Coniston Hotel Wedding Photographer Yorkshire

Daffodils, Golden Hour & a Row Boat for Sarah & Sam’s Spring Wedding at The Coniston Hotel

Coniston Hotel Wedding Photographer. I cannot believe that these guys will be celebrating their first anniversary as I publish this. Not because I’m only just sharing it (that’s fairly standard for me to this point, but something I aim to change this year!). But the time has just whizzed past. I actually met Sarah & Sam back in 2015 when my daughter was still a baby and not a sassy pants three year old with a passion for Moana, tiny things, and nudity! I’ve gone off topic…

Sarah & Sam were married at St. Peter’s Church in Coniston Cold and had their reception at The Coniston Hotel just around the corner. It was a very bright and crisp Spring morning when I arrived at The Coniston Hotel to see Sarah and her bridesmaids. But the temperatures soon rose and by the afternoon it was about 19 degrees and we were all boiling! Maybe that’s the other reason I can’t believe this wedding was a year ago – slight difference in the weather!

Getting ready.

After saying hello to everyone I started on the detail shots of Sarah’s beautiful lace dress, her shoes, bridesmaids dresses, and jewellery. I was really glad I arrived in time to see Sarah receive some flowers and perfume from Sam, and to capture her as she read the lovely card he had written. Once hair and make up were complete it was time to get Sarah into her dress, and to trap her granddad in the other room so that he couldn’t catch a glimpse of her before she was fully ready! I absolutely love capturing this part of the morning, and always get so excited to see the reactions of friends and family seeing the bride for the first time.

Ceremony.

I then headed to the church to get a few shots before everyone arrived. St. Peter’s is a beautiful church with huge windows and lovely cream walls so it’s gorgeous and light inside. Outside is was just the most perfect Spring scene – the clear blue skies, daffodils, lambs, and the glorious Yorkshire countryside. I got a little concerned that Sam hadn’t arrived but I soon learned that Sam is not exactly known for his punctuality! 😉 He did arrive in style with his best man a short while later though, and was quickly caught up in all of the excitement of guests arriving and piling into the church.

Once everyone was I waited outside to catch Sarah and co arriving. The shots of them all walking up the path to the church, and of the bridesmaids lifting Sarah’s veil over, will always be some of my favourites – and no I didn’t give them instructions or choreograph it in any way, sometimes gold just happens!

I quickly nipped in to the top of the aisle to await Sarah’s entrance (yay, a view from the front! Where I can see the bride walking in and people’s faces during the ceremony!). The vicar was actually a good friend of Sam and Sarah so the ceremony was wonderfully personal, and full of laughter, tears, and the odd fist bump, naturally. Plus I was allowed to photograph the actual signing of the register – brides-to-be please note, this hardly ever happens!

Reception.

After the service Sarah & Sam lead everyone out into the sunshine to say some hellos before exiting under a shower of confetti. Everyone waved them off and we made our way to The Coniston Hotel for drinks and, of course, photos. The ceremony and family photos both lasted a little longer than expected, so it was soon time for me to grab some shots of everything set up for the wedding breakfast and then on to the receiving line! Since the weather was going to be glorious all evening, we decided to leave the couple portraits of Sarah & Sam until after the meal, when there would be no time pressures.

Speeches.

These guys had their wedding breakfast in the main restaurant upstairs, overlooking the terrace and the lake, and it was just perfect. There was so much space and the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows made for great light during the speeches!

Once food had settled I jumped into my trusty Beetle and followed Sarah and Sam down to the lake. And oh my word it was glorious! I mean, happy newlyweds, daffodils, a lake, a row boat, and golden hour – it doesn’t get much better! Eventually I did have to rein myself in and we all made out way back up for the cake cutting and first dance.