So on a gloriously sunny day, I set off to the Vincent hotel in Southport to take Colette’s bridal preparation pictures. Colette was having a fun morning with her sister and nieces. Once ready I took a couple of stylish portraits and headed off to Meols Hall to catch up with Merf.

A Meols Hall wedding

Today’s service was going to be something quite different and special. Merf’s father was conducting their ceremony so this was a really personal wedding. Their wedding photography was really important to Colette and Merf and having your dad give the service guaranteed me having free licence to take the very best images. Unlike usual register signing Colette and Merf started with a black page each and wrote their own messages to each other. Meanwhile, a friend provided the background music to their Meols Hall wedding with his guitar.

After the service, everyone went out into the courtyard to enjoy the lovely weather and stunning grounds at Meols Hall.

Both Merf and his best man were fantastic speakers. Their speeches were witty and original and really fun to listen to their delivery. We were soon into the evening celebrations and their first dance. I think Colette and Merf had the perfect Meols Hall wedding, here are a few of my favourite images from their wedding…

I love this pictures of a really moving moment between Merf and his father.

I really enjoyed spending time photographing Colette and Merf in the grounds.

© Southport wedding photographer Rob Sanderson

Kate and David had a lovely wedding at St Helens in Crosby and Liverpool Town Hall wedding reception.

St Helens, RC Church, Crosby

Unusually for me, I started at the church with the groom instead of with the bride. David had a huge smile on his face when I arrived and it was there all day. After capturing the guests having fun in the church I went outside to wait for Kate’s arrival.

Kate arrived in a beautiful vintage VW camper van. The VW was green coordinating perfectly with the bridesmaid dresses. The weather was a bit dull and threatened rain all morning. I had my trusty big white brollies with me which came in handy and made sure Kate arrived dry.

I had not photographed at St Helens before but was made really welcome. I was also allowed to photograph from any location which has allowed me to really capture this wedding. The overcast day meant for lots of beautiful soft light spilling into St Helens – great for photography!

St Helens church in Crosby is very photographer friendly, I really enjoyed photographing there.

Liverpool Town Hall wedding

Then it was into one of my favourite locations, Liverpool Town Hall for the wedding reception. As we arrived at the Town Hall the sun came out and stayed with us for the rest of the day. It had been a while since I last shot here it was good to be back.

After a few family pictures and some stylish couples pictures, I went back inside to continue my usual reportage coverage.

Kate and David had their speeches in the council chambers which makes this venue so unique. After the speeches everyone went back upstairs for the wedding breakfast before the night party. Kate and David had a live band and danced to Elbow’s ‘On a day like this’ – what a great song and perfect sentiment!

Here are a few of my favourite photos from their St Helens’ Crosby and Liverpool Town Hall wedding…

If you are planning a Liverpool Town Hall wedding I’d love to hear from you

A Sefton Park Palm House wedding is always a delight to photograph! And Kate and Mikes’s was no exception. I simply love the Palm House, in fact, I walk my dog around Sefton park almost every day. When you get a lovely and easy going couple like Kate and Mike I know I’m in for a great day. Kate and Mikes is one of a long string of friends weddings I have photographed. I first photographed Tam and Gavin’s fun wedding at Inglewood Manor. Next, I photographed Neha and Soul’s fabulous wedding at Knowsley Hall. Then Emma and Femi’s classy equestrian wedding at Haslington Hall. It’s great to see so many previous couples and be greeted as an old friend.

Kate’s bridal preparations took place at her friend and chief bridesmaids beautiful home facing Sefton Park. There was loads of room and loads of light (which wedding photographers love) and loads of champagne (which brides and bridesmaids love). Kate had a lovely relaxed morning, it was fun capturing it and telling the story in pictures.

Church of St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill

It was soon time for me to catch up with Mike at the Church of St Matthew and St James, Mossley Hill. 

Kate and Mike had a lovely, warm and friendly service by one of the parishes retired priests, Bob.

St Matthew and St James is a stunning English Heritage grade II listed building. Its original stained glass windows were destroyed by a bomb blast during world war two and replaced with clear glass. This means the light inside this church is beautiful for wedding photography. I was able to capture their wedding service beautifully.

