Every wedding I photograph is unique, and Tamara and Alan’s celebration at Runa Farm was one of those days that just flowed with energy, emotion, and unforgettable moments. From the first drink in the groomsmen’s hideaway to heartfelt speeches that had the room laughing and crying in equal measure, it was a wedding packed with character.

Runa Farm, with its blend of rustic charm and modern style, is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after wedding venues in the North East. And with good reason. But let’s start at the beginning of this wonderful day.

Arriving Early – Getting a Feel for the Day

As many of my couples know, I always like to arrive early. Not only does it give me time to scout the venue (even though I know Runa Farm very well by now), but it also helps me settle into the rhythm of the day before the official proceedings begin. It’s one of those habits that comes with 30+ years of wedding photography experience — being early means I’m ready for anything.

Tamara had decided that she didn’t want any bridal preparation photographs — a choice I always fully respect. Some brides love the buzz of having hair and makeup captured, while others want that time private and relaxed. Both are equally valid, and my approach is always led by the couple. Instead, I headed straight over to Alan and the lads.

The Men’s Lounge – Secret Hideaway for the Groom’s Party

One of Runa Farm’s hidden gems is the Men’s Lounge, a rustic, stylish hideaway that feels tailor-made for wedding mornings. Leather chairs, rich wood, moody lighting — it’s a dream space for photography.

Alan and his groomsmen were already there, nerves hidden behind laughter and that first round of drinks to loosen up. I always say that grooms and their parties fall into one of two camps:

The nervous crew – hands fiddling, watches checked every five minutes.
The relaxed party – jokes flying, beers in hand, and a sense that “whatever happens, happens.”

Alan and his team firmly belonged to the second group. Brother and Best Man Adam set the tone with Alan's quick wit, and before long, the room was buzzing. The light in there is beautifully dramatic, and I took full advantage of the textures and atmosphere to create a set of portraits that matched their energy.

Photography note: The Men’s Lounge is perfect for natural, storytelling shots. The wood and leather create contrast that makes suits pop, and it’s one of those rare “groom prep” spaces that looks as good in photos as the bridal suite does.

Guests Arriving – Laughter, Smiles, and Anticipation

By mid-morning, guests were already filtering into The Smithy Bar. Runa Farm has this way of making arrivals feel relaxed but also exciting. It’s stylish without being intimidating, which means people immediately settle in.

As a photographer, I love this part of the day — little reunions happening in corners, hugs being shared, kids buzzing around, and the occasional “Oh, you scrub up well!” shouted across the bar.

One of my favourite candid shots from any wedding is that first big smile when an old friend walks in. These are the moments that aren’t staged but mean everything. And at Tamara and Alan’s wedding, those moments were everywhere.

Before long, Alan and the groomsmen joined the guests, blending into the crowd with ease.

The Ceremony – Beauty, Emotion, and Family

When the call came for guests to make their way into the ceremony room, the atmosphere shifted. The chatter softened, the laughter gave way to anticipation, and everyone took their seats in Runa’s stunning ceremony space.

But before I followed them, I was called for those all-important final pre-ceremony shots with Tamara and her daughter Eliza. These moments are always a privilege to capture — the calm before the beautiful storm of the ceremony.

Tamara looked radiant, her smile carrying both excitement and nerves, while Eliza beamed with pride at her mum. It was a short but special pause before the grand entrance.

And what an entrance it was.

Tamara descended Runa Farm’s grand staircase, a sweeping feature that makes for some of the most dramatic bridal photographs in the North East. Every step was a picture, but what made it even more special was being joined by her son Liam, resplendent in his Army uniform, who walked her down the aisle.

The ceremony itself was everything you could wish for:

Love in the way Alan’s face lit up when he saw Tamara.
Tears from family members trying to hold it together.
Laughter in the little private moments.

The registrars kept it heartfelt and warm — something The Story in Durham and Runa Farm both excel at. Before long, rings were exchanged, vows were sealed, and the new Mr & Mrs were walking back up the aisle together.

