Smileweddings Photography and Album Design

Album of the month

2012-01-25T14:02:00.003Z

New to our website gives you a chance to view our album selection of the month. Each month we will chose one completed album to show as an example of our actual final designs. As wedding photographers we produce albums for couples all over Manchester, Lancashire, Yorkshire and Cheshire.

This month we are show casing the album of Laura and Chris Armstrong. Their wedding was at the Shaw Hill Country Club in Whittle-le-Woods, in November. Although the day was cold we managed to get out for a short while to get some great views across the local countryside.

Shaw Hill has a magnificent "gold room" for indoor photography and we made sure to use it for the family photos that Laura and Chris wanted.

If you would like us to quote for your wedding just go to our enquiry page and give us your details and we'll arrange a meeting so we can give you an accurate quote.

This is the recommendation we received from Laura and Chris.

Steve and Sue,

Your friendly, personable approach made it a very easy decision to choose you as the photographers for our wedding, and we weren't disappointed. You felt more like guests on the day, making us feel at ease and allowing us the breathing space to enjoy our day whilst quietly taking some of the most amazing photographs -even when surprised by our unconventional first dance! The album is fantastic and documents our day wonderfully, giving us something we will treasure along with our memories.

Thank you so much for capturing our day so perfectly.

Laura and Chris Armstrong

New Kitchen

2012-01-24T12:12:00.000Z

What have we done? As January was fairly quiet we decided it was a good time to get the kitchen done. The old one looked ok on the surface but underneath not was all well.
With the new one ordered it was time to evacuate the kitchen and hand over to Ramsbottom Kitchens to strip out the old.
OMG. Despite them doing as tidy a job as possible we now have a very holey house. Today its the electricians, tomorrow the plasterer. So hopefully it will start to go back together again.

We love nice comments

2012-01-23T08:52:00.000Z

Steve and Sue,

Your friendly, personable approach made it a very easy decision to choose you as the photographers for our wedding, and we weren't disappointed. You felt more like guests on the day, making us feel at ease and allowing us the breathing space to enjoy our day whilst quietly taking some of the most amazing photographs -even when suprised by our unconventional first dance! The album is fantastic and documents our day wonderfully, giving us something we will treasure along with our memories.

Thank you so much for capturing our day so perfectly.

Laura and Chris Armstrong

Dates booked or on hold so far in 2012

2012-01-16T14:00:00.000Z

Mar 3rd
Mar 24th
Apr 20th
April 28th
May 5th
May 6th
May 18th
May 26th
July 21st
July 22nd
July 26th
July28th
Aug 4th
Aug 10th
Aug 25th
Aug 26th
Oct 4th
Oct 12th
Nov 1st
Nov 10th

Some of these dates have yet to confirm so if you are interested in one please ask.

Wow

2012-01-16T13:54:00.000Z

Here we are at the start of 2012 and we were thinking that enquiries were slow. Yesterday we had three!
Since New year we are at nine and another came in today.

We love it.

Anyone looking at our site and thinking of a dat at the end of November or beginning of December may be disappointed as we will be trying to get away to Gambia again at that time.

New bookings to report

2012-01-10T10:55:00.000Z

We are delighted to say that we have just booked some new couples for their up and coming weddings. Sarah and Wayne, Angela and Gerard and Rachael and Drew have all placed their faith in us to deliver the photography for their weddings.

Maybe 2012 is going to be the year of the wedding. Why not just go for it and say poo to the recession.

As qualified wedding photographers couples may feel that we will be too expensive - after all Uncle Bob takes great holiday photos - but you may be surprised what packages we can do for you. Just come along and have a chat and we will try to help.

By the way - see this article about Uncle Bob.

OK - We're back in business - Holidays over

2012-01-06T18:32:00.000Z

Hello everyone. Well that was Xmas and New Year. we hope you all had as good a break as you could have hoped for.

Sue and I went away at the beginning of December and had the holiday of our lives in Gambia. A wonderful place. As we do wedding photography in Lancashire, Manchester and all areas north we get little time to have a break during the summer. This year we had weddings every weekend throughout the school holidays so it's good to get some sun in December.

Between Christmas and New Year we had two weddings. Collette and Richard over in Brighouse near Leeds,

and then Ben and Cat in Bolton two days later. The weather wasn't kind to say the least but at least the venues were warm and well decorated which really helped in the photos.

It now seams like lost of couples got engaged at Christmas as the enquiries for wedding photography in the Northwest in 2012 seem to have had a big increase.

Here's to a great 2012 for everyone.

Coming soon ! Our new mobile friendly site.

2011-12-04T11:39:00.000Z

If you try and access most websites from a smartphone the icons and links are just too small to deal with so we are joining the clever people and having not one but two mobile sites. www.smileweddings.mobi and www.weddingphotographylancashire.mobi

They should be up and running soon so - fingers crossed it all goes well after we get back from our holiday in the sun.

Christmas wedding Albums

2011-11-28T10:12:00.000Z

We did it ! Thankfully all the albums that were wanted for Christmas delivery got off on time to our printers in Japan. They will be taking orders from all over the world and getting them back to the senders within three weeks. Amazing quality and amazing service too. You can see the video of the Asuka production plant in Japan on our Facebook page.

National Wedding Industry Awards

2011-11-17T09:27:00.000Z

A very big THANK YOU to all of you who voted for us in the National Wedding Industry Awards. We didn't win but to us the comments received from you are prizes enough. We are both so pleased that the kind of service we set out to provide seems to be just what has been received.

General Comments (in random order from the Awards web-site)
“As soon as we met Steve and Sue we knew they would be our chosen photographers! They were both down to earth and gave us freedom to choose how we wanted the day whilst providing us with helpful hints and suggestions. In terms of value for money, they are really good, two photographers for the price of one! On the day they again provided a service above and beyond taking photos, really demonstrating their valuable experience. They provided direction when needed, at the same time as capturing the spontaneous and natural aspects of our big day. The end product was hundreds of fabulous memories captured in a way that we will remember forever; just by looking at the album I can remember exactly how I was feeling at each moment! A truly fabulous service was provided.”

“We would definately use them again as they do other photography. They were helpful before the wedding and after the wedding. Both Sue and Steve were great communicators and very welcoming into their home. Everyone who we have shown the album to have commented on their album saying that its the best they have ever seen. We believe they are very worthy winners of the award if they were successful. On the wedding day it was if they weren't even there and they fitted into the crowd very well. We did not want too many formal shots and the quality of their work goes without saying. The wedding album will be able to shown to many people in the future and looking at it now it brings back so many wonderful memories.”

“Steve & Sue were brilliant throughout the wedding planning & on the day itself. They were friendly yet professional & we are thrilled with the wedding photos. They were prompt with email responses & I felt completely confident they would provide a good service.They added little touches like printing cards for all the guest giving details of when photos would be taken so guests knew when they were needed.On the day, they were discreet while taking the informal photos & well organised when the formal photos were being taken. They were also very flexible with the timing they were present which meant that they captured all the important moments of the day.”

