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.
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!
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.
Helen & Paul’s beautifully simple (and simply beautiful) wedding at Cubley Hall.
Cubley Hall in Penistone was the perfect choice for Helen & Paul’s wedding.
They wanted a laid back day where everyone could just enjoy themselves without being wrapped up in formality and procedures.
Cubley Hall itself is a family pub, the wedding venue is beside the pub and is actually The Barn at Cubley Hall.
The Barn was ideal for Helen and Paul because it is basically already decorated. The bare brick walls and exposed beams ooze charm, and the delicate decorations already at the venue, including various rustic items and a vast array of LED lights, mean there is almost nothing that you need to do to make it the perfect venue for both your wedding ceremony and evening reception.
Although the pub is still open to the public, the garden area around the band stand was sectioned off meaning the wedding party still had somewhere private to gather between the ceremony and the reception.
As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a handful of images to set the scene for you.
I first met Louise and Chris at the Woodlands Hotel back in February 2020 to discuss their wedding that was coming up in a few short months… or so we thought.
Of course, along came the Covid-19 pandemic which put a stop to those plans. Nevertheless, here we are ready to celebrate their wedding a year or so later.
Their ceremony at St Andrews church in Roundhay was beautiful, with everyone involved doing an excellent job managing the still present covid-19 restrictions with grace and ease.
The fun continued at the Woodlands Hotel where the party was in full flow.
Rounding out the evening was an amazing performance by Bahookie who really brought the marque to life.
Your wedding day only happens once, and with so much going on having a second wedding photographer to provide additional coverage seems like a no-brainer.
But, having multiple photographers at your wedding can have some downsides.
So let’s explore the ups and downs of second photographers.
As always, the images featured in this article were taken by JLM Wedding Photography unless otherwise stated.
What is a ‘Second’ Wedding Photographer And What Do They Do?
In the wedding photography world, more often than not you’ll have a ‘primary’ wedding photographer.
The primary photographer is the person who takes responsibility for capturing your day.
They represent their brand, they have a style and a vision and that is what you will have looked at and admired when you considered booking them as your wedding photographer.
The second photographer will have been hired by the primary photographer, to capture additional angles and cover secondary locations.
Typically when you choose your wedding photographer you will come across one of three scenarios.
They work alone, a second photographer is not an option.
A second photographer is an optional extra.
They always work with a second photographer who is included in the price.
There is an alternative to the ‘primary’ model wherein both photographers are equally primary.
They may be equal partners in the business and come as a duo.
In that case as well as in scenario no. 3 above, you’ll need to make the decision about whether you want a second photographer before you book them.
Is An Assistant The Same As A Second Photographer?
Some photographers may also bring along an assistant to help them on the wedding day.
Whether or not they shoot photos depends on the arrangement with the main photographer.
Their main role will be to assist the primary photographer with things like light stands, tripods, and possibly helping to arrange people into group photos.
I would regard assistants as something entirely different for the purposes of this article, although it may still be worth you asking your photographer whether they use an assistant because you may end up having to feed them.
Advantages Of Booking A Second Photographer
There is a pretty obvious benefit to a second photographer.
Additional Coverage
Instead of just one person at the front taking photos you have another at the back capturing a different perspective of the same thing.
For example, the primary photographer can be up front during the ceremony capturing the details, whilst the second photographer can be at the back capturing guest reactions.
They can also be capturing candid moments of your guests whilst you are out with your primary photographer taking portraits, so you’ll know what you missed during that time.
For me though, the main advantage to having a second photographer is….
Capturing Both Parties Getting Ready At The Same Time
Whilst the primary photographer is with one party getting ready, the secondary photographer can be with the other party.
The only time one person can reasonably get photos of the two parties getting ready in the morning is if they are both getting ready in the same location.
Even then, there will be moments that are missing down to simply logistics.
I would regard this as especially important for same sex marriages where there are two bridal parties, who both deserve equal coverage.
Providing Backup For The Main Photographer
Any wedding photographer worth their salt would have backup gear, but there are some things a spare camera and extra batteries won’t help with.
What if, for example whilst travelling between venues, the primary photographer is involved in a road traffic accident?
In that instance, you may have temporarily lost your primary photographer, at least you have the secondary photographer who should already be waiting at the location and can stand in as the primary until they arrive.
Disadvantages Of A Second Wedding Photographer
Yep, there are downsides too. The most obvious being…
Additional Cost
You are now paying for two people rather than just one.
If the second photographer is an optional extra then that’s another thing you have to find money for.
If the second photographer is included in the price, does that mean the primary photographer is valued at less than an equivalent single photographer?
Either way, more people means more money.
You may also need to consider paying for a second meal if that is included in the photographer’s contract.
