Wedding at Thornton Manor

We've just got back in from an amazing civil wedding at Thornton Manor in Thornton Hough on the Wirral. It really is one of our favourite wedding venues and we are so proud at being recommended photographers to Thornton Manor.

The bride Sophie looked simply stunning in a beautiful dress with a veil that seemed to have a life of it's own in the gentle breeze we had today. Talking about the weather, the Gods were certainly smiling on us yet again as bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds were the order of the day.

Add this to the spectacular setting of Thornton Manor and you have the recipe for the most wonderful wedding and that's what we had today.

Once again, we have well over 1000 (yes, one thousand) photos from the day and editing will start almost immediately.Here are a few from the day.

Thornton Manor ♥ Sophie and Nick

We've just got back in from an amazing civil wedding at Thornton Manor in Thornton Hough on the Wirral. It really is one of our favourite wedding venues and we are so proud at being recommended photographers to Thornton Manor.

The bride Sophie looked simply stunning in a beautiful dress with a veil that seemed to have a life of it's own in the gentle breeze we had today. Talking about the weather, the Gods were certainly smiling on us yet again as bright blue skies and fluffy white clouds were the order of the day.

Add this to the spectacular setting of Thornton Manor and you have the recipe for the most wonderful wedding and that's what we had today.

Once again, we have well over 1000 (yes, one thousand) photos from the day and editing will start almost immediately. Here are a few from the day.






More photographs from Thornton Manor and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Busy few days ahead

Well we've nearly finished editing the thousands of photos taken at the three weddings we covered last week (the last one, should be finished tomorrow morning) and then it's straight into another two (Thursday 30th July and Saturday 1st August). Looking forward to them both.

Friday sees us racking up a few miles with a quick dash to the good people at Calumet in Manchester to get a couple of our cameras cleaned and serviced. Whilst they are giving two of our cameras the once over, we head south to Sandbach with our other cameras to photograph some new business suits beiomg trialed by the partners at Waitrose in the town.

Once that is done, we can head back to Manchester to pick up the shiny squeaky clean cameras and then head across to the Wirral to talk wedding albums with a client.

Can you get jet lag in a car?

Glorious Chester Cathedral

As I mentioned in my previous posting, we popped into magnificent Chester Cathedral this afternoon. I must admit to being a bit of a sucker for the lovely old churches and Cathedrals which can be found throughout the UK whether you live in the smallest village or biggest city. In Chester, we are lucky to have what I believe to be one of the most incredible of Cathedrals.

In my photographs, I have tried to show the scale and grandeur of the interior of this building but have also applied some artistic licence in the presentation. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to display some of my work in a public gallery very soon and these will certainly feature as I am particularly pleased with them and I hope you like them too.

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's off to Llangollen we go...

We've just got back in from an early morning swim (exhausting) and then we are off for a quick photo shoot in Llangollen for a car magazine.

I don't expect to see Seven Dwarfs but a little bit of sunshine would be good (according to the weather forecast though, I've probably got more chance of the 7 Dwarfs!). Neil has just got the lawnmower out to give the grass the once over before we set off so that has definitely guaranteed rain.

After the shoot, I am sure we can squeeze in lunch at the fabulous Corn Mill by the riverside in the town centre (scrummy!) before heading back to Chester for a meeting with a client at the glorious Chester Cathedral.

Photographing the Royal Family

We are extremely proud and privileged to be part of the "Royal Rota". This is the name given to a select number of photographers who are allowed to accompany and photograph members of the Royal Family on private and public occasions at close proximity.

You can see a few examples of recent Royal Visits to the North West of England and North Wales on our main website (link).

This week, HRH Princess Anne, the Princess Royal makes a visit to North Wales where she will undertake a number of official engagements and we'll post a few photographs in due course. In the meanwhile, here are a few from recent Royal Visits to our region

Wedding at Thornton Manor

We are pretty blessed living where we do that we have so many wonderful wedding venues within our 'patch' (Cheshire, Wirral, Shropshire and North Wales).

