Christmas wedding at Sheffield Town Hall - Jess & Tom
Today’s featured big day is a beautiful winter wedding at Sheffield Town Hall, a beautiful wedding venue in the heart of Sheffield. The wedding date was the 1st December so not just a winter wedding but a Christmas one too. You could definitely tell by looking at the Christmas Market set up in the Peace Gardens just outside Sheffield Town Hall.
With this in mind we had absolutely no idea what weather we could expect, knowing what the UK is like, it could have been anything from snow to blazing sunshine. As it turned out the weather was ok. Anyway, here is the story:
Sheffield Town Hall wedding
We met at school through a mutual friends and a love of alternative music. Tom asked me out on MSN (this can be forgiven as we were only 13 and 14 years old at the time!) on the 1st of December, 2007. We’ve always celebrated this anniversary and after a whole ten years together, on that date, Tom asked me to marry him. He proposed with the most perfect ring, my dream ring! A stunning 1920s style platinum band with a brilliant green emerald and diamonds on the shoulders. The proposal felt like the most natural thing in the world and of course I said yes (after lots of crying!!), and we phoned our families straight away to share the news. Afterwards, we went out for our favourite food – sushi!! – and felt very giddy! It was really important to us to keep that date as our wedding anniversary, because we’d celebrated it for so long and it felt wrong to change it. Tom and I have grown up together really and I think both of us and a lot of other people we know were very happy to see us finally tie the knot.
Wedding planning
When we first got engaged I thought that one year was a bit of a rush to sort a whole wedding, but when we checked dates and found that our anniversary for 2018 fell on a Saturday, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. It was too perfect not to. We started planning properly at the end of January, beginning of February and wanted to keep things mostly simple, with a hint of our personalities and of course a bit of Christmas because of the December date.
We didn’t really spend too much time going through wedding venues Sheffield. We had had in our minds that when we did get married, we’d like it to be at Sheffield Town Hall wedding venue. I had been to a previous wedding there and the building itself as well as the inside is really beautiful. The ceremony rooms are relatively small and we didn’t have a huge number of guests to the day part.
Ceremony music
To walk down the aisle, I had Somebody by Depeche Mode in a piano cover, one of our favourite songs and possibly my favourite band (and my Dad’s, which was also nice for him to walk to it too). While we signed the register, we had Vitamin String Quarter covers of some of our favourite songs, including Blink 182 – Feeling this (we both are huge fans of this band and we especially listened a lot when we were very young), your song – Elton John (A classic and a lovely song), and The Cure – Just Like Heaven. For exiting, we had the original version of Queen – You’re my best friend. We both love Queen and have always sang this song to each other.
Wedding ceremony at Sheffield Town Hall
Everything went really smoothly, everyone at the Town Hall were brilliant. Because it was the 1st of December, the Christmas markets had sprung up all around the city centre and there were loads of people shopping, and a brass band playing right outside! It all felt very Christmassy and exciting, and made for some really fun photos of us walking back to the car to leave for the venue.
We were told in the lead up to the day, that we wouldn’t be able to have photos inside the Town Hall on the staircase after the ceremony because the next bride would be arriving, however it turned out we could which we were so happy about. It must have been a relatively quiet day – a perk of a December wedding for sure! These photos in front of the beautiful Christmas tree and with the huge, decorative staircase are so festive and lovely.
Christmas wedding at Sheffield Town Hall
We both love Christmas time and have always associated it with our anniversary, often celebrating over a cup of mulled wine at a Christmas market. So we were especially happy when our venue told us there would be decorations everywhere already. I made a lot of the other decorations but didn’t want too much going on, so stuck to our main theme colour, emerald green (to match my beautiful engagement ring), some gold, a few fairy lights and a little glitter.
Wedding photography in The Peace Gardens, Sheffield
After the ceremony we ventured out for some photos in the Peace Gardens despite the drizzle in the air. We hopped up into a giant lit-up bauble decoration and Michal took some of our favourite photos of the day – we love that we were able to take advantage of the markets and turn what could have been a set-back into something that made for unique, fun photos.
