The privately owned and run Eyam Hall is just oozing with character inside and out.
Add into the mix a gorgeous couple, stunning decoration and glorious August weather, these photos pretty much took themselves.
Category: Real Weddings
All my previous weddings in one blog
Hanna & Gary’s Sandburn Hall Wedding
It’s funny how things work out.
Back when my kids were in primary school I used to donate a photo shoot voucher as a raffle prize. Disappointingly, despite there being a winner every time, it was very rare that people would actually claim their prize.
There was this one family I do remember claiming their prize. A lovely young couple named Hanna and Gary. We spent about an hour together crafting memories.
I have since come to find out that on that day, they both agreed that if they were to get married, they would like me to be their photographer, on the basis that Gary was not fond of having his photo taken but felt comfortable with me.
Well, here we are, almost 6 years later!
This wedding was a great pleasure to shoot. Not only was it lovely to spend time with Hanna and Gary again, it was also my first visit to Sandburn Hall Golf Club. Add to that almost perfect weather, and you’ve got a recipe for some spectacular photos.
Speaking of which….
Marina & Vince’s Borthwick Castle Wedding
Ordinary photographers like me don’t get to photograph weddings in actual Scottish castles.
As it happened my old mate Vince was getting married at Borthwick Castle and he was able to look past my ‘ordinary’ status and invited me along to photograph his wedding to the gorgeous Marina.
So, ever the professional, I wandered around the castle throughout the day, doing my usual thing like it was just another day at the office.
Definitely a highlight for me, not just because of the setting, but having the honour of being such a central part of an old mate’s wedding day.
Sam & Paul’s Hornington Manor Wedding
Every wedding I photograph is an honour and a pleasure, those who ask me know how much I love what I do. But when I’m photographing the wedding of someone I know it’s even more special.
Playing such an important part of my old school friend Paul’s wedding day meant a lot, and having the chance to catch up with a few of the guys from school felt like the last 20+ years since we left never happened.
Add to that the fact that it was an unbelievably mild February day in the beautiful surroundings of Hornington Manor, and I’d say 2024 is getting off to a pretty special start.
The gorgeous venue: @horningtonmanor looked even better because of the stunning flowers by @hydeparkflowerclub.by.dotties
The bridal party looked stunning with help from @hair_by_ashley_mitchell and @facesbylaurenrippin
We were entertained by @lilykerbeymusic throughout the day, and @stangers_theband in the evening.
And my word, what a fantastic beef dinner by @thehogandapple.
All this meant that the photos came easy for me (@jlmweddings) and @alex_wilden.
Leanne & Matthew’s Thornbridge Hall Wedding
My first visit to Thornbridge Hall was most certainly not a disappointment, the venue is absolutely stunning inside and out, and the grounds are breath-taking.
I also had the pleasure of a second visit to the St Thomas Church (STC) Sheffield for Leanne and Matthew’s ceremony.
In all, a beautiful day in the company of some genuinely kind and friendly people. It really doesn’t feel like a job on days like this!
Gemma & Alex’s Foxholes Farm Wedding
Sheffield Town Hall Wedding Ceremony
Gemma and Alex’s wedding was actually split over two days, and I had the privilege of capturing both days.
Day 1 was on the Friday and involved a small legal ceremony at Sheffield Town Hall, with only their closest family and friends in attendance.
It was a beautiful, sunny afternoon in Sheffield city centre, the kind that makes you feel self conscious walking around in a suit when everyone else is in shorts and flip flops.
After the ceremony we had originally considered having a walk through the food festival that was going on that day in the Peace Gardens, but sadly that had not yet opened, so we went with our backup plan of the Winter Gardens.
After a few snaps of the party in the Winter Gardens, and a few more of Alex and Gemma, I left them to go for a quiet drink, to get myself ready for the following day.
Marquee Wedding at Foxholes Farm, Bradfield
Saturday was soon upon us, and I arrived nice and early at Foxholes Farm.
Most of the party from yesterday had stayed overnight, either in the lodgings or camper vans.
As the morning went on, more and more guests arrived, pitched a tent and then put on their wedding attire.
When the time came, we had a gentle wander down to the marquee which was beautifully decorated by Gemma and Alex themselves, with a lot of floral support by the very talented Limewood Flowers.
For me, Gemma and Alex’s wedding day was so relaxing. With the ceremony out of the way on the previous day, I didn’t need to keep such a close eye on the time. From my perspective it made things much easier on the couple too since they didn’t have all the pressure of the ceremony in the build up to the day.
Now, I don’t want to come across as saying there was no structure to the day. There was still a sit-down afternoon tea served by the always brilliant Hazel’s Catering.
After the afternoon tea there was a fantastic Ceilidh hosted by Roger the Badger, which I’m pretty sure was as exhausting to photograph as it was for those dancing.
We were then treated to an amazing pizza by Wood Fired Pizza Co.
And then, the biggest surprise for me was just how much fun a silent disco could be. The range of the headphones meant that the guests could be outside in the field dancing to the music, without having to pollute the tranquil countryside with noise. My one comment though is that, whilst the music cannot be heard, so long as you have drunk people trying to talk to each other with headphones on, it will not be a truly silent disco! Shoutout to the Silent Disco Company for supplying the hardware.