Quite frankly, they don't get any better than Thornton Manor on the Wirral and that is where we are off to on Thursday of this week to photograph the wedding of the lovely Sophie and Nick. We are really looking forward to it. We are very proud to be photographers recommended by Thornton Manor and it is truly one of the greatest places we know to have a wedding ceremony and/or reception.

On Saturday, we head back up the Wirral to Oxton for the wedding of Rachel and Kristian. First wedding of August so let's hope the weather gets it's act together for a change

It's another week... what will it bring?

Well so far, we have the prospect of continuing to edit over 3,000 photographs from the three weddings we photographed last week. I am sure that most people are convinced that wedding photographers pop on a suit, turn up at a wedding for 'x' hours and there it is, job done.

It's not as simple as that I'm afraid. We spend many many hours editing the photos we take (averaging about 3 man days work) to ensure we get the very best out of them and so that our clients genuinely get the very best photographs possible of their special day. So whilst they are sipping cool drinks in some exotic location, we are slaving away on their wedding photos. Hmm.... I think we might have got the life workload balance a bit wrong there!

What else is there this to look forward to this week?

Well we have another assignment for our friends at John Lewis. This time photographing some new business suits for the partners at Waitrose stores. After that, we have Sophie and Nick's wedding at Thornton Manor on the Wirral (great couple, fabulous fabulous fabulous venue) and finally yet another wedding on Saturday (Rachel and Kristian in Oxton).

A busy busy week yet again but let's be honest, we wouldn't have it any other way.

Shrigley Hall ♥ Sara and Simon

What a fantastic day! We had a little rain (luckily, most of it was when we were all safely inside St Cross Church in Knutsford for the ceremony) and also had some sun but most importantly, everybody had a great day especially our happy couple, Sara and Simon.

I don't think I have ever met a bride who smiled and laughed as much as Sara did - it really was wonderful to see. If anyone was supremely happy, it was Sara yesterday (24th July 2009).

Once again, we have hundreds and hundreds of great photos to edit but just as a very small sample, here are one or two from Shrigley Hall in Cheshire where the reception was held.

Enjoy your family party today guys and enjoy your honeymoon in the Maldives (me.... jealous?)

Sara and Simon arrive outside Shrigley Hall

Down by the lake at Shrigley Hall

Turn round quick guys, there's a bit of blue sky!
More photographs from Shrigley Hall and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Weddings at Shrigley Hall and Forest Hills

We mentioned earlier that we have 3 weddings this week. The first was a civil wedding that took place yesterday (Wednesday) at Peckforton Castle (a couple of photos can be seen on our wedding blog (link).

The next is tomorrow (Friday 24th July 2009). Sara and Simon are having their ceremony at St Cross Church in Knutsford, Cheshire with a reception at the gorgeous Shrigley Hall.

The final wedding of the week is on Saturday (25th July 2009) and this will see Rachael and Chris getting married at St Laurence's Church in Frodsham with the reception at the nearby Forest Hills Hotel.

Can't wait!

Weddings at Shrigley Hall and Forest Hills

We mentioned earlier that we have 3 weddings this week. The first was a civil wedding that took place yesterday (Wednesday) at Peckforton Castle.

The next is tomorrow (Friday 24th July 2009). Sara and Simon are having their ceremony at St Cross Church in Knutsford, Cheshire with a reception at the gorgeous Shrigley Hall.

The final wedding of the week is on Saturday (25th July 2009) and this will see Rachael and Chris getting married at St Laurence's Church in Frodsham with the reception at the nearby Forest Hills Hotel.

Can't wait!

www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Peckforton Castle ♥ Samantha and Andrew

As mentioned earlier, yesterday (Wednesday 22nd July 2009) saw us at Peckforton Castle once again for the wedding of Samantha and Andrew.

The weather was playing games with us as one minute it as fine and the next, we'd get rained on. With a venue like Peckforton Castle however, it almost doesn't matter because the interiors are as stunning as the exterior.