Having Multiple Photographers Can Be Intimidating
I can’t speak for everyone, but I know the couples who tend to book me as their wedding photographer are usually the kind of people who don’t want to turn their wedding into a production.
They want to get on with having a beautiful wedding day without they and their guests feeling uncomfortable or inundated with photographers.
From a photographer, they want discretion.
They want someone who will blend in a capture the day without disrupting it.
Adding a second photographer can risk causing the very disruption they are trying to avoid.
Don’t get me wrong, we’re only talking about two people.
The right team of photographers they should be able to work tactfully enough for this not to be a big deal.
When you’ve got a small or medium sized wedding party, two photographers can potentially feel a lot more intimidating that just one.
They Will Get Into Each Other’s Photographs
An experienced photography team should be able to mitigate this for the most part, there are still times where getting into each other’s photos in unavoidable.
This may not bother you, after-all the photographers were as much a part of your day as anything else.
For the most part this will be nothing more than amusing, though there can be times when both photographers have the same idea and can get in each other’s way.
In the below image you’ll see me unavoidably becoming a feature in my second photographer’s image.
Image credit: Alex Wilden
I don’t feel like this is a particularly egregious example of what I’m talking about. I actually don’t have any of those.
For me the main point is to consider that having multiple photographers covering the same thing is not always guaranteed to be better than just one photographer.
Conclusion: Do You WANT A Second Wedding Photographer?
I’m going to be unusually decisive here and say no, you don’t NEED a second wedding photographer.
The only time I would strongly recommend a second photographer is when you really want comprehensive photo coverage of both parties getting ready prior to the ceremony.
Other than that it comes down to whether you WANT a second photographer.
In writing this article I wanted to make sure to convey the idea that two is not automatically better than one.
As we have seen above there are pros and cons to having an additional photographer. It’s up to you to decide which option is right for you.
And as always, if you have any question or comments, please feel free to ask.
If you’re looking for wedding photo ideas on glamourous websites, or even Pinterest and Instagram, then you have to keep in mind that those photos were taken by different people at different times, in different conditions and possible in a different location.
Shit, the word ‘different’ just lost all meaning for me. Dammit I liked that word.
Wedding photography these days revolves around capturing natural moments.
Once you start giving your photographer lists of photos you want taken then they stop capturing natural moments, because they have to try to contrive unnatural moments that look natural, because it happened naturally at someone else’s wedding once.
Not everyone bursts into tears, that moment when you both clap eyes on each other as one of you walks down the aisle is a moment to behold.
Straight off the bat this is one of my favourite shots, and one that I make sure I’m in position for every time.
Walking Through Confetti
It actually takes quite a lot of ushering on my part to get people into the right position.
Once I give everyone the go-ahead, it’s all natural.
Sometimes guests throw the confetti into the couples faces, sometimes they swallow a little and choke, sometimes they look down, look up, get separated in the confusion….
Whilst there is nothing natural about the situation, the moment is genuine, loads of fun and makes for amazing natural photos.
Just the Two Of Us
These are the headline shots. Your new profile pic. The ones you’ll get printed onto canvas.
The couples portrait is another must have for me when I’m photographing a wedding day.
Be warned, this is where Pinterest and Insta-fueled dreams can be dashed.
As a seasoned wedding photographer, I know the best time of day to get portraits. I also know how to find for the best locations at any venue.
What I cannot do is stop the rain, remove the clouds or create rolling hills in a town centre.
This is where you need to trust your photographer.
You will get amazing photos of the two of you, just be open-minded about the look and feel.
All the Other Crazy Things That Happen At Your Wedding
It’s Your Wedding!
It is full of people you care about, meaning some of the best photos are people just doing stuff at your wedding.
You might not get the same feelings when you look at other people’s natural moments, but when the antics are all you and your friends on your special day, every moment will be a treasure.
The First Dance
The last of the formalities.
Clench up for one last routine and then you can relax and finally say hello to Uncle Melv who flew all the way from Australia just to come to your wedding.
Party Time
Girls, kick off the high-heels and slide on the flats.
Guys, undo your top button and wrap your tie around your head.
The formalities are done. The wedding was a success, you’re married!
I’m running out of ways to express how much better each year is compared to the last. Honestly, every year is a blast. I meet amazing people, make new friends, visit beautiful new wedding venues and take loads of photos that I’m truly proud of.
This year I’m going to pinch an idea from the American tradition of Thanksgiving and make a list of all the things I am thankful for this year.
So, in no particular order, here are a few things I am thankful for in 2019.
Getting to photograph the wedding of my neighbours and friends Amy and Richard at Ringwood Hall. Being a guest as well as the photographer does bring complications, especially with my own kids being there, but it was a great experience to be on both sides for once.
