Hollie & Mike - Glazebury All Saints Church & Park Inn, Leigh

Winter weddings are always a challenge for the wedding photographer. Not only do you have to contend with cold wet weather, but you also have little to no natural day light to work with, which can pose many a problem, however on the flip side you get some of the most amazing, breath taking sunsets.

If you are lucky enough to be in the right place at just the right moment (a compass does help!) you can capture the sum at it's finest moment just before it retires for the day behind the horizon. Plop!

We had just rushed through the formal groupings as it began to spit, pulled out my latest brollie prop (me thinks I have a brollie addiction. Ha least I won't get wet or should I say the Bride & Groom) shot off a few shots and then repositioned the bride and groom into a few silhouette poses, when the moment happened. I came over all giddy and fired off excitedly to the setting sun. the bride and Groom must have thought I was bonkers ( I'm not honestly, well just a little). OOOooooo I'm a sucker for a sunset. Nearly brought a tear to my eye!

Hope you enjoy the sunset as much as me, Hollie & Mike.

All the best Jane & Michael

P.s.Hmmmm I wonder what the next shape of brollie will be. I have got my beady eye on something so watch this space and you can bet next year there won't be a drop of rain in site.

 Deanne & Alan - The Cavendish Country House, Middlesex

If you can remember back a few weeks to the amazing heat wave and I mean amazing as this kind of freak weather doesn't usually hit the Uk in October, We were busy sweating our *****'s off shooting a wedding in Middlesex at The Cavendish Country House Hotel.

Both myself and Michael were suprized to find this little gem, tucked away off the side of a busy main road (It took us sometime to find, but was well worth it). And on one of the most beautiful days of the year it hosted the gorgeous wedding ceremony & reception of Deanne & Alan.

After only just managing to get to the bride's house in time to shoot a few preparation shots (The traffic was a nightmare. Arrrrrgh!) I returned to the Cavendish to shoot the arrival of the bride in the most beautiful and spacious of cars. This car is definately a must for any bride as it was large enough to swing a cat in (Please don't try this at home with Fluffy or you may get covered in fur & shredded by her claws!!) or your bouquet round if you so wished!

One of my favourite cars to date and looked gorgeous on the photographs.

Prior to the wedding date I invested in a couple of white Edwardian styley brollies, just in case of precipitation. (Ha your impressed eh? Rain to those of you who don't know!) Even though it didn't rain we used them anyway and still managed to get a few quirky shots out of them.

Another thing I love about this time of year is not only the Autumninal colours of the tree's but the gorgeous light  around 7ish as the sun begins to set and lent itself to more great shots of the happy couple. Oh the light is stunning (wait to you see the sunset in the next wedding Blog. "Gorgeous" (Little Britain Styley!).

Oh and musn't forget to mention how beautiful the wedding breakfast room looked with the purlple theme against the stunning dark beams of the building. Both complemented each other perfectly. Oh and the food was delicious. Burp!

Thanks again Deanne & Alan for letting us record your day, we both thouroughly enjoyed capturing every minute and hope the photographs reflect this.

Thanks again for being super patient and enjoy reliving your special day.

Jane & Michael xx

Kelly & Wayne - The Barns Hotel Cannock

Warm Greeting to one and all. The weather may be on the turn, but we're still as busy as every. It seems like a decade since I last blogged away, but there doesn't seem to have been a spare minute to catch up on what's being going on.

Since I last spoke, we have been busy with weddings one of which was shot in London during our phenominal October Indian Summer (God damn it was hot and sweaty, pheewwww!), family portraits and an amazing "Love the Dress" shoot shot in Manchester city centre (COMING SOON - SO WATCH THIS SPACE). So there really is loads and loads to tell you about, but I will start with the wedding of Kelly and Wayne Shot at the Barns Hotel in Cannock.

On the actually day the wedding weather was a typical, yes typical September mix of sun, showers, sun, blue skies and more showers. So we ended up doing a lot of "Quick everyone indoors & Quick everyone out doors" moves before we managed to shoot all the formal and group line ups. And came really, really close to getting my "Must Have" bridal shot of the couple in a ploughed field with Rolled up haybails, but alas the weather gods weren't on my side. Grrrrrr. We did however take the couple in to the lush and green Cannock Chase woods for a few one-on-one shots which worked amazingly well under a canopy of green and brown leaves, which kept the wet stuff at bay.

