This was a Gujarati Hindu wedding ceremony on the top floor of the Rio Grande, which allows for great views over the city during daylight hours

Bee-themed wedding in the Lake District October 2022

Pages 8-9 in this wedding storybook show the little flower girls, holding up their hand crocheted bouquets, on a background of their cute little dresses. The bride’s daughter – on the left – has a dress made to match the bride’s evening outfit.

60 pages in total, as the first physical page is the binding that goes between the outer covers and the rest of the pages. ie it starts at page 2 so finishes at page 61.

Lake District Wedding with Handmade Accessories

This sweet little wedding wouldn’t have been possible without all the arty contributions by so many talented designers.

Nikitas Crocheted Creations : https://www.instagram.com/nikitascrochetcreations – crocheted bouquets

Ambient Paradise Jewellery: https://www.facebook.com/ambientparadise who supplied the jewellery, wedding rings and large coloured letters that formed their initials.

Smiler’s: https://www.facebook.com/smilersbarrow – wedding car and cheese cake and sweets.

Ivy and Ted’s Treasures Gift Shop: https://www.facebook.com/ivyandtedstreasures – bee jewellery.

Elegance by Jayne: https://www.facebook.com/elegancebyjayne.co.uk – hand made to measure jumpsuit, waistcoat and the couple’s daughter’s dress.

The Moon Crescent: https://www.facebook.com/hennaandgiftswithjess – macramé decorated glass jars

Boheme Beauty https://www.facebook.com/bohemebeautyv – eye brows and lashes.

Gwazi Hair and Nail Salon: https://www.facebook.com/gwazihairsalon – hair colour, nails and daughter’s hair cut.

https://www.facebook.com/WeddingHairMakeups – bride’s hair and makeup

Truly Yours Bridal Shoes: https://www.facebook.com/TrulyYoursBridalShoes – shoes

I love traveller weddings, particularly when the everyone is dressed so beautifully. See part of their wedding video here. https://youtu.be/T-_oQKkAjHs

Wedding receptions are an ideal opportunity for you to relax, and for your wedding photographer to get those natural wedding pics without you even realising! In the photo above the bride and groom are sharing a moment to have a laugh during the speeches at a Bagden Hall wedding.

The grassy outdoor spaces at Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield are great for the children to let off steam while the adults are having a drink or catching up with friends and family after the wedding ceremony, or wedding breakfast during the longer summer days.

There is so much going on in this natural wedding photo at Tankersley Manor: its a beautiful summer’s day with dramatic clouds scattered across a bright blue sky, the guests are having a drink and the wedding car is parked in the courtyard ready for the bride and groom to have some photos. Look carefully and you’ll notice the bride’s beautiful mother picking up the bride’s train to make sure that it doesn’t get trampled on, as all the wedding guests spill out into the courtyard to enjoy the sunshine.

Not everyone has hotel wedding reception, so even a wedding party in your back garden can be great fun if the weather is on your side. The funny thing about this wedding is that they weren’t able to pay for their wedding photos at the time, but came back to me 13 years later! Fortunately all their wedding pics were safely backed up, so they were able to finally see them after all those years!

The beautifully presented table was for an intimate Asian wedding at the Great Victoria Hotel in Bradford, so an ideal way to celebrate a smaller family weddings, particularly in the current climate where wedding guests are being limited to an ever changing safer number during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Oulton Hall is one of my favourite local wedding venues, as not only is it a magnificent stately home with all the interior trimmings, but it has a magnificent outdoor space, directly accessed from the wedding ceremony room. so everyone can mingle and enjoy a welcome drink in the sunshine. Its during these moments that I get a chance to snap away, and capture all the happy smiles such as in the pics below.

Below is a happy moment when the bride circulates amongst her wedding at guests at the Holiday Inn near Junction 25 off the M62 in Brighouse.

And here the bride, wearing very modest, non traditional wedding attire, as she chats while walking out from her midweek wedding ceremony in Leeds

Happy moments that mean so much!

Hope to see your soon too! xx Elaine

See more on our Facebook Page – for example the thousand plus photos mainly from completely different weddings https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=destination.wedding.photographer.uk&set=a.10150193843360319

or on our Google page https://reel-life-photos.business.site/

or our main site https://www.reellifephotos.co.uk/

Its sad when a Gambian groom dies, but life has many twists and turns. Way back in 2010, an English bride-to-be called Denise, booked Reel Life Photos to photographer her wedding to a kind, gentle, Gambian man. Denise then became an instant mother to his two children, as their birth mother had sadly passed away. Those children are now young adults, well- educated, loved and cared for by their step-mum, but since the death of their Gambian father just three years after his marriage to Denise, she was their closest family.

So its with great excitement that I returned to the Gambia in January 2020, to photograph a new wedding, as Denise finally found love again. As this was my 7th visit to the Gambia to photograph a wedding there I already knew my way around! xx Elaine

For more info on weddings in the Gambia or anywhere else in the world, call Elaine on Whatsapp: +447990867058 or visit https://www.reellifephotos.co.uk or http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/uk-wedding-photographer-in-the-gambia/#more-1357

wedding day pictures at Mitton Hall – hair and makeup

happy wedding day pictures at Mitton Hall – hair and makeup

wedding day pictures at Mitton Hall – the champagne and milk breakfast!

Mums are special!

natural wedding  pictures at Mitton Hall in the Bridal Suite

wedding day pictures as the boys finalise their outfits with white handkerchiefs and button holes.

wedding day pictures at the groom’s family home

wedding car pictures at Mitton Hall

The bride and her father head towards the wedding car in front of Mitton Hall

Such a beautiful wedding service, and a great vicar!

Such a beautiful wedding service, and a great vicar!

The groom’s unusual wedding shoes

The vicar blesses the newly-weds in St Mary Magdalene Church in Clitheroe

Natural wedding pictures outside the church as the newly-weds head out into the winter’s sunshine on 1 January.

Great Gatsby wedding reception pictures at Mitton Hall

Great Gatsby wedding reception pictures at Mitton Hall, as the bride and groom enter

as the bride puts down her bouquet onto the top table with black sequinned tablecloth

Great Gatsby wedding speeches at Mitton Hall

The Magnificent Black Sheikhs band in action.

wedding reception pictures at Mitton Hall – Bride and groom in Great Hall

Mitton Hall at night

So much fun!  Think I shot over a thousand pictures at this wedding , so its been really hard just to select a few.  We were SO lucky with the weather as a sunny winter wedding on first of January is certainly not guaranteed!  If you are having an exciting wedding – anywhere in the world – get in touch with Elaine to see if we can also make your day! It doesn’t have to be a Great Gatsby wedding, but fun and laughter makes for fascinating, mainly natural wedding pictures .

https://www.reellifephotos.co.uk

Storybook album design from wedding pictures in taken in Leeds – The front cover.

This lovely couple found some of the many wedding pictures I’ve taken on Reel Life Photos  on Facebook Page. They love photos so I was delighted to be their wedding photographer, and to have the opportunity to share their special day.  So much fun an laughter  – from them and all their wedding guests!  They were so keen, they came to see me almost straight after their wedding, as couldn’t wait to see their pictures!   They initially chose 650 favourites, which they would have loved to have had include in their wedding album, but gradually whittled them down to a more manageable 127 images.  I then added a few back in to use as backgrounds to make the story of their day more complete.

The church minister wouldn’t allow me to take photos from the from of the church as I normally do, but with my long lens from the organ loft at the rear, I still managed to get a few basic shots, though not the facial expressions I had hoped to capture.  The church warden put on a feast of tastefully arranged chocolate biscuits on every table in the church hall afterwards, at her own expense too, so can see the couple are much -loved here.

Start of the day at Oakwood Church in Leeds, as the wedding guests arrive.

The bride arrives at the church in Leeds in a simply decorated wedding car with her father

The groom and best man are patiently waiting inside the church , as the bride is met outside by her sister and flower girl

Congratulations to the bride outside Oakwood church in Leeds on a lovely sunny August day.

