Neil Redfern of Neil Redfern Photography

After a nail biting month of the competition being open to the public, Neil's photograph of Bride and Groom - Jenny & Richard Wegrzyn, topped the chart with his remarkable photograph taken at The Lowry in Salford Quays near Manchester. Neil said "Before each wedding, I always visit the venue in advance and plan out which shots I would like to take of the bride and groom. I'd had the idea for this shot for quite a while in advance of the wedding itself, ever since I had done a portrait shoot at the Quays a couple of months earlier where I'd made a mental note of it. One of the main reasons I like the shot is because it came out exactly how I had imagined it and wanted it to, which isn't always the case as little things like bad weather can often get in the way!"

winner Manchester based Neil has fond memories of the day that would eventually make him the winner of Wedding Photograph of the year, as he described what a joy it was to work with the Bride and Groom. "It was one of those weddings where everything goes perfectly, the bride and groom were amazing to work with and couldn't stop smiling all day, we had two fantastic venues. Jenny & Richard got married at Manchester Town Hall before moving to The Lowry for their reception - two exceptionally beautiful venues. The guests were brilliant, and the sun didn't stop shining for us all day. With a wedding like that you can't go wrong as a wedding photographer."

It is clear that Neil is very passionate about getting technically good photographs as well as capturing the essence of The Bride and Grooms special day - an attribute all Brides-to-be search for in the quest to find their Wedding Photographer. Please visit www.neilredfern.com for more information about Neil and his Wedding Photography business.

Congratulations Neil! A well deserved winner, and a Gentleman to boot.

Our Second Place goes to Mandy Charlton of Mandy Charlton Photography based in Newcastle.

The now award winning photograph is of Andy and Rebecca McEwan and was taken on the beach at St Edwards Bay, Tynemouth on the beautiful north east coast.

Mandy says of the photograph "This was one of my most favourite photographs ever, Rebecca is so beautiful and they look so in love. The light on the beach was perfect and I think we've ended up with a timeless romantic portrait which they'll be able to treasure forever."

This was Mandy's first entry into a Photograph competition; she said "I am so utterly delighted and thrilled to have made the final with the first competition I've ever been brave enough to enter" Clearly UK Wedding Belles readers were glad she entered the photograph too, as they have awarded her with a brilliant second place. To find out more about Mandy and her Photography please visit http://mandycharlton.com/

The position of Third Place goes to Celia Mannings of Celia Mannings Photography. Celia is based in the South West - mainly working in Bath, North East Somerset, Wiltshire and Devon. The amazing picture is of Dave and Julie Reeve at the stunning von Essen Hunstrete House near Bath.

Celia said "the expression is a beautifully spontaneous and natural moment; there is nothing posed or staged about the image, which is the essence of my photography"

It is clear from the results that Celia's unobtrusive style allowed the couple to feel completely at ease, which is why she was able to capture a photograph revealing such happy emotion from the couple. It is the kind of photograph every Bride would love to have in their album. If you would like to find out more about Celia's photography, please visit www.celiamanningsphotography.co.uk

The deliciously exciting photograph to gain Fourth Position is from Jonathon Watkins of PhotoGlow Photography.

Jonathon captured this image of Fiona & Andrew the day after Bonfire night in Dundee and shows the bride & groom on the beach with sparklers waved by 2 family friends. The temperature was only just above freezing and the couple stood still for the 30 seconds it took to get the shot.

Jonathon said "I really enjoy showing movement & stillness in my images and love the ghostliness of Fiona's dress blowing in the wind along with the sparklers and their gleam on the wet sand." If you would like to find out more about PhotoGlow Photography, please visit www.photoglow.co.uk

The above winners have come through from almost 700 entries this year to the final 12 below. Many Thanks to the initial competition entries, Thanks and congratulations to our 12 finalists, a special congratulations to our winner Neil Redfern of Neil Redfern Photography. And not forgetting our readers for voting... Thank you! Please contact us should you wish to learn more about any of our 12 finalists. photo@ukweddingbelles.com

final 12

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