DIRK VAN DER WERFF - WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY


Wedding Venue Wynyard Hall Country House Hotel awarded 4th star from The AA




Photographs from Caroline and Antony's recent summer wedding at Wynyard Hall (featured above) are HERE - CAROLINE'S REVIEW OF MY PERFORMANCE AS HER WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IS HERE
Nicolle and Wayne's wedding is HERE
A sneak peek of Niki and Steve's wedding at Wynyard Hall are HERE

Niki's review of my performace is HERE while her husband Steve's review of my part in his wedding is HERE

One of my favourite wedding venues, Wynyard Hall Country House Hotel has been awarded 4 stars from the AA Hotel Guide
in recognition of excellence in facilities and service - just two years after opening.
The hotel has also becomes one of the few hotels in Tees Valley to be awarded this accolade.
Opening only 2 years ago Wynyard Hall has constantly shown an extremely high level of facilities and service and by gradually building on an excellent reputation has now been rewarded for providing the highest of standards.
The recent inspection from one of the leading AA advisors earmarked Wynyard Hall for a potential fast track
to Red Star standard, one of the highest trademarks of superior quality the AA award.
The potential and recognition for the Hall, steeped in centuries of history and tradition was welcomed by the owners and management and pays fitting tribute to the exceptional development and rejuvenation of the family owned estate.
Managing Director, Allison Antonopoulos, welcomes the good news and said ‘I was delighted with
the outcome of the inspection and am looking forward to the future development of the Hotel.’
General Manager Scott Davidson, who operates the Hotel daily enthuses over the award. Scott has been a
hotelier for nearly 20 years and this is his first experience of operating a venue to achieve AA recognition.
SCott said ‘After a lot of hard work from the whole team, it is a real honour for Wynyard Hall to have been
awarded 4 stars and one rosette within only 8 months of operating as a hotel, especially as it is such a high
commendation in the industry. Hopefully we can use this as a platform to put the Hall firmly on the map as
one of the finest venues in the North East, or eventually in the UK.’
The newly styled Wellington Restaurant becomes one of only a few in the North East to be recognised
within the Rosette scheme and is quickly becoming one of the grandest, but friendly and attentive dining
experiences around, where the highest levels of skills and service combine with traditional and local produce
to delight and impress.
Originally opened as a Conference & Banqueting Venue two years ago Wynyard Hall has surpassed all
expectations and is now one of the leading hotels in the North East commanding an enviable wedding venue
playing host to over 280 weddings in 2012 - and with virtually every Saturday and Sunday booked for the next FOUR YEARS!
The 16 beautifully appointed bedrooms are an attraction for leisure or corporate business and the recently opened Essential Time Treatment Rooms add a touch of
relaxation to an already tranquil setting, with a new Spa facility opening in 2012!
Wynyard Hall now plans to expand the hotel to 80 bedrooms.
If you would like me to be your official photographer, in a relaxed and easy style, no bother, no hassle and with superb photographs capturing the happiness and the atmosphere of your grand wedding or your intimate midweek wedding at Wynyard Hall Country House Hotel - I'm here to help.
I PHOTOGRAPH SMALL INTIMATE WEDDINGS AT WYNYARD HALL AS WELL AS GRAND WEDDINGS
Check my availability for 2013 / 2014 ... RING ME NOW on 0778 715 0966

DON'T LOSE YOUR DATE !


