Hazel & Pete's Wedding - Chillingham Castle

I first met Hazel & Pete last year & found them to be a great couple to get along with. I have been quite excited about this wedding all year as Chillingham castle is such a fabulous place & of course said to be the UK's most haunted castle. Hazel showed me some of her images taken of inside the apartment she would be staying at, the pics where full of orbs which are said to be spirits. This really intrigued me & I couldnt wait to capture some uninvited guests on camera!!

This castle really is superb & you can really feel what it must have been like back in its day.

Hazel, Pete & their guests stayed at the castle the evening before & were all part of the ghost tour (I certainly would have liked to have joined them for that). I arrived early the next day ready to photograph the bridal preparations. Hazel was very calm & just went with the flow while the make up artists & hair stylists fussed with the bridesmaids. When I went over to see Pete he was slightly hungover sat over a fried breakfast.

More guests arrived just before the ceremony & after some final touches, Hazel was ready. The ceremony was in the main hall which looks out onto the front lawned gardens. Hazel looked beautiful & I deliberately looked to Pete when she turned & walked down the aisle to see his smile. That smile melted my heart.

After the ceremony everyone gathered on the lawn for drinks & to congratulate the happy couple. Some gathered over by the summer house & played croquet while others just sat & relaxed in the red hot sun. The usual group shots were done then it was time for the wedding breakfast. After shooting the speeches I decided to go into the Italian gardens & shoot some details.

We later headed up to the lake a short walk from the castle & well worth it for its beauty. After half an hour with the bride & groom we headed back to the castle ready for the evening guests & the band to arrive (the drummer being Brett the Bestman).

After shooting the first dance & some shots of the band it was time for me to go. All day (while it was light) I had forgotten all about the fact that this castle is said to be haunted but my God, how different you feel when it's dark. I stood at the front of the castle with the woods behind me taking a picture at night with a long exposure & felt quite worried & scared as it was pitch black & some of the noises coming from them woods were rather strange. When I got my shot I dont think I've ever ran so fast with all my kit slumped over my shoulders & continuously pressing the key for my car lights to flash so I could see where I'd parked it! I've never seen it so dark.

I'm looking forward to taking Hazel & Pete over to the lake district at the end of the month for their post shoot!