Wedding Photography in North East England

Up-coming Wedding Fairs 2012

2012-02-20T14:56:00.000Z

Just thought I'd let you know the up-coming wedding fairs that I will be attending soon.

The Marriott Gosforth Hotel

Sunday 4th March 11am-3pm

The Assembly Rooms, Newcastle

Sunday 11th March 12noon-3pm

Slaley Hall, Northumberland

Sunday 18th March 11am-3pm

Wedding fairs are a great opportunity to look at many different wedding suppliers under one roof. It's especially useful when looking for a photographer as you get see their work and meet the photographer in person. So hopefully I'll see you at one of the venues to have a chat! Gillian.

Gillian Cross Photography

Photo Friday #5

2012-02-17T10:07:00.001Z

Being manhandled from every angle to get a buttonhole in. The things grooms have to go through to get ready for their wedding day!

Gillian Cross Photography

Focus on ~ Colour themes - Black and White

2012-02-13T10:12:00.001Z

Living and working in Newcastle upon Tyne, you would think I'd photograph a lot of weddings with a black and white colour theme. I don't often, but when it's done, it looks really classic and sophisticated.

Black bridesmaids dresses that they can wear again.

The mums were also in the black and white colour theme.

Quite by accident, the floor of the photo booth that they hired was black and white chequerboard! I spotted the bridesmaid's shoe with the bow for a cute pic.

Thanks for looking.

Gillian Cross Photography

Photo Friday #4

2012-02-10T11:36:00.000Z

Anyone for rugby? An opportunity to have a throw around on the rugby pitch is not to be missed for this rugby-mad groom.

Featured on Daisychain Events

2012-02-06T10:34:00.001Z

Last week, I was extremely flattered to have a real wedding featured on Daisychain Events wedding blog. A big thank you goes to the lovely Kerry for her kind words.

Daisychain Events are based in County Durham and will plan your wedding or event anywhere

in the North East.

They offer everything from supplier sourcing and budget planning, to managing the guest replies and bridal coaching, which ensures you will be relaxed and stress free on the day. They even have a Groom Academy workshop full of tips for anxious grooms.

Their facebook page is also packed with inspirational mood boards if you're running out of ideas. Here are some of my favourites.

So if you're feeling like your budgets are spiralling out of control, or you can't make your

ideas a reality, give the girls a call.

Please visit their lovely blog to see my real wedding feature.

Thank you for looking.

Gillian Cross Photography

Photo Friday #3

2012-02-03T10:19:00.001Z

An organised mother of the bride with a list of what to take in each car. I think they remembered everything! The father certainly made his speech.

Gillian Cross Photography

Focus on ~ Album Design

2012-01-30T11:11:00.001Z

This week's blog is all about album design. I wanted to show you a complete album because when you book your photographer, and have an album package, you not only have to consider the style of the photographs, but the album design as well. It's no good having the most wonderfully shot photos if they are then presented in a haphazard way.

If you click on the images you should be able to see them larger.

Front cover.

On the first page I always have a title page with names, date, venues. I think it starts the album off beautifully.

Although there are a lot of photos in the albums, I try to lay them out simply so that you can see each one and each page tells the story.

For the backgrounds I stick to white, black or a photo but sometimes I'll use a colour from the wedding's colour theme like the blue below.

I do like to try to copy and use a motif from the day to use in borders, such as part of the illustration from the invitation used on the page above.

Groups are usually larger photos so you can see everyone.

Background photos are details from the day which I incorporate into the design.

Once I've designed your layout, I email it to you for approval. When you're happy, the album gets ordered.

The design above was the Storybook Deluxe where the couple choose 125 photos. I've included an additional 24 photos into the design as backgrounds.

Storybook Deluxe (16x12) and Storybook (14x10)

The best thing to do is always go to have a look at the album that you will be getting.

Thank you for looking and if you've found this post helpful, please consider sharing it.

Gillian Cross Photography

Photo Friday #2

2012-01-27T11:27:00.001Z

A couple of ushers were swaying to the music enjoying themselves.

