Beth & Matt’s Intimate Doncaster Town Hall Wedding and Relaxed Reception in Hooton Pagnell
Beth and Matt’s intimate micro-wedding at Doncaster Mansion House followed by a relaxed reception at 1903 in Hooton Pagnell. Captured by Yorkshire Wedding Photographer, Laura Wood Photography.
Beth and Matt were married this July in a relaxed and beautifully intimate ceremony at Doncaster’s Mansion House. The ceremony was followed by a reception at 1903 in the pretty village of Hooton Pagnell. Beth and Matt booked my micro-wedding package as they only needed 3 hours of photography to tell the story of their day. I’m so glad to see a rise in the number of people opting to keep things small but still recognising that the story of their day should be documented with meaningful photographs.
Beth and Matt at 1903’s bar. I wasn’t going to be there when it reached night time so we created a fun, night time feel image using direct flash at the bar.
Matt arrived in Doncaster ahead of the ceremony and went for drinks with immediate friends and family at a bar close to Mansion House.
The beautiful ceremony room at Doncaster’s Mansion House
We were able to stay in the ceremony room for a little while after the ceremony which meant we had time to create portraits using the history and charm of Doncaster Mansion House.
Confetti on the steps of Doncaster’s Mansion House. Beth’s beautiful bouquet is by local florist Bren at Wyndthorpe Cottage Flowers.
The details - Beth’s top and skirt are from Etsy and her shoes are by Forever Soles. Doll’s Den provided beautiful, natural hair and makeup.
Walking to the car to head to the reception at Hooton Pagnell. I loved how the high summer sun shone on Beth’s skirt.
Beautiful, relaxed summer details in the private dining room of 1903, Hooton Pagnell.
We took twenty minutes to make portraits of Beth and Matt outside 1903 and in the surrounding village of Hooton Pagnell.
On the stairs of 1903, Hooton Pagnell.
Speeches before dinner at 1903.
A relaxed family portrait outside of 1903.
It was an honour to document Beth and Matt’s intimate wedding. I love small weddings just as much as the big ones and every wedding receives my full care, energy and love no matter its size. If you’re planning your wedding and would like to chat about photography you can see more of my work and contact me here.
Love,
Laura x
Cate & Matt at Sheffield Town Hall and Manor Farm, Oldcotes.
Cate and Matt’s intimate wedding at Sheffield Town followed by a party at Manor Farm, Oldcotes.
An intimate Sheffield city centre wedding followed by a party at Manor Farm.
Cate and Matt had a two part wedding. They chose to keep their official wedding ceremony intimate with only their children and immediate family in attendance. Cate and Matt were married at Sheffield Town Hall on a quiet Thursday morning. Sheffield Town Hall is a beautiful venue for all sizes of wedding - there are a number of rooms to accommodate various group sizes and the team there make every wedding feel special. Micro weddings are becoming more and more popular and Sheffield Town Hall and the surrounding Peace Gardens make a gorgeous backdrop for photographs.
Outside Sheffield Town Hall on a quiet Thursday morning.
Cate and Matt’s children inside Sheffield Town Hall.
Cate’s Mum making sure Cate’s stunning dress was perfect for photographs. These moments in between are always a joy to capture and really help to tell the story of your day in full.
Cate, Matt and their children on the stairs of Sheffield Town Hall before the wedding ceremony.
All florals are by Bren at Wyndthorpe Cottage Flowers.
Cate and Matt’s children wanted to be close to their parents during the ceremony which is only natural. Even small weddings can feel like big days for children and allowing them to be with you can help them to feel happy and calm.
Just married and leaving Sheffield Town Hall. Cate’s bouquet and Matt’s button hole are by Bren at Wyndthorpe Cottage Flowers.
Heading towards Sheffield Peace Gardens for photos with family.
A natural and timeless black and white photograph of Cate and Matt outside Sheffield Town Hall.
A relaxed twenty minutes for photographs with family in Sheffield’s Peace Gardens.
Seth playing by the fountains in his super cute, personalised braces. Cate and Matt were so happy to let their children run around and play rather than asking them to be in too many group photographs - formal photographs have their place and importance but it’s more likely to be the photos where they’re free to play that they’ll look back on and remember how happy the day was.
I only spent an hour or so with Cate and Matt in Sheffield but I’m so glad that they have these photographs to document the story of their wedding day. Please don’t assume photographers won’t be happy to come and photograph your micro wedding for a short time - lots of us are more than happy to offer shorter packages if we have availability. We LOVE love and want to tell your story through photography no matter how big or small your wedding day is.
Cate & Matt - The Party at Manor Farm, Oldcotes.
Along with the help of florals by Bren at Wyndthorpe Cottage Flowers Cate decorated the barn herself. She used foliage from relative’s gardens and made most of the decor by hand. Gorgeous, relaxed flowers from Bren’s cottage garden worked perfectly with the old red brick and candlelight in the barn and outdoor games kept guests entertained.
The weather was on side so speeches were able to take place in the courtyard of Manor Farm. Pizzas were served by Wood Fired Pizza Co and they were so good that Nancy was eating hers throughout her Dad’s entire speech. Ha.
I loved being part of Cate and Matt’s two part wedding. Each day was beautiful, relaxed and meaningful and had family at the heart of every moment.
If you’re planning a similar kind of wedding then I would love to hear from you! You can click here to read more about my approach to wedding photography or here to get in touch.
Love,
Laura x
Zoe & Mark - A relaxed, micro-wedding in York.
A relaxed and intimate micro-wedding at York Register Office, City of York.
Zoe & Mark were married ay York Register Office with immediate family and closest friends present. Ceremonies at York Register Office are always made to feel meaningful by the team who work there - they give their all to every couple, no matter how big or small the wedding is.
Even if I’m only photographing a wedding for a few short hours I always arrive ahead of the wedding party to capture their arrival. More and more couples are choosing to get ready and arrive together for their wedding ceremonies now - if this is something you’re considering then it’s a wonderful way to calm nerves as you’ll be with the person who feels like your safe place. It also works really well for couples who have a busy wedding day as it means there’s time for some photographs before your guests arrive and the day runs away from you.
After the wedding ceremony we walked through the city gates and headed towards a pub so that everyone could warm up. It was a cold day despite it being officially spring and the wind was a bit wild. The walk took about five minutes and provided loads of opportunities to take documentary images as well as some creative portraits of Zoe and Mark. This balance between a documentary approach and artistic portraits is what really defines who I am as a wedding photographer. Cities like York bring an energy to photographs with their busy streets and beautiful architecture and I could have asked Zoe and Mark to stop so many times for photographs, but I always remember that this day is about people being present with each other and their loved ones and that the most beautiful photographs usually happen when people don’t know they’re being taken.
A slow shutter photograph to capture movement on York’s busy streets.
Everyone went for a drink at The Guy Fawkes Inn and just took time to relax and enjoy each other’s company. The kids were kept happy with activity packs and hot chocolate. Once everyone had warmed up we headed into the gardens by York Minster to take photographs.
Zoe and Mark had booked a table at La Vecchia Scuola which is a stunning restaurant in the heart of York. Things were kept intimate with one long table where everyone could be seated together.
Zoe and Mark had booked me for four hours which felt like just the right amount of time to tell the story of their wedding day. Not everyone needs me and my camera to be there for a full day and I genuinely love micro weddings just as much as the bigger ones. Your wedding day should feel like you. Your photographs should feel like you. So, if you’re planning a micro wedding I would love the honour of telling the story of your day.
Love,
Laura