Alexandra & Carsten’s 2010 Wedding at Soughton Hall — Natural, Timeless Photography

A beautiful love story told in the lush green gardens of Soughton Hall.
Alexandra and Carsten chose a stunning setting — not just for themselves, but for the people they love most. A warm May day, an intimate gathering, and everything captured in natural light, just as it happened.

I arrived during the final moments of preparation and stayed through to the wedding breakfast — five hours booked, but I lingered a little longer to catch a few more quiet frames before the light faded. Their couple portraits, taken just beyond the hall on that deep green lawn, remain some of my favourites.

If you’re looking for an authentic wedding photographer based in Leeds or West Yorkshire, I hope you’ll enjoy exploring this gallery — and many more. And if it feels like your kind of storytelling, I’d love to hear about your plans.

Bridal shoes on a vintage cabinet beside a lamp in the Soughton Hall bridal suite, lace curtains behind — Bridal shoes resting quietly in the Soughton Hall suite,
Soft light, lace curtains, and a calm start to the day

Quiet Moments Before the Ceremony — Bridal Prep at Soughton Hall

The morning began softly — bridal shoes placed by a vintage lamp, a lace bouquet resting on the bed. Light moved gently through the curtains as final touches were made.

From earrings clasped with help from a bridesmaid to a few calm portraits near the tall mirror, everything stayed unhurried and real. Some moments were still, others full of quiet laughter. It was a space held gently — a little time for breathing, feeling, and being before the day began.

Cream rose bridal bouquet with soft greenery placed on a lace-draped four-poster bed — The bride’s bouquet waiting on the lace-draped bed,
Cream roses, quiet light, and a touch of green

Bridesmaid helping the bride with earrings in black and white, a quiet bridal suite moment — A gentle moment between friends in black and white,
Bridesmaid helping with the final touch

A candid view of the bride and bridesmaid seen through the frame of the four-poster bed — Seen through the bed frame — a private, thoughtful moment
Shared quietly between bride and bridesmaid

Bride smiling warmly at a friend in the bridal suite at Soughton Hall — The soft joy of a quiet moment,
The bride smiling toward someone who knows her well

Bride standing near a tall mirror in the elegant Soughton Hall bridal suite — Poised and calm before the ceremony,
A moment of stillness in the mirror’s glow

Groom chatting with the registrar ahead of the ceremony at Soughton Hall — A quiet check-in before the vows,
Groom and registrar in soft conversation

Quiet Moments with the Groom — Chats, Cravats & Welcoming Smiles

Downstairs, the mood was relaxed. Carsten looked quietly proud in his sharp black suit, white shirt, and bold red cravat — helping his best man with his tie and sharing a few quiet laughs.

Guests began to arrive and filter into the ceremony room — hugs at the door, familiar faces, a low hum of conversation. Among them, one little guest stole the spotlight for a few moments, as children often do. This wasn’t a grand crowd, but one full of real connection — a close gathering of friends and family, exactly how it should be.

Harpist playing in a light-filled room before the ceremony begins — Soft notes from the harp fill the room,
Setting the scene for something beautiful

Groom in red cravat smiling and chatting with guests before the ceremony — Warm conversation and steady smiles,
The groom relaxed before the ceremony begins

The groom and best man helping one another with their cravats before the ceremony — A moment of teamwork and laughter,
Tying cravats and steadying nerves together

Young girl walking through an oak door, intrigued by the harpist playing nearby — A little scene-stealer wanders in, drawn by the harp,
Tiny steps, full of curiosity

Harpist playing in ceremony room while guests enter and find their seats — Soft strings set the scene,
Guests arriving under the gentle pull of music

Young girl in a floral dress sitting quietly on a step before the ceremony — A moment of stillness in a flowery dress,
Waiting quietly before the day begins

Registrar preparing with video camera filming, guests chatting, groom smiling nearby — The pieces coming together,
Warm smiles and gentle nerves in the room

Guests standing inside the ceremony room at Soughton Hall, waiting for things to begin — A soft buzz of conversation,
Guests waiting for love to walk in

A man filming with a camcorder as his daughter leans gently on his knee — Capturing memories his own way,
A quiet moment shared with his daughter

Groom chatting with the registrar as a little girl leans on the table nearby, misty light in the room — Soft light, a quiet chat,
And small hands watching it all unfold

Guests sitting and chatting together before the ceremony at Soughton Hall — Low voices and warm smiles,
A little calm before the vows

Two well-dressed women sharing a laugh in the ceremony room before it begins — A shared laugh between friends,
Style and joy in the room already

Bride walking down the steps with her father, on the way to the ceremony at Soughton Hall — Halfway there and full of feeling,
Alexandra makes her way to the ceremony by her father’s side

The Ceremony at Soughton Hall — Captured by a Leeds, West Yorkshire Wedding Photographer

Alexandra made her way down the grand staircase, her father at her side, passing through the oak doors into the warm, wood-toned ceremony room. With golden light drifting in and the harpist still playing, Carsten waited with a smile.

