So it has been a special time in my life recently as it was my 20th wedding anniversary.  Lisa and I got married 20 years ago in Wakefield and I thought I had best give Lisa a treat for putting up with me for more than 20 years   So I did some soul searching and thought what would be the best present I could give to Lisa.  Lisa has a real passion for visiting other countries and experiencing other cultures.  One of her top places to visit was Marrakech, the architecture, the people seemed to appeal her sense of adventure.  So when I discussed the idea of visiting Marrakech she jumped at the chance. I left all the plans up to Lisa for what places to visit, arranging the accommodation and sorting the itinerary…..after all it was Lisa’s present!

We had a great five days in Marrakech, we visited palaces, visited the tallest waterfalls in North Africa, had a look around a Berber village, did some serious shopping around the Souks, had a Hammam (Google Hammam) and also chilled out.  Below are a few pictures of our adventure to Marrakech….in no particular order.

This was the Riad we stayed at in Marrakech

These are the Saadian Tombs, members of the Saadi dynasty who existed around the 16th century

This is called Ben Youssef Madrasa, an Islamic college which was used around the 14th Century

The Ouzoud waterfalls, a stunning place to visit….they are around 110m (330ft) in height

We were lucky enough to visit a local Berber market

Our guide called Abdul helped us through the waterfalls and the area around it

Lisa had a go at grinding Argan nuts, which are only found in certain parts of Morocco and Algeria

Abdul took us to visit a local’s house, quite a basic kitchen

We were lucky enough to see and feed some wild monkeys!

The Majorelle Gardens

Mohammed, one of the shop owners in the Souks we shopped at!

This was inside the Riad we stayed in….stunning

I’m a tad late posting this but on the 29th December I drove down the the amazing venue Clearwell Castle for the wedding of Alison and Richard.  I was asked by good friend Dafydd Hughes to help on the day…..I didn’t think twice about saying yes.  It is a cracking venue and Dafydd told how chilled and relaxed Alison and Richard were.

On the day I was met with cold and wet weather as I followed Richard around in the morning to cover his preparations.  I then shot off to Clearwell Castle to get the guests arriving and to stay there and capture the rest of the day.  The ceremony went without a hitch and the rest of the day ran perfectly.  Alison and Richard are such a chilled and relaxed couple and I was so grateful to be invited by Dafydd to be part of their special day.  A mention must go to the staff at Clearwell Caslte who fed us a four course meal….amazing

A few images from the day…..

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, Leeds wedding photographer, Wakefield Wedding Photographer,

Clearwell Castle Wedding, West Yorkshire wedding photographer www.paulalexander.co.uk

I can’t believe another year has been and gone!  The saying ‘time flies when you are having fun’ could not be more true….as I had a hugely fun and successful year in 2011.  It has been a real privilege to attend some amazing weddings during 2011.  I have met some amazing people, photographed at some beautiful venues around West Yorkshire and the UK….I had an absolute blast during 2011!  I would like to say a massive thank you to all my couples who put their trust in me in 2011, I really do appreciate being part of their special day.

Looking forward to 2012 its going to be an amazing year also.   I have some stunning weddings to look forward to in 2012, I am so excited!  So as we say goodbye and thank you to 2011 please join me in saying hello to 2012 and all the joy, fun and promise it holds for the future.

As always an end of year blog post needs a few images.  I have selected some of my favourite photo’s taken in 2011…..I hope you like them as much as I do!

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, West Yorkshire wedding photographer, Leeds Wedding Photographer,

Sheffield Wedding Photographer, North Yorkshire wedding photographer  www.paulalexander.co.uk

So Saturday saw me in Milton Keynes for the wedding of Carleen and Steven.  I have been working closely with the lovely couple with regards to their wedding photography.

I started out at Carleen’s parents house to cover the bridal preparations.  A special mention has to go to the low hanging chandelier…which I managed to bang my head on numerous times during the morning.  After a chilled and relaxed time at Carleen’s preparations there was a rush to St Mary’s church in Haversham to cover the ceremony…which was beautiful by the way.   After the ceremony we dashed to the reception Venue, Horwood House in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire.  This is a stunning venue and I was hugely impressed how well we were looked after by the Horwood House staff….an example of great wedding venue service!

The day ran perfectly and we had an amazing time with Carleen and Steven.  I wish them all the best for their bright and happy future!