DIRK VAN DER WERFF

BEAMISH PARK HOTEL WEDDING FOR SARAH AND DAVID

SARAH'S GLORIOUS CHARLOTTE BALBIER WEDDING DRESS - 
LOOKING GOOD! SARAH COULDN'T WAIT TO GET INTO HER DRESS ON THE DAY!
DAVID AND 'THE BOYS' WALK THEIR WAY TO CHURCH
SARAH'S CHARLOTTE BALBIER DRESS LOOKS BEAUTIFUL AS SHE SWEEPS DOWN THE AISLE IN PELTON
BORED BRIDESMAID!
ONE OF THE HAPPIEST BRIDES - AND THE YOUNGEST - I HAVE EVER PHOTOGRAPHED
KISSES OF LOVE FOR DAVID AND SARAH OUTSIDE CHURCH IN THE SUNSHINE
A VERY INDIVIDUAL CAKE FOR SARAH AND DAVID AT BEAMISH PARK HOTEL
SARAH SEEMED TO SPEND THE DAY LAUGHING - OR CRYING!
SARAH'S BEAUTIFUL SHOES
WHOOPS! THE WIND CATCHES SARAH'S VEIL OUTSIDE BEAMISH PARK HOTEL
STILL LAUGHING AS SHE SORTS OUT HER VEIL IN THE WINDY CONDITIONS
SARAH SWEEPS DOWN THE WALKWAY IN THE BEAMISH PARK HOTEL IN COUNTY DURHAM - PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
BRIDEMAID IS IN HER OWN WORLD AS SARAH GETS READY FOR A FEW FORMAL PORTRAITS
CHEEKY CHAPPIE TAKES CENTRE STAGE AS I PHOTOGRAPH THE WEDING PARTY
SMILE PLEASE - SARAH TAKES HER OWN PHOTOGRAPH!
THE LOOK OF LOVE - SARAH AND DAVID IN THE WOODLAND NEAR THE BEAMISH PARK HOTEL
THE COLOURFUL ENVELOPES CONTAINING CARDS AND GIFTS AT THE RECEPTION
A WEDDING SPEECH FROM THE CHIEF BRIDESMAID
DAVID'S MUM LOOKS GOOD - AND HAPPY!
A VERY HAPPY SARAH DURING THE SPEECHES AT HER WEDDING BREAKFAST - PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
HAPPINESS FROM ONE OF THE YOUNG GUESTS AT THE WEDDING BREAKFAST AND RECEPTION
DAVID AND A YOUNG GUEST
SARAH LOOKING BEAUTIFUL AT BEAMISH PARK HOTEL IN COUNTY DURHAM
LOOKING GOOD .. SARAH HAS TIME FOR A FEW ADDITIONAL PORTRAITS AT THE END OF  HER DAY
NEW!!   SEE CATHY AND DAVE'S REVIEW OF MY PERFORMANCE AS THEIR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AT BEAMISH PARK HOTEL IN 2011 HERE


Sarah was my youngest bride-to-be in five years and Beamish Park Hotel was a new wedding venue for me in County Durham - so all was set for a great day of wedding photography!
David and Sarah and I had lots of fun on our pre-wedding portrait shoot six or seven weeks before the wedding celebrations, and of course, they were relaxed and chilled on the day because we were not strangers, they knew what to expect on their wedding day and I wasn't going to stop the fun for lots of 'groups' or take them away from their guests for hours on end to 'create' images.
Sarah was certainly one of my happiest ever brides, she was sky-high all day and just loved the whole wedding 'thing', she was just sooooo excited.
I met with her and her mum and 'the girls' at her home in Pelton near Chester le Street as she got ready for the day, but as soon as she put on her magnificent Charlotte Balbier wedding gown on, bought from The Wedding Dress Company in Corbridge, the tears started to flow!
She was sooo happy!
Once I had captured some photographs of Sarah looking so beautiful in her dress, it was a quick dash further up the village where David and his 'entourage' were walking to the church. Walking and running backwards isn't the most graceful or best way to walk to church, but it made some nice photographs - and luckily it was me doing all the backwards stuff, not David and his groomsmen!
So, there were more tears from Sarah as she arrived at church with her grandad, but she was actually keeping things together very well, David seemed to be cool, calm and collected, though when the vicar hadn't turned up seven minutes before the off, there was a slight look of concern on his face.
As is the case with most Church of England venues nowadays unfortunately, I could only take photographs from the back of the church, but that is the legacy of years of amateur photographers, becoming 'wedding photographers' on a Saturday and taking photograph at innapropriate moments in the service, walking around and flashing at every opportunity.
Professional photographers are now not distinguished from the crowd, so great opportunities to take photographs of tender touches and smiles as the bride comes down the aisle and the tears and laughter and first kiss are missed or photographed from afar.
What a pity.
Once outside, the 100 guests milled around to congratulate the happy couple and happy they were, so happy. This allowed for lots of photographs of happy smiling guests with bride and groom as the backslaps, cuddles and kisses flowed and luckily they remembered the vicar's instructions not to throw confetti until we got to the gates of the church. I think Sarah was still picking the coloured paper from her dress, hair and everywhere else a few hours later!
Beamish Park Hotel is a very nice weding venue and there are nice areas for photographs, despite there being no formal grounds. It is bright and airy, with good staff and a nice modern relaxed feeling about the place. I took more informal images around the drinks reception before speeches which were held at the front end of the wedding breakfast so that everyone could enjoy their food and drink and relax!
This is one wedding develpment and trend that is for the good - I have seen many wedding speeches cancelled over the years because of nerves and even sickness.
David's brother and Sarah's chief bridesmaid gave entertaining and slighly embarrassing speeches at times for the couple, but there were laughs and (more) tears all round and a large round of applause from appreciate guests!
Once over, this gave me the chance to take Sarah for 5 minutes to finish off some photographs and to spend 10 minutes photographing some key groups of mums and dads and grandparents and close friends. These were completed quickly with a laugh and a smile as my favourite time to take important group shots is AFTER the wedding breakfast when people have had a few glasses of champagne and good food and everyone is so much more relaxed.
So, that was me finished for the day, a little earlier than many of my weddings, but it was a great day for Sarah and David and their families and friends and my last view was of Sarah, one of my very happiest of brides, was her smiling and beaming away with her guests as I headed off home.
SEE 12 ADDITIONAL IMAGES ON FACEBOOK ... ADD ME AS A 'FRIEND' HERE
If you would like me to photograph your wedding, relaxed and natural with no bother or hassle or drama, to capture the fun and the ambiance and the happiness of your great day, ring me now to make sure your date is not taken, I'm happy to travel all over the country and destination weddings abroad too - Ring me in the office until 6pm on 01429 423165 or on my mobile 0778 7150966
SMALL INTIMATE WEDDINGS AT THE BEAMISH PARK HOTEL FROM £750.00, WEDDINGS STARTING LATER IN THE DAY FROM £1150.00 AND typical summer wedding 10 hour coverage is £1450.00 Ring me on 0778 715 0966.
CHECK YOUR DATE FOR 2012 / 2013 / 2014