On the day, the traffic was quite bad because of the Sheffield United football match and by the time we finally pulled up outside the Town Hall, I was a bit flustered to say the least! We were just about on time though and apparently protesters had moved moments before my arrival; so maybe it was meant to be!
Arriving late for the reception meant we didn’t have much time to take Jess and Tom’s photos and we wanted to stick to the original wedding day timeline. It was getting dark anyway. However if the traffic hadn’t been that bad then this Sheffield City Centre Wedding shoot wouldn’t have happened. There are always some positives!
Wedding reception at The Old Rectory in Handsworth
I had been to a family wedding at The Old Rectory about ten years before, and knew it was a lovely, friendly venue with a nicely sized main hall for the meal and reception. Tom and I had said from the beginning that we didn’t want to go mad with the wedding, we just wanted a big party with everyone we love, and I think we achieved that.
Tom and I both like the slightly vintage /classic style with a slight alternative edge, but didn’t want to look too costume-y. For years, Tom has said how he would wear a “penguin suit” as he calls it, a suit jacket with tails. He also had a beautiful personalised pocket watch, as did my Dad but in a different colour. He made a few nods to the “rock n roll” style with Dr Marten brogues and a unique waistcoat which had a skull print lining.
Everyone who knows me would have guessed that I would go for a tea-length, 1950s style dress, as that’s my go-to occasion-wear style. Tom joked beforehand that he would already know what I’d look like on the day – and he probably wasn’t far off! For my hair I went for vintage-style waves, which were done my Mum who’s a hairdresser and that was a lovely memory of the day for me. I did my own makeup, which I’ve always loved to do, and went for a classic red lip.
The groomsmen wore the classic suit with tails and my bridesmaids had tea-length emerald green satin dresses, sparkly red shoes and faux-fur stoles for that vintage style.
Thanks for reading! Now, enjoy the gallery and be sure to scroll all the way to the very bottom to see the gorgeous wedding sparklers photos.
Sheffield Town Hall wedding suppliers
Photos: Sheffield photographer
Hair comb and jewellery set: EnglishBridalShop on Etsy
White faux fur stole: Amazon
Nottingham lace garter (blue bow) as a nod to our life in Nottingham and at the University: CraftySewAndCo on Etsy
Handmade lace garter with green bow: an amazing surprise gift handmade for me by a family friend
Dress: Tilly by Brighton Belle, bought at Blushes bridal in Sheffield. Nicola who helped me find my dress was so helpful and kind and made the experience even better
Bride’s shoes: Mary Jane style shoes – Rainbow Club
Makeup: Done by myself! I’ve always had a huge passion for makeup and although I’ve never trained professionally, I have done makeup for weddings, proms and competitions in the past. Growing up, everyone has always joked that I’d have to do my own wedding makeup and so I did! I was terrified I was going to muck it up on the day, so I did quite a few practice runs and it was all fine on the day! I wore my favourite red, MAC Russian Red which is the same shade I wore for my prom at school in 2010 (which I attended with Tom, of course!) jessicakatemakeup.co.uk
Hair: My lovely and talented Mum did my hair. It is such a special memory that she did it for me on the day.
Necklaces: Debenhams
Bridesmaid dress: Eloise’s secret closet
Bridesmaid shoes: Ebay! They were bargains and so fun and Christmassy with the green dresses
Groom’s attire: Reece Ford suit hire, Dronfield
Waistcoat: Noose & Monkey, a bargain we found months and months before the wedding in TK Maxx. It was about £15!
Groom’s shoes: Dr Marten 3989
Flowers: Faux from The Bride’s Bouquet
Cake: Made by the lovely Pat, a friend of the family. Topper was from BestDecoWedding on Etsy.
Food/catering: Provided by The Old Rectory
Candy/desert buffet: My amazing Mother-in-law put the sweet table together. The jars were from Amazon.
Celebrant: Hilary Mizler at the Town Hall who is actually one of my Mum’s friends, and we know her quite well which was lovely as we had a familiar friend there. She encouraged us to include readings at the ceremony too to make it more personal and I’m really glad we did.
