An Elegant Black Tie Wedding at The Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey.

Tithe Barn wedding photographer. It seemed like such a long time since these guys had booked me for their wedding and I was very excited to finally see them tie the knot! I was also very excited to finally be back at my favourite venue The Tithe Barn – It had been four months since my last wedding there which is far too long a gap if you ask me!

Getting ready.

Abbie and her bridesmaids, mum and sister were getting ready at the Devonshire Arms Hotel. There were 7 bridesmaids so it was a very busy bridal suite which I always enjoy! Hair and makeup had been in full swing for some time when I got there with all the bridesmaids, Abbie, and her mum and sisters to get through! So I got a few details of Abbie’s shoes, perfume and jewellery and then jumped straight in to lots of candid shots of Abbie and the girls getting ready. It was a bit of a squish getting us all in there but we managed to clear one of the rooms in the suite to quickly get some shots of Abbie’s dress which was a surprise for most of her bridesmaids. We were joined by videographer John from Unified Films who was great to work with.

Meanwhile my second shooter Lissa had joined Andrew and the guys at Olicana park in Addingham where they were getting ready in one of log cabins. She got loads of great candid shots of them getting ready, opening their gifts from Andrew, and enjoying a shot before heading over to the Tea Cottage in Bolton Abbey village for beer and cake. A perfect wedding morning combo if you ask me!

Back at the Devonshire Arms the bridesmaids were getting dressed and then it was Abbie’s turn to get into her beautiful gown with the help of her mum and maid of honour Laura. Once she was in we brought the bridesmaids through to see her all ready to go and finally we let her dad in to get his first glimpse of her as well.

Time was a little tight so I dashed over to The Tithe Barn where the guys had already arrived and put on button holes. Their guests had also arrived and everyone was in place ready for the ceremony to start.

Ceremony.

I took my place at the top of the aisle and we waited for the bridesmaids and then Abbie to make their entrance. The ceremony was led by celebrant Tracy so it wasn’t a civil ceremony which meant it was much more personal with lots of stories about Abbie and Andrew and how they met, and the history of their relationship. They had two lovely readings by Abbie and Andrew’s sisters, and the barn looked amazing decked out in gorgeous florals by Bureau botany – one of my favourites!

The ceremony ended with a kiss and then the new Mr & Mrs made their way back up the aisle to grab a quick drink before we headed over to Bolton Abbey for a some photos. It had been a damp morning and there was a bit of drizzle as we set off but we decided to risk it and luckily it did dry up for us once we were there!

Bolton Abbey.

I had done an engagement shoot with Abbie and Andrew a few months before so they were well practiced at being photographed together and we managed to get lots of great pictures and quite a small amount of time. The one good thing about the rain was that it meant the abbey was really quiet so we didn’t have to dodge the tourists! I could have stayed down there for ages taking pictures of Abbie and Andrew but we were aware that the drinks reception was well underway and that they wanted to get back and see their friends and families. So they nipped back in their ace Land Rover from Land Marque Events and I headed back up ahead of them, calling the wedding coordinator on the way so that she could organise all the guests outside with a handful of confetti for when Abbie and Andrew got back.

Reception.

She had managed to get everybody in place by the time I got there (love her!) and they were all eagerly waiting for Abbie and Andrew to head out and be bombed with petals. Abbie & Andrew were keen to get a group photo with absolutely everybody in so we quickly organised that straight after confetti and then let them grab a couple of canapés and say some hellos. There was time then for me to whip through the group photo list with them at the front of the barn, whilst Lissa got loads of lovely candid shots of the guests enjoying drinks at the back (major pro of a second photographer!). Once we had got through those it was time for me to get a few detail shots of the barn set up for the wedding breakfast and then the guest started to take their seats for the speeches.

Speeches.

Once everyone was seated Abbie and Andrew were announced in as the new Mr & Mrs B and I loved seeing the bridal party make their entrance first – they had some serious moves!

Once everyone was in it was on with the speeches. There were five in total with both Abbie and Andrew’s dads saying a few words, followed by maid of honor Laura, best man David and then finally Andrew himself. All the speakers did an awesome job and were really funny! We got loads of great shots of people laughing and smiling as all the speakers took their turn and then it was time for the food to be served. After dinner we had a bit of time to squeeze in some group photos that we hadn’t managed earlier in the day and to get some more shots of Abbie and Andrew now that we had less time pressure. Typically it was still raining (it had started back up again during the wedding breakfast) so we made use of the very handy porch the front of the barn which has plenty of space for some family groups and makes a lovely spot for a couple photos too.

Party.

Soon it was time for the cake to be cut and then for Abbie and Andrew to take to the dance floor for their first dance. They had booked a brilliant band which I’d never seen before called the Hyde Family Jam who did folk covers of popular songs, including Backstreet’s Back! They really were brilliant they had such great energy, and so talented! After the first dance Abbie and Andrew called everybody else onto the dance floor and it was heaving for aaaaages so I got loads of great shots of people dancing – there were some serious movers on this dance floor! The rain had eased off a bit though it was still drizzling but since everyone was a few drinks in we managed to encourage the bridal party and Abbie & Andrew’s close family outside for some sparkler photos before it was time for me to leave them to party the night away.

Thank you so much A&A for trusting me to capture your gorgeous wedding day, it was such a treat. I say it all the time but I LOVE the Tithe Barn. So if you’re getting married at this spectacular venue and are on the hunt for a photographer then have a nosey at some of my other Tithe Barn weddings and then fill in my contact form so we can talk more!

Venue: @thetithebarn @crippsandco
Second photographer: @lissaalexandraphoto
Videographer: @unified_films
Florist: @bureaubotany
Make up: @_bespokebeautyandmakeup_
Hair: @lottiehaighhair
Musician: @24_live_acoustic
Celebrant: @bohoceremonies
Cake: @poppypickeringcakes
Dress: @suzanneneville from @theharrogateweddinglounge
Band: @hyde_family_jam
Car: @landmarqueevents