As it transpired, we managed to get loads of lovely photographs outside as well so everybody was happy. In addition, even though the marriage ceremony itself was conducted as a Civil Ceremony (with a registrar inside the Great Hall of the castle), the lovely Samantha and her lucky hubby Andrew made use of the Chapel that is wholly within the grounds of Peckforton Castle and had a blessing which is a lovely thing to do and provides another photo opportunity for us.

We are still working on the hundreds of photos taken during the day but here are a couple of tasters to be going on with.

The blessing in the Chapel at Peckforton Castle

The bride and groom posing in the Great Hall
More photographs from Peckforton Castle and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Me.. a tax man?

You'd think so considering the time I seem to spend as an unpaid tax collector for the Government. I'm sure all self employed people feel the same way and as you might have guessed, I spent most of yesterday completing our VAT Returns (oh joy).

Still, job done and now we can look forward to the first of our 3 weddings this week (Samantha and Andrew at Peckforton Castle in Tarporley, Cheshire).

Album day today

A delivery of client's albums finally arrived from down under. We recommend Jorgensen albums and they are hand made in Australia. They are really superb both in terms of quality and style with some really wonderful designs and cover materials.

So no excuse today, it was eyes down and all hands to the pumps so our customers get their wedding albums as quickly as possible.

Got the Pinot Grigio chilling nicely ready for tonight's episode of "Four Weddings" in which we feature as photographers at Sarah's wedding at Peckforton Castle in Tarporley, Cheshire.

We have a busy week this week on the wedding front. We are at Peckforton Castle on Wednesday 22nd July 2009 for Samatha and Andrew's wedding then it's Sara and Simon's wedding at Shrigley Hall in Cheshire on Friday 24th July 2009 and then on Saturday 25th July 2009, we are over at The Forest Hills in Frodsham for Rachael and Chris's wedding. Hope the weather behaves itself but whatever, I am sure a GREAT time will be had by all.

More details and a few sample pics will appear on here in due course no doubt

www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Album day today

A delivery of client's albums finally arrived from down under. We recommend Jorgensen albums and they are hand made in Australia. They are really superb both in terms of quality and style with some really wonderful designs and cover materials.

So no excuse today, it was eyes down and all hands to the pumps so our customers get their wedding albums as quickly as possible.

Got the Pinot Grigio chilling nicely ready for tonight's episode of "Four Weddings" in which we feature as photographers at Sarah's wedding.

We have a busy week this week on the wedding front. We are at Peckforton Castle on Wednesday 22nd July 2009 for Samatha and Andrew's wedding then it's Sara and Simon's wedding at Shrigley Hall in Cheshire on Friday 24th July 2009 and then on Saturday 25th July 2009, we are over at The Forest Hills in Frodsham for Rachael and Chris's wedding. Hope the weather behaves itself but whatever, I am sure a GREAT time will be had by all.

More details and a few sample pics will appear on here in due course no doubt

Ready for your close up.....

As we mentioned earlier in this blog, we were delighted to be the photographers at the wedding of the lovely Sarah and Barry at Peckforton Castle back in February. It was a fabulous day by anybody's standards and the sun shone and everyone was happy.

The wedding was filmed for broadcast as part of the "Four Weddings" series on Living TV and Monday (20th July 2009) see 'our' episode being shown.

All the girls in the episode are lovely but naturally, I'm rooting for 'my' bride Sarah.

Look out for yours truly

"Four Weddings" on Living TV

As we mentioned earlier in this blog, we were delighted to be the photographers at the wedding of the lovely Sarah and Barry at Peckforton Castle back in February. It was a fabulous day by anybody's standards and the sun shone and everyone was happy.

The wedding was filmed for broadcast as part of the "Four Weddings" series on Living TV and Monday (20th July 2009) see 'our' episode being shown.

All the girls in the episode are lovely but naturally, I'm rooting for 'my' bride Sarah.

