ALEX & AMELIA | SALTMARSHE HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER | WEST YORKSHIRE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
In July 2019 I had the pleasure of being Alex & Amelia’s Saltmarshe Hall Wedding Photographer. Here is the story of their fantastic day.
THE PROPOSAL
For my birthday, I had asked Alex for a weekend away, perhaps a city break somewhere abroad. We had always talked about visiting Rome or Paris and a couple of days before my birthday, he surprised me with tickets to Paris for the weekend. Excited to see as much of Paris as possible, I started booking various attractions and had planned to cover some distance across Paris only then for Alex to tear the ligaments in his ankle during a rugby match the day before we flew! So I walked and Alex hobbled in his moon boot on a romantic weekend around Paris. On my birthday eve, we got all dressed up and went for dinner at a lovely restaurant called The Victoria by the Arc de Triomphe and on our way out to dinner we stopped at the Arc for a few sunset pictures and that was when he popped the question and I said yes. I should have suspected it really because he had taken the trouble to take the boot off and put a suit on for dinner.
THE VENUE
Saltmarshe Hall was the first venue we went to visit and it had everything we were looking for. The whole day in one place and enough rooms for our close friends and family. The age and character of the building fitted in with our theme. The grounds are beautiful and the staff were very welcoming, organised and calm which is definitely what you need as the big day gets closer.
THE DRESS
I lost count of the number of dresses I tried on and places we went to. My bridesmaids, aunt and mum took it in turns to come with me to various bridal shops. I eventually found Abigails in Leeds where I went with my mum and maid of honour. They stocked dresses by Stella York who I had seen in magazines and online but hadn’t found a retail stockist up to that point. I would have bought her entire collection, pennies permitting! I settled on a princess style with a sweetheart neckline and a Mikado skirt. I must say that I did have second, third and even fourth thoughts about it all the way up to the wedding and I was concerned that Alex would expect to see me in something more fishtail or fitted and despite the countless fitted dressed I tried on, none of them looked quite right. To my surprise on the day though, he said he had imagined I would wear a princess style. Perhaps I should take his fashion advice more often.
THE GROOMSMEN’S SUITS
The suits were from TM Lewin and only a month before the wedding. Alex bought them each an engraved hip flask.
THE WEDDING DAY THEME
Our theme started out as the Great Gatsby (1920s). However, as time went on we were concerned about it becoming a fancy dress party and so in the end, it became more of a subtle art deco style. Colours were white, navy blue and gold. We had white ostrich feathers and pearls in the centre pieces which were tall martini glasses. Bridesmaid dresses and suits were navy blue. The backs of the chairs were dressed with white and pearl broaches. The stationary was navy blue with gold art deco writing and the favours were in little gold bags.
THE FLOWERS
We used All Occasions in Howden who we had met at the wedding fayre at Saltmarshe Hall. I had seen their example wedding set up at Saltmarshe and essentially wanted to copy that. We went for white roses and lots of green foliage. We also dressed the stair case with plants which was their idea and lovely because now they are planted in our garden.
THE HAIR & MAKEUP
We went to Sessions Spa in Beverley. I used them because my mum and I have been to them for hair and beauty for a number of years and my cousin used them for her wedding. They set up in one of their beauty spa rooms with an ensuite, music and drinks. It was like having a little pre-wedding party with the mums and bridesmaids. The make-up was Delilah which I would definitely recommend for a natural long-wearing look.
THE PHOTOGRAPHER
We met David at the Saltmarshe Hall wedding fayre. We loved some of his example shots we saw on that day (e.g. the champagne shot) and the quality of the wedding books. We enjoyed chatting to him on the day so we booked him there and then! We were soo happy we picked David as our Saltmarshe Hall Wedding photographer. David’s professionalism but also ability to mix with our guests in a friendly manner made everyone feel at ease and we can’t stop looking at our wedding photo’s! They are amazing, and the wedding album we have is stunning. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend David to all my friends and family.
THE CEREMONY
I felt very nervous walking down the aisle but at the same time, overwhelmingly happy. The ceremony was lovely, the readings from my brother and Alex’s sister were beautiful. The point I don’t think I will forget (and if I do, I am sure everyone will remind me) was when I misheard the registrar during the vows and said that “I know of no unlawful impediment”. The registrar made good fun of it and it has provided my friends with plenty of material for banter since. Alex said he was “blown away” and overwhelmed when he first saw me.
THE RECEPTION, WEDDING BREAKFAST AND EVENING
The day definitely went by too fast. It was wonderful to see all of our friends and families dancing, laughing and having fun together – all ages. Our special moment was when we had the photos (champagne shots) under the trees on the evening with our family and bridal party. It was great to get everyone together, being silly and lots of banter. The girls piggy backing the boys, etc. We also loved the speeches – full of humour and embarrassing moments for us both and a very questionable lawn mower analogy from the groom’s father.
THE CATERING
Saltmarshe Hall provided our food. It was exquisite and they catered so well for all of our guest’s dietary requirements. All my guests commented on how good the food as, and we loved our meal.
SUPPLIERS
Venue Saltmarshe Hall
Saltmarshe Hall Photographer David Conway Photography
Dress Shop Abigail’s Bridal Boutique
Groomsmen TM Lewin
Flourist All Occasions of Howden
Hair & Makeup Sessions Spa, Beverley
Music Jonny Ross Music
THE FIRST DANCE
Senorita by Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello mashed with Mi Gente by J Balvin. It was a surprise for everyone, especially the Mi Gente mash up. Set the tone for the evening to come.
THE MUSIC
Jonny Ross Music. We had a DJ and sax. They were also at the Saltmarshe Hall Wedding Fayre, and they did a great job keeping the party going late into the night.
THE WEDDING DAY
Truly the best day of our lives. We didn’t want it to end and I don’t think any of our guests did either. Everyone has asked us if we want to renew our vows so that we can do it all over again. And if we did, we’d have David as our Saltmarshe Hall wedding photographer all over again!
See more of David Conway Photography at his Facebook Page here