Oh S**t! I need a Wedding Photographer! - Part 1

So you have begun your wedding planning journey and it’s now time to look for a photographer; what do you need? what are these different styles….good god there are SO many photographers….overwhelming right?

Well, if you search how much an average wedding costs these days, it will tell you it’s around £20,000-£21,000! so in the grand scheme of things, if you were to book me for eight hours that is roughly 4-5% of your total wedding costs! and the photos are some of the most tangible things that you will be left with after the big day is done and the hangovers have cleared.

Photographer’s are getting younger! Keep him away from the Bar!!!

For the folk saying “How Much?!?!? 21K!!!” I hear you and it is definitely possible to do a wedding at a significantly less cost and I’m here for you as well!

So Photography Styles? What do we have?

• Classic & Traditional - This focuses on posed, formal portraits and capturing the key moments.

• Characteristics of Traditional Wedding Photography

  • Structured poses directed by the photographer

  • Classic family wedding group photos

  • Clear, well-lit compositions

  • Focus on important moments like ring exchange, cake cutting, first dance, etc

• Best For

  • Couples who want timeless wedding photos

  • Families who value formal group portraits

  • Religious or formal ceremonies

• Pros

  • Very organised

  • Ensures important family photos are captured

  • Timeless look

• Cons

  • Can feel less natural or spontaneous
    
    

• Documentary Wedding Photography - This style captures the day as it naturally unfolds, like a visual story.

• Characteristics

  • Candid moments

  • Little to no posing

  • Real emotions and interactions

  • Photographer acts as an observer

• Best for

  • Couples who want a natural storytelling approach

  • Relaxed weddings with lots of interaction

  • People who dislike posing

• Pros

  • Authentic and emotional

  • Captures genuine reactions

• Cons

  • Less control over lighting and composition

  • Fewer formal portraits unless requested

• Editoral Wedding Photography - Is a style that captures weddings with fashion-inspired posing, dramatic composition and magazine-style storytelling.

• Characteristic

  • Dramatic poses

  • Strong direction from the wedding photographer

  • Stylish compositions and lighting

  • High-end fashion feel

• Best for

  • Fashion-forward couples

  • City weddings or luxury venues

  • Couples who like bold wedding photos

• Pros

  • Very striking and stylish

  • Unique, high-impact images

• Cons

  • Requires more time and posing

So that’s probably a bit too much rambling for one blog and not really enough said!….so, yeah! there’s gonna be more

Thanks and well done if you have made it this far.

Celebrants - What are they?

A Vowel Renewal at the Crown Spa Hotel in Scarborough

As a Scarborough wedding photographer, I’ve seen first-hand how more and more couples are choosing celebrant-led weddings for a deeply personal and meaningful ceremony. If you're planning a wedding in Scarborough or anywhere in North Yorkshire, a celebrant ceremony offers complete flexibility, beautiful storytelling moments, and incredible opportunities for natural, emotive photography.

What Is a Celebrant Wedding?

A celebrant wedding is a fully bespoke ceremony created around you as a couple. Unlike traditional religious or registrar-led ceremonies, an independent celebrant takes time to understand your story, your values, and your vision for your wedding day.

Based in Scarborough, Diana Wilkinson is an Independent Celebrant who crafts personalised wedding ceremonies across Yorkshire and neighbouring counties. She works closely with each couple to design a ceremony that reflects their personalities and relationship.

A celebrant-led ceremony can include the couple’s lovingly told love story, meaningful symbolic rituals such as handfasting, a sand ceremony or a quaich (loving cup) ceremony, as well as spiritual or cultural elements. Of course, it can also include all the traditional moments you would expect, such as vows, ring exchanges, poetry and readings, all thoughtfully woven together into a seamless and heartfelt celebration.

A Ring and rope for a ceremonial hand-fastening ceremony

Freedom to Marry Anywhere in Scarborough

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a celebrant wedding in North Yorkshire is freedom.

Your ceremony can take place:

• On Scarborough Beach at sunrise

• In a woodland clearing

• In your own garden

• At a countryside venue

• Beneath the stars

• Along the dramatic Yorkshire coastline

Tying the knot!

About Diana Wilkinson – Independent Celebrant in Scarborough

Diana Wilkinson is a qualified and insured Independent Celebrant based in Scarborough. She creates bespoke wedding ceremonies, as well as:

• Vow Renewals

• Commitment Ceremonies

• Naming Ceremonies

Her passion lies in designing meaningful celebrations that reflect each couple’s individuality.

