Emma & Lewis — Dalton Old Pump House Wedding, Seaham

Weddings

Sep 6

Well. I don't think I've ever come away from a wedding with over 4,000 images before, and if that doesn't tell you what kind of day Emma and Lewis gave me, I don't know what will.

This was my first time at Dalton Old Pump House, and I am already plotting my return, because what a photographer's dream that venue is. Those industrial green pillars, the exposed brick, the chandeliers hanging down over the dance floor — it's dramatic and characterful in a way that photographs beautifully from every single angle, and we genuinely ran out of hours in the day before we ran out of things to shoot.

Emma, that first look with your bridesmaids absolutely stopped me in my tracks — the gasps, the hands over mouths, one of you looked like you'd forgotten how to breathe for a second there. That's the reaction every bride hopes for and yours delivered it in full. And Lewis, watching you see Emma walk in, both of you wiping away tears before you'd even said a word to each other — that's the kind of moment I live for behind the camera.

The whole day had such a lovely flow to it, from the quiet, private getting-ready moments right through to a reception that clearly had zero intention of stopping early. Between the singing waiters catching everyone completely off guard and that entrance up onto the balcony with the whole room cheering you on, it's obvious your wedding party knows how to celebrate properly. And that final dance shot under the chandeliers, Emma up in the air laughing while Lewis holds on for dear life — that one's going straight to the top of my favourites for this year.

Emma and Lewis, thank you so much for trusting me with your day and for being an absolute dream to photograph. Amazing people, amazing venue, amazing team around you — that's a pretty unbeatable combination. Wishing you both a very happy ever after.

If you're getting married in County Durham and want a venue with real personality (and a photographer who won't mind staying past bedtime for it), get in touch — I'd love to hear your plans.

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