WYNYARD HALL

THERE'S LOTS OF ACTION UNDER THE DRESS AT THIS POINT AND YOU NEED A LOT OF PEOPLE TO HELP OUT!

SUPER CHILLED .... AND TIME FOR CHANNEL ....

STILL TIME FOR A LAUGH AND A SMILE, EVEN THOUGH SHE IS THINKING ABOUT HER TWO YOUNG SONS

ALEX'S FATHER IS A VERY PROUD MAN!

THE CLASSICAL LINES OF A BEAUTIFUL MAGGIE SOTTERO WEDDING GOWN

ALEX EVEN HAS TIME FOR A WAVE TO HER FRIENDS AS SHE COMES DOWN THE AISLE TO GREET JON

SMILES ALL ROUND .... SHE'S AT THE FRONT, READY TO BE WED

A LOVELY DETAIL SHOT OF HER DRESS AND BOUQUET

HAPPY TO GET MARRIED .. ALEX LISTENS TO THE SERVICE

JON IS A VERY PROUD HUSBAND TO BE ..

THE WEDDING RING GOES ON .. NOT LONG NOW!

HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY ....... ALEX AND JON EMBRACE AS THEY ARE ANNOUNCED AS MAN AND WIFE AT WYNYARD HALL

JON'S MUM LOOKS PRETTY PLEASED TOO!

THE TENSION IS BROKEN AND IT'S TIME TO WALK OFF AND ENJOY THE WEDDING CELEBRATIONS AT WYNYARD HALL

STILL TIME TO TAKE THE APPLAUSE!

TWO OF THE BRIGHTEST COLOURED GUESTS AT WYNYARD HALL!

SISTERS, SISTERS ... HAPPY DAY FOR ALEX AND HER SISTER AND CHIEF BRIDESMAID!

THE BEST MAN MUST BE SOMEWHERE CLOSE BY ... ! JON TRIES TO ROUND LIAM UP FOR HIS PHOTOCALL!

... AND HERE HE IS! BEST MAN AND GROOM TOGETHER IN THE AUTUMN SUNSHINE AT JONS WEDDING AT WYNYARD HALL

THE BEAUTIFUL WEDDING CAKE AT WYNYARD HALL

TIME FOR A QUICK FORMAL PHOTOGRAPH OF THE BRIDE AND GROOM .. BACK TO THE FUN .. !

SMILES ALL ROUND FROM THE YOUNGER GUESTS

THE AUTUMN SUNSHINE MEANS THE YOUNGER GUESTS HEAD OUT INTO THE GROUNDS BEFORE THE SPEECHES!

GOOD NATURED BARRACKING FOR THE GROOM AND BEST MAN FROM THEIR FRIENDS AT WYNYARD HALL

MMMMM .. THE WEDDING BREAKFAST MENU AT WYNYARD COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

EVEN THE GUESTS FOUND THE TOP TABLE ANTICS FUNNY!

IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP LAUGHING SOMETIMES AT THE BEST MANS SPEECH

APPLAUSE ALL ROUND FOR THE BEST MAN LIAM'S SPEECH

CHEERS .. SPEECHES OUT OF THE WAY !

ALEX CATCHES THE LAST RAYS OF THE AUTUMN SUN AS I PHOTOGRAPH SOME BRIDAL PORTRAITS

LOVE THE HALF SILHOUETTE AND LIGHT ON THIS PHOTOGRAPN IN THE BALLROOM

ALL LOVE ON THE DANCEFLOOR

.. AND FRIENDS JOIN IN TOO AS THE PARTY REALLY GETS STARTED!

Wynyard Hall Country House Hotel has been a great addition to the wedding venue choices for brides getting married in the north of England.
It's a stunning venue full of history and now, after almost three years, it is firmly on the map of brides and grooms to be.
This year I have photographed five weddings there, each one different, each one personal and intimate in their own way, whether with 30 people or with 200 people.
Alex and Jon wanted a relaxing day, no pressure, no hassle and their two charming young sons were to be an important part of their day of celebration as they made their commitment to each other.
Alex and I had chatted quite a few times on the phone and by email and met twice before the wedding, and Jon joined us the second time at their home just a week or so before their wedding day at Wynyard.
I was booked for the wedding, because they knew I would just let them get on with having a great family celebration and capture almost all the photographs naturally, showing the fun and the happiness of the day, though we would also make time to make sure that parents were kept happy with key group shots that we managed to get through very quickly with a laugh and smile.
At most of my summer weddings this year I was wiping raindrops off my camera, so a glorious blue sky and bright sunshine greeted me on an October day back at Wynyard Hall .. what a treat!
Alex was busy with her youngest son when I arrived, so we sat and had a chat, just the three of us in her palatial room at Wynyard Hall ... sooo different from many brides and grooms, but Alex was REALLY chilled out! Jon was taking care of their elder son so I went off to have a look around the layout of the upcoming ceremony in the ballroom (my favourite room....) and the conservatory where the wedding breakfast was to be (again, my favourite room in Wynyard Hall for a wedding breakfast .. so light and airy and LOTS of space compared to other rooms).
I was back up to see Alex and the bridesmaids as they got ready - Alex in her Maggie Sotttero wedding dress, after saying hello to Jon as he arrived at the hall, and all was still relaxed and calm - and so it stayed as the time for Alex and Jon to get married.
Jon was pretty chilled out too and I had my fingers crossed that he would enjoy the day as much as Alex, it had been such a hectic past year for them both, but as she came down the aisle with her father Jon beamed a smile and Alex beamed an even bigger smile, and I think we all knew that it was going to be a really lovely day!
There were lots of nice informal images to be taken as all the guests and the happy couple kissed and cuddled and backslapped and bear hugged the guests, and as they all enjoyed the sunshine on the terrace overlooking the lake, we got our heads together and spent five or six minutes gathering Mums and Dads and siblings for some (less than ) formal groups, organised and taken with a smile and a laugh before we headed in for the wedding breakfast.
At the end of the wedding breakfast (thanks folks!) , the speeched came and went with huge smiles, whistling from guests and standing applause in particular parts, before Alex's parents and the newly weds headed of to their rooms to make sure their sons were changed and happy and comfortable before the evening celebrations!
Although it was dark now, it was a chance to get around a few more of the guests and get some more photographs to keep everyone happy, before the first dance with Jason Isaacs who kept everyone dancing for an hour.
Then it was time to leave .. I said my farewells and thanks for hospitality, everyone seemed very happy, and yet another guests says: " I didn't realise you were the professonal photographer, I just thought you were a member of the family ... ". Which how it works really. Result!
There will be more on Facebook in the coming days, so add me as a friend HERE
See Caroline and Antony's Wynyard Hall wedding HERE
View the sneak peek of Kirstey and Mark's wedding at Wynyard Hall HERE
See the sneak peek of Nikki and Steve's 2nd time around wedding HERE
Caroline's review of my photography on their day at Wynyard hall is HERE
View Nikki's review of me HERE .. and her husband Steve's review of my photography and customer experience HERE.
If you would like me to be a small but important part of your day at Wynyard Hall, all day coverage for 2012 / 2013, up to ten hours is £1495.00, weddings later in the day from £1100 and midweek intimate weddings at Wynyard Hall with just 25 guests or less - ring me NOW! Coverage includes superb customer service, great customer experience, a pre-wed portrait shoot with a signing in board, up to ten hours coverage of your celebrations, a presentation box with up to 500 hard copy prints of all your final edited digital images, a password protected website so you can show your wedding to those friends and relatives abroad or who were not able to travel and a CD of all your final edited images for you to make unlimited personal copies.
A3 wedding books with up to 40 pages and 180 images are from £400 with lots of options and choices.
Ring me on 0778 7150966 and tell me all about your wedding plans at Wynyard Hall, or any other wedding venue or location anywhere in the UK or your destination wedding anywhere in the world!
Don't delay, book today!
AN INSPIRATION BOARD OF MY RECENT WEDDINGS AT WYNYARD HALL COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

HEADLAM HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER REVIEW

2011-09-23T09:38:00.001+01:00

HEADLAM HALL THE VENUE FOR RACHEL AND JON'S WEDDING

HEADLAM HALL WEDDING: THE LOOK OF LOVE BETWEEN RACHEL AND JON

Wedding Photographer review HEADLAM HALL:

It's always nice to receive reviews for my work ... So, here's yet another one from one of my favourite wedding venues in the north, just a few miles from darlington in County Durham and a few miles from Richmond in North Yorkshire.

