Amanda and Alan had a special licence to get married at Sedbergh School Chapel and what an amazing place it is. Paul Sweeting, the School Chaplain, delivered the loveliest ceremony with lots of touching moments.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds chose to celebrate their marriage with a reception at Levens Hall (another amazing venue!). Thankfully, the weather was kind to us and we managed to take the still beaming couple for shots on their own in the spectacular topiary gardens.

Next, it was into the Old Hall for champagne and canapes and then after a big group shot it was time for the wedding breakfast in the marquee. I have to say Fothergill Wedding Planners really did an amazing job helping Amanda and Alan to create their dream wedding.

The speeches were like no other speeches I have ever photographed – a boxing match between the groom and best man, numerous props and lots of laughs.

A truly wonderful day!

Congratulations Amanda & Alan!!!

While I was photographing the block mounted images for my previous post, I thought I might as well photograph my gorgeous new portrait/wedding album. This is the 7×5 size and it has a lovely damask pattern which is available in 8 different colours and comes in a very cute little black suede bag.

I think it’s perfect for portrait albums or parents wedding albums.

Offer 1

Book a lifestyle portraiture shoot and receive a complimentary set of 3 block mounted images

£95

Love your Mum (or just want to treat yourself!) Our Mother’s Day special offers are now available:

Offer 1

Book a lifestyle portraiture shoot and receive a complimentary set of 3 block mounted images

£95

Offer 2

Book a lifestyle portraiture shoot and receive a 7×7 Queensberry album with 20 images of your choice

£195

The sitting last around 2 hours and no other purchase is necessary.

Offer 3

If I’ve already photographed you or your family and you would like to order images from that session as a gift for your Mum, get in touch, quickly! We’re offering a 20% discount on all our products until the end of March.

Finally, don’t forget our gorgeous gift vouchers make a lovely present!

Please call the studio on 015395 30552 or contact Andrea through Facebook (Andrea Pickering Photography).

Jenny and Craig are sooooooo in love and so comfortable together that it is a joy to photograph them.

I have to say however that if there was a prize for giggling then Jenny would definitely win it!

I am really looking forward to photographing their wedding for them in May as I know it’s going to be a really fun day.

(Apologies for the delay in posting the images but the shoot was at a time when I was revamping my blog and website so I thought I would wait until the new blog was live before posting them – you will see a lot of posts from last year that never made it onto my old blog in the next few weeks!).

Apart from the fact that it’s gorgeously pink – the print quality is superb and it comes in a lovely black moleskin-effect bag.

They are available in 3 sizes (7×5, 8×8 or 14×10) in either landscape, square or portrait with 6-16 pages – my sample is a 14×10).

If pink isn’t your colour, there are 4 other faux suede covers to choose from (scarlet, red, burgundy or black) or 8 damask design covers so there really should be something for everyone.

Perfect for portrait or small wedding albums.

If I’ve already photographed you or your kids and you would like to order images from that session as a gift for your Mum or Mother-in-law, get in touch, quick! We’re offering a 20% discount on all of our products until the end of March.

Keep an eye out for my other promotions coming in the next couple of days!

Things were a bit chaotic as the family were in the process of packing up the house as they were relocating to Australia in the New Year but Rachael seemed very calm about everything.

We took some shots in the garden and then went for a walk down to the river to see the ducks – unfortunately, I think it was even too cold for the ducks but we had a nice walk and stopped off at the playground on the way back.

A lovely record of a family life in a certain time and place before a new chapter begins!

However, I’m finally there and am pleased to be able to bring you a quick summary of the Weddings I photographed in 2011 (minus a few who are still yet to view their images!).

Anyone who follows me regularly will know that I don’t do hundreds of Weddings a year as I have two gorgeous little boys and a husband who I love to spend time with too, however 2011 turned into a busy year and I loved each and every wedding I photographed.

Sian & Tim’s Wedding – April 2011

A wonderfully happy wedding in Carlisle with a Marquee on the River Eden. Sian and Tim were exceptionally lucky with the weather as the lead up to their big day was horrendous – when I visited the marquee the day before the wind was howling and the rain was beating on the roof of the marquee and yet miraculously the next day, the sun shone nearly as much as they smiled!

Lesley & Ian’s Wedding – April 2011

This was the first time I had photographed a Wedding at the Devonshire Fell Hotel and what a lovely venue it is. Lesley & Ian had a small intimate wedding with close family and friends and after the ceremony Suzy and I took them to Bolton Abbey to do some shots in the amazing grounds. Lesley looked stunning in a Charlotte Balbier gown.

Nicky & Jo’s Wedding – May 2011

Another lovely but VERY wet wedding! Jo and Nicky both looked absolutely stunning and despite the weather being against them (they had planned to get married outside at The Inn on the Lake at Ullswater) they had an amazing day. Their marquee was amazing with black, white and pink decor and what can I say about the cake!!!

June & Dan’s Wedding – June 2011

This was a Wedding that I second shot for my great friend, Suzy, at the very impressive East Riddlesden Hall. Thankfully the weather was kind to us and June and Dan, who live in Canada, enjoyed the June wedding they had planned. They were married in the barn and then we photographed them in the impressive grounds of the Hall.

Rachael & Lee’s Wedding – June 2011

Another stunning bride – Rachael looked absolutely amazing and the blue she had chosen for the bridesmaids was beautiful.  They were married at Bolton Abbey and then celebrated at The Devonshire Arms Hotel. I love the shot of them walking away from the Abbey with the white umbrella (yes, it was raining again!) and the car in the background.