Bubbles, Not Confetti

Instead of the traditional confetti, Tamara and Alan chose bubbles. And honestly? It worked beautifully.

Bubbles have this magical way of catching the light, floating unpredictably, and adding joy to the air. The newlyweds walked out under a sparkling cloud of rainbow reflections, guests cheering, kids shooting the bubbles from bubble guns — it was pure happiness captured in photos.

Afterwards, I always give couples 10–15 minutes to themselves. Those first moments after a ceremony are precious, and I never rush them straight into formal photos. Instead, I let them breathe, laugh, and just enjoy the fact they’re now married.

Formal Photos – Staircase Magic

When it was time for group photos, we headed back to that iconic Runa staircase. There’s something timeless about lining up family and friends on grand staircases — the height, symmetry, and perspective always create stunning results.

Tamara and Alan wanted a balance of traditional formal shots and fun, relaxed groupings. We moved quickly (because nobody wants to spend an hour posing) but still got everything they’d asked for — and more.

The Celebration – Drinks, Laughter, and Pure Joy

Once the formalities were done, it was time to celebrate. And let me tell you, this was a celebration to beat all celebrations.

The Bar at Runa was alive with energy. Glasses clinked, music played, and everywhere I turned, there were smiles. Weddings at Runa have this festival-meets-family-gathering vibe — it’s relaxed yet buzzing.

This part of the day is where my job is all about being in the right place at the right time:

Friends clinking glasses.
Kids sneaking about.
Friends laughing at old stories.
Newlyweds being pulled into hugs at every turn.

It’s non-stop, and it’s brilliant.

Speeches – From the Heart

By 2:30pm, it was time for guests to be seated. The room filled with chatter, glasses raised, and anticipation for the speeches.

Alan spoke first — warm, heartfelt, and filled with gratitude. His words for Tamara had the whole room dabbing eyes. Then came Adam, his brother and best man, who struck the perfect balance of humour and sincerity. A few cheeky stories, a lot of laughter, and just enough gentle embarrassment for Alan to hide his face behind his hands.

It’s always incredible how speeches can transform a room — one moment quiet with emotion, the next roaring with laughter. Alan and Adams speeches were a perfect example of why I love capturing this part of the day.

Fun stat: Research shows that 92% of wedding guests rank speeches among the most memorable parts of a wedding. And from the lens of a photographer, those candid reactions — the laughter, the tears, the proud smiles — make for some of the best storytelling images of the day.

My Break – Food & Reflection

Once speeches were done, it was my turn to step back, put the cameras down for a while, and enjoy some of the delicious food that Runa Farm is known for. This is always the perfect moment to recharge and reflect on the story I’ve captured so far.

By this point, I had hundreds of frames: laughter in the Men’s Lounge, tears in the ceremony, bubbles in the sunshine, joy in the speeches. It’s the essence of wedding photography — telling a complete story from start to finish.

Evening Celebrations – Cake, First Dance & a Packed Dancefloor

After the wedding breakfast and the heartfelt speeches, the energy naturally shifted into a more relaxed rhythm. Many of the guests drifted into Runa Farm’s bar area or took advantage of the heated patio, which had become a hub of chatter, laughter, and clinking glasses. These in-between moments are always some of my favourites to capture. By now, the nerves of the ceremony were long gone, the formalities were behind everyone, and the atmosphere had softened into one of pure enjoyment.

You could feel it everywhere: groups of friends swapping stories, old family members reconnecting after years apart, kids running around without a care in the world, and the newlyweds themselves glowing with that unmistakable “we did it” feeling. This is when candid photography really comes alive. Nobody is thinking about the camera anymore. They’re simply living in the moment – and that’s when the best photographs are made.

As the evening guests began arriving around 6pm, the celebration got a fresh injection of excitement. It’s something I always notice – weddings almost get a second wind at this point. New hugs, new laughter, and new reunions added layers of energy to the day. For Tamara and Alan, it meant catching up with friends and family who couldn’t be there earlier, and those warm embraces were priceless to document. The patio filled with the sound of greetings, laughter, and the occasional cheer from the bar as glasses were raised in honour of the newlyweds.

