Cornelia & Mark - Rowley Manor - 12th March

As a wedding photographer in Hull, I shot my first major wedding of the season on Saturday. Cornelia and Mark were married at the fantastic Rowley Manor on a bright and sunny afternoon in the countryside. I drove out to the tiny village of Holmpton to photograph Mark and the boys getting ready and we had a great laugh as Cornelia's son Max attempted to get his new shoes on - we ended up using a dessert spoon to lever them on in the end!

After some classic 'boys shots' down the village lane, I left Mark and made my way back to Rowley Manor where I met our bride, Cornelia, who was making her preparations in the bridal suite. She was as cool as a cucumber and I had left myself lots of time so she was ready early for our portrait session giving us the chance to really explore different looks and themes.

Cornelia's grandfather gave her away and I just love the image at the top of the collage as she clocks her husband to be for the first time and gives him a cheeky wink - the essence of photojounalism is all about capturing moments like these!

The weather turned a little cold when it came to do the group shots out on the croquet lawn but the wedding party were all good sports and we got through this part of the photography without anyone suffering from frostbite!

The rest of the day was very chilled and I felt very honoured to be invited to share the wedding breakfast with the rest of the guests - I'm often asked if I'm related to the bride and groom when this happens!

Around 6.30, the guests were assembled back outside to let off Chinese lanterns, the hilarious thing being that the instructions for the lanterns were in Mandarin - a fair amount of winging it ensued and I have to report that I did worry that I may be called upon to extinguish a couple of guests as the wind gusted around us! Needless to say, there were no casualties and the lanterns looked an amazing sight as they floated over the top of the Manor.

Early evening entertainment was provided by an amazing Elton John tribute and I have to say that I think this gent looked even more like Elton John then the man himself!

After photographing Cornelia and Mark's first dance and cake cut, I left them to party the rest of the night away and they will now be enjoying the beaches of Cuba as they enjoy their first week of married life!