Photographers! Last Chance to Help with the Survey

Any photographers and aspiring photographers, I'd love you to help if you have a moment. I will be closing my survey at 5pm tomorrow night where I am collecting information for my book aimed at photographers wanting to set up or grow their wedding photography business, ready to launch in 2013. Everyone who completes the survey and enters their email address will receive a free e-book as a thank you for your time.

Please click here to enter the survey before it closes at 5pm on Friday 14th December 2012. Thank you for you help - and thank you to all the photographers who have helped so far, I am so grateful that so many of you have helped me out completing this short survey. Thank you.

My 50 List Update

I keep getting asked how I'm doing with my 50 list (those of you new to this, I am doing 50 things, challenges to myself, some hard, some just because, and some for fun). So a quick update.

1. Do a stand up comedy routine DONE - and more than once. Toughest thing I've ever done!
2. Go to New York DONE - and doing it again next year for another item on the list ... see below.
3. Eat Breakfast at Tiffany's (eat a croissant out of a paper bag looking in the window of Tiffany's in NYC, of course!) - NOT DONE because it was pouring down when we were there so next time .... but I got Rob inside Tiffany and he bought me something :D
4. Visit Rome DONE
5. Visit Paris (again) NOT DONE
6. Visit Amsterdam for one day PLANNED
7. Visit London as a tourist (always seem to go for work reasons) PLANNED
8. Visit Prague NOT DONE
9. Sing at an Open Mike night IN TRAINING
10. Walk Ben Nevis IN TRAINING - next summer, here we come
11. Walk Scafell Pike IN TRAINING - next summer, here we come
12. Walk Snowdon IN TRAINING - next summer, here we come
13. Learn how to make perfect pastry off my Mum - DONE - and in fact, mmmm, let's make some mince pies :D
14. Learn how to make yummy chocolate - NOT DONE
15. Sell something on E-bay - TRYING, BUT NOT SOLD YET!
16. Go on the Williamson Tunnels tour - NOT DONE
17. Travel on the Yellow Duckmarine around Liverpool - DONE - and it was SUCH fun with my wonderful friend Mary.
18. Swear in front of my Dad! DONE
19. Volunteer for a week NOT DONE
20. Walk the Big Big Day 5K on my wedding anniversary DONE
21. Get the Ferry 'cross the Mersey PLANNED
22. Get under 11 stone DONE but I need to lose a bit more to be able to sustain that.
23. Be photographed in a 60s styled shoot NOT DONE
24. Cycle the Coast to Coast bike ride PLANNED and in training
25. Grow my own tomatoes DONE
26. Go to a rugby match - even though I have no idea what the heck they're doing on the pitch! NOT DONE
27. Go to a cricket match - might take a good book to alleviate the boredom though hehe NOT DONE
28. Go in one of those ball things that roll down hill PLANNED - got the partner now need to book the slot.
29. Go to a music festival (Leeds Festival tickets are booked!) DONE
30. Travel in an open top bus NOT DONE
31. Meet up with 5 people I only know through Facebook but have never met! PART DONE - met up with Vanessa Hall from Melbourne, and plans in place to meet up with others.
32. Write a book and get it published DONE - and the book became a bestseller on Amazon on the day it was published!
33. Test drive a Morgan NOT DONE
34. Be an extra on TV NOT DONE
35. Run the 10k route of Central Park, NYC PLANNED and in training
36. See the Northern Lights NOT DONE
37. Get a tattoo DONE - though only small and not quite finished because I burned my arm on top of the tattoo. Soup's dangerous, you know ;)
38. Go to the other side of the world DONE - and for such an unexpected and pleasurable reason (Nicole and Will's wedding)
39. .... I have 11 more to add - any ideas?

What a Weekend! The Business of Wedding Photography Book is Coming

This has been something of a whirlwind of a weekend. For sometime now I've been writing a book for wedding photographers on the business side of things and just not getting on far enough with it. And then I came across Alicia Dunams via Creative Live who was offering a virtual bootcamp, online training over an intensive weekend to take you from concept to publication. Now, Alicia is based in the US, and as far as time zones are concerned for me, the wrong side of the US! So the course didn't start each day until the evening, and went on into the early hours fo the morning. I'm exhausted, but it's worth it.

