It really is wedding season and I am so enjoying seeing so many beautiful brides and handsome grooms on their special days.

Shot at various locations over the last 2 months this summer is creating the most amazing light, it's so nice not to have to worry about the good old british weather for a change although I am packing a tube of SPF20 at every wedding.

Let me share just a few portraits with you which I've shot since the beginning of June at locations including Eshott Hall, Durham Castle, Ellingham, Newcastle Quayside, Bannatyne Hotel, County Thistle Hotel, Cullercoats, Cullercoats Methodist Church and Horton Grange Country house hotel

If you are getting married over the next 12-24 months and you would like me to shoot your wedding you can email me or you can contact me through my website and lets fix up a meeting at my city centre office where you can fill me in on the details of your big day.

Heather and Joels Wedding - St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle upon Tyne

Yesterday I had the absolute delight and pleasure of photographing Heather and Joels wedding, these two people are a match made in the heavens and a most amazing and inspiring couple.




Heather chose to marry in a simple dress and a shetland wedding shawl, I think she looked simply beautiful.





Heather chose a bouquet of crocuses and daffodils


Looking out over the city from the Hilton hotel from where we departed. We walked to the cathedral passing many of the citys great landmarks along the way.





I'd never photographed a wedding where everything was done on foot and I have to say that I loved the walking.




Crossing the millenium bridge.




The beautful bridesmaids.




Joel receiving some last minute words from best man Lucy.



I love this one with Heather and her bridesmaids as the service was commencing.



Getting down to the serious business of marraige with Robert the wonderful Canon of the cathedral.




Did I mention they had a choir?

At one point the head of the choir sang in Hebrew, it was an amazing moment and Joel clearly felt the emotion, I think this next photograph is beautiful.








Married!!!

So up until now you may not have grasped the size of the cathedral, well here's a shot I got from the back just before the end of the service.



At the end Joel and Heather lead everyone into the East Chapel for champagne and canapes



This was followed by the speeches which were introduced as a 3 minute concept.



Here's another of my favourite moments from yesterday.




OOh Confetti and kisses



at the end of the afternoon we all walked from the Cathedral up to the Northern Stage for the meal.

On the way we stopped for lots of photographs, my favourite were when Joel who had donned a sparkly purple cap danced with Heather spontaneously




This kind of thing doesn't happen often




We also stopped at Starbucks





and then off we went to the university gardens for some portraits.






I love this one




Oh and this one too!!




Joel and Heather, you are an extraordinary couple, I can't thank you enough for letting me part of your special day. Enjoy the Dominican Republic and I'll see you for your viewing in a couple of weeks.

The Thursday Ten....

Ten random bits of info from life, business and all that today....

1. I made a bride cry yesterday, don't worry too much though it was Kerry who had come to view her wedding photographs after returning from honeymoon in Egypt. She was overwhelmed and I kind of have to admit it made me cry too. I'm so delighted that they love their photos and it's great to know you've done a good job, not hard though when you've as much passion as I have as well as having such amazing wonderful and lovely clients!

2. I just heard that Patrick Swayze has cancer, oh my such awful sad news, i know he isn't a reader of my blog (well not that i know of) but I'm sending positive thoughts his way, he's the first guy I ever had a serious crush on and what he could do with those hips in Dirty Dancing... I really hope he can beat it.

3. Just received the new Take That in Concert DVD, busy watching it at the moment, Hello Boys :D

4. We went to school this morning to see Abigails class assembly, it was all about the victorians and I enjoyed watching Abigail using a mangle.

5. I have portrait photography sessions booked in for dates up until the middle of June, if you want to book one please don't wait around too long or you may have a very long wait, you can call me to book on the number above or you can click through to my website.

6. Did you know that I own a craft forum? lots of fun things going on over there at the moment, check us out at Craft.

7. I've just bought a book called "The Secret" I know it's been around for ages but I'm looking forward to reading it, it's about changing your life through the power of positive thought, something I am already trying to do on a daily basis, I look forward to seeing how this book enhances those thoughts, full book report when I'm done!