“Sue and Steve are a brilliant couple and work well together which makes for beautiful, captivating photographs. They are able to capture everytihng that is going on because there are both of them taking pictures. On such a stressful day they really set you at ease. Sue is very good at helping with the finer details like fastening your dress and making sure flowers are perfect and still manages to get those excellent pictures. We thoroughly enjoyed our day and part of that was down to feeling so relaxed about the pictures. They also set up a computer at the evening reception to give a sneak preview of the photo's they had took which was lovely and helped us to relive that magical day before it was even over! I have recommended Steve and Sue to lots of friends since they did my pictures and so far I think they have bookings for 5 of them as my friends all loved my pictures so much and once met I don't think you would want to go with any other photographer.”

“Sue and steve were great made us feel at ease. And we had fun the photos are fantastic they really caught the magic of the day for us could'nt have asked for more!!! Will deffinately recommend!!”
“Steve was great. I hate having my picture taken, but he made us feel really relaxed and we enjoyed posing after. He really captured the atmosphere and our love for each other on film. Looking back at the photos I can see how in love we were on that day. The album was really well designed and quality of the photos excellent. Service before, during and after was outstanding. Even personally hand delivered album to our house carefully wrapped and packaged. Steve only had 2 days notice before the wedding, but nothing was too much trouble. He gave us a great price too. Much cheaper than all the other quotes we had. Have recommended to all my friends. Would use again for any other event/photos. Steve was a really nice guy too and a pleasure to have at our wedding.”

“Very lovely couple who treat you like friends from meeting you. Would def recommend to a friend! Our wedding album is gorgeous!!”

“The service provided was excellent, it was a very personalised package that we had and which included a pre wedding shoot at a place we could choose that was special to us, we then had a personalised signing board which looked great at our venue. The deep snow didn't even cause any problems for Sue & Steve and our pictures show what an amazing White wedding we had!”

“Steve and Sue are a very professional service, being an amateur photographer they are the only couple i would have trusted to do my wedding, The service and products they offer are second to none and having been in the business for ever Steves depth of knowledge is excellent.”

“Steve and sue are a wonderful couple and made our wedding more special by being their, we couldn't have asked for a nicer photography couple to do our wedding photos.”

“We spoke with Steve & Sue about what we wanted for our wedding and they gave us a few ideas of their own and showed us the variety of album designs and choices on offer. On the day itself, Steve & Sue weren't too intrusive and whilst we had a few key shots we wanted to get, they mainly photographed us from a distance - the result of which was a fantastic selection of natural rather than 'posed' shots. There were that many great photographs that we had to go through them all twice to whittle them down! Thanks to Smileweddings, we have a great reminder of our perfect day.”

“Andrew and I found the service/communication and friendliness of smile weddings to be just what we were looking for. On the day they were both professional and not too intrusive. They made it feel as if our wedding was very important to them. Sue even helped out with my minor dress crisis. We did not feel hurried or organised too much and the wedding album results were more than we could have hoped for -stunning use of the venue, made us look fab and told the story of the day, the mix for formal and informal shots was brilliant, everyone who has seen it has said the album was so different and very impressive.”

“The level of service was outstanding. We met on numerous occasions to discuss our wedding and Sue and Steve also took a day to come and visit our venues (which were a distance apart)in order to photograph it just as we wanted and to understand the unusual location.Nothing was a problem for them on any level. The excitement that they had only added to ours and we were both fully confident that we would have exceptional quality photographs that captured the theme of the day. The service on the day was also brilliant. From calming my nerves to fixing my dads tie to doing my mums flower, small things that were so helpful. Sue and Steve had to show some level of authority, after all 85 drunk guests do need instruction. They did this without being rude or impatient. Also as our wedding reception was on a steam train with limited space they managed to capture all that we wanted without being at all intrusive. I honestly could not fault what we received from smile weddings at all and I would strongly recommend their services Thank you so much for all that you did”

“Absolutely brilliant”

Why They Booked (in random order)
“Recommended by Bliss Brides and was able to book with only 2 days notice. Much cheaper than other photographers' quotes.”

“our first recommended photographer let us down, we found smile weddings on internet -local search”
“Because of the quality albums and package offered was excellent value.”

“When we first met sue and steve they brought there portfolio and their work look great!”

“Smileweddings were recommended to us by a family member and we knew as soon as they invited us into their home that they were going to do a fantastic job at our wedding.”

“On recommendations from friends.”

“We liked their personalities and how personable they were. Steve and Sue set you at ease but are still very professional. They listen to what kind of photographs you would like and deliver. They offer a wide variety of options in terms of albums, discs and full day / half day photography.”

“Lovely people, good value for money, excellent products!”

“As we had seen their work, we even booked them before we had even spoken to Sue and Steve. Their wedding albums are very impressive.”

“When we met them, they were so friendly & relaxed & their portfolio was impressive. They also gave us lots of options to choose from & we were not given the "hard sell" which we had experienced with others.”

“As i have stated above, they are the only couple i would have trusted with my wedding photography”
“Found them on google search engine then met up with them, booked them straight after meeting them as they were just what we wanted”

“They were local and seemed the most excited about our day thAt filled us with confidence we would get what we wanted”

“My friend used them and they were really good”

Photo presents this Christmas

2011-11-09T09:48:00.001Z

If you would like to make one of your photos into a Christmas gift you can now take advantage of a professional company that offers quality products at great prices.

Click on the link to get special discounts too.

http://www.PinholePress.com/?prc=SMILEWEDDINGS2011

Dance magic

2011-11-07T09:02:00.001Z

Have you missed me? Back in business with Blogger and we need to catch up a bit. All seems to have been a bit hectic lately.

I'm lighting designer for a play at Theatre Royal in Ramsbottom - A day in the death of Joe Egg - and thankfully that is nearly ready.

Yesterday I did at shoot at Debra Simmonds Dance School for a new range of dance clothing. Really good fun and there are some great photos coming out of it - what do you think?

Christmas Deadline

2011-10-20T12:40:00.000+01:00

Christmas is coming the goose is getting fat etc. It also means that anyone wanting their wedding album before Christmas needs to get the images choices to us in the next two weeks. It takes me about a week to design and then the print time is about 3-4 weeks.

For prints etc. the deadline will be orders by the end of November ideally.

Trial on our new album display system

2011-10-19T14:01:00.003+01:00

Andy & Rachael by Smileweddings Photography designed for Rachael's dad |

Cassie and Dave

2011-10-03T15:28:00.000+01:00

On Saturday we were back in business at The Last Drop Village for the wedding of Cassie Lowe and Dave Thornton.
On a beautiful day it was a pleasure to be back in harness doing the job we like the best. As wedding photographers in Bolton The last Drop is a regular venue and we were able to use our knowledge of the site to get the best views on the day.