Some readers who follow my Facebook business page will have noticed that I have had exercises to complete over the weekend, including helping me get the title right - I think that still needs a bit of tweaking.

The working title is (it keeps changing!) "The Business of Wedding Photography: How to start and grow a profitable wedding photography business".

I am interested in including real life experiences from photographers in business and aspiring wedding photographers. Please email me (click here to email) if you have a story to tell and are happy to share it, and if you have a moment, I would really value you taking a few minutes to answer this short survey - click here to complete the survey. I know some of you have helped with a really short survey on Facebook - this one goes into a little more detail, so please answer using this survey if you are happy to help.

A huge thank you goes out to Alicia Dunams, and to the Bestseller in a Weekend community that I shared this workshop with. I'd give some particular mentions, but I think there are just too many and I'd miss some out. I am really excited to be getting my book finished and published, with a view to a launch date on 1st March 2013 (just in time for Focus on Imaging).

Thank to everyone who has helped so far, and who has agreed to help me in the coming weeks. This book can only help wedding photography as an industry.

Oh, and one more thing - there's a free e-book for everyone who completes the survey, as a little thank you for your help.

Day 9: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

Day 9 on the Zoe Photography Advent Calendar for Wedding Photography in Liverpool is Jo and Paul's wedding at Knowsley Hall. You couldn't find a cuter couple! I love how much they laugh and enjoy life in such a child-like way - I think there's a lot I could learn from them myself. And Knowsley Hall is such a beautiful venue to get married at. Jo and Paul were really lucky considering what a wet summer we had as they had a gorgeous day both the day of the wedding and the day before when we did their pre-wedding shoot.

Day 8: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

I'm not sure if you can find a more spectacular place for a wedding ceremony than Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral, and what a true delight it was to be able to photograph Lizzy and Cris's wedding there. When I look at their photographs I am still lost for words. After this amazing ceremony Lizzy and Cris walked down Hope Street in Liverpool for their wedding reception at Hope Street Hotel, a venue where I love photographing weddings, and always feel at home.

Day 7: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

Day 7 of the Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool actually moves to Chester, and the Chester Racecourse. I could choose so many photographs from Lisa and Ben's wedding, from the wedding present of a camper van, to the amazing Chester church, to the tears between Lisa and her dad, but I just love this one with Lisa sitting in the stands with the contrast of the red seats.

Day 6: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

Day 6 and nearly a week into the Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool and we go to Gemma and Ste's wedding. The ceremony was in a gorgeous church in Allerton followed by a reception at West Tower Country House Hotel in Aughton near Ormskirk. This is one of my favourite wedding venues to work at, with beautiful rooms and a spectacular view. It never disappoints, and the staff there are totally committed to making sure every wedding is the best it can be. Gemma brought a beautiful design to the West Tower, which you may see more of later in the Advent Calendar.

Day 5: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

Day 5 on the Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool goes to the guys. Aron married Emma at The Isla Gladstone, the gorgeous glasshouse in Stanley Park, Liverpool. They were really lucky because it was a lovely day which meant they could get married in the band stand outside. What a treat! And this was one of those wedding where from start to finish there was a lot of laughter and love. Alongside me at this wedding were the fabulous team from Marry Me Films who I love working with.

Day 4: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

Day 4 on the Advent Calendar showcases the wedding photography for Gill and Richard's wedding at The Vincent in Southport. Even though it was pouring down, this was a wedding where the laughter made it feel like the sun was shining. Richard arranged for the old Routemaster to collect Gill, adding a special touch to the day.

Day 3: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar for Wedding Photography in Liverpool and Wirral

Day 3 is Amy and Mark's wedding in Heswall and on to Hillbark Hotel, Wirral which I had the privilege to do the wedding photography for in June - how lucky were they, getting such a beautiful day before the summer rain came? I love this photograph where Amy is being walked up the church path by her mum and dad.

Day 2: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

Chloe is our Day 2 Advent Calendar bride. She married Mark on Easter Sunday in Waterloo, Liverpool, with a beautiful reception at Leverhulme Hotel, Port Sunlight, Wirral. It was a real pleasure to photograph their Liverpool and Wirral wedding, alongside David Beckham-Doyle who did the most beautiful flower displays with David Austin roses, and who I always love to work with.