Must mention how stunning the bride looked and her dress was amazing and didn't managed to get dirty apart from a few stray leaves and confetti caught in the hem. There is something about quality dress materials that seems to repell dirt. I kid you not! The dress experts would tell you the reason why, but I will just put it down to the dirt gremlins being on strike that day. Ha, Ha. They have right parties in my house!

Anyway I will leave you to enjoy a montage of my favourite shots of the day and fill you in later about the other adventures I have been up to.

See ya and Congratulations Kelly & Wayne Hope you had an amazing day and Honeymoon,

Jane & Michael xx

 Suzanne & Craig - St. Margret's Church, New Mostyn & Smokies Hotel

Why does it always rain down on me?? Ha I am begining to feel like Linus from Snoopy. Do I have a rain cloud following me on a permanent basis? OOOH I wish I was a wedding photographer in sunny climates. Mind you I would only moan about how damn hot it was. Hmmpphh If only....

Even though it rained, again, we just about managed to shoot what we needed and had the joy of taking the couple to a near by heritage centre called Park Bridge after the ceremony for a quick impromptu photo session. Alas we didn't have much time there as the car booking was close to running out, but had enough time to grab a few quirky shots. Would make a great "Love the dress" venue, with the sumptious red brick background so will definately use it again.

The church interior was fabulous as most Chatholic church's are and the priest made our job super easy as he let us shoot freely (I wish all weddings were like this!) Had a videographer following us that day also. Have to say he was great too, didn't compromise any shot. What a superstar.

We also managed to get some fantastic emotional shots during the wedding breakfast speaches due to the fact the groom had arranged a suprize video footage message from a singing idol of the bride (soz forgotton his name? before my time. Will add a footnote if I remember), but anyway went down a storm and a tear or two was shot even by me. Boo, hoo!!

Ohh and musn't forget the bride, who looked stunning. I really enjoyed shooting her and think some of the closeup bridal portraits are my best to date. Work it girfriend!!

Thanks again for the tip off of the heritage centre guys and all the best.

Jane & Michael xx

 Alison & Karl - Manchester Town Hall, Manchester

Phewwey What a mad last 4 weeks it has been! They talk about no rest for the wicked, well I tell you I must have stomped on many a lady bird in my past life as it never stops! Hence the reason I am always writing my blog in the early hours. Sunrise is the new sunset!! Anyway as always babbling on again and I better not get too engrosed in writing my blog as I am printing the proof book up from this wedding as we speak. So will try not to get everything back to front, Good job I can multi task. Mind you ask me again tomorrow!

Anyway came back from a hectic working holiday in Spain (editing photos during the day in 100 degrees is no mean feet I can tell you. Calour, Calour Calour (Translation- Hot, Hot, Hot!!) To the miserable and wet Manchester. I can truthfully tell you that the rain in Spain doesn't fall on the plane, it falls in Manchester City centre. Every wedding! Good job we are used to it now and carry waterproofs!.

It really didn't matter though as we manage to get outside just long enough to throw the fabulous hand punched confetti and shoot a few groups and car shots before the heavens opened. Shame though as really love shooting around the town hall, minus the tramps though! (don't ask!)

In all it's Victorian Gothic splender, the interior of the Town Hall is magnificent (well worth a visit), however extreamly dark, so did pose quite a challenge. Thank goodness the Bride & Groom, Alison & Karl were up for the challenge, as they made our job really easy. What a loved up couple. Aughhhh.. swalk, swalk!! Next time we shoot here I will definately bring a video light.

All in all we had a fabulous day shooting their wedding and it didn't feel at all like work. And an extra special big thanks to Alison, Karl and their guests for making our job a breeze. We both wish you all the best and hope your honeymoons were as amazing as your day was. Thanks again for your patience and loved the butties and Jimmy Chou's (I want some!!!, Shoes that is! Ha, Ha)

Jane & Michael xx

 Charlotte & Ben - St.Thomas' Chuch, New Hey & Bella Vista

As wedding fever sets in I am frantically working round the clock on not only shooting weddings, but editing images and having a computer that is on the verge of death doesn't help much at all. :(

Ever the perfectionist the edits seem to be getting longer and longer. Nothing to do with the amount of amazing images that seem to be jumping in front of my lens! What ever is a wedding photographer to do! (I've tried closing my eyes but it doesn't work, as you end up bumping into far too many things! Ha, Ha!) Yes I know what you are thinking, she has finally lost the plot. Not quite, but lack of sleep is sending me far too looopppppppyyyyy! Never mind the square eyes from staring at the computer too long.

Anyway less of me and more about the wedding I have just added.

