Zoe & Mark - A relaxed, micro-wedding in York.

Zoe & Mark were married ay York Register Office with immediate family and closest friends present. Ceremonies at York Register Office are always made to feel meaningful by the team who work there - they give their all to every couple, no matter how big or small the wedding is.

Even if I’m only photographing a wedding for a few short hours I always arrive ahead of the wedding party to capture their arrival. More and more couples are choosing to get ready and arrive together for their wedding ceremonies now - if this is something you’re considering then it’s a wonderful way to calm nerves as you’ll be with the person who feels like your safe place. It also works really well for couples who have a busy wedding day as it means there’s time for some photographs before your guests arrive and the day runs away from you.

After the wedding ceremony we walked through the city gates and headed towards a pub so that everyone could warm up. It was a cold day despite it being officially spring and the wind was a bit wild. The walk took about five minutes and provided loads of opportunities to take documentary images as well as some creative portraits of Zoe and Mark. This balance between a documentary approach and artistic portraits is what really defines who I am as a wedding photographer. Cities like York bring an energy to photographs with their busy streets and beautiful architecture and I could have asked Zoe and Mark to stop so many times for photographs, but I always remember that this day is about people being present with each other and their loved ones and that the most beautiful photographs usually happen when people don’t know they’re being taken.

A slow shutter photograph to capture movement on York’s busy streets.

Everyone went for a drink at The Guy Fawkes Inn and just took time to relax and enjoy each other’s company. The kids were kept happy with activity packs and hot chocolate. Once everyone had warmed up we headed into the gardens by York Minster to take photographs.

Zoe and Mark had booked a table at La Vecchia Scuola which is a stunning restaurant in the heart of York. Things were kept intimate with one long table where everyone could be seated together.

Zoe and Mark had booked me for four hours which felt like just the right amount of time to tell the story of their wedding day. Not everyone needs me and my camera to be there for a full day and I genuinely love micro weddings just as much as the bigger ones. Your wedding day should feel like you. Your photographs should feel like you. So, if you’re planning a micro wedding I would love the honour of telling the story of your day.

Love,

Laura

Aimee & Bethan

Aimee & Bethan after their ceremony at Upper Chapel, Sheffield.

I spent a chilled morning with Bethan who got ready at an Airbnb in Sheffield. The Airbnb backed onto these red brick terraced houses which are so representative of Sheffield’s suburbs. Getting ready in an Airbnb is a great way to make sure you’re close to your wedding venue and it also means there’s enough room for everyone to get ready if you choose somewhere spacious.

Aimee and Bethan got married at Upper Chapel in Sheffield City Centre. Upper Chapel is a beautiful chapel with a welcoming team. Here’s what they say about their chapel: “Unitarianism is an open-minded and welcoming approach to faith that encourages individual freedom, equality for all and rational thought”

Aimee and Bethan hired a drinks truck for after the ceremony which is such a good idea. I can’t be the only person whose mouth runs dry when nervous/excited so a cold drink on a warm day is such a lovely touch.

After the ceremony a beautiful, old bus came to take Aimee, Bethan and their guests over to The Mowbray in Kelham Island for their reception.

Beautiful, warm and romantic details at The Mowbray. The Mowbray is one of our all time favourite venues to work at - the team are amazing, the food is incredible and the vibe is always relaxed and joyful. Flowers for both the venue and bouquets were designed by the super creative and very lovely Betty’s Flower Club.

After the drinks reception we went for a wander around Kelham Island to create some gorgeous images of Aimee and Bethan. It’s always worth factoring 20 minutes into your day so we can create some stunning images of you as a couple - it’s also a lovely opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of the day and to reflect on the day so far.

Speeches were made at The Mowbray with both Aimee and Bethan saying a few words alongside members of their family. Live music played for the party kept the energy high. The Mowbray is such a great space for weddings - it manages to feel large enough to accommodate all your guests whilst still feeling intimate.

Chloé & Anthony

Chloé and Anthony got married this summer in Wentworth, South Yorkshire. Wentworth is one of my favourite places and, if you’re local, it’s maybe one of yours too - it’s picture perfect and all the pubs are in walking distance from the church meaning the day flowed in a really easy and relaxed way. Chloé and Anthony’s wedding was filled with fun, joy and love from start to finish.

Confetti exit at Wentworth Church, South Yorkshire

Chloé got ready with her family and friends at home and Anthony got ready at The Rockingham Arms then took the short walk to Wentworth Church.