Gillian Cross Photography

Focus on ~ The Dress

2012-01-23T12:00:00.002Z

So the question's been popped, the answer's been given. Much excitement and phone ringing and celebrating. Now for planning! What first?

The venue? The date?

Surely fairly important things to get sorted, but probably further down the list than.......

...The Dress!!

Coming up are a selection of dresses from weddings in the last couple of years. Most of them are from the posed part of the day, to show off the dress and how fabulous you look in it!

I love the details, and use these type of shots as backgrounds to build up a story of your day.

Every bride looks wonderful on their wedding day, and I aim to create portraits to remind you how wonderful you felt in your gorgeous dress.

Thank you for looking.

Gillian Cross Photography

Photo Friday #1

2012-01-20T10:24:00.001Z

This is something I started on my facebook page before Christmas and I like it so much I thought I'd share it on the blog. I hope you enjoy it!

The father of the bride easing some tension in the wait to go into the ceremony. How laid back is that?

Gillian Cross Photography

Focus on ~ Table Numbers

2012-01-16T11:39:00.002Z

As I've said before, I feel extremely fortunate to photograph the wonderful weddings that I do. I love the details of each day which makes them all individual to each couple, even down to the table numbers and place settings!

A pretty table decoration for a summer wedding incorporating the table number in a matching colour.

This bride works at a vet's and is obviously a cat lover.

I'd never seen this idea before. Each table was a different year but the 8384 stumped me...until I worked out it was the birth years of the bride and groom. 1983 and 1984! Each table had a photo of the couple from that year and information on who won the football, what was number one in the charts etc. A lovely personal touch to chart their lives together.

Of course you don't have to go for numbers for your tables. This couple both work for a well known fast food outlet.

And this couple got married on a date, which, in binary numbers (computer speak) added up to 42...the meaning of life in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams. So each table name had a menu with an author's name on.

Another menu doubled up as the place names. The chocolate ladybirds were for the children!

I'd never seen this either. The top table place names each had a business card sized card with a unique photo relevant to the person and their name on. Yes, the groom's is the one with the crate of beer on!

Thank you for looking.

For more examples of my wedding photography and for prices please visit

Gillian Cross Photography

Focus on ~ A Spring Wedding

2012-01-09T10:31:00.002Z

Now that we have Christmas and New Year behind us, I always feel the anticipation of the arrival of spring. Warmer weather, beautiful spring flowers - the bulbs are already starting to sprout! So I thought I'd focus on a spring wedding I took last year. I love the seasons and love it when the details of a wedding reflect the season.

This wedding was at St Lawrences's church in Warkworth on a sunny, blustery day. We fortunately had good enough weather to walk along the river to get the castle in the background. The reception was held at the White Swan in Alnwick.

Beautiful spring flowers on the pew ends and in the bouquets.

The soft light of early April is lovely for the entrance of the bride.

I love the softness of the light coming through the stained glass window.

The bright colours of the spring flowers look lovely with the purple of the bridesmaids dresses.

Blossom on the trees and soft spring sunshine.

The blustery day meant we could get some great shots of the full length veil.

A wander along the river and we still found some greenery.

Warkworth Castle in the background.

Of course I had to find some daffodils!

Even the cakes had a soft, spring-like palette and tiny narcissi scattered among them.

The spring flowers carried on through into the table decorations.

The table plan was like a wishing tree with Easter egg shapes hanging from it with the guests names on.

Thank you for looking. If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it.

Gillian Cross Photography

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-04T10:17:00.001Z

Sending you best wishes for a happy 2012 and congratulations to all of the couples who got engaged over the festive period.

Gillian Cross Photography

Frosty Snowman

2011-12-19T09:45:00.001Z

I've been playing around with shaping the bokeh in photos. The bokeh is the blurry bit when lights are out of focus in the background. Here's a festive snowman (knitted by me) to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Gillian Cross Wedding Photography website

Pre-Wedding Photo Shoot in Jesmond Dene

2011-12-12T15:01:00.002Z

A pre-wedding photo shoot can be a great idea. Especially if you aren't keen on having your photo taken. I know that sounds like a contradiction, but a lot of people haven't had their portrait taken professionally so it can seem quite daunting.

