Tyler & Wesley at The Story, Durham — A Halloween Love Story

There are days that linger with you long after the last frame is taken, when the light, the laughter, and the emotion stay vivid in your mind. Tyler and Wesley’s Halloween wedding at The Story, Durham, was one of those days — the kind that makes you fall in love all over again with photographing people and their moments.

Halloween weddings have a rhythm all their own. There’s a sense of drama to the season — crisp air, long shadows, a little mystery in the atmosphere. It’s a time that invites individuality, and Tyler and Wesley embraced it perfectly: stylish, authentic, emotional, and with just the right amount of autumn magic.

Arriving at The Story

I arrived at The Story early, as I always like to. The quiet before the day begins is something I treasure — a chance to walk through the venue, check the light, and let the story start to unfold in my mind before the guests arrive.

The Story is one of those places that feels cinematic from the moment you walk through the doors. The grand staircase sweeps upward in elegant curves, light filters through tall windows, and every corner seems to hold a hint of character — textured walls, polished floors, soft echoes. On a Halloween morning, it felt particularly atmospheric. Outside, a cool breeze rustled through golden leaves; inside, the air was still and calm, the scent of flowers and polished wood mingling quietly.

I wandered through the ceremony suite, taking in the details. Chairs were lined neatly, light softened details, and the space carried that calm anticipation that always precedes a wedding. It’s a feeling I’ve come to recognise — a kind of collective breath, everyone waiting, everything ready.

Wesley Arrives

The first to arrive was Wesley. I spotted him as he stepped out of the car — composed, smart, but unmistakably nervous. He looked effortlessly stylish in a black suit, crisp shirt, and dark tie — simple, timeless, but with a certain edge that fit the Halloween setting perfectly. There’s something special about a groom’s arrival; you can almost see the mix of emotions — excitement, anticipation, a touch of disbelief that this long-awaited day is finally here.

Wesley’s sister, Courtney, was by his side — taking on the role of Best Person with quiet confidence and care. She radiated warmth, keeping him grounded in those early moments, making sure he was where he needed to be, laughing at just the right times to ease his nerves. It’s easy to overlook these little interactions, but they’re often what make the story complete — the way a sibling instinctively steps in to reassure, to straighten a collar, to say just the right thing.

I took a few natural frames of Wesley standing — a hand in his pocket, a slightly nervous grin, the morning light falling gently across his face.

Guests began arriving not long after. There’s a rhythm to that, too — greetings, hugs, laughter as familiar faces reconnect. They were all guided into the ceremony suite, where the atmosphere was already charged with anticipation. Wesley lingered in the room, taking one more deep breath before welcoming his guests. It’s one of those quiet images that stays with me — a moment of stillness before everything begins.

Tyler’s Arrival

Then it was Tyler’s turn.

The car pulled up, and as the door opened, a ripple of energy seemed to move through the scene. Tyler stepped out slowly, every bit as breathtaking as the moment deserved. Her black lace gown caught the light in delicate patterns, the fabric moving with the breeze like smoke. It was bold, unapologetic, and utterly beautiful — the perfect blend of gothic elegance and timeless romance.

Her makeup carried the same confident edge — dark tones, striking eyes, and lips that added just enough drama to honour the Halloween theme without ever feeling forced. Her tattoos, glimpsed between lace sleeves and the neckline of her dress, told their own quiet stories — marks of identity and individuality, woven seamlessly into the elegance of the day.

She paused on the steps outside The Story, taking a slow breath. Nerves were there, of course — they always are — but so was that quiet determination that defines a bride on her wedding day. I caught a few quick portraits on those steps with her bridal party — laughter bubbling between them as they tried to steady one another. The soft autumn light, the deep tones of the dresses, the faint rustle of wind — it all came together effortlessly.

After those few moments, Tyler was guided inside to the Bridal Preparations room. It’s a peaceful space tucked away downstairs — calm, softly lit, and just far enough from the ceremony room to offer a little sanctuary. There, she took one last look in the mirror, adjusted a strand of hair, and smiled — a smile that said this is really happening.

The Ceremony

The ceremony suite had filled quietly while she prepared. The gentle hum of conversation died down as the music began — that unmistakable shift when everyone realises it’s time.

Wesley stood at the front, shoulders slightly tense, hands clasped. Then the doors opened.

Tyler stepped in, and for a heartbeat, everything seemed to stop. The contrast of her black lace against the warm tones of the room was mesmerising. She walked slowly, every eye on her, and yet all she seemed to see was Wesley. His expression softened immediately — a visible exhale, a smile that spread slowly and couldn’t be contained.

That’s what I love about these moments — the unguarded emotion that photographs can never quite do full justice to, but you try, because you know how much it means.

The ceremony itself was beautifully personal — short, heartfelt, and full of those little glances that speak louder than any words. The vows were read slowly, carefully, each one delivered with meaning. I watched through the lens as Wesley’s hand trembled slightly while taking Tyler’s, and she steadied him with a thumb pressed reassuringly against his knuckles.

There’s a rhythm to vows — the pauses, the laughter, the tear that threatens but never quite falls. At one point, they both stumbled over a word, then laughed together, and the whole room relaxed with them. Those are the real moments — the ones that will live on in their memories long after the formality fades.