Day 1: The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Wedding Photography in Liverpool

Day 1 of the Zoe Photography Wedding Photography Advent Calendar is the beautiful Sandra. Sandra and Tom married at St Andrew's Church in Maghull before their wedding reception in Liverpool City Centre. This was a two day wedding and this photograph of Sandra is from their western wedding day. Their second day was equally gorgeous with both Sandra and Tom dressed in traditional Chinese wedding outfits for their Chinese wedding reception in Liverpool's China Town.

The Zoe Photography Advent Calendar of Liverpool Wedding Photography

What a year! In fact, what a career I've had as a photographer to date over the last 10 years since I shot my first wedding for a friend. I've been so fortunate to learn from some amazing photographers such as David A Williams, Jerry Ghionis, Simon Watkinson, Kevin Wilson, John Parris, and more. And I've had the opportunity to photograph weddings in amazing places - I have photographed weddings abroad in Italy (Venice, Castellabate, Santa Margherita Ligure), Sweden, Ireland, and I've photographed weddings throughout the UK in Bristol, Clifton, Cheltenham, Buxted Park, Leeds,  Clitheroe, Scotland, Kendal, Ullswater, Penrith, Buttermere and more. And closer to home I regularly photograph weddings in Liverpool, Southport, Formby, Ormskirk, Chester, Thornton Hough, weddings in gorgeous venues including Knowsley Hall, Thornton Manor, West Tower in Aughton, the Isla Gladstone, the Palm House, The Vincent in Southport, Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool, The Racquet Club, Atlantic Tower, Croxteth Park, St George's Hall. And the lists could go on. I know I'm very fortunate to photograph weddings at such fabulous wedding venues in Merseyside, Wirral and West Lancashire. So it's time to celebrate.

Over the next 25 days I'm going to celebrate some special moments in the Zoe Photography Wedding Photography Advent Calendar covering weddings in Liverpool, Southport, Ormskirk and Wirral. Make sure you visit each day to see who is behind the Wedding Photography Advent Calendar door.

Photo:Film:Fusion - Knowsley Hall Wedding

Photo:Film:Fusion is unique to Zoe Photography - bringing your photographs to life through a fusion of film and photography set to music. The perfect way to enjoy reliving your day. Click below to watch the Photo:Film:Fusion of Matt and Natasha's wedding at Knowsley Hall.

Matt and Natasha's Knowsley Hall Wedding

Photographing Remembrance Sunday in Ormskirk

I was very privileged to be able to photograph the Remembrance Parade in Ormskirk, with the laying of wreaths at the new home of the memorial in Coronation Park. The sun shone, giving the occasion a very special feel and I got to talk to a WW2 veteran, 88 year old Mr Thaine who has adopted Ormskirk as his home. He wore his medals with pride. Here is a small selection of photographs I took at the Memorial, with Mr Thaine featuring too.

Lois and Greg's Vintage Style Wedding at West Tower, Aughton

I love doing wedding photography at West Tower Country House Hotel in Aughton, not least because it's only 5 minutes from home! But also because the staff there are fabulous and so helpful, and the venue is just beautiful for weddings. Lois and Greg took the 1920's feel of the house and took that through their whole wedding with amazing detail, giving the day a strong vintage feel. I just love Lois's bird cage veil. Everything came together perfectly on the day, including the weather - as you can see in this sneak peek.

I love how the West Tower, Aughton looks at night - and Steve Mitchell always does a great job with the dance floor too.

Family Portrait Session

Some families have such a lovely spirit - and that's true of the Kumar's. I laughed so much with them, as each of them has their own quirky personality which fits so beautifully together for a lot of humour and joy. I think you can see some of that coming through in this sneak peek of their shoot which we did at one of my favourite places, Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool.

Ann and Steve Marry in Thurstaston with a Reception in Thornton Hough

Saturday was such a beautiful day - weather-wise and company. Ann and Steve got married at St Bartholomew's Church in Thurstaston which is a gorgeous little church, and where I was looked after by Jane and Joyce. After the ceremony Ann and Steve took their guests to Mere Brook House in Thornton Hough where we all enjoyed a delicious winter barbecue with pumpkin lanterns and fireworks along with a brazzier to keep us all warm.