This is why a photo shoot before the big day can help. You get to see how I work, and it's also another chance for us to meet up. Usually, the most number of times I see my couples before the wedding is twice but it is nice to see you more often. After all, I'm going to be present for most of your special day!

The couple in the following photos weren't keen on having their photo taken so I suggested a photo shoot, free of charge. We were also thinking of taking some photos on the wedding day at Jesmond Dene so this seemed to be the perfect choice of location. The couple had also requested a signing board so we needed a photo to put in the frame while guests were signing the mount. The photo they chose, we replicated on the wedding day to ultimately replace the pre-wedding shoot photo.

So, a sunny July day in Jesmond Dene.

A bit of posing, mixed in with "stand over here and chat amongst yourselves."

Now, I thought they'd choose this shot below for their frame, but no. They fancy having this one larger!

These are the frame photos.

Wedding day slightly pulled back to get the wedding ring in and the detail on the dress.

So, now prepared for posing on the big day. Although it is different when you're dressing up looking fabulous in your finery!

The comment from the groom while we were arranging a day to do the pre-wedding shoot was "...if you can convince me to be in the pictures!"

The comment I got after the wedding day was "We've had some really nice comments from everyone about you, we're so pleased you were able to be with us on our wedding. And you made it painless for both of us."

If you wanted to have a photo shoot before you booked your wedding photography, you would pay a location fee. However, if you were to go on and book me as your photographer, I would deduct that fee from your package price.

Thank you for looking and if you liked this post, please consider sharing it.

Gillian Cross Photography

Focus on ~ Lumley Castle

2011-12-05T12:12:00.008Z

Over the last couple of years, I've been lucky enough to photograph a wedding each year at the beautiful Lumley Castle.

It takes it's name from Sir Ralph Lumley, who petitioned the Bishop of Durham in 1389, to allow him to convert his family's manor house into a castle. Unfortunately he did not enjoy his new home for long as he was involved in a conspiracy to overthrow Henry IV. This failed and he was arrested and executed in 1400.

The castle was restored to his grandson, Thomas, in 1421. He was made constable of Scarbrough Castle for his role in the War of the Roses. The Lumley name continued to play a role in court life until well into the 1800s

In 1976, the castle was made into a hotel and now hosts fairytale weddings either on a large scale or an intimate one. The following weddings were two of the most relaxed and intimate days I've had the privilege to photograph.

The bride getting ready with the girls, in one of the rooms with lovely window seats.

The groom next to the huge doors which would probably have been the main entrance, designed to impress.

The Scarbrough room set up for the ceremony, with itineraries on the seats.

Drinks and photos on the side lawn.

Plenty of opportunity for stunning photographs.

And it's not all stone work. There is some greenery as well.

Lovely backdrops for your family photos.

Then round the corner for some different poses.

There are also the unforgettable busts in the corridor. I've tried to find out who they were to tell you, but I can only find out from the web that they may be of Roman emperors or nobles.

Note to self - look at them and find out next time!

I always love the details of your venue and use some of them in the design of your album.

Two different room settings for a similar amount of guests. One in the Scarbrough room (top) and the other in the Northumbria (bottom).

Mmmm, food.

Different cake shots. The couple at the bottom wanted the cake to be the focus.

For more information about weddings at Lumley Castle please visit www.lumleycastle.com

All comments are from the view of a photographer. Also, Lumley Castle spells Scarbrough this way although the town is spelt Scarborough.

If you've enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it, Thank you for looking.

Gillian Cross Photography

Focus on ~ Hand-tied Bouquets

2011-11-28T11:01:00.001Z

As a wedding photographer, I am lucky enough to see all of the details that go into making your special day unique. So many things to personalise for your day, and I often find that brides look through my albums admiring the photography and then saying "Ooh, I like that cake," or "I'm thinking about having that colour for my bridesmaids." So I thought I'd share some of the detail shots I take on wedding days,

as inspiration for you.