By 7pm, it was time for one of the wedding’s great traditions: the cutting of the cake. The cake itself was a beautiful single tier centrepiece, carefully placed and waiting patiently all day for its moment in the spotlight. Guests gathered around, phones at the ready, while I positioned myself to capture those split-second looks of love and amusement that always seem to happen during this ritual.

Tamara and Alan didn’t disappoint. With hands joined on the knife, they shared a look that was a mix of pride, relief, and joy, before slicing through the cake to the cheers and applause of their guests. As always, there were laughs – the little comments whispered between them, the playful teasing from the crowd, and the delighted faces craning to get a view. It’s a moment that seems small but carries so much symbolism – the first act the couple performs together as newlyweds.

First Dance.

The lights dimmed, the music began, and Tamara and Alan took to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife. There’s something incredibly powerful about that moment – the world seems to shrink down to just the two of them, holding each other close, moving to a song that means everything to them. The smiles, the emotion in their eyes, the gentle sway as they blocked out the world around them – it was truly beautiful.

But as is often the case nowadays, the romance of the first dance quickly transformed into something even bigger. Halfway through the song, guests could no longer resist. One by one, they joined in – first the bridal party, then friends, then family who entered the dancefloor with pure joy. Within seconds, the floor was packed.

And it stayed that way.

The music picked up, and suddenly it wasn’t just a dancefloor – it was a celebration in full flight. Parents showed off their best moves, men twirled in circles until they were dizzy, friends held each other, and there was always that one family member pulling out the “questionable” dance moves that will be remembered (and teased) for years to come. The laughter was constant, the atmosphere electric. I moved through the crowd, capturing every twirl, every throw of the head back in laughter, every spontaneous hug that happened between dances.

For me as a photographer, these are the golden moments. The kind that remind me that a wedding isn’t just about two people joining their lives together – it’s about the entire community of people who surround them, celebrating as one.

The End of the Day – My Favourite Kind of Exhaustion

By 8pm, it was my time to leave. I packed away my gear, glanced back at the dancefloor still buzzing with life, and felt that familiar mixture of exhaustion and joy that comes after a wedding. Exhausted, yes – but the best kind of exhausted. The kind that tells you you’ve been part of something truly special and that your photographs have captured a story worth telling.

Because in the end, weddings like Tamara and Alan’s are why I fell in love with photography in the first place. It’s never just about the “big” moments – the walk down the aisle, the first kiss, the cutting of the cake, or the first dance. Those are beautiful, yes, but what really makes a wedding live forever are the little details in between.

It’s the nervous smile just before the ceremony begins.
It’s the quiet hand squeeze under the table.
It’s the shared joke that only the couple understand.
It’s the way a mother looks at her son, brimming with pride.
It’s the way a daughter watches her mum say “I do,” eyes wide with admiration.

Those are the things that matter. Those are the things that last. And those are the things I will never tire of capturing.

As I drove away from Runa Farm, the music still echoing in my ears and my memory cards full of moments frozen in time, I couldn’t help but smile. Weddings like Tamara and Alan’s remind me that while the day itself passes all too quickly, the memories – and the photographs – will last a lifetime.

Stats & Fun Facts

Wedding Venue: Runa Farm, County Durham
Guests: Around 80 during the day, more arriving for the evening celebrations
Ceremony Highlight: Tamara walking down the staircase with her son Liam in his Army uniform
Quirky Touch: A bubble exit instead of confetti
Speeches: Emotional, heartfelt, with just the right amount of humour
Dancefloor Status: Full within 30 seconds of the first dance!

For Future Couples

If you’re planning a wedding at Runa Farm (or anywhere else in the North East), and you want a photographer who captures not just the posed shots but the real, candid, emotional moments, I’d love to chat with you.

Your wedding is your story – and I’d be honoured to tell it through my lens.

📸 Visit www.johnaldersonweddings.co.uk to find out more, check availability, or get a quick quote.

Tamara & Alan’s Wedding at Runa Farm – Fun, Laughter & Love