The First One Back! Becca and Sam's Woodhill Hall Wedding

It's been a long time. 9 months to be precise. The Covid 19 pandemic has meant weddings have been on hold. It's been stop start stop for the past 18 months thanks to the continual change of guidance given to the industry and the couples who have had their plans torn apart. However, patience is everything. And the return to shooting weddings was so sweet. A Woodhill Hall wedding was the perfect way to get back to it.

I always get nervous on the morning of a wedding. But this time I felt like I was shooting my first ever wedding all over again. Since I started shooting weddings I've never had such a long gap between weddings. So you can image how excited I was to finally get behind the camera. However, I doubt I was excited as Becca and Sam who had to go a year from their original wedding day to their rescheduled one. As a result of the years delay I felt like we'd been preparing for this day for ever!!!.

I don't have a particular favourite venue but I do have my favourites and Woodhill Hall is definitely one of them. I've been shooting there for almost 10 years and seen so many dramatic changes but since my last time there 18 months ago, Namely the introduction of The Olive House; a stunning Mediterranean Chapel which overlooks the fields and Rede Valley.

We were so lucky on the day of the wedding as it was, after such a grim spring and a particularly soggy May, a beautiful warm sunny day.

It was great getting back into the swing of the usual wedding day hubbub with people zipping about the venue and wedding suppliers doing their things around the place. Speaking to everyone on the morning as I walked about getting the set up shots there was palpable relief that we were back doing what we love.

In Bessie's Room, Becca was having her make up done whilst the bridesmaids relaxed in between hair and make up. Music was playing, the sun was shining....life was good. Upstairs, Sam was finishing off getting ready and was figuring out how to pin his buttonhole in. With a little help, that was quickly sorted.

Heading down to the Olive House, guests were starting to arrive and take their seats. The registrars had arrived and gave out the Covid safety instructions, ensuring everyone had their masks on. This is still something that is a little odd to get used to at a wedding!

In the Darcy Suite, Becca was now in her dress with the finishing touches of necklace and veil now sorted. Her parents came upstairs and gave a gasp when they walked in to see her for the first time. Becca held back the tears. However when 5 bridesmaids then walk in and are all emotional on seeing their friend in her wedding dress, the tears came on. But with a stern telling off, Becca held it together. And she was ready to head downstairs for her wedding. At last!!!

The sun was streaming into the Olive Room as she walked through the big doors. This really is an lovely little intimate venue for a ceremony. The reactions were amazing as the vows were exchanged. Another Covid change means the ceremony was a lot shorter than normal. Before we'd caught our breath the "I Do's" were done and we all headed out to the sunshine for confetti and bubbles.

With a VW Campervan to play with we headed out for a drive to get some shots by the river before heading back to the hall. The new style teepees were ready to welcome the guests for the wedding breakfast. The old teepee was gorgeous but the new y-shape is awesome and there is so much space there now.

Once the speeches were done, everyone settled down for their meal (which I have to say was scrummy). The day was going so quickly. It really was a case of "blink and you'll miss it" (hence why you get a photographer). We were fast approaching the evening do, so we captured some more shots, before cake cutting and first dance.

And that was that. A stunningly brilliant day that was done in a flash. So relaxed, so much fun and packed full of laughter.

Thank you Sam and Becca for such a superb day!!!

Flowers- Purple Haze

Large Letters & photobooth- AG Events

Cake - Chloes' Cakes

Band - Redwings, booked via AMV

Videographer - Huske

Campervan- Northumbria Wedding Cars