DoubleTree by Hilton Leeds Wedding Photography | Yorkshire Wedding Photographer
Rachel first got in touch with me a couple of years ago wanting me to photograph her wedding to Tam. Both, I’m delighted to say, are friends of our family, our kids have gone through school together, so was a pleasure to be asked. Then, as COVID struck things were put on hold until November 2021 with the big day was planned to take place at the Doubletree by Hilton in Leeds.
You would think photographing a wedding of friends would be a doddle, but no. If anything the pressure was on now, after all, all of our friendship group would see the photos! But, I’m the sort of person who thrives under a bit of pressure and, being a wedding photographer, that’s a good character trait to have I can tell you!
Fast forward to the 26th of November 2021, it was a beautiful and clear start to the day, blustery but dry… for now. However, strong winds and rain were forecast later. ‘The outdoor photography could be interesting’ I thought to myself. I had already spent an afternoon down by Granary Wharfe and the area around the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton checking out possible wedding photography opportunities. This is so important when shooting at a venue for the first time. I take this approach to every wedding I photograph so that everything runs smoothly on the day so I can visualise compositions in advance of the wedding day itself.
I caught up with Rachel, her daughter Olivia and ‘team bride’ in one of the bedrooms of the DoubleTree. They were having hair and makeup done and there was an air of excitement and lots of laughter. A member of the ‘Faces’ team was busy with makeup and Adele Mason from Mousie Browns in Horsforth was on hair duty! I spent some time catching the fun and laughter as well as placement photographs of shoes, jewellery and the dress, of course, all of which look great in the wedding album. I showed Adele some of the back of camera shots to which she replied “Wow, Rach, you should see what he has done with your shoes”. She was referring to some colour flash work showing the shoes off beautifully on the mirrored glass cabinet top. Always fun to do!
I then headed off to the main function area to meet up with Tam and his best man, Martin and Rachels’s son, Joe. It was a little tricky doing the groom prep shots given the amount of mirrored walls in the bar area, but with a bit of patience from the guys we were able to capture some stunning photos of Tam, in his kilt (yes he is Scottish !) and the boys.
Back to team ‘bride’ and some final shots with the ladies now dressed. Rachel, in her stunning wedding dress from Ava Rose Hamilton in Silsden, and Olivia both looked amazing holding their beautiful bouquets from Ewer Roberts Flowers. We made the most of the soft light from the bedroom windows to capture some lovely portraits.
I rushed ahead to the ceremony room in time to capture Rachel arriving with her son Joe in the corridor outside, just enough time to photograph this special moment before Rachel entered the guest-filled room, heads turned for the first look. There were some tears, that’s for sure!
Tam was waiting at the top of the aisle and appeared to be quite calm and relaxed but tears began to flow as Rachel made her way down the aisle with Joe by her side. Brilliant photography opportunities! Vows perfectly recited and rings exchanged, congratulations to the new Mr & Mrs Moore !!
We made use of the beautifully festive decorated room with stunning vistas over Leeds city centre to capture the group shots. It was then time for the larger group shot and to get my drone out. With the help of a guest on a mobile phone, I rushed down to the ground level on the Wharfe outside the hotel and mustered the happy couple and guests (by phone !) on the balcony of the bar of the hotel and was able to capture some really special group shots on the top of the hotel. I also posed the bride and groom on the corner of the balcony and take some really great images looking onto the hotel with Bridgewater Tower in the background. This is the benefit of pre-planning and visualising possible wedding photography. I was very happy!
With guests enjoying a drink and the sun now going down I took Rachel and Tam onto the balcony again and captured some really unique photos again with the city skyline in the background using a bit of in-fill camera flash.
The staff at the DoubleTree worked quickly to transform the ceremony room ready for the wedding breakfast room. It looked stunning with the Christmas decorations and the nighttime city illuminated through the vast windows. What a fabulous location for a wedding! The emotional speeches commenced and the stories flowed. The perfect warm-up for a beautiful meal.
By evening the wind had picked up, it was raining and with near-freezing temperatures but Tam and Rachel braved the elements to head down to the city Wharfe area to make some amazing night-time wedding photography using the city and its amazing architecture as a backdrop. Despite the conditions I know they both thought it was worth it and the photographs made it into the GraphiStudio Wedding Book.
Thank you Rachel and Tam for choosing me to photograph your wedding day and wish you all the very best for a wonderful future together.
Map showing the location of the DoubleTree Hilton, Leeds. Click this link to visit their website and find out more about booking your wedding.