Look out for yours truly

www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

If it's Wednesday, it must be Peckforton

Haven't got a wedding this Saturday (18th July) as we have a photo shoot in Nottingham but we have a busy wedding related day on Sunday (19th July) seeing two sets of clients whose weddings are coming up in the next couple of weeks.

First we have Emma and Lee who are getting married at the spacious and elegant Thornton Hall on The Wirral and then in the afternoon, we are meeting up with Sara and Simon who are getting married at the stately Shrigley hall in Cheshire. See you all on Sunday guys!

Our next wedding, as the title of this post cunningly suggests is on Wednesday (22nd July 2009) and once again we are back at the fabulous Peckforton Castle with Samantha and Andrew.

Really looking forward to it. Mid week weddings are always great fun. We are convinced it's because the guests look upon it as an extra day off from work so really let themselves go!

www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Where was the sunshine?

Hmm. Took my bucket and spade but the sun didn't shine for us when we went to Park Travel at Birkenhead for the Hoseasons shoot. Wellie boots might have been a better choice (is it really July?)

Never mind, meeting Zena, Sarah and the rest of the girls (plus Bob of course) made up for it and yet again, there was cake (didn't get to eat any this time even though they kindly offered - must think of my waistline).

Ho.... Ho.... Hoseasons.....

Off to sunny (I hope) Birkenhead this morning for a job at Park Travel for Hoseasons....

Got my bucket, spade, shorts, bottle opener.......

John Lewis cakes are yummy

What a fabulous day we had at the John Lewis Partnership shop in Liverpool One.

Yes I know we were there to take photographs but those lovely people at John Lewis in Liverpool made the day so much fun and we have come away with some brilliant photographs.

If that wasn't enough, we had lunch at the store's "The Place to Eat" which is the public restaurant on the 4th Floor. All I can say is the chef's there are as good (if not better) as any you will find ANYWHERE. The food was brilliant and to top it all, the cakes are simply to die for. Oh yes!

Thanks to everyone for yesterday and I hope you like the photographs.

OK, so the sky wasn't very blue yesterday but with a bit of artistic licence and flair.....

Off to John Lewis

Not to do any shopping (unfortunately) but we are spending the whole day with the lovely Katy from John Lewis to take photos in the beautiful new store at the Liverpool One development.

I must make sure that Neil does NOT have his plastic with him as it could turn out to be a very expensive day's work!

Tracy and Jonathan's wedding at Ruthin Castle

Phew! Neil and I have just finished editing the photos from Tracy and Jonathan's wedding on 11th July 2009. This lovely couple (bet they're squirming now) were married at the Catholic Cathedral in Wrexham and then moved to Ruthin Castle in Denbighshire for their reception. They are now sunning themselves in California before travelling on to the Cook Islands. How exotic is that!

If you'd like to see a few more photos from their wedding, they are over on our wedding blog (link) If you'd like to see the full set, you will need to look at the Client Area of our main website (link)

Ruthin Castle ♥ Tracy and Jonathan

If I've said it once I've said it a hundred times, I challenge anyone to find a more relaxing, fascinating, exciting place to have your wedding anywhere in Wales.

The weather forecast before Tracy and Jonathan's wedding was pretty dire so we had made contingency plans to do quite a lot of photography both inside Wrexham Catholic Cathedral (where the ceremony was taking place) and inside Ruthin Castle. This is one of the great virtues of locations like this, the interior is so beautiful that photographs inside are almost as great as photographs taken outside!

Despite the forecast, fortune smiled upon us on the day and the weather was pretty good with long periods of sunshine and not too hot.

Tracy looked stunning in her dress. It was so stylish and suited her perfectly. Jonathan wore a very smart tailor made suit in light brown which made a really welcome change from the more commonly seen black or dark grey.

These are a few of the 600 photographs the bride and groom have received from us. If you'd like to see the full set, you will need to look at the Client Area of our main website (link)

Not worried in the slightest

Why can't I go up there?

