Awesome snowy wedding photos at Ripley Castle, Yorkshire

Yesterday I headed up into deepest Yorkshire to photograph the snowy wedding of Rachael & James at Ripley Castle.

They’d recently flown home from Australia to get married, and considering last March was almost tropical, they probably weren’t expecting snow!

Still, a nice day for a white wedding!

Ripley’s a wonderful, unspoilt North Yorkshire village, with brilliantly vintage butchers, stores & coaching inns.

I read that in the early 14th century the Ingilby family relocated both the village and the church to the north of the River Nidd as a planned village, and have since made the Castle their home for 700 years providing continuity and cohesion to the village. The castle is steeped in history and makes a magic backdrop for a wedding!

My 2nd shooter on this wedding was my buddy the lovely Tasha Cadman of Margaurita Photography.

As we left plenty of time to get through the snow to Ripley, we had time for a good wander around Ripley, and shot a few cheeky pics of each other!

Both Rachael & James were getting ready at the Boar’s Head in Ripley, literally around the corner from the Castle.

I headed up and joined team bride, who were being spruced by the lovely ladies at Bow & Blush…

…rumbled…

I love these last two in the window light

One blushing bride, ready to get dressed!

Meanwhile, a slightly nervous James was found pacing in the wings…

Team groom!

Once they’d checked they had the rings, off they strolled to Ripley Castle…

Such a stunning place eh?!

The wedding car awaits!

The bridesmaids were ace fun!

This is one of my faves of the day

I didn’t win many brownie points from the registrar, nearly knocking a painting off the wall!

The gang were brilliant sports braving the cold for a few quick teamshots!

Then, after warming back up, Tasha & I took Rachael & James for a spin around the grounds (sadly not in the warmth of the Bentley!)

They were such troopers braving the cold & the pictures are so magical as a consequence!

The romance hit fever pitch when we were passed by by a herd of wild deer!

I once read that the tradition for brides carrying flowers was from medieval days when folk didn’t bathe so often, so the smell of fresh flowers masked their bad smell! So instead of bathing, Tasha & I decided to carry a bouquet each! 😉

One of the reasons I was booked for this wedding was because I’d photographed the wedding of one of the Best Men, Steve to his lovely wife Claire (above!)

It was ace to catch up with them again (& to catch Steve’s hilarious speech!)

The wedding breakfast room looked fab

As we weren’t staying beyond the speeches, I papped Rachael & James with their beautiful Cupcake Mountain (exquisitely put together by Homebaked Heaven in Harrogate) before being announced into the meal.