Yesterday I joined Hayley & Steve to photograph their big day at The Hospitium in York.

They hosted their wedding ceremony & reception at The Hospitium in York’s beautiful Museum Gardens by the (currently impressively swollen) river Ouse.  I’ve photographed there many times before (see other visits here) and it’s a fantastic place to throw a wedding celebration, especially when the weather holds out to be able to enjoy the gardens outside!

I hope you enjoy this story of a very special day!

It’s always nice to be in the beautiful city of York, whether visiting on wedding duties or enjoying the ancient medieval streets as a tourist.

I kicked off this wedding with a good 15-minute walk through central York (from the carpark near the Hospitium across to where Hayley was having her make-up done) and took in the sights as I strolled.

When I got to Fenwicks at the Coppergate centre, I spotted Hayley having her makeup done at the MAC counter in the window.

I photographed both Hayley – on the right – and the girl on the left – who I presumed was a bridesmaid – from outside, getting creative with the reflections and such.

Turns out the girl on the left wasn’t a bridesmaid.  Just a random girl, trying on makeup.

D’oh!Anyhoos – I got some fab images of Hayley having her eyes put on by the skill MAC lady, before we strolled back through York to…

The Judges Lodgings – TEAM BRIDE HQ!

Hayley finished off a few touches herself back in their beautiful room, overlooking the Minster.

Loving the colours of the bridesmaids dresses!

Another Bridesmaid enjoying a spot of buck’s fizz!

Hayley had designed and had this amazing vintagey/20’s style dress made specially!Lovin’ the bespoke ‘Mrs Camfield ♥’ hanger!Like this little moment

Shoes!

Hayley’s Calla lilly & rose bouquets were simply brilliant, matching their burnt orange & charcoal theme perfectly!Hayley hair time!Hayley had put in loads of creative touches through the day, including making her own ace net veil! A quick shot of Team Bride before dressing up.Meanwhile, my 2nd shooty wingman today was the very excellent Tim Atkinson of Stott & Atkinson wedding photography, and he joined Steve and the Groomsmen at the Best Man’s lovely house.The best man apparently got jip for being rubbish at ironing shirts!Here’s the man of the hour, fixing his cufflinksA statically charged cat watched over the preps with detached resentment
Steve’s got Scottish heritage, so wore the Highland Spirit full Tartan getup.Hayley’s wedding present to Steve was diving lessons for their honeymoon in Thailand in January!A few highland themed details of Steve & the chapsAs they gathered at the Hospitium, the matching details and excellent flora continued throughout.Back with the girls, Hayley was enjoying being laced into her gown!Rather like this one reflecting in a mirrorMum pinned on Nana’s ‘old’ broach on the bouquet, to go with her new, borrowed & blue. 

What a most excellent look, eh!?
Soon to be Mrs Camfield!Hayley was clearly happy about Steve’s (Mulberry!) present!

The girls were all ready early, so we had time for a few portraitsA quick complete teamshotA few details of the girls dresses and flora

Then a clearly proud as punch Dad came to join the party!

This shot of Hayley & Dad walking in step down the curved staircase might be my fave photo of the day!

The girls took the first run in the Cab

While Hayley waited

…and her and Dad shared a laugh while they waited…

…before taking the second run over to the HospitiumOver at the Hospitium an impressively relaxed Steve stood in waitA few moments through the ceremony

The rings

The kiss

The ‘official’ signing shot

And heading back down the aisle as man & wife!Outside we set up a quick confetti shotAnd after a few family groupshots, had a mingle with their near and dear.

Then I took the wedding party for a stroll up into the Museum Gardens…

for a few relaxed groupshots

The girls & the chaps

AND THE TIGERS!

Grr

Then I kept Hayley and Steve for a quick round of portraits 

Starting in the ruins of the impressive former St Mary’s Abbey!

♥

We’d met a good few weeks back at the Museum Gardens for a practice photoshoot, to help Hayley & Steve get used to being photographed and after a stroll down the river, we ended up walking all the way into the amazing streets around the Shambles (check out the blog of highlights posted here)

It turned out at the pre-wed that Hayley was a natural and the two of them made a lovely couple to photograph

AwwThe museum gardens aren’t short on ace places for a cuddle and a smooch

But as I don’t like to keep my couples too long doing portraits, I sent them back to enjoy the company of their guests

And headed up-stairs to see more of Hayley’s creative handiwork around the wedding breakfast tables 

Orange & charcoal!

The delicious cake, from Betty’s of York, was topped by two little peeps, hand painted by Hayley!The food was yumFilled with guests!
Speeches were entertaining, to say the least!

And I liked this little moment during Steve’s speech about his new wife Hayley!

The official cutting the cake

The less official cutting!

Dusk is settling in earlier and earlier, as winter approaches, and the Hospitium looked ace against the blueing sky.We had a bit of time for some shots of the chaps who attended the stag do doing their best stag impressions!I’ve neve a hen impression before!  Top work!

Turns out Hayley and I share a mutual friend in Sam Thornton, who plays in the very excellent Leeds-based trio, Louis Louis Louis – a band who’ve played at several of the Sunday Service gig nights I’ve thrown in the past.

They lay an energetic tribute to the three greats: Louis Armstrong, Louis Prima and Louis Jordan and always get people up and boogying!

See!  Even before first dance!

Which happened shortly after Louis Louis Louis set, to Lionel’s ‘All Night Long’ – which had people up on the floor by halfway through!

Then we left the gang to dancy and party into the night!

Top fun all round; a great couple, a creative & relaxed wedding and good to shoot with my buddy Tim again!

So here’s to the very excellent Hayley & Steve and may they had a splendid life as husband & wife!

x B x

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