BELLE BRIDAL WEDDING MAGAZINE ISSUE TWO FEATURES RACHEL'S WEDDING

It's great to have Issue 2 of Belle Bridal magazine in my hands this week.

I helped them distribute their wedding magazine at the UK Wedding Show at Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle a week or so ago to raise £250+ for breast cancer research with publisher Karen Bell of Inka Publishing.

It was a very busy couple of hours while I helped them raise the money and the enthusiasm from the public was infectious!

I have Rachel and Jonathan's wedding at Headlam Hall featured in the magazine this issue, but I have to say that it very much looks like a national bridal magazine rather than an inferior regional magazine, and we should all be proud that it is designed and published in Sunderland.

The magazine is packed full of information and wedding vendors for North East brides - from The Borders and Northumberland down to North Yorkshire and beyond - highly recommended!

BELLE BRIDAL MAGAZINE

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

LANGLEY CASTLE WEDDING FAIRS FOR SUMMER WEDDINGS AND WINTER WEDDINGS!

SHELLEY AND STEPHEN  - SO IN LOVE - PHOTOGRAPHED BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF AT LANGLEY CASTLE

KATE AND CHRIS PHOTOGRAPHED AT LANGLEY CASTLE NEAR HEXHAM IN NORTHUMBERLAND BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

SHELLEY AND STEPHEN IN THE MOONLIGHT IN THE GROUNDS OF LANGLEY CASTLE - PHOTOGRAPHED BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Langley Castle is a GREAT venue for a wedding - whatever the time of the year!

Brides flock to have their weddings at this wonderful medieval masterpiece from all over the UK and across the world, for a unique wedding experience.
Built in 1350, during the reign of Edward III, the castle has retained its architectural integrity and is regarded as one of the few medieval fortified Castle Hotels in England.
Set in its own ten acre woodland estate, the Castle's 7 feet thick walls provide a peaceful and tranquil refuge in which to escape from today's hustle and bustle to a bygone age, making it perfect for weddings.

Upcoming wedding fairs at Langley Castle are:

Wedding Showcase - 23rd January 2011

Wedding Fayre - 13th March, 2011

1pm - 4pm

If you would like me to be the official photographer at your Langley Castle Wedding, please ring my mobile on 0778 7150966 or in the office on 01429 423165

Or e-mail me: dirk AT aquilegiagroup.com AND dirkvdw AT gmail.com to make sure I DEFINITELY receive your enquiry!

READ MY WEDDING REVIEWS HERE

READ ABOUT COST / PRICES / INVESTMENT HERE

MORE DETAILS ON MY WEBSITE HERE

My latest wedding news and photographs HERE

DIRK VAN DER WERFF 2011

HOLY ISLAND WEDDING IN LINDISFARNE CASTLE

HOLY ISLAND WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: LINDISFARNE CASTLE ON HOLY ISLAND - BATHED IN THE SUNRISE ON WINTER SOLSTICE

LINDISFARNE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER:
MARK AND LYNN'S WEDDING WAS ON THE DATE OF THE WINTER SOLSTICE, DECEMBER 21ST, SO I WAS UP AND OUT ON THE BEACH EARLY ON

HOLY ISLAND AND LINDISFARNE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY:
THE BUS TO TAKE GUESTS TO THE CASTLE ARRIVES ON HOLY ISLAND FOR THE WEDDING

AND THE WEDDING CAR ARRIVES TOO!

LYNN AND HER DAUGHTER STEPHANIE READY FOR THE BIG DAY!

MARK AND GUESTS HAVE A FEW REFRESHING DRINKS BEFORE THE WEDDING  IN LINDISFARNE CASTLE

TIME FOR A WEE SMALL SDRAM TOO!

THE SHIP INN MEETING PLACE BEFORE MARK AND HIS SON AND ATTENDANTS DECIDED TO WALK TO THE CASTLE FOR THE WEDDING!

MARK HEADS OFF ACROSS THE FORESHORE FOR HIS OWN WEDDING - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

READY FOR THE WEDDING?

THE WEDDING PARTY SILHOUETTED AGAINST THE SKYLINE AS THEY HEAD TO LINDISFARNE CASTLE - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

READY FOR THE OFF .. THE BUS FOR GUESTS

THE DOUBLE DECKER BUS HEADS TO THE CASTLE

A BEAUTIFUL WINTER WREATH ON THE DOOR OF LINDISFARNE CASTLE AWAITING THE WEDDING PARTY

LYNN'S DAUGHTER ALL DRESSED UP FOR THE WEDDING - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

LYNN AND MARK TAKING THEIR VOWS IN THE TINY CHAPEL

FRIENDS IN ONE OF THE ROOM AT LINDISFARNE CASTLE ENJOYING A FEW DRINKS

MARK AND HIS BEST MAN PETE HAVING SOME FUN AT LINDISFARNE CASTLE AFTER THE WEDDING CEREMONY

MARK IS A LONG STANDING SUPPORTER OF HARTLEPOOL UNITED FOR THE PAST 50 YEARS AND WANTED TO MARK HIS WEDDING WITH A GOUP PHOTOGRAPH ON TOP OF THE CASTLE IN THE WINTER SUN

JUST ABOUT TIME FOR A QUICK PHOTOGRAPH IN THE FREEZING COLD ON 21ST DECEMBER

CUPCAKES ALL WITH NAMES OF PAST FAVOURITE PLAYERS FROM MARK'S FAVOURITE FOOTBALL TEAM!

THE CAKE TOPPING ... AGAIN A REFERENCE TO HIS BELOVED  HARTLEPOOL UNITED AND THEIR MONKEY MASCOT!

