On Friday I joined the lovely Julia & Paul for their wedding photography at Priory Cottages in Syningthwaite near Wetherby.
It’s not the first time I’ve photographed at this beautiful Yorkshire Barn venue – you see all my weddings at Priory Cottages here!
But here’s the story of Julia & Paul’s fab big day!
Can’t complain about the weather eh?!
Whether it’s mid-summer, autumn or winter, the only thing you can’t book is the ol’weather; so it’s always a joy to shoot a sun-soaked big day!
The Priory bar area was set, complete with excellent Mr & Mrs letters!
In the beautiful cottages the girls and guys were enjoying their morning preparations.
While I headed over to the girls, my pal Chris Price (a fellow ‘tog, who’d travelled all the way up from Pembrokeshire) took 2nd shooter wingman duties and joined the gents.
Julia and the girls were impressively calm & relaxed!
I loved the detailing in the Watters wedding gown
The wild flowers in the bouquets by Wendy at Paperwhite Flowers looked fab!  She also had a massive hand in styling the flora throughout the venue.
The groomsmen were keeping Paul out of sight of Julia, so set up breakfast outside…
…and had an impromptu windfall juggling competition!
Time to suit up!
*HADOOKEN*
Meanwhile, while Julia had her hair finished off & switched her engagement ring onto the other hand, the girls got into their brilliant ultramarine bridesmaid dresses!
The little flowergirls Isabel & Lottie looked ace!
Then it was time for the bridal gown!
All morning, Julia had amusingly run away at from any situation where emotions had roused tears, but it all got a bit much when dad came down and saw her!
Loving the team groom socks!
Paul greeted the guests as they took their place and wedding drew close!
A quick handshake of support from the best man before the bride entered!
Sealed with a kiss!
Outside I set up my signature confetti bomb!
And it’s great to have a 2nd shooter for another interesting angle!
Then the relaxed afternoon celebrations took place over pimms and champagne!
A quick shot of everyone
And a few semi-formal family lineups
Then I get to have some fun with the wedding party…
Paul had said he liked the idea of these cartoon-ish fight scenes!
Don’t these girls look amazing!?
Then I took Julia & Paul for a quick round of relaxed portraits around The Priory grounds.
We’d done a round of practice portraits a few weeks back in Hollingworth, to help Julia & Paul get used to the process of being photographed (on my blog here)
The upstairs room in the Barn was beautifully decorated with a travel theme for the wedding breakfast.
A big high 5 goes out both Serena, who runs the show at The Priory, & to Noel at Taste Cuisine, who supplied us with the delicious catering the guests received!
Speeches were hilarious, and it was lovely to hear the grooms mum lay out an amusing photo slideshow of Paul’s life!)
The cake had been put together by their auntie Ina!
As the autumnal nights are beginning to draw in, after the meal the skies were darkening, so I asked Julia & Paul out for another round of pics with Chris & I
Because the Priory is a working farm, each time I visit there are different random items to photograph in front of, including a monster tractor wheel…
And higglydy-piggledy piles of potato pallets to have a smooch behind!
Then we headed back inside in time for first dance to Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love’. Â An excellent musical decision indeed!
As the function band Munch rocked the crowds, we bid our farewell and left the gang to party
In our experience, weddings at The Priory have always been ace, and this one was no exception. Â A lovely relaxed day, shared with a brilliant bunch of friends and family.
Here’s hoping Julia & Paul have a fab life together and have a brilliant time in Bali on their honeymoon!
Cheers guys,
Barns & Chris