While editing one of my weddings, I noticed that every bride I'd photographed this year, had chosen to have a hand-tied bouquet. So what better place to start this new feature than with bouquets! All different colour themes and flowers. Here are some of the photos I took of their beautiful bouquets.

The first one of the year was in April and used fresh, spring anemones.

Rather unusual to see a yellow bouquet but this was a June wedding so it was lovely to reflect a sunny summer day. Now, what colour do you put your bridesmaid in? She had a lovely knee-length black dress with white embroidery on. Ahh! Oh, the buttercup was added by one of the little girls at the wedding.

This was another summer wedding with garden flowers like sweet peas, geraniums, pinks and roses.

Like the previous bouquet, most hand-ties seem to have the stems bound in a co-ordinating ribbon. This one has the same beads wrapped around it as are scattered in the bridesmaids bouquets.

The simplicity of the beautiful roses was set off by the encasing of the flowers in flat leaves. (And more black bridesmaids dresses! That'll be a later post.)

Roses again. The classic, romantic wedding flower, this time mingled with ivy.

A mixed bouquet using the classic roses, astrantia and zingy euphorbias.

Roses again in another unusual colour, used with blue cornflowers, peonies and ferns.

Now for something completely different! Deep purple calla lilies.

Now don't forget brides, when you're holding your beautiful hand-tied bouquet, don't hold it up in front of you like a microphone! Try to keep in down by your hip so you can show off your fabulous dress.

I use the detail shots of the bouquet and flowers as backgrounds in the Storybook albums. They are one of the things that, unless you get them dried, don't last forever, so it's lovely to have a lasting reminder of them.

Thank you for looking through this gallery.

I'm not an expert in floristry so all comments are from the view of a photographer (and gardener!)

If any florist would like to leave a comment extolling the virtues of hand-tied bouquets, you're more than welcome.

Album package vs Photography & CD only package.

2011-11-14T11:36:00.005Z

In this tough economic climate, I have found more couples opting for a photography and CD only package. I'm happy to provide this service as I recognise that money is tight and that the couples who come to me still want quality photographs to remember their day by. But I'm also worried that once the excitement of the day is over and they've re-lived the day looking at their photos on their computer or television, that that's where the photos remain. Forever on a disc, with the intention to print some out but never quite finding the time to do it.

Which is why I've decided to include something printed in my photography and CD only package. As before, the price depends on how many hours coverage you require, and the disc of edited images, only now, you get to choose one of the following options, free of charge!

An 8x6 photo book with images I've chosen from your day.

A 16x12 canvas print of your choice of image.

5 mini albums with images I've chosen from your day.

An A3 calendar with 12 images of your choice.

So you're happy that you've got a lasting reminder of your day, and I'm happy that you've got at least one photo in print!

Of course, if you find that after the wedding day, you get money from guests, and would like an album, you can always upgrade to one of the Storybook packages. Either a 14x10 album with your choice of 70 photos or a 16x12 album with yor choice of 125 photos. Each is designed by me, including background images of details of your day.

(Four CD package photos are from the lab I use. Album package photos are my own.)

Gillian Cross Photography
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Dissington Hall, Northumberland.

2011-11-08T12:16:00.000Z

Following the wedding fair I attended at the weekend, I thought I'd share a wedding I photographed at Dissington Hall last year.

Dissington Hall was designed and built in 1794 by William Newton for Edward Collingwood. It was built in the Classical style in local sandstone. It was expanded in Georgian times, used as a TNT storage facility, a hospital facility and as accommodation for 50 ladies in the WAFF during WWII.

For more on Dissington Hall's history please visit their website.

Now, it is an impressive Georgian estate where you can have exclusive use of it for your wedding. The staff are really friendly and helpful as well.

The detail on the pillars which are either side of the staircase.

