![Gay wedding in Leeds at the Woodlands](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_5779.jpg)
Everyone was told to come in black. The bride wore a full-length jewel-encrusted black laced gown and her civil partner a decorative black suit and cravat. The setting? – the Woodlands Hotel in Leeds.
A year or so ago I had wandered into the drop-in centre at Dewsbury Hospital with my granddaughter I think, and got talking to a lovely lady called Anne. I gave her a business card and she passed it on to her sister, Dawn. So that’s how I ended up being booked to cover this unusual event.
![Civil partner Helen arrives in the Limo at the Woodlands in Leeds with her Mum](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_5550.jpg)
Civil partner Helen arrives with her family in a black Limo, then is photographed with her Mum.
![Civil partner Helen arrives at wedding venue in Leeds](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_5558.jpg)
Civil Partner Helen greets her guests at the Woodlands in Leeds.
![bride Dawn descends staircase at Woodlands in Leeds to go to her civil partnership wedding](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_5647.jpg)
Dawn goes down the staircase to have her civil partnership wedding.
![gay bride and groom after civil partnership ceremony by red painting inside the Woodlands in Leeds](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_6091.jpg)
![civil partnership couple look lovingly at each other by painting on staircase at the Woodlands in Leeds](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_6442.jpg)
![Surprise helicopter ride organised by gay bride Dawn for civil partner Helen](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_6236.jpg)
Dawn arranged a surprise helicopter ride for her civil partner, Helen and two passengers.
![gay bride and Groom Helen & Dawn inside helicopter before surprise flight over Leeds](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_6245.jpg)
![passionate gay kiss after civil partnership wedding in Leeds](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_6425.jpg)
![Gay couple in bridal suite at the Woodlands after civil partnership in Leeds](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_6453.jpg)
![gay couple after civil partnership in bath inside the Woodlands bridal suite](http://weddingphotos-video.co.uk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/_mg_6471.jpg)
After this photo was taken, Dawn accidentally knocked the taps on and jumped screaming – with laughter – from the bath!
See more on our Leeds wedding photography site or our rather cluttered International site