Outside Wrexham Catholic Cathedral after the ceremony

Arrival at Ruthin Castle

The happy couple

Tracy and Jonathan in the gardens at Ruthin Castle

A stroll through the garden
More photographs from Ruthin Castle and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Wedding Photographs in "OK" Magazine

Very exciting news today that the top selling celebrity magazine "OK" want to use a selection of our photographs of Hannah and Carl's recent wedding at magnificent Peckforton Castle for a feature in a forthcoming edition.

Wedding Photographs in "OK" Magazine

Very exciting news today that the top selling celebrity magazine "OK" want to use a selection of our photographs of Hannah and Carl's recent wedding at magnificent Peckforton Castle for a feature in a forthcoming edition.


More photographs from Peckforton Castle and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

New wedding photography blog

We thought it would be nice if we created a sister blog to this one which was specifically about wedding photography with some details of venues we go to as and when we visit them.

The new blog can be seen here or you can use the link in the links section to the top right of this page.

We'll still update this blog with all things photographic that we are involved in but thought that weddings warranted a little more attention

www.barrieneil.co.uk

Arley Hall ♥ Rachel and Aron

Rachel and Aron enjoy the finer things in life and it was this that attracted them to Arley Hall near Northwich in Cheshire. The sumptuous grand old building in magnificent grounds appeals to many people getting married and understandably so.

For a photographer, once again we are presented with so much choice and opportunity to produce wonderful photographs for the happy couple.



And not a white rabbit in sight....

Beautiful wife, champagne and a Rolls Royce... way to go Aron

It must be love

The gardens at Arley Hall are a particularly attractive feature
The "Spot the Groom" compettion gets off to a shaky start
Arley Hall in all it's glory
More photographs from Arley Hall and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

Lion Quays ♥ Naomi and Daniel

Although it may not have the history of some of the grand old buildings in the North West and North Wales, the modern environment of Lion Quays in Oswestry, Shropshire has a tremendous amount going for it as Naomi and Daniel found at their wedding.

From a photographers perspective it has nice light and spacious rooms with the added bonus of beautiful gardens and a canal side location which seems to have been tailor made for great photos of the happy couple



Well one of us is the wrong way up


Canalside stroll

That photographer is watching us again

On the jetty.. don't step back Daniel

More photographs from the Lion Quays and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk

"Four Weddings" on Living TV

Some of you may be watching the Living TV series "Four Weddings" (produced by Virgin Media) in which 4 brides per episode attend each other's weddings then award points for various aspects of the wedding. The bride that receives the most points (for things like dress, food, venue etc.) receives an all expenses paid luxury honeymoon.

We were photographers for one of the brides in an up and coming episode. The bride was Sarah Lathlane and the venue was that most magnificent of wedding venues, Peckforton Castle in Cheshire. She is a sure fire winner in my book but we'll all have to watch the episode to find out what happens (I believe it may be shown on Living TV at 9pm on Monday 20th July 2009).

Peckforton Castle ♥ Hannah and Carl

Hannah and Carl chose to have their wedding at what is arguable the most popular, dramatic and unusual wedding venue in the North West of England, Peckforton Castle.

The day started with the usual frantic activities the bride and bridesmaids getting ready, showing the men how to tie their cravats and trying to avoid the dozens of people preparing the ceremony room (the Great Hall) for the big day.

After the ceremony, we all moved to the on site chapel for a blessing before the fun really started. The weather was good, the bride absolutely stunningly beautiful and the venue, perfection. What more could any couple (or photographer) want.



The ceremony in the Great Hall

The exchange of vows

The ceremony continues

The blessing in the chapel at Peckforton Castle

Hannah and Carl outside Peckforton Castle
Bride, groom and their attendants
The groom and his best man and ushers
Outside the walls of Peckforton Castle
More photographs from Peckforton Castle and other venues can be found both in this blog and on our main wedding website at www.barrieneilweddings.co.uk