The Rainy Season

2011-09-03T18:22:00.001+01:00

Now that summer seems to have deserted us it's time to start looking to 2012. As wedding photographers who seem to be all over the north west including Lancashire, Cheshire, Cumbria and Yorkshire it's a great to know that we are getting plenty of enquiries for 2012. If this year is anything to go by it will be the various school holidays that get booked up first so if you are thinking of getting married in 2012 and are looking for a wedding photographer it would be a good idea to check asa soon as possible for our availability. As Sue and I have been so busy during the summer months we don't seem to have had a proper break with a bit of sun on our backs. So we have taken the plunge and booked a short holiday later in the year to The Gambia. We have managed to avoid the big hotels and found one that is recommended with five stars across the board and is classed as one of the best Eco-hotels in the world. Even so it is really quite cheap and eating out is really cheap in comparison to European breaks now. All year round sun too. Really looking forward to it.

A great day in the lakes

2011-09-03T17:33:00.001+01:00

Last weekend we were up in Kirby Lonsdale for the wedding of Matt and Sara. They booked a large holiday cottage for the ceremony at Underley Grange. Underley is a magnificent manor house with surrounding cottages and most of their guests stayed in the house or outlying cottages.

The views were terrific and the weather stayed dry and warm where elsewhere in the area it rained hard.

All in all a great day. Maybe spoiled a little by an over zealous registrar who denied us taking many shots during the ceremony. Never mind we still got the shots we needed.

Blogging from the ipad

2011-09-03T15:54:00.000+01:00

Now ... Here we go. We can now blog directly to our website from our ipad. 21st century or what?All we have to work out now is how to add photos on the iPad version.

Carl and Lynsey

2011-08-25T18:37:00.000+01:00

Last weekend we were down in t'big city of Manchester for the wedding of Carl Bedwell and Lynsey Parker. After a ceremony at Manchester Register Office we were off to Ryecroft Hall in Audenshaw for the reception. Ryecroft is a deceptive place. At first a little austere but in fact it has good grounds and some really nice interior spaces. Apparently Corrie has used it on occasions for filming weddings.

Next weekend we are up in Kirkby Lonsdale. Lets hope the weather holds for that.

Weddings Galore

2011-08-17T10:18:00.000+01:00

The last few weeks have been very busy for us. Four weddings in two weeks is great news.
First came Claudine and Garth at Barton Grange near Garstang.

Next came Julie and Rik at Egerton House in Bolton.

Last weekend it was the turn of Allison and Nick at The Royal Toby in Rochdale.

Finally on Sunday we were at the Village hotel in Bury for the wedding of Rachel and Frazer.

Everyone of them different - which is just the way it should be.

Vive La Difference !

Smileweddings not Smile Weddings

2011-08-17T10:03:00.000+01:00

Just a quick reminder to everyone that our company name is Smileweddings - all one word - not Smile Weddings as that can get mixed up with a company in Birmingham.

Mind you we do undertake other photography besides weddings of course.

So whatever your photographic needs remember smileweddings for photography in Bury, Bolton, Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Stafford - oh! and Cumbria - we do get about.

In a fortnight we are up in that lovely part of the country, Kirkby Lonsdale. The wedding is taking place in a large manor house Lodge which is used as holiday let. Most of the guests are staying over in other cottages on the estate so it should be good fun.

http://www.lune-valley.co.uk/underley-grange.php

We'll keep you posted.

Busy Busy Busy and lots of bridesmaids

2011-08-11T11:41:00.001+01:00

Last weekend saw us on an away trip to St Helen's Church near Garstang and Barton Grange Hotel near Preston for the wedding of Claudine and Garth Seed. I must say the church was lovely and Barton Grange has to be one of the best organised venues around. Many thanks to Rob the guy in charge though he does seem a little bit crazy when standing on the roof to organise the full group photo. Health and Safety - what health and safety? Still everything went well and we had a great time.

Barton Grange

Egerton House

Saturday was back to Bolton for the wedding of Julie and Rik Riding at Egerton House Hotel. Despite the forecast the weather turned kind and we anded up with some lovely photos too.

This weekend it's Friday and Sunday so we are definitely in the summer holiday period now.

Claudine and Garth

2011-08-04T13:26:00.001+01:00

Yesterday evening we went to meet Claudine and Garth at the lovely "Cathedral of the Fylde" in Churchtown in Garstang. It was their rehearsal for their wedding tomorrow and we always try and attend rehearsals at churches we have't attended before. Not only does it give us the chance to look at angles and light levels but also to get to know the officiating clergy and understand their requirements for the ceremony.

It's amazing how many tales we hear from clergy about photographers sticking cameras up their noses, getting in the way and generally giving photographers a bad name. We try and reassure them that we move around very little, we work discretely with long lenses, no flash and no intrusion. As we both shoot Sue usually takes up a position to the rear of the church and may quietly work to the left and right of church whilst I end up hiding behind a pillar.

Tomorrow's wedding should be great with a lovely couple, a picturesque church and a fine reception venue at Barton Grange Hotel in Preston. Let's hope for the weather.

Egerton House

2011-08-02T12:50:00.000+01:00

On Saturday we are back in the Bolton area at the beautiful Egerton House. It may be local but with road closures in Bromley Cross we'll probably have to drive miles of detours to get there. Mind you Julie and Rick won't mind as the full day is spent there so they don't need to drive.

Egerton House

The last time we photographed a wedding at Egerton House the day started off beautiful and ended with the most incredible downpour. Lets hope this one goes a little better.

Claudine & Garth

2011-08-02T12:45:00.000+01:00

Once more we are on the road this Friday. Staying in Lancashire but this time we are off to The Barton Grange hotel near Preston. With well kept gardens and stylish interiors we should be ok whatever the weather. As wedding photographers in Lancashire it is surprising that this is our first time we have a Preston wedding. Lets hope we are blessed with more in the future.

Barton Grange Hotel

Heather and Leo

2011-07-26T11:57:00.000+01:00

It is an amazing fact that every single wedding I have photographed at Mere Hall has been fortunate enough to be sunny ! Whatever the time of year - it must sit in it's own micro-climate.

Saturday it was the turn of Leo Miles and Heather Crowther to benefit from our good luck.

Sue and I are so fortunate that we get to be present at so many happy occasions - it makes us really appreciate what we do.

I heard from one of the staff at Mere Hall that, following many complaints, Bolton Council are considering re-instating the lovely gardens that use to be there. We can only add our voices to that call. At the moment you have to be very selective to get a good outlook.

Leo and Heather Miles

Wedding awards

2011-07-26T09:45:00.002+01:00

Vote for smileweddings for the national wedding awards

http://www.the-wedding-industry-awards.co.uk/vote/north-west/photographer/smileweddings-photography

Smileweddings - not smile weddings

2011-07-26T09:41:00.000+01:00

Just in case you want to pass our name on to anyone else just remember smileweddings is all one word. We decided on the name a few years ago and have even trademarked it. That way anyone searching in Google for smileweddings should find us and no-one else.