".....Rachel and I married in August at Headlam Hall.

We had previously met Dirk and were really impressed not only with his superb photography but also his very relaxed personality which fitted so well with what we were looking for.

We had our pre-wedding photos taken with Dirk by the river in Durham and I cannot recommend this highly enought to get rid of the reservations that I'm sure most people have about their wedding photos.

The day itself was fantastic. Both Rachel and I found Dirk's presence at the day most enjoyable.

He blended in when needed but sorted the all important group shots when the time came.
The guests all really warmed to Dirk and enjoyed his north-eastern wit - not easy for southerners!

We really felt Dirk listened to our wants and worked with us rather than a lot of photographers we met who offered 'a package' with little flexibility.

Our guests commented how refreshing it was to go to a wedding where the bride and groom spent time with their guests rather than being dragged away for hours to do the staged photographs!

Rachel and I would recommend Dirk unreservedly to anyone who is looking for a great photographer.

The proof is in the photographs - they were amazing and we can't wait for our albums now!...."

Jon and Rachel

If you would like me to photograph your wedding at Headlam Hall in 2012 or 2013, then ring me now on 0778 7160966 and tell me all about your plans. Photography from a 25 year professional photographer from £1100 - £1500 depending on the day, number of guests and time of year. SEE a sneak peek of 23 of their 400+ final edited images which tell the story of their day HERE

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS NORTH EAST NORTHUMBERLAND, NEWCASTLE, DURHAM AND DARLINGTON

2011-09-15T10:50:00.001+01:00

NORTH EAST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND IN A REPORTAGE STYLE - RELAXED AND CAPTURING YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS NATURALLY

NORTH EAST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: TRADITIONAL NORTH EAST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY, BUT NATURAL AND WITH WARM AND USING NATURAL LIGHT

NORTH EAST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SHOULD BE RELAXED AND FUN - LAUGHING IS ALL PART OF YOUR WEDDING CELEBRATIONS!

RAIN OR SHINE, YOUR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY CAN BE RELAXED AND GREAT FUN WITH DIRK VAN DER WERFF

IF YOU WOULD LIKIE PHOTOGRAPHS A BIT DIFFERENT AND DRAMATIC, THEN WORK WITH DIRK VAN DER WERFF TO PRODUCE THE IMAGES YOU NEED .. QUICKLY AND WITH AA SMILE!

NORTH EAST WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS: ... AND WHEN THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENS AT YOUR WEDDING DIRK VAN DER WERFF IS THERE TO CAPTURE IT FOREVER!

IF YOUR NORTH EAST WEDDING IS SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT - LIKE THIS LOVELY ALICE IN WONDERLAND THEMED WEDDING PARTY AT ELLINGHAM HALL IN NORTHUMBERLAND, YOU NEED DIRK VAN DER WERFF ON YOUR GUEST LIST TO CAPTURE THE FUN!

There are many hundreds of wedding photographers in north east England from Northumberland and The Borders region down to Bamburgh and Alnwick to Alnmouth and Hexham across to Tynemouth, Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham stretching as far as Hartlepool and Darlington and across to the Durham Dales and the borders of north Yorkshire.
There are many mixes of styles of wedding photography from all these wedding photographers, from reportage wedding photos to documentary wedding style approach to a mix of wedding photography including traditional wedding photography.
It must be very hard for the prospective bride and groom to pick their wedding photographer, and even now with over 30 years experience as a full time professional photographer, I still think it must be such a difficult task to choose your wedding photographer, but having photographed hundreds of weddings across the north east of England and across the UK and abroad with destination weddings, more and more 21st century brides and grooms are looking for more in their wedding photography - they want a relaxing day, no bother, no hassle, no one stopping and starting and directing their day.
More and more brides and grooms look for an established north east wedding photographer with an outstanding reputation, superb recent reviews, amazing wedding photography from each and every north east wedding, with happiness and natural images captured EVERY time.
I am honoured each time a bride and groom -and often their parents after interviewing me, invest a considerable amount of money in having me as part of their wonderful wedding celebrations.
If you would like me to be a small but important part of your wedding, capturing images naturally and becoming a part of your family for the day, ring me now on 0778 7150966 and let me tell you how it all works, and tell me all about your north east wedding celebrations!
My latest wedding reviews, recommendations and testomionials are HERE and HERE, a link to EVERY one of my 2011 weddings is HERE where you can view a sneak peek of between 25-50 images I created at each and every wedding.
I only photograph 30 weddings each year - I never want my wedding photography in north east England to become a production line, I want to remember and look forward to every one of my brides and grooms and your special day, and after 30 years as a professional photographer, I retain my enthusiasm for every wedding - that says something about my passion for wedding photography ion the north east of England.

HAVE A LOOK AT THESE NORTHUMBERLAND AND NEWCASTLE WEDDINGS I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED RECENTLY!

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

Kathryn and Richard's Matfen Hall Wedding HERE

Cate and Jon's wedding at Lanchester and Matfen Hall HERE

... AND GET IN THE MOOD WITH MY Northumberland weddings inspiration board HERE on Pinterest

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

HARTLEPOOL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR SARAH AND MARTYN

2011-09-14T10:12:00.001+01:00

HARTLEPOOL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH'S SHOES READY TO WALK HER DOWN THE AISLE

HARTLEPOOL WEDDING PHOTO: ANOTHER ANGLE OF SARAH'S SHOES

HARTLEPOOL WEDDING VENUE: THE VENUE FOR SARAH AND MARTY'S WEDDING, THE NEWLY REFURBISHED SEAFRONT HOTEL AT SEATON CAREW HARTLEPOOL

PEPPA PIG WANTED TO COME TO THE WEDDING TOO ...

I RATHER LIKED THIS IMAGE OF SARAH'S MAGGIE SOTTERO WEDDING GOWN .... BUT

I RATHER LIKED THIS PHOTOGRAPH OF IT TOO ...

HELPING GET THE BRIDESMAID READY .. ESPECIALLY THE LOVELY SHOES ...

HARTLEPOOL WEDDINGS PHOTOGRAPHERS: WHERE AS AN OLDER BRIDESMAID GETS HER OWN SHOES READY

THE LOVELY CONTRAST OF COLOURS OF HER BOUQUET AGAINST SARAH'S IVORY WEDDING GOWN

A LITTLE BIT OF FEMININE HELP NEEDED WITH ALL THESE THREADS AND BOWS ON SARAH'S GLORIOUS MAGGIE SOTTERO WEDDING GOWN

DETAIL FROM THE FRONT OF SARAH'S WEDDING DRESS

LAST MINUTE NERVES FOR THE YOUNG BRIDESMAID AS SHE IS COMFORTED BY HER MUM

A GLOWING SMILE FROM SARAH AS SHE GREETS MARTY AFTER THE WALK DOWN THE AISLE WITH HER FATHER

THE BEAUTIFUL ST JOSEPHS CATHOLIC CHURCH IN HARTLEPOOL WHERE SARAH MARRIED MARTY

SARAH IS STILL SMILING AS I GLIMPSE HER BETWEEN THE BEST MEN!