Invitations/stationery: Daisy Chain invites – the green bow matched our wedding theme
Table decorations: For the centre pieces, I bought the jars from Ikea, my Mum lovingly collected the pinecones on walks in the park, the sprigs of mistletoe were from Hobbycraft and lights Primark, of all places! For the place names, we sprayed pinecones with gold spray paint and gold glitter. One of my Mum’s close friends was an absolute gem and came early on the day to set everything extra up.
Venue decorations: Christmas decorations and linens etc were provided by the venue. Extra decorations like fairy lights, candles and Christmas table decor were from B&M, The Range and Home Bargains. We collected the vintage frames in the run up to the wedding and I hand-wrote all the signs.
Wedding car/transport: My Mum’s work colleague owns this amazing lilac Morris Minor and she organised this as a surprise for me. It was an experience trying to navigate match-day traffic in the rain in this little car! But very fun.
Rings: Tom’s – James Hadley, Surrey Street, Sheffield, Jess’ – aardvarkjewellery.com via Etsy
Seaside wedding photography - A beautiful Baltic sea wedding shoot
Having spent most of last summer shooting destination weddings, I’ve a backpack full of wedding photos to put on the blog and it’s about time I start updating the blog. First one on the agenda is this seaside wedding shoot in northern Poland. Aleksandra and Patryk married earlier this summer in their home town in eastern Poland but as they both live and work in Gdansk, they had this idea of this beach wedding shoot at Baltic seaside, kind of trash the dress type photo shoot.
Baltic seaside wedding photography
We went to one of the local beaches in Gdynia, part of the Tricity. Orlowo Klif is actually a popular spot when it comes to wedding photos but that evening it was just us and one another couple having their photos taken so it wasn’t too bad and I only had to photoshop two more wedding photographers out from one photo! Being a summer lover myself I didn’t mind getting wet to get some shots, shame noone took a photo of me standing in the water trying to get the shot of the couple!
Sporting a burgundy suit, Patryk and beautiful Alexandra wearing a stunning wedding dress, looked like models and were a pleasure to photograph. In fact we spent so much time on the beach and in the nearby woodland that before we realised it had gone completely dark and we found ourselves walking back to the carpark through the forest in pitch black darkness only using our mobile phone torches! Can you imagine spotting a newlyweds with torches in the middle of a forest at night?!
My favourite 10 photos from Cusworth Hall weddings
Cusworth Hall is a very special place to me. Having lived within a few minutes from this beautiful landmark, I visited the place many times. I come here nearly every week with my family and I've been here many times as a wedding photographer based in Doncaster . Here are my top wedding images from Cusworth Hall weddings. If you recently got engaged and planning your wedding at Cusworth Hall then hopefully this set of wedding photos from this beautiful wedding venue will give you some photo ideas for you own big day.
My favourite photos from Cusworth Hall Weddings
Located less than 3 miles north from Doncaster town centre and only 5 minutes away from where I live this Grade 1 listed building is one of my favourite Doncaster wedding venues and I have lots of beautiful memories as well as images from Cusworth Hall weddings to share with you. Here are my top picks from the weddings I photographed. They are in no particular order.
Portrait of bride and groom in the pond area
This beautiful wedding portrait was taken in the pond area of the park. We had planned this photo with the couple prior to the wedding day so I didn't have to do any convincing on the day that it was worth walking down the hill in heels however trainers of wellies on a wet day are ways better to combat that hill!
Utilise shade
I love utilising shady places. If you're tired of that harsh midday sun then a little bit of shade will give you that soft gentle look without casting unwanted shadows under your eyes and chins. This portrait was taken around midday just outside the gate to the side yard where 1086 Brewery recently opened. If you'd like to see more photos from that day then please visit Hannah and Tom's Cusworth Hall wedding.
Window lit portrait of bride and groom
The Grand Salon is one of the most impressive rooms at Cusworth Hall. Packed with original Edwardian features with large south facing windows this room makes an ideal backdrop for your wedding pictures.