Many photographers are able to use their own names as their company name but unfortunately if you Google search Stephen Gill or Steve Gill you will find photographers all over the country. If someone could explain why there seems to be more than the law of averages dictates I would be interested.

So when looking for us on t'interweb search tell people to look for smileweddings and not just smile weddings.

Feedback

2011-07-26T09:29:00.001+01:00

Sue and I are always looking to improve the services we offer to try and make the whole experience of finding a wedding photographer in the Lancashire, Yorkshire or Cheshire areas as easy and uncomplicated as possible.

Often though we are just guessing what our customers may like. So we always welcome your feedback, either as an existing customer or a potential one - or even one who decided to book someone else.
We have just made a few changes to our web site and we would love to hear your comments.

You can either leave your comments here or send us an email steveandsuegill@smileweddings.co.uk

The train day

2011-07-18T17:43:00.000+01:00

Well Saturday was one of the wettest starts to a day we have had. As driving over to Haworth the heavens opened and all the great plans for the day seemed to be washing away. At the hotel it still rained. At the fantastic location of Salt Hall at Saltaire it still rained. Then - like magic - as the ceremony progressed the sun came out. Amazingly as we came out from the hall the ground was drying fast and everything started to shine.
A quick drive to Oxenhope station, where the guests had been delivered by open top bus and on to the platform. Bang on time the train came in and it was such a wonderful sight. Almost a case of beauty and the beast.

It was truly a memorable day - wedding breakfast in the Pullman coaches as the train went back and forth to Keighley station and then speeches and dancing on the platform at Keighley.

A great day and loads of photos for Rachael and Andy Gleeson.

The photos are still planned on being used in the new Magazine The Yorkshire Bride - but not until next year as it was just too late for this years publication.

What do photographers do?

2011-07-04T16:01:00.000+01:00

Midweek, wedding photographers have nothing to do. Right? Wrong ! As busy wedding photographers in Bolton Sue and I currently attend between 25 and 30 weddings a year. For every 3 couples who book us we need to see about 4 so that means we need to arrange about 35-40 sales meetings a year. After the initial meeting we will arrange to meet them once again shortly before their wedding day to go through all the wedding photography details, timings etc. So that adds 25-30 of those. Most of those meeting take place in the evenings so that is between 60 and 70 meetings a year.

About 90% of our customers book us for our albums so that means that about 25 albums per year need designing. Each album takes about two full days work, ergo 50 days on design.

Each album then needs delivering or collecting and that entails arranging another 25 meetings.

So all in all for 25-30 weddings we are talking 175 - 200 events to arrange per year. On top of that we have to keep abreast of changes in equipment, styles and software. Run and maintain the website, facebook and twitter accounts. Create new business by marketing etc.

So when the sun shines and we have a few days off we try and get away. Last weekend was Ludlow in South Shropshire. Fabulous place, full of history.

Back to work now though with a meeting tonight and two albums to design this week. We love it though.

Peckforton Castle Fire

2011-06-20T10:06:00.000+01:00

As wedding photographers that have been fortunate enough to have undertaken a wedding at Peckforton Castle we were shocked to hear the news of yesterday's fire.

We feel desperately sorry for any couple that have a wedding booked there in the near future as it will be quite a while before they are back to normal.

If we can help in any way by suggesting alternative locations please contact us at enquiries@smileweddings.co.uk and if we can help we will.

New car here at last

2011-06-19T12:31:00.000+01:00

This week we took delivery of our new car. A Skoda Fabia Greenline. Rated at up to 90 mpg. Clean White estate with a personalised number plate.. Keep watch for SM11WED. That's us.
Took it for run up to Kirkbu Lonsdale on Friday to meet laura and Chris and then on to Preston to meet Claudine and Garth to get details for weddings in July and august

The new car day

2011-06-16T10:06:00.000+01:00

Later today we actually get our hands on our new car. Ooeee. Who would have thought that you would have to wait 32 weeks for a Skoda! We have had the Skoda Greenline estate for three years and decided to update it as they gave us a great deal at the dealership. The new version is rated at up to 93 miles per gallon ! Read that and weep.

We plumped for a white one to go with the business and even got a personalised number plate. So if you see a shiny white Skoda reg. SM11WED you'll know it's me and Sue - Smileweddings !!

How to choose your wedding photographer.

2011-06-07T13:32:00.000+01:00

OK so you've got engaged, sorted out a date when you are your fiance are both free and even managed to sort out your venues for the day. For many couples the next thing that needs booking well in advance is your photographer.

The venue you are using often has album samples from photographers who have a link with that venue. Naturally that particular photographer should have the advantage of knowing where the most photogenic spots are and hopefully get on well with the venue organisers. But should that be the criteria you base your choice on?

What about asking your friends. They may have been married recently or been to weddings and seen photographers at work. Recommendation is an excellent place to start. Your friends can tell you what to look for - what went right and what went wrong.

You go to Google and type in - wedding photographer in Bury or wedding photographer in Manchester - wherever you happen to be. But which area should you choose to search in? Many couples opt to get married or have their reception in areas which can be many miles from where you live. Is it best to get a photographer who comes from near the venue or near where you live?

Our recommendation is to try and go for a photographer who lives near you. It will be easier to arrange meetings before and after the day, decide on albums, arrange collections and delivery etc. A good wedding photographer will always arrange to visit a venue they haven't used before in order to become acquainted with the layout, grounds, power point positions, wet weather options etc.

The single biggest piece of advice we can give is to choose a photographer that you feel comfortable with as they could be close by you for many hours during the day and if you don't 'get-on' it could be intolerable.

One photographer or two? A solo photographer has to be very organised and that can mean they have to organise you more than you may enjoy. Group and romantic photos can take longer as it is just down to one person. Also there is an element of security with two photographers, especially one male and one female. How fast can one photographer shoot, pack equipment, drive, park, unpack equipment etc. With two people are solved.

With smileweddings all our half and full day weddings are attended by two photographers. And we don't charge extra for it.

So if you are looking for a wedding photographer in Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire or Cumbria take your photographer with you and come and chat to us on a no-obligation basis. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

www.smileweddings.co.uk 01204 886173

Sinead and Rick at the Boltholt, Bury

2011-06-05T12:06:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we had a long, but happy, day with Sinead Maguire and Rick Hayes. Many of Sinead's relatives had come over for the wedding from Tyrone and everyone seemed to enjoy the day.

The sun shone through and, although it wasn't too hot, we managed to get all the outside shots we like to shoot.

Sinead had her twin sister Claire as bridesmaid which also made for some good photos.

Today's it's their birthday so a double celebration for the families. Best wishes to them both and of course to Sinead and Rick. Thanks for a lovely day

European Eagle Owl Spotted near Bury

2011-05-30T20:16:00.000+01:00

Have you lost a European Eagle Owl in the North Manchester or Bury area recently? An adult Eagle Owl landed in our garden and I managed to photograph it to confirm the species before it flew off towards the Hardwood area of north Bolton.

