Wedding Venue Spotlight

HOLDSWORTH HOUSE

HALIFAX, WEST YORKSHIRE

As most couples will know, choosing a wedding venue is not an easy task. There are so many beautiful places; hotels, churches, barns, castles to choose from. I decided to try and help anyone who is in the process of planning their big day by giving a wedding photographer's view on some of the venues that I have captured along the way. This WEDDING VENUE SPOTLIGHT is all about the stunning, West Yorkshire HOLDSWORTH HOUSE HOTEL, Halifax

The inside of this Jacobean manor has so many photograph opportunities. It has that all-important grand entrance staircase, which is great to capture the first look and tears. A venue with commanding indoor features is brilliant in case the Great British rain decides to make an unwanted appearance. If the happy couple doesn't want to brave the outdoors, they won't miss out on their stunning photos.

This absolutely stunning venue in the heart of Calderdale is a wedding photographer's dream. It provides some of the most beautiful backdrops for Weddings I have seen. The gardens are immaculately kept and the intricate maze in the courtyard gives depth and texture to both the couple and group photos. It is both quaint and grand at the same time. There are plenty of opportunities for those large group shots too, which can sometimes be a little tricky at some venues.

The inside will not disappoint either. The venue can cater for weddings both large and small. I recently photographed a wedding through the Covid pandemic, with restrictions on the number of guests, it would have been easy for a wedding to feel empty and sparse. It couldn't have been further from the fact.

HOLDSWORTH HOUSE has an array of rooms and the smaller intimate ceremony room was perfect. It was a beautiful room to capture, with warmth and character which resulted in gorgeous photos of the wedding party!

Occasionally, when I visit venues, I find the decor can be quite bold, which can sometimes be a problem when it comes to colour clashes. Holdsworth house has a neutral pallet, which from a photography point of view is helpful.

The bedrooms are beautifully decorated, in subtle tones, so the bridal prep photos and those important macro, detail shots have a gorgeous environment to work with, which is great.

The lighting could be an issue for some, the rooms have quite low ceilings and there are lots of little corridors and not much natural light due to the historic architecture, but if you use a photographer who is able to provide their own artificial lighting and has good awareness of harnessing natural light you will be fine. (Make sure you ask your photographer about this before you book them!)

THEY ARE DOG-FRIENDLY TOO!

I hope that this little insight, from my point of view, is helpful to anybody who is looking for a venue for their wedding day.

Thank you for reading and if I can help in any way please feel free to get in touch! CLICK THE LINK BELOW!

Booking the right Wedding Photographer for you!

6 top tips advice from a photographer

It can be a huge and very difficult decision choosing who you will hire to capture your big day! After all, it’s something that you have spent hours planning for and you want it to be preserved in your pictures forever!

Couples have often said to me “ we need to think about it,” and I try and offer them these few bits of advice so that ultimately they can choose the photographer that is right for them!

1. It is so important to meet with the photographer in person. I can’t stress how crucial this in! You need to feel relaxed and comfortable with them. They will be with you on your big day, following you around ALOT, so the more at ease you feel with them the more natural your photos will be.

2. Ask to see a full wedding shoot. You may like the ‘wow’ shots that they use for grabbing your attention but make sure you like how they will capture the rest of your day too. Sometimes it’s the shots that you didn’t realise they were even taking that can hold the most memories.

3. Ask any questions that are important to you. However silly they may seem. A good photographer will be more than happy to answer and put your mind at ease.

4. Read reviews from previous clients, it will give you a better idea of how they will be on the day. Most photographers will put reviews on social media, google and their websites but if possible try speak to the couples who have used them.

5. Don’t leave it to the last minute to book your photographer! Reputable photographers are booking in weddings sometimes two years in advance, especially during prime wedding season! If you have your sights set on a particular photographer it would be a shame to miss out. If they are already booked ask them if they can recommend another. Photographers often work together and are happy to pass weddings along to people they trust.

6. Don’t focus on pricing, obviously the budget will influence your decision making, but many photographers will try to accommodate different budgets. Don’t forget to ask if they have any offers on either! Remember you will have your pictures as memories for the rest of your life, it’s important that you are happy with the results and service you are investing in!

Hopefully, this might help you if you are currently planning a wedding and are feeling overwhelmed with decision making. Congratulations and happy wedding day!

Thank you for reading my blog it's much appreciated, please comment below and give me a cheeky share =)

If you would like to see more of my work and want any information ring me on 07540118284 or email - dannythompsonphotography15@gmail.com

Friday, May 21, 2021