A recommendation from a guest (always a very satisfying way to land a booking) who had seen me work at another wedding led to me photographing Laura & Robbie’s St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham Wedding.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – History

St. Leonard’s Church in Rockingham is a historic church that can trace its origins back to the 12th century, making it one of the oldest surviving structures in the area.

The church was originally built as a chapel to Rockingham Castle, a nearby Norman castle. It was dedicated to St. Leonard, the patron saint of prisoners and captives. Over the centuries, the church underwent several renovations and expansions, reflecting the changing architectural styles and needs of the community.

During the medieval period, St. Leonard’s Church served as a place of worship for the residents of Rockingham village and the castle’s inhabitants. The church’s notable features include a Norman doorway and parts of the original 12th-century structure. The interior boasts beautiful stained-glass windows, intricate woodwork, and medieval wall paintings.

In the 16th century, during the English Reformation, St. Leonard’s Church, like many others, underwent significant changes. The church embraced Protestantism, and elements of Catholic worship were removed. However, some medieval features were preserved.

Over the following centuries, the church continued to be an important centre for religious and community life. It witnessed further alterations and additions, including a Victorian restoration in the 19th century, which enhanced the church’s architectural grandeur.

St. Leonard’s Church stands as a testament to the enduring history and religious significance of Rockingham village. It remains an active place of worship, hosting regular services and special events. Its rich architectural heritage and historical significance make it a notable landmark and a cherished part of the local community.

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – Wedding Day

As I’m sure you’ve probably noticed, the first four months of 2023 have been largely rubbish, weather wise. May started no differently, with showers and the odd smattering of sun pretty much omnipresent in weather forecasts, and those conditions were prevalent again for Laura & Robbie’s big day.

Laura had decided she didn’t want any of her bridal prep photographing, so I went straight to the church (conditions were amazing), where I was joined soon after by Robbie and his groomsmen.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

As guests began to arrive, I became aware that the bridesmaids (one of whom was responsible for my recommendation) had been dropped off by the castle, so I headed off up there to make sure I was in the right place to capture Laura’s arrival.

Guest arrivals – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Guest arrivals – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Guest arrivals – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Guest arrivals – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

We took some more pictures of all the girls together before I grabbed some shots of them making their way to the church. The sky was seriously dramatic, too, but thankfully dry where we were.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Bridal bouquet by Sanbella Bespoke Floral Design

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – Wedding Ceremony

With Robbie and the rest of the guests already tucked away in the church, it was time to get married!

Suddenly it gets very real! St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Conducting the beautiful ceremony was Revd Canon Ian Pullinger. Everything went perfectly, and before we knew it, Laura & Robbie had become husband and wife – well, wife and husband, technically, I suppose!

Revd Canon Ian Pullinger – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

One particularly ornate area of the church was the Funerary Chapel, where Laura & Robbie completed their paperwork. The bright, vibrant colours of the stained-glass window were particularly pleasing to the eye.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church, Rockingham – Confetti & Group Shots

We just about (physically!) managed to squeeze in a group shot of all the guests, before we did the confetti walk.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Confetti Time – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

After that, we broke down into smaller groups, releasing those who we were finished with to make their way to the reception venue.

Group photos outside St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Group photos outside St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Group photos outside St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Group photos outside St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

The backdrop was lovely shooting away from the church.

The groom & his groomsmen – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

The bride and her mum – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Laura & her sister – St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Once we were done, we walked back towards the castle and the cars, periodically stopping to grab a few more pictures of the newlyweds. The skies remained dramatic all around, but thankfully dry with us. The scenery around there is so lovely.

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

St Leonard’s Church Rockingham – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Reception

Further down the hill, guests had gathered for Laura & Robbie’s wedding reception in the lovely village hall.

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

An amazing grazing platter at a Rockingham Village Hall wedding reception

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

The outdoor space is really pretty, and there are quite a few things for the children to play on. The weather did temporarily take a turn for the worse, but it soon improved again.

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

The wonder of backlighting – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall has a balcony inside, from which you can get some interesting shots of people just relaxing and having a good time. The particularly nice thing about this location is that there are fairy lights strung across the room, and with a bit of playing around, you can create some really cool shots in camera (no need to add things after in Photoshop!) – especially if you’re shooting with a long lens!

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Mr & Mrs – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Laura & Robbie cut their wedding cake, and I grabbed a few shots of their rings placed carefully on Laura’s beautiful bouquet (the flowers were by Victoria Martin at Sanbella Bespoke Floral Design).

Laura & Robbie’s gorgeous wedding cake – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Bridal bouquet + Wedding rings – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

Cutting the cake – Rockingham Village Hall – Wedding Photography

And that was me done! It had been a gorgeous few hours, and I was really please with what we got out of it.

Wishing Laura & Robbie all the very best for long, healthy and happy lives together.

SEARCHING FOR YOUR OWN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

If you’ve not already done so, please take a look at my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES – Karl Drage, Northampton Wedding Photographer.

For more information on what happens when you decide you want me to photograph your wedding, please see: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Karl Drage – How I Work

While every wedding is different, there are certain elements which are usually broadly similar. Take a look at a typical wedding day to get a feel for the primarily documentary wedding photography style I’m likely to employ for your big day.

There’s much more work involved in photographing a wedding than just rocking up and taking the pictures. I’ve put together this guide to explain why wedding photography can seem expensive but it’s really not.

I’ve also put together this wedding photography FAQ list and my responses – Questions you should ask a wedding photographer!