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

Quayside Exchange Wedding Photographer for Debra and Liam

QUAYSIDE EXCHANGE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY:
THE SHOES ... READY FOR THE BIG DAY!
QUAYSIDE EXCHANGE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS:
BEAUTIFUL PALE COLOURS FOR THE BOUQUETS FOR DEBRA'S WEDDING
GIRLS GIGGLES FOR DEB AND HER CHIEF BRIDESMAID BEFORE THE CEREMONY
A VGINTAGE ROYAL WINDSOR OPEN TOP ROLLS ROYCE - A BEAUTIFUL CAR FOR DEBRA AND LIAM'S WEDDING AT THE QUAYSIDE EXCHANGE IN SUNDERLAND
TINY BRIDESMAID'S LOVELY DRESS AND SHOES .. READY TO GO!
LAUGHS GALORE WITH DEBRA'S MUM AND DAD BEFORE THEY SET OFF FROM HOME TO THE QUAYSIDE EXCHANGE FOR THE WEDDING CEREMONY - PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
LIAM GOES A LITTLE BIT QUIET .. JUST BEFORE THE CEREMONY GETS UNDERWAY!
A DROP OF CHAMPAGNE? ... DON'T MIND IF WE DO!
SO WEEET .... BRIDEMAID AND FLOWERS IN THE QUAYSIDE EXCHANGE IN SUNDERLAND  - THE WEDDING VENUE FOR LIAM AND DEBRA
THE KISS .... WEDDING DAY ROMANCE FOR DEBRA AND LIAM - PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF
TWO BEST MEN?  WHY NOT .... LAUGHING IT UP BEFORE THE SPEECHES  - NICE NATURAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF
PEEK A BOO ..... ONE OF THE MANY YOUNGSTERS AT THE WEDDING PEEPS OUT FROM BEHIND THE CURTAIN

