Yesterday we joined the lovely Jo & Joe to photograph their stunning Yorkshire wedding at The Priory at Syningthwaite, near Wetherby.

Apart from a nosey round the grounds at their practice pre-wedding shoot (blog post here), it was the first time I’ve photographed at The Priory, and it really is such an amazing venue for a wedding. It’s got the perfect balance of boutique charm, exclusivity & fantastically-finished cottages to stay in, while also being that magic mix of super-well organised & yet really chilled out. Jo & Joe had around 200 guests at their reception and everyone had a fantastic time.

While everyone chowed down on Taste Cuisine‘s fabulous wedding breakfast, we backed up pictures and made a quick slideshow to show at the evening reception. Even though they’re only quickly ‘processed’ and aren’t up to the scratch of the final images, after the wedding I like to set the slideshow to their first dance track and turn it into a video to blog, so the couple and their pals can see the images literally a few days after the wedding.

I hope you enjoy my personal highlights from the day below!

I do love an image that captures a moment of the story, where you can see lots of elements going on at the same time

Jo was glowing in the morning (literally after a little cry!), and laughter & music flowed through the house during morning preparations.

Her beautiful dress was hung in the coolest room!

This cheery little girl was shuffling around looking ace too

My fave florist all round, Fiona from Firenza, supplied the beautiful flora, brimming with roses, sweetpea, eucalyptus, Ivy & rosemary!

Check me learning the different types of flower!  (nb: I asked Fiona…)

Meanwhile, Clare joined the gents at Crust & Crumb bakery in Chapel Allerton for breakfast and said the food & freshly baked bread there was divine.

They even fried the egg into a heart!

Back at the ranch I like this image of Joe adding the finishing touches to his speech, which ended up one of the best & most heartfelt I’ve heard in an age!

It’s so obvious how much these two love each other.

I like this one of Clare’s of the dude’s shaving

Joe got ready with his two best men

But apparently Joe has the memory of a goldfish, so Clare spotted a few hints left around the house!

Here are those rings!

I love this shot, back with the girls, of Joe getting into her beautiful wedding gown

The little flower girl made quite the impression

A quick shot with a very proud father

Team bridesmaids!

Then they jumped in the thirsty 3.4 litre ‘Morse’ mkII Jag.

I love this moment just outside the church…

which was in fact Leeds Cathedral!

It’s a giant building, somehow almost hidden in Leeds city centre.

And here comes the bride to meet a somewhat nervous Joseph!

The vicar was an absolute legend too, letting us roam around to take whatever photos we fancied!

The kiss!

Jo’s sisters & mum sang a beautiful harmony while the registers were signed.

Down the aisle as man & wife!

And a perfect little moment for a celebratory snog, framed in the cathedral doorway!

As there were SO many guests, we did a quick everyone shot at the front of the catherdral

Before a cheeky blast of confetti outside!

Back at the Priory guests mingled out in the sunshine…

and enjoyed some tasty canapes  

while we headed out for a quick portrait shoot.

They were so easy to photograph on their pre-wedding practice shoot and were well up for getting ace images in their wedding threads.

It’s also a great time to capture a few of the details they’d put so much thought into.

I like this one of the rings and the bracelet Joe bought as a wedding gift for Jo

Look at these lovely guys! They rock.

Holdy bouquets are harder to photograph laying down, but they look ace when held.

After a few family groups, I setup the girls into this casual bridesmaids snap

Then got the chaps involved

Before throwing them all into the mix!

The wedding breakfast marquee and cake looked the business!

And while they ate, Taste Cuisine brought us through a steak & ale pie topped with a puff pastry heart!

After a late dinner, and just before speeches, I noticed that the sun outside was just about to drop beneath the horizon, so I asked the jo’s if they were game for another quick spin and we got some absolute crackers.

They were nicely lubricated under 5 Jagerbombs and said it was the perfect time to take a breather to enjoy a moment together before the speeches.

This might be my fave image of the day.

Speeches were both moving and class.

First dance was to Elbow’s ‘One Day Like This’, which is a class track, long enough to have a good shuffle too…

…before calling forth the near & dear for the crechendo!  I think the line they’re singing to each other here is ‘Oh my God, I love your eyes’

I suggested some seriously gifted former Leeds College of Music pals of mine called Rhythmatic to be their function band and they did a fantastic job of rocking the house with funky covers.

Then just before we left I caught this cheeky shot of granny & a pal watching on as guests mingled under a dusky blue sky.

It was such a fantastic day all round.  Jo & Jo are such an amazing couple, so in love with each other.  Everyone we met, from the vicar, the florist & the co-ordoinator just said what a lovely chilled out couple they are, and they’re right.  May I wish them an amazing honeymoon & a wonderful life together!

x

B

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