What followed was calm and full of feeling — thoughtful glances, soft laughter, and gentle vows. Rings were exchanged with quiet certainty, and their first kiss was caught in timeless black and white. From that moment through to the elegant signing and a beaming exit to applause, every step felt easy and true.

As a Leeds-based West Yorkshire wedding photographer, this is what I always hope to capture — not perfection, but presence. And this one had it in every frame.

Groom, best man, and guests seated and waiting for the ceremony to begin at Soughton Hall — All gathered, all ready,
Just waiting now for her to walk in

Young flower girl frowning slightly, not quite happy to be seated — A small chair and a big feeling,
Not every guest loves to sit still

Bride walking in arm-in-arm with her father as the harpist plays — The moment begins —
Alexandra enters, to soft strings and full hearts

Bride and father walking with smiles as they near the ceremony space — Smiles between them as they approach,
Each step filled with quiet joy

Bride and father walking past a window filled with soft misty light — Light and lace and stillness in the air,
Moments like this are never staged

Bride reaches her groom as the ceremony begins at Soughton Hall — One last breath, and then they’re side by side,
Ready for whatever comes next

Bride’s friend giving a heartfelt reading during the ceremony — A friend’s voice, steady and full of love,
One of the day’s most honest gifts

Bride and groom exchange wedding rings during the ceremony — Rings exchanged, hands held,
A quiet promise made in front of everyone they love

Best man handing Alexandra the groom’s ring — Passed from friend to bride,
A small golden circle that changes everything

Bride and groom’s first kiss captured in black and white, eyes closed — Their first kiss, unposed and perfectly quiet,
Caught in black and white, just as it was

Bride and groom holding hands, smiling with shared emotion after the ceremony — The moment it really sinks in,
That they did it — and it’s real

Bride and groom looking at the wedding register before signing — That small pause before the ink dries,
A glance at something official and lasting

Bride watching groom sign the register in black and white — A quiet smile from Alexandra as Carsten signs,
Everything now beginning to settle

Bride and groom with their wedding witnesses, all smiling naturally at each other — No posing needed,
Just the ease between friends who shared the moment

Bride and groom exiting the ceremony to the sound of applause — Newly married and full of light,
Stepping out to the warmth of happy hands

The full wedding party gathered outside Soughton Hall, standing on the lawn in front of the grand façade — A quiet gathering full of love,
Framed by the grandeur of Soughton Hall

Group Moments and Couple Portraits — Captured Naturally at Soughton Hall

Everyone gathered on the lawn outside the grand facade — relaxed, smiling, no fuss. A light confetti toss followed, caught in the air just as it drifted down.

From there, the tone shifted gently. Alexandra and Carsten shared a few quiet moments together, full of personality and ease. A playful lift, a walk down the tree-lined avenue, and natural touches that needed no direction.

These couple portraits, captured by a Leeds wedding photographer, show them just as they are — real, unposed, and entirely themselves in the soft May light at Soughton Hall.

Bride and groom share a kiss just outside the gates, moments before the confetti toss — A kiss before the petals fly,
Just them for a second, in the doorway of celebration

Couple smiling as light confetti floats down outside the gates of Soughton Hall — Smiles and soft colours in the air,
A joyful moment just outside the gates

Bride and groom on the green lawn away from the hall, looking at each other as she gently touches his arm — Lush grass beneath, only each other in sight,
A tender moment shared in the quiet

Bride kisses the groom on the cheek beside the water fountain in the Soughton Hall gardens — A kiss by the fountain,
Just enough to make him smile

Bride and groom standing close beside a stone arch detail in the gardens at Soughton Hall — Stone and sunlight and something still,
A quiet closeness beneath the garden arch

Couple leaning slightly away from each other on the green lawn in a fun pose — A little playful balance,
Laughter on the green lawn

Groom lifting the bride playfully in his arms for a natural couple portrait outdoors — Lifted by joy and just a little mischief,
A moment that wasn’t planned but felt right

