Emma and Carl first met in University and after three years their friendship blossomed into romance. “We met at Sunderland University in our first year in radio class aged 18. We were friends throughout university and only became a couple after we’d graduated and Carl had moved to London! After two months long distance I moved to London to be with him.”

The couple then tied the knot at the award-winning Seaham Hall on June 8th 2018 surrounded by friends and family – it was a beyond gorgeous celebration. “We wanted a small wedding with only our family and closest friends. We were most looking forward to everyone getting together in one place as a lot of our family and friends are spread out all over the UK, as well as in the USA and China!
It was important to us that everyone had fun (especially those who’d traveled so far!) and so as well as the DJ we booked a renovated vintage photo booth and surprised everyone with fireworks at the end of the night!”

“I grew up in Sunderland and had visited Seaham Hall when I was 15 for a family dinner. I always remembered how beautiful the building and grounds where as well as how amazing the food was! It was the only venue we looked at and just fell in love with it right away! We’d looked at plenty of venues online, but one thing we loved about Seaham Hall was how modern it is despite its age and history. The Courtyard where we held our ceremony is so light and airy thanks to the glass roof and was perfect for a spring/summer wedding. The ballroom is neutrally decorated which means it will compliment any colour scheme. I would definitely recommend it to future brides!”

How did you choose your photographer?
“I’ve been a fan of Ed’s for years. At University I came across his work and started following him on Facebook way back in 2009. I always knew if I ever got married I wanted him to be our photographer. He’s got a very laid-back documentary style of shooting and that suited Carl and I much more than lining up for hundreds of staged group shots.”

Advice for other brides and grooms?
“Do as much planning as you can early on! The last few weeks are incredibly busy so try and have as much done as you can in advance. Also, the day will go by in a flash so try and take it all in and grab some time for yourselves! Even if it’s just for a quick glass of champagne in your room away from everyone!”

What was your highlight of the day?
“The whole day is the highlight! Everyone says it’s the best day of your life and it really isn’t just something people say… you’re in your own bubble of happiness and nothing can spoil it! If I have to pick one moment though I’d say the fireworks display. It was fantastic and such a special moment and the perfect way to end the day, more than a couple of people got a bit teary but I’m sure the champagne had something to do with it as well!”

For more real wedding inspiration, take a look a our dedicated real wedding section, or take a look at the glossy pages of our regional wedding magazine.