Ramiza & David’s Handfasting Ceremony – July 2011

A vintage themed Celebration! And, a spectacular one at that! There was nothing that Emma, the Wedding Planner, hadn’t thought of and it was a dream for a vintage lover (yes, that’s myself!) to photograph. Suzy and I were like kids in a sweet shop. Ramiza looked absolutely stunning and they had a great time with the cocktail bar, photo booth etc.

Fiona & Matt’s Wedding – July 2011

Rudding Park is a spectacular venue for a Wedding Reception and the perfect choice for Fiona and Matt. They had a lovely ceremony in Harrogate and then returned to glorious sunshine to celebrate at the Rudding Park Hotel. As you’ll see from the photos, it lends itself to Wedding Photography. Another wonderfully happy wedding!

Claire & Gareth’s Wedding – August 2011

An amazing wedding to photograph! Claire and Gareth were married at Lowick Church and then celebrated with a reception in a truly impressive marquee at Lowick Hall. What a lovely couple!

Rosie & Dave’s Wedding – August 2011

This was the furthest I travelled this year to photograph a wedding as Rosie and Dave had chosen the lovely Steventon House Hotel, Didcot for their celebrations. It was a really special and unique day with music by the father of the bride instead of a speech. A song accompanied by the ukulele performed by the best man and lots of really lovely touches like the colourful table settings made by Rosie and her bridesmaid. Rosie’s dress was also handmade especially for her and she looked truly stunning!

Helen & Matthew’s Wedding – August 2011

August Bank Holiday Weekend was chosen by Helen and Matthew for their Wedding at Christchurch in Penrith followed by their Reception at the North Lakes Hotel. Between the ceremony and the reception we quickly stopped off at Penrith Castle for some photos of Helen and Matthew and I’m so glad we did as they are really lovely – I particularly like the shot of them walking back to their car!

Anna & Jon’s Wedding – September 2011

Anna and Jon definitely get my award for ‘Wettest Wedding of the Year’ but do you know what, they still had a truly amazing day – complete proof that it really doesn’t matter if it rains on your wedding day! It was also the first wedding of the year where they had a bagpiper and a drumming band. Anna and her friends had done an amazing job decorating the marquee and it looked absolutely stunning – as did Anna!

Kate & Nick’s Wedding – September 2011

The end of September saw me back at Bolton Abbey with Suzy for Kate and Nick’s Wedding followed by their Reception at The Cavendish Pavillion and what a gorgeous day it was. There was so much that I would have chosen at this wedding – a pink dress, beautiful flowers, lanterns on a bridge – although I am not sure I would have got Ken to agree to Nick’s bright pink socks!

Sarah & Dan’s Wedding – September 2011

Now, if there was a prize for enthusiasm, Sarah would definitely win it – I have never met such a giggly yet organised bride! Sarah and Dan live in New Zealand but had chosen to return to the Lakes to get married with family and friends and what a special day it was. Sarah’s Grandma was a bridesmaid, which was a really lovely touch. After they were married at St Thomas’ Church, we went to Hipping Hall Hotel for shots in their gorgeous gardens and then on to The Plough at Lupton for their Reception.

Simon & Elizabeth’s Wedding – September 2011

Simon and Elizabeth chose Merewood Country House Hotel for their Wedding Ceremony and Reception and I can honestly say it is always a pleasure to photograph there. After the ceremony, Simon and Elizabeth decided to brave the rain for some shots down by the lake and although Elizabeth was less convinced by the idea, we had a lot of fun and they were really pleased we’d made the effort.

Lucy & Lee’s Wedding – October 2011

It was back to the Devonshire Arms Hotel with Lucy and Lee to celebrate their Wedding. Lucy looked absolutely stunning, I loved her dress and the long veil and they were a dream to photograph. After a week of miserable weather they were so lucky to have an amazing warm October day and they certainly enjoyed it!

Amy & John’s Wedding – November 2011

My final wedding of the year was Amy and John’s and what a lovely wedding it was to end on. Their family and friends are so lovely and it was a complete joy to photograph. After their ceremony at St Martin’s Church in Bowness, we stopped at Brockhole, where Nicky had decorated the ‘Brockmobile’ (a golf buggy) to take us down to the jetties for some photos and what a great time we had. They celebrated their marriage with a reception at The Merewood Country House Hotel.

So finally, I have found this post quite hard to do as it’s not easy to only pick a few images from each wedding. I hope you have enjoyed my selection and I wish you all a Happy 2012. I’m certainly looking forward to a busy year of Weddings with lots more lovely brides and grooms.

Andrea x

A few weeks ago, I was very lucky to be asked to style and photograph a shoot for a number of local Wedding Suppliers who were all looking for images for their portfolios, brochures and website.

Mears Ghyll Bridal Rooms provided the most stunning dress and accessories.

Floristry by Carmen created a beautiful bouquet and table arrangements including a vintage themed tea party.

Blackberry Cottage Bakery loaned us their amazing Vintage Wedding Cakes.

Definitions Mobile Beauty created beautiful hair and make-up.

Evans Weddings sourced our gorgeous models, Alice and Charles and arranged the amazing venue, Williamson Park in Lancaster.

The autumn colours were amazing and it really was an exciting day.

I love the images and hope you will too.