Rudding Park Wedding Photography | Claire & Chris
Rudding Park Wedding Photography. I do love a winter wedding. Especially when I’m treated to the kind of gorgeous weather we had for Claire & Chris’s wedding at Rudding Park – just the most beautiful light! Claire and Chris had booked me only a couple of months before their wedding and I was so impressed with everything they’d managed to pull together in that time!
I arrived at Rudding Park bright and early and made my way to Claire’s room to meet everyone. Claire was down at the spa having her hair done when I got there but her lovely mum Jayne welcomed me in and I set about getting some shots of Claire’s dress and other details whilst the room was quiet! I headed down to the spa to see Claire having her hair finished off and then we made our way back to the suite where Danni Alexandra was waiting to start Claire’s make up. We were also joined by Claire from Dave Spink Videography and her assistant, who were both lovely to work with!
Claire and Chris have two gorgeous little boys, and their eldest Oliver arrived when Claire was mid-make up ready to have a shower and get his tiny tweed suit on! Sadly their youngest William was really poorly with a tummy bug so he spent most of the day snuggled up on Chris’s mum.
Soon after the flower girls arrived and then it was time for Claire to get dressed. We let her dad in and then got a few shots of Claire all ready to go before making our way to the church for the blessing. I’d already nipped down to get some shots of the church before everyone arrived. so I said hi to Chris and the guys (plus the vicar who was SO lovely!) and then waited outside to catch Claire and co walking over.
The blessing was wonderful – very emotional and also full of joy and laughter. Claire and Chris walked back up the aisle and waited by the doors to greet everyone as they grabbed some confetti and headed outside. I always love the first few photos after the ceremony – so many happy faces as everyone congratulates the newlyweds!
After an extremely successful confetti blast (I think Claire even got some confetti up her nose!), Claire and Chris and I walked around to the back of the hotel with the video team for some photos and film whilst the guests all headed inside for drinks.There are so many great locations for photos at Rudding; that combined with the light plus Claire & Chris being absolute naturals in front of the camera meant I really had to reign myself in! After 10/15 minutes in the grounds we headed to the library for a couple more photos and then rejoined the guests for a bit of a photo break!
Time was moving quickly as it always does, so after a short while I took Claire & Chris and their close family and friends back out for some group photos. Little William even joined us and I managed one quick pic of him looking sleepy and grumpy before he turned his back on me!
Once we were all back inside I headed upstairs to capture the Crosby Room ready for the wedding breakfast. It looked amazing – such a simple and elegant set up, with a nod to the festive season! I especially loved the backdrop of fairy lights and stars behind the top table, and the Christmas Tree seating plan!
Speeches were before the meal and had everyone roaring with laughter. We left them all alone to eat after that, but before the evening reception started I snuck Claire & Chris to the main staircase for a few more photos. Whilst the room was being turned around and the dance floor set up, Claire & Chris had organised sparklers and a firework display for the guests to enjoy. There was a mad dash for the doors as the fireworks ended as everyone was pretty freezing by this point, and we all made our way back upstairs for the cake cutting and first dance. William even perked up a bit and managed a boogie to Chris Hilton’s Little Big Band before I headed off!
Thank you so much Claire & Chris for trusting me to capture your wedding, it was an honour and an absolute joy!
Supplier shout outs:
Venue: Rudding Park
Florist: Flowers by Colette
Make Up: Danni Alexandra
Hair: The Hair Studio at Rudding Park
Dress: Justin Alexander from Harrogate Wedding Lounge
Venue Styling: Jack Loves Jill
Chairs: Black Event Furniture
Cake: Mama Doreens
Band: Chris Hilton’s Little Big Band
Videographer: Dave Spink
