Winter Wedding at Broadoaks Country House – Bethany and Nathon

The first of our weddings this year was Bethany and Nathon’s, and what a way to start the wedding season. The Lake District put on its best weather with blue skies, sunshine and a scattering of snow for their wedding at Broadoaks Country House set in beautiful Troutbeck.

After a trip to the hairdressers in Windermere the girls headed back to Broadoaks to continue getting ready and I popped out to see the guys who were staying at the famous Mortal Man Inn in Troutbeck. We enjoyed a little stroll down the lane taking in the superb Lake District scenery.

The guests made the most of the weather, milling on the terrace outside Broadoaks before heading in for an intimate candlelit wedding ceremony in the music room. Lulu –  Beth and Nathon’s greyhound was an honoured guest at this dog loving hotel and joined in most of the day. The weather continued to be kind to us all day and Beth and Nathon were able to take some time out in the grounds of Broadoaks and the nearby lanes, with the setting winter sun providing beautiful golden light for their couple shots.

It was a wonderfully relaxed and fun wedding day, with the bride and groom enjoying catching up with friends and family in the lovely surroundings of this luxury Lake District Country House Hotel. After a fish and chip supper the party started and I left the couple with their friends dancing the night away. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Raine – a wonderful day.

Tea Party Wedding at Armathwaite Hall – Sophie and Chris

Armathwaite Hall is a beautiful and popular wedding venue in the Lake District and I have had the pleasure of shooting a number of weddings there over the past couple of years.  Sophie and Chris’s tea party wedding was a first for me at Armathwaite, and it was the perfect location for it.

Chris is originally from South Africa and some of his family flew over to share in the special day.  The wedding ceremony took place in Wigton at St Mary’s Church with the groom and gentlemen looking dashing in top hat and tails. Chris’s niece as flower girl did a great job and came a close second to the bride as being the star of the show.

After the wedding ceremony we took Sophie and Chris down to the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake for some wedding portraits with the stunning backdrop of the Lake District Fells,  whilst their guests enjoyed a drinks reception. Sophie and Chris were then treated to a very enthusiastic indoor confetti storm as they entered the Broadwater Suite for their afternoon tea at Armathwaite Hall. The stunning wedding cake from Choccywoccydoodah completed the tea party theme.

One of the things I love about photographing weddings is the privilege it is to be involved in such a special personal and family occasion. I am always looking for the little moments to capture; the intimate looks, the laughs and the connection between people; and it was a real pleasure to document some of those moments for Sophie and Chris as I captured the story of their wedding day.

2012 Reflections

I know we’re already well into 2013 and this is a little late in writing,  but I really wanted to share a few of my favourite wedding photography images from 2012 to sum up what was a fantastic year. Being a wedding photographer in the Lake District, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to photograph weddings in such amazing and diverse venues and locations, with some of the most beautiful scenery in the country as a backdrop. It has also been a real privilege to meet so many wonderful couples and to be a part of their day. This blog wouldn’t be complete without giving them a chance to have their say too – so I have asked them to share their favourite photograph from their wedding day and why they chose it. For me, each wedding is unique and I really try to reflect something of the couple, their personality and what is special about their wedding in my photos.

Winter Wedding at Armathwaite Hall  

Alyssa & Shane’s choice

“We chose this picture for a couple of reasons. You stayed longer on our wedding day and those extra photos you took, we shouldn’t have even got, but they are some of our favourite of the day, probably because we were more relaxed, which is another reason. But mainly because we love this moment you captured of us laughing together. Another reason we love that photo is that it matches us and a quote Shane used in his speech – ‘We are all a little weird, and life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutual weirdness and call it love – true love’ – Dr Seus.”

Dave’s choice

To get to Alyssa and Shane’s wedding at Armathwaite Hall  in January last year we had to make an early start and enjoyed a frosty drive up through the Lakes. Although there wasn’t the snow Alyssa had hoped for, I knew she wanted a really wintery wedding, so we pulled over just before turning into the drive at Armathwaite to capture this shot. The morning light catching the frost on the grass and the view over to the Lake District Fells was stunning.

