Durham Masonic Hall Wedding Photos | Nadine & Philip

Nadine & Philip’s Durham Masonic Hall wedding photos highlight just how wonderful this iconic Durham wedding venue is. I'll always remember the day Nadine rang me as I was stood in a carpark in Bakewell.

The Masonic Hall in Durham was a new venue for me. I met with Nadine & Philip before their wedding day and on arrival I was really impressed. It looked like a small venue on the outside but it was deceivingly spacious on the inside. It had rooms full of plaques containing past and present masons and has a huge range of flags in different colours. The rooms were steeped in history. On her wedding day, I met Nadine at her parent's house in nearby Washington.

It turned out that Nadine's father was also a cyclist and naturally we had a good conversation all about cycling. Her family were just the loveliest of people and made me feel so welcome.  Before long it was time to head into Durham for her ceremony. The ceremony was small and intimate, in a room that looked a bit like a mini courtroom, with a very striking chequered floor.It was a lovely bright sunny day so drinks were on the lawn followed by a short walk down to the river for a few portraits.

They were possibly the most laid back people I've had the pleasure working with. Not particularly comfortable in front of camera, or so they thought. As it happens, they were so into each other, and having fun, that they made my job rather easy. We bumped into a clown, in fact randomly we bumped into about a dozen clowns, so naturally I grabbed one for a photo, as one does.

Looking for your own Durham Masonic Hall Wedding Photos?

If you're looking for a wedding photographer to document your own wedding day and you like my style of wedding photography then why not get in touch?   

Whitworth Hall Wedding Photography | Rachel & Rick

Whitworth Hall Wedding Photography with Rachel & Rick is the last of a two part write up in my journal and considering the significance of where they actually tied the knot I felt it was completely justified!

Before we get started and if you haven’t already, go check out their Durham Cathedral wedding photography.

From Durham Cathedral, the newly weds sped off at high speed in a VW Campervan and I jumped aboard the guest coach to make my way back to Whitworth Hall to catch up with the rest of the day.

Whitworth Estate is also home to its very own picturesque deer park

The sun was shining, the guests were getting thirsty and within no time we arrived back at Whitworth Hall. Drinks and canopes on the lawn go down a treat especially since we got lucky with the weather. As per most weddings, I get through half a dozen formal photographs in pretty quick time and a couple of quirky portraits at the bride's request. Unfortunately, the deer in the park were miles away so no chance they could photo bomb the portraits which was a shame! Check out Rachel & Rick looking like gangsters a bit further down the page.

Everyone heads inside for the meal and when it was time for the speeches, the guests (and myself!) were in for a treat like no other. Unknown to me, turns out Rachel is a stand up comedian. She delivered the most amazing speech/sketch/song, basically a full half hour of pure entertainment and a pretty tough act to follow, it was awesome!

The guests were singing, the bridal party played their part, out popped a few "Rick" masks and the place pretty much went crazy for a short while. All good. Enough of me rambling. I give you Whitworth Hall Wedding Photography with the incredible Rachel & Rick.

Oh and yes, right there at the end of the night the band were all guests and friends of Rachel & Rick who also gig together.

Guess who the lead singer was...

Enjoy!

Planning your own luxurious wedding at Whitworth Hall?

Taken over by the Apartment Group quite recently, Whitworth Hall has been transformed into a truly luxurious wedding venue for couples looking for something a little bit special. The venue itself boasts a unique deer park which is a huge attraction in itself. Whitworth Hall is an intimate Grade II listed country house boasting 29 sumptuous bedrooms. The beautiful city of Durham is only a short 30 minute drive away so an ideal trip for your to do list.

As for my availability for photographing your Whitworth Hall wedding, I’m based just over 30 minutes away so ideally located nearby. Inquire about your very own Whitworth Hall Wedding Photography

Durham Cathedral Wedding Photography | Rachel & Rick

Durham Cathedral wedding photography doesn't come about very often so when Rachel & Rick got in touch it was such an honour to capture their special day. 

After confirming my availability in an email and discussing a few details the date was firmly stamped in my diary. More often than not these days the first opportunity I get to meet the couple is at their eshoot. So wisely, Rachel opted for Durham city to meet, drink coffee and talk over the finer details of their wedding.