When they exchanged rings, the air in the room seemed to shift again — a quiet intake of breath, followed by that release of joy that fills every corner when a couple is finally declared married. They turned to face their guests, smiles wide, fingers intertwined, and that was it — they were husband and wife.

No confetti, no theatrics — just pure, honest happiness.

Group Portraits on the Steps

After a few congratulations and hugs from family and friends, we gathered everyone outside for the group photographs on the entrance steps.

I’ve always loved this part of The Story — the grand staircase and stone façade make a natural stage, and on an autumn afternoon it looks incredible. The light had softened beautifully by then, filtered through a thin veil of cloud, giving everything a cinematic glow.

Tyler and Wesley stood together at the centre of the steps, their guests arranged around them — layers of faces, all smiling, laughing, holding onto that shared joy. I always like to let these moments breathe a little — the natural interactions between people, the jokes, the laughter as someone inevitably blinks or looks the wrong way. That’s the real life of the day, right there in those frames.

As we worked through the combinations — families, friends, bridal party — the mood was relaxed and happy. There were little moments between shots that told their own story: Tyler glancing up at Wesley with a quiet smile; Wesley brushing a strand of hair from her face between photos; a grandparent laughing heartily at something whispered from behind the lens.

Those steps hold a lot of history, and standing there surrounded by people who love them, Tyler and Wesley added their own layer to it.

The Lawn Portraits

Once the group photographs were done, we took a short walk to the front of the building and onto The Story’s magnificent lawn — a hidden gem that not every couple gets to make full use of, especially later in the year. But this was one of those afternoons where the light and the season aligned perfectly.

The grass stretched out in a deep green sweep, framed by autumn trees that glowed gold and amber. The air carried that faint chill of late October, but just enough warmth lingered to keep it comfortable. The clouds broke occasionally, letting soft rays of sunlight spill across the lawn, and each time it did, the scene transformed.

Tyler and Wesley walked slowly together, their hands brushing, their laughter carrying across the open air. These are the moments that I treasure — when the formalities are over, and it’s just the two of them, newly married, moving together for the first time as partners for life.

I stayed back, giving them space to talk, to breathe, to just be. Sometimes the best photographs come from that space — not direction, but observation. Tyler turned toward Wesley, saying something that made him laugh — a real, unguarded laugh that lit up his face. The way she looked at him then — head slightly tilted, eyes soft — it was pure connection.

The colours were extraordinary — russet leaves, soft yellows, hints of red catching the light. I asked them to pause for a moment, to face each other. Wesley reached out, resting his hand gently on her waist, and she leaned in, the lace of her dress catching a faint breeze. It was quiet, beautiful, utterly genuine.

I always try to capture both the intimacy and the scale in these moments — the small gestures against the wide landscape, the way love can fill a space so completely. On that lawn, surrounded by the soft sounds of rustling leaves and distant city life, it felt like the world had paused just for them.

As we finished, the sky began to shift — a subtle deepening of tone as the afternoon edged on. The last few shots were bathed in that perfect golden hour glow, warm and rich, wrapping around them like a final blessing before the light faded.

A Moment of Stillness

Before heading back inside, I let Tyler and Wesley have a few minutes alone. They stood quietly, side by side, looking out across the lawn. It’s one of my favourite moments to watch — when the noise fades, and the realisation of what’s just happened begins to sink in.

Tyler rested her head on Wesley’s shoulder, and he exhaled slowly, as if finally letting go of the morning’s nerves. The laughter, the vows, the whirlwind — it all settled into something calm, something steady.

I took one last frame of them — no posing, no direction, just quiet togetherness against the autumn sky.

Reflections

Every wedding has its own pace, its own heartbeat. Tyler and Wesley’s was gentle, sincere, and deeply personal. There was no rush, no grand spectacle — just two people fully present in their own story.

From Wesley’s nervous smile as he arrived to Tyler’s breath-steadying pause on the steps, every moment carried authenticity. Their choices — the black lace, the Halloween timing, the venue with its blend of elegance and history — all reflected who they are.

I’ve photographed many weddings at The Story, but this one felt different. Maybe it was the season, maybe the couple, or maybe just that certain alchemy that happens when everything aligns — the light, the love, the laughter.

As I packed away my camera, the light outside had shifted to that soft, dusky grey that only autumn afternoons bring.

I paused at the door, looking back up the staircase where they had stood together earlier, and thought about how every wedding, no matter how different, shares the same quiet truth: at its heart, it’s about two people promising to walk through life together.

Tyler and Wesley did that in their own way — honestly, beautifully, and without compromise.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to get caught up in the details of weddings — the décor, the timing, the traditions. But at the end of the day, it’s the emotion that endures. And Tyler and Wesley’s day was full of it: raw, real, and unfiltered.

No grand gestures, no staged moments — just the kind of love that speaks softly but carries weight.

Their Halloween wedding at The Story was a reminder that beauty doesn’t always need to shout. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet moments — the way a hand is held, a look exchanged, or laughter shared between two people who have found their home in each other.

As I left The Story that afternoon, the last of the autumn light fading over Durham, I felt grateful — not just to have captured their day, but to have witnessed it.

Because in the end, that’s what it’s all about:
Two people, one promise, and a story that will keep unfolding long after the photographs have been taken.