HAPPINESS ALL ROUND FOR A MUM AND SOME OF THE MANY LITTLE ONES
NATURAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHS BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF AT THYE QUAYSIDE EXCHANGE IN SUNDERLAND - A GREAT SUNDERLAND WEDDING VENUE
EVEN THE FLOWERS MAKE A STATEMENT
LIAM AND HIS DAD ... A LOVELY NATURAL PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF
JUST ONE KISS ? OR TWO ...  FOR LIAM AND DEBRA AT THEIR WEDDING ON THE QUAYSIDE IN SUNDERLAND - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
DEBRA AND HER BEAUTIFUL WEDDING DRESS ON THE QUAYSIDE AT SUNDERLAND - PHOTOGRAPH BY DIRK VAN DER WERFF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Debra and Liam are a great couple but like many of my brides and grooms - they were not comfortable having their photographs taken.
They wanted nice, relaxed, natural images from their wedding at The Quayside Exchange in Sunderland which fitted in perfectly with their intimate family wedding celebrations, so my style and approach to wedding photography suited them down to the ground
The Sunderland Quayside Exchange was a new wedding venue for me, but a few wedding photographer friends said it was nice and airy and with some nice areas that photograph well - and they were not wrong!
We met up again a few weeks ago for a pre-wedding portrait session at Tynemouth Priory, and we got on like a house on fire, Liam and Debra felt comfortable and that meant we were not going to be strangers on the wedding day.
I met with Debra while she got ready with her best friend Lesley at home in Seaham with her sister and Mum and Dad and niece all gathering before the ceremony.
We had some fun and some tears and before long I was heading down the road to Sunderland to check in with Liam and the great wedding registrars before Debra's arrival - and it's got to be said, Liam was rather nervous!
The ceremony went swimmingly in a nice airy room on the top floor of the Sunderland Quayside Exchange, and then we popped outside in the sunshine to get a few shots with the beautiful Vintage Royale Windsor open top Rolls Royce before heading in for drinks.
The bar area was on several levels, and with three floors too there were plenty of options to get my grey matter working overtime for a few photographs later in the day when I had the happy couple to myself for 10 minutes.
We all enjoyed the speeches - which were a bit different with Liam's choice of TWO best men and even though we were running about an hour late by the end of the wedding breakfast and speeches, everyone was relaxed and happy, with the last of the summer sun before a torrential downpour, the ideal opportunity for me to use some colourful backdrops for some nice images of Debra and Liam together.
Soon the evening guests were arriving - and the fun could start again!
Thanks to the happy couple and their families for making me so welcome, and enjoy these few sneak peek photographs while the bride and groom are in Hawaii for their honeymoon - just 20 of more than 300+ photographs that tell the story of their wedding celebrations from beginning to end.
If you would like me to photograph your relaxed wedding at The Sunderland Quayside Exchange, then ring me now on 01429 423165 or 0778 715 0966.
RING ME NOW !!!  DATES GO QUICKLY .. SMALLER MIDWEEK WEDDINGS FROM £550 .... ALL OTHER COVERAGE FROM £1000.00

DIRK VAN DER WERFF

TYNEMOUTH WEDDING REVIEW BY KERRY AND PAUL FROM CRUSOES AND ARCH RESTAURANT





























SEE MY INSPIRATION BOARD FROM MY PREVIOUS TYNEMOUTH WEDDINGS AT THE GRAND HOTEL TYNEMOUTH AND CRUSOES HERE
I seem to be attracting a lot of brides and weddings from Tynemouth this last year or two, whether at The Church of The Holy Saviour, or exclusive use at The Grand Hotel, or small intimate wedding breakfasts at The Arch Restaurant or Crusoes Bar Bistro or a spectacular and exclusive wedding at Tynemouth Priory.
Kerry and Paul had a great intimate family wedding at Holy Saviours Church and then went on to a local restaurant followed by an evening reception at Crusoes on the beach at Tynemouth Longsands - and the wedding was superb for a day in May.
They have kindly sent me a letter saying:
".... We just wanted to thank you so much Dirk for being part of our special day and capturing some wonderful photographs. Everyone at our wedding commented on how nice you were and I think they really appreciated the way that you work, so natural and friendly.
We really could not have chosen a better photographer for our wedding - thanks once again, love Kerry and Paul..."
What a lovely review - thanks so much, I had a great time, and I hope you enjoy this extended view of their wedding photographs.
SEE OTHER REVIEWS AND WEDDING AT TYNEMOUTH ..... GARY AND CATHERINE'S WEDDING AT TYNEMOUTH GRAND HOTEL IS HERE
CHRIS AND BECKY'S WEDDING AT THE TYNEMOUTH GRAND HOTEL IS HERE
If you are having a wedding in Tynemouth, I would love to hear about your plans RING NOW  - DON'T LOSE YOUR DATE FOR 2012 / 2013 ring me on the office phone until 6pm 01429 423165 or anytime on my mobile 0778 715 0966 
DON'T LOSE YOUR DATE !!!

DIRK VAN DER WERFF