The groom’s mother watch on from her wheelchair, enjoying all the excitement of the wedding in Leeds

The bride arrives and poses by the church door with her sister and family

Everyone turns round to look as the bride arrives inside the church

The bridesmaid, flower girl and page boys walk down the aisle first, as seen from up in the organ loft at Oakwood Church in Leeds.

Bride meets her groom at the front of Oakwood Church in Leeds

These romantic wedding pictures tell the story of the couple’s wedding day

Beautiful church wedding ceremony in Leeds

The rings!

The kiss and extra blessing pics in storybook wedding album.

Fun and laughter by the wedding register

Reel Life Photos signature image showing the bride and groom’s hands and rings on the wedding register, next to the bouquet.

Smiles and a kiss!

Mums and witnesses!

Big group shot – inside the church!

The happy couple walk down the aisle

Kiss for Dad!

Happy wedding pictureof the newly-weds walking down the aisle

Congratulations! This is my favourite time to capture natural wedding pictures

natural wedding pictures as everyone rushed to congratulate an hug the bride.

Happy wedding pics after the wedding ceremony

Confetti magic!

Love it when everyone throws confetti and the couple are enjoying the fun!

Tea and biscuits after the wedding ceremony makes for relaxed family photos too!

Mums are precious aren’t they! Lovely how both of the couple’s mothers managed to make it to the wedding!

Fun bride and groom at their wedding reception in The Village Hotel Leeds South

Storybook cover

This romantic couple met in The Gambia and kept in touch for 5 or 6 years before getting married at Coco Ocean Hotel in The Gambia, Christmas 2015.  I was lucky enough to be their wedding photographer, the 5th wedding I have photographed  in the Gambia since 2010.   The image above is the one they chose to be on the cover of their wedding album.  The bride really likes black and white wedding pictures, and this was the groom’s favourite photo from their wedding day at  Ocean hotel and Spa in Kololi.  I love beach weddings and this wedding venue in particular!

Gambian groom and groomsmen getting ready in the Gambia

Gambian groom in his wedding suit and his mother before she gets in her wedding outfit

Bride having her hair done in the salon at Coco Ocean Hotel in the Gambia and wedding accessories in the Royal Suite

Royal Suite and bathroom with wedding dress at Coco Ocean Hotel in the Gambia in wedding storybook

Bedroom at the Royal Suite at Coco Ocean Hotel and Spa in the Gambia, West Africa and the bride’s bouquet of lilies

The Gambian groom breaks with tradition, seeing his wife to be at the Royal Suite on their wedding day, as he brings the little flower girl there. All the little flower girls; and bridesmaid’s shoes lined up neatly in a row on the black and white tiled floor in the  Suite’s cloakroom, ready to be worn at the wedding..

Black and white wedding photos of the bride’s mother and the bride getting ready in the Royal Suite at Coco Ocean Hotel and Spa in The Gambia.

Private swimming pool inside the Royal Suite at Coco Ocean Hotel and Spa

Natural wedding photos of the bridesmaids getting ready inside the Royal Suite at Coco Ocean

Bride has her tiara on as she looks on at the little flower girl inside the Royal Suite at Coco Ocean before the start of her wedding.

Bride being helped on with her wedding dress, as her mum crawls underneath to sort out the underskirt in the Royal Suite before her wedding at Coco Ocean in The Gambia.

Bride in her wedding dress inside the Royal Suite at Coco Ocean, all ready to set off for her wedding in the Gambia,

Bride and bridesmaids leave the Royal Suite to go to the wedding on the beach at Coco Ocean Hotel.

The wedding party walk through Coco Ocean to get to the beach wedding location

The little bridesmaid tugs at the brides dress as she helps her down the steps towards the beach wedding at Coco Ocean

Groom and bestman waiting for the bride.

Bride walks down the aisle at Coco Ocean right by the sea

The couple say their vows in a romantic beach wedding at Coco Ocean.

Bride and groom’s mothers play a big role in this wedding.

Just married at Coco Ocean then the register is signed. Sheer joy!

The romantic Gambian groom gets down on one knee to present the bride her ring

Gambian family showers the newly weds with confetti at Coco Ocean.

Speeches and more Coco Ocean wedding pictures during the reception in a storybook album

Wedding at Coco Ocean in The Gambia – storybook with mainly natural wedding photography by UK-based wedding photographer Elaine

cutting the wedding cake at Coco Ocean in the Gambia and first dance pictures

Beach wedding pictures in the Gambia

English-Gambian wedding pictures at Coco Ocean Hotel and Spa in The Gambia

Wedding photos by the pool at Coco Ocean in the Gambia

Coco Ocean Hotel Gambian Wedding Pictures

Fun Gambian wedding pictures at Coco Ocean Hotel in The Gambia

Bride cooling off under the sprinklers at Coco Ocean in The Gambia

Wedding pictures by the pool at Coco ocean in The Gambia in storybook wedding album

Mainly natural wedding pictures in The Gambia after their couple’s beach wedding

Romantic beach wedding pictures in The Gambia

Wedding pictures on the Beach in Gambia

Beach wedding ceremony at Coco ocean in The Gambia

Happy wedding pictures in The Gambia

Natural Gambian wedding pictures

Aw, so romantic !

Mum’s are special!

Grand wedding at Coco Ocean

Gambian beach wedding

Kiss under the veil!

Romantic Gambian groom with his English bride

Family wedding pictures in The Gambia

Natural Gambian beach wedding pics

Gambian beach wedding

Natural wedding photos at Coco Ocean

Confetti on the red carpet at Coco Ocean in The Gambia

Happy wedding pictures in The Gambia

Confetti smiles after Gambian beach wedding

Storybook wedding album of pictures taken in The Gambia

If you are thinking of getting married in the Gambia or another country, Reel Life Photos are happy to travel there at our own cost.  Contact Elaine here:  https://www.reellifephotos.co.uk/contact

A lady called me from Nigeria to enquire about her wedding photography, but it turned out that she was actually getting married in the UK, in my home town of Dewsbury.  It was a beautiful wedding, with the tables dressed immaculately with a masses of flowers following a lilac colour scheme.  OK , like most African brides.she was nearly two hours late for her wedding, so its just as well it was in the middle of winter, or she may have missed out had the registrar been busy!

After the wedding she made an appointment to come and see her wedding photos, but somehow things caught up with her, and she forgot to contact me for nearly two years.  Her English husband was still working in Nigeria, but they had by now had a second baby, so also set up a home in Leeds, West Yorkshire.

Now she wants to surprise her husband with the wedding album under the tree at Christmas, but here at least is the album I designed from the photos she chose from a selection of over 600 images that I had already shortlisted for her.

Storybook cover

Storybook Pages002-003 with the cute white baby dress and shoes waiting to be worn

Storybook Pages004-005 wedding shoes and baby bridesmaid’s flowers in Italian storybook with the groom is also getting ready for their wedding in Dewsbury

Storybook Pages006-007 groom and groomsmen getting ready – all smiles!

Storybook Pages008-009 How to keep a baby bridesmaid happy while her mother is putting on her wedding dress: let the baby chew her new shoes!

Storybook Pages010-011 Novel way to keep the baby happy – with the wedding photographer’s expensive light!

Storybook Pages012-013 – The bride puts on her pearl necklace and walks down the stairs holding her beautiful lilac and white bouquet.

Storybook Pages014-015 The bride carries her baby to the waiting limo with her female friends and family.

Storybook Pages016-017 The photographer waiting outside in the cold for ages to make sure she didn’t miss the shot of the limo arriving outside Dewsbury Town Hall, but as the bride got out a car passed by, obscuring the limo and hurrying bride, as within seconds the bride was already inside the Town Hall.

Storybook Pages018-019 The bride walks down the aisle and her groom gets the first glimpse of her in her wedding dress and fur shrug

Storybook Pages020-021 The bestman fishes the rings out of his pocket and before we know it the wedding is sealed with a kiss!