Ann is one of those people it's an true pleasure to know - I first met her a few years ago linked to the Cecil Beaton exhibition in Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery and we've stayed in touch ever since. And it was no surprise that Steve is just as lovely when I met him earlier this year. It was a real pleasure for me to photograph the wedding of a friend who is beautiful both inside and out. Ann looked perfect all day - and both were clearly so happy.

I loved the little touches that Ann had put together - there were flags for the recessional (Union Jack, Scottish, Welsh and even stars and stripes for one American guest!) as Jerusalem was playing the two of them out of the church, and in the evening we were all treated to fireworks. Thankfully the weather was perfect for them.

Here is a little sneak peek of the photographs - and I think you'll agree that Ann looks absolutely stunning - a grown-up Alice in Wonderland. Truly perfect with her Prince Charming (I know, I know, Prince Charming wasn't in Alice in Wonderland!)

Amanda's Photo Shoot 2012

Every year in October Amanda has her very own photo shoot and each year we try to do something a bit different. This year we stayed indoors for a change and created some fabulous photographs together. Looking forward to getting Amanda's reaction to this year's selection - here's just a little sneak peek of what we managed to capture. I really love the black and white photographs ... although those red shoes look amazing too and that wouldn't show if all the pictures were in black and white.

It's Your Wedding, Not a Fashion Shoot

In 2008, 2009, 2010 I won a series of awards, one of them being Fashion Photographer of the Year. And so with such a strength in fashion photography you might expect that I want to force fit fashion into every wedding. Sure, my wedding photography is influenced by fashion, but that's as far as it goes. I've noticed recently that more and more photographers, particularly the newer ones, are showcasing weddings as if they are fashion shoots, courses are being marketed to photographers about fashion photography that are advertised with a model in a wedding dress, and people are using pictures taken at courses to create a portfolio to get work as a wedding photographer - and so I've decided it's time to set the record straight.

On your wedding day, I respect that this is a solemn occasion with moments of happiness, some with tears, and lots with laughter. The bottom line is that this is your wedding day, it's not a fashion shoot, it's not a photo shoot. It's your wedding.

I promise to direct you to create some amazing photographs, and I also promise to capture natural moments of beauty and emotion as they happen. But most importantly, I promise not to take over your day with a fashion shoot designed to grace the pages of my website. Your photographs will reflect the two of you, the kind of people you are, the relationship you have together, and who you are with your family and friends.

You may, and probably will, feel like your photographs look like you were featured in a magazine, particularly when you hear from your friends how fabulous you look in photographs I've taken of you - but none of them will have been taken as if we're on a fashion shoot. All of them will be captured in moments of happiness, telling the story of what really happened on your wedding day, not the story that some photographer decides should be told of the two of you.

Let's get back to reality - let's photograph the wonderful and true story of your wedding!

Photographs from Emma and Aron's wedding earlier this year.

Zoe Photography Wedding Magazine

Are you getting married in 2013? Looking for the perfect match with your wedding photographer in the Liverpool, West Lancashire, Southport, Formby and Wirral areas? Drop me an email to receive a copy of my Autumn 2012 wedding magazine and get a taste of who I am, what I am about and the kind of photographs I take, as well as reading what previous couples have said about my work.

Email me zoe@zoephotography.co.uk

November is Headshot Specials

Calling Liverpool actors, comedians, performers, public speakers, models, business people - get professional headshots taken in November on one of the Zoe Photography November Headshot Specials. Just 5 dates in November - choose from Friday 2nd, Sunday 11th, Saturday 17th, Wednesday 21st, and Sunday 25th November. Limited number of slots available each day. All sessions take place in a central Liverpool location.

Choose the time slot that suits you - from £50 for a 15 minute headshot session with 3 photographs on disk, a 30 minute session for £75 with 6 headshots on disk, up to a one hour session for £150 with makeup and 12 images on disk (please arrive 40 minutes before you allotted time for makeup). A variety of images is created for different looks.

Call me on 07792 650 742

Email zoe@zoephotography.co.uk

In Business

I know I am followed by a lot of photographers and business owners as a result of my business writing in national magazines, but I don't tend to write about business here - so why not go and visit my In Business Facebook Page or my In Business Blog. See you there!

