A Lancashire Wedding: To Laugh Often and Love Much

I LOVED sifting through the photos of Zac and Steph's wedding album.  This picture should explain why...

Jonathan Bean definitely caught the real and cheeky side to this couple!

Now over to Jonathan to tell us more about the big day.

"I just loved Steph & Zac's wedding day. From the off when I arrived at Steph's parents house in Lancaster I was made to feel as welcome as an old friend, and there were just so many big smiles throughout the day it would have been impossible to have come away without one too!"

"The service took place at St. Pauls Church in Scotforth, Lancaster, just up the road from where Steph was getting ready, and one of my favourite church wedding venues in Lancaster. It's such a pretty venue with great grounds for the pictures and it helps that the vicar is just a little bit bonkers (in a really good way!)"

"The rain just about held off, with only a few short drizzly spells, and we mostly enjoyed some lovely summer sunshine. The beautiful bouquet and flowers were once again provided by the fabulous Flowers by Catherine."

"From Scotforth we went onto the very popular Garstang Country Hotel for the reception and wedding breakfast part of the day, where we heard some great speeches before the meal moving Steph and Zac, family and friends alike from fits of laughter to some very touching tears in the briefest of moments."

From the midnight blue bridesmaids dresses to the exquisite flowers, I have to say that I love this wedding and all the emotion it carried.  Its exactly what a wedding should be, lots of emotion but still lots of laughter.  And not forgetting, how gorgeous Steph looks!



And we couldn't leave this cheeky one out either!

With thanks to Jonathan Bean Photography and the newly married Zac and Steph x

A Taste of Lancashire: Kev Malone Photography

Its Thursday and that means another one of our fantastic local suppliers will be showcased on the blog.  Today, we have Blackpool based photographer Kev Malone.

Although quite new to wedding photography, Kev has been a photographer for a number of years.  "Previously I have concentrated on portraiture and thought of photographing weddings as a natural progression. I first discovered an interest in photography as a teenager but in the days of film it was a very expensive and specialised hobby that a teenager had no means of supporting."

"I gained a renewed interest after the birth of my first child, Abby, and realised very quickly that I had a natural eye for capturing just the right moment. Within 6 months I was enrolled on my first photographic course, City and Guilds Level 3 in Image Capture from which I gained Distinctions and a number of Highly Commended awards. Since then I have spent countless hours reading, researching and studying other photographers in the hope of finding a style I had an interest in."

Kev soon found that inspiration from Jeff Ascough, who, now based in Lytham, is know worldwide for his documentary style of wedding photography. "I am a huge fan, not just of his photographic style but also of his approach to photographing a wedding and his whole photography ethos."

Bearing this in mind, Kev is able to offer couples something unique and different with his photography style rather than the staged photography that we have been accumstomed to. "I have found myself sadly disillusioned with wedding photography styles of late. There are a lot of web sites that all seem to look the same in terms of photographic style and whereas the images are all ‘nice’ and well exposed, I feel that the market is becoming saturated with ‘ok’ photography. I hope to be recognised for a different style of imagery that concentrates less on directing the day and more on capturing it as it happens. If a bride and groom have spent so much time on organising their day to be just as they want it that they don’t want somebody wading in at the last minute and taking over."


Kev's wedding packages offer full day coverage and engagement shoots can also be organised as an extra. "No wedding day starts with the bride arriving at the church, fully dressed and made up... My style of photography is all about telling a story and I’ve never read a book without an introduction or ending so why should wedding photography be any different?"

When it comes to forced group shots, Kev is happy to do as his clients wish but does prefer to photograph the natural and emotional shots. He tends to find that most people are happy to let him get on things rather than have a structured photography plan. "That said, I don’t turn people away just because they give me a list of shots they want. I fully appreciate the input of couples and actively encourage it. I will always meet up with couples a few weeks before the big day to make sure I have any information I need."

Although Kev Malone is based in Blackpool, distance is not a problem and he will travel further afield. Happy to cover any venue, Kev can also provide portraits of all kinds, from Bump Shoots, through newborn, kids right up to the grandparents....and he has even been known to photograph pets (except snakes or spiders...)!

Kev is offering all our readers 10% off if you quote 'Lancashire Bride' when arranging a meeting with him.

http://www.kevmalonephotography.com/



Poppy Appeal

When I put out a request for photographers to send me their real life brides to feature on the blog, David Barry came straight back to me with these.  I instantly wanted these to feature on the launch as I believe they represent Lancashire well.  The scenery, the colours and even the weather are so typical and the bride looks stunning too!

Rebecca Hodgson and Jason Mahrous from Rossendale got married on Saturday 11th June.  As well as using their stunning venue, Stirk House in Gisburn, as a backdrop the couple and David decided to take a trip to the River Ribble and the historic Sawley Abbey to take advantage of the luscious scenery to frame their wedding photos. As you can see there is something about a wedding and historic ruins that make perfect pictures!

The following photos are taken on the roundabout on the A59 Clitheroe outside McDonalds!  David spontaneously suggested that the poppies would make wonderful and quirky photos, and so they did...

In fact, the whole scene (picture a photographer with a newly wedded couple pulled over by a roundabout) seemed so unusual that a passerby stopped thinking they had broken down.  After finding that this wasn't the case, the lady called Radio Lancashire to inform them of the great idea, making the wedding regional news!

No poppies were harmed in the making of this wedding album!  Thanks to Jason, Rebecca and David Barry Photgraphy for letting me use these pictures.