St Cuthberts Church Jane & Anthony’s Wedding
Linden Hall is a favourite venue for Halo Photography. It’s been one of Northumberland’s most popular wedding venues for decades. One that I have some great memories off. It was the location on the first wedding I ever attended as a small boy in a dreadful purple crushed velvet page boy suit. Linden Hall was also the venue of our first wedding as Halo Photography back in 2007. But we hadn’t been to Linden Hall for a year or so. Jane & Anthony’s wedding would be a welcome return to this great place after their wedding service in the beautiful St Cuthberts Church in Blyth.
August in Sunny Blyth
We were still having great weather in 2018. The sun was out and there was a light breeze on the northeast coast keeping everyone comfortable. Jane & Anthony are from Blyth, Northumberland and had planned to get married in St. Cuthberts Church.
The service was set for early afternoon. It was wonderfully local. We had a rare quiet Saturday morning. We took our time checking our gear and running through notes. Anthony & Jane had made it very clear that they didn’t enjoy having their photos taken. They hadn’t booked us for a full days coverage but Lisa was still going to meet Jane at their home to catch the tail end of her wedding prep.
When Lisa arrived she was unsure she had the right house. It was very quiet, calm and immaculate. As planned, Jane already had her hair and makeup done. She just needed a little help to get her dress on, top up her lipstick and curls. Jane was accompanied by her son & daughter. Her daughter had just enough time to enjoy her mum posing for a Chanel No.5 shot before it was time to join her brother for a ride in a beautiful Rolls-Royce. Before they did, Lisa grabbed some shots of the 3 of them. Her son never stopped smiling once he saw his mum come down the staircase. They were both so happy for their Mum. Jane watched from the front door as they left, chauffeured off to the church.
St Cuthberts Church in Blyth
St Cuthbert’s is a beautiful church. I know that you’re not here for a history lesson but I love finding little history facts. Apparently, we Blyth locals were a heathen bunch in a small village until the first church was built on the site in 1751 by the famous Ridley Family as a chapel. At the end of the seventeenth century, Blyth began to increase in industrial importance and the advantages of its geographical position were recognised and exploited. Quays were built, the population increased and the need for religious worship began to arise. The current church was built in 1883 with the clock tower being presented as late as 1962.
Meet the Parents
I was really early. The church wasn’t open and it was a few minutes before the first guests arrived. When this happens I still get a little anxiety that I’m at the wrong church even after all these years. I introduced myself to Anthony’s parents. A lovely couple escorted by their grandson. Straight away I could tell the 3 of them had a close bond.
Anthony wasn’t far behind them. Jane had organised their photography so we hadn’t met her husband to be. Anthony strolled over to the church with a box of buttonholes and straight into his mum’s arms for a big hug. Anthony’s son seemed old beyond his years and helped his dad and the best man get their buttonholes on before we organised some
Back at the house, Jane was keeping her dad in check. What a character! He was looking so cool in his aviators and took every opportunity to be mischievous. Lisa raced off to the church in front of the wedding car. I always make sure that I’m there to greet the bride. When your the last one to arrive it can be tough to get parked some times. Jane looked stunning as she arrived at St Cuthbert’s in Blyth.
A beautiful Service at St Cuthbert’s Church
The Reverend Tony Toby allowed us free reign so after taking shots of Jane, walking up the aisle, I camped in the choir seats between the service and the alter and Lisa shot from the back of St. Cuthbert’s. It’s a big church and Jane & Anthony’s 60 guests had loads of space. I, on the other hand, was a little cramped and managed to whack one of the
The bride and groom come down the aisle of St Cuthberts Church had a little kiss in the middle then walk to the end the guests followed with big smiles and cheers, we then pinched Bridal party back into the actual church and set up some shots group shot with the immediate family & bridal party, taking about 10 minutes we then headed outside and met the guests.
50 Years Ago…
On our way out, Anthony’s parents were showing the Reverend a picture of them at St Cuthberts church doors on their wedding day…50 years ago. We suggested we recreated it for them and it was a very special moment for them. How times change.
Linden Hall in Northumberland
As beautiful as St Cuthbert’s is, we were mindful of the time and knew we had the beautiful Linden Hall to get to. They had organised a big red London double-decker bus to get all of the guests to the venue.
Linden Hall is a former mansion house at Longhorsley in Northumberland.
Greeted by a Northumberland Piper, Jane & Anthony’s Rolls Royce pulled up in front of Linden Halls grand entrance. There was a wonderful atmosphere. The p
We had a little bit of fun with the London bus too. As I said earlier, Jane & Anthony’s priority was to enjoy the company of their guests and not have an extended photo shoot of them. It’s easy to get carried away on such a nice day. We respected our reluctant models and focused instead on capturing the moment so they could enjoy their guest’s company.
The Bigge Suite at Linden Hall
We then made our way to the main room. The Bigge Suite is big, but that’s not why it’s so-called. Charles William Bigge was the original owner and architect.
We went round a few of the tables taking photographs of the guests we had missed outside. Linden Hall’s Bigge Suite was stunning and the staff had asked me if we wanted drinks which is rare.
After some heartfelt speeches, we said our goodbye’s. The day was a very special one in many ways. Mainly we saw a family becoming one. We wish Jane & Anthonys all the best for the future and hope they will be showing their grandchild, our wedding photos in 50 years time.
Here are some of Jane & Anthony’s suppliers that made their wedding day unique.
- Wedding Photography from Halo Photography
- Brides Dress from Truly Madly Deeply, Monkseaton
- Bridesmaids Dresses from Quiz, Glasgow
- Flowers & Button Holes Apple blossom, Blyth
- Grooms & Grooms men’s Suits from Slaters Menswear, Newcastle
- Hair by Halo Hair & Beauty, Blyth
- Wedding Car & London Bus from Cooper Coaches, Annitsford