Sometime early in 2019 I was at a Wedding Fair just minding my own business when I was approached by this couple. They were cool, funny, so well suited  and so much fun. As we chatted, they told me of some of their plans for their wedding. There was talk of a pub quiz instead of traditional speeches, a brass band, a casino and so much more.  We instantly hit it off and when they told me what they wanted for their wedding day at Christmas, I was in. I just knew I had to capture it for them!

So, fast forward 12 months and there we all were on the 28th December 2019 at The Principal Hotel and their day did not disappoint!

The boys were ready to go right on time and looked very dapper in their Marc Darcy suits. Beau, Emma and Jon's son, was a perfect miniature of his Dad, even if he wouldn't put on his jacket. Although from what I heard the fact that he was in most of the suit was a break through as only a week early he wouldn't even put the trousers on. 

Oh, and I just loved the golden paper buttonholes from Paper Bouquets UK. They looked great on suits.

Meanwhile up in the bridal suite, the ladies were just finishing up getting ready. The bridesmaids rocked their green dresses and gold wraps, a perfect colour combination for a Christmas wedding. 

And Emma just looked stunning. Her make-up was perfect, her hair style and colour complimented her look and once her veil was in place, she was picture perfect! 

Her dress was designed by Maggie Sottero. It was truly romantic and utterly feminine. The 'Mallory Dawn' is a  long-sleeved ball gown wedding dress and is a beautiful thing to behold. With its lace motifs, tulle, nude bodice and beaded belt it fitted Emma like a glove, she was born to wear a dress just like this!

Then it was time for the ceremony and that was full of every emotion that a ceremony should have. Emma decided that she would walk herself down the aisle, but as she took a few steps towards Jon, you could see she was only just holding together. Jon, looking back up the aisle saw how emotional his bride to be was and practically ran up the aisle to meet her. After the tears of love, there was laughter and a lot of it! Jon's middle name seemed to cause much hilarity for his friends, especially as the Registrar had to say it more than once or twice.

After the ceremony it was onto the  reception and while their guest enjoyed their drinks and some close-up magic from the talented Rich Reynolds, Jon, Emma and I took the opportunity to capture some beautiful portraits in the opulent surroundings of the hotel. The Principal is the perfect winter wedding venue, with its stunning staircase, modern chandeliers and my favourite ever hotel corridor. Who knew I would even have one of those?

Now, as I mentioned earlier there was to be no speeches, instead Jon and Emma wrote a 'pub quiz' which was to take place at the end of the meal. Emma did a superb job as quiz master and every table took the thing very seriously, even giving themselves some great team names! 

Straight after the quiz it was time to take the picture of all pictures! Emma and Jon are not from York, but it holds a very special place in their hearts and one of the photographs they really wanted was at the Shambles. The Shambles is an old street in York, with overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back as far as the fourteenth century. So, with my husband acting as chauffeur, we legged it into York. And it couldn't have gone any better!

By the time we got back to the hotel it was time for the party and again it wasn't going to be just an ordinary party. After the gorgeous cake, made by Jon's sister, was cut and the first dance had finished it was time for some music. But obviously it was not going to be ordinary, Emma and Jon had booked Back Chat Brass, an amazing band with a difference. Their brassy twist on classic tunes combined with some fun showmanship certainly had everyone singing and dancing along, including me.

Emma and Jon's day was so special in many ways, but it wasn't just about the quiz, or the magician, or the band, or the food, it was about so much more than that! 

To be part of it for me was such an honour and although Emma and Jon live in Kent, I love having them as my new friends X

And, if you want to know what they thought of me, here is what they said.......

"Jo was incredible on the day. She burst into the bridal suite like a little ball of fire, having already snapped a load of photos of all the groomsmen and guests. She is probably one of the hardest working Photographers I have ever met (as is her husband!) and literally didn’t stop until well into the evening. She was organised, efficient and was genuinely focused on not just getting us the best shots, but also ensuring we still enjoyed our day. Nothing was too much trouble and she even drove us (well Darryl did!) into the centre of York for our SENSATIONAL Shambles photo. We absolutely made the right choice picking Jo. We found lots of cheap Photographers that we could have contacted, but none of them “got us” like she did. It was the best feeling going through all of our photos thinking “how on Earth are we meant to choose the best ones when there are so many?!” Instead of “well that ones alright I guess.”
Thank you jo for capturing our best memories xxx"

Thank you, as ever to the team at The Principal Hotel for letting me be part of their organisation for the day. If you want to speak to Holly about having your wedding at The Principal, give her a call her on 01904 653681.

If you need a photographer  for your day, please get in touch. I would love meet you for coffee to hear more about your day, I can show you some more of my work and we can see if we get on. Give me a ring on 01904 533476 or drop me a line on [email protected]

Venue - The Principal Hotel

Brides Dress - Tickled Pink Doncaster

Suits - Mark Darcy at Tickled Pink Doncaster

Bridesmaids dresses - WED2B

Make up Artist - Kirsten baillie

Hair - The Style Lounge

Venue Styling - Ambience Venue Styling

Flowers - Paper Bouquets Uk

Mother of the Brides dress - Elise Designs

Cake - D'Licious 

Live Band - Back Chat Brass

Photobooth - Diamond Photobooths

Casino - Mobile Casino Hire

Close Up Magician - Rich Reynolds