8. Having lots of fun running a photo scavenger hunt over on UKScrappers right now, 3 words once a week, why not come and join in and learn a little more about photography. I had the idea when I was joining in a photo scavenger hunt with some other incredibly talented wedding photographers over on DWF, if you're a photographer and weddings are your business you really should think about treating yourself to a Pro membership and if you're just starting out then why not join DWF start.

9. Have you added me to your Facebook yet? I love having lots of Facebook friends, come and join me on the greatest community on the internet.

10. Wedding season is approaching and I'm so excited for all my lovely brides and grooms, I'm having so much fun doing all your pre-wedding shoots, You know I love Love!!

It's Tuesday bits and bobs!

Not enough to justify one whole post so as per usual I'll resort to bullet points!

• We went to the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art yesterday morning, sadly there were hardly any exhibitions on but the ones we did see were as usual interesting and though provoking!
• While we were there we went for our usual mooch around the gallery shop which I think is one of my favourite shops in the whole of the North.
• After a little mooching my wonderful hubby bought me a Holga, a japanese toy camera which uses medium format film and gives strange and interesting photography, if you're interested in learning more about Lomography check out the International society of Lomography at www.lomography.com
• Super excited that I'm going to be able to take my Holga along to weddings and shoot something completely different from the norm.
• I have a feeling I might fall in love with the whole world of funky 60's film photography, do a google search for a Seagull, I think thats quite awesome, maybe digital photography isn't the end of film photography, maybe it's just the beginning of an adventure.
• Anyone got any out of date film hanging around, if you have can you email me at mandyc855@msn.com I'm quite happy to pay.
• Anyone who's emailed me about wedding photography over the last couple of days, I'm sorry but I've had horrid email problems. If you don't get a reply can you email me again at mandyc855@msn.com for the time being!
• Still some dates left for wedding photography packages this year and if you only need a couple of hours then check out my website because I have a few new smaller packages for the budget concious bride, after all doesn't everyone deserve great wedding photos, we can't all be rich and famous now can we ;)
  

Christine and Darren are Married!, St Johns Church Hebburn and George Washington Hotel, Country Club and Golf Club

Where shall I start with Christine and Darrens story, hmmm,

Well they've been together for 12 years and are one of those couples who you would be delighted to spend time with, they're gorgeous and friendly and they really welcomed me into their special day, so.... On with the photos (of which there are so many I want to share it's going to take 2 or 3 posts so please bear with me!!



Darren with his dependable groomsmen.


Looking Handsome and Dashing though you should have seen them trying to attach the cravats!


The gorgeous bridesmaid, Sister Lorna who was just so friendly.


Lornas daughter who was flower girl and all round friendly poppet, she was the most delightful little girl and so well behaved for two and a half, I hope mum brings her in for a session with her sister because they are just adorable and you only have to say "Smile for Santa" and you get a great big grin!


Christine, the most beautiful glowing bride you ever saw.


With Dad just after the arrival at the church, check out that Bentley, what a dream of a classic car!


The Church, I have to say that I encountered the most wonderful clergyman yesterday, he was so photo friendly and I got the most amazing shots, thank you so much!


Lorna and her daughter, delighfully vintage and completely beautiful.


Just waiting to be welcomed into the church for the processional.


Married and going back into the world as husband and wife.

Ok, thats your lot for today, if you want to see more you'll have to wait till tommorrow, I really did have such a wonderful time and even the editing has been a joy! Congratulations Christine and Darren may you have a wonderful honeymoon and an amazing life together!

Cool Places to get married in the North East of England

So we've talked about all the really cool places to get married around the country but today I thought I would suggest some more local places, some of which I have shot at already, some I'm shooting at this year and some, well I would really like to shoot their, hint hint.... Mwahahahaha!

So in no particular order:-

1. Bamburgh Castle
2. Durham Cathedral
3. St Nicholas Cathedral
4. Hexham Abbey
5. Linden Hall
6. Embleton Hall
7. Beamish Hall
8. Matfen Hall
9. Kirkley Hall
10. Headlam Hall

Ooh, lots of halls there then!!