Bride and groom walking hand in hand, looking at each other along a narrow road lined with trees — A walk down the lane, just the two of them,
Hands held, hearts steady

Bride standing by the fireplace indoors, softly looking down at her bouquet — Stillness by the hearth,
A moment to breathe and look at what’s hers

Bride and groom kiss softly while seated, harpist blurred in the background, light drifting through — A kiss in the misty light,
Music behind them, everything else forgotten

Bride seated and groom kneeling beside her for a quiet, intimate couple moment — No posing, no performance —
Just the closeness of two people at peace

Bride and groom standing face to face beside a tall window with draping curtains — Framed in soft window light,
A private moment for two

Simple white wedding cake with a white ribbon and single red rose — Elegant and unfussy,
One red rose says enough

Quiet Details and Joyful Moments at Soughton Hall

Before joining the celebrations, I slipped inside to capture the delicate details — the elegant cake, table settings, and soft light filling the room. These quiet moments set the scene for what was to come.

Back in the grand hall, laughter and love filled the air. Family and friends gathered to share gifts and smiles, while a charming German tradition brought playful joy — Alexandra and Carsten cutting their heart-shaped sheet together, laughter rising as they worked side by side.

Carsten lifted Alexandra through the heart, a perfect symbol of their new life unfolding, surrounded by warmth and happiness.

Close-up of the groom’s table place setting at the wedding breakfast — A simple detail in the day’s design,
The place where it all slows down

Decanté Welsh spring water served in glass bottles at the wedding breakfast table — A quiet nod to Wales —
Decanté water and gentle moments before the meal begins

Cream high-backed chairs and a long table with elegant place settings and tall floral displays — Cream chairs, tall blooms, and considered touches,
A table dressed for celebration

White sheet with a heart shape, the couple’s names and wedding date — a German wedding tradition — A tradition from home —
Names and a heart ready to be shaped by two pairs of hands

Bride and groom smiling as they’re handed scissors to cut out the heart shape — One heart, two scissors,
A little joy and a lot of meaning

Bride and groom begin cutting the heart shape from the sheet together — They cut slowly,
Laughing and leaning closer with each turn of the scissors

Bride and groom smiling together as they cut through the sheet — A shared smile and steady hands,
No rush — just joy

Bride carefully cutting part of the heart shape while the groom steadies it — Focused and smiling,
A moment of quiet fun

Bride crouched down finishing the cut while groom holds the top of the heart shape — Two angles, one heart,
Almost there — and still laughing

Groom lifts and carries bride through the heart-shaped opening in the sheet — Through the heart they made together,
Carsten lifts her — a joyful step into married life

Wedding gifts arrive as the couple smiles, while a young guest captures everyone’s attention — Gifts arrive, but she steals the spotlight again,
Small feet, big charm

Bride and groom smiling as they receive flowers and gifts in the grand hall at Soughton Hall — Flowers and warm smiles,
Gifts wrapped in love and laughter

A young child standing by a chair watching the couple admire their gifts — Quiet curiosity,
Watching moments unfold with wide eyes

Close-up of little one’s hands resting across two chairs as they watch the gift-giving — Small hands hold still,
Taking in the day’s gentle magic

Guests seated as Alexandra and Carsten enter the private wedding breakfast room — A quiet gathering,
The couple enters to smiles and soft clinks of glass

The Wedding Breakfast — A Quiet Beginning

They breezed through the doors, relaxed and smiling. Just the two of them, greeted by their closest guests and the soft clink of glasses. Carsten gave one simple, heartfelt speech — followed by a smile, a toast, and a kiss.

I stayed just long enough to catch the quiet start of their first meal as a married couple, then slipped away — leaving them to enjoy it fully, just as they should.

Groom giving a short speech at the wedding breakfast — One speech, just enough —
A few warm words and grateful smiles

Bride and groom clink champagne glasses with happy smiles — Cheers to the day,
A clink of glasses and hearts full

Bride and groom kiss after the speech at their intimate wedding breakfast — No need for more words,
Just one kiss to close the moment

Groom seated, relaxed, chatting with guests at the end of the wedding breakfast — A quiet moment,
Carsten sits back with easy conversation and a content smile

I hope you’ve enjoyed this quiet glimpse into Alexandra & Carsten’s beautiful wedding at Soughton Hall. It was a day full of gentle light, heartfelt moments, and timeless details — a real joy to photograph.

If you’re planning your own wedding — in Leeds, West Yorkshire or a little further afield — I’d love to hear your story. Let me capture it in the same natural, honest style.

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