Once the service was done we all made our way for the Sefton Palm House wedding party!

Sefton park palm house wedding reception

I’ve shot many Sefton Park Palm House weddings in all of the seasons. Both it and the surrounding Sefton Park change from month to month so it’s always fresh, new and exciting. As is always the case when you enjoy what you do, Kate and Mike’s wedding passed so fast for me. I’d photographed their first dance and the party and it was time to travel the one and a half mile home.

Here’s are a few of my favourites from their wedding day – enjoy!

For Sefton Park Palm House wedding photography in Liverpool click here!

Clare and Davids wedding at St Francis Xavier’s in Liverpool was a fantastic day to photograph.

Their wedding saw my return to a venue I seem to be at quite a lot these days the Malmaison, Liverpool. Clare’s bridal preparations were in the Malmaison. Clare was a fun and lively bride complete with gorgeous Christian Louboutin shoes and a stunning Ian Stuart wedding dress.

Once Clare was in her dress I took a few bridal portraits before heading off to church to find David and their guests.

St Francis Xavier’s Liverpool

This was my first time at  St Francis Xavier’s Liverpool a beautiful English Heritage as a Grade II listed building. This is a friendly church with a great attitude towards photographers.

Clare and David had a lovely, relaxed service at Saint Francis’s. It was great to be allowed to photograph unhindered. I always strive to get the best possible ceremony coverage whilst remaining unobtrusive. I was delighted to be thanked after the service for my discreet working method. After the service, we were allowed into the neighbouring college grounds to take photographs.

Malmaison Hotel Liverpool

Then it was all back to the Malmaison for the wedding breakfast and party. Because I’ve shot here so many times now I have a great relationship with the staff. They always run things so smoothly it’s brilliant to shoot here.

After the wedding breakfast, it was time for 3 brief speeches before really kicking off the party. Claire and David wanted an extended evening photoshoot. So after their first dance, we headed out to take some stunning evening pictures.

Time for a few cool evening shots with the Liver building in the background.

Propper dad dancing (with dad)

Liverpool Maritime Museum weddings|Hannah and Gary

Here is my account of Hannah and Gary’s Liverpool Maritime Museum wedding celebrations.

I met Hannah and Gary last year when I photographed their friends, wedding at the Liverpool Roman Catholic Cathedral. Hannah and Gary are an easy-going couple and I had been looking forward to photographing their wedding.

My day started at Hanna’s parents lovely home for her bridal preparations. Hannah had a chilled morning with her family and friends. It was bucks fizz all-round, thankfully the drink not the band!

Once Hannah was in her dress I took a few quick bridal portraits before heading off to church to catch up with Gary and their guests.

St Paul’s, West Derby

Guests at the church were treated to a fabulous children’s choir while they waited for the brides arrival.

Hannah was walked up the aisle by her dad and bridesmaid sister to a waiting Gary. After their service and signing of the register, we were treated once more to the fabulous choir. This time the tune was picked by Gary, Guns n’ roses sweet child o’ mine – there were tears!

It was a pleasure to photograph at St Paul’s church in West Derby. It a beautiful building with a spectacular interior.  They are also wedding photographer friendly. I was able to capture their wedding beautifully from start to finish.

Liverpool Maritime Museum

Hanna and Gary had their reception at the Liverpool Maritime Museum. I’ve not photographed a wedding in the museum before and had been looking forward to it. Liverpool Maritime museum made for some spectacular wedding pictures. The museum staff were really helpful. The Liverpool maritime museum a great wedding venue.

Here are a few of my favourites from their day…

Down the aisle to a waiting groom at St Paul’s, West Derby

Hannah and Gary outside the Liverpool Maritime Museum

A cringe moment for Hanna during Gary’s speech. 

Busted!

Having a bit of creative lighting fun with the boys.

It was great to shoot around Albert Dock, it’s a great location, can you get more Liverpool?