Storybook Pages022-023 The register signing photos can be such happy ones if the photographer is quick and experienced.

Storybook Pages024-025 The witnesses and Reel Life Photos’ signature shot of the newly-weds’ hands showing their rings by the register with the bouquet for decoration.

Storybook Pages 26-27 The groom’s father poses with the happy couple be the wedding register, as the bride’s best friend in the red dress looks on, before the newly weds look at each other as the link arms to walk back down the aisle together.

Storybook Pages 028-029 The groom just manages to appear in one pic as the bride enthusiastically poses with all her friends. Well I don’t know many grooms who enjoy posing for wedding pics after all! That’s why I love natural wedding photos…

Storybook Pages030-031 Couldn’t resist adding in this background pic of the bride’s gleaming tiara along with the black and white photo of the bride sitting on the floor with her dress spread out.

Storybook Pages032-033 The happy bride poses with her friends. The groom as usual manages to escape the camera!

Storybook Pages034-035 Traditional 3 tier wedding cake and the beautifully decorated top table al ready to begin the wedding breakfast

Storybook Pages036-037 Happy days as the bride poses with her friends and the groom’s grown-up son.

Storybook Pages038-039 The wedding decorations are first class at this intimate family wedding reception in Dewsbury Town Hall

Storybook Pages040-041 Its good to capture all the guest when its a relatively small family wedding!

Storybook Pages042-043 Its always lovely to see the wedding guests enjoying themselves, and to remember who was there at your wedding.

Storybook Pages044-045 The groom’s speech

Storybook Pages046-047 Guests cracking themselves up with laughter during the groom’s speech.

Storybook Pages048-049 wedding guests and the splendid 3 tiered traditional wedding cake

Storybook Pages050-051 wedding guests pose for the camera, and oh, even the wedding photographer is snapped in her African outfit, far right in this storybook design.

Storybook Pages052-053 Oh that delicious dessert is making me hungry!

Storybook Pages054-055 Cheers! The wedding toast!

Storybook Pages056-057 First Dance and more dancing!

Storybook Pages058-059 Time for some fun dancing pics!

Storybook Pages060-061 Cutting the cake – all traditional like!

Storybook Pages062-063 bride and groom on the stairs of Dewsbury Town Hall

Storybook Pages064-065 wedding guests and the groom (!) pose for pictures at Dewsbury Town Hall

Storybook Pages066-067 Confetti pics

Storybook Pages068-069 The groom’s son is pretty merry as he hug and kisses his father and jubilant bridemaid after catching the bouquet .

Storybook Pages070-071 the garter and last few wedding pics

To contact Reel Life Photos full time experienced professional wedding photographer in Dewsbury call 07990867058 or visit our website:

http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk wedding photographers in Dewsbury

Wherever your wedding, be it on the beach in an exotic location, a church or simple hall, we can help create your memories, with snippets from your wedding day.

Everybody would love to have perfect wedding pictures and not to have to pay much.  We are not talking about getting friends on their mobiles or even friends with a nice camera to take them,  but to have an experienced professional with a great eye and creativity to fit in with you and what you want and maybe even to think of something you didn’t even know you would like.  I mean – how much experience do most brides-to-be have of contemporary wedding photography?  Most images from weddings are those they see on their friend’s Facebook pages the day after or even on the day of their wedding,  or have seen in older-styled wedding albums.  Not every picture is an award-winning shot, but combined together they tend to form a bridge between the actual event and wedding day memories that fade over the years.

See more on http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk or visit our Facebook page to see more than 20,00 photos! Enjoy! xx Elaine

Its not often I get to photograph a wedding in Cuba, so am excited to post these first few pics following my recent trip there for this wedding.  It isn’t set in a glamorous hotel or on an exotic beach, but the happiness in the couple’s faces shows the true meaning of a wedding day.

If you are planning to get married in Cuba, or are having your wedding reception abroad then get in touch , as we only charge the same as a UK wedding, other than a bit of hospitality if I don’t know anyone in the particular country your are getting married in.   I have places to stay in The Seychelles, The Gambia, Cyprus and Cuba, and possibly others in different countries, depending on the towns.  I am happy to travel anywhere really, and have already covered weddings in The Ice Hotel in Sweden, in Australia, Norway, Nigeria, Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, France, Southern Ireland, Cyprus, Gambia and The Seychelles.  We can come as a video-photography team or I can also shoot some video footage, as well as taking photos.

xx Elaine and Jorge

http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/destination.wedding.photographer.uk

Cuban wedding dress

The bride’s friends fuss round her as they arrive to help her get ready.

A male friend sits by as he knows he can’t do much at this stage to help the bride get ready.  As you can see it is Christmas time too – 14th December in fact .

Bride’s wedding shoes hanging on the base of an old sewing machine, in this lovely house in Cuba.

Simple makeup.

Artistic room in Havana where the Cuban bride is getting ready for her wedding, as a friend applies her makeup for her.

Hair tweaking as the tiara goes on

Hairspray lovingly applied and duplicated in the mirror reflection. The natural light adds to the magic.

Now the male family friend can help out by doing up the bride’s shoes.

Look at your shoes. You look so pretty.

Happy bride in Cuba!

I am, above all else, a colourist.  From way back in the days I started out as an artist, living and painting in Greece, colour dawned on me like a thunderbolt: strong ultramarine brush strokes, vibrant reds and contrasting areas of light and shade became my trademark.  Yesterday however, I was challenged to post a series of black and white photos on my Facebook site, to show off the potential of that medium.

Black and white used to be the only medium available for photographers when I first started out.  I spent hours and hours with my Brownie Box Camera – a present from my father for my first ever school trip to London when I was 11 – sticking the family photos I shot into an album, using gold photo corners and labelling them in white ink on black card with a dip in pen.  Sadly these photos albums no longer exist, as my parents, blessed with a large family – of whom I am the eldest – completed various moves after I left home, so I guess they were abandoned in an uncleared loft space loft space, or found their way accidentally, in the bin.  I do however, still have the photos my grandfather took of my parents on their wedding day, and two pictures of me with my grandmother, as a baby.

So, now my art has come fill circle – allowing the images to speak for themselves, not from lack of colour, but from the unconstrained and uncluttered emotions, that become the focus of pure black and white.

Natural black and white wedding photography – shows off the smiles and emotions.

Black and white wedding picture of the froth flowing from a freshly popped champagne bottle

Hugs from the bride;s son to his little cousin, – an emotional moment in time.

Coincidentally. these three wedding pictures are all from the same wedding story.

xx Elaine Borges-Ibanez

http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/destination.wedding.photographer.uk

Yesterday – Saturday 25 October 2014 – I photographed  an Asian wedding in Dewsbury,  and today a gypsy family’s little girl’s  first birthday party: two very different events!  Face-painting and balloons, are to be expected, but the huge castle cake was something only  a traveller’s family would think of: very creative!

Two very different cakes: Asian wedding cake in Dewsbury, and Gipsy castle birthday cake in Wakefield

Both events were similar in that they booked last minute – the Asian wedding three weeks before,

but the traveller little girl’s birthday party just an hour or so beforehand, so extremely last minute!

Face painting at The Cheeky Monkeys in Wakefield

traveller’s first birthday at Cheeky Monkeys in Wakefield with the kids having their faces painted.

   This little monkey is hiding his face, but peeking through his fingers at me.

Gypsy children with face paints at a traveller first birthday party

The little kids were just like all small children, but from 5 years upwards their characters were already strong and unruly, but hopefully they all had fun.

Traveller family by elaborate gipsy-style castle birthday cake

Birthday girl, dressed up like a princess, sitting on a throne next to her castle birthday cake.

The birthday girl.

Latina’s first birthday party cake at Cheeky Monkeys in Wakefield

Children’s birthday party fun in the party house at Cheeky Monkeys in Wakefield

Little figures from the castle first birthday cake

Well, what’s the use of a party if you don’t get to eat your own birthday cake!

