Mark Miller photoblog

Those of you who have had a pre-wedding shoot know that I LOVE to go to the beach, but Ruth and Stephen wanted something a little closer to Ruth’s family home – Middleton One Row, which is about 5 mins from my house.  Middleton One Row is a gorgeous little village that looks out over the River Tees and at this time of year it’s very green and very pretty.

Ruth and Stephen were (as many of my couples are), pretty anxious about the session.  Ruth in particular isn’t a fan of her picture being taken.  I’m pleased to report that the session was a success – in that Ruth relaxed and now the photography holds no fears for her on wedding day – we’re off to the lovely Headlam Hall in November.

Here are some of my favourites from the session.  You’ll find the rest in the Viewing Lounge.

I had a great time along the river bank at Corbridge with Becci and Jon on their Pre-wedding shoot.  They’d just returned from a ‘Tan-touchup’ holiday in the Caribbean – lucky things!

Becci and Jon are getting married at the gorgeous Eshott Hall in Northumberland later this year.  I’m really looking forward to shooting at Eshott – it’s recently been voted as one of the top 100 wedding destinations in the world – the only one in the North East of England (read the article here).

Here are a few of my favourites from the shoot – the rest are in the Viewing Lounge.

Sunday – Wedding Day!!!  It’s raining!!!  Oh no!!!  During the preparations we went from the wet weather plan to the dry weather plan and back again about 10 times (a slight exaggeration) but Nick had the final, optimistic, call and got it right – we had gorgeous sunshine the whole afternoon.

The ceremony the garden at Moulin le Coq was full of special, personal touches.  Anna’s Uncle presided over the ceremony, Nick’s brother sang, the vows were written themselves and the ceremony was on the same Gazebo/Pagoda (the name kept changing) that Nick proposed in.  It was just gorgeous.

Then we were off to Châteaux de Messy for wine tasting, including a wine that was made in 1998, the year Anna and Nick got together.

Whilst everyone travelled on to the restaurant, I stole Anna and Nick for a trip to a vineyard that I’d scouted out.  For me this was the highlight of the weekend  (I think Anna and Nick were pleased with the idea as well!).  Beautiful scenery, a cool breeze and peace and quiet – just what we needed.

The food at Au Relais D’Ozenay prepared by Chef Florian Giraud was stunning, and as for the speeches – they were the best I’ve ever heard at a wedding.  They were hilarious, touching, romantic, embarrassing (a 10 year old secret to do with carpets was revealed!) and competitive (we had a touch of Britain’s got Talent, although I think that Dan, the MC was the winner).

And that’s it, Fini.  An amazing wedding with lovely people, fantastic food, stunning scenery and (finally) wonderful weather.

Enjoy some of the pictures below (and in the other posts).  The rest will be online in The Viewing Lounge at the end of the week.

Saturday, and the celebrations begin!

A walk around Tournus market was followed by a picnic, boules and (full contact) rounders. A gorgeous (but rainy) BBQ occupied Saturday evening at Le Chardon in Chardonnay. I tried a local speciality – Andouillettes – a pork sausage I was told. Whilst that definition is true, it doesn’t use the bits of the pig we normally refer to as Pork. Here’s the wiki link and you must read this person’s experience of these sausages. I thought it was quite nice though.