This wedding was full of English charm! I wonder how I got so lucky to photograph this wedding in Durham, England. It was truly magical.

I learned so many interesting facts about English wedding traditions. For starters, they don’t do first looks (not shocking since we practice this in the US). They also don’t have a first kiss at the alter, which I was not expecting. I remember waiting for this and thinking I may have missed the moment as Paul and Elizabeth walked down the isle towards me. It still makes me laugh thinking about it. During the reception, they only do a first dance between the bride and groom, not the mother or father, like most American weddings do. It was quite refreshing to learn these “new” traditions. I definitely want to go back to do another wedding in England. It was absolutely amazing!

I loved that Elizabeth wanted to do a very English styled wedding, traditions and all. Everything about her details reminded me of England! Well done, girl!

So here’s the background story. Last year I met Elizabeth when she played the piano for me as I sang at my children’s school’s Veterans Day assembly (she works at my kid’s school). We chatted about what I did and how she was getting married in England. She was marrying a handsome Englishman that she met abroad years before. And the rest is history.

The wedding took place at Durham Castle in Durham, England. It’s one of the cutest little towns I have ever seen! I wanted to stay there forever. On the train ride up to the wedding from London, I was giddy as a kid in a candy shop. It was something I had imagined for so long. I am a huge nerd when it comes to English period films. It was like something from my dreams. I am dying to go back!