This couple got married in a church, so we join them here as they arrrive at Dissington Hall.

There's plenty of space on the lawn for guests to play croquet and just mingle with their welcome drinks.

Looking out over the Capability Brown style landscape, before getting a group shot of everyone.

Using the lovely entrance porch to get a few different shots. I've also used it to get shots when the weather isn't so clement but I still want the natural light.

This wedding was the first weekend in June so they had the beneft of the glorious rhodedendron flowers.

The sepia tone enhances the warmth of the sandstone.

And of course, the gorgeous window on the staircase.

This was before the Billiard room was re-decorated but the tables are still lovely.

The end of another lovely wedding at Dissington Hall.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

http://www.dissingtonhall.co.uk/

I'm now on Twitter

2011-11-04T15:55:00.000Z

I've resisted it for so long...but now have given in. I'm now on Twitter!

The way I see it, one of the most important considerations when a couple chooses a wedding photographer, is that they get on with them. In this day and age of internet, emailing, social networking, not many people pick up the phone to enquire or even to arrange an appointment. So how do they know what I'm like?

I want to keep my website as informative as possible...here's my work, these are the prices. Facebook is for showing recent weddings and album designs. This blog is for recent weddings with a bit of me coming through the comments. So Twitter is for me to share things I like in my everyday life. As well as updates to my work and wedding related things.

So you can now follow me on www.twitter.com/GillianCrossX

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Fine Art Photos to purchase.

2011-10-30T19:57:00.000Z

In between photographing weddings, I enjoy taking fine art photos of landscapes, buildings, nature and generally the world around us. Recently I have found a website called RedBubble where I can display these photos and make them available for sale.

Click here to view my portfolio on RedBubble.

Below are some of the products which you can buy.

Framed photographs.

Greetings cards.

Matted prints.

You can also purchase canvas prints and just plain photos. I also have a 2012 calendar "A Year in Nature"

So please take a look and enjoy the selection of photos I have. If you'd like to buy any, you may need to change the currency to pounds. You can do this by finding the currency changer at the bottom right of the page. Thank you.

Click here to view my portfolio on RedBubble.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/
www.facebook.com/giliancrossweddings

Jesmond Dene and Falcons Rugby Club Wedding

2011-10-19T11:42:00.000+01:00

Newcastle Falcons were formed back in 1877 by a group of old boys from Durham School. They called themselves the Gosforth Football Club and played their first game in November 1877. They had many homes and played where they could up until they move into their current home at Kingston Park in 1990.

The day started at the bride's mother's house, with a dress, a lucky charm and a fancy hair ornament

And a bride to wear them all. But the picture was not complete...

...until her mum gave her a present from the groom (pic above). A necklace that he'd had made for her. Awww.

Off to the register office where, when the registrar said "Does anybody here present object?", the bride & groom both peered round the chairs to check. No objections, phew!

After the ceremony we baked on the terrace. It was the hottest October day on record!

So the bride & groom and I escaped to the cool of Jesmond Dene.

We'd previously been to do a pre-wedding photo shoot for two reasons.

1. The couple weren't keen on having their photo taken so were having a practice run

2. They were having a signing board so we used a photo from the first shoot to put in the frame while people were signing the mount

We recreated the framed photo so they could have the same photo. Guess which is which!

The wedding day one is further away to get the wedding ring in and the detail on the dress.

Time for a few more pics then we headed off for the rugby club.

The bride works in a vet's so the table numbers had a cat theme. Cute.

Along in the room for the evening do, I found lots of jars of sweets.

The couple had prepared the Thank You card to make thank you cards for their guests.

After the meal we nipped onto the pitch for a couple of photos for the rugby fan groom.

Ahh, guests signing the signing board! I have this back now to swap the photos and there are lovely comments on it.

And the sweet shop opened. I almost got trampled in the stampede for the queue! (I wasn't queueing)Although some people in the middle photo had queue-jumped and got told off. I left them to it.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Jesmond Dene and Falcons Rugby Club

2011-10-02T19:24:00.001+01:00

North East wedding photographer Gillian Cross has just had the privilege of photographing the marriage of Sarah and Mark at North Shields Register Office and the Falcons Rugby Club, with a stop off at Jesmond Dene.