I have to admit to being pretty nervous prior to meeting them. Not everyone is granted the rights to be married at Durham Cathedral, and so me being me, I had to ask her the question how their wedding came about taking place at Durham Cathedral. "I'm a Princess" was her reply. My jaw dropped, almost hitting the table. She quickly realised that she'd got me hook, line and sinker so quickly went on to explain. Turns out her mum is a reverend in the local community and with that came the opportunity for Rachel to be married there.

A little history on Durham Cathedral

Located in the city of Durham, England, Durham Cathedral is a magnificent example of Norman architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cathedral was founded in 1093 by William of St. Calais, the Bishop of Durham, following the canonization of St. Cuthbert.

Construction of the cathedral took place over several decades, with the final touches completed in the early 12th century. The cathedral's design is characterized by its massive pillars, rounded arches, and ribbed vaults, which are typical of Norman Romanesque architecture. One of the most notable features of Durham Cathedral is its stunning facade, adorned with intricate stone carvings depicting biblical scenes and figures. The cathedral also houses the shrine of St. Cuthbert, a revered 7th-century saint, which has made Durham a significant pilgrimage site throughout the centuries.

Over the years, Durham Cathedral has faced various challenges, including fires, attacks, and periods of neglect. However, thanks to numerous restoration efforts, the cathedral retains much of its original grandeur and continues to be a place of worship, pilgrimage, and cultural significance. Today, Durham Cathedral stands as a testament to the skill and vision of its medieval builders and remains a symbol of faith and heritage for the people of Durham and visitors from around the world.

Wedding Photography at Durham Cathedral

On the morning of the wedding I met Rachel at Whitworth Hall - Estate and Deer Park to photograph her bridal preparations with her family. From there we made the journey to Durham in an old retro VW camper van which would drop us behind the Cathedral and away from the busy main entrance. I was lucky enough to be up front with the driver to document the journey!

Since the Cathedral is open to the public the wedding remained a fairly low key affair. We arrived at the rear entrance and walked through The Cloister, a beautiful structure in it’s own right. It wasn’t until we walked through into the main Cathedral itself that the general public were alerted to the fact a wedding was about to take place. Sadly due to the very strict protocols surrounding photography I was unable to get too close to the ceremony itself so I photographed what I could from a distance. The reverend conducting the service was extremely helpful and allowed me to photograph the register signing followed by 5 minutes or so of portraits with Rachel & Rick. Once the ceremony was complete it was back to Whitworth Hall for their reception. The whole day was so enjoyable and especially so as it was topped off with some lovely speeches, some stand up comedy and a few songs from Rachel throughout the evening which was a lovely surprise for Rick.

For enquiries about your own wedding photography, feel free to get in touch.

St Chads Durham Wedding Photography | Sally & Alistair

An exceptional wedding venue, Sally & Alistair’s St Chads Durham Wedding Photography gives a great insight into a wedding here. Army Captain Alistair ensured this elegant wedding had a military twist to it. There's nothing quite like a Guard of Honour awaiting you immediately after a wedding ceremony.The day started with Sally and her bridesmaids in a lovely apartment where the girls had their hair and makeup applied. The ceremony and reception all took place at St Chads in Durham, a personal favourite of mine. I've photographed several weddings here now and I have such fond memories from them all. The staff are really friendly and approachable. As a result, they're always on hand to make your wedding day go seamlessly and there's a lovely atmosphere to this venue.You can see from the following photographs that my style of wedding photography is documentary. Essentially, this means very little posing or direction from me. I personally feel that this type of photography truly makes your wedding photos sing. There's so much more personality and emotion to be seen in an image where the subjects were unaware of their photograph having been taken.

More on St Chads Wedding Venue in Durham

St. Chad's in Durham holds a rich history when it comes to weddings. This picturesque and historic location has been a popular choice for couples looking to tie the knot at their former college. With its striking architecture and beautiful surroundings, St. Chad's provides a romantic backdrop both within the venue and also being so central within Durham itself. Over the years, St. Chad's has witnessed countless love stories unfold within its walls. The venue’s tranquil atmosphere and timeless charm make it a sought-after venue for couples seeking a traditional and elegant wedding. Whether it's a grand celebration or an intimate gathering, St. Chad's offers a versatile space that can accommodate different types of weddings.

The warmth and welcoming ambiance of St. Chad's make it a very pleasant venue for your wedding.

If you're planning your very own St Chads Durham wedding photography and are looking for a wedding photographer of your own then feel free to contact me. I take limited bookings each year so I recommend reserving your date as soon as possible.