Happy birthday Latina!  Hope you had as much fun as I did taking these pictures!  xx Elaine

www.reellifephotos.co.uk

See some of the 20,000 Facebook Photos we have online too..

I’ve always wanted to photograph a gypsy wedding – way, way before all the TV programs started.  Having been a professional wedding photographer since 2000, travelled to wedding venues as different as the Ice Hotel in Sweden, a beach wedding in the Seychelles, a luxury liner sailing round Sydney, high society and grass roots African weddings in The Gambia, an Orthodox wedding in Egypt, many Asian, Hindu and Sikh weddings, weddings in Pakistan and Nigeria as well as a Bedouin wedding in black tents in Jordan, I have now had my wish come true.

Traveller wedding dress is being fluffed up by the bride’s family

Love the story going on here, as the family wait in the bar before heading off to the wedding, and the bride’s little sister is doing up the shoes.

After waiting nearly an hour for the groom and his family to turn up,  they suddenly realise they have forgotten the rings!  The bride, in the meantime, has already arrived, but the limo driver is told to keep driving on past the church.

The groom arrives, at last, with his pint of beer in hand.

The groom ‘s family are celebrating gypsy-style, with a good natter and a pint, before the church ceremony has even begun.

Two gipsy boys lean out of the windows of the wedding limo as it pulls up outside the church

This little gypsy pageboy has had enough! The wedding car arrives, not a moment too soon for this little page boy, who is being consoled by his cousin.

Gipsy bride at the door of the church with her father at the start of her wedding

http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk

pictures from a beautiful Nigerian couple's wedding

If you want to see more from this wedding have a look in the various albums on our Facebook page .  To contact Elaine  or see more from other weddings also visit our site

The bride and groom contacted me when researching their wedding, after coming across photos that I had shot at previous couple’s wedding in the Gambia.  I also will be returning to The Gambia in  early Spring 2014 to photograph a Gambian wedding for another couple.

Their chosen wedding venue – Coco Ocean Hotel  –   is this magnificent luxury hotel in the Gambia in West Africa.  The couple themselves are based in the UK, but have family connections to The Gambia, so it was the perfect choice for them.  I stayed a full week, so was able to capture their cultural wedding ceremony – based on traditions in Sierra Leone – as well as general pics of themselves around the hotel prior to the actual legal ceremony in their private Royal Suite by their private pool, followed by a religious church-style ceremony outside by another huge swimming pool next to the sea.

This combined wedding and honeymoon, is a popular solution for many couples, particularly for those with family connections abroad, as it guarantees lovely weather, and a fabulous location for the wedding pictures.  In this case it also made it easier for their family and friends who live in Sierra Leone to travel  to a nearby country within Africa.  By booking Reel Life Photos for their wedding they also were able to get the quality of storybook album their wedding deserved.  Hope you enjoy looking, as there are many lovely portraits of all their special people, and unusually for my brides and grooms, I was given complete creative freedom, not only to create the design, but also to choose the images I knew they would like.  Most couples spend hours choosing, but they trusted me to choose for them, which was wonderful.

If you are planning your wedding abroad or a multicultural wedding in the UK  contact Elaine – wedding photographer at Reel Life Photos .

cover of storybook showing the main avenue from the hotel down towards the sea at night

Inside the Royal Suite

Bride and groom’s family enjoying their holiday at Coco Ocean

Romantic sunset and palm trees – what more could you want!

private pool in Royal Suite at Coco Ocean

Civil marriage ceremony in the Royal Suite

The couple’s daughter helps her mummy get ready for the wedding

Love this page in as it floats in black and white and a touch of colour.

bride leaves the Royal Suite with her father to go to her church style wedding ceremony by the pool at Coco Ocean

The bride is given a lift with her father and children to the poolside where the wedding blessing will take place

wedding guests waiting as the bride arrives and joins the groom

This is just magical! Everyone seated as if in a church – but outside in brilliant light of day, protected by white parasols, with the water sparkling alongside the guests and a see view.

The reverend conducts the wedding blessing by the pool

Getting married here by the side of that pool , facing the sea, must be a dream come true

pictures of Coco Ocean wedding in The Gambia

The rings are blessed.

So romantic!

Bridesmaids hold a bouquet of simple bougainvillea as hymns are sung and the couple’s children watch impatiently.

Sunlight and shadows, fan and foliage. Magic!

Such a romantic place to get married!

This minute could last forever in their minds as we look at this picture of such a happy moment.

Groomsmen take it easy during the ceremony.

Love the sight of the yellow bridesmaids dresses against the exotic foliage as the bride and groom walk out together

Lots going on as the wedding ceremony finishes…

“Now what shall I choose”, thinks the bride and groom’s son, when offered an array of nibbles by not one, but two waiters.

A big group shot all round the pool – so colourful!

Such great colours and so many happy people!

Perfect location for family wedding pictures.

Family wedding photos at Coco Ocean

photos by the pool then off to the wedding reception

Love this reception area with the dynamic stripey floor, so organised this pic of all the guests taken from the mezzanine floor above

bride and her family and close friends inside Coco Ocean reception area

Can you imagine having your wedding here? Such a brilliant family in an equally exciting wedding venue.

The couple enter their wedding reception dancing, and gather their children to dance with them.

Time to celebrate over a wonderful meal!

Amazing food and culinary delights at Coco Ocean. Just a shame I had to leave to catch a plane that evening on the last Thomas Cook flight out of the Gambia before the rainy season started, and also to photograph another wedding in the UK the very next day!

Night has fallen so I grab the bride and groom before the dessert course and take pictures of them within the delightful geometric designs of the contemporary architecture.

With the whole day being behind schedule after the Gambian registrar arrived one hour late, the daylight hours vanished so night time pictures of the bride and groom were the only solution.

Such a happy wedding picture on the beach at night!

Fun wedding pic on the beach at night

The night air is warm and the ambience delightful, but the bride and groom need to get back to their wedding reception and I need to head off soon for the airport!

Goodnight! Time to say goodbye to this wonderful couple in this amazing wedding venue in the Gambia, to fly back to the UK for an Asian wedding in Bradford in the morning!

If you are planning your wedding abroad or a multicultural wedding in the UK  contact Elaine – wedding photographer at Reel Life Photos  or keep up to date with recent weddings on Facebook

Lovely way to arrive at their wedding – by helicopter – through blue skies

Beautifully presented wedding at Davenport Green Hall

Details of the wedding venue at Davenport Green Hall in Cheshire

I knew this was going to be a very unusual Asian wedding as first of all there was no stage – just a traditional top table, and beautifully presented tables, in a lovely old barn in Cheshire.   If you are planning your wedding and need any help, happy to do what I can, as have been a wedding photographer since 2000! See more on our website and Facebook page too.

xx Elaine

http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk  +44 7990867058

Cover of Italian wedding book

Paula and Wayne approached me before they had even secured their preferred wedding venue – the Lakeside Restaurant at Ponderosa in Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire.  They were over the moon when they managed to get not only  the church on the date they wanted – the 16 June, but also their chosen wedding venue and  ideal wedding photographer for their lively personalities!  These images below are all wedding pictures they chose to have in their storybook wedding album which will be printed in Italy by Graphistudio.

pages 2-3 of Paula and Wayne's wedding album

My lovely bride bride loves red

All ready to go to the church!

Guests arriving at St James Church in Heckmondwike are greeted by the smiling groom

the last guests are still arriving as the wedding car pulls up with the bridesmaids and they march swiftly up the slope to the church

bride arrives with her father-in-law but the ushers are all ready and the guests seated now.

The bride's daughter rushes to take up her position as the bride is ready to go into the church and stands laughing in the door arch of St James Church in Heckmondwike

Time to hand over the bouquet to her bridesmaid as the church ceremony begins

The bride and groom look round and laugh as the vicar asks if anyone knows of any lawful reason why they should not get married today!

The bride and groom are married as they exchange rings inside St James Church

Real signing of the register with the witnesses

Its raining so Reel Life Photos takes the big group shot inside the church

Now that was quick and easy wasn't it... The bride takes the lead and marches out down the aisle!