Bride arriving at Cusworth Hall
This photo was taken moments after the bride went past the gatehouse making her way to meet the groom down the aisle. I love that vintage VW Beetle too!
Window lit portrait of bride and groom
Another wedding portrait in The Grand Salon at Cusworth Hall utilising beautiful window light. Full of beautiful rooms Cusworth Hall is ideal for your wedding day.
Lots of large windows provide beautiful natural light you can do magic with. You don't need anything else.
Cusworth Hall staircase
The grand stairs leading to the front entrance to the hall always provide a great backdrop and are a perfect setting for your wedding photos. You can utilise the staircase to have some beautiful portraits of just the two of you taken. It can also be used for larger group photos.
Portrait of a groom in the library
We couldn't help placing the groom right next to one of the windows in the library for this beautiful getting ready photo. Simple window light is one of the best ways to illuminate your couples on a wedding day. I must have said it before I know.
Heart shaped wedding detail
Why not incorporate some wedding details into your wedding venue pictures? With a bit of creativity and a minute of spare time we created this heart shaped image of Cusworth Hall that remains one of my favourite wedding pictures from this venue.
Bride and groom portrait in the chapel
When taking your wedding photos at Cusworth Hall you can't forget about the chapel.
About me
I live only 5 mins away from the beautiful Cusworth Hall therefore can offer good rates to all couples getting married at this beautiful place. If you are planning your wedding at Cusworth Hall then I would love to hear from you!
Peak District engagement shoot - Isobel and Tom
For Isobel and Tom’s engagement shoot we met in the Peak District just outside Sheffield in South Yorkshire. We underestimated the early spring weather and had to cope with strong winds and rain in between the shots but in the end the results are fantastic. I like Isobel’s hair blowing in the wind too.
Peak District Engagement Shoot
It could be quite difficult anywhere in the Peaks to find a spot free from hikers for your engagement photo shoot but we were lucky that evening. Maybe the weather discouraged everyone else from exploring the peaks.
As usually we picked a late evening just before the sunset and this contributed to the overall mood of the photos.
I had a great time meeting these two ahead of their wedding later on this year and can’t wait to see Tom waiting for Isobel down the aisle on their big day!
A quick update to this blog post:
Isobel and Tom have now tied the knot and are happily doing life together as Isobel said herself. Follow this link and see their beautiful Wentworth Church and Whirlowbrook Hall wedding.
PEAK DISTRICT ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS
Isobel & Tom
Moody and windy late evening Peak District engagement shoot.
Thank you for visiting this page and I hope you liked this Peak District engagement shoot. Being a local photographer comes with lots of privileges. One of them is the beautiful landscapes of the peaks! If you’d like to view some more similar stories then please visit my blog where you can find real wedding and similar shoots from Sheffield, Yorkshire and everywhere else in the UK. Feel free to use the comments section below to let me know what you think. I’d love you feedback.
Did you like this story? Let me know in the comments below! If you are planning your own wedding and you’d like me to capture your love story then please get in touch!
Photos: Ufniak Photography
13 wedding day tips - photographer's advice for a stress free wedding
Wedding photography is a critical component of capturing the memories and emotions of a couple's special day. The photographs serve as a visual story of the couple's journey, capturing the love, joy, and laughter shared between family and friends.
The photographer's role extends far beyond just taking pictures. They play a crucial role in making the wedding day stress-free for the couple. They are responsible for following a wedding day timeline that ensures that all necessary moments are captured and that the couple is at ease throughout the day. They take charge of organizing group shots, capturing candid moments, and ensuring that the couple is relaxed and comfortable. With a professional photographer at the helm, the couple can sit back and enjoy their special day, knowing that their memories are being captured.
The purpose of this blog post is to provide tips and advice for a stress-free wedding day experience making the day as stress-free as possible. From preparation to execution, the post will provide guidance on how you can help make the wedding day a memorable and enjoyable experience.