Ok so what about something completely different for those brides and grooms who want something out of the ordinary? I don't have any suggestions other than the countrywide ones I posted a couple of days ago.

Perhaps if you're a bride planning her wedding day at somewhere completely different you could let me know and then I in turn will be able to tell other brides wanting something out of the ordinary.

Now come on, don't keep it to yourself!

If you are getting married at one of the above places then why not give me a call or click through to Mandy Charlton Designs and we'll have a chat about all of your wedding photography needs or you can email me direct at mandycharltondesigns@gmx.com

The 2008 Wedding Photography Booking Season....

Has commenced!

Yes things have really been getting busy and it's looking like it's going to be a bumper week of consultations meeting with new and interesting brides for both the 2008 season and now of course the 2009 season. My 2008 is starting to look like a busy one and it's kind of weird knowing what I'll be doing on certain dates in 2009, especially when I think I never used to know what I would be doing from one day to the next!

Anyway in preparation for a busy year I have recently bought myself (or the house) a Coffee machine, a Slow Cooker and now I've gotten myself a really nice personal organiser! Am I all set, well I think I am!!

Brides if you're looking for my contact details and to see more of my portfolio for all your wedding photography needs then click through to Mandy Charlton Designs

Really Cool Places to get Married...

Brides, where are they? What are your opinions? I would really like to travel a little further this year and I'm certainly available for wedding photography all over mainland UK but I'm wondering which places you brides are thinking about. I was just talking with my hubby about cool places I would choose if we weren't already married. I came up with the following list and feel free to add to, argue with or point out some new and interesting ones I haven't thought of yet and then if you're getting married there why not call me for a consultation, full contact details as always are on www.mandycharltondesigns.com

So here's my cool top 20 places in main land great Britain (if money were no object) of places I would love have my wedding at:-

1. York Minster
2. Hexham Abbey
3. Edinburgh Zoo
4. Chatsworth House
5. The London Eye
6. The London Aquarium
7. Edinburgh Castle
8. Blackpool Tower
9. Westminster Abbey
10. St Pauls Cathedral
11. Fountains Abbey
12. Longleat Safari Park
13. The London Dungeon
14. Blenheim Palace
15. Holyrood House
16. St Andrews
17. Wembley Stadium
18. Wallington Hall
19. Anywhere in the Highlands of Scotland, it's all beautiful, (summit of Ben Nevis Maybe?)
20.Matfen Hall

Yes I know some of them it's not possible, some are clearly a little on the Kooky side and some of them are unlikely to happen unless I start mingling with the Royals (maybe they read?!), a couple of them I have actually shot there though and I LOVED them!

So tell me your really cool suggestions and of course destinations and venues if you're actually getting married there.

Happy Tuesday everyone - How long is it until the summer?

Hands up, who just got engaged?

Go on, I need to hear about it...

You lucky lucky ladies and gents, all showing off your spangly new jewels and hopefully planning your weddings.

Well you'll be delighted to know that I now travel to weddings all over mainland UK, so if you're in England, Wales or Scotland (though not Ireland because ferries and airplanes are too scary) then you can give me a call, Travel is inclusive with the Gold and Platinum packages and with the bronze, silver etc Travel will be added on at the exact costs, nothing extortionate, I promise!! :D

2008 and 2009 are going to be great years to get married, trust me, I know these things! So Brides of the North, Brides of the East, south and West if you want a photographer who thinks that wedding photography is the most exciting thing on the planet, if you want a girly lady who loves all things wedding planning, if you want a woman who knows what a woman wants to look like on their wedding day then you can click through to my website Mandy Charlton Designs and book yourself a consultation, only 1 small spot, 2008 prime dates are just about all gone and 2009 prime dates are already filling fast so be quick, I really would hate you to miss out!!

Oh and for anyone into social networking I'm now on Facebook and Myspace, both are accessible from the side column.