The ceremony at beautiful Wentworth Church

The walk from Wentworth Church to the Rockingham Arms was perfect for capturing moments between the newly married couple.

We headed to The Rockingham Arms for drinks, speeches and the wedding breakfast. The converted barn at The Rockingham Arms is perfect for laid back couples who want their day to feel relaxed and informal.

The barn was filled with hundreds of candles which created a warm and intimate energy.

The barn at The Rockingham Arms

After dinner Anthony set up a pop up whisky and cigar bar for him and his friends in the grounds of the pub. The photos with smoke from the cigars worked really well with the backlight of the summer evening’s low sun.

The party was in full swing as soon as the cake had been cut and first dance had been had.

Before we were due to leave we noticed the sun setting and a rare opportunity for golden hour photographs on the fields behind The Rockingham Arms. Chloé and Anthony were up for leaving the party for five minutes and I’m so glad they were - it was the perfect way to end our day with them which had been gorgeous from top to bottom.

Love,

Laura

Nicole & Jess

This intimate city centre wedding was an absolute joy to photograph. Nicole and Jess celebrated with their children and closest family and friends at one of my all time favourite wedding venues - The Chimney House in Sheffield is such a beautiful venue, bursting with character, charm and quirks reflecting Kelham Island’s unique history.

Just married at The Chimney House, Sheffield

The ceremony was gorgeous with beautiful florals and candles in an array of vases and coloured glass bottles. The team at the Chimney House really know what they’re doing when it comes to decor and the red brick of the building creates such a beautiful, warm energy.

Beautiful details were natural, warm and relaxed.

After the ceremony we went for a wander around Kelham Island to make some unique photographic art with Nicole and Jess - I really love to spend twenty minutes alone with couples to ensure we have some stunning portraits to reflect the unique relationship they share. It’s also a really lovely breather for couples where they can spend some time being a newly married couple away from the hustle and bustle of the day. Kelham Island itself is a dream for photographers and couples who love texture and colour in their photographs and Nicole, Jess and I were very much on the same page about the images we wanted to create.

This room in The Chimney House never disappoints

Nicole’s stunning, bespoke dress by Kate Beaumont

The day ended with speeches and a feasting style meal - lots of plates of food passed person to person which brought such a relaxed, informal and celebratory energy to Jess and Nicole’s wedding day.

Nicole and Jess were a joy to work with and, whilst it’s obviously a day they’ll never forget, I will never forget the day either - their warmth and gorgeous energy meant I left the day feeling so joyful and light for days to come.

Love,

Laura

Sarah & John

Freshly married at Heron House, Registry Office

My little sister got married! I had the honour of photographing Sarah and John’s wedding in Manchester in September. The day was super laid back with only immediate family in attendance and Sarah and John felt more comfortable having me on photo duty than a stranger. I was told to make sure I enjoyed the day and not to get too wrapped up in the photography side of things - I rarely popped my camera away that day because part of my enjoyment came from being able to tell this story for two of the people I love most. My partner and assistant photographer, Paul, was there as both guest and very helpful stand in for when I wanted to simply be present - also to ensure there were photos to document my presence at my sister’s wedding.

Sarah and John got ready at home where I did Sarah’s hair and makeup to keep the energy as chilled as possible. They really are very no-fuss type people so keeping the day as simple as possible was key to their enjoyment of it.

It was obvious from pretty early on that it was going to pour it down with rain for the day - it wouldn’t be Manchester if it didn’t. It made no difference to the day and I always have a nice brolly in the car for weddings - I gave the nice brolly to Sarah and I took one for the team and used her enormous, bright red one.

We took taxis into Manchester city centre and they did the legal bit at Heron House Registry Office. Once they were officially married we headed to The Library Champagne Bar for drinks and some of the most excellent cheese I’ve ever put in my mouth.

My nice brolly matched Sarah’s beautiful dress by Ghost for John Lewis

I think my favourite part of the day was the meal - Sarah and John had booked two big tables at Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana where we all ate too much and felt as full as eggs afterwards. The employees at Rudy’s were amazing - they brought a complimentary bottle of wine for the table and really made things feel special.

Post pizza we headed back to Sarah and John’s house where we immediately changed into comfy clothes and pyjamas. Eating wedding cake in PJs is a vibe, let me tell you.

The whole day was perfect and so very them - a perfect example of a no fuss, but full to the brim with personality, love and meaning, wedding day.

Pizza at Rudy's on Peter Street

That’s me on the left there - wearing many metaphorical hats because I love my sister and wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Thank you for reading my first blog post!

Love,

Laura