1. Get a good sleep
How about starting the relaxed wedding checklist with a big one! You cannot overestimate this. Go to bed early the night before, switch off and get a good sleep. You will feel better the following day, brighter, happier, more relaxed, the list goes on. Hopefully I don’t need to sell you this idea. In fact, if you can, be good the whole week before the wedding and go to bed early everyday the week of your wedding. This is one of my favourites pieces of advice for couples.
2. Start your big day with a good breakfast
What you should eat on the morning of your wedding day? Again, I’m not a dietitian or a food expert and you can search the internet for some advice on this. I have however seen brides and grooms not eating for long periods of time on their wedding day. Make sure you start wedding morning with some proper food. A light breakfast such as cereals, porridge or peanut butter rice cakes would probably be a good choice. Full English? Erm, maybe not on your big day.
When your makeup artist comes along with the photographer, before you realise you’ll be sat in your wedding car outside ready to set off for the wedding ceremony and from then it will be a while till the meal. Try to eat light and often.
3. Stress free wedding ceremony
Registrars are normally pretty relaxed and allow us togs quite a lot of freedom during civil wedding ceremonies. There are no restrictions usually but you have to remember we can’t take photos of the actual register. Usually after signing the register, you’d be given a dummy one so I can take a photo of you pretending you sign it. Yep!
However we don’t often get that freedom at churches and places of worship in general. Whether it’s because of bad experience from another photographer or something else, some vicars are very strict about where we can go during religious ceremonies. I have had cases where during the wedding I was only allowed to stay at the very back having to use a telephoto lens, shooting most of the ceremony from behind couple’s backs.
It is worth clearing this with your vicar in advance and giving them reassurance that you are using a professional photographer that is very quiet and discreet and does not use flash in churches.
4. Ask your guests to hide their phones during the ceremony
Tell your guests to hide their phones during the ceremony. Wedding photographers are an important part of capturing images, but if your guests are on their phones during the ceremony, even if they're not taking pictures, having them all on their phones will distract from what's happening around you.
This is could also be distracting for other guests who may want to actually watch what's going on up there. If you have friends or family who can't help themselves from whipping out their phones at inappropriate times, tell them in advance.
5. Put your phone away
Put your phone away except when you want to take a few selfies with friends or family members. You may want to take photos with family and friends before or after the ceremony, but once it's over it's time to focus on your spouse and enjoy the moment. This will help keep you from feeling anxious about missing out on something important.
6. Plan your group shots in advance
Family and friends group shots are an important part of the wedding. You may not see a tonne of group shots on my or other photographers websites but I’d like to think most of us photographers take these. I do anyway! Unless you don’t want me to then of course it’s fine.
I will take any photograph you want me to on your big day however it’s important to realise that these group shots take time, especially those large group shots. The larger the group the more chance there is of someone wandering off just as we need them. Each group photo can take a few minutes with large group photos taking even 10-15 mins so I recommend no more than 15-20 group shots. Make a list of all your family shots you want to help you remember which ones you wanted to take. It will also make the whole process a much smother and nicer experience.
The bottom line is that the more time we spend taking these group shots, the less time you will have to enjoy your party and the less time I will have to take creative and fun candid shots of you and your guests. Remember the guests also get tired of waiting while the group photos are being taken.
I would usually ask your best man, bridesmaid or a member of your family to help me gather people for these group shots and this can speed things up.
7. Rain on your wedding day?
This is one of the things I can’t control, and I don’t think you can either, unless you went to Hogwarts!
You know British weather can be unpredictable and on a few occasions I did find myself and my gear soaking wet on a wedding day. This is not a problem though. Not for me anyway and unless you mind getting wet, we can create some amazing wedding photos in the rain.
This is when umbrellas come handy and remember to have spare wellies or a pair of trekking shoes as well just in case so you don’t have to be walking in your heals soaking into wet and muddy field.
For us creative wedding snappers, the rain or snow can provide some amazing opportunities usually not available on sunny days. I don’t shy away from wet weather and if you don’t then let’s create some magic!
Don’t panic if it rains on your wedding day.
