SHEFFIELD WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER – CAWTHORNE VILLAGE HALL – LAURA vs SIMON
It’s awesome being a Sheffield wedding photographer! Although I live in Manchester, Sheffield is just a short drive away and I can cover this area at no extra cost.
I was honoured when Laura and Simon asked me to be their Sheffield Town Hall and Cawthorne Village Hall wedding photographer. Sheffield Town Hall is a grade 1 listed building which brings beautiful architecture to the city centre. Its many grand rooms are an excellent location for any wedding. It’s a building steeped in history. Both the Mirror Room and Mandela Room can accommodate up to 120 guests and the Reception Suite can accommodate up to 220! The Mirror Room is also available to be used for your wedding breakfast, seating up to 100 guests for a sit down meal.
Cawthorne Village Hall - Rustic Wedding Venue
Cawthorne Village Hall, is a lovely, homely, rustic wedding reception venue in the heart of Cawthorne Village near Barnsley. It can cater up to 90 guests for a sit down meal, with some space left for a dance floor. You can decorate the room as you like, and is perfect for any bride and groom who really want to relax with their wedding guests in a warm, cosy setting.
Fun bride and groom prep
Our lovely bride Laura, was in a very good mood indeed when I arrived at their hotel for bridal prep. It wasn’t long before most of the bridal party were gathered round the mother of the bride’s phone and doing a lot of laughing. It seems a funny photo of Laura in a wig was doing the rounds. Poor Laura! It was all just banter though and Laura clearly had a great sense of humour.
While Laura waited for her turn for make-up I wandered a few doors down to see how our room, Simon was doing. I found him sharing hugs with his mum and dad while putting the finishing touches to his speech. It seems flat caps were in season as both Simon and his best man donned as finishing touches to their attire. To be fair, they both did look pretty cool, and I almost wished I’d worn one on my own wedding day.
Back to Laura’s room for make-up! While Laura had her make-up done, her bridesmaids put on their dresses and had fun correcting their belts. You could almost smell the effort as a little teamwork sealed the deal. Makeup done, and Laura looked really great. So great, in fact, that even the make-up artist gave her a heartfelt hug! With a little help from Mum, it wass now time to put on the beautiful wedding dress, veil, shoes and jewelry. Laura really did look great and you can tell by her friends’ faces when she turned to meet them. Her dad’s face was classic when her entered the room and saw her for the first time. His reaction set mum off too (as if Laura in a dress wasn’t enough!).
Wedding Ceremony At Sheffield Town Hall
Arriving at Sheffield Town Hall, I found Simon helping pals with their flowers and laughing with guests. As we passed the time some of the younger guests enjoyed playing with some of the furniture! Simon began welling up as soon as Laura entered the marriage suite. The ceremony was full of smiles and laughter, and it was clear that our bride and groom love each other very much indeed. The first kiss brought tears to several of the congregation, especially Simon’s sister.
A few photos in Sheffield Peace Gardens
The ceremony over and the marriage certificates signed, we ventured outside, heading down to Sheffield Peace gardens behind the town hall . The gardens really nice: there’s several pools of water, nice plantation and an awesome fountain in the centre. A beautiful backdrop for photos. Following a fun big group photo and a few formals in front of the fountain, myself, Simon and Laura enjoyed a short couple photo session. Simon kept his hat on to look extra cool. He also decided to hold Laura’s Bouquet for most of the photos which is just fine by me J. I was lucky to be able to get a few photos by – and through – the fountain.
Speeches and Banda
It was time to leave for Cawthorne Village Hall! Laura and Simon had decorated the inside really nicely, and they had set up an backdrop and some props for guests to enjoy some photobooth-esque photo action! We were also joined by treasured family member, Laura and Simon’s pet dog ‘Banda’, who I had already met at their pre-wedding shoot. Everyone sat down to eat and then before long we were on to the speeches. There was a mixture of tears and laughter, especially from Laura’s mum and Simon decided to exchange his flat cap for a hunting hat when delivering his own speech. All these were recorded by Simon’s sister on her GoPro video camera. I’m sure her arm must have become very tired holding it up high for so long! One final cheer from the crowd and it was time to get the party started.
A Party fueled by mead
We had a quick play with Banda and I enjoyed photographing some of the children playing outside, and playing up to the camera as children always do. The cake cutting as fast but fun and then it was time for the first dance. If I remember rightly there was a little pause as the DJ cycled through a few classics and then our bride and groom were able to have their perfect slow dance together while their guests looked on. Once over their guests filled the dance floor and one of my favourite photos from this time was a dance floor selfie by Simon’s sister.
That was it, the party kicked off and everyone got on the…..mead! That’s right! MEAD! Simon kindly gave me some as a gift and upon drinking it when I got home I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was! Between dancing Laura and Simon had a few photos with Banda outside. We got a few nice ones and then an absolute corker of an action shot as Banda tried to run over to people while Simon clung on for his life. I then discovered Simon’s fondness for tiaras and then it was back to the dance floor! Just as the light was beginning to fade and day turned to dusk the whole wedding party ventured outside for an epic confetti cannon!
people and places that brought the party
Feeling weddingy?
Are you looking for wedding photographer in Sheffield with a natural and vibrant documentary style? If so why not get in touch to chat about your day, check out the packages I offer or read a few more of my blog posts.