Lisa & Justin’s Intimate Christmas Wedding in the Heart of Newcastle
We couldn’t have planned a better way to end 2019 than with a Newcastle Christmas Wedding. Lisa & Justin’s wedding was to be our last job of the year. We’d worked 12hr days all week to complete our studio orders and we saw this as our works Christmas Party. Lisa & Justin are a wonderful, laid back couple so we knew we were going to have a great time. This was also the second time we had been to As You Like It in Newcastle, this year, so we knew what to expect from this great venue.
After such a long week processing Christmas Photo orders, a 2 pm wedding was almost a lie in and checking gear was a relaxed affair. Lisa & I weren’t starting at the couples’ homes, instead, we were meeting Justin at As You Like It. The venue was buzzing. All manner of Christmas parties (remember those?) were being held from small family affairs to large kids parties. Thinking back, they seem so long ago after this horrible year.
Justin & I went to Newcastle College together on a photography course so it was an honour to be asked to photograph his wedding. Halo had photographed his children Kaven & Amelia throughout the years so the family knew us well. He’s a natural comic and so much fun. You could tell nerves were getting the best of him at this point.
Amelia, Justin’s daughter, looked fantastic in her matching suit. Her idea and genius one at that. It was so unexpected as in the past we’d seen her in dance outfits. Her brother scrubbed up well too. We proceeded to embarrass both of them all day and they took it in their stride.
Joy, is a Flowergirl, seeing her Bride
Lisa’s (Bride) arrival was met by some very excited nieces & nephews. Lisa doted on them and they played a huge part at the wedding. After a quick gift swap at the As You Like It piano it was on to the Frangipani function room for the blessing. Our bride for the day was stunning.
A Frangipani Christmas
Lisa & Justin had actually tied the knot a couple of months earlier, in a private ceremony, wearing jeans at a registry office. They hadn’t told us and I remember contacting them frantically after seeing their post on Facebook. We thought they might have changed their mind and brought it forward. But the Newcastle Christmas Wedding date was still on as a blessing. From our perspective, our approach is the same as a wedding.
The Frangipani Room is a wonderfully intimate space, dark, cosy and with little pools of light. It’s a challenging room for us. Just a few years ago and our cameras would have struggled. But the atmosphere it creates is amazing for weddings and perfect for Christmas.
Santa comes to town
So after the blessing, we all headed to the terrace for drinks. As Lisa (Halo) got loads of candid images, I set up for a group shot from the balcony and let Lisa & Justin greet their guests. I was on the balcony directing Lisa (Halo) as to how the group looked with everyone down below looking up at me. As I was looking through the viewfinder I slowly got the impression everyone was looking at something else. I turned around to find Santa right behind me and scared the poop out of me. I almost forgot to take a photo! He was visiting a children’s party and thought he’d give everyone a wave.
The Terrace
When we last visited As You Like It for Bryony & Phil’s Wedding, in the summer, we had to fight for space on the terrace and shepherd guests around to make room for photos. At the end of December, it was a lot easier. Although it was a beautiful winter day it was still very cold. The deserted terrace allowed us to use it far more, using foreground & background without fear of distractions or blocked views. I just love these images. The colours and decorations make it perfectly festive.
Chasing the Winter Sunset
Before the Wedding Breakfast began we stole our Bride & Groom away to make the most of the fading light. The street lights were beginning to flick on and the sun was already below the buildings surrounding As You Like It. We stayed close to the venue, sticking to what we knew worked before Lisa & Justin froze.
Who invited the Grinch?
Lisa & Justin’s reception room looked fantastic when we got back. Lisa had provided alot of the finishing touches herself.
Everyone had just settled at their tables when we got the nod from the As You Like It staff that they had a little surprise for Lisa & Justin. In walked the grinch, much to a flower girls delight! We have no idea where he came from but he was a great addition to the day. Lisa (Halo) & I even got a selfie before he left.
A Cheeky Little Speech
Before the meal, we were entertained by some great speeches including one from Lisa’s Nephew taking the micky out of Justin. Then, there was the best man and his dildo prop… It happened so quick we nearly missed it. It left every parent in the room struggling to explain what the black stick was stuck to Uncle Justin’s head.
As the evening started more friends & family arrived and the banter just got better. It was shaping up to be a very lively night. We just got through a few cake cutting images without Justin having both Lisa’s in fits of giggles. With all the days’ nerves behind him, he was in fine form.
As Lisa (Halo) & I left that night to start our Chrismas break, the party was rocking. When we spoke to them a few days later Lisa (Bride) told us the party was so good that she awoke the next morning with a broken tooth and no recollection of how she did it. Now that’s how you know you’ve had a good Newcastle Christmas Wedding.
We thoroughly enjoyed the day we spent with this mad couple and it was a great end to 2019 and the working year. Who knew what kind of year we would have with 2020 ahead of us, and how few weddings we would get to attend, but that is a story to come.
Thank you Lisa & Justin x