I have reported it to the Cuerden Bird of prey centre who are passing on the information. They say that these birds can be dangerous and should only be caught by specialists.

Now with added iPad

2011-05-28T19:29:00.001+01:00

Today we went to the Apple centre in the Trafford Centre and managed to get out hands on an iPad2. As I write this Sue is learning how to buy Apps from the App store - Scrabble currently !

The aim is that we will be able to use the mobile version of Light Blue which is a piece of software developed specifically for photographers. We use it in our office to keep track of all our couples, orders and contact details. It is vital that we collate and can recall the correct details. As wedding photographers in Bury and as part of the Master Photographers Association Diploma in Professional Photographic Practice we had to show that we are able to provide top quality customer care and hopefully with the mobile system we will be able to provide even better care than we do already.

We'll keep you informed.

A love match at the Reebok

2011-05-27T17:43:00.000+01:00

This Sunday we are off to Bolton Wanderers Reebok stadium for the wedding of Leanne Fletcher and Andrew Love. The forecast as getting better so let's hope we can go onto the pitch side to get some dramatic photos for the football mad groom.

We met up with Leanne and Andrew for a look around the Reebok on the day after Andrew had been down to Wembley for the best forgotten FA Cup semi-final.

Sunday should hopefully see a much easier match.

Liz and Dan at The Friends Meeting House

2011-05-25T08:59:00.000+01:00

On Saturday Sue and I were privileged to attend the wedding of Elizabeth Marks and Daniel Robinson. The ceremony took place at the Friends Meeting House in Bolton and was a really emotional occasion. Liz and Dan then went on to the Jumbles Sailing Club where Liz has been a member for all her life. The club had levelled ground enough to erect a Marquee for their reception.

Altogether it was a great day and I am sure they will like the photos we produced. www.smileweddings.co.uk

Dave and Vicky at the Red Hall Hotel, Bury

2011-05-20T20:10:00.001+01:00

As wedding photographers in Bury we get to go to the Red Hall Hotel quite a few times as it is also the venue for meetings of the North West region of the Master Photographers Association.

Today it was the turn of Vicky Sullivan and David Leonard. The ceremony was held at St Stephen's church in Bury and then on to the Red Hall.

It's been a busy week for them as they moved house this week too. Unfortunately the unpredictable weather turned sour again just at the wrong time and we had to take many of the photos in the church.

Mr and Mrs Leonard

Anyway all the best to them from us at Smileweddings

Dave's sisters Emma and Joanne

Emma and Oliver Leonard

Now on Twitter

2011-05-19T11:49:00.000+01:00

You can now follow Lancashire wedding photographers' Steve and Sue Gill of Smileweddings Photography on twitter at @smileweddings and we'd love to hear your ideas and comments.

Mere Hall Gardens. Bolton

2011-05-16T13:34:00.000+01:00

If any brides or photographers have been to Mere Hall in Bolton lately I would be interested to know what you think about the lack of maintenance in the garden areas. I understand that cut-backs need to be made but a couple of things come to mind.
If a bride has booked Mere Hall for the reception as well as the ceremony she will have probably booked some time ago when the gardens were well maintained. They would be very disappointed to see them now.
Also the venue should be reasonably self financing so why should it be so badly affected by the cutbacks? Comments welcomed

Qualified Wedding Photographer in Lancashire

2011-05-16T12:56:00.001+01:00

We have now received the certificates which confirm Steve has added to his previous photographic qualifications by becoming a Licentiate of the Master Photographers Association and having passed the Diploma in Photographic Practice. The DipPP shows examines Smileweddings business and ensures that all customer care, insurance, marketing and training are in place.

So if you are looking for a wedding photographer in lancashire that want peace of mind that you are going to book someone that knows what they are doing then go to www.smileweddings.co.uk and see what makes us Master Photographers

Andy and Justine at Sparth House Hotel

2011-05-15T07:44:00.000+01:00

Yesterday saw Sue and I at the Sparth House Hotel in Clayton-le-moors for the wedding of Andy Heaton and Justine Booth. Andy was a student of mine last year when I was teaching photography at Blackburn College. As a photographer himself I was really pleased when Justine said that I was the only photographer in lancashire that he would trust with his wedding.
Unfortunately the weather turned against us as we had to do most of the photos indoors but with a splendid bedroom suite at Sparth House it made life a little easier.
Andy and Justine are both jokers and decided that their guests could say they went to the royal wedding when Andy and Justine entered their wedding breakfast with Will and Kate masks.
I'm sure they had a great night and we wish them all the best for the future.

Now that's a record - the fastest wedding photography yet

2011-05-12T13:15:00.000+01:00

On Tuesday afternoon I took a call asking if I was free to photograph a wedding on Wednesday - as it happens I was and decided to say yes.

Wednesday was the wedding! Today Thursday I finished the album !!!!

Mev Vadiavaloo and Louisa Pickup arranged their wedding day in just three weeks and I have to say it was a pleasure to be there. They were obviously so much in love it was great to see and they enjoyed every minute of it.

Best wishes to them both.

Neil Hornby Photography - wedding photographer in Blackburn

2011-05-10T10:07:00.000+01:00

When I was teaching at Blackburn College one of my students, Neil Hornby, decided to do his final major project on the great British wedding. His work was so good he was awarded a full distinction for it.

These days he runs his own photography business in Blackburn as Neil Hornby Photography and has already covered a few weddings for us at our busy times.

Look at his website and give him all the encouragement you can.

Wedding Photographer in Bolton

2011-05-10T09:51:00.000+01:00

Do you know it's weird but Sue and I have worked as wedding photographers in the Bury and Bolton areas for many years and yet we rarely get bookings so close to home where we live in Tottington. Over a twelve month period you would see us working in Anglesey, Preston, Kirby Lonsdale, Grindleford in Derbyshire, Keighley, Saltaire, Macclesfield, Altrincham etc but we haven't done a single wedding in our home village.

So any of you Tottington brides who are in need of a photographer - look no further.

Call 01204 886173 and speak to Sue or Steve
www.smileweddings.co.uk

Master Photographer Association NW meeting

2011-05-10T09:39:00.001+01:00

Yesterday I attended the North West regional Meeting of the Master Photographers Association at the Red Hall Hotel in Bury. This meeting was all about Search Engine Optimisation and using Social Media to create more enquiries for the business.

I can honestly say that as a simple qualified wedding photographer in Bury even I began to understand it - a bit. Mind you some of the other photographers there did seem to struggle with some of the Facebook concepts.

Leeds wedding photographer Mark Pearson gave most of the presentation along with Jo Tennant from Essex who introduced us to the delights of 25million UK Facebook users.

Hopefully this link should take you to our Facebook page.

Lets see what happens.

Welcome to the new Ms Gill

2011-05-08T09:44:00.000+01:00

Our latest great niece was born last week and Sue and I got to see her yesterday. Such a cutie and just like her mum Jenny. Her big sister Phoebe is so proud of her - as long as she can still watch Peppa Pig.