As always a few images from the day…

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, West Yorkshire wedding photographer, Leeds Wedding Photographer,

Milton Keynes Wedding Photographer, Buckinghamshire wedding photographer  www.paulalexander.co.uk

It was a month ago that I shot Heather and Marc’s pre-wedding shoot.  That month has flown by…..Heather and Marc’s big day was upon us.  I was joined by friend and fellow photographer Dafydd Hughes.  My day started at Heather parents to capture the preparations taking place.  It was then a short trip to Kirk Deighton church where the ceremony took place and a lovely church it was too.  We then headed off to the Bridge Inn in Wetherby where the reception was held.  My sat nav decided to pack up so I quickly followed Heather and Marc back to the Bridge Inn…..thanks for letting me follow you Heather and Marc!

The rain held off at the right time and the day ran without a flaw.  It was a cracking day and I am grateful to Heather and Marc for choosing me to be their wedding photographer, I do love my job!

A few images from the day……

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, Wakefield Wedding Venue Leeds wedding photographer, Wakefield Wedding Photographer,

Wetherby Wedding Photographer, West Yorkshire wedding photographer www.paulalexander.co.uk

Saturday morning I met up with Heather and Marc for their pre-wedding shoot.  I am shooting their wedding next month at The Bridge in Wetherby and set to be a great day.  We met at Yorkshire Sculpture Park which is a great location for photography.  Heather and Marc were totally chilled in front of the camera….along with Tilly (their dog), who wouldn’t settle down for a good photo

A few images from the morning….

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, Leeds wedding photographer, Wakefield Wedding Photographer,

Sheffield Wedding Photographer, West Yorkshire wedding photographer www.paulalexander.co.uk

You may have have noticed an absence of blogs post recently….that’s because I have been on holiday!! I went to Kos in Greece with my family for some rest and relaxation…..time away to recharge my batteries   I don’t normally post personal stuff, but we had such a great time and visited some amazing places that I made an exception.  We visited a volcano, immersed ourselves in some volcanic springs, had dinner by sunset, swam in the clear blue Aegean sea….the list goes on.  Kos is an amazing place to visit with some great locations for photography.

I have selected a few of my favorites from our holiday images….just to let you know these are in no particular order.

A bit late in posting this!  A few weeks back I helped friend and fellow photographer Tom Arber at Amanda and Jonathan’s wedding in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.  The wedding was held at Crab Manor Hotel also known as the Crab and Lobster.  Its a cosy little venue with some great surroundings for wedding photography.  My day started at the venue by capturing the guests arriving….followed by the ceremony shortly afterwards.  The weather was great and we were well looked after by the staff at Crab Manor Hotel.  The day was very fun, relaxed and chilled and there were so many people there that we had standing room only for some of the guests at the ceremony!  Amanda and Jonathan are such a warm and happy couple, I had a great day at their wedding and I wish them all the best for the future.

A few images form the day….

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, North Yorkhire wedding venue Leeds wedding photographer, Wakefield Wedding Photographer,

North Yorkshire wedding photographer, West Yorkshire wedding photographer www.paulalexander.co.uk

Yesterday I visited Yorkshire Sculpture Park near Wakefield for the wedding of Heather and James (also known as Jimmy!)  I have been working with Heather and James recently on preperations for their wedding photography.  Heather and James are from Manchester but they held their wedding at Yorkshire Sculpture Park (also known as YSP) as it holds some sweet memories for them in their University years….cute   I must say a special thank you to the staff at Yorkshire Scultpure Park who did a great job and really looked after us.

My day started of with Heather covering the bridal preparations followed by a dash to a very wet YSP.  It did rain most of the day but we managed to get a few breaks to get some shots with heather and James….I am grateful that they braved a few showers to get some shots!  The day ran without a hitch and everyone enjoyed the day.  I am grateful Heather and James chose me for their wedding photography as I had a great time and honoured to part of their special day.

A few images from the day…..

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, Wakefield Wedding Venue Leeds wedding photographer, Wakefield Wedding Photographer,

Sheffield Wedding Photographer, West Yorkshire wedding photographer www.paulalexander.co.uk

Yesterday I visited Heath in Wakefield for the wedding of Lyn and Andy, you may have noticed that I did their pre-wedding shoot at heath a few weeks back.  I started out at Lyn’s parents to capture Lyn getting ready along with her bridesmaids.  A quick trip to Kirkthorpe church for the ceremony, which has to be one of the darkest churches I have photographed in!  Then Back to Lyn’s parents for the reception which was held in a stunning Marquee in the back garden.  As always with the weather there was the chance of rain but as requested it held off.  The day went fantastically well and everyone enjoyed the day.  Lyn and Andy had kept a secret from the guests as they had a Meatloaf tribute act arranged for the reception….he was awesome….a great end to the evening!  I thank Lyn and Andy for allowing me to be part of the their special day.

A few images from the day……

All photography by Paul Alexander Photography, Leeds wedding photographer, Wakefield Wedding Photographer,

Sheffield Wedding Photographer, West Yorkshire wedding photographer www.paulalexander.co.uk