A beautiful Spring wedding at Ripley Castle for Rachel & Jack.
Getting ready at home.
Ripley Castle Wedding Photographer. I hadn’t been to Ripley since before Covid so I was excited to be back! I met up with Rachel and her parents and bridesmaids at Rachel & Jack’s home outside Leeds to capture them all getting ready. Rachel was having her make up done by the lovely Rachel O’Dell when I arrived, so I grabbed a few shots of her gorgeous Adriana Alier gown and other details upstairs before heading back down to see her make up being finished off. We were also joined by videographers Olive & Thistle who was an absolute pleasure to work with. They’re based up in Scotland but travel all over for weddings so I’d highly recommend checking them out as their videos are beautiful!
The bridesmaids were very organised and all ready to get dressed when I arrived so we got some shots of them in their matching dressing gowns and then let them finish off. The rest of my time was spent capturing everyone hanging out with Rachel whilst her make up was being finished. They were a really lovely, chatty group and there was such a calm feel to the whole morning. It was soon time for Rachel to get dressed, and then we brought her dad and bridesmaids up to see the finished look. She looked amazing! Then it was time for me to make my way to Ripley to get ready for the ceremony.
Meanwhile the lovely Lissa was with the boys capturing Jack and his best man and groomsmen finishing getting ready at the Boar’s Head, before the guests started arriving.
Church Ceremony.
Then it was on to the church! I arrived in plenty of time to say hi to Jack and introduce myself to the vicar before Rachel and her dad pulled up in their gorgeous wedding car. Rachel had a little difficulty getting out of the car in her gown but she managed it very gracefully (but then again she is a dancer so I’d expect nothing less! I got some shots of them walking up past the church and then nipped inside to take my place behind the vicar. Rachel made her entrance and lovely Jack was clearly blown away by the sight of her walking down the aisle towards him. He might win my award for most emotional groom of 2023! It was a lovely service; the church rang with laughter and Rachel and Jack just looked so happy to finally be tying the knot. After the rings and vows were exchanged, the register was signed, and the first kiss was kissed, it was time to walk back up the aisle and head outside for some confetti. Rachel and Jack had gone for biodegradable paper confetti which is my absolute favourite and I always recommend it (unless your venue has rules about what kind of confetti you can have). But this is my fave because it stands out really well in the photos and it falls nice and slowly which means there’s more opportunity for some great photos as the bride and groom walk down between lines of their friends and family. These guys also seemed determined to prove the rule that there’s no such thing as too much confetti!
Reception & speeches.
Rachel and Jack were keen to get down to the lakeside to get some shots of the two of them so I headed off in that direction with them while Lissa hung back with their friends and family and got some candid shots of them all during the deception. Massive thanks to Rachel and Jack for traipsing through a bit of mud and even more sheep poop to end up by the jetty on the other side of the lake with the amazing view of Ripley castle in the background. You really can’t get married here without stopping for some photos down by the lake! I had done an engagement shoot with these guys the previous autumn so they knew exactly what they were doing and we whipped through the photos in no time at all, meaning we could head back up to the castle and crack on with some group photos. The drinks reception was in full swing when we got back up there with everyone enjoying lots of yummy looking canapés and drinks. We got the group photos done and then we could let Rachel and Jack relax and just enjoy the rest of their afternoon. These guys opted for a receiving line before the wedding breakfast which is something I don’t see very often but it does make a great opportunities for some candid photos of a bride and groom hugging all their friends and family. Rachel and Jack were announced in to the wedding breakfast room and then food was served so we went to take a seat in another room to start backing up photos and grab a quick bite to eat ourselves. It was soon time for the speeches which were absolutely hilarious and had Rachel and Jack cringing at times.
Party time.
After dinner Rachel and Jack were keen to get a few photos on the amazing stairs at the other side of the castle so we wandered over there for a few final couple pics, and then it was back to greet the evening guests. Rachel and Jack kicked off the evening reception by cutting their cake downstairs and then we all made our way upstairs for the party to start. These guys had of course worked out a little dance routine for their first dance with Rachel being a trained dancer and they absolutely nailed it. The dance floor was heaving then and I got loads of great photos of them all letting loose and having the most amazing time. I especially loved watching Rachel and Jack dance with their grandparents who they’re very close to.
Massive thanks R&J for trusting me to document your Riple Castle wedding, and making it so much fun! If you’re planning a Ripley Castle wedding and on the hunt for a photographer please get in touch and tell me more!
Venue: @ripleyweddings
Second photographer: @lissaalexandraphoto
Videographer: @olivethistle
Florist: @natashacoustol.floraldesigns
Make up: @rattyred
Hair: Amy Horsman
Cake: @pieceofcakeharrogate
Dress: @adriana_alier_bridal from @ivoryfoxbridal
Venue styling: @laura_lindsay_wed
Favours: @fabulouswelshcakes
Stationery: @feelgoodinvites