.. AND LOOKING GOOD TOO AS SHE ARRIVES AT THE BLUSTERY COAST

MARTY LOOKS LIKE A CAT THAT HAS NICKED THE MILK .. AND OF COURSE, HE HAS!

ALL SMILES AS FRIENDS AND RELATIVES TAKE THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS

TIME FOR A FEW MOMENTS FOR THEMSELVES

A BEAUTIFUL SARAH RESTS AGAINST THE PIANO IN THE DINING ROOM AT THE STAINCLIFFE HOTEL

THE SPEECHES WERE OBVIOUSLY ENTERTAINING .....

.. EVEN SARAH'S FATHER JOINED IN THE FUN!

.. AND MARTY'S PARENTS SAW THE FUNNY SIDE TOO ...

BUT THE BIGGEST LAUGHS WERE WHEN MARTY COCKED IT ALL UP RIGHT AT THE END!

SARAH GETS THE CHANCE TO TRY ON HER WEDDING PRESENT FROM MARTY .. JIMMY CHOO SUNGLASSES FOR THEIR HONEYMOON IN ARUBA!

TIME FOR A FEW BRIDAL PORTRAITS - I LOVE THIS BLACK AND WHITE IMAGE

A NICE REFLECTION IN THE MIRROR OF SARAH IN HER WEDDING GOWN

SARAH LOOKS GREAT - SHE WAS SMILING ALL DAY LONG AT HER WEDDING

A LOVELY PORTRAIT OF SARAH AND MARTY .. A COUPLE VERY MUCH IN LOVE!

HAPPY AND CONTENT.. AND SO MUCH IN LOVE - SARAH AND MARTY TOGETHER AS HUSBAND AND WIFE

I was born and bred in Hartlepool on the north east coast of England, but over the past 10 years or so it's been rare that I have photographed weddings in my home town where I still live.

I have photographed lots of Hartlepool brides at wedding venues across the north or England from Langley Castle in Northumberland to The Crab and Lobster in North Yorkshire, the grand Wynyard Hall just 10 miles inland or the outstanding new 5 star wedding venue at Rockliffe Hall on the borders of Durham and North Yorkshire - even on the Greek island of Corfu!
I have photographed Hartlepool brides as far out as The Morritt near Greta Bridge on the Penines and next year I will be photographing brides and grooms from Hartlepool in Hertfordshire and Cumbria.
The exclusive use venues in the town haven't changed, but they are looking more attractive for local brides due to extensive refurbishment, the Staincliffe Hotel on the seafront at Seaton Carew being one of them.
Sarah and Martyn contacted me after enjoying the relaxed wedding photography I produced on my BLOG and on my Facebook page, and they both knew that they didn't want to be standing around all day having endless group photographs done like many of the weddings they have attended themselves, they just wanted me to be a part of their families for the day and capture the fun and the atmosphere of their very special day with their 200 guests.
A light airy room overlooking the seafront was where I met Sarah early on the morning of her wedding to capture lots of detail shots and of course her and her bridesmaids getting ready and some photographs of her amazingly different Maggie Sottero wedding gown. She wanted a Greek Goddess / Cleopatra look and she pulled it off spectacularly!
It was nice when all her closest family gathered before she left the hotel for a bottle of champagne and cheers all round to wish her well for the day.
Martyn, or Marty as he was known to everyone is a cool guy, chilled out with not a worry about him, and as he says, almost as soon as he had met sarah just over 2 years ago, he knew they were right for each other and they set off on their journey of life together at St Joseph's catholic Church, one of the finest churches in Hartlepool.
I had met with parents and close friends a week before during the rehearsal (all part of the service .. ) so it was good that they knew how I was to photograph the wedding and how they all knew I was there for them as family as well as for Sarah and Marty.
Although Sarah was 15 minutes late because of the traffic, Marty stayed cool and I could see he was blown away by his beautiful bride to be as she came down the aisle toward him!
After three lovely readings from friends and the rest of the service we were out into the bright sunlight for kisses and cuddles, backslaps and bearhugs from their family and friends before we headed over to the coast for their wedding breakfast.
The Staincliffe Hotel doesn't have much outdoor space unfortunately, but it is nicely decorated throughout since it's recent refurbishment and this gave me an opportunity as people gathered to grab the happy couple for a few portraits around the piano in the dining room and around the grand staircase.
The speeches allowed for some fun photographs and plenty of smiling faces and then I followed the bride and groom around the tables as they chatted to their guests.
Outside I managed traditional wedding groups with a long lens to disguise the lack of greenery and cracked enough jokes to keep everyone smiling for the ten minutes I needed to keep grandparents happy and make some images of record on this special day for the families.
Later on, I made some nice photographs of Sarah with her VERY expensive Jimmy Choo sunglasses purchased by Marty as a wedding gift for their honeymoon on the sun-kissed beaches of Aruba in the southern Caribbean.
Three live bands finished off the evening with the bride and groom insisting there was to be no traditonal first dance! I'm all for something different at weddings, and Sarah and Marty had the best day of their lives at their family wedding in Hartlepool and it was a joy to be allowed to be a small but important part of their wedding celebrations!

YORKSHIRE WEDDING AT CRATHORNE HALL FOR HELEN AND IAN

2011-09-10T13:47:00.001+01:00

HELEN'S BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS AT CRATHORNE HALL FOR HER WEDDING

WEDDING SHOES AT THE READY AT CRATHORNE HALL

A BEAUTIFUL HAIRPIECE FOR HELENS WEDDING

BEAUTIFUL DETAIL IN TIA'S HAIR FOR HELEN'S WEDDING TO IAN AT CRATHORNE HALL

ORDER OF SERVICE FOR CRATHORNE HALL

HELEN LOOKING PRETTY COOL AND FOCUSSED JUST BEFORE HER FATHER ARRIVES IN THE ROOM - LAST MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS FROM BRIDESMAID TIA

HELENS LOVELY MARK LESLEY WEDDING GOWN SHOW OFF TO PERFECTION

A WARM GREETING FOR HELENS FATHER

HELEN AND TIA OFF DOWN THE STAIRCASE TO HER WEDDING AT CRATHORNE HALL

HAPPY TIMES .. JUST A MINUTE BEFORE SHE HEADS DOWN THE AISLE TO MARRY IAN .. SMILES FROM HELEN AND HER FATHER AT CRATHORNE HALL

I'M BEHIND YOU! HELEN HEADS DOWN THE AISLE TO GREET IAN - HER HUSBAND TO BE

I DO .. IAN PLACES THE RING ON HELEN'S FINGER AT CRATHORNE HALL

WE DID IT! AFTER 23 YEARS TOGETHER HELEN CELEBRATES!

A FEW MOMENTS ON THEIR OWN STRAIGT AFTER THEIR WEDDING AT CRATHORNE HALL

MUCH AS IAN HATES HAVING HIS PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN .... HE WAS STARTING TO CHILL OUT!

JAMES POND I PRESUME ... FUN FOR HELEN'S FATHER AT CRATHORNE HALL!

THE WEDDING TURNED INTO A BIT OF A GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORAL .. WHAT CAN I SAY?

THE WEDDING ROOM ALL DRESSED AND BEAUTIFUL AT CRATHORNE HALL

THE TABLES ALL SET AT CRATHORNE HALL

TIME FOR A QUICK BRIDAL PORTRAIT THROUGH THE CANDLES FOR HELEN ...

MMMM .. GOATS CHEESE TART .. FIRST COURSE!

DOES IAN LOOK LIKE A MAN WHO HATES HAVING HIS PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN?

