Introducing Stephanie and Adam! I met them thanks to Stephanie's dad, Gerry, who I used to work with. Now Gerry's living the dream in retirement.
The first time I bumped into Stephanie and Adam was for their pre-wedding photo shoot. We rendezvoused at Roundhay Park in Leeds, where we spent a solid hour wandering around like lost tourists, all while I turned my camera into a paparazzi machine and snapped the daylights out of them!
It was great to catch up with Stephanie and Adam and chat about their exciting wedding plans while strolling around Roundhay Park!
Somewhere between their pre-wedding photo op and the grand finale wedding day, Stephanie and Adam are busy sprinkling the last bits of magic dust on their big event. Meanwhile, I’m dialing them up for a little chat to make sure we’re all on the same page for the big day. During our call, we dive into the thrilling world of schedules, decide how many family and friend photos they want, and discuss my role in the day's festivities. This way, the day unfolds like a well-rehearsed play, and I’m not left wandering around like a lost sock in the laundry.
On the morning of the wedding, I rolled up to Cookridge Hall a whole hour early. Better to be safe than stuck in traffic, right? You never know when the universe will throw a traffic jam in your path!
Cookridge Hall, is an impressive venue. It is a grade 2 listed historic building dating back to 1721 and looks like a photographers dream. https://www.bannatyne.co.uk/health-club/cookridge-hall/cookridge-hall-events
In no time Adam arrived in his Classic Range Rover P38. This is an impressive car and his pride and Joy, all clean and shiny as was Adam.
Time to get snapping! First up, I need to catch the ceremony room in all its empty glory before it gets crowded, then it's off to the reception room, and of course, capturing guests as they arrive to shower Adam with attention!
Things are really kicking off now, with the bridesmaids showing up and looking fantastic. Then Stephanie rolls in, cruising in a super cool Cadillac. I would've probably lost my job if I didn't snap some pics of that classic beauty.
Chillin' like royalty inside this awesome car was Bride Stephanie, with her mom Vivien beaming with pride on her daughters big day..
Another beaming parent, Gerry, is there to greet Stephanie as she makes her grand exit from the Cadillac, as if she's stepping off a Hollywood red carpet. And now, drumroll please, we get to the main event: the wedding ceremony. First up on the catwalk, we have the bridesmaids strutting their stuff, followed by Karen, Vivien's partner.. Next, we have the proud-as-peacocks parents, Vivien and Gerry, making their entrance. Finally, the pièce de résistance, the bride herself, sashaying down the aisle like she owns the place. At the end of this glamorous runway stands Adam, eagerly waiting for his leading lady.
There you have it, husband and wife. Both beaming as they walk back down the aisle holding hands and big smiles.
Like I’ve said in my earlier ramblings, it’s best to dive right into the two grand photo ops that rope in the whole gang: the confetti explosion and the human pyramid, I mean the group shot. I usually end up looking like a walking piñata, covered in confetti, while I chase after Stephanie and Adam through the confetti shot.
With that out of the way, the rest of the guests can bask in the sunshine and chill out, while it's time for the smaller group shots. Cookridge Hall has some delightful grounds, and the only thing I really have to worry about is that pesky sun trying to photobomb.
Alright, everyone can kick back and relax, except for Stephanie and Adam—it's their time to shine in front of the camera! We're off to snap some pics of just the two of them. Cookridger Hall is like a treasure hunt for photographers, full of secret spots perfect for photos. I scouted them out before the big day, so I already have the map to the best photo ops. Let's go find those gems!
With the photo frenzy wrapped up, Stephanie and Adam dove into the guest mingle-a-thon. Then came the moment everyone was drooling over—the wedding breakfast and speeches. All the guests were on their feet, eagerly awaiting the grand entrance. Now, my camera might be a bit shy on the sound front, but trust me, if it had ears, it would have been blown away by the deafening cheers and roars for Stephanie and Adam as they strutted in like rock stars!
And then, the speeches began! First up was Gerry, Stephanie's dad, standing tall and proud as he delivered his heartfelt words to the joyous couple and their guests. It was truly touching! Next, the spotlight turned to the man of the moment, Adam. Cool as a cucumber, he graciously thanked the guests, the bridesmaids, and his beautiful new wife. His speech was incredibly moving, and you could see Adam's mum, Gill, holding back tears of joy!
The best man's speech was like a comedy show with a dash of drama—plenty of laughs, and just enough serious moments to keep everyone from falling off their chairs!
After the speeches, everyone dove into the wedding breakfast meal like it was the last supper—oh, and they didn't forget to feed me too! Such generosity, and the food was delightful. Before my shirt buttons could scream for mercy from the feast, I hustled over to get the ring and cake shots.
So there we were, me, Stephanie, and Adam, on yet another epic adventure at Cookridge Hall. This time, we stumbled upon The Orchard. The lighting was now a bit more dramatic, so naturally, we had to snap a few more pics. Because, you know, if it’s not on camera, did it even happen?
There was a bit of a lull for the guests before the evening shenanigans kicked off. So, I moseyed around, capturing everyone having a blast. Wait a sec, where did Stephanie and Adam disappear to... oh, found them!
Get ready for the evening party! As all the evening guests arrived, excitement filled the air—it was time for the first dance! Everyone gathered in a circle, eagerly welcoming Stephanie and Adam onto the dance floor.
This wedding was awesome, and I had such a great time with Stephanie and Adam and all the family and guests. Before I signed off for the night, I just wanted to get one more shot of Stephanie and Adam outside Cookridge Hall.
Big cheers to you two! May your journey through life be packed with endless giggles and joy rides for years to come!
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