Wedding photography at the Liverpool Maritime Museum

Alma de Cuba Liverpool is the very first place my ‘then’ girlfriend, ‘now’ wife took me when I visited her here in Liverpool. Needless to say it’s a place that means a lot to me and I love it. Emily was getting ready in the Hilton Liverpool and their service was going to be in one of my favourite churches Our Lady and St Nicholas.

Hilton Liverpool

I started my day with Emily’s bridal preps at the Hilton in the heart of the cities thriving Liverpool One shopping district. I’ve shot quite a few brides preparations at the Hilton, Liverpool now. It’s a great location, easy to get to and park and the rooms are spacious with lots of great light. Perfect for photography.

Emily, her parents and bridesmaids had so much fun on the wedding morning it was plesasure to photograph. There was such a great energy to the room! The morning passed quickly and it was time for Emily to get into her beautiful wedding dress. I took a few bridal portraits of her before heading off to meet Darren at church.

Our Lady and Saint Nicholas

Emily and Darren really had their heart set on having their wedding at Saint Nicholas Church, it’s easy to see why – it’s stunning!

I found Darren and his groomsmen chatting outside St Nicks. It wasn’t long before their guests started showing up and filling the church. It was getting close to ceremony time so I headed outside to capture Emily’s arrival in a gorgeous Rolls Royce.

It says on Saint Nicks website “Whatever brings you here you are very welcome” and they mean it! Even to photographers, I always get an amazingly warm welcome here. They are also really helpful this makes sure their brides and grooms have every opportunity for great memories of their wedding service. This friendly attitude, married (no pun intended) with its beautiful and spacious interior make it one of the best to photograph weddings in.

Not only is Our Lady and Saint Nicholas Church great to photograph inside. It has wonderfully maintained gardens so its great to photograph outside too. We had perfect weather so made the most of the gardens with a few pictures before heading off to party at Alma de Cuba.

Alma de Cuba

It’s no secret, I’ve been looking forward to shooting at the converted RC church, Alma de Cuba. It’s not for the faint hearted, it is as dark as it is beautiful and more than tough enough to send many photographers running. Photography, plain and simple is about light and there’s not much of it in Alma de Cuba making it a real challenge even for experienced pro photographers. I have a reputation for working in challenging situations so Emily and Darren knew they were in safe hands.

Emily and Darren’s, Alma de Cuba reception was fast paced with lots going on. Great entertainment from Alma de Cuba regulars Andy Williams and Soulful voices.

As their first dance ended, Emily and Darren’s guests were treated to one of Alma de Cuba’s spectacular ‘petal shower’.

After all this excitement, I left them to party! Here are a few of my favourites from their Liverpool wedding…

Malmaison wedding

Jo and Ian had a spectacular wedding at Liverpool’s waterfront Malmaison Boutique Hotel.

I started my day with Jo, her mum and bridesmaids in her suite at the Malmaison. It was a lovely morning spending it with such friendly and chilled people. Once we had Jo in her dress I took a few bridal portraits before heading off downstairs to find Ian…

…I didn’t have to look far, Ian was already downstairs with his best man. They were chatting to their Malmaison Liverpool wedding guests.

I know from experience the Liverpool registrars are very friendly and great to work with. So I knew I was going to be able to get great wedding pictures for Jo and Ian. It was soon time for Jo to make her grand entrance. As she walked down the aisle with her father she wowed everyone with her beautiful wedding gown. Their service by the Liverpool registrars was delivered with their usual light and fun manner.

The weather which can sometimes be wild on the waterfront was kind to us. So we were even able to take a few pictures with the Royal Liver Building in the background.  Then headed indoors for the wedding breakfast and speeches.

Situated within close sight of the famous Royal Liver Building its a great wedding location with stunning views of the city and docklands area. Friendly and helpful staff really add to the excellent Malmaison Liverpool wedding experience. Not one to pander to conventional photography, I included the architecture of the car park in some of my fashion influenced portraits.

I have a few more Malmaison Liverpool weddings booked and looking forward to shooting here again.