Good health to the new arrival

Fantastic Day in Derbyshire

2011-04-23T16:00:00.001+01:00

Good Friday lived up to it's word with a great day yesterday at the Maynard Hotel in Grindleford, Derbyshire.

Adam Wise - who is Sue's nephew married Anna Price and everyone had a great time. Anna has spent months creating details for the venue. She created her own floral displays, table dressings, bunting etc. The events organiser Kate Lloyd said they were the best the hotel had ever seen.

Adam and Anna are off to Barbados for their honeymoon - but will the weather be as nice as in Derbyshire?

Suzanne and Andrew at Bolton School

2011-04-20T13:42:00.002+01:00

Last Saturday we were at Bolton School for the wedding of Suzanne and Andrew. It turned out to be a lovely day - not too hot and the venue is a grand affair with the huge hall and excellent facilities. Well recommended. Suzanne and Andrew are now in Cyprus for their honeymoon.

Another new venue to check out

2011-04-20T13:39:00.000+01:00

On Monday we were at the Reebok stadium to check out the venue for Leanne and Andrew's wedding in May. Unfortunately Andy, a committed whites fan, had been down to Wembley for the semi-final and was not in the best of humours about it.

Still it should give Sue and I some great photo opportunities.

Yorkshire Bride

2011-04-20T13:35:00.000+01:00

Following on the story about the Worth Valley railway wedding we have in July, we have been asked to submit it for the cover story of a brand new brides magazine called "Yorkshire Bride" which will be one version available throughout the region for the full year. Cover photo and three page spread !!!!

Can't be bad.

New services from Smileweddings

2011-04-01T09:56:00.000+01:00

As we receive so many lovely comments from our happy couples saying how helpful and supportive we have been we have decided to extend the range of services we offer.

Steve, being the son of a vicar, has taken training to become a registrar to back up his NCPLH qualification which allows him to sell alcohol. Sue has started designing dresses and growing flowers for bouquets.

So in future just use Smileweddings as your one-stop-shop where we can help you with the preparations, ceremony and reception.

This service will be available from today April 1st 2011.

The Worth Valley Railway.

2011-03-28T18:35:00.000+01:00

Yesterday Sue and I went over to Keighley to meet up with engaged couple Andy and Rachael. Their wedding will be one of the highlights of the season for us.

We start at the grand Victoria Hall in Saltaire near Bradford and then the guests go by open top antique bus through to Oxenhope station. After photographing Rachael and Andy at a nearby park we set off too to Oxenhope where we meet up with the old steam train on the Worth Valley line. The meal starts straight away on the Pulman coaches of the 1931 Bournemouth Belle. Back and forth down the line it goes finally pulling in to Keighley station where the speeches and dancing will be held with the train providing the bar facility.
Should be a visual feast for us.

Duncan & Rebecca at the Saddleworth Hotel

2011-03-28T17:50:00.000+01:00

Saturday turned out to be a very cold and windy day over in Saddleworth for the wedding of Dunca Stott and Rebecca Cooper but we still managed to get shots both outside and inside. The Saddleworth is a quirky designer hotel with many interesting features including the starry sky ceiling. It certainly has the wow factor.

Sally and James at Mottram Hall

2011-03-22T13:54:00.000Z

Last Sunday Sue and I were at Mottram Hall near Macclesfield for the wedding of Sally Roberts and James Dybell. The weather was cool and a bit damp but Mottram Hall is a lovely venue with plenty of photo opportunities.

Both families were really easy to get on with and we had fun with both the informal and formal shots. Right through the day to the dancing went well and we were pleased with the comments from guests when they saw the slideshow we put up after the wedding breakfast.

One of the nicest comments of the day came from one of the Mottram Hall's wedding organisers who described as our work as some of the best they had ever seen and they were 'incredibly beautiful.'

So thank you to James and Sally for allowing us to photograph their lovely day.

Planning Ahead

2011-03-17T13:49:00.000Z

Later this year we are due to photograph a very special wedding on the Worth Valley railway with dancing at Keighley station. The wedding breakfast will be on the Pullman and the 'Railway Children' Carriage..

Looking forward to it.

Grapes of Wrath

2011-03-17T13:27:00.000Z

Last night I was photographing the play Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck at Bolton Little Theatre. The action, cast size and lighting make for a difficult technical job. But worth it. You can see the full set on https://www.theimagefile.com/web/theatre/grapes_of_wrath.html

Japanese Earthquake

2011-03-16T14:03:00.001Z

We were relieved to hear from our colleagues at Asukabook in Japan that everyone is OK there and largely unaffected by the disaster there. There could be some delivery delays due to power cuts and transport problems but otherwise the supply of our albums should not be a problem.

We wish to pass on to all in Japan our heartfelt good wishes for the future.

Success at the NEC.

2011-03-09T10:24:00.000Z

Sue and I are back from our three day stint at the annual Focus on Imaging show. We were supporting Asukabook company of album makers. They cleverly get photographers who use the product to talk to new potential customers about how we use them, rather than simply have ' Sales ' staff.

So just a bit hoarse now but we had a good time there.

The other good news from our visit was that I was awarded Licentiateship of the Master Photographers Association. I had to submit 20 images - a set of ten from one wedding and ten from a range of others. So I can now officially call myself a Master Photographer.

National Research Statistics

2011-03-04T11:31:00.000Z

The average length of engagement is 22 months

The average cost of today's wedding is £19,779 - up by 3% from 2009

The average cost of wedding photography increased from £941 to £959 and increase of 2%

Some interesting Quotes

2011-03-04T11:16:00.000Z

"Everything that can be invented has been invented" 1899 _ USA Patents Office Commissioner

" I think there is a world market for five computers " 1943 - founder of IBM

" There is no reason why anyone would want a computer in their home " 1977 Founder of Digital Equipment Corp

" 640K of computer memory ought to be enough for anybody " Bill Gates 1981

" Satellite TV in Britain will be a flop" 1988 Head of Broadcast Research Unit

Focus 2011 at the NEC

2011-03-01T08:10:00.001Z

Sue and I have been invited by our main album printers - Asuka Book UK - to be their professional photographic representatives on their stand at the NEC.

Over the past few years we have probably supplied our customers with around 60 albums so hopefully we will know what we are talking about. Mind you with some 50,000 visitors over the week there will be a lot of talking to do. Should be fun though.

Vivienne and Jim

2011-02-21T12:31:00.000Z

Saturday saw us on local turf with the wedding of Vivienne Owen - originally from Wales but now living in Oxford - to Jim Fairclough from Ainsworth.

A wet drizzly day didn't stop everyone enjoying the day and both Sue and I agreed that the speeches were the best set we had heard for a long time.

Thanks to both their families too for making it a great day for us as well. We hope they have a great honeymoon in New Zealand.

How not to open champagne

2011-02-15T15:06:00.000Z

In sorting through some old files I came across these shots taken a couple of years ago. To all you prospective brides and bridesmaids - this is not how to open Champagne on the morning of your wedding ! For photographers - if you hear anyone say "I've never opened Champagne before" have your shutter finger ready !

