Wedding | Nic ♥ Mike

If someone had told me I would be dodging golf balls whilst photographing a wedding I would never have believed them.

I always understand that the idea of golf was to drive the ball down the fairway, onto the green and into that little hole but some of the players at Portal Golf Club on this particular Saturday seemed to be aiming for me instead. Maybe the sight of a photographer standing at the side of the 18th Fairway photographing a newly-wed bride and groom was a little too much too resist

Fantastic wedding which was very different on many fronts and being able to photograph Nic and Mike on a 'working' gold course was just one of them. A great day particularly as the chief bridesmaid was the bride's sister and was herself one of 'my' brides just two years ago and her beautiful little daughter was a flower girl at the wedding.

Nic and Mike were a joy to be with and the wedding was truly wonderful and the golf course afforded us some great photo opportunities. Here are a few of the photographs from the day

All photographs from this wedding can be found at www.barrieneilonline.com
Our main website is at Barrie Neil Photography

Wedding | Nadine and Alex

Nadine was making her bridal preparations at a room in Inglewood Manor and from there we were heading to St Paul's Church in Hooton and then on to the amazingly beautiful Thornton Manor for the reception and wedding breakfast.

From the moment I walked into her bedroom, I could tell this was going to be a very special day.The weather forecast was dubious to say the least but miracles do happen and the rain stayed away.

Weddings always seem to be that little bit extra special at Thornton Manor and a great day was had by all. Everybody looked gorgeous including the photographers of course.

All photographs from this wedding can be found at www.barrieneilonline.com
Our main website is at Barrie Neil Photography

Wedding | Cleo and James

Today saw us back in Cheshire for the wedding of Cleo and James. Quite often, the moment you walk into the room where the bride is preparing for her big day, you get an immediate sense of how the day is going to pan out.

This was certainly the case with Cleo. For a start, I don't think I have ever seen so many people in one room at one time. It was organised chaos and the atmosphere was alive with excitement and expectation.

And nobody was going to be disappointed. It was an amazing day as weddings at Peckforton Castle always seem to be. Cleo laughed and smiled non-stop and it was certainly infectious. A very happy memorable wedding

All photographs from this wedding can be found at www.barrieneilonline.com
Our main website is at Barrie Neil Photography

Peckforton Castle ♥ DeAnna and Neil

I always ask couples why they choose particular venues. We all see things differently and it's interesting to hear exactly why a particular venue 'hit the spot' with a couple.

As photographers, we view venues from a different perspective to a couple looking to get married. Our concerns are how photogenic a place is, what are the best angles and locations. Are there nice grounds? What do we do if the weather is bad?

The last point is extremely important. Whilst we all wish for good weather, we do have to be realistic about the good old British climate and there are a great many venues out there that have superb grounds but are totally banal inside and therefore, on a bad weather day, the opportunities for creating interesting photographs are low.

We have a small list of venues we will not attend simply because we cannot do as good a job at them as we can at others. With some it is because they have no garden or an area nearby for exterior photos and with others, it is because inside, they look like a sports hall or something similar! We have very high standards and if we feel we cannot deliver to the best of our ability, we believe it is wrong to take a client's money.

This is why DeAnna and Neil chose so wisely when they booked Peckforton Castle in Tarporley, Cheshire for their wedding ceremony and reception. The interior of this building is simply magnificent and there are just so many wonderful places for photographs inside. In fact, regardless of the weather, you simply MUST have some photographs inside.

The reason I have mentioned all this is unfortunately, the day of DeAnna and Neil's wedding was a bit dark and damp. We did manage to get outside for a few photographs but we were soon scurrying for the warm and dry interior of the castle.

DeAnna and Neil travelled from the USA to get married at Peckforton Castle (although Neil is in fact British). She looked absolutely stunning in the dress she brought over with her and along with her bridesmaids in their amazing blue dresses, the castle was certainly a bright and cheerful place despite the weather.

I've posted here a small sample of photographs from their lovely wedding

All photographs from this wedding can be found at www.barrieneilonline.com
Our main website is at Barrie Neil Photography

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

Ruthin Castle ♥ Sian and Owen

The third of our three weddings in three days saw us back at Ruthin Castle in Denbighshire, North Wales for the wedding reception but not before we attended the ceremony which took place at the really beautiful church of St Marcella in the town of Denbigh itself.

Once again the weather behaved itself which everyone including ourselves, was extremely grateful for.

The church really is something special. We have been here before and so knew what to expect. I is in a lovely rural location and set on high ground with lovely views over the Vale of Clwyd. Inside, it is unusual in having twin  aisles.

As I say, the reception was at the lovely Ruthin Castle. Part of this building dates back to the 13th century. You only have to stand in the ruins and imagine the thousands of people who have trodden the same paths. It's an incredible experience and a wonderland place for a wedding reception.

A really lovely couple and it was a great pleasure to be with them for their special day and here are a few photos from the many hundreds we took today

All photographs from this wedding can be found at www.barrieneilonline.com
Our main website is at Barrie Neil Photography

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