So, that’s the story, let’s see some of the photos.
Kat & Ben’s Hazel Gap Barn Wedding
I must admit I was excited about my first wedding at Hazel Gap Barn. I had come across it a few times and seen some amazing photos from fellow photographers.
Hazel Gap Barn did not disappoint. The venue is beautiful, the grounds are stunning and the team very helpful and efficient.
But before I could head up to Hazel Gap Barn I had to make stop in Sheffield City Centre, where Kat was getting ready in Mercure St Paul’s Hotel.
So here is a selection of photos from that beautiful day.
Kim & Kieran’s Hawkstone Hall & Gardens Wedding
Hawkstone Hall is one of those rare wedding venues that takes your breath away the moment you see it in the distance.
It is also, fortunately, one of the even more rare instances of a venue that delivers inside as well as out.
As it happened, Kim and Kieran picked a day of mixed weather, so they were grateful of the vast, bright and airy interior that Hawkstone Hall had to offer.
Their wedding day was full of smiles, with a few tears here and there, as you will see in the photos that you’re about to browse.
Kim managed to pull together an incredible team of wedding suppliers to make this day happen, so I wanted to give them all an instagram-style shout out before we get to the photos that showcase their handywork.
Venue: @hawkstone_hall
Photos: @jlmweddings
Florist – @davenportsfarm
Chair sashes – @simplybowscheshire
Light up letters – @letterhiredotcom
Cake – @cake_mo.ments
Hair – @hairbychloejoy
Makeup – @jesscarswell_
DJ, evening entertainment and magic mirror – @exceedevents
Dress – @avarosehamilton
Suits – @bridgewatermenswear
Bridesmaid dresses – @bridesmaidbyjb
Gifts/robes – @nsddesigns1
Stationary – @rachelelizabethillustration
Signs/seating plan/card box – @signedwithlove
Bride’s pj’s – @belle_bespoke_
Brides slippers – @boujibridecompany
Flower girl dresses – @shopleilarae
Bride’s shoes & bag – @charlottemillsshoes
Brides Mrs hair clip (evening) – @sixstoriesofficial
Dress alterations – @sewinlove_emily
Wedding pen – @brideinmind
Wedding planner/consultant – @theweddingtaylor
Cupcake favours – @pacecakesltd
Video @flashphotographyweddingsOk, on with some photos….
Wentworth Trinity Church & Hooton Lodge Farm Double Wedding
A Double Wedding Ceremony at Wentworth Trinity Church
The vicar at Wentworth Trinity church made a point of saying this was the first double wedding he had ever witnessed, which is saying a lot because he looked like he had seen a lot of weddings, if you know what I mean?
He went on to say that he had asked around and had not been able to find a single person who had seen one.
I guess he didn’t think to ask me, because this was my third.
I have even been to a wedding where two sisters got married side by side, all the way back in 2017 when Dani & Lisa both got married in Gretna Green.
Still, being at a wedding with 2 couples presents certain logistical challenges for me. I wanted to make sure both couples got equal time in front of the camera, which did sometimes mean repeating certain shots for each couple.
Wedding Reception at Hooton Lodge Farm
I do enjoy a good farm wedding. The open fields, plenty of space and a great atmosphere.
Hooton Lodge farm is a lovely location, with the added bonus of having a fairground nearby which Tina and friends took advantage of, as you’ll see in the photos.
The weather on the day was perfect; dry and not too hot. In all, a great day.
Photos and Videos
So here’s what you probably came for, the photos and videos.
I ended up doing two highlights films, each one similar but geared towards each couple to make sure they both got their own personal video.
https://vimeo.com/748658307https://vimeo.com/748658019
Sadie & Jordan’s Bolton Abbey Wedding
Bolton Abbey Priory Church Wedding
Sadie and Jordan’s wedding ceremony was in ruins…. the ruins of Bolton Abbey that is.
If you didn’t find that funny we probably shouldn’t work together.
Anyway, this was my first wedding at the Priory Church at Bolton Abbey since my step brother got married here about 10 years earlier, so it was great to be back.
Not only is the Priory a beautiful church, it comes with the added benefit of giving you access to the ruins of Bolton Abbey for some photos afterwards.
Of course Bolton Abbey is not restricted so members of the public can be wandering around. Fortunately for us, it was a damp and rainy day so we didn’t have a raft of families with picnics to contend with.
The Tithe Barn Wedding Reception
The Tithe Barn is on the same Bolton Abbey estate as the Priory which meant the trip over was swift and true.
It also benefits from a beautiful view of the Abbey from the courtyard.
The Tithe Barn benefits from beautiful stone featured and is lit using actual candles. I can vouch for this because some wax almost fell on me as I was manoeuvring around under the giant candelabras.
Despite the weather I had a lovely day getting to know Sadie’s family, plus a lovely reunion with Jordan’s family since I had photographed his brother Ben’s wedding last year.
Here is a selection of photos and videos that I captured that day.
