Laura Jane & David | Preston Park and The Wainstones Hotel

January 22, 2014January 22, 2014 | SallyT

Laura Jane and David’s wedding was one of the craftiest and most colourful days I’d ever seen. They married at Preston Park Museum before having their reception at the Wainstones Hotel in Great Broughton. Laura Jane created so much for this day, including illustrating all the table names and invitations.. creating felt bouquets.. matching the cake, button holes and table centres to those amazing sunshine-bright felt flowers.. their day was so, so personal and every element reflected them as a couple, from including Alpacas at the reception (yes, really) which was a nod to where they got engaged, to having their dog Wazzle (who you may recognise from their engagement shoot) as a cake topper. Their quirky and bright wedding has also been featured on blog Whimsical Wonderland Weddings, where you can also read about what Laura Jane wrote about their day. Wonderful stuff, I love these two.

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Jessa & Stuart | Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich

January 15, 2014January 15, 2014 | SallyT

I hopped on the train down to London from Middlesbrough to shoot Jessa & Stuart’s wedding on a gorgeous Summer weekend. It was hot. I headed over to Greenwich on the morning and families were scooting and having picnics in the parks.. and people were starting to mill around the banks of the Thames with cold pints and pub food. Jessa was getting ready at The Greenwich Hotel London, which had the most amazing views.. and as I chatted to her Mum and Dad on the morning of the wedding it turns out their family used to live on a road about half a mile from where I lived at the time.. such a small world. Everything about this wedding was ‘just so’, gorgeous flowers, Jessa looked unbelievable in her pearl embellished dress, they had a really vocal set of guests who whooped and cheered them through the day, and as they did their first dance the most amazing golden light bounced across the river and poured through the windows of the Trafalgar Tavern. An amazing wedding and a perfect London Summer evening.. What could be better..?
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2014.. Hopes.

January 10, 2014January 10, 2014 | SallyT

I’ve been thinking about what I hope for this year over the past week or so; it’s easy to set similar goals to last year (and the year before) but after doing quite well with my resolution list from last year I’ve decided to set a few out and see how I get on. So here goes.

..More personal work

Last year I took time to do more personal work on the side.. and it’s something I’d like to keep doing. I’ve started a 365 project as a first step, hopefully I’ll make a project book at the end if I complete it. I’d also like to experiment with film more.. and actually stay on top of getting my films developed and blogged.

..Take care of myself

Instead of generic ‘get fit’ and ‘lose weight’ resolutions, I’m just going to try to look after myself more. Better skin care, eating more fruit and veg, fresh air and exercise.

(^^^ Vivienne in Roundhay Park, searching for conkers ^^^)

..Make a home from a rented house

I love our home, but anyone else who rents will understand the feeling of it not really being ‘yours’. We have a lovely flexible landlord and this year I’d really like to touch up our house and try and make it more organised (including a dreaded wardrobe clear out.. and a few cameras too) and feel more like a home. I’d also like to finish a few paintings for the walls, and craft a few bits and pieces with Vivienne too.

..Keep on top of my personal blog

Which now unfortunately includes sorting out the backlog from last year when I totally let it slide..

(^^^ Vivienne and me on NYE .. Vivienne before the Gruffalo at Middlesbrough Town Hall .. My bessie Louise and me – she’s getting married this year! (Watch this space..) ^^^)

..Carry on appreciating the every day

I need to carry a camera for the day-to-day more regularly. I used to use my ‘big’ camera much more when Vivienne, Dav and I were out and about.. now I seem to rely on my iPhone most of the time. I’d like to make the effort more to take photos of the everyday – time flies and it scares me how quickly Vivienne is growing up. Yesterday I turned my computer off and played with Vivienne for ages.. and I realised that I hadn’t set time aside to play for ages. Instead of flitting between office and toy room I’m going to take time out for her more.

(^^^ L-R A wonderful ‘Thank You’ gift from Emma and Ben .. Sylvanians with Vivienne .. Christmas chaos .. Leeds museum .. Vivienne took this picture, I love it .. Glitter crafting at Preston Park Museum ^^)

..Make plans to travel

Next year I’m lucky enough to be doing a few more destination weddings, but I really fancy a family adventure. This was on my list last year, and whether it’s a few weeks doing interrail or we start saving for a family Route 66.. I really just want to put some plans in place to take off with my favourite twosome.

Rosie & Jon | Arpino, Italy

January 6, 2014January 7, 2014 | SallyT

Right.. let’s crack on with ‘back to work’ January shall we? After pretty much switching off for Christmas I still have a handful of posts to share from last year’s weddings. So here goes.

Rosie and Jon married in Italy back in July (remember when it wasn’t grey and wet outside? Me neither.) in a small mountain village called Arpino, about an hour from Rome. Rosie is my sister-in-law, and my father-in-law’s grandmother came from this tiny rural village all those years ago.. I knew it would be beautiful.. I also hoped for amazing light, wine in the piazza amongst the best company and lots of fresh, good food. It all happened, and in all it’s simplicity it was a wonderful trip for a wonderful occasion. Rosie and Jon married in front of their children, friends and family before wandering through the streets to celebrate in the only hotel for miles. It rained as they walked out, which is apparently a blessing, and a good handful of us, fueled by prosecco and music, didn’t get to bed until the sun was peeking from across the valley..

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