A TENDER MOMENT AS MARK REFERS TO LYNN IN HIS SPEECH

MARK AND HIS BEST MAN PETE AT THE WEDDING BREAKFAST

LINDISFARNE CASTLE CATCHING THE LATE AFTERNOON SUN - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Lynne and Mark's wedding on Holy Island, off the Northumberland coast, in Lindisfarne Castle, the iconic religious retreat in North East England was fun, fun, fun from beginning to end.
I set off early, in fact the day before to make sure that I was on the island in case the dreadful winter snowstorms caused me problems - the last thing I want to do is ring a bride and tell her that I can't make it!
It had taken me a LONG time to drive home through the snow and ice from Louise and Ian's wedding at Jesmond Dene House Hotel the night before .. it was a scary drive and I arrived back at base at 11.30pm after failing to secure a hotel room in Newcastle for the night.
So, with trepidation, I set off for Holy Island 10 hours later to make sure that I made the tide. In case you don't know, Holy Island is cut off from the mainland of the north east coast of England by the tide twice a day - and a causeway is uncovered to allow you to make the journey on and off the island. To my surprise, the A1 northbound was totally free of snow and ice on one lane all the way - so it took just two hours.
My sleeping bag, spade and associated paraphenalia to survive being trapped in my car seemed a little bit over the top .... ! Well, you have to be prepapred!
So, I was on the island with Lynn and Mark by 1pm on Sunday 20th December and they weren't getting married until Monday ... so, it would have been rude not to have accepted their invitation not to have a beer or two ... By evening, all their guests were on the island and we met in the Ship Inn where mark was staying, while I had bunkered down in The Manor House Hotel.
It was great for once to spend more time with a bride and groom than just 10 hours on the day of the wedding - though of course I usually meet with the couple a few times before the wedding anyway - and the pre-wedding shoot makes sure that we bond a little and that we're not strangers on the day!
It was Lynn and Mark's second time around wedding and their teenage children were all there from university as well as their nearest and dearest friends and relatives - 40 in total.
Next morning, I was up with the larks and determined to get a decent shot of Lindisfarne Castle at dawn on the winter equinox ...... it was a beautiful dawn - but freezing!
Not long after I met with Lynn and her daughter Stephanie as they got ready and then headed over the The Crown and Anchor to catch Mark and his best man Pete and their guests gathering before 'The Men' WALKED to the castle .. that was FUN!
After walking with them and capturing some great images there was the great hilke from the foot of the castle to the keep - dangerous in ice cold weather and very slippy underfoot - and no, I wasn't in high heels. In fact, I wore hiking boots and a suit and tie - truly suited and booted. I didn't want to be a casualty of the weather.
Poor Lynn and Steph were FREEZING when they made it to the keep, so I guided them to the nearest radiator to thaw out before they headed to the civil ceremony, where Mark had gone VERY quiet ....
Over almost in an instant, we then chilled out, had a few glasses of fine champagen and headed to the top level of the castle for some photographs as quickly as possible. There was a previous arrangement with The National Trust for mark to fly the flag of his favourite footbal team - Hartlepool United - from the castle, but that was over-ruled from London and we had to make do with a team shot!
The rest of the day followed their reception in The Manor House Hotel - full of fun and laughs, and after I finished about 8.30pm and waited for the tide to turn, the weather forecast didn't look too good, so I made the decision to stay on the island for a second night and enjoy the fun quiz in the Ship Inn with all the guests!
The next evening, they invited many more of their families and friends to a fantastic party!
What a great day or two for everyone and a fantastic wedding celebration for Lynn and Mark - I was exhausted!
If you would like me to be a small but important part of your wedding on Holy Island at Lindisfarne Castle, then I would be delighted to hear about your plans - telephone me on 0778 7150966 at any time to CHECK YOUR DATE!
With photography options for small intimate weddings midweek from £750, larger gatherings from £1200 and 'The Full Monty' all day and beyond  - perhaps for a two day family and friends gathering on Holy Island to capture the spirit and the fun of your celebration from £1500

READ MY WEDDING REVIEWS HERE

READ ABOUT COST / PRICES / INVESTMENT HERE

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

GILL AND TIM'S INTIMATE FAMILY WEDDING AT THE BOWES MUSEUM IN TEESDALE

What a great day I had photographing Gill and Tim's lovely wedding at The Bowes Museum and their wedding breakfast overlooking the most fantastic views of Teesdale.

They were always enthusiastic about relaxed, chilled out photography to document their great wedding celebrations, but I also managed to grab a few minutes with them at Bowes Museum to produce some stylish images.

The rest of the day allowed me to capture the fun and ambience of their wedding in a magnificent historic building and onward to an amazing marquee setting for champagne, and great food by specialist caterer Alexander MacMurray with some excellent speeches from family and friends.

The Picture Gallery in The Bowes Museum is an amazing setting for any wedding - especially so if you are looking for a different type of wedding venue. Aileen Risbey, who co-ordinated the wedding and her colleagues did a great job, while the eight magnificent floral displays by Grace Hunter of Darlington Flower Club were quite unbelievable in their scale.

Gill looked fabulous on the day and had a great time with her close friends and relatives while Tim and his brothers looked extremely smart in their top hats and tails.

If you would like me to photograph your wedding at BOWES MUSEUM, in a relaxed, professional and natural observational way, with no bother or hassle or stress, then ring me now to check your date for late 2010, 2011 or 2012. ADD ME AS A FRIEND ON FACEBOOK WITH NO OBLIGATIONS, TO SEE MORE PHOTOGRAPHS FROM GILL AND TIM'S WEDDING, AND LOTS OF OTHER ADDITIONAL WEDDINGS.More information and weddings here on my WEBSITE . Don't lose your day! RING FOR FREE ON 0800 804 7270 or 0778 715 0966DIRK VAN DER WERFF