Introducing Joel

Since I first began taking photographs for weddings Rob, my husband, has been there to support me, with the occasional bit of help from our daughter, Ellie, since she first shot with me in Italy in 2008 when she was nearly 16 (she just wanted a holiday out of it, but demonstrated a real skill with the camera). And each year Rob and I have commented on how lucky we've been that even though he has MS, his worst episodes have been during times when there have been few if any weddings. Until this year. I guess it's not helped that we've had both of our mums poorly, and we've moved house, and then I moved the business into our new home too! So it's not as if this has been a stress-free year. But we reached mid-August and it was clear that Rob just didn't have the energy to keep going anymore.

Now, finding a second photographer who you get on with, is good, is happy to be a second, and can photograph in the style I dictate is not an easy task. But as luck would have it, I came across Joel early in the summer, through his wife who did a write up on our old house to help it sell (thanks Clare, it worked!). I liked Joel's work, and could see that he knew what he was doing with his camera. So I gave him a shout and asked if he'd be up for being my second photographer for September. And fortunate for me, he jumped at the chance! He's not going to be working with me on every wedding (he has got bookings of his own as the primary shooter) but I'm happy to say that when Rob isn't able to be there, Joel is happy to step in and take on the role - and as one of the guests told me on Saturday that he's cute (no-one has ever said that of Rob, but he's my Mr Cute!), I'm reckoning people won't mind him being part of the Zoe Photography team.

All I need to do now is find a way of capturing a picture of Joel so that you can judge for yourself! But to help things along, here's a little selection of pictures he's taken this month. I think you'll agree, he's doing a great job for Zoe Photography.

Chris and Fran's Prescot Wedding and Knowsley Hall Reception

I cry at most weddings that I photograph - I don't mean to, but I think it's because of the connection we make. But Saturday was an exception - don't get me wrong, I cried all right ... I cried so much I had the tissues out and I was working hard not to sniff my way through the ceremony, and when I was looking through the photographs the first time, the second time and the third time, you guessed it, I cried again! They were the right kind of tears though - tears of happiness for a truly lovely couple who both come from fabulous families. And so it was also a day of laughter, faux pas (mine, I have to say ... one day I'll find a way to connect my brain to my mouth!), love and sunshine ... lots and lots of sunshine!

Chris and Fran had brought together the perfect team, with their wedding reception at Knowsley Hall (Wayne, Lesley and the team at the Hall are a dream to work with, and Trevor's team in the kitchens produce the most delicious food!) There was So Coco Rouge doing hair and makeup, Ling from Dragonfly Couture Stationery produce the most beautiful seating plan, orders of service and menues (and sure many other touches too), Marry Me Films were working alongside Joel and myself recording the day, and the lovely gentlemen from Horgans cars drove the couple and their wedding party to the church and back to Knowsley Hall. Stephen, a family friend, was the vicar who took the ceremony at the 400 year old church in Prescot, and his sermon was fabulous - funny and inspirational. A real treat.

In fact this is a wedding that it's so hard to pick things out to mention because there were so many fabulous things - how good Chris looked in his top hat and tails, how stunning Fran looked in her Caroline Castigliano dress (that twirled so perfectly!), the gorgeous way they dressed the hall, how lovely their families were to both me and Joel who was my second shooter for the wedding (I will resist the temptation to turn up at Andrew and Josie's for Christmas lunch, even though something tells me that Christmas would be fabulous in their home!), how friendly all their guests were, how professionally Wayne and all the staff working at the Hall were, how glamourous Josie and Kay looked (and special mention for how cute Sam looked too ... Jonathan was a bit too tall to carry off the cute thing!), how pretty the bridesmaids were with their gorgeous hair styled by So Coco Rouge, how perfect the weather was (no, really, it was perfect!), how lovely it was working with a great team, including Joel - see, just too much to mention, particularly as there is more I could say!

Can we do it all again? Can we? :-)

Matt and Natasha's Rainhill Wedding and Knowsley Hall Reception

They say that it's the bride's prerogative to be late, don't they? But evenso Matt and Natasha's wedding was a fabulous day -  in fact, I think the fact that Natasha was a little bit late added a bit of excitement to the ceremony, helped by the sun shining down, and a smile on everyone's face. Many years ago I used to visit St Ann's church in Rainhill, but I've never photographed a wedding there, so it was a treat to be able to be there in my capacity of wedding photograph, and to meet the adorable Colin, the church verger who himself is a wedding photographer (he's been doing it for almost as many years as I've been alive though!).