Please click the link below to see what Diana offers

https://yourceremonybydiana.co.uk/

Diana Wilkinson

Planning a Celebrant Wedding in Scarborough?

If you're dreaming of a beach wedding, woodland ceremony, or a completely personalised celebration in North Yorkshire, a celebrant wedding could be perfect for you.

And if you're searching for a Scarborough wedding photographer to capture those heartfelt, unscripted moments, I’d love to chat about your plans.

Film Photography and Weddings

So film photography?

Do we like it or is it just a bit of a trend?

For me, done in the right way it can be a great alternative to the world of AI that we see burgeoning on our screens. Do we really need more ChatGPT cartoons? they are fun for a couple of minutes but that isn’t a sentence for wedding photos…is it?

I feel that a roll or two of film could make for a unique yet nostaligic keepsake. Warm tones, a bit of grain, direct flash, red eyes, light leaks and not always a sharp image can add an air of realism to your day.

I’m not hear to argue against digital photography as the cost of taking hundreds of photos on film would be ungodly, time-consuming and digital photography is more likely to guarantee successful wedding photography.

So here are a few samples of what can be done with a simple point and shoot film camera from the 1990s and a roll of Portra 800 and yes, I have included a happy accident in here!

If this is something that you would like as an additional extra, then please lets have a chat!

Self-Development

Wedding Photography Workshop at Carlton Towers, North Yorkshire

As a North Yorkshire wedding photographer, I’m always looking for ways to refine my craft and deliver the very best experience for my couples. Recently, I invested in my professional development by attending a wedding photography workshop led by five-time UK Wedding Photographer of the Year, Chris Chambers Photography.

The workshop took place at the stunning Carlton Towers wedding venue near Goole, North Yorkshire — a breathtaking historic stately home that provides an incredible backdrop for elegant and timeless wedding photography.

Wedding Photography Training at a Luxury North Yorkshire Venue

Despite the cold, grey and misty Yorkshire weather, the conditions created a beautifully atmospheric setting. Learning to adapt to challenging light is an essential skill for any professional wedding photographer, and this workshop focused heavily on:

• Natural light wedding photography

• On-camera flash techniques

• Off-camera flash setups

• Creative lighting for dramatic wedding portraits

• Confident posing and direction

Working with models Cam and Lanina allowed us to practise real-world wedding scenarios, from romantic couple portraits to dynamic editorial-style imagery.

Why Professional Development Matters in Wedding Photography

Wedding photography is constantly evolving. Investing in advanced training ensures I can offer my couples:

• Confident handling of any lighting conditions

• Creative, modern wedding imagery

• A calm and professional approach on the day

• High-quality results at luxury venues such as Carlton Towers, Grand Villa Heights, and across the North Yorkshire Coast

I left the workshop inspired, energised, and full of new ideas to bring to future weddings.

Planning Your North Yorkshire Wedding?

If you're getting married at Carlton Towers, Grand Villa Heights, or anywhere across North Yorkshire, I’d love to hear about your plans.

Whether you're planning a coastal wedding on the North Yorkshire Coast or a stately home celebration inland, professional lighting knowledge and creative direction make all the difference to your wedding gallery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Carlton Towers?
Carlton Towers is a historic wedding venue near Goole in North Yorkshire, known for its grand architecture and elegant interiors.

Why does flash photography matter at weddings?
Professional flash techniques allow photographers to create consistent, beautiful images in low light, winter weddings, and evening receptions.

Do you photograph weddings across North Yorkshire?
Yes — I cover weddings across the North Yorkshire Coast, York, Goole, and surrounding areas.

Book Your North Yorkshire Wedding Photographer

If you're looking for relaxed, creative wedding photography with expert lighting knowledge and a calm approach, get in touch today to check availability and discuss your wedding plans.

Wedding Fayre Time!

Grand Villa Heights Wedding Fayre – A Scarborough Wedding Photographer’s First Experience

As a Scarborough wedding photographer, exhibiting at my first wedding fayre was a big milestone — and there was no better place to do it than the stunning Grand Villa Heights on the North Yorkshire Coast.

If you're currently planning a wedding at Grand Villa Heights or Solara Shores, this venue truly is one of the most impressive luxury wedding locations in North Yorkshire.