Our latest lovely email

2011-02-15T12:10:00.000Z

Dear Steve & Sue,

Thank you so much for everything, from the moment we met you we knew we wanted you to be our photographers, you made us both feel at ease straight away. We really enjoyed how you customise the packages you offer and are so glad we had a pre wedding shoot and everyone loved the idea of having our photo as a message board! Thank you too for all you did for us on our wedding day. Who would have thought we would have all that snow!! We have just viewed our online version of the album and absolutely love it. We feel as though it has captured our day so well and it really reminds us how perfect our wedding day was! We can't wait to have it printed and show everyone!!
Love from Mr & Mrs Woodward!

Thank you!!!

Another happy customer

2011-02-09T11:56:00.000Z

Hi Steve,

The album is beautiful! Thank you so much. It's the perfect reminder of our lovely day.

Thank you for everything you have done for us. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending you and Sue to anyone! From start to finish, you were both amazing! I genuinely appreciate everything you have done.

Thank you so so much xx

Kind Regards

Leanne Borrelli

The wedding year starts again

2011-01-28T09:12:00.001Z

We're back in business tomorrow with our first wedding of the year. Carl and Portia at Mere Hall in Bolton and then to one of our favourite venues The Astley Bank Hotel in Darwen. Forecast is good so let's hope for a good one.

So far this year we have had lots of enquiries for weddings this year and have 23 booked.

Well that was Christmas.

2010-12-27T10:57:00.000Z

Snow still around yet these last few days have been great. Simple day on Christmas with a 3 hour walk - and bumped into Gary Neville . Then boxing day family party with the grandchildren.

Best wishes to everyone

Snow snow snow

2010-12-19T11:37:00.000Z

Friday night Sue and I lay awake watching through our bedroom window the snow falling hour after hour. Saturday morning at 6.30 I was outside digging our little Skoda out of the snow as we had an early start with the wedding of Kate Salmon and Paul Woodward.

The first bit was to get out of Cann street and down to Bobbles hairdressers in Tottington. Arrived safely! Then to the groom's house. Walking distance thankfully. Paul was stressed out as their standby 4x4 being supplied by the car hire firm wasn't going to get there. Many phone calls later they had a friend with a replacement.

On to the bride's mother's house about two miles away. Again made it safely. This time though the bride and bridesmaids were locked out as they hadn't taken the key with them to the hairdressers.

Running late - about 15 minutes - onto the church. Father Paul at Guardian Angels in Woolfold, Bury is probably one of the nicest priests we have ever come across. Friendly, warm and really welcoming. So the service was a joy.

Then the trip to the reception. Just a 25 mile jaunt in the snow. With us in our little Skoda we were followed by the best man and groom's son. About 25 miles an hour all the way. The last section was up a steep and unsalted road to the hotel. 'Such Fun'. Anyway we made it just about 5 minutes after the bride and groom had arrived in their 4x4 so not bad.

Eaves Hall is a lovely venue and we managed about 7 minutes outside in the freezing sun. The rest had to be set up inside.

After all was over it was a slow journey back to Bury but got home safe and sound. As we came through the door their was a message on our answerphone asking if we were working this Christmas Eve for a short wedding in Bury. Mmmm?

Crazy pond rings

2010-12-10T10:41:00.000Z

Has anyone out there ever seen pond rings like this? No Photoshop trickery. Each band is the same width with a white stripe about 15cm and a dark one about 5 cm.

Catherine and Alexander

2010-12-06T16:26:00.001Z

Yesterday we were in Worsley for the wedding of Catherine Harvey and Alexander Markuntsov. Despite the freezing fog we did manage to get outside - briefly, before deciding to do all the photography indoors.

Still we managed to get some good shots so a good day all round.

Catherine and Alexander

2010-12-05T11:44:00.000Z

Today we are off to Worsley for the wedding of Catherine Harvey and Alexander Markuntsov. Catherine and Alexander should feel at home on the ice today as they are both International Ice Dancers. Recently they have been touring as Disney's Principal dancers in the Lion King on Ice. As I look out of my office window at the moment all I can see is snow and white mist so it should be interesting what the weather is like down in Worsley.

MPA meeting

2010-12-01T13:22:00.000Z

On Monday I had the pleasure of attending a seminar by Clare-Louise on Portraiture, weddings and sales at the Red Hall Hotel in Bury.

Despite the weather we all went onto some nearby waste ground to photograph the model she had brought with us. What a brave girl. Freezing cold and with a crazy dog that Clare had found. Clare followed this with some personal reminiscences and a shoot back at the hotel.

Great stuff and thanks Clare-Louise.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=256075&id=788239935

Feautred Photographer of The Month for UK and Ireland

2010-12-01T13:16:00.000Z

http://www.asukabook.co.uk/photographer.html

It's nice to know that our hard work this year has been recognised by being the Asuka photographer of the month for UK and Ireland.

It's interesting that out of a half hour talk with the PR agent they pick up on the fact we are old fogeys - Sue not too pleased with publishing her age but that's the media for you.

Still nice to know we're doing something right.

Featured Photographer of the Month

2010-11-19T17:29:00.000Z

We are delighted to have been chosen as the Asuka Book "Featured Photographers of the Month" for UK and Ireland !

Asuka are one of the world's top album printers and binders based in Japan and run through their UK operation in London.

Over the last few years we have centred our album designs around the range of albums that Asuka produce. Lately their 'Layflat' style has made them even more popular with our customers. Around 75% of our albums sold last year were printed by Asuka.

We have always found them to be beautifully made and have the finest print quality in the business.

Only this last week I have designed thee albums for customers as well as samples for ourselves. In the new year Asuka have new styles being announced so no doubt we will be giving them a try.

Lovely Monday Morning Comments !

2010-11-15T12:17:00.000Z

Dear Steve and Sue,

Many thanks for all of your hard work on our wedding day. From the very first meeting, Craig and I felt completely at ease with you. Your calming influences on the day and your professionalism throughout was greatly appreciated and noticed by all. The photographs are amazing and captured the day perfectly. They really made us realise how truly special our day was.

Thank you so so much xxx

Kind Regards

Leanne Borrelli

New Camera on it's way

2010-11-03T16:53:00.000Z

I managed to get one of the few Nikon D7000 camera bodies released in the UK for this weekend when we have the wedding of Leanne and Craig at Bury.

The D7000 gives us higher ISO rating (up to 25,400) and 16Mega pixels to play with si should be very good quality to compliment the D700.

It can also shoot 20 minutes of HD video so we may try that on the confetti shots. Fun, fun, fun.

