Mel and Hughston’s Wedding at Wainstones Hotel, Great Broughton

Even though I’m a wedding photographer based in Glasgow, I’m often asked to capture weddings in my native Teesside, and I always love the opportunity to go back to my roots.

Mel and Hughston’s wedding was a cross cultural day, with Hughston’s family flying in from Georgia US the week before, and his brother, best man, arriving the day before the wedding, and then flying out on the Sunday to go back to work on the Monday.

Hughston has been working in Teesside as a Youth Worker for Tees Valley Youth for Christ, and met Mel through mutual friends.

The ceremony was at Tees Valley Church in Egglescliffe. Normally an auditorium seating over a thousand people, yet some how with clever lighting and central focal point, felt very intimate with just over a hundred people there.

After the obligatory everyone together shot, the couple and close family managed to sneak away to Great Ayton for some family photographs, then on to Newton-Under-Roseberry for the couple shoot. Anyone who lives in Teesside will know the iconic Roseberry Topping - a statement of the county, and a statement of the wedding. Founded in two different continents, but together in Teesside.

The reception was at The Wainstones Hotel in Great Broughton. What would be considered traditional to Americans, Mother of the Groom and Groom dances aren’t normal this side of the ocean. The song that they danced to was My Wish by Rascal Flatts. It was such a beautiful moment.

If the whole day could be summed up in one word, it would be relaxed. Perfect for capturing the real, natural and authentic moments.