Few pics of parents and groom's gran, then off to Ponderosa, as it is raining!

Welcome drinks always seem to coincide with confetti... Great fun though!

Entrance of the bride and groom - at Ponderosa Lakeside Restaurant wedding venue

Inside the Lakeside Restaurant at Ponderosa

The top table looks so beautiful!

They look SO happy, and full of fun!

Like mushrooms sprouting after the rain, up pop the family wedding photos!

Family group for grandma

"Yes, the restaurant is shut to the public for us - see! "

Family and friends all enjoying the wedding party at Ponderosa

Quick its stopped raining - so lets get a few pics of the happy couple!

Paula and Wayne are definitely made for each other with their fun sense of humour

Now am sure they are only play fighting...

The little girl in the background, makes this image on the right!

The groom and his groomsmen know how to party!

This lovely June wedding day at Ponderosa Lakeside Restaurant was also blessed with a rainbow to add to the dramatic skies. See on the pictures of the groomsmen outside the wedding venue getting “Fresh Air” .

The children enjoyed their day, as much as the adults.

More fun at their evening wedding reception with first dance and more dancing

Somewhere over the rainbow...

Rainbow and wedding cake - great combination!

Big surprise along with the groom's karaoke performance...

Fun time as the lights go down...

The party goes on ...

If you are getting married at Ponderosa Lakeside Restaurant – or any other wedding venue in West Yorkshire or beyond, and want  fun wedding photographers, give Elaine a call on 07990867058

or visit our website  for more info.  If you would like a wedding album designing  for you and fancy something creative, happy to use a mixture of your ideas, as well as mine.

xx Elaine

Little girl crying real tears

What have you here on your shirt…

The little flower girl-bridesmaid had fallen down so was running to her mummy to kiss her better, as she had grazed her knee. A mother is always a mother – even if it is her wedding day!

The newly-weds can’t hold back their kiss any longer as they walk out from their wedding ceremony in Arrochar Three Villages Hall towards Loch Fyne and the Scottish mountains

This is the first time I have ever photographed a wedding ceremony in the woods, and it was in the winter too, so the couple were very brave!

If you want to see more natural wedding photos then have a look on our Facebook Page and website or call Elaine on 07990 867058 or 01924 430115

Is this a dagger I see before me....

It just so happened that one of the bride’s friends brought a rather late Christmas present for the little boy, the bride and groom’s son Adam,  and that was a joke box full of tricks.  It kept everyone amused too, as you can see…!

I think they liked playing on the steps while all the adults got on with wedding stuff!

Just lovely!

Such a happy couple!

Guess where she is...

Such fun photographing this loving couple!

Wow what a kiss!

Amazing how beautiful the bride looks just while sitting on the bed in the Thistle Suite at Smiths Hotel in Gretna Green.

Lesya was the first bride Elaine ever photographed in 2000, so no wonder it was super special to have the opportunity to capture her again! Contact Elaine  of Reel Life Photos if you fancy having her to photograph your special day too!

Emma and Steve touched our hearts with their love and dedication to each other.  Steve cut a dashing figure in his army uniform, and Emma with her radiant smile and slinky wedding dress at their summer’s wedding in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

Emma’s spectacular blue-grey shoes and a glass of orange juice to start the day!

Now for the dress…

P4-5

P6-7

Emma – wow!

wedding vows P10-11

P12-13 Sheer happiness!

Congratulations! P14-15

P16-17 – kissy kissy!

P18-19

p20-21 The red door…

P22-23 Off to the park…

P24-25 Emma and Steve on park bench in Richmond

P26-27 Family wedding pics

P28-29 Group,pic like fairies round the flowers…/ double page spread

Bride and groom with father

P32-33 Emma – with a smile so beautiful…

P34-35 with Emma and Steve

P 36-37 Such tender love!

p38-39

p40-41 Dashing Steve and Elegant Emma

P42-43 time to go and join the guests

“Just smelling Emma’s hair.” – How sweet!

P46-47 Emma and her Mum

beautifully presented tables!

First Dance and wedding cake

Emma and Steve really struggled to cut down their images to fit this 50 paged storybook !  It was initially only going to be 36 pages too!

xx Elaine  See more wedding pictures from hundreds of very different weddings all over the world on our main site http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk, or on our Facebook Page.

This is the second wedding we have covered for the same family of boys in the South Yorkshire town of Barnsley, so now we feel part of their extended family: many hours work – but all great fun.

Its a bit like a Stag-Do where the bridegroom is smothered in a turmeric paste and coloured powders, but in front of all his family and close friends in the garden of their family home.

Vibrantly coloured pigments ready for use in creating a Mayan wedding design

Wonder what this is going to be used for...

Let's start with a little snack before the ceremony starts

Such rich colours...

beautiful henna designs

hands fit for a magazine..

more beautiful henna designs

The women start to get ready for the ceremony.

The arty bit begins...

beautiful little detail...

birds-eye view of the art in progress

Art in the making...

Almost ready...

One of my favourite shots of the artists at work

Now we see the artists too...

All set!

The groom's mother make the first move. Here she is about to smear him with thick turmeric paste

Oh how they are loving it!

The groom's torment hots up!"

Oh such fun!

How carefully they avoid his eyes and mouth. Seems they all love him!

Ooh this is getting a bit daring!

I actually won first prize in an international  wedding  photography  competition – $1,000, from the Professional Wedding Photographers’ Network and was awarded the top wedding photographer excellence award for pictures from this couple’s Hindu wedding this year 2012, just days after the wedding had taken place!

More pics and wedding info on www.LeedsWeddingPhotographers.com

Interesting lighting makes all the difference when photographing an evening wedding reception.  or any other subject for that matter.  Its not easy to capture light within dark locations though. A compact camera flash will just white out all the beautiful colours and leave the image totally flat, so you can’t rely on family and friends to get good evening wedding reception pictures, though most professional wedding photographers will know how to capture the colours by underexposing  and bouncing the flash, so if you appreciate beautiful photos, it is a good idea to use an all-day wedding photographer to get these kinds of images.

Girl with balloons in colourful light

bride with DJ lighting at evening wedding reception

Such fun!

Almost like an impressionist oil painting! Like Mediterranean sun shining through a bamboo trellis...

Well, that is how my artistic mind views these images, comparing them to memories of sunlight streaming through the vine leaves and clusters of grapes hanging on a slatted  bamboo or wooden pergola in Greece, with the light patterns cast creating oil paintings in my mind – and even in reality (one of mine of such a theme is in a private collection in Germany) – as the shadows cast dramatise the remaining light.

A mother bends double to follow her small child through their obvious delight on the illuminated dance floor.

DJ-lit dance-floor which leads to the bride, as they follow the patterns of swirling light.

A mother twists the balloon string into her little boy's hand: so sweet!

Dancing with balloons...

These evening wedding guests sit peacefully in the semi-darkness, punctuated occasionally by bursts of light. They seem a little sad, or maybe just reflective on the day's events...

More fun with balloons chasing the lighting swirls...

Dancing through the light...through the night...endless enjoyment for young minds...

Wow! Caught in mid action, as the young girl races into the light. holding her string of balloons aloft.

First Dance fun!

Each image is different as the lighting creates a new impression every few seconds...

first dance fun for bride and groom

The evening wedding reception guests are happy socialising too.

Prezzies galore!

buffet time!

Wahoo! Fun continues...

All the girlies...

Dancing fun for everyone continues on into the night

glowing beads on a table...

black and white themed wedding cake

At last the couple are ready to cut their cake!

Smiles all round!

George sticks his tongue out in concentration! Night night all! xx Elaine

See www.LeedsWeddingPhotographers.com for more info

Cover showing the wedding ceremony on the front and the first dance on the back, Joanne in her romantically floaty white wedding dress

Joanne was bridesmaid at a wedding I photographed about 6 years ago, and Chris was Best Man at another wedding where I was the photographer in 2003,  before we went digital. Seems I stuck in their minds….!