I SAID ... DOES IAN LOOK LIKE A MAN WHO HATES HAVING HIS PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN?

... AND HAPPINESS TOO FROM HELEN DURING THE EXCELLENT SPEECHES!

IT LOOKS AS THOUGH IAN HAS SURPRISED HIM MUM - AND HELEN!

HAPPINESS ALL OVER HELENS FACE!

AND A SPECIAL WORD IN THE EAR FOR HS WIFE!

WHICH SHE APPRECIATES TOO!

AND A KISS TO SEAL HELEN'S GREAT WEDDING AT CRATHORNE HALL ....

SO ... THERE WERE THESE HEART SHAPED ITEMS ON ALL THE TABLES, CUT OUT FROM MILLS AND BOON BOOKS .. AND A COMPETITION STARTED AS TO WHO COULD FIND THE RUDEST PASSAGES ...

THIS WAS PRETTY RUDE, OBVIOUSLY!

TIA'S REACTION SUGGESTS THIS WAS EXTREMELY RUDE TOO!

CAUGHT IN THE ACT ! A LITTLE BEHIND THE SCENES SHOT AS WE GET HELEN READY FOR A SHOT THAT WILL SHOW OFF HER MARK LESLEY BRIDAL WEDDING DRESS AT ITS BEST!

ET VOILA! .... I THINK IT WORKS!

There are some weddings which are not quite as straightforward as others.
Helen's wedding to Ian at Crathorne Hall in North Yorkshire was one such wedding - Ian HATES having his photograph taken so much, that I had to dispense with my usual pre-wedding shoot!
So we met again at Newcastle where Helen and Ian live on the Quayside , and theirs is a real love story as they have known each other from school - 23 years ago!
I usually spend an hour or two with my brides and grooms six or eight weeks before the weding, as it's good to catch up and chat about the forthcoming fun, and also grab a few photographs, the best of which we can get framed for the cake table or perhaps use as a signing board for guests, but having a pot of tea and a beer was good enough this time and I think Ian was convinced that I could capture all his happiness and emotions without making him aware of me being in his personal space! Helen was cool about it all and when it came to the day she was really chilled out in her suite at Crathorne Hall.
It was nice to meet her Mum too and Tia her bridesmaid as they giggled and laughed while they were getting their hair and make-up done.
Crathorne Hall is such a wonderful wedding venue, and this past year I have had 5 brides there, the serice and staff are first class and none of the dozen brides or so from the last two or three years have ever had a bad word about Crathorne Hall as their wedding venue!
I'd shook Ian by the hand and wished him well as I had arrived and although wary for the first ten or fifteen minutes, he relaxed so much that great photographs of him enjoying every minute of his weding to Helen were no problem!
The weather wasn't brilliant, but we grabbed some time after the ceremony to get key family photographs sorted out, and the young guests that had bubble guns with them were too good an opportunity for friends and relatives to miss - especially Helens father, I called him James Pond!
I then photographed various friends and relatives and family combinations before and after the wedding breakfast - the quality of which was outstanding as ever at Crathorne Hall (thanks folks for your hospitality!).
I managed to grab Helen for a few photographs around the building before I left them to dance the night away .. . and I an was still smiling and enjoying his very special day - naturally!
If you would like me to be your official photographer at Crathorne hall or anywhere else in North Yorkshire, ring me now on 0778 7150966 and tell me all about your plans!
See my other recent 2011 CRATHORNE HALL WEDDINGS .....
A sneak peek of Dan and Sarah's Crathorne Hall wedding HERE
READ THEIR REVIEW OF ME HERE
A sneak peek of Sarah and Lee's Crathorne Hall wedding HERE
A look at Catherine and Chris's Crathorne Hall wedding HERE
A look at Jo and Jez's Crathorne Hall wedding HERE
VIEW MY INSPIRATION BOARD FROM PREVIOUS WEDDINGS AT CRATHORNE HALL HERE
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

MIDDLETON LODGE RICHMOND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

2011-09-08T17:07:00.001+01:00

GETTING THE BRIDE READY BY WINDOW LIGHT ...

HALF BOTTLES OF CHAMPAGNE WITH STRAWS ANYONE?

A SPRING WEDDING MEANS LOTS OF BLUEBELLS IN YOUR PHOTOGRAPHS

OUR BRIDE ALL BEAUTIFUL AND READY TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE

THE KISS .. IT MUST BE LOVE!

THE BRIDE AND GROOM - ON THE SECOND DAY OF THEIR LONG WEEKEND WEDDING GETTAWAY WITH FRIENDS

HIRING A PRIVATE HOUSE FOR A LONG WEEKEND WEDDING CELEBRATION IS VERY POPULAR IN NORTH YORKSHIRE AND IN NORTHUMBERLAND.

One of the latest weddings I photographed celebrated not just a wedding on the Saturday, but featured and Alice in Wonderland Themed Tea party on the Sunday - with everyone in fancy dress!
Middleton Lodge is a charming private country house in North Yorkshire. Set in 250 acres of private country parkland, it was built in 1780 by architect John Carr of York. For over 30 years this impressive Georgian mansion and has been home to the Allison family who have dedicated themselves to restoring the Estate to its former glory.

Over the last few years Middleton lodge has become one of the country’s most unique settings for weddings, corporate conferences, film shoots, photo shoots and for special celebrations such as wedding anniversaries.

Nestling in the midst of rolling Yorkshire countryside, Middleton Lodge and its 250 acre Georgian estate offers the perfect setting for a traditional country wedding party – with a slightly modern twist.

Middleton Lodge can hold Civil Ceremonies for up to 120 guests, Receptions in the house can seat up to 46 dinner guests and marquee wedding at Middleton Lodge between 65 and 180 dinner guests.

They have their own wedding license, vast grounds, ample parking, numerous spaces for eating and drinking, and 17 individually designed bedrooms.
If you would like me to be the official wedding photographer at Middleton Lodge near Richmond in North Yorkshire, ring me now on 0778 7150966 - don't lose your date

VIEW a sneak peek of Jayne and Stephen's marquee wedding in North Yorkshire HERE

Enjoy a sneak peek of Sarah and Josh's Richmond North Yorkshire English Country Garden Wedding HERE

Enjoy Andrea and Peter's North Yorkshire wedding at the Crab and Lobster near Asenby, Thirsk HERE

Have a look at the sneak peek of Charlotte and Graeme's marquee wedding HERE

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

REDWORTH HALL WEDDING FAIR 2011

2011-09-08T13:07:00.001+01:00

CLAIRE AND JAMIE IN THE GREAT HALL FOR THEIR REDWORTH HALL WEDDING

THE GREAT HALL AT REDWORTH HALL - IDEAL FOR YOUR OWN WEDDING

If you are planning a wedding for 2012 / 2013 then there's an opportunity for you to check out the latest wedding photography and wedding dresses and cars and a whole host of accessories for weddings at Hotel Barceló Redworth Hall Hotel a beautiful Jacobean country manor with dramatic grounds which makes a perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs.

Come and meet the region's premier wedding professionals in the beautiful surroundings of this stunning country manor house and take inspiration from the bridal fashion show featuring the latest bridal trends.
FOR NATURAL, RELAXED WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY THAT YOU WILL TREASURE FOREVER SEE MY SNEAK PEEK OF CLAIRE AND JAMIE'S WEDDING AT REDWORTH HALL HERE
You will also have the opportunity to see the historic Great Hall with polished wooden floors, oak panelling and two grand stone fireplaces set out for a wedding adorned with beautiful flowers and romantic candles.

Set in 150 acres of beautiful landscaped grounds and steeped with character, imagine pulling up the woodland driveway, past magnificent lawns and stepping out to a red carpet reception.This Jacobean manor house dates back to1744 with many original features including the magnificent Great Hall, ornate staircase, lavishly decorated lounges and the properties most desirable bedrooms. For larger occasions you may choose the more modern Prince Bishop Suite decorated in light gold, cream and burgundy this room offers a very light and airy ambience with sash windows adorned with rich fabrics. Alternatively The Surtees Suite is a large function room with windows down one side overlooking the grounds, complete with a private bar and lounge area. Both rooms can cater for up to 300 guests and have a private bar.

VIEW DAVID AND ANNE'S REVIEW OF MY PERFORMANCE AS THEIR OFFICIAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AT REDWORTH HALL HERE.

If you are having a wedding in Middlesbrough, perhaps an Asian wedding, on Teeside or in Darlington or Whitby or on the North York Moors, Ripon or Thirsk or Northallerton, ring me in the office on 01429 423165 or on my mobile 0778 7150966 and let's talk about the plans for your wedding. If you would like to progress to a meeting, without obligation, I will travel to meet you!

READ MY WEDDING REVIEWS HERE

READ ABOUT COST / PRICES / INVESTMENT HERE

REDWORTH HALL WEDDING FAIR AND BRIDAL FASHION SHOW IS ON SUNDAY 9TH OCTOBER 2011 BETWEEN 12.00PM - 4.00PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.

DIRK VAN DER WERFF 2011

MIDDLESBROUGH WEDDING FAIR

2011-09-08T13:01:00.000+01:00

WHY NOT BOOK A SMALL INTIMATE WEDDING AT WYNYARD GOLF CLUB ON TEESSIDE

GARETH AND KATHRYN AT CRATHORNE HALL - WITHIN EASY REACH OF TEESSIDE / CLEVELAND NORTH YORKSHIRE

If you are planning a wedding for 2012 / 2013 then there's an opportunity for you to check out the latest wedding photography and wedding dresses and cars and a whole host of accessories for weddings at the Middlesbrough Wedding Fair and Bridal Fashion Show at the Thistle Hotel Middlesbrough.
There's canapes and champagne on arrival with the opportunity to register for a prize draw to win dinner bed & breakfast for two people at the hotel.
Bride to be's attending will receive a complimentary bridal goody bag and the latest designs in bridalwear in the featured fashion show at 7pm.
There will be an array of wedding experts for you to chat to at the fayre from bridalwear, groomswear, cakes and flowers to teeth whitening, fun casinos, cars and there will even be travel experts on hand so you an even make your honeymoon plans. With live musicians also performing it will be the perfect ambience for you to browse and chat at your leisure and get inspiration for your very special day.
The hotel offers a number of different wedding packages with a special discounted package that is available year round. Their experienced and professional team will be on hand at the wedding fayre to discuss your wedding plans.

The Middlesbrough and Cleveland areas have some GREAT wedding venues within a 20 or 30 mile radius, from Gisborough Hall, to Rushpool Hall at Saltburn and Grinkle Park with Judges Country House at Yarm and the magnificent Crathorne Hall.

You're just a hop-step-and-a-jump away from the wonderful Wynyard Hall, Rockliffe Hall a new 5 star wedding venue at Hurworth near Darlington and Redworth Hall Hotel, with options also for getting married at my favourite smaller exclusive use wedding venue Headlam Hall.

ASIAN WEDDINGS ARE HELD AT MIDDLESBROUGH TOWN HALL - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

READ MY WEDDING REVIEWS HERE

READ ABOUT COST / PRICES / INVESTMENT HERE

MIDDLESBROUGH WEDDING FAIR AND BRIDAL FASHION SHOW IS ON AT THE THISTLE HOTEL MIDLESBROUGH ON THURSDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2011 BETWEEN 6.00PM - 8.30PM. ADMISSION IS FREE.

DIRK VAN DER WERFF 2011

WEDDING AT MALMAISON NEWCASTLE AND MINSTERACRES NORTHUMBERLAND FOR STEPH AND BILL

2011-09-02T12:52:00.001+01:00

STEPH'S BEAUTIFUL KATHY IRELAND SILK WEDDING GOWN

STEPH'S LOVELY WEDDING SHOES ... SOMETHING DIFFERENT ....

DANCING TONIGHT ANYONE .... BRIDESMAID ZOE SHOWS HOW IT'S DONE

CHECK OUT THOSE SHOES!

LOOKING GOOD ON NEWCASTLE QUAYSIDE

NICE POSING FROM STEPH BEFORE HER WEDDING CEREMONY IN NORTHUMBERLAND

MINSTERACRES .. A RELIGIOUS RETREAT IN NORTHUMBERLAND

THE BEAUTIFUL ORNAMENTAL TOWER ON THE CHAPEL AT MINSTERACRES IN NORTHUMBERLAND

BILL LIGHTING THE CANDLES AT THE CHAPEL AT MINSTERACRES TO WELCOME THE GUESTS TO HIS WEDDING TO STEPH

THE BEAUTIFUL STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AT MINSTERACRES CAST THEIR DANCING COLOURS ON THE PEWS IN THE CHAPEL

ORDER OF SERVICES READY FOR GUESTS

LOVE THE COLOURS IN THIS......

STEPH RELAXED AND HAPPY JUST BEFORE SHE WALKED DOWN THE AISLE WITH HER GRANDFATHER

LOOKING GOOD AS SHE WALKS DOWN THE AISLE WITH HER DAUGHTER, BRIDESMAID AND GRANDFATHER AT MINSTERACRES IN NORTHUMBERLAND

HAPPY FACES DURING THE CEREMONY

BILL AND STEPH GET A FIT OF GIGGLES .. I THINK IT WAS WHEN FATHER MARK ACCIDENTALLY CALLED HIM PETER .. STEPH SEEMS TO THINK IT WAS WHEN NINE YEAR OLD AARON, WHO WAS BEST MAN, ASKED FOR A £5 RANSOM FOR HANDING OVER THE RINGS! COMEDY GOLD!

THE BEAUTIFUL CHAPEL AT MINSTERACRES, NORTHUMBERLAND

CHAMPAGNE ANYONE?

THERE'S NO TIME TO LOSE ......

A SURPRISE AT THE WINDOW FROM AARON ....

STEPH HAS WEDDING DAY FUN WITH THE BANGSHEES!

IT LOOKS JUST LIKE THEM!

STEPH REALLY ENJOYING HER WEDDING

THE BEST MAN MAKES THE MESSAGE CLEAR!

TIME FOR A FEW MOMENTS ....... THE KISS

INTIMATE MOMENTS IN THE WOODLANDS AROUND MINSTERACRES

A NIGHT-TIME KISS ON THE MILLENIUM BRIDGE AT NEWCASTLE AFTER A FANTASTIC DAY OF CELEBRATION

LEEK AND PROSCIUTTO TERRINE, SPICED PEARS .. PRIVATE DINING AT MALMAISON NEWCASTLE

THERE WAS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE CHUNKY CHIPS!

STEPH HEADS INTO THE KITCHENS TO THANK HEAD CHEF DREW HERON

... AND IT'S CUDDLES ALL ROUND FOR STEPH AND DREW AS SHE THANKS HIM FOR THE MAGNIFICENT PRIVATE DINING WEDDING BREAKFAST HE AND HIS TEAM PREPARED!

Steph and Bill wanted a small intimate wedding with their closest family and friends at Stephs childhood church at Minsteracres in Northumberland, now a religious retreat. The church itself is quite beautiful surrounded by hundreds of acres of grounds near to Slaley Hall.
They chose the Malmaison Hotel on Newcastle Quayside to be based and where they would also share the Private Dining experience with their wedding breakfast guests.
Steph and Bill were actually married in Kendal in the Lake District the week before, and had their convalidation celebration at Minsteracres.
Just 20 guests and friends made this a truly intimate small wedding occassion and I caught up with Steph at the Malmaison in Newcastle to make sure I captured some lovely images of her daughter Zoe and her bridesmaid before they set off for the hour long drive into Northumberland from Newcastle Quayside.
I loved her silk Kathy Ireland wedding gown and made sure it looked its best as I worked around Steph's hairdresser and arriving guests.
Steph was insistant that we headed off onto the Quayside and the Millenium Bridge in Newcastle for some photographs before we all set off for her ceremony ... good call! The weather was warm and slightly overcast as we had some fun on the bridge!
Minsteracres is such a beautioful location for any wedding, especially impressive is the hundreds of metres of beautiful pine trees lining the long drive to the retreat.
The church itself is something else, quite one of the prettiest and most beautiful churches where I have photographed a wedding!
As I arrived, Bill was lighting candles and Steph's brother turned up too. Before long Steph and her daughter and bridesmaid arrived and headed to the library and the drawing room as she was a little early, luckily she met her Grandfather there who was to walk her down the aisle.
Soon everyone was gathered and Father Mark, a sprightly 86 and Steph's childhood priest since she was eight years of age, and who said he would always be pleased to marry her, greeted Steph at the door and she was off down the aisle!
There were some lovely heartfelt readings, and a comedy moment too when William turned to Bill and then turned to Peter for some strange reason during the ceremony, which turned them both into a fit of giggles!
I loved the part where Aaron (the best man at the age of eight) rubbed Bill's back as he was making his commitment to his Mum .. and Bill appreciated it too!
As soon as it was started, the lovely ceremony was over and we headed into the garden for kisses and bearhugs and shaking of hands when Steph sprung a surprise on everyone by hiring an all female drumming band, the Bangshees .... it reminded her of the Kendal Torchlight Festival which she organised for a few years where she enjoyed madly dancing along with similar bands.
Steph is totally left-field and all the more fun to be with .. what a great touch and it just shows how you can totally personalise your wedding nowadays!
Beautiful wedding cake served with top quality champagne in the drawing room at Minsteracres, before a private moment for Steph as I walked her to the graveyeard so she could place her flowers on the her grandmother's grave. I then called Bill across and I photographed the happy, giggling, laughing couple in amongst those beautiful 100ft plus trees.
Then we headed off to The Malmaison where the private Chateux Mal lounge was set aside for us to chill out before we headed in to the private dining area for a quite MAGNIFICENT wedding breakfast ... absolutely superb food. Outstanding qualty!
Steph had even ordered a buttonhole for me earlier in the day, and she added: "It wouldn't be right to share my wedding table with you not wearing a buttonhole like everyone else!"
She thinks of everything, and her new husband Bill looked unbelievable happy.
Bill had asked for the chef to come to our room to thank him and his team personally .. which he did to great applause, but Steph had stepped out of the room just before and as soon as she came back, she headed off to the kitchen to see the head chef drew and thank him personally, in the kitchens with a great big hug while being cheered in her dress by the rest of the kitchen and waiting staff - a memorable moment as I know Steph and Bill were delighted with the personal service they received from The Malmaison staff.
What a lovely, small intimate wedding celebration - thank you both for letting me be a part of your day!
HAVE A LOOK AT THESE OTHER NORTHUMBERLAND AND NEWCASTLE WEDDINGS I HAVE PHOTOGRAPHED!
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
Kathryn and Richard's Matfen Hall Wedding HERE
Cate and Jon's wedding at Lanchester and Matfen Hall HERE
... AND GET IN THE MOOD WITH MY Northumberland weddings inspiration board HERE on Pinterest
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

SEAHAM HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY FOR LYNNE AND IAN

2011-08-23T18:29:00.001+01:00

ST MARY'S PARISH CHURCH IN EASINGTON VILLAGE - THE VENUE FOR LYNNE AND IAN'S WEDDING

CHAMPAGNE ANYONE?

LYNNE - HAPPY TO DO HER OWN MAKE-UP ON HER WEDDING DAY

ONE BEAUTIFUL MUNCHKIN ......

TWO BEAUTIFUL MUNCHKINS .....

BEAUTIFUL DETAIL IN LYNNE'S SOPHIA TOLLI WEDDING GOWN

PERFUME AT THE READY

LAST MINUTE ADVICE BETWEEN FATHER AND DAUGHTER

THERE'S LAUGHS TO BE HAD WHILE TYING UP A BEAUTIFUL WEDDING GOWN!

DETAIL IN LYNNE'S SOPHIA TOLLI WEDDING DRESS

A BEAUTIFUL PORTRAIT OF LYNNE AS SHE TAKES ONE LAST LOOK IN THE MIRROR BEFOR SHE LEAVES FOR THE CHURCH TO MARRY IAN

TIME TO GET MARRIED ... THE OFFICIAL CAR ARRIVES AT ST MARY'S CHURCH EASINGTON VILLAGE

THIS WAY TO THE WEDDING ... HAND IN HAND

LYNNE AND HER FATHER READY TO WALK THE WALK

IAN AND LYNNE LEAVE THE CHURCH AS MAN AND WIFE

A BEAUTIFUL AUGUST DAY AFTER A MONTH OF RAIN ... JUST IN TIME FOR A CONFETTI SHOT!

BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED WEDDING CAKE

FIRST COURSE .... St MAURE GOATS CHEESE WITH SUN BLUSH TOMATOES, CONFIT TOMATOES, PESTO, SMOKED JELLY AND THAI BASIL

SMILES ALL ROUND AND FUN WITH FACIAL HAIR FOR GUESTS

THE CHILDREN WERE KEPT ENTERTAINED WITH PLATE SPINNING ....

... AND THE BRIDE PLAYED ALONG TOO!

APPLAUSE ALL ROUND FOR SOME BRILLIANT WEDING SPEECHES AT SEAHAM HALL

... AND A FEW TEARS TOO FOR LYNNE

LAUGHS ALL ROUND FOR THE CHIEF BRIDESMAID CLAIRE AND LYNNE'S MUM!

TEARS OF LAUGHTER ....

SHOCK FOR LYNNE AS SHE SEES SOME OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM IAN'S STAG NIGHT IN SPAIN!

FUN ALL THE WAY FOR IAN AND HIS STAG PARTY

A KISS TO SEAL THE MARRIAGE BETWEEN LYNNE AND IAN

THE KISS ...... AT SEAHAM HALL FOR IAN AND HIS NEW WIFE LYNNE

IT WAS A LONG KISS.......

HELP FOR LYNNE AND HER WEDDING DRESS FROM THE YOUNG BRIDESMAIDS

NOT BAD FOR A YOUNG LADY WHO DOESNT LIKE HAVING HER PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN!

SOPHIA TOLLI WEDDING DRRESS LOOKING GOOD AT THE ENTRANCE TO SEAHAM HALL

SMILES ALL ROUND DURING IAN AND LYNNE'S FIRST DANCE AT SEAHAM HALL

Lynne and Ian's wedding was destined to be. Their wedding was put together in less that 6 months, and everything just fell into the place, including Seaham Hall as their wedding venue and myself as their wedding photographer.
Seaham Hall is normally booked solid for an August Saturday, but they managed to get a cancellation. Normally, I am booked too for a Saturday in August, but one of my weddings, a military wedding, was moved because of the MOD changing operations around, so I too was free. I even told Lynne at a Wedding Fair that I was taken for that date, and offered fellow wedding photographers to help her out, but luckily, just before she did that, I was free, and offered to help out!
So, I arrived good and early at Lynne's parents house in Easington Village in County Durham. All was calm cool and collected, Lynne was happily doing her own make-up and the young bridesmaids were running around very excitedly!
I even had time for a crumpet and a cup of tea as the family gathered for their 'wedding of the year'.
The weather was also improving with blue sky appearing. Amazing, August weather in August! My previous three weddings in late July and August meant that I received a good soaking each time.
The wedding cars arrived and the bridesmaids were even more excited as I made my way to the church close-by with Lynne's Auntie in the front seat next to me ... not just a photographer you see, I come in handy!
Ian was cool as a cucumber and it was beautiful to be back in St Mary's Church in Easington Village, a stunning centuries old parish church on the highest point of the village.
I was still chatting to the Vicar as the bridal cars drove up, and Lynne headed to the church with her father and chief bridemaid.
Outside after the ceremony, it was back-slaps and kisses and cuddles and bear-hugs all round before I set up a quick confetti shot so everyone could get a nice photograph, before we headed 20 minutes up the road to Seaham Hall.
Time for champagne and canapes while a saxophonist filled the air with chill-out music, the sun was out, the skies were blue - everything was perfect for their wedding day!
After the lovely wedding breakfast (thanks folks!), there were three excellent speeches which filled the room with laughter, before I managed to 'borrow' Lynne and Ian for 10 minutes for some time together and a few nice photographs of them together.
Just as I finished some bridal portraits around 47.30pm, guests started arriving for the evening entertainment and fun, so there were more kisses and cuddles at the front entrance to Seaham Hall.
First dance was fun, but the dancing straight after was a bit more hectic with Lynne and Ian's closest friends and relatives throwing a variety of shapes on the dance floor!
Time to leave .... so I said my farewells to Lynne's parents and thanked them for their hospitality of the day and said farewell to the happy couple who had enjoyed a great day of family wedding celebrations at Seaham Hall.
If you would like me to be a part of your family wedding at Seaham Hall or anywhere else in County Durham, the north east of all across the UK and abroad, ring me now and tell me all about your plans on 0778 7150966 - and CHECK YOUR DATE! NOW!
View the sneak peek from Lyndsey and james' wedding at Seaham Hall earlier this year HERE
Have a look at Lucy and Paul's Seaham Hall wedding HERE
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

NORTH YORKSHIRE WEDDING AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER FOR SARAH AND LEE

2011-08-17T11:44:00.014+01:00

SARAH'S FARAGE BRIDAL WEDDING DRESS - READY FOR THE DAY

HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THESE INDIVIDUAL WEDDING CHOCOLATE CAKES?

SMILE PLEASE! LADIES LINE UP TO CAPTURE THE SMART YOUNG MEN READY FOR THE WEDDING!

... AND ONE OF THE YOUNGEST WAITS PATIENTLY AS HER WEDDING SHOES ARE TIED

SARAH OPENS THE THIRD BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE OF THE MORNING!

AND VERY PLEASED SHE LOOKS TOO!

TIME FOR SOME GIRLIE GOSSIP BEFORE GETTING READY FOR THE DAY!

A LITTLE BIT OF BLING FOR SARAH'S WEDDING SHOES

SARAH CELEBRATES AS I REPORT BACK THAT LEE IS NERVOUS!

HELP IS NEEDED FOR SARAH'S HAIR

LEE IS FULL OF SMILES BEFORE THE CEREMONY, BUT ADMITTED HE 'WAS BRICKING IT!'

THE FARAGE WEDDING GOWN IS COMPLETED ON THE VERANDA OF SARAH'S LODGE AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER

SHE MAY BE 15 MINUTES LATE .. BUT SHE'S A VERY HAPPY YOUNG LADY!

DETAIL FROM SARAH'S BEAUTIFUL FARAGE WEDDING GOWN

PITY IT RAINED ALL DAY .. DAMIEN FROM THE CRAB AND LOBSTER LEADS SARAH AND HER MUM AND BRIDESMAIDS TO THE MANOR HOUSE TO MEET THE REGISTRARS

A VERY HAPPY FATHER AWAITS HIS DAUGHTER!

SARAH LOOKING STUNNING JUST BEFORE THE CEREMONY AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER IN NORTH YORKSHIRE

LAST MINUTE ADJUSTMENTS

FATHER AND DAUGHTER HAVE A FEW MOMENTS FOR A FINAL PHOTOGRAPH OF SARAH AS A SINGLE WOMAN

THE CEREMONY IS LAID OUT

LEE HAS LOST MOST OF HIS NERVES, JUST BEFORE HE BECAME TONGUE-TIED!

A SWEET PHOTOGRAPH AS ONE OF THEIR DAUGHTERS DECIDES SHE NEEDS TO BE IN ON THE RING CEREMONY!

ITS OFFICIAL! KISSES ALL ROUND FOR MR AND MRS COLCOMBE

I CAN SEE YOU .. LEE AND SARAH'S DAUGHTER AND SON HAVE FUN DURING THE DRINKS RECEPTION

.. AND THEIR YOUNGEST DAUGHTER IS PRETTY AS A PICTURE AS SHE WATCHES THE CANAPES AND CHAPMPAGNE RECEPTION AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER

LOVE IS IN THEIR EYES .. SARAH AND LEE

CHAMPAGNE ANYONE?

HEARTY LAUGHS AND SMILES DURING THE SPEECHES

HAPPINESS ALL OVER SARAH'S FACE

CHEERS! LEE AND HIS FATHER IN LAW AND STEP FATHER CELEBRATE THE WEDDING!

SARAH SHOWS OFF HER FARAGE WEDDING GOWN AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER

COOL .. CALM .. AND RELAXED

SHOWING OFF HER FARAGE WEDDING GOWN AT ITS BEST!

SARAH REALLY ENJOYING HER WEDDING DAY AT THE CRAB AND LOBSTER

The Crab and Lobster is a fine wedding venue and Sarah and Lee's wedding was my third of the year at this distinct and luxury wedding venue.
Sarah and Lee had the exclusive use of Crab Manor and all the individual bespoke lodges in the grounds for two days with their very closest family and friends.
Sarah and Lee had been impressed by Fay and Nick's wedding that I photographed at The Crab and Lobster, which also features as a wedding book on display at Crab Manor in reception. Neither Sarah or Lee, despite their fantastic smiles, felt comfortable in front of a camera and were delighted when they realised after seeing my photographs from previous weddings at the venue, that virtually all my photography is captured naturally.
When my brides and grooms react and interact with their family and friends, the smiles come naturally and it's my job to capture those images and convey the happiness and fun and celebration of their wedding days!
Lee and Sarah's home is near Doncaster and we met for the pre-wedding shoot at the Crab and Lobster as it was about halfway for myself and them to meet, and they needed to discuss further plans with Damien about their day.
The photographs I captured were used for TWO signing-in boards which their family and friends all signed during their wedding day and which will be framed for their house on their return from their honeymoon in Las Vegas.
I often meet with parents of my brides and grooms too before the wedding, so that we are not strangers on the day and everyone can chill out and have a great day of celebration.
I travelled to The Crab and Lobster the evening before the wedding while parents and siblings and Lee and Sarah's children had a private dining room for their evening meal.
I photographed some nice relaxed images of the family before their meal which set things up nicely for the next day.
Sarah was a busy bee the next morning, with her lodge filled with her hairdresser, children and siblings and her beautiful Farage wedding gown hanging from the ceiling. It was POURING down outside (and it lasted much of the day..) so it was very dark too, so I had a few more problems that at most weddings I cover, but using a bit of experience and utilising the balcony at times, I think I managed to convey the chaos and the fun of the hour or two before the ceremony.
Sarah was very chilled out, I'm sure the champagne helped, but big confident Lee was definitely feeling the pressure as I followed him and his father and father-in-law to the bar for a drink to settle his obvious nerves!
Sarah whooped with delight when I reported back to her, then we had a private bet that Lee would shed a tear sometime in the day!
Getting the children ready took more time than Sarah had bargained for so when Damien appeared to lead her to the Manor to meet the registrars, her dress was still hanging from the ceiling!
Sarah's friend and hairdresser laced her spectacular Farage wedding dress up as quickly as possible and then we dashed through the rain up to the ceremony!
Lee DID shed a tear or three during the ceremony I can reveal as he basked in the glow of being a married man after watching his children walk down the aisle followed by Sarah who looked stunning.
Afterwards, it was time for champagne and canapes and we risked going outside for a few, very quick relaxed family formals.
Time for a superb wedding breakfast before everyone headed outside for the speeches on the steps, with lots of laughter and Lee choking to get his words out as he said how much he loved Sarah!
After a break for family to go back to their lodges and rooms in the Manor house to prepare for the evening, I managed to 'borrow' Sarah for a few minutes to make sure we had some lovely photographs of her in her wedding gown - she even complimented me and said she quite enjoyed having her photographs taken - this from a young lady who does not enjoy having her photograph taken!
Cutting of the cake and first dance followed quickly on, before the youngest children took over the dance floor as Sarah and Lee held them by the hands.
A lovely small, intimate family wedding at The Crab and Lobster, one of my favourite wedding venues and a busy one for me this year!
View Andrea and Peter's wedding at The Crab and Lobster HERE
Have a look at the sneak peek of Louise and Dave's 2011 wedding at The Crab and Lobster HERE
View twenty or so photographs from Fay and Nick's Crab and Lobster wedding HERE
RING ME ON 0778 7150966 and tell me all about your plans for your wedding at The Crab and Lobster at Asenby, near Topcliffe north Yorkshire. RING NOW!
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

WYNYARD GOLF CLUB WEDDING FOR RUTH AND MARTIN

2011-08-10T12:13:00.012+01:00

BRIDESMAIDS SHOES - AT THE READY FOR THE WEDDING

RUTH'S BENJAMIN ROBERTS DRESS AWAITS

SPECIAL WEDDING SHOES

LAST MINUTE MAKE-UP FOR RUTH

IT'S ALL IN HIS HANDS ... WAITING FOR THE BRIDE TO ARRIVE AT ST AIDAN'S CHURCH

SMILES AS SHE ARRIVES FOR RUTH ON WHAT WAS A VERY EMOTIONAL DAY

RUTH AND MARTIN POSE FOR FREINDS AFTER RETURNING TO THE FRONT OF THE CHURCH FOR SOME FAMILY PHOTOGRAPHS

THE CLOUDS ROLL IN ACROSS WYNYARD GOLF CLUB COURSE AS WE GRAB THE OPPORTUNITY FOR A GROUP PHOTOGRAPH BEFORE THE WEATHER DETERIORATES

GUIDING HANDS .... THE YOUNGEST BRIDEMAID IS SURROUNDED BY THE PROTECTIVE HANDS OF HER GRANDPARENTS

SMILES ALL ROUND DURING THE INTIMATE FAMILY WEDDING AT WYNYARD GOLF CLUB

APPRECIATION FOR THE SPEECHES FROM RUTH AND MARTIN

LADS TOGETHER

MARTIN TAKES CENTRE STAGE

TIME FOR A TENDER MOMENT OR TWO ....

KISSING TIME FOR MARTIN AND RUTH AT WYNYARD

HAPPY AND IN LOVE .....

KISSING TIME AGAIN FOR RUTH AND MARTIN ON THEIR WEDDING DAY AT WYNYARD

EVER THE GENTLEMAN, MARTIN HELPS RUTH WITH HER DRESS ON THE WAY BACK FOR CAKE CUTTING AND THE FIRST DANCE

THE WRITING IS ON THE WALL .. OR RATHER THE LATE BREAKING SUN CASTS THE NAME OF THE WELLINGTON SUITE ONTO THE WALL AS WE HEAD INSIDE TO DANCE!

LOVE AND SMILES ALL ROUND AS THE HAPPY COUPLE TAKE TO THE DANCE FLOOR AT WYNYARD GOLF CLUB

Wynyard Hall has become one of the most fashionable wedding venues in the north of England over a period of just 3 years, but a smaller, more intimate modern wedding venue is Wynyard Golf Club.

A small intimate family wedding for Ruth and Martin was perfect for their wedding breakfast and evening wedding celebrations after their wedding at a beautiful old church in Hartlepool, St Aidan's.

Ruth was a fastidious planner of her wedding from the moment I met with her and Martin.

I also met with her Mum and Dad as well and their wedding sounded like a lovely day.

In the 9 months since, we have often chatted on Facebook and discussed tears and fears and glasses versus contact lenses and generally tried to put Ruth at ease for her wedding day - all part of the service.

Martin is a joker, a real fun guy to be around and he's obviously head over heels with Ruth, and she is devoted to him too. Our pre-wed shoot at Sedgefield Country Park went well, and Ruth in particular was very pleased the with images I created, and was really looking forward to her wedding day. I teased that she would probably cry, and she didn't deny it!

Come the day, we had been chatting on Facebook on the run up so it was great to see her happy and relaxed at her Mum's as she helped to dress the flower girl and bridesmaids, with her Dad helping out at times too. Her Benjamin Roberts dress was sensational and she certainly had the figure for it!

As I left for the church, the emotion of the day had overtaken Ruth, and Martin was in the least bit surprised when I briefed him after meeting at church, and I also mentioned that she would knock his socks off when he turned around to see her come down the aisle at St Aidans Church in Hartlepool - a lovely parish church more than a century old.

The vicar was cool too, amazing for a Church of England Vicar, though he did brief me on an 'episode' with another 'wedding photographer' that was truly shocking, no wonder so many CofE clergy tar all wedding photographers with the same brush.

Smiles came in waves over Ruth's face amid the emotion of the occassion and before long we were involved in some quick family photographs in the church while the congregation watched and then took their own photographs of the bride and groom.

Wynyard Golf Club was a new venue to me, sad side by side with the magnificent Wynyard Hall, but it was ideal for a small intimate family wedding. There was time for a quick group photograph in front of the greens, then it was straight into the wedding breakfast (thanks folks!) and very entertaining speeches, which included a lovely heartfelt one from Martin that brought Ruth to tears again!

There was time for me to 'borrow the happy couple for 15 minutes before the evening guests to turn up, and we laughed and had fun as I figured out what I was going to do. It worked out fine.

Time for the first dance and cutting the cake to clapping and cheers from family and friends.

A lovely day for Martin and Ruth and their families and friends.
There will be more on Facebook in the coming days, so add me as a friend HERE
See Caroline and Antony's Wynyard Hall wedding HERE
View the sneak peek of Kirstey and Mark's wedding at Wynyard Hall HERE
See the sneak peek of Nikki and Steve's 2nd time around wedding HERE
Caroline's review of my photography on their day at Wynyard hall is HERE
View Nikki's review of me HERE .. and her husband Steve's review of my photography and customer experience HERE.
If you would like me to be a small but important part of your day at Wynyard Hall, all day coverage for 2012 / 2013, up to ten hours is £1395.00 and includes superb customer service, great customer experience, a pre-wed portrait shoot with a signing in board, up to ten hours coverage of your celebrations, a presentation box with up to 500 hard copy prints of all your final edited digital images, a password protected website so you can show your wedding to those friends and relatives abroad or who were not able to travel and a CD of all your final edited images for you to make unlimited personal copies.
A3 wedding books with up to 40 pages and 180 images are from £400 with lots of options and choices.
Ring me on 0778 7150966 and tell me all about your wedding plans at Wynyard Golf Club or Wynyard Hall, or any other wedding venue or location anywhere in the UK or your destination wedding anywhere in the world!
Don't delay, book today!

DIRK VAN DER WERFF