Not every wedding needs a crowd.
Not every wedding needs a big venue.

Some weddings are simply about love — and Ben & Simone’s Middlesbrough Registry Office wedding was exactly that.

With just a small number of guests present — their children — this was one of the most heartfelt, meaningful ceremonies I’ve had the privilege to photograph. Proof that the smallest weddings often carry the biggest emotions.

Nestled deep in the North York Moors National Park, Hackness Grange is one of those rare wedding venues that feels like stepping into a storybook. Georgian architecture, endless private grounds, lakeside views, woodland edges and atmospheric interiors — it’s everything a couple could want, and everything a photographer hopes for.

Romantic spots, wild landscapes & places that feel beautifully real

Planning an engagement shoot is one of the most exciting ways to celebrate this chapter in your story — a chance to slow down, breathe it all in, and just be together. No schedules. No guests. No pressure. Just two people, the outdoors, and a camera that notices the moments you might otherwise miss.

There are wedding venues — and then there is Danby Castle Barn, a place that carries history in its stones and magic in its atmosphere.
The kind of magic you don’t need to force, pose or perform for. It exists on its own — all you have to do is step into it.

This photograph from a recent wedding is the kind that stays with you.
Not because it’s “perfect”, but because it’s real.

Rushpool Hall is one of those rare North Yorkshire wedding venues that feels like it was designed with photography in mind.
Every corner of this romantic Victorian mansion offers a different mood, a different backdrop, and a different way to tell a couple’s story.

When I photograph weddings at Rushpool Hall, there’s always a moment that stays with me long after I’ve packed up my cameras.
This image is one of those moments — a quiet, emotional scene from a recent Rushpool Hall wedding, captured in the beautiful light of the bridal suite.

If there’s one thing that quietly makes or breaks your wedding photography, it’s not the weather…
not the venue…
and not even whether your partner can tie a bow tie under pressure.

It’s your timeline.

A relaxed, well-planned wedding timeline gives you space to breathe, room to enjoy the moments, and time for me — your photographer — to tell the story of your day naturally and beautifully.

As a North East wedding photographer specialising in natural, documentary-style storytelling, I’ve photographed weddings everywhere from Danby Castle Barn to Rushpool Hall, Grinkle Park Hotel, Hackness Grange, Sneaton castle, and more. And the one thing the best wedding experiences have in common?

A timeline that flows.

Today I’m sharing exactly how to build one.

Choosing your wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your day.
Not because of the “pretty pictures” (though those matter too)…
but because your photographer is the one person who is with you through your most emotional, vulnerable, joyful moments.

Some weddings stay with you long after the last dance finishes — and Ian & Tia’s beautiful celebration at Danby Castle Barn is absolutely one of them. Set deep in the heart of the North York Moors, this venue already carries so much character, but the emotion, laughter and genuine connection between these two (and their families!) filled the entire place with something truly special.

When daylight fades and the evening party begins, the atmosphere of your wedding changes.
The music lifts, the laughter gets louder, the shoes come off, and everyone relaxes into the moment.

And from a photography perspective?
This is where some of the best, most emotional, most fun images of your day happen.

But the secret to beautiful evening photographs isn’t luck —
It’s lighting.

When you picture your wedding photographs, you’ll probably imagine the “big” moments first — the walk down the aisle, the first kiss, confetti, your first dance.
And yes, those moments are powerful. They’re the highlights you’ve been dreaming of.

When you think about your wedding photographs, your mind probably goes to the “big” moments — walking down the aisle, the first kiss, the confetti, the first dance.
And yes, those moments are beautiful and powerful, and they deserve to be photographed with care.

But after photographing weddings for so many years, I’ve learned something simple and deeply true:

The real story of your wedding day lives in the small moments.

Bradley and Sophie’s wedding day was one of those occasions that felt easy, genuine, and full of joy from beginning to end. Their ceremony took place at South Shields Town Hall, followed by a relaxed and happy celebration at Hedworth Hall, and it was a real pleasure to capture their day as it unfolded naturally.

There is a unique, indescribable beauty in the quiet moments of an intimate wedding. Eric and Joy’s celebration at Grinkle Park Hotel was one such occasion, a day where love’s purest form blossomed in the smallest, most heartfelt gathering.

One of the best compliments I ever get from couples is: “We didn’t even notice you taking half those photos!” That’s exactly how it should be. The most meaningful wedding photography comes from real, unposed moments—the laughter, hugs, and glances that happen naturally when everyone forgets the camera is there.

There are moments in wedding photography that stay with you forever—a fleeting smile, a tear of happiness, the quiet exchange of promises. Ryan and Sarah’s wedding at Grand Villa Heights was one of those unforgettable days, filled with genuine emotion, laughter, and a deep sense of connection.

If you’re anything like most couples I meet, the words “We’re not very photogenic” probably sound familiar.
You might cringe a little at the thought of being the centre of attention or worry that you’ll look awkward in your photos.
But here’s the truth I’ve learned after photographing hundreds of weddings across Yorkshire and beyond:

Nestled amidst the rolling landscapes of North Yorkshire, Hackness Grange provided the perfect backdrop for Martin and Becky's wedding day. As a photographer passionate about natural, romantic, and timeless storytelling, it was a privilege to document their celebration in such a stunning location.

The sun filtered softly through the ancient oaks surrounding Grinkle Park Hotel as I arrived to capture Wayne and Karen’s wedding—a day brimming with nostalgia, love, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship. What made this day truly special for me was more than just the stunning setting or the heartfelt vows; it was the deep-rooted connection I share with Karen. Having known her since our days at junior school, returning to celebrate this milestone felt like coming home.

Weddings are full of traditions — the vows, the first kiss, the cutting of the cake. But there’s one tradition that deserves way more credit than it gets. In fact, I’m convinced it should be recognised as a competitive discipline: the confetti throw.

Yes, you heard me right. If there were Olympic medals for style, accuracy, and sheer enthusiasm in showering newlyweds with tiny bits of colourful chaos, Britain would absolutely dominate the leaderboard.