More satisfied customers

2010-10-23T11:56:00.002+01:00

Dear Sue and Steve

Just to let you know the album etc have arrived and we are really pleased with them. Thank you very much. We may be ordering a larger photo for the wall later this week but will probably do this over the web site. Once again a very big thank you for making the memories of the day come alive- just wish we could do it all over again as the day went so fast. Jill

Alexander Markuntsov and Catherine Harvey

2010-10-22T15:48:00.000+01:00

Last night I went to the Worsley Marriot Hotel and Country Club to meet Catherine Harvey whose wedding I am photographing in December. Catherine is getting married to her ice skating partner Alexander Markuntsov. Catherine and Alexander are principle ice dancers for Disney and Alex was the Japan men's champion a few years ago.

Thankfully the wedding is not on ice !

Zoe and Chris

2010-10-22T15:41:00.001+01:00

Tomorrow sees Sue and I over in Horwich to photograph Zoe and Chris's wedding. Having been to the rehearsal last week it should go down well as the church has some quite nice grounds - so fingers crossed for fine weather. The reception is at Haigh Hall which is great for photography. We were last there almost two years ago now.

Sample Animoto Slideshow

2010-10-20T09:46:00.001+01:00

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

This is a very quick sample of a new slideshow making service. Looks good.

Here is a sample of a recent album design

2010-10-17T09:44:00.002+01:00

Untitled | Make Your Own Book

Kate and Paul's pre-wedding shoot

2010-10-16T16:55:00.002+01:00

With the rays of autumn light shining reasonably bright and cold we went to Old Kay's park in Tottington and to our little studio to shoot a pre-wedding photo of Kate and Paul who are getting married in December.

A good mix of fun and romantic shots will give them plenty to choose from.

Florence in the late evening light

2010-10-07T16:31:00.000+01:00

Just because I take a compact camera on holiday doesn't mean the photos are boring. Here is a view of the Ponta Vechi bridge in Florence. Simply beautiful.

We just can't stop taking wedding photos

2010-10-07T16:26:00.000+01:00

Even when on holiday in Tuscany we still take wedding photos. They we are sat in the lovely Piazza in San Gimignano in Tuscany when we here clapping and laughter and we are witnessing a wedding being photographed by Celebrity Photographer Bradley Patrick of Sugar Love Weddings in Sydney. He had been brought over especially to photograph a wedding in this most beautiful of locations.Out came the Olympus compact and snap.

So a few days later we are in Florence near the Uffizi gallery and there we go again. Another wedding and out comes the camera.

All in all a great holiday and back to work with a bang - and a click.

Another happy customer

2010-09-14T11:50:00.000+01:00

An email from the mother of Alison Taylor that we photographed in July.

The photographs that Steve and Sue Gill took of our daughter and her fiance's wedding at Peckforton Castle were stunning. They captured the happiness and love between the bride and groom on their very special day in a clever and unique way. Many of the guests have described it as a fairy tale wedding and one they will never forget. Our greatest thanks to Steve and Sue for some truly wonderful pictures that will serve as a reminder to us all of one of the best days of our lives.

Jill and Chris Taylor

Emma and Steve Booth

2010-09-12T15:02:00.000+01:00

On Saturday we had some different problems on top of the weather. Football fans decided to have a battle outside the church and I had to walk the last section to the church as the road was blocked. That was a first.

The wedding at St Herberts in Chadderton was followed by a reception at Norton Grange in Rochdale.

John and Joanne Boardman

2010-09-12T14:59:00.000+01:00

Friday we were photographing the wedding of Joanne Harrison and John Boardman at Christ Church Heaton and then at the Last Drop Hotel.

With mixed weather we ended up with an in-out type of day but still thankfully managed to get some lovely shots of them in the main street. They are off to Bali on honeymoon so hopefully the weather is better there.

Samantha and Paul at The Deanwater Hotel

2010-08-23T13:01:00.000+01:00

Saturday we cheated the rain yet again and had a lovely day with Samantha Dean and Paul Bardsley. The couple got married at Christ Church Reddish, where two years ago we photographed Rachael and John Ashworth's wedding.

The reception was held at The Deanwater Hotel near Wilmslow where, again, we have been before with Kirsty and John Heath in 2009.

We managed to get all outside photos done just minutes before the rain returned.

It was nice to see so many familiar faces with Rachael and John Ashworth as well as Rachel and Neil Worsencroft whose wedding we photographed on 31st July at Shrigley Hall . We seem to be getting well known in the Reddish and South Manchester area!

Best wishes to Sam and Paul for the future

Pre-wedding photos

2010-08-16T11:20:00.000+01:00

Have you ever thought of getting a pre-wedding photo done which can be enlarged and available for guests to sign on your wedding day? Emma and Steve are getting married in September and we photographed them on Friday in preparation.

The picture will be available on the cards and presents table for all guests to sign and then the result can be framed afterwards. Prices for this service can start from as little as £50.

Carina and Jason at Dean Row and Quarry Bank Mill

2010-08-11T09:29:00.002+01:00

Last Saturday saw us once again in South Manchester, this time for the wedding of Carina Bowers and Jason Taylor. The ceremony was at the lovely and ancient Unitarian chapel in Dean Row followed by the reception at Quarry Bank Mill. Carina had specifically asked for some quirky photos at Quarry Bank, particularly at the Apprentice House garden. Always glad to please !

As Quarry Bank is National Trust property staff were on hand and helped provide some great locations. I am sure Carina will be pleased - they are definitely quirky wedding photos.

Samantha and Carl at the Bolholt, Bury

2010-08-07T12:31:00.000+01:00

Yesterday we were back on home soil with a fun wedding at the Bolholt in Bury, Carl Millerchip and Samantha Hutchinson managed to avoid the worst of the rain to have a great time.

We wish them all the best for the future.

Peckforton Castle

2010-08-03T10:33:00.000+01:00

This shows the cars and people in the background removed. Maybe Peckforton might consider parking the cars somewhere else !

Alison and Matt at Peckforton Castle

2010-08-01T17:28:00.003+01:00

We did it again. Rain all week and then just as we were setting up for a wet shoot at the fantastic Peckforton Castle the sun came out and Intsy Wintsy Spider was climbing the spout again.

A really picturesque venue though not for the faint hearted photographer as the interiors, though visually stunning, are quite dark.

Outside you have endless opportunities.

Ali and Matt were great fun and enjoyed every minute.

So did we!

Rain Rain Go Away

2010-07-27T10:48:00.000+01:00

Hopefully this weather will improve before the weekend. This Saturday we are at Peckforton Castle between Chester and Crewe. It recently was seen on tv in the series Don't Tell The Bride. It has also been used as a back drop to Doctor Who and Harry Potter and will look superb in the sun !

Fingers Crossed

Graduation Time

2010-07-26T10:14:00.000+01:00

Last night I photographed Jennie Bourke after her graduation from Salford University. Far better than the production line at the Uni where graduates are herded through having there photos taken.

Congratulations to Jennie.

Print Folders

2010-07-15T23:05:00.001+01:00

Sue and I went to Manchester today to see if we could find a quality print folder. Simple answer is no. I think we will have to design our own. The majority tend to be old fashioned and boring. Any ideas gratefully received.
Steve and Sue Gill
Sent from iPhone.