Absolutely fabulous. Couldn't have asked for a better couple. They were both up for loads of photos, which was a good job because I couldn't keep my finger off the trigger. Charlotte looked absolutely stunning (so did you Ben!) and the wedding colour scheme worked really well. Kind of an avocado/sage green and pale pink. One of my favourite colour schemes to date. I think the wedding colours worked really well against the Lancashire brick and summer greenery. Delicate yet subtle.

Straight after the ceremony we took the couple over to Hollingworth Lake & then onto Bella Vista for the reception. We were escorted by the L.A.P.D. I kid you not! Well the California Highway Patrol Motorcycle Outriders. How cool did we look! You think you get stared at in a vintage bridal car, well this is a totally new experience and fabulous it was too! We could have almost clicked the camera shutter to the pips of the car horns as our convoy across Milnrow passed by. Loved it. Got some great images too!

And a big Huzaaarrr to the weather gods as not a drop of rain was dripped even though it was forecast to. Love it when they get it wrong. Bring back the Sun!!!!! (I could almost start a campaign on face book. Anything is worth a try!!)

Had a great day all round and think the images reflect this!! Also had some gorgeous Milnrow Fish and Chips on the way back. Didn't have bits on them though. Think that's a Yorkshire thing?)

Enjoy reliving your special day Charlotte & Ben and Thanks for being so patient.

Jane and Michael xx

 Laura & Mark - Buille Hill Park Hall, Salford

Buille Hill Park Hall is located in the very picturesque Buille Hill Park in Salford. This park makes a great all year round wedding venue and fab location to stop off for those romantic one-on-one wedding photographs.

This is the second time we have shot here and both times we have been incredibly lucky with the weather. The morning of the wedding started off ok up until a 10 minute down pour, which drenched most off the guests arriving at the venue. Fortunately it didn't last, as within minutes of the flash flood the sun came out and quickly dried everything off just in time for the brides arrival.

The happy couple chose a fabulous vintage style car, which looked amazing in the images, especially the ones with Laura's stunning bouquet.

We would both like to say a big thank you to Mark, Laura & their family/guests for making us both feel so welcome. We both really enjoyed photographing your wedding and hope you had a fabulous day. Hope you enjoy reliving your special day through the photographs.

And thanks again for the meal it was much appreciated.

All the best Jane & Michael

 Vicki & Lee - Fir Grove Hotel, Warrington

The Fir Grove Hotel located on Knutsford Road in Warrington, was the wedding venue of choice for our local couple. This venue was literally situated just around the corner from us, which made a pleasurable change to having to set off early for the long drive.

This was the second time I have shot here, the first being approximately 4 years ago and my goodness what a transformation it has under gone. Apparently the building has had 1.5 million spent on it bring it up to the gorgeous modern boutique feel it currently has today.

The wedding ceremony was initially due to take place outside, underneath the Romanesque pagoda, but unfortunately true to form it rained.

2011 is fastly becoming very similar to the year Rianha was number one with that damn umbrella song, when every wedding bar one was soaking wet! That was the year my 5d body drowned from too much rain!!! Any way I shall quickly deviate from the weather subject before I start ranting on!

The bride Vicki chose some of the prettiest bridesmaids dresses I have seen to press, which really complemented her dress. And the colour scheme of dusky Pink looked stunning against the interior walls of the hotel.

Also a big thumbs up to the cake designer and florist as there work really added an extra special touch to the day.

P.s Thanks for feeding us the food was divine. Yum, Yum!!!

Jane & Michael

 Dawn & Wayne - Ribby Hall, Wrea Green, Lancashire

Ribby Hall on the outskirts of Blackpool, was the location for this rather wet and stormy wedding. Who Would have thought June was supposed to be the begining of Summer! Bring back the sun, all is forgiven!

Even though the weather wasn't at it's best, the venue enabled the happy to host their fabulous day indoors in a bright and tastefully decorated interior, which made our job so much easier. And a break in the clouds late afternoon allowed us just enough time to steal a few moments outside with the happy couple and record a few heart felt images.

Even though the venue was a new build it reminded us both strangely enough of a New England Light house? And we can't have been the only ones that thought this as the nautical theme carried through to the gorgeous table settings which featured shell filled fish bowls, complimented by individual handmade cupcakes as place names. The cupcakes obviously tasted as good as they looked as it didn't take lomg for the guests to munch their way through them! Yum, Yum!

Thanks again to the happy couple, Family, Guests and Ribby Hall Staff for an enjoyable shoot. Hope to return here soon.

Jane & Michael xx