Skitby House Wedding

Jackie & Mike’s Choice

“I have so many favourites this was really hard! I have chosen this one though. Whilst it isnt a traditional couple shot, for me it reminds me of how I felt on the day – happy, giddy, relaxed (maybe a bit dizzy). The sun shone, we got ready at home, chilled in the garden with family and friends and then the day carried on as it started. It reminds me that we had the day we wanted, not conforming to anyone else’s agenda and doing exactly what we wanted to do.”

Dave’s Choice

Jackie and Mike were lucky to have one of the most sunny weddings of the year – and this was unexpected,  it only being March. When I arrived at their house to photograph the preparations I was greeted by a lot of very chilled out people, including the bride and groom, sitting out in the garden and in the conservatory, basking in the sun. This was exactly the sort of relaxed day Jackie and Mike had wanted – and that feeling continued right through the day.

Instead of bridesmaids, Jackie had chosen to call her friends ‘shoemaids’ – so shoes featured heavily in their wedding story. At the point I took this photo, I was crouching down in the conservatory looking to get a shot of Jackie’s sister’s very special shoes as she was milling around. Sometimes however, moments just unfold infront of you and as I looked up I was able to capture this great picture. I love the light in this image and the energy and fun it captures – which really sums up the feeling of Jackie and Mike’s day.

Eden Lodge Wedding

Lisa & Martin’s Choice

“I love this photo as it is not only a beautiful wedding shot, but also really shows off the landscape around our wedding venue. Because of this my husband, who hates having his picture displayed around the house, has agreed to let me have this picture above all the others on our bedroom wall after surprisingly little argument.”

Dave’s Choice

When I first met Lisa when she was searching for a wedding photographer, one of the first things she said to me was ‘Martin hates having his photo taken and I only have one good shot of him ever!’  No pressure then Lisa!! I must have said something at that meeting that convinced her that I would be able to put Martin at ease and capture some really natural shots of him, that he might even like – as Lisa went on to book me for their wedding day.

I loved all of Lisa and Martin’s couple shots – and would agree with Lisa’s choice of favourite – she must have a good photographic eye. When it comes to couple portraits, I am always looking for natural emotions and genuine interaction and in all of Lisa and Martin’s shots, that is what shines through.

Cartmel Priory Wedding

Rachel & Graham’s Choice

“Mine and Graham’s favourite is the photo that you took “hanging out of the bedroom window in the barn” looking down on everyone,  because all our guests are on it and we’re all stood in our back garden in the sun with the evening ahead of us”

Dave’s choice

I love the natural mingling and emotion that happens immediately after the wedding ceremony when the couple comes out of church. I love to get in close with the action; this allows me to get shots which have energy and make you feel like you, the viewer, were there. But sometimes, you can also show the mood with a wide shot.  I feel this image sums up the emotion of that moment. It seemed that half the village of Cartmel came out to wave off Rachel and Graham as they left in their horse drawn carriage. With the way I’ve framed this shot I’ve been able to take a busy crowd scene and make it look simple and clean. There were so many beautiful shots from this wedding I could have chosen, with Cartmel Priory, Black Fresian Horses and a marquee in the garden of Rachel and Graham’s house – but there’s something about the mood this shot evokes that I love – and perhaps also because it isn’t the obvious choice.

Aldingham Church Wedding

Rose & Nick’s Choice

“We found this very hard and could have chosen many! This is one of our favourite photographs that you took on 4th August 2012 as it depicts many different aspects to our wedding. This is the point that Nick has just seen our wedding car – this was a surprise for both Nick and I, as my Dad had arranged it for us. It was vibrant red Ford Mustang, which everyone thought was fantastic, Nick and I included. The sun is shining which was again another complete surprise for the day as the weather prior to the Saturday hadn’t been good at all and up until the Thursday the weather forecast was expected to be thunder and lightening for the Saturday. Finally, Nick and I are just walking out of the church after getting married – another reason to smile!”

