Yesterday I joined Holly & Alec to photograph their brilliant wedding at the beautiful Newburgh Priory in North Yorkshire!
I hope you enjoy our the story of this special day!
Newburgh Priory is nestled in the Howardian Hills of the North York Moors, and on route you pass the enormous Kilburn White Horse up on Sutton Bank.
On the way, I decided to pull into the picturesque village of Coxwold to set the scene, and look who I found at The Fauconberg Arms having a ‘swift sharpener’!
While not ideal for a toasty summer’s day, military dress uniforms rule. I was listening to Alec & Milo explaining a bit of history behind the various parts. For example, did you know the red stripe down the leg was originally able to be torn off and used as a tourniquet in battle (hence being red, so as not to show the blood)? Or did you know that the round jacket buttons are so shaped so they can be fired out of a musket if out of ammunition? Winner! Every day’s a school day!
While the chaps headed back to drop their bits at the B&B I went to Newburgh Priory to set the scene. As I’d not photographed here before, I visited it a month or so back with Holly & Alec for a nosey and a practice portrait shoot. Again, the history behind this fine stately home and ruined priory runs deep. A priory of the Augustinian Order (on the right of the house above) was founded in 1145, but ‘dissolved’ by a stroppy Henry VIII in 1538, and sold onto to one of his chaplains, Anthony de Bellasis for £1K! The home has been in the ownership of one family ever since. I met the present Baronet, Sir George, and his wife Lady Wombwell who live there with their two children and they’re a down-to-earth bunch, doing all kinds of creative things at the house, such as tours, plant fairs and running a tearoom, as well as pheasant shoots and night runs. When I met Holly & Alec there for the engagement shoot, they were hosting a fun regular party day for local children of the area. It’s not easy to keep a house as grand as this alive, and I like their style.
Guests arrived around 3pm for a pre-ceremony Pimm’s reception outside in the sunshine.
It’s all about the swords
Best man Dean was taking care of the rings.
Once all the chaps arrived we did a few team shots (and for some reason, a spot of lunging)
Their civil ceremony was held in one of the fine Georgian rooms. Tissues at the ready!
Team bride: assemble!
Here comes the bride!
Just as Dean was called forward with the rings, he dropped a 10p on the floor in a moment of genius comedy timing.
I can’t believe I’ve never seen that before!
😉
Gotta love a guard of honour!
…followed by a confetti bomb!
It was great to meet Holly’s brother Henry (on the right with his stunning ‘Miss York’ girlfriend!), who owns Your Marquee, who supplied the marquee for the wedding meal.
Family groups were done within the atmospheric, ruined walls of the Priorys ‘Long Gallery’
Always good to have a bit of fun with the wedding party!
Apparently Holly’s mum heather did all the flora herself! Top work!
The Flower girls looked the part too!
Legends.
After the groups, I took the newlyweds on a quick lap of the house for a few relaxed portraits
Really like this one.
Before the meal, Holly & Alec had their beloved drop-top Alpha Spider brought round so they could take a quick spin while guests filed into the marquee!
They’d done a cracking job dressing the wedding breakfast
Alec’s a massive real ale fan and they’d had two special kegs shipped in from Devon & Yorkshire!
Holly’s father Tim delivered an entertaining pre-dinner speech as embarrassing photos of Holly circulated!
Before leaving them to enjoy their meal, I had Alec draw his sword one last time for a quick cut of their delicious looking wedding cake!
Brilliant eh? What a perfect day. Relaxed but smart and grand but informal; a great combination.
Thank you Holly, Alec and your brilliant party people for making me feel so at home. I hope you all had a great evening!
Barnaby x