8. Don't plan an action packed day
The best advice we can give is to not overdo it! When planning your wedding you want to make sure everything is taken care of, but don’t plan an action packed event. The day will be busy enough with everyone wanting to spend some time with you. Then speeches, cake cutting, first dance. Try not to squeeze too many additional attractions for you and your guests. You don't want to collapse in exhaustion at the end of your wedding day.
9. Trust your photographer
Have faith in your photographer to take care of your wedding photos. Chances are that you hire a venue because of the breathtaking view of the sea or the gorgeous garden. To make the most of these views and to utilise the best light possible, it’s important to allow your couple’s session within an hour before sunset. The so called golden hour is the best time of the day for these sort of photos. Discuss this in advance with your camera man and plan some time for this shoot in your schedule.
Time around midday should be avoided when planning your portrait photo shoot. Due to many ceremonies taking place around this time we often conduct group shoots shortly after. This is when we will be looking for shady areas around the venue or try to shoot into the sun if it’s outdoors. As far as your couples photos are concerned, leave these for later.
Another reason you probably want to book a particular wedding venue is probably its spectacular decor or original features. When planning an indoor shoot we’ll be looking for natural window light. This is often the most flattering light you can find indoors and doesn’t require the use of additional artificial lighting.
10. Focus on the important stuff
Don’t focus on small less important things. It’s hard, but try not to worry about anyone or anything on your big day. It goes by so fast, so wasting any of your energy or moments on being upset about some wedding stationery, fairy lights or wedding photos with sparklers is not worth it. This single tip alone can take lots of stress away and make your big day an enjoyable one.
11. Make sure you spend some time with your partner
Time literally flies by at weddings. Between your morning getting readys till late night party, try to actually make time and spend some time with the person you love the most - your partner. Maybe even prepare some little surprise gifts for each other. Weddings can be busy if not hectic sometimes. Between getting dressed, having your hair and makeup done and the crowds of people you have to deal with, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Often when I take couples out for a short portrait shoot around the venue, they say it's the first private pocket of time they get to spend together.
12. Building a Wedding-Day Emergency Kit
On your wedding day, it's wise to be prepared for the unexpected. Consider putting together a wedding-day emergency kit to navigate any unforeseen hiccups with ease. This kit should include essentials that can be real lifesavers. Safety pins can work wonders for last-minute wardrobe malfunctions, ensuring that a loose strap or a torn hem doesn't become a major concern. A sewing kit comes in handy for quick fixes, ensuring that small tears or loose buttons don't cause unnecessary stress. Pain relievers can be a savior for headaches or minor aches that might arise during the day. Beyond these basics, think about any personal items that might cater to your specific needs, ensuring that you're well-equipped to handle the unexpected while staying focused on the joyous moments of your special day.
13. Expect unexpected on your wedding day
Another big one and one of my favourite tips for a relaxed wedding. Be prepared for the unexpected and don’t worry about little incidents. Everything is possible on your big day. Don’t panic and enjoy every moment of your wedding. Not every wedding goes according to plan. In fact most of them don’t!
I’ve seen all sorts things going wrong on a wedding day and it’s vital how you react to these. Stay positive and enjoy your big day as it happens. After all, you will remember that moment better. I’ve seen flowers arriving late, wrong size trousers being delivered for groomsmen. I got a parking ticket while on a sneak away photo shoot with a couple on their wedding day and witnessed a fire alarm going off during the ceremony.
Everything can be turned into a positive and a positive attitude is all you need. That lucky bride who heard the fire alarm going off just as she walked down the aisle ended up walking down the same aisle twice!
Wedding day tips - final words
In conclusion, following the tips and advice will help you ensuring a stress-free and memorable wedding day. It is important to remember that the day is about celebrating love and commitment, and not about the little things that may go wrong. By taking these tips seriously, couples can relax, enjoy, and cherish their special day for a lifetime.
I hope you found these few wedding tips useful and it will help you with planning your stress free wedding day. If you have any questions (wedding related of course!) or if you’d like to enquire about my wedding packages and availability then please get in touch using the ‘contact me’ link in the main menu.
