
It’s been a while since I last worked on a wedding makeup shoot, and I’d been eager to organise or get involved with a collaborative project for some time.
The reason why many Wedding suppliers do this is that we know how difficult it must be for Brides to find the right suppliers and sometimes a shout out on a Facebook page often just adds to the confusion. So this is where a collaborative shoot really works and gives a little exposure to help you Brides to Be get to know your would be North East Wedding Suppliers and helps us as, self employed business owners, become part of a working team and network with each other, as we too like to recommend like minded Wedding professionals so that each Bride we work with has the best in the industry.
And, whilst I had been thinking about a shoot, out of the blue, I happened to be asked by Tees Wedding Photographers to be the Wedding Makeup Artist for their Dream Wedding Inspiration collaboration shoot at the newly refurbished Manor House Hotel in West Aukland ( a venue I had recently seen on Instagram but have not had the chance to work there). Since it was still early in the year and wedding season hadn't fully kicked off yet (I've already done three!), I had the opportunity to say 'yes' to this exciting collaborative shoot. Teaming up with a talented wedding hair stylist, a fabulous wedding dress supplier, the stunning venue, two beautiful models and two photographers from Tees Valley Weddings to bring this wedding inspiration to life.
Meet the Talent behind The Manor House Hotel Dream Wedding Inspiration shoot - Our Stunning Wedding Dress Supplier, Hair Stylist, and Photographers.
The Dream Wedding Venue - The Manor House Hotel & Spa, West Aukland, County Durham Home | Manor House Hotel & Spa

Why The Manor House in West Auckland is the Perfect Venue for Your Dream Wedding
Wedding venue in West Auckland, Durham
"Blending historic charm with modern amenities, The Manor House Hotel and Spa offers the perfect setting for an overnight stay, a relaxing short break, a memorable wedding, a rejuvenating spa day, or any special celebration."
The Grade 1 listed Manor House Hotel has recently undergone a stunning transformation, elevating it to a top-tier North East wedding venue. Combining cool, contemporary style with rustic charm, its beautiful decor makes it the perfect setting for a modern yet timeless wedding celebration. I was particularly impressed by the Manor House Hotel’s charm and its unique, quirky details. The ceremony room features a stunning mezzanine level, adding a touch of elegance and character. With its own spa, it’s the perfect place for the bridal party to relax and unwind, perhaps over a bottle of prosecco, as you prepare and discuss the details for the exciting day ahead!

Wedding Photography at The Manor House: Capturing Timeless Moments
The Photographers - Terry and Andy @ Tees Valley Weddings -
Our team of photographers at Tees Valley Wedding Photography is committed to capturing the joy and excitement of your special day with a natural, relaxed style that truly reflects the emotions and beauty of the moment. Tees Valley Photographers
Both Terry and Andy from Tees Valley Weddings have been capturing beautiful wedding moments for over 20 years, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to every shoot. I’ve had the pleasure of working with them before, and their professionalism and passion for their craft always shine through. Covering the entire North East, they go above and beyond to deliver breathtaking, dreamy wedding photographs that will leave you spoilt for choice when selecting your favourites for your wedding album.
How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Dress for Your Venue
The Wedding Dresses - Beautiful Day Bridal
We stock a wide range of award-winning wedding dresses and accessories from leading designers. Our collection of bridal gowns caters to every bride’s individual style, size, and budget, offering everything from contemporary designs to timeless, classically elegant styles. Sarah - Beautiful Day Bridal
Beautiful Day Bridal is an elegant, family-run boutique in the heart of Darlington, with over 30 years of experience across two generations. Growing up attending Wedding Shows with her grandmother, business owner Sarah is proud to offer a personalised, appointment-only service, ensuring every bride experiences something truly special, unique, and unforgettable." With an exquisite collection of stunningly beautiful wedding dresses, bridesmaid gowns, and occasional wear in sizes 6-34, we are committed to helping you find the perfect dress to make your day extraordinary. With prices starting at £399, your dream Wedding dress is only an appointment away.
The Wedding Hair Stylist - Hair Up By Leonie - Flawless Bridal Hair
Leonie, based in Stockton, has been perfecting the art of hairstyling for over five years, becoming the go-to expert for all occasions and events in her local area. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for precision, she specialises in creating romantic updos, soft low buns, effortless waves, and chic, elegant styles. Leonie is dedicated to bringing your hair dreams to life, ensuring you feel stunning for every special moment.
"With over five years of experience, I’m passionate about creating the perfect hairstyle for every occasion—from romantic updos to soft waves and chic buns. My focus on precision and detail ensures you’ll leave with the Wedding hair of your dreams." - Leonie
Choosing the right Wedding flowers for your big day
The flowers - Flowers By Belles & Brides Middlesbrough
Creating the Perfect Bouquet
Flowers by Belles & Brides specialises in exquisite artificial flowers for every occasion, offering timeless bouquets that perfectly capture the essence of your special day. Their stunning arrangements are crafted with incredible attention to detail, ensuring they look as beautiful as fresh blooms while lasting a lifetime. For our shoot, they provided the most breathtaking bouquets, adding an elegant and vibrant touch to every moment. Whether for a big event or a personal celebration, Flowers by Belles & Brides guarantees a flawless, lasting floral design for any occasion.
"At Flowers by Belles & Brides, we create realistic artificial flowers that look just like the real thing, offering beautiful bouquets that last for any occasion." Flowers at Belles & Brides
The Wedding Models - Amy & Ellie....
Of course, none of this would have been possible without our stunning models, Amy and Ellie. They absolutely brought the shoot to life, showcasing the gowns, hair, makeup, and florals in the most graceful way. Their natural beauty, combined with their professional poise, helped elevate the entire experience, and they were a joy to work with.