Meeting last year’s Great British Bake Off winner, Rahul, and getting to witness a wedding cake unlike anything I have ever seen (or tasted) before. I don’t mean this in a gushing celeb-spotting kind of way because that’s not me. For me this was a humbling experience where I learned not to take someone’s talents for granted. Yes, Rahul is capable of some truly magnificent creations, that doesn’t mean it comes easy, he (and his team) spend months planning and building it. I will watch GBBO with greater reverence from now on.
Experiencing the majesty of Carlton Towers. Emma and Oliver’s wedding was as close to a Royal Wedding as I have come, so far.
Danielle & Josh, whose wedding taught me that you don’t have to stick to the schedule, so long as you and your guests are having a great time. They never got around to doing a first dance, who cares?
Gary, for using his Groom powers to bump me to the front of the queue at the Nether Edge Pizza Co. van.
I got to shoot a wedding at the Sheffield General Cemetery! How cool / bizarre / slightly creepy is that? I’ll admit, walking back through the cemetery to my car in the pitch black was even more terrifying than the time I had to walk through Barnsley Town Centre with all my camera gear, but yeah I’d go there again.
Sonny, for taking charge of the group photo sessions and coming up with some bonkers ideas. It’s great to see a groom who really has a passion for the photos.
I learned to not always go for the beef. Halloumi can be really nice too.
The Vicar at Sonny & Helena’s wedding for accidentally saying Sonny’s brother’s name during the service.
Before we get to the photos, let me just add that I am also hugely grateful to:
Every couple who put their faith in me to capture their wedding this year.
All the guests at all the weddings who said hello and small-talked with me to make sure I wasn’t feeling lonely.
The venue staff who went out of their way to get me a meal, or just a cup of coffee.
The one barman at that one hotel who gave me a cheeky half pint of Goose Island Midway Session IPA without charging me, you know who you are.
Martina and her bridal party got ready at The Bridge Hotel. In fact they spent the whole day there, come to think about it. It was a rather large bridal party, split across many rooms in the hotel, and consisting of all her closest friends and family, as any good bridal party should.
The atmosphere was particularly lively, with a dash of emotional here and there. There were also some nice touches that Luke had sprinkled around the room prior to Martina’s arrival, see if you can spot them.
An Outdoor Wedding Ceremony in England
You can’t write a blog about an outdoor wedding in the UK without mentioning the weather.
It had been raining all morning, and was very windy on the day of Martina and Luke’s wedding at The Bridge Hotel in Wetherby.
The wedding coordinators from The Bridge had been popping into Martina’s bridal suite all morning to see if she had changed her mind and wanted to move the ceremony indoors.
To her credit, she stuck to her guns and the ceremony went ahead outdoors. Martina’s confidence paid off as the rain stayed away until the very end of the ceremony, barely causing any disruption.
Indoor Wedding Portraits & Group Photos
For the rest of the day it rained, a lot. We didn’t have a chance to get outside again for photos.
We decided that wasn’t such a bad thing though.
We had already gotten some great sunset photos on their engagement shoot at Newmillerdam a few weeks earlier, so that box was pretty much ticked already.
Yeah some sunset portraits on your wedding day are great, but when you’ve got a venue with such a lovely interior like you have at The Bridge it’s not such a problem.
We got a couple of shots of just Martina and Luke around the hotel, and then found an awesome events room that was unused, so I set up a light and we dragged everyone in for group shots.
Would I Recommend The Bridge Hotel & Spa as a Wedding Venue?
The Bridge’s understated name betrays just how much of a class act this hotel really is. It has a tasteful blend of West Yorkshire countryside with modern comfort and style.
To be honest, I would recommend it as a wedding venue, a restaurant, or just somewhere to go for a nice quiet drink.
I can’t pass judgement on the spa because I didn’t get the chance to indulge, but I certainly got to enjoy the bar food. The menu is as understated as the name of the hotel, but don’t go expecting an ordinary sandwich, this is proper gastropub grub.
So yes, from my perspective as an informed outsider, definitely an excellent and highly recommended wedding venue.
Have Some More Photos Before You Go 😉
All the photos were taken by JLM Wedding Photography. Head to the bottom of the page for Prices and Availability.
Don’t get me wrong, there is something special about high energy weddings too, but every now and again it’s great to change pace and take it as it comes.
Eleanor and Huw chose to get married in the stunning setting of Losehill House in the Peak District National Park. If you aren’t familiar, this is somewhat off the beaten track. You’re looking at narrow approach roads and deep valleys. Very tranquil and exactly what they were looking for.
For my part, the staff were very attentive and professional, and I got to experience the fantastic classic English countryside cuisine first hand.
A highly recommended wedding venue, as I’m sure the photos will attest.
To be honest, I’m probably not the right photographer for you.