Sheffield Cathedral and Bradfield Village Hall wedding - Stephanie & Alasdair
Stephanie and Alasdair’s Sheffield wedding took place in May 2018 at the Cathedral Church of St Marie in the heart of Sheffield. Their Bradfield Village Hall wedding reception was just a perfect family afternoon with a cricket game in the background.
Sheffield Cathedral and Bradfield Village Hall wedding
The Cathedral Church is a stunning building in the City Centre not far from Victoria Hall. Built in the mid 1800s, St Marie's Roman Catholic Cathedral was fully renovated in 2012. It boasts high arched ceilings and a wealth of Gothic features.
There are many gilt accents which reflected the sunshine that streamed in through the stained glass windows on that lovely, late May day. It was a real pleasure to be taking photos in such a spectacular place. It's an iconic place for those planning a Sheffield wedding.
Stephanie and Alasdair’s Sheffield wedding in pictures
Stephanie wore the most beautiful vintage wedding gown I’ve ever seen. She got it from a charity shop!
She looked like something out of a Jane Austen novel, with a slender silhouette and lace to her wrists and neck.
Her five little bridesmaids in their china blue and white dresses, and pretty gypsophila crowns, added to the vintage charm.
There were also four dapper young pages, in pale blue jackets and dark trousers. Having so many young assistants just highlighted the family feel of the ceremony.
The whole day was filled with so much love and laughter, and I felt honoured to be their wedding photographer and to capture all the special moments that happened between them. They are the kind of couple everyone falls in love with!
Bradfield Village Hall wedding reception
After the wedding ceremony, everyone piled aboard the coach that Stephanie and Alasdair had organised and headed to Bradfield Village Hall in Low Bradfield.
Set just outside Sheffield and within the Peak District, it was the perfect place for their reception. One of my favourite wedding venues in Sheffield. The happy couple had organised everything themselves, and wanted it to be a relaxed and low-key family day for everyone attending.
Vibrant and cheerful handmade wedding décor
They arrayed the hall with lots of cheerful, hand made decorations which complimented the colourful triple tier cake. Vases of vibrant yellow, orange and red tulips, primary coloured bunting, balloon garlands and pinwheels brought a sense of fun and whimsy to the day. Papier-mâché hot air balloons held felt tip pens to keep the younger guests happily occupied.
Bradfield Village Fellowship Cricket Club
Outside the hall was a bouncy castle for the smaller children, and a giant Jenga game for the grown-up ones. Several guests spent a while, drinks in hand, watching the cricket match that was in progress in the next field, belonging to the Bradfield Village Fellowship Cricket Club.
The weather really couldn’t have been more perfect, sunny and warm, ideal for making the most of the gorgeous views outside the hall across the Loxley Valley.
Stephanie and Alasdair had drawn up their seating plan, giving each of the tables names of noted economists – a very original system! After the cutting of the cake, everyone joined in with providing the entertainment. Stephanie and Alasdair arranged what can only be called a good, old-fashioned sing-along, complete with song sheets.
Wedding sing along at Bradfield Village Hall
Guests got to join in as such rousing classics as Stevie Wonder’s “I Just Called To Say I Love You” were sung along to with gusto. In pairs, trios, quartets and en masse, everyone had a go and a huge amount of fun was had by all. The love and care with which the day was organised was evident in every aspect, and it definitely paid off.
After the first dance, as the light began to mellow, I took a walk with the bride and groom to a nearby bridge and we caught some beautiful photographs. The water and the trees made for a wonderful backdrop, with the arched stone bridge and its old worn stones adding to the atmosphere.
Stephanie’s reflection in the stream highlighted the elegant simplicity of her dress and there was a brilliant splash of colour from her bouquet. On the walk back across the cricket pitch, Stephanie and Alasdair set off cobalt blue smoke bombs which made for truly stunning photographs.
There was something about the colours of the day. The rich green grass, old grey stone and brilliant blue sky – which all combined to add a magical touch to their pictures. Thank you very much for taking your time to view Stephanie and Alasdair’s wedding. I’m a wedding photographer Sheffield and if you’d like me to be your camera man on your wedding day then let’s chat.