Finishing touches and the bridal party is ready to set off...

Bridesmaids and bride's Mum at the house

Bride in the garden and flower girls - with flowers of course!

bride arrives looking like a model with that shapely white wedding dress!

The wedding party gathers in the waiting room

Here comes the bride...

Wedding rings and "... now proclaim you Man and Wife. You make kiss the bride!"

Such happiness, shared now as a new family unit!

Total joy!

photos by the wedding car

Chris and Joanne and white lillies

photos on the stairs

Groom Chris's parents with Joanne too.

bride Joane's parents and the new little family.

bridesmaids

family groups

Hog roast and cup cakes!

groomsmen's photos

fun photos!

speeches and fun!

All ages relax and enjoy this wedding!

Flowers for the Mums

The food was all maded by the groom's mum! First Dance follows the speeches.

Confetti Bomb fun photos!

dancing fun...

Check out Chris's expression!

Laugh a minute wedding!

To find out more about  Reel Life Photos wedding photographer Elaine, visit www.LeedsWeddingPhotographers.com

 

The bridesmaids hold up the wedding dress inside the Royal Suite where the bride is getting ready

The bride and bridesmaids are given a ride in the hotel buggy to get to the wedding ceremony by the pool, but reluctantly their daughter has to wait for the next trip down.

Bride and groom walk down the outdoor aisle to their pool side wedding ceremony next to the beach

Patches of light and shade show the tropical light and create wonderful patterns on the bride’s dress during their “church” wedding by the pool at Coco Ocean Hotel in The Gambia/

The wedding would not be complete with the blessing of their rings

If you are thinking of  getting married in the Gambia  – or anywhere else at all in the UK or abroad visit Reel Life Photos website http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk or call Elaine!

Smiles after exchanging rings by the sea

Dream wedding happiness

Such joy at being wed at last! Civil Ceremony kiss.

Bride and bridesmaids at the luxurious Coco Ocean Hotel in The Gambia

At last they got what I meant by a big group like a crowd together…Just had to get this foyer in the picure too. xx

Sunset kiss

You can see more pictures from  this wedding at Coco Ocean Hotel here

and their  Sierra Leone traditional cultural wedding here

If you are thinking of  getting married in the Gambia, at Coco Ocean Hotel, or anywhere else – or anywhere else at all in the UK or abroad visit Reel Life Photos website or call Elaine!

This was our second wedding in the Gambia.  The first was for Denise and Bax  who had a wonderful Gambian wedding day as well as an an outdoor Civil Ceremony  at the hotel.  I will soon have another wedding in the Gambia so watch out for new Gambian wedding pictures! This is the  Italian Storybook album  from the first wedding I photographed in The Gambia. xx Elaine

See more whole wedding, storybook albums, and wedding galleries on www.reellifephotos.co.uk or if you are getting married near Leeds try www.LeedsWeddingPhotographers.com

xx Elaine

Caina & Tony wanted to get married outdoors, rather than the traditional way in the UK. They were not put off by current English legislation (There has to be a roof at least for which a hefty fee has been paid to the council to “licence it”) which meant this beautiful ceremony would not be considered legally binding, as it was going to be their day (they did the legal bit beforehand). They chose Inter-Faith Minister Janette to conduct their wedding ceremony.

This is just few seconds of the wedding ceremony, showing the Element of Air in the fun bubbles ; such a beautiful idea too.

Right from the start when they were getting ready, they showed their love, as Tony struggled to place the necklace round Caina’s neck:

Groom lovingly puts on bride's necklace for her before they leave to get married outdoors in the woods.

Groom trying to put bride's necklace on for her, making her laugh!

Such love!

Lighting the candles at Caina & Tony's unusual wedding in the woods

Swans glide by to see what is going on...

Earth - the element and the smell of a hyacinth - gave Caina the strength to live - so a seemingly small thing such as this, plays a major role in their wedding ceremony

A simple gesture of love during Caina and Tony's outdoor winter wedding ceremony .

A really deep and meaningful wedding ceremony with Inter-Faith Minister Janette

Little candles in their holders, sweet liquid and sour lemons, and the four elements of earth, air fire and water, make this outdoor wedding ceremony in the middle of winter in the woods by a lake, truly  emotional.

Even bitter moments that make up life, can be shared, in hope of sweet ones to follow...

Sweetness follows the bitter lemons at Caina & Tony's wedding

Love keeps the bride and grom warm during their outdoor wedding ceremony ...

The couple pledge their love and are bound together by the Minister.

Group hug at Tony & Caina's wedding in the woods

Swans come to congratulate the bride and groom!

To contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos or  visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos – in the galleries, All Day Wedding Pictures and  more unusual and traditional wedding storybooks

You might also like to visit our Facebook Page, to see what we are up to and to see loads more pictures quickly.

back and front cover of Lake District wedding storybook

Emma & Luke piled into my car to join four special friends on Lake Windermere while we were waiting for their wedding venue to open, following their midday ceremony at Kendal Register Office. After a snack of crisps and ice-cream, the bride and groom and their entourage clambered aboard the road-train to go the the the Island Cruise boat at Bowness. There was a huge queue, but everyone kindly allowed the wedding party to board first and get the best seats on the top deck at the front.  The Captain sneaked up to me to ask what the bride and groom were called, then made a surprise public announcement welcoming the new Mr. and Mrs. onboard, cheered on by the Japanese tourists who in turn snapped away with their own cameras too.  On the way back the road-train driver kindly allowed the bride and groom to pose for pictures inside his cab, so they were both made to feel like stars for the day.

This album aims to show what a fun time everyone had at Emma & Luke’s wedding in the Lake District on Wednesday 31 August 2011.

Emma's bright red hair looks spectacular as she gets ready for her wedding

bride descending the stairs and arrivals at her wedding ceremony in Kendal

Emma and Luke getting married

Exchange of rings and signing the register

the witnesses pose while the violinist plays live in the background

Meet the newly-weds!

Now the real fun can begin...

last few pics outside the register office

Pic with the girls! Then off to Windermere for an ice-cream!

This was fun!

Off to catch the boat for a cruise round the islands on Lake Windermere

Emma and Luke are allowed to jump the queue to get the best seats!

Life on the ocean wave...well Lake Windermere!

Back on dry land...

the return journey

The road-train back and reflections on wedding car petrol cap

Just spotted this stone arch in the lane Burnside Cricket Club (the wedding venue)

Flowers for groom's Mum

happy family wedding photos

wedding group photos on the grass at the cricket club wedding venue

more fun chasing the bouquet

Best Man and Bridesmaid , groom with his Mum, and bridesmaid with Richard

Couldn't resist this delicious home-made food and seeing the kids dance like this

time for wedding cake and dancing!

Oh so much in love!

wedding cake love...

love the way the kids help grandma with the cake afterwards

Sealed with a real kiss: the end! (only of this chapter...)

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding or visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos! – in the galleries, All Day Wedding Pictures and storybook

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

Arrival of the groom at The Grand Banqueting Suite

Best men arrive with flowers as gifts for the bride

Gifts for the bride - elegant shoes she will wear on the final day of the wedding celebrations

Like any wedding, Asian weddings are full of their own unique traditions.  Here the groom’s family arrives at the Grand Banqueting Suite on Huddersfield Road, bearing well-chosen gifts for the bride.  Inside the Asian wedding venue – near Dewsbury in West Yorkshire – the bride is awaiting her groom on the stage, where her family’s gift to the groom are all neatly load out.

Shiny Serving Pods at Grand Banqueting Suite

clean and tidy, all ready to receive the wedding guests

Gifts for the groom laid out on the stage

Gifts for the groom

Children swing their feet while waiting for the groom's grand entrance

I have had to be selective in the images used for this story, so as not to reveal too much as yet, until the bride has had time to see and approve her wedding images.
See more from Reel Life Photos on www.LeedsWeddingPhotographers.com  and here from another Asian wedding in Bradford.

We have just completed a 3 day Asian wedding in Dewsbury and Batley and Ravensthorpe – all popular areas for UK residents whose families originate from India and Pakistan, so many of our wedding clients are Gujarati or Urdu or Arabic speaking Muslims,  Sikhs or Hindus.

I can’t as yet show you more than a few details till the couple get back from their honeymoon in Dubai and Mauritius, as they have requested to be the first to see their wedding photos.

Shadows reflected on an opaque door as the Asian make up artist plies her craft

Putting the finishing touches to the bride’s hands.

The bride's lenga (wedding dress) is laid out ready to wear

 

All ready to go...

A soft light catches the bride's long wedding scarf showing off its rich colours

Wedding jewellery completes the outfit

Bride puts on her earrings

See more from Reel Life Photos on www.Leeds WeddingPhotographers.com , or visit our Facebook page for literally thousands of whole wedding pictures.

xx Elaine

wedding proposal re-enactment

True love - 34 years on ... !

How romantic!

Roche Abbey standing tall

Isn't she lovely?

Is she a godess from Roman mythology I wonder...

Love the way the light caught her cheeks.

Togetherness

Majestic arch and brilliant sky frame this couple beautifully

Graham & Gill

the happy couple

Gill and Graham travelled all the way from Canada to renew their wedding vows in  South Yorkshire, to celebrate 34 years together and to have the big wedding they never had.  This will take place in a church today, so more piccies to follow!

One of my favourite pics of Gill and Graham here...

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding or visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos! – in the galleries, All Day Wedding Pictures and storybook

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

Our main website is: http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk  so after you have looked at these pics you might like to see more of my wedding photos…. ? More storybooks here – more wedding photos in the galleries and on Facebook in the albums there

xx Elaine

These Creole dancers performed in pitch black outside on the helipad by the sea at Lauren and Trevor’s Seychelles wedding reception. There was an official videographer there too (Michel T) , so this is just a basic clip I shot for myself (as the wedding photographer) on my Canon 5 D Mark II whilst also shooting photos.

Levana –  aged 9 and a half –  was my little assistant using one of my “big” cameras and two different “L” (top of the range) lenses during the first part of this wedding, up to the end of the beach ceremony, and several of her photos have been included by the bride and groom in this storybook wedding album.  She has been coming with me on wedding shoots since she was three , so know what to do, though its only in the past two years she has been allowed to use one of my professional cameras to participate in the photography.

This wedding was also videoed by Michel – a professional cameraman in the Seychelles.  He can be contacted on +2482510972 and his son Damien took over the assisting role once we arrived at the wedding reception venue.  Some of his photos have also been included, so many thanks to both my young assistants. xx Elaine

The earlier pages of this Italian storybook, showing the bride and groom and their families getting ready for the wedding, and Lauren & Trevor’s beach wedding ceremony in the Seychelles can be found here.

Sometimes I feel that  wedding photographers are frightened of colour and dull everything down to muted tones and plain black and white throughout.  That might be appropriate for some weddings in the UK and for certain couple’s tastes, but when in an exotic or vibrant environment,  its a shame to somehow avoid colour!  Having lived in Greece for 8 years where I brought up my family, I soaked up the Mediterranean light which in turn formed my artistic vision through my oil paintings and line drawings of people, and photography too.

I doubt Kate and William had a better wedding than this, though they did honeymoon in the Seychelles too!

Lauren and Trevor hand in hand at the end of their beach wedding ceremony

wedding party arrives at Cap Lazare

The little pictures show details of the personalised coconut-shell cups the welcome drinks were served in decorated by star fruit. the tropical leaves overlaid with white Frangipani flowers following the theme of green dresses for the bridesmaids, and banana crisps wrapped in funnels of banana leaves. Absolutely fantastic!

bride and groom make their official entrance to their reception at Cap Lazare

I originally designed these with the images of the bride and groom to the left and to the right in a  slightly smaller size, as believe space surrounding the images is important to display the photos better, but always listen to bride and groom’s personal views and preferences so this is a revised version to suit their tastes.

groom's sister Katherine plays a delightful flute recital for the wedding guests at the start of the wedding reception

Love the emotional hug from the groom for his sister after the flute performance while their Mum applauds and smiles with happiness too. All the bridesmaids had Frangipani flowers in their hair too, so overlaid this lovely image of Katherine onto a picture of the red flowers used.

Three loving sisters with their three loving partners

Under the above  photo here is of a sunlit dark green pool surrounded by palm tree fronds at the entrance to this Seychelles wedding venue at Cap Lazare in Mahe.  I really wanted to photograph the bride lying on the smooth undulating rocks at the side of this pool but it had rained heavily during our drive from the beach wedding ceremony to the reception venue, so it wasn’t to be…

bride's family who travelled mainly from the UK for the wedding in the Seychelles

happy moments before the wedding breakfast

Trevor’s Dad Emmanuel loved the idea of a pic that showed the blue sky above palm trees here

Groom's friendly family in the Seychelles

more of the groom's lovely family over clasped hands uniting both sides

Trevor and Lauren made this very creative seating plan board over a map of Mahe

photos of beautiful memories and giant shell in the Seychelles wedding venue loo

Seychelles wedding banquet! Exotic wedding food-yummie!

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding or visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos! More storybooks here – more wedding photos in the galleries, and whole weddings in  All Day Wedding Pictures

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

Magical movements of Creole dancing and first dance in the dark outside

More night-time dancing outside on the helipad

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding or visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos! – in the galleries, All Day Wedding Pictures and storybook

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

What abeautiful wedding cake!

Nearly forgot to throw the bouquet!

We bid a reluctant goodbye and good night to the end of Trevor & Lauren's wedding day

www.leedsweddingphotographers.com

Album cover

The location

bridal preparations with help from the family

Bride being helped by her Mum and sisters to get ready for her wedding in the Seychelles

Gorgeous Seychelles groom getting ready for his wedding

Amazing bride putting on her wedding dress in the Seychelles

Little Touches...

Groom's Mum and sister on background of Frangipani flowers

The veil

Don't they both look fantastic!

dream wedding location...

Time at last for Trevor & Lauren's dream wedding

Lauren is given away by her Mum

Dream beach wedding!

Lauren and Trevor say their wedding vows on the beach as planned

Catherine presents the rings inside twin shells: how romantic!

Lauren and Trevor chose to sign the register sitting on a rock at the edge of the clear blue sea.

watched by their witnesses Lauren & Trevor sign the register by the sea

Surreal! Bet nobody else signs the register on a rock in the Seychelles

time for a private cuddle...

Confetti and flower-lined beach aisle

What an amazing wedding location!

bride's close family

Groom's family

Congratulations!

Bride and her Mum.

Now its Lauren's turn...

Lauren and Trevor's special place

here come the happy couple!

More storybooks here  or visit our main site

You can call Elaine on +44 7990 867058 if you want to know more too. xx

Geese on the lake at Waterton Park Hotel

Spring at Waterton Park Hotel

View of Waterton Park Hotel, Walton Hall on the island

Weddings at Waterton Park Hotel are always very special due to the wonderful location on a private island on the lake

The trees are still fresh, as if Spring has only just unfurled, as the light catches the water while the fisherman cast their lines and the Geese go about their day….

Kirsty and Paul chose Waterton Park Hotel for their 15 May 2011 wedding day, which started bright and early with all the little ones in the large en-suite room in the new part of the building.  This room has changed quite a bit since our first ever wedding here in June 2002 for Lisa & Paul.  Gone is the four poster bed, replaced by normal beds… but the charming mirror is still there, just moved to a better light for makeup by the window.

wedding preparations 1

wedding preparations 2

preparations 3

preparations 4

preparations 5

two piece wedding dress bodice and skirt

bride's Mum fixing her Tiara

Tender moment with bride and her daughter

Little bridesmaids tickle the pageboy

cute little bridesmaid by the window

Little bridesmaids having fun by the mirror

Loads more pics still to come from this wedding, when I get a moment!! You can see them all online anyway under All Day Wedding Pictures on our site. See below…

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding or visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads more wedding photos and storybooks

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

Lauren and Trevor found us on Facebook a year ago and clicked  “Like” on Reel Life Photos Facebook Page. They are such a lovely couple I thoroughly enjoyed giving them a pre-wedding engagement portrait session in Sheffield. They had their honeymoon on one of the lovely islands in the Seychelles following their beach wedding on Mahe.

Little wedding photographer Levana and I both covered their Seychelles wedding and at the reception venue in Cap Lazare, we were joined by Damien, another young wedding photographer but from the Seychelles.

The couple chose to get married in the Seychelles as the groom’s family are all from there, and decided on April as it is usually  the driest month. However on the wedding day, the beach wedding nearly didn’t happen as the clouds decided to to drop their load on the individually embroidered  towels laid out on the beach with personalised white paper fans!  The downpour stopped just long enough for the ceremony and a few pics before letting loose again with renewed vigour as we drove the half-hour’s ride to the wedding venue at Cap Lazare.

wedding car waiting to take bride Seychelles beach

Groom adjusting his bandanna

Guests shelter in the shade before the beach wedding ceremony starts.

bride and her Mum walking down Frangipani flower- strewn beach aisle

The wedding ceremony begins

Novel location to sign the register…on a rock on the beach!

Mystical bride gazing pensively out to sea

Just married!

Confetti tropical style

magical canopy of tropical foliage envelopes the newly-weds

The dried flower confetti accentuates Lauren’s trailing silk wedding dress as she glides over the sand under a canopy of tropical trees.  Paradise!

Time for a hug!

True Love on a magical Island

Lauren smiles as she looks up at her newly-wed husband Trevor

wedding reception venue at Cap Lazare

official arrival of the bride and groom at Cap Lazare

Katherine gives her brother a hug

Loving bride and groom

Glowing love

private moment at Cap Lazare

the open-sided wedding venue is ideal for the reception meal

first dance on the helipad at night lit only by one video light

Creole Dancers

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding – anywhere in the whole world – or visit https://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos – in their storybook   or visit some of our wedding galleries  and on our Facebook page

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

https://www.reellifephotos.co.uk.

We often get asked what our albums are like, so here are a few pics mainly taken at various wedding fairs in West Yorkshire . xx Elaine

Reel Life Photos storybook wedding albums

Display of wedding DVDs and wedding storybooks

and a few more album pictures on display at Dewsbury Town Hall in Yorkshire

Reel Life Photos storybook albums at Dewsbury Town Hall

Reel Life Photos wedding storybooks at Dewsbury Town Hall

Reel Life Photos wedding storybook albums

Reel Life Photos wedding story books

wedding storybook albums and ice Hotel pic on laptop screen

And at our latest wedding fair in The Light Shopping Centre in Leeds in January 2012 – a very popular show!

Children looking at Reel Life Photos storybook wedding albums

Reel Life Photos storybook wedding albums at wedding fair in the Light in Leeds

Reel Life Photos storybook wedding albums at wedding fair in the Light in Leeds

Reel Life Photos wedding photographer Elaine chatting with brides to be.

Two of our Italian wedding albums: the one at the front is of a beach wedding in The Seychelles

Photos and paintings at Reel Life Photos

The other side of Reel Life Photos reception.

See storybook wedding pictures as individually designed for each bride and groom personally by Elaine

Return to Reel Life Photos main website here: www.reellifephotos.co.uk

storybook album cover from wedding at Gomersal Park Hotel

This particular storybook album has – as always – been designed not only with the bride and groom’s own choice of images from their wedding, but also as requested by them to have interesting backgrounds, rather than just standard plain white or black.  All the backgrounds are created  using pictures from the individual wedding , so all contribute to the unique aspect of each and every hand-designed page.  Hope you like it! xx Elaine (wedding photographer and storybook designer)

Please visit www.LeedsWeddingPhotographers.com to see more local wedding pictures from around West Yorkshire, or to contact Elaine about your wedding photography.

wedding storybook album page 1

the flowers have arrived - Wahoo...

bride getting ready for wedding - helped by her bridesmaid and Mum

Sunlight streams into the room where the flower girls are getting ready...

on with the shoes - for little flower girl, and on with the earrings for the bride...

Little Maids All in a Row...

waiting for the bride to arrive...

Jodie - looking forward to her wedding day, where her brother is to give her away.

walking down the aisle

pageboy!

Exchange of wedding rings.

exchange of rings

Loving Touch...

Happy bride and groom!

bride kisses her son the pageboy

pageboy playing with the church candles while his parents kneel at the altar

Flower girls arranging the bride's train in church

Just married!

Too windy outside for wedding photos!

family wedding photos in church

Its a bit windy as guests leave church...

Hold onto your hat grandma!

Cheers, as bride and groom leave the church and arrive at their wedding reception venue

traditional wedding pics outside Gomersal Park Hotel in West Yorkshire

Confetti and Cuddles by the Wedding Car

I decided to turn the confetti pic into a black and white wedding photo, as although beautiful in colour too, it had too many different colours to hang together properly in the album.

Groom's family on steps outside Gomersal Park Hotel and bridesmaid fishing confetti out of the bride's dress!

pics of Table layout at wedding venue, best man with groom, & Bride's family photo

Happy and relaxed, as the cameras go click!

bride and groom walk down to the lake

all smiles...

Ah, aren't they a lovely couple!

I normally avoid green grass as a backdrop for wedding photos, as feel it tends to clash with most bride’s flowers and colouring, but in this case, by making use of the right patch of light,  and the bride’s unusual lemon roses, it very much suits Jodie and Scott’s relatively traditional wedding.

Gentle romance down by the hidden lake

The usually undemonstrative groom goes with the flow – even holding the wedding bouquet and laughing! The soft background behind these images elevate it from the ordinary to the extraordinary – with a subtle feeling of relaxation and gentle light.

Wedding speeches - action and reaction...

Wedding Speeches

Table plan and happy wedding guests.

Flowers and gifts for the mothers.

Jodie and Scott both smile naturally on the happiest day of their life

bride and groom's families

family wedding photos in storybook album set on a sky background from the same day

Groom with his Mum and bride with her Mum

cutting the cake and start of the first dance

Guests enjoy the summer's evening outside Gomersal Park Hotel

Evening wedding reception with romantic first dance

dancing the night away...

fun goes on into the night...

back of wedding album storybook

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding or visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos! – in the galleries, All Day Wedding Pictures and storybook

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

Pomp and grandeur ooze in this Roman Baths setting for Ice Hotel Bride and Groom's UK Reception

Masked Ball at the Pumphouse in Bath

Masked Bride and Groom

The masked wedding couple walk hand in hand to their UK wedding reception

Zoe and Steve's evening wedding reception with masks and period costumes

Even the table runner is part of Zoe & Steve's Ice Hotel wedding theme

wedding guests lift their masks to enjoy a drink

Cute Orville mask...or some sort of duck anyway!

Bride's step-mum with the perfect fan for the occasion

smart black tie and arty masks

Smart mask compliments demeanour

The masks perfectly add to the occasion!

See here to contact Elaine of Reel Life Photos about your wedding or visit http://www.reellifephotos.co.uk to see loads and loads more wedding photos! – in the galleries, All Day Wedding Pictures and storybook

xx Elaine and Cuban videoman Jorge

Such attention to detail.  Even the chocolates have the same design – specially selected by Zoe and Steve.  They were also amongst the delights served at their small family wedding reception in the Ice Hotel restaurant following their wedding there. See some of their Ice Hotel wedding pics here.

Don't they just look the part...guests during the speeches

Now these two caught me out - posing together, when they are not!

Best man's speech

First Dance

the dance floor is open!

just a bit of fun at the end of the day!

If you want to see more from Elaine, their wedding photographer who travels all over the world, then visit www.LeedsWeddingPhotographers.com