Matt and Natasha couldn't have asked for a better day, with a little touch of blue in the sky after the earlier rain of the day. Natasha looked beautiful, with her hair and makeup expertly done by Sian and Robyn from Liverpool's So Coco Rouge, and a gorgeous dress that suited her perfectly - and I loved the colour of her bridesmaids' dresses.

From the church, Matt and Natasha were driven to Knowsley Hall (with a fab sweet trolley made by Natasha's step dad and filled with sweets by her mum). Guests were welcomed by a beautiful ice sculpture for the seating plan, and there was a wishing tree for them to leave their messages on too.  

The two of them fitted perfectly into the Hall's grandeur, with Matt looking rather dapper in his tails (tall men always look perfect in tails!). I love the photograph I managed to capture of Matt with his groomsmen in the Walnut Drawing Room - they all look so at home there! And a special mention has to be made for a special bridesmaid - Natasha's sister Coral was brilliant, thinking of everything for Natasha, and making sure she had the best day she could have - everyone needs a Coral!

Dominic and Nadine's Wedding at Knowsley Hall

Some weddings are definitely family affairs, and that's true to say of Dominic and Nadine's wedding at Knowsley Hall. Though sadly little Dominic kept running away from the camera! When I say 'little' Dominic I don't mean to say that the groom is little, but rather their little boy, also called Dominic. Thankfully, Joel, who has been second shooting for me whilst Rob's health has not been too good with his MS, managed to capture little Dominic as he came into the Stucco Ballroom where the ceremony was - and also caught the moment when Dominic was dropping the ring cushion, rescued by Wayne, the Hall's fabulous Operations Manager.

Nadine had put together the most amazing combination of shoes, dress, hair and makeup, with her bridesmaids in a style of dress that suited them all. In fact, I don't think I've ever seen such a dramatic group photograph on the steps of Knowsley Hall - the combination of colours with the men in their dark blue suits and the girls in their gorgeous red dresses looked stunning.  Nadine herself had the look of a Spanish princess, and her veil was spectacular!

Amazingly, considering the summer we've had, and the month of September too, they had a beautiful day, celebrated by friends who enjoyed a laugh. Oh, and one photograph of note .... I just love the picture of Nadine's mum, Lorraine, standing at the top of the stairs in Knowsley Hall - she looks like a Hollywood star!

And Wayne even managed to sneak into one of those pictures there too .... gorgeous as ever, Wayne.

Lorna and Carl's Knowsley Village Wedding and Liverpool Town Hall Reception

Saturday was an unusual day - there was NO rain! Lorna and Carl were so lucky after the kind of summer we've been having.  And I was lucky because I was joined by Aaron Rose Wedding Films - I love working with Matt and his team as we work effortlessly together, to the point where you'd think we were one team.

Lorna and Carl's wedding, which planned to perfection by Lorna's mum, was at the gorgeous little church in Knowsley Village, an unusual church with it's central pews. And it was so nice to have the service taken by Carl's Uncle Geoff, with readings by Lorna's brother and his partner, making it a truly family affair.  The bridesmaids looked spectacular in Manolo-Blahnik-Blue with a gorgeous one shoulder dress that suited each of them. And the bride looked perfect in her white dress - ok, ok, Carl, you looked good too, as did your groomsmen! The flowers were by Fishlocks on Castle Street in Liverpool, who had created a lovely vintage look with the colours they'd put together.

The wedding went on to Liverpool Town Hall, which is one of the city's unsung treasures! I just love the place. And the history to it too - the stairs (I learned this off Dave who compered the wedding reception) are what the stairs for the Titanic were modelled on! Lorna and Carl looked fabulous on the stairs too, as you can see below.

One of the things I love about the Town Hall is that the speeches can be done in the Council Chamber which is such an amazing backdrop, though I felt for Carl's younger brother and bestman who had never done a speech before and had everyone's faces looking right him. But he did a great job, and even had people laughing, which isn't easy to do.

So here is a sneak peek of Lorna and Carl's day, which ended with Xander and the Peace Pirates - I think Rob could have stayed all night to listen to them play, but I forced him to come home!