Dave’s choice

I always try and be as discrete as possible when photographing during the wedding ceremony. At Rose and Nick’s wedding I was wedged in a tiny gap, crouched at the front of the church.  Knowing that couples generally choose a significant person to do the reading, I always try and get a shot of them if I can. Having done this, my attention was drawn back to the bride and groom. I could see that there was a real connection happening between Rose and Nick during the reading, but I was wedged at a really acute angle and I couldn’t really see either of their faces clearly despite being very close to them. But it’s amazing how often patience is rewarded; I framed up the shot and waited. I just needed Nick to turn his head slightly and bingo, I got the shot. What I love about this image is that even though you can’t see Rose’s face clearly, you can tell that’s she’s smiling.

Langdale Spa and Windermere Wedding

Louise & Stuart’s choice

“Looking through our wedding photos each one holds a special moment and memory of our day that we can look back and treasure. But the reason behind choosing this photo above all the others, is that Dave captured everything about us as a couple that we value so much “Fun, Love and Laughter”. We both wanted this to be captured in our photos and Dave managed this perfectly and sneakily because half the time you didn’t even know he was there.”

Dave’s choice

Louise and Stuart had a unique and creative wedding day. Their day progressed from Langdale  to Bardsea, on various modes of transport, including boats, trains, buses and cars. By the end of the day I felt like one of the family. Other than Louise, this little flower girl was the star of the show. I love this shot as Louise and Stuart didn’t even see the moment happen. The flower girl was enjoying all the attention of the guests clapping, seemingly for her dancing; but was then quite put out when she realised it was for the bride and groom as they cut the cake. It’s capturing little moments like these that make my job so special.

Grange Hotel Wedding

Rebecca & Craig’s Choice

“This is our favourite photo from the day as it captures the fun we have and the laughs we share. It’s a moment that reminds us of those little inside jokes we have.”

Dave’s Choice

I have photographed several weddings at The Grange Hotel this year, but had never before been up to this particular room. I knew from the moment I walked in that photographically speaking, it had great potential. The light shining through the window and shaped by the curve of the ceiling looked like a painting. With a beautiful bride and beautiful light it was a gift. It would have been easy to stage this shot, but that’s not what I do. I knew if I waited that the elements would come together to make a great shot. The result was not just a beautiful image, but a beautiful image capturing a poignant moment.

A Guide to Rock the Frock photography

A beautiful dress deserves to be let out

Every bride wants to look radiant on their wedding day and choosing your wedding dress is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. There’s something magical about a wedding dress; that transformation you make into a bride, the rush of emotion when you see yourself in the mirror for the first time. It’s a dress so many people have dreamed about wearing since they were a little girl. It’s a dress to celebrate, it’s the dress you get married in.

Yet your wedding day goes by so quickly. After all the planning and dreaming and organising it’s over in a flash,  and your wedding dress is resigned to living in a box under the bed or hanging somewhere in the depths of the wardrobe. When are you going to have the chance again to put on that beautiful dress you spent so long choosing?

Rock the Frock photography is about celebrating that dress and celebrating how it makes you feel.  It’s another chance to get excited about putting your dress on, another chance to enjoy the emotions of feeling fabulous in your dress and an opportunity to create some beautiful, emotive images to hang on your wall.

What’s the difference between a Rock the Frock and a Trash the Dress photoshoot?

For me, weddings and marriage are something to celebrate, and your Rock the Frock photos are an extension of that. It’s about you having a brilliant experience doing the shoot, it’s about you feeling beautiful wearing your wedding dress again and it’s about creating one or two outstanding images that you just wouldn’t have the opportunity or time to do on your wedding day. It’s not about trashing your dress, it’s about cherishing it. I don’t get you to throw buckets of paint on your dress or set fire to it. I don’t want to destroy it. Most dresses come out of the Rock the Frock experience completely unharmed. There’s a line that I definitely don’t want to cross, and that line is flexible for each bride. I work with you and your dress to create a set of images that you are going to love.

What happens on a Rock the Frock Shoot, and what’s the difference with how I photograph on your wedding day?