More images to follow.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

St Mary's church and The Gibside Hotel, Whickham.

2011-09-26T12:29:00.000+01:00

St Mary's church in Whickham is 900 years old and has 17 beautiful stained glass windows, one of which was designed by the Arts & Crafts designer, William Morris.

The wedding day started at the bride's house.

The groom had left the girls some champagne, glasses and presents.

The groom with his son who was also his best man.

A tot of whiskey to steady the nerves...and check you've got the rings!

The bride arriving with her helpful bridesmaids.

Unfortunately, photography was not permitted during the ceremony but I could capture this kiss during the signing of the register in front of the fantastic organ pipes.

We lingered in the church after to take a few photos.

Another kiss silhouetted in the doorway, and those girls were the best bridesmaids ever, holding the dress while the bride greeted the guests.

I spotted a lovely doorway around the side of the church and used it for the "entourage" photos.

A stroll down the path...

...then a relax at the hotel.

This was just the corridor down to the bedrooms but I liked the dynamic vertical lines of the window frames.

The bride had asked me to take a photo of the pictures of them when they were little. I noticed that two of them were stuck on the mirror and had a cunning idea. Now and then!

I found the young bridesmaid and her friend going up and down the steps. They told me they were pretending to get married.

Relaxing before the speeches. Well, the bride was anyway!

The groom had to keep pausing for a drink (of water for his throat I hasten to add!) but he needn't have worried because his speech was good. He'd written most of it in verse so it flowed nicely.

I was amused by the best man who had his speech and the cards all lined up neatly in front of him which he kept straightening and adjusting like a nervous newsreader.

After the traditional speeches, the bride got up and said a few words. Getting emotional about the fact that her elderly Aunt and Uncle had made it all the way from America.

Just time for a couple more photos...

...and then the first dance.

www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Longhirst Hall Wedding, Northumberland

2011-08-31T13:49:00.000+01:00

Longhirst Hall was commissioned in the 1820's by the Lawson family. John Dobson was the achitect who designed it and it was built from sandstone which came from a quarry less than a mile away.

The family, including six children, lived there for almost 60 years before it passed onto the next owners, the Joiceys. They had five children, so safe to say it was a true family home!

This couple were having their ceremony in the oval shaped hall so some of the guests had the unusual vantage point from the gallery.

The colour theme to the bridal party was black. The thinking behind it being that the bridesmaids would wear their dress again, and no need to get the hem shortened! (Sorry, just watched "27 Dresses" recently...research purposes of course...although I do like a wedding!)

We take a few photos, making use of the lovely honey-coloured stone.

While the guests mingle on the patio to the music of the singer-friend of the bride and groom.

The groom's parents particularly liked this song and just started dancing.

Meanwhile...back at the pillars.

Then we took a stroll over the lawns to the little bridge.

While the bride and groom did a bit more mingling, I popped into the Court Suite to have a look at their tables. Each one had a year with some information on who won the FA Cup, what was in the music charts etc. I photographed the 2011 one and the one which combined the years they were born. Then I had the brilliant idea of taking a photo of the year they got engaged! Firstly I asked an usher...no good asking a bloke. Then I thought the groom's sister and chief bridesmaid would know...she didn't. Eventually mum knew, hence 2004 below!

and ps the photo of the stars and what looks like little bits of paper will be revealed later!

The speeches included a slideshow of the bridal party when they were all children and photos of the parents when they got married. Much laughter at hairstyles! The best man confessed to stealing the bride's father's TV remote control on the stag do but ended up asking the groom if he'd be his best man at his wedding next year.

After the meal, we took some photos in the gallery of the oval hall.

Then time for the first dance...

...and those bits of paper from earlier!

