Hotel Du Vin York Wedding | Clare + James.

Hotel Du Vin York Wedding. What can I say about these two?! It was about 18 months between our first meeting on their wedding day; it seemed like an age had passed but equally the time seemed to have flown by! We had met up the previous autumn for their engagement shoot at Thorpe Perrow Arboretum (can’t be beaten for autumn leaves!) and Clare had told me all about the wonderful little church they were getting married in on Goodramgate in York city centre, so I was very excited when I finally got to see it for myself!

It was another beautifully sunny September morning when I joined Clare and her bridesmaid Jo at the Hotel du Vin in York where they were getting ready (and would all later return for their intimate, candle lit reception). It was lovely to work with the amazing Lucy Sunderland again who was a friend of Clare and Jo’s, and also in charge of their make up for the day! As it was just the two of them getting ready there was a really calm and relaxed atmosphere and we spent a lovely couple of hours together chatting and laughing. Oh and I took some photos! I loved the bouquets by Laura from Mint and Moose – perfect autumn shades and featuring trailing amaranthus which are one of my favourites!

My second shooter Lissa was with his James and the guys and his family at this point, at James’s parents house where they were getting ready. In a small world coincidence James’s parents had actually been at Fiona and Lewis’s wedding that Lissa and I had photographed at the Tithe Barn the weekend before so it was lovely to see them again! Once the guys were ready they headed into York for a quick drink at the Cross Keys before walking down to the church to greet the guests and hand out the order of service.

Back at the hotel I captured Clare getting into her dress and then left for the city centre to make sure I could park in time! I waited outside the church to see Clare and her dad and Jo walking up Goodramgate (roadworks having prevented them from being dropped off at the gate!). I got a quick shot of them outside the church before heading in to take my place at the top of the aisle. Clare works for the Churches Conservation Trust that looks after Holy Trinity which is why they were lucky enough to be able to marry there.

It was a lovely ceremony and once those initial “ARGH everyone is looking at me and I have to repeat these lines back properly in front of them all” nerves (which are all so common!) had worn off, Clare and James were beaming and laughing at the wonderful sermon that their vicar gave. Vows and rings were exchanged, the register was signed, and Clare and James were officially husband and wife! They walked back up the aisle and out into the late afternoon sun for some congratulatory hello’s and a confetti bombing. We powered through their group photo list and then I took Clare and James off towards the Minster for some photos of the two of them, whilst Lissa and the guests headed over to the Hotel du Vin.

I took Clare and James round to one of my favourite little lanes by the Minster, and we got loads of great shots of them together in the hazy sunshine. We made our way separately back to the hotel to rejoin Clare and James’ friends and family where they were all enjoying a drink in the bar.

The Courtyard room was set up beautifully for dinner, with the long trestle tables covered in candles, white lace runners and green foliage. It was a very elegant setup and perfect for the intimate meal Clare and James had wanted. All too soon it was time for the speeches and then dinner was served. Clare and James weren’t having an evening reception as it was quite a late meal, so I stayed to see them light some sparklers after dinner and then left them to enjoy the last bit of their evening.

Clare and James I can’t thank you enough for asking me to photograph your wedding day, it was such a joy! If you’re planning a wedding at the Hotel du Vin in York then please do get in touch! x

Suppliers:

Venue: Hotel Du Vin York

Church: Holy Trinity Church Goodramgate, cared for by The Churches Conservation Trust

Second Photographer: Lissa Alexandra

Florist: Mint and Moose (bouquets, buttonholes and reception flowers) and Fleur Adamo (church flowers)

Make up: Lucy Sunderland

Hair: The Hairloom

Dress: Anna Sorrano from Wed2B Leeds

Veil: Sash & Veil

Hair Vine: The Bobby Pin

Styling: Set The Scene

Stationery: Gray Starling Designs

Cake: Mrs B’s Cakery