Yesterday I joined Kelly & Richard to photograph their utterly delightful wedding at The Priory Cottages in Syningthwaite near Wetherby in Yorkshire.
This wedding took place on the day of the Yorkshire Grand Depart, where significant arteries were closed & the streets of Leeds, Harewood, Harrogate & Knaresborough – and everywhere in between – were packed to the rafters with Tour De France well-wishers waving their yellow flags and cheering. It was quite an amazing event, and Kelly & Richard brought a touch of the bicycle theming into their wedding party planning!
I do love shooting at Priory Cottages, as it’s still an actual working farm, so the fields contain different crops to play in every time I’m there.
After 2 days of non-stop rain, literally as soon as we arrived the skies cleared and left us with blue skies and sunshine for the rest of the day!
As my 2nd shooter Natasha Cadman went off to follow the chaps morning, I found flowergirl and maid of honour outside on champagne popping duties!
And inside, Kelly & team bride were enjoying being pampered while watching the Tour De France on the telly…
Not a bad day for it eh?!
Here’s our blushing bride to be, being expertly made up by Louise Lunn Makeup
Mum showed me upstairs to see Kelly’s beautiful Ian Stuart wedding gown…
A thing of beauty indeed!
I know a little more than the next man about wedding flora and gowns, but Ian Stuart must be my favourite wedding dress designer by a long shot.
The beautiful flora throughout the day (featuring eucalyptus and the mighty David Austin Rose!) were by the amazing Wendy at Paperwhite Flowers
I like this little reflective moment appreciating the beautiful weather
One proud father, looking on from the wings…
And outside a few of the lads passed the time playing a bit of footie
Natasha documented the chaps relaxing morning, enjoying a cuppa in the relaxing Priory courtyard, when all of a sudden…
…The Red Arrows screamed passed towards the Royal cutting of the ribbon at Harewood!
In the racket I ran out to see it too, and just after we saw them turn on the tricolour streams on the TV!
It was fun following the TDF action on the telly, and Yorkshire really did go mental for it!
So lovely to have such a glorious day to represent our fine county across the globe.
Eventually it was time to start getting ready…
…with just enough time for a quick last minute practice of the speech
Guests started to gather for the ceremony upstairs in the barn…
And in a nearby cottage, Kelly was being helped into her stunning gown…
Loving the matching choker!
This shot of dad might be one of my faves of the day. I always like to capture the fatherly reaction to seeing his daughter for the first time…
And we’re off!
Aww.
Then it was time for a rather unusual confetti shot, showering the happy couple from the balcony above!
A quiet little moment outside before guests came down to join them for mingles and canapes on the verandah outside.
A quick shot of everyone around the pond
And a few official family lineups
And then we had a bit of fun with the wedding party
Before heading off for a quick round of relaxed portraits around the Priory.
While we had sun, we also had wind (so to speak), which caused many a #VeilFail, but I rather liked this one blowing wild
Stunners eh?
These guys were such a lovely couple to photograph. Sometimes it’s just easy, because a couple are relaxed together and trust you to make them look great.
It definitely helped to have met them for a fun practice shoot in Knaresborough a few months back (which can be viewed here on the blog)
The wedding breakfast was set up beautifully with lovely flowers and candelabras…
Spot the tiny bicycle theming!
Then it was in for the speeches before the meal
And there wasn’t just one cake, there was a pretty amazing cake pop stand too (by Cake Pop Ville)!
But the main cake, a delicious heart shaped Victoria sponge tower by Sugar Crafted Cakes, was cut and served as desert
The evening was an equally relaxed affair…
…milling in the courtyard with pals!
Evening nibbles were supplied by Pizza Pod!
We decided, as the light was so beautiful, to do a second round of portraits in the golden sunshine, so headed down the path to the wheat fields
I don’t bully couples into doing this if they don’t want to, but these guys were game for a relaxed 2nd round, and I’m so pleased we did!
Then it was time for the first dance!
They’d clearly had some practice!
And then we left the gang to get down on the dancefloor to the excellent Jonny Ross Band!
What a lovely day hey? Another beautiful wedding at Priory Cottages, with an absolutely delightful couple!
Here’s wishing you guys a wonderful life together and an awesome honeymoon break in the Lakes (after you get your kitchen fitted!)
All the very best indeed and thanks again for asking us along!
x Barnaby & Natasha x