LilyNorth

The french fairytale for Phoebe and Callum…

 

Back in September, I was lucky enough to travel to France to photograph not one, but two gorgeous weddings. The second of which was for the utterly delightful Phoebe and Callum.

I first met these two back at the end of 2020. I headed down to Sherwood Forest in Nottingham, whilst they made the trip all the way up from Oxford. Despite a one year delay to the original plans, it