Then the guests were occupied by a chocolate fountain and dressing up in wigs for the photo booth.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Wedding at St Mary's, Whickham

2011-08-29T17:46:00.000+01:00

North East wedding photographer Gillian Cross has just had the pleasure of photographing

the marriage of Hazel and Rob at St Mary's church and the Gibside Hotel, Whickham.

More images to follow.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Crook Hall and Gardens

2011-08-22T11:21:00.000+01:00

Crook Hall is a rare example of three eras of English domestic architecture; mediaeval, Jacobean and Georgian. The oldest part of the building dates from around 1208 and is a backdrop for the beautiful gardens.

I found the bride getting ready in a beautiful beamed room with a view over to Durham Cathedral.

The good weather plan for the day, was to hold an outdoor ceremony. Hooray the weather was good!

The guests arrived through a wood.

I spotted this guest quietly sitting sketching the musicians who were playing background music.

The groom was quite anxious beforehand and was too nervous for posed photos so I surreptitiously hid behind a handy tree to get a picture.

After the ceremony, all the guests wandered through the gardens to have their drinks in the Secret Walled Garden, accompanied by more music.

After some mingling and some group photos, the bride and groom and I had a walk around taking photos.

In the Walled Garden...

...in the Cathedral Garden...

...in the Orchard...

... next to the Moat Pool and Ponds.

I was spoilt for choice and ideas for photos and could've photographed all day but it was time for the lunch to be served. The good weather plan for lunch was to have it outdoors. Hooray, the weather was still good!

After a thank you from the bride to everyone who was there to share their special day, the couple cut the cake in the mediaeval hall...

...and everyone enjoyed cake and the famous Crook Hall cream tea.

The comment from the bride after the wedding.

" We're back from our honeymoon and I just wanted to say a big thank you for last Friday (can it really be a week ago already?). You blended in perfectly and several people commented how good you were with the kids. Thank you! It was such a special day - we're still on a bit of a high and can't wait to see your pics."

And after seeing the photos.

" We're thrilled with the pics!! Thank you so much! It's lovely to have some of the details of Crook Hall as well as people pictures."

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Crook Hall Wedding, Durham

2011-08-06T17:43:00.000+01:00

North East wedding photographer Gillian Cross, has just had the pleasure of photographing Julia and Richard's wedding at Crook Hall Gardens in County Durham.

More photos to follow.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Longhirst Hall Wedding, Northumberland

2011-08-01T19:50:00.000+01:00

North East wedding photographer, Gillian Cross, has just had the pleasure

of photographing the wedding of Louise and Michael at Longhirst Hall, Northumberland.

More images to follow.

http://www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk/

www.facebook.com/gilliancrossweddings

Mansion House Wedding

2011-07-30T10:48:00.000+01:00

The ceremony was held at St Nicholas' Church in Gosforth.

It is thought that the church stands on what is possibly the oldest church site in Newcastle.

The groom, his best man and ushers, who were all the way from New Zealand.

You don't have to import ushers from New Zealand, but they did do a good job!

The bride arriving with her father.

And the groom waiting expectantly.

Ahh, here she is.

After the ceremony we popped out for a couple of photos...

...then popped back in again for champagne and cakes!

A few more photos in the church...

...then hop on the routemaster bus for more champagne. Well, it is a wedding.

After a quick tour of Newcastle in the bus, everyone arrived at The Mansion House in Jesmond.

Originally a Victorian semi-detached house, the only reminder of this now

is that one side had plain chimney pots, the other one had more fancy chimney pots.

We had a stroll around the lovely grounds taking some more photos...

...before heading in for the meal.

The children (young and old!) were entertained by making balloon models.

One more photo against the lovely wood panelling and then I left everyone to dance the night away.

(That was them dancing the night away you understand, not me.

I went home for a sit down and a cup of tea.)

Ellingham Hall Wedding

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Ellingham Hall in Northumberland, was built in the 17th Century by Sir John Haggerston.

The original chapel once harboured priests within secret tunnels and during the war, the tennis courts were cultivated by the land girls for food. Today, it plays host to elegant weddings such as this one.