And of course me, Paula Pace on Long lasting, flawless Wedding Makeup - North East.
“With over 25 years of experience in wedding & bridal makeup, I specialise in creating elegant, natural, and flawless looks that last all day. Having worked on hundreds of weddings, I’m still as passionate about perfecting my craft as I was on my very first day.” Paula Pace Makeup Artist North East
How the day began - Dream Wedding Inspiration Styled Shoot
We were all to meet at The Manor House in West Aukland, Durham at 9am and to have the models wedding hair & makeup done by around 11 am so that Sarah from Beautiful day Bridal could get them into the stunning dresses, ready for Terry and Andy from Tees Valley Weddings to capture some beautiful shots of them in various parts of the The Manor House.
For the Wedding Hair & Makeup
Bridal Hair & Makeup Styling Trends for 2025
Flawless Bridal Makeup: How I Created a Timeless Look for This Shoot at The Manor House
As a bridal makeup artist, one of my greatest joys is helping brides feel confident and beautiful on their wedding day. Being part of a recent collaborative shoot at The Manor House in West Auckland was an absolute dream. This stunning venue, paired with an incredible team of photographers from Tees Valley Weddings, a talented hair stylist, and a wonderful wedding dress supplier, set the perfect stage for creating bridal beauty that was timeless and radiant.
The natural light at The Manor House Hotel provided the perfect backdrop for soft, glowing skin, while the classic elegance of the venue called for a makeup style that was sophisticated yet effortlessly chic. My focus was on creating a flawless complexion with a smooth, hydrating base, ensuring that the makeup would last through the warmth of the hotel and into the evening.
For The Manor House Dream Wedding inspiration shoot, shoot, my goal was simple: to create a makeup look that not only complemented the stunning venue but also embraced the spirit of the coming Spring 2025 Wedding season. For Ellie, I prepped the skin with a light moisturiser and a primer for her perfect skin. I went for soft springtime shades of lavender and peach on her eyes with a pop of bright pink on her full lips, with both Makeup Forever Hd foundation in porcelein and Dinair airbrush in Vanilla for the ultimate in lasting ability. Her beautiful long hair was styled by Leonie into a soft, elegant, romantic piled-high pin-up that perfectly completed the look.

For Amy, I took a more daring, experimental approach with deep ruby red eye shadow, paired with a sweep of black liner and half lashes. I chose a soft pink lip initially, but when I saw the gorgeous Belles and Brides floral arrangements studded with deep reds, I had to match her lip shade to the deep reds in her bouquet, swapping the pink for a striking cherry red. Leonie beautifully styled Amy's blonde hair into a soft, low, sophisticated bun—absolutely the perfect choice for her chic 2025 bridal look.

Brides to Be - I have a useful Blog to help you choose you Wedding Makeup Artist
The wedding models did an incredible job bringing everyone's hard work to life. Their poise, grace, and natural beauty highlighted every detail, from the stunning bridal gowns to the flawless hair, makeup, and floral arrangements. They effortlessly embodied the collective effort of all the vendors and made the shoot truly unforgettable. Well done girls.
The Jaw Dropping Dream Wedding Dresses.
Choosing the perfect Wedding dress - Darlington.

The stunning dresses from Beautiful Day Bridal were absolutely breathtaking, exuding elegance and timeless beauty. From intricate lace detailing to sumptuous satin fabrics, their collection featured a stunning array of styles designed to fulfill every bride's dream. Whether it was a classic A-line silhouette, a sleek mermaid cut, or a romantic ball gown, each dress was crafted to enhance the bride’s natural beauty, offering both comfort and sophistication. The attention to detail in every stitch was undeniable, making these gowns not only visually striking but also perfect for leaving a lasting impression on any wedding day.
The wedding gowns truly felt like something out of a fairy tale, with trains that could have stepped right out of the pages of a childhood storybook.
Amy is wearing a stunning British Bridal gown and a Tiffany Bridal dress, both from Beautiful Day Bridal.
Ellie is radiating in a delicate lace-style dress from Mori Lee and a Tiffany Bridal gown, also from Beautiful Day Bridal.

And here are some more stunning images brought to you by Tees Valley Weddings
Final Thoughts
Collaborating with such an amazing group of professionals was an absolute dream, and the results of this styled shoot are something I’m incredibly proud of. The Manor House Hotel served as the perfect venue, and the talented vendors helped create an atmosphere of elegance, romance, and timeless beauty.
If you’re a bride-to-be, this styled shoot is packed with inspiration to help you envision your own wedding day. From the venue to the floral arrangements, bridal fashion, and beauty looks, there are so many ideas that can help bring your wedding vision to life.
The Manor House Hotel is an exceptional venue that is sure to leave you feeling inspired, and with a team of professionals like these, your wedding day can be just as beautiful as you’ve always imagined.
Thank you to everyone involved for helping create such a magical experience! I’m excited to see where this creative collaboration will take us next.
If you’d like to learn more about any of the talented vendors I worked with, be sure to check out their websites and follow them on social media for more stunning wedding inspiration!
#BridalInspiration #StyledShoot #WeddingCollaboration #WeddingVendors #BridalMakeup #TeesValleyWeddings #BeautifulDayBridal #HairByLeonie #BellesAndBrides #ManorHouseHotel #WeddingInspo #BridalBeauty #WeddingPhotography
"Follow Our Wedding Inspiration Journey on Instagram with #ManorHouseWeddingStyle"
Hair up by Leonie - Instagram
Beautiful Day Bridal- Instagram
Amy - Aimed for love- Instagram
Tees Valley Weddings- Instagram
Paula Pace Makeup Artist- Instagram
Flowers By Belles Brides- Instagram
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