Here are a few of my favourites from their wedding day…

Elizabeth and Craig’s wedding at St Nicholas Liverpool and the Racquet club promised to be a whole lot of fun. It going to be Victorian-themed with top hats and goggles. Craig had also managed to gain access to 22-24 Chapel Street roof terrace with amazing city views of both st Nicks and the Liver building. It doesn’t get any more Liverpool!?

I first met Elizabeth and Craig at Thornton Hall Hotel, for their friends wedding when Craig was an usher. It was good to see Cat and Ben again.

I started my day at the Racquet Club Liverpool Centre for Elizabeth’s bridal preparations. Elizabeth was surrounded by her mum and friends and had a lovely chilled morning. It was a lovely atmosphere which this Liverpool wedding photographer really enjoyed photographing. As always time soon begins to fly and it was time for Elizabeth to get into her wedding gown. Elizabeth looked striking in her fitted dress and really looked the victorian bride with her dark hair.

Church of Our Lady and St Nicholas Liverpool

I was really excited about photographing at St Nicholas Liverpool. Although I’ve been in Liverpool for some years now this was my first time. I was not disappointed, St Nicks were really friendly and helpful and I was able to capture their day unhindered, Why aren’t more churches this friendly (or even friendly for that matter).

I found a rather nervous looking Craig surrounded by his 10 ushers and 2 best men! Craig is such a nice guy it was no surprise he had so many.

Elizabeth was walked down the aisle by her mum to a waiting Craig. It was a lovely service at Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas, Liverpool. I even had access to the balcony for a few pictures.

After the ceremony, we headed out to the beautiful waterside St Nick’s gardens for a few photographs and confetti throwing.

Once all the guests had headed off to the Racquet club the 3 of us went off to take a few cool couple shots around the gardens and surrounding streets. This was when we got that exclusive access to the rooftop for a few dramatic Liver building and St Nicholas’s spire.

The Racquet Club

This was my third wedding in a row at the Racquet club Liverpool. Once again, a really well run and organised team offering friendly service. After the speeches it was time for me to leave them to party on.

Here are a few of my favourites from their wedding day…

The Racquet Club Liverpool

Roanna and Darren’s wedding saw the start of my consecutive trio of weddings at the Racquet Club in Liverpool’s city centre. I love this historic, intimate and quirky venue, it was good to be back.

The whole day was at the Racquet Club. I headed up to Roanna’s room to capture her bridal preparations. Roanna and her friends were in the middle of makeup when I arrived – I left them to it. There was some great light in there and I really love the feel it brings to the photos. This was a lovely, relaxed atmosphere which really shows in the final pictures. Once Roanna was in her beautiful wedding dress I headed downstairs to find Darren.

After photographing the action downstairs I followed the crowd upstairs. The Racquet Club has a gorgeous feature spiral staircase which I waited to capture Roanna on.

Once again I want to praise the Liverpool registrars for being their usual fantastic selves. After a lovely wedding service, everyone made their way into the old squash court that’s been converted into a library.

Darren and Roanna didn’t want many posed or family group pictures so the majority of the photography at this wedding was taken journalistically (reportage). I really enjoyed the freedom to roam and capture the day.

They had their speeches were before the food, leaving only the cutting of the cake and first dance to go before I left them to enjoy the rest of their wedding day.

Really enjoyed myself taking these pictures and looking forward to my next wedding also at the Racquet Club!

Here is a selection of pictures from their Racquet Club wedding… you can see more of my work by visiting my portfolio page…

As promised, here is part two of Stella and Williams Sefton Palm House wedding photos. Click this link to see part 1, their Palm House winter wedding. Due to their late ceremony and lack of any daylight Stella and William decided they wanted a post-wedding shoot too. This was done at their wedding venue the Palm House and surrounding Sefton park.

Post-wedding shoot

This is a great thing to do! It’s great fun to get back into your wedding dress/suit and spending a couple of hours getting great images. Well away from time constraints and other pressures of the wedding day. It makes this extra fun for the couple and me too as their wedding photographer.

It doesn’t matter how long ago your wedding was, a post-wedding shoot is always available.

Here are a few from the day… you can see more of my work by visiting my portfolio page.