At weddings there are flowers...

...and at this one a small bridesmaid. A very cute, small bridesmaid...

...and a bride looking elegant. This bride's philosophy was to not show all the work

behind the transition into "bride", but to emerge looking beautiful. She did.

So, after I captured photos of the bridesmaid and the flowers, I went down to the ceremony room and found some intriguing boxes on the chairs. Can you guess what it is? I'll tell you in a minute.

A little bit later, there was quite a nervous-looking groom.

He relaxed once proceedings got underway.

Now I promised to tell you what was in the boxes. Ah, what a good idea. It was rather warm in the ceremony room so the bride and groom had had the foresight to provide everyone with a fan.

After the ceremony I dash down a corridor in order to get to this room before the bride and groom. "Why?" you ask. Because the bride had always wanted a steel band to play at her wedding, and the groom had arranged one as a surprise. Aww.

Time for canapes...

...and some photos outside.

One of the elusive peacocks. Perched on part of the building so

not willing to open his tail feathers. He's still rather showy though.

Back indoors and it's fun, fun, fun. The bride getting loud applause with her rendition on the steel drum.

And even more fun and laughter at the speeches. This is the Best Man's idea of what

the groom will look like in years to come. Dark haired, tanned complexion...?!

Action shot of cutting the cake...

...with guests looking on.

Just time to take a few photos inside.

Then the music begins...

...and in a whirl, they do their first dance, have a kiss, and I whirl away.

For other galleries please visit www.gilliancrossphotography.co.uk

Lumley Castle wedding.

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The beautiful Lumley Castle in County Durham, was built in the 14th Century by Sir Ralph Lumley.

Somewhere, through the corridors of stately statues, I come across the room where the bride is getting ready. She looks like a medieval princess.

Aha! The rings, securely tied onto the ring cushion in fear that the page boy might drop it.

He did, in the room beforehand. But the rings stayed put so that was a good trial run!

In the ceremony room, I'm in a great spot to capture the groom's first sight of his bride.

Here comes the big moment for the page boy! Will he drop it?

No, he just thrust it at the registrar. Much laughter all around.

After the ceremony, the rain's held off long enough to take some photos outside. Hooray, because we're spoilt for choice for dramatic backgrounds for photos.

The bride and groom with the page boy...who also happens to be their son.

I love the magnificent doorway and the warmth of the stone.

Wandering back round to find the guests...and the champagne!

Back in the reception room I find...a butterfly?

Ahh, it's a decoration on a lovely looking cake.

And then I spot...an elephant?!!

Ah no, it's Grandma who's made the page boy a mask at a very cleverly placed arts and crafts table for the children who are at the wedding.

Leaving the bride and groom and their guests to enjoy their meal in the Scarbrough room, I take one last picture of the castle.

St Nicholas' Church, Gosforth and The Mansion House, Jesmond

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North East wedding photographer Gillian Cross, has just had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Sarah and Nick at St Nicholas' Church, Gosforth and The Mansion House, Jesmond.

More images to follow.

Lumley Castle Wedding, Durham

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North East wedding photographer Gillian Cross, has just had the pleasure of photographing the marriage of Rachael and David at Lumley Castle, Co Durham.

More images to follow.

Ellingham Hall Wedding

2011-06-20T12:29:00.000+01:00

North East wedding photographer, Gillian Cross, has just had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Kate and Adam at Ellingham Hall, Northumberland.

More images to follow.

In the meantime...

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While you're waiting for images of the next wedding, here are a few from a wedding earlier this year.

The ceremony was held at St Lawrence's church, Warkworth, Northumberland followed by a reception at The White Swan Hotel in Alnwick.

Getting ready to go into the church

Black and white to show off the dress in front of the wonderful doorway.

Taking a stroll along the river looking back to Warkworth Castle.

Welcome to my Blog

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Hello and welcome to my Blog.

The wedding season is well and truly under way and my next one is this weekend so come back soon for a peek at the photos.

Bye for now,
Gillian.