On your wedding day I photograph in a documentary style, not interfering or interrupting your day, just capturing the natural moments which are happening. There are no second takes on a wedding day; your day unfolds and I document the story. I very rarely use flash, am very discrete and do very little directing. It’s all about you enjoying your day and your friends and family, it’s not about the photographer.

A Rock the Frock shoot is a completely different approach. It’s more like a fashion shoot. Collaborating with you, we’ll come up with one or two locations for your shoot and then on the day I will come with a real vision of what I am trying to produce.  It’s a really fun day; you in your wedding dress doing something or going somewhere you just couldn’t have done on your wedding day.  On the Rock the Frock Shoot I will use different photographic techniques, flash and reflectors and combined with lots of tenacity and enthusiasm we’ll end up with a stunning image. We’ll keep going til we get it; if something isn’t working, we’ll try something else. At the end of the day, it’s about making a beautiful shot, which is well composed and well thought out, but in which you’re still looking natural. It’s not about fake smiles or awkward poses.  I don’t just want to stick you in front of a beautiful landscape and take a nice shot. It’s about being artistic and creative and coming up with something unique for each person, something dynamic and fresh – it’s about creating a ‘WOW’ image.

Joanne and Lee’s Christmas Wedding

My last wedding of 2012 was Joanne and Lee’s, celebrated at St Peter’s Church, Ireleth and The Grange Hotel. Joanne just loves all things Christmas, which was perfect for her winter wedding celebrations. Unfortunately no dusting of snow to give that Winter wonderland effect, but plenty of Mulled Wine, Christmas Decorations, Mince Pies and Santa Hats.

Cumbria has some beautiful churches set in amazing locations, but few have as elevated a position and as good a vista as St Peter’s Church at Ireleth which sits on a hillside overlooking the Duddon Estuary. The family church of both Joanne and Lee, it was a special place for them to celebrate their marriage. Lee is an helicopter engineer in the army and certainly scrubbed up for the occasion in his full military dress, with plenty friends in uniforms in the congregation to add a bit of ceremonial splendour.

The Grange Hotel in Grange over Sands is always a favourite wedding venue of mine, with the staff so accommodating and friendly and it looked great in all its Christmas trimmings. I must say the father of the bride speech at the wedding breakfast has to be the most unique ever – never before have I seen a father invite his daughter to throw a pie in his face – and probably I never will again! I left Joanne and Lee dancing the night away with their friends and family – congratulations Mr and Mrs Storey.

 

Winter Wedding at New House Farm

Jen and Joby chose to celebrate their winter wedding in the beautiful Lorton Valley near Keswick. Joby was in fine form, despite his stag do having been just the night before, and he and his brother enjoyed a swift pint in The Wheatsheaf before heading to St Cuthberts’ Church, Lorton for the ceremony. Jen arrived at church, in fashionably late bridal style and was serenaded up the aisle by Joby’s brother playing the trumpet.

The landscape of the Lake District was a really important part of Jen and Joby’s day, so we made a fairly swift getaway after the ceremony to catch the last of the afternoon light for some couple shots by the Lake. Winter weddings can be a challenge for photography with the light being lost fairly early in the day, but we managed to get some beautiful shots with views across Crummock Water and the fells before it went totally dark – and before Jen went blue!

Jen and Joby chose a traditional barn at New House Farm, Lorton for their wedding reception. The refurbished old cow byre, dating from 1866 was a cosy place to warm up by the open fire with a glass of champagne, before heading upstairs to the barn for the rest of the evenings celebrations. Jen had done a wonderful job in dressing the barn with lots of details and personal touches. The exposed stone walls, soft lighting and natural country style gave a really warm feel on a cold November evening helped by the hearty wedding breakfast from Karen Rhodes catering. We left the happy couple celebrating in style on the dance floor with their friends and family.

Louise and Stuart’s wedding – Planes, Trains and Automobiles

I love the fact that all weddings are different. It has been an absolute pleasure this year to photograph such a variety of weddings, each with its own unique and personal ideas and touches which makes it so individual to the couple and so interesting to photograph.

