Professionally our paths have not crossed and so it was not until after we had photographed Jon and sweet Cassandra's wedding day in April that we learned that Jon is a very talented wedding videographer working within the North East area, his business - Top Table Films. Working in the film industry for more than 10 years, he is a rising star in the world of weddings and certainly one to look out for. They were married in their local church, St Brandon's Church in Brancepeth, four miles outside of Durham, going on to the gorgeous Wynyard Hall for their a Midsummer Night's Dream themed reception which was really brought to life by florist Adam Prest's creative arrangements, table centres and candle displays.
Jon says:
"Although we did not want a 'themed wedding' we did want the day to blend and work together. To do this we decided that our day would take on a midsummer Night's Dream theme. We wanted it to be magical, elegant and something a little different (with a little sprinkling of fairy tale for good measure too)"
I began my day with Cassandra and her family at their home in Low Willington near Crook.
It was great to work with Danni from Danni MUA doing Cassandra's wedding day make up.
Cassandra's stunning gown was a Justin Alexander creation.
Nigel met the lads at Cassandra and Jon's home in Ushaw Moor.
An ivory vintage wedding car took Jon and his best man Mark to St Brandon's before heading back to collect Cassandra and her dad.
I love this photograph of Cassandra, she is always happy and smiling and has a real positive energy about her, to this to me really sums her up. She is glowing with excitement and adrenaline, I can hardly remember a happier bride.
Jon's father Eric played the church organ for their processional, recessional and hymns.
An old church with a modern interior, St Brandon's Church suffered a terrible fire in 1998, it has since been completely refurbished and is now spacious, airy and bright.
A little rain kept everyone inside the church after the ceremony however it didn't last long, with much better weather greeting us later at Wynyard Hall.
Cassandra and Jon chose an April wedding day, perfect timing for Wynyard Hall's wonderful daffodils that spread right across the extensive estate.
A little blustery but no more rain meant we could get a large group show of the whole party.
It's always worth adding a little time into your schedule for portraits of just the two of you alone. Together we explored the grounds of the Hall and created some wonderfully romantic photographs for our happy couple.
The ballroom looked wonderful with Adam Prest's impressive table arrangements, collaborating with Posh Chair Covers and Bows in charge of the table and chair linen and the five tired wedding cake created by Kelly Ann's Cakes.
Jon Says:
"Each layer was a different flavour - red velvet, raspberry, lemon, chocolate and Cointreau and carrot cake. The cake was finished off by Adam, who added the flowers on the morning of the wedding"
The evening entertainment was by The Ultimate Wedding DJ.
In Jon's words:
"As we are sure every couple says...the whole day was perfect and that is honestly how we feel. The church ceremony was very special to us specifically the sermon by the Rev'd Rick Simpson and the fact that people had travelled the length and breadth of the country to be with us meant the world."
Thank you to you both for inviting us to photograph your beautiful wedding day. It was an honour and a pleasure to witness. See you in two weeks at Lisa and Paul's Matfen Hall wedding when we will work together for the first time!
The Suppliers:
Photography: 2Tone Photography
Venue: Wynyard Hall, Tees Valley
Bride’s Dress: Justin Alexander at Just Perfect, Shotton
Bridesmaids: Dessy at Rosina Brown, Stocksfield
Men’s Suits: Woven, Durham (with matching ties and pocket squares by Dessy)
Hair: Hair Haus Hair & Beauty, Bishop Auckland
Make-up: Dani MUA
Flowers: Adam Prest
Cake: Kelly Ann’s Cakes
Stationery: Amber Black Wedding Stationery
Entertainment: The Ultimate Wedding DJ
Chair Covers: Posh Chair Covers & Bows