Headlam Hall Wedding Photographer Review

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 and Newcastle and Darlington and Durham

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

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Hartlepool Wedding Photographer for Sarah and Martyn: Hartlepool weddings Photographs

HARTLEPOOL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH'S SHOES READY TO WALK HER DOWN THE AISLE
HARTLEPOOL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER DIRK VAN DER WERFF

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: 

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 STEPHANIE
SEE STEPHANIE'S WEDDING AT ROCKLIFFE HALL HERE

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!

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

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

LATEST HARTLEPOOL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT THE HISTORIC QUAY IS HERE !!

MY Reviews are HERE

MY  Facebook Page is HERE

MY Twitter Page is HERE

CONTACT ME on 0778 7150966

OR Contact me HERE

MY Website is HERE

MY Pinterest Inspiration is HERE

SKYPE ME on ' aqphotos.com '

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... More Hartlepool Brides HEREI 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!
If you would like me to be your wedding photographer, in Hartlepool or anywhere else in the UK or abroad, ring me now and check your date as I only photograph a limited amount of weddings each year, so popular dates get booked a year or two in advance!
Telephone me now on 0778 7150966, digital packages with a pre-wed shoot, signing board, a presentation box of prints (up to 500) of all your final edited images, a password protected website, and a CD for unlimited personal printing is £1250-£1450.
DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Crathorne Hall Wedding Photographs for Helen and Ian

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