Louise and Stuart’s wedding was no exception – indeed their wedding day travel extravaganza from the stunning setting of the Langdale Valley in the heart of the Lake District to the Cumbrian Coast at Bardsea was certainly different and very memorable.
Louise and Stuart both work for Windermere Lake Cruises so it was important to them that both the beautiful landscape of Lake Windermere and the boats and trains they have worked on were a part of their wedding day. Their day started at the Langdale Hotel and Spa with an intimate ceremony and wedding breakfast for family and friends. Then via car and minibus they made their way to Ambleside to enjoy a cruise down Lake Windermere aboard the Tern to Lakeside, where they hopped aboard the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Steam Train for a gentle journey in elegant style to Haverthwaite Station. Then the last leg of the journey back in the minibus to join their evening guests at The Olde Mill at Bardsea
I had a great time sharing Louise and Stuart’s wedding extravaganza. They are such a fun couple and really embraced my approach to wedding photography. In fact they trusted me so much they even gave me a thank you card and bottle of wine before they had seen the photos. Thanks Lou and Stu  – look forward to giving you your album.

Emma and Gareth’s village hall vintage wedding

Well, this blog is well overdue, but meeting up with Emma and Gareth recently to give them their album prompted me to sit down and type and share some great photos from their special day.
Emma and Gareth had one of the rare glorious sunny days of the summer for their wedding in September at Thursby Church, near Carlisle. They wanted an informal wedding day, and chose Thursby village hall for their reception venue – which they decorated in vintage style with bunting, flowers and old china cups and vases.  A Hog Roast and swing band completed the relaxed atmosphere. They shared their day with family and friends – and guest of honour was the newest addition to the family – their little daughter Rosie who had arrived into the world just a few months earlier.

Day in the life

I’ve had so many people say to me recently that they’d love to get married again so I could do their wedding photography. They love the style of photos which capture the real emotions, the special moments and the little interactions between family and friends. Well, special photography doesn’t have to be limited to your wedding day.

It’s often the little things in life that we treasure; the momentary glance, a cheeky smile, that look your child gives you when you tuck them in bed. Wouldn’t it be special to have some of these moments captured in a beautiful set of photos?

Day in the life photography captures those real moments in a normal family’s life. We recently spent the day with Faye and Ian and their 2 children on a blustery cold Autumn day in the North East and really enjoyed the privilege of being a part of their family for the day.

day in the life from davegreaves on Vimeo.

Becky and Jason’s wedding at Armathwaite Hall

Becky and Jason were one of the first couples to book me, not long after we arrived back in the UK from New Zealand.  They embraced my style and approach to wedding photography from the start, and I knew from the first time we met them that we were in for a fun day – and it didn’t disappoint! I was warned in advance about their ‘crazy Hungarian best man’ – but I must say, he did the most epic and entertaining best man speech I have ever heard  – and that is saying something.

Since booking their wedding, Becky and Jason had moved over to New York for work, so getting to celebrate their wedding with their family and friends was particularly significant. The wedding preparations started bright and early with champagne at Trags Hair Salon in Carlisle, owned by Becky’s Dad. Bridget Foster did a great job of the girl’s make up before they headed back to Dalston for the final preparations. Unfortunately it rained for most of the wedding day, but it didn’t stop any of the fun and celebrations.

After a wedding ceremony at St Michael’s Church in Dalston, the wedding guests headed down to Armathwaite Hall, overlooking Bassenthwaite Lake. Becky and Jason travelled in style in a white Rolls Royce. It is always a pleasure working at Armathwaite Hall, not just because of the stunning Lake District Views and beautiful old building, but also working with Danni and the team who are always friendly and helpful.

You may have noticed if you read my blogs, that I don’t tend to put up pictures of group shots, but a couple have sneaked in here.  That’s not to say I don’t do them, they are an important part of the day particularly for family and relatives, but inevitably they are more formal and staged, which is very different from my documentary style. Keeping the group shots to a minimum and doing them as efficiently as possible allows the bride and groom to spend as much time with their guests enjoying themselves as they can, and lets me get back to doing what I do best – which is capturing the real story of your wedding day.