Why Grand Villa Heights Is a Standout North Yorkshire Wedding Venue

Having photographed a wedding here in August 2025, I already knew how beautifully this venue operates. The team at Grand Villa Heights manage large, high-end weddings with calm professionalism — exactly what couples want on their wedding day.

With breathtaking coastal views and elegant interiors, it’s easy to see why this is becoming one of the most sought-after North Yorkshire wedding venues.

The Wedding Fayre Experience

The fayre brought together a wide range of trusted North Yorkshire wedding suppliers — from bridal boutiques and cake designers to entertainers, honeymoon specialists, photobooth companies and, of course, other wedding photographers.

Yes, there were three other photographers exhibiting. But it was genuinely inspiring to meet others in the industry — some incredibly established, some just starting out like me — all offering their own style of wedding photography in North Yorkshire.

There was a brief moment of comparing display stands (it’s only natural!), but every business grows at its own pace. And for the record, I was the only wedding photographer offering complimentary pistachio chocolates… which surely counts for something.

If you are looking to attend more Wedding Fayres across the North Yorkshire region I would suggest that you check out future events ran by Loved Up North. Check the link below.

https://lovedupnorth.com/

A Successful Day for a North Yorkshire Wedding Photographer

The real highlight was speaking with engaged couples planning their weddings across Scarborough and the North Yorkshire Coast. Hearing about venues, timelines, styling ideas and photography priorities is always the best part of my job.

My voice may have suffered from a full day of conversations, but it was worth it — especially when business cards started disappearing quickly.

And the biggest surprise?
While I was exhibiting at the wedding fayre, a couple booked me directly through my website.

A pretty good sign that things are heading in the right direction.

Planning a Wedding at Grand Villa Heights or on the North Yorkshire Coast?

If you’re looking for a relaxed yet refined Scarborough wedding photographer who knows Grand Villa Heights and other North Yorkshire Coast venues, I’d love to hear about your plans.

Luxury Wedding Photo Albums

Yes — I offer beautifully handcrafted luxury wedding photo albums, designed to preserve your wedding day in a way that feels as timeless as your love story.

As a North Yorkshire wedding photographer, I believe your photographs deserve more than to live on a screen. Your wedding album should be something you can hold, revisit, and pass down — a true heirloom that tells the story of your day from beginning to end.

Whether you were married in the rolling North Yorkshire countryside, along the dramatic coastline of Whitby and Scarborough, at one of Yorkshire’s stunning country house wedding venues, or eloped to one of our famous cities such as York, your album will be thoughtfully designed to reflect your day in the most elegant way.

Heirloom Wedding Albums, Designed Just for You

Each of my professional wedding albums is fully customisable, allowing you to choose the number of images and pages that best tell your story.

Every album includes:

• Thick, lay-flat pages for seamless panoramic spreads

• Luxury hardback covers

• Optional acrylic cover featuring your favourite wedding photograph

• Archival-quality printing for long-lasting colour and clarity

• Bespoke layout design created by your photographer

This isn’t just a photo book — it’s a carefully curated fine art wedding album crafted to stand the test of time.

Below is an example of a 12 x 12” wedding album with 20 beautifully thick pages — the perfect size for showcasing everything from bridal preparations to your first dance, all captured by your trusted North Yorkshire wedding photographer.

If you're looking for timeless, high-end wedding photography in North Yorkshire complete with luxury album options, I would love to create something truly special for you.

These albums are an additional £300 and will take 3-4 weeks for processing and delivery.

No Battle, No Victory

If you can read this link and sign up to help.
https://www.scarboroughathletic.com/news/no-battle-no-victory-fund-2025-05-16-150127

Your 100% fan-owned club needs your help!

Our Club, Our Town!

So if you are reading this, you’ve probably seen me at a game with my cameras, normally having the time of my life (Some Tuesday nights against Curzon and Oxford City…less so though!)

It has been well documented that Scarborough has some serious issues with the pitch and what is under the pitch. If you don’t know then please read this link

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgdj9lg8zpo

Shut for now

So for 2025/26, we are off to Bridlington Town to play our home games (What utter legends they have been in our hour of need). This will obviously mean more time spent at games and distances covered for all of us.

As part of the media team, for a Saturday 3pm home game, I normally get to a game for 12pm…grab some stadium shots and wait for the lads to arrive. Next it’s the mascots and time to grab a few shots of them with the team and their favourite player (I’d pick Benno if it were me!).

So from around 2pm onwards its warm-ups and fan cam time. 3pm is obviously kick-off. We normally get away from the 5pm ish and then it’s back home to storm through a few thousand pictures and get them best of them sent to Ree, normally around 8-9pm depending on how the game went…..So that’s a 8/9 hour day done for free because the experience is bloody amazing!

Tuesday nights at the Sports village and these pics will be landing in Ree’s inbox around midnight and even later sometimes….god help us this season, there will be difficult Wednesday mornings to navigate.

Winners!!!

So what’s my point to all of this?. The club is a massive part of the community and does help so many people in so many different ways.
For me, it helped me to recover from my heart failure and find some strength, energy and purpose. Great to be part of a supportive team again. It has given me more confidence to develop my skills and now I’m doing all sorts of crazy stuff with my cameras.
So Boro will always have my loyalty and I will happily support them where I can….perhaps I shouldn’t have but I cancelled my Everyone Active membership so I could donate to the No Battle, No Victory fund raising efforts as our club (100% fan-owned) is taking a big hit being away from home and it needs our help.

So please take some time to consider helping; here is the link below
https://www.scarboroughathletic.com/news/no-battle-no-victory-fund-2025-05-16-150127

100% fan owned

If you can’t afford the £20 per month get in touch with the club at info@scaboroughathletic.com and I am sure they will be happy to talk.

If you have seen a councillor, mayor, MP talk about our club and how important it is….tell them to get their hands in their pockets and sign-up as well!

Nag your friends, family and any you know who could help.

If you have mates you have said that they’ve thought about coming to a game….then be a mate and buy them a ticket and drag them down to Brid for some fun.

We will be back and it will be SPECIAL!

Anyways….thanks for reading my rambles. My goals for the 25/26 season are the following:
- Buy a 300mm f2.8 lens (SO EXPENSIVE….please help and book me for weddings)
- Get more celebration pics than Zach
- Do loads of Fan Cam stuff
- See Benno do a backflip for a cele?

Harmony for Fern and James

On a beautiful sunny day Fern and James got married at Harmony Country Lodge on the outskirts of Scalby, Scarborough.

It was a small but lively affair with lots fun and laughter to be in amongst the beautiful grounds of the lodge.

Prior to the wedding date, I went to this location for a bit of a recce (also a good excuse to visit the Foulsyke farm and bistro, which is nearby). Met the owners (Tony is a Scarborough Athletic Fan…good lad!). This helped me get my bearings but it won’t always be possible to do this at every venue that I go to.

On the day, it was a pitstop again at the Foulsyke farm for some fuel for the day and away we go!

Suppliers
My breakfast: https://thefoulsyke.co.uk
Venue: https://harmonycountrylodge.co.uk
Confetti: https://www.instagram.com/ezras_confetti
Bouquet: https://www.dmfloraldesign.co.uk/home
Hair: https://www.headstart-scarborough.co.uk
Dress: https://www.bridalfactoryoutlet.co.uk

Engagement Shoot at Hazelwood Castle

Nestled in between York and Leeds; Hazelwood Castle Hotel and Spa is set within 77 acres of stunning woodland. The Castle is close to the A1 and the A64 yet feels immediately distant the moment you get there.

The King and Queen of the Castle!

Jade and Shaun took the wise idea to stay here for a night to celebrate their anniversary and also enjoy what the castle can offer whilst having a photoshoot at the venue they have chosen to have their wedding at in the spring of 2026.

This is a lovely spot for a nice day out with peacocks roaming the beautiful grounds and activities to do within the secret woods. There are all sorts of food options as well to check out. I would strongly recommend having a look at their website https://hazlewood-castle.co.uk/

Sitting in a tree……you know the rest!

These engagement shoots can be booked as a separate event or as an addition to your wedding day. They are a great way for all of us to get to know each other and for you both to get relaxed in front of the camera before your big day. We can discuss where they can be done, I can do them at your booked venue, near it or in a local spot that we can agree upon.

Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough

This seaside venue sits on atop of the South Bay with stunning views over the town. Located on the esplanade you are close to the Italian, the clock tower and Scarborough Spa.

Table displays at the Crown Spa.

The crown spa has over 30 years of experience in hosting weddings and has a dedicated weddings and events team to handle all the important details, allowing you to focus on special day on the North Yorkshire coast. They offer all-inclusive packages that cater for a variety of styles and budgets.

More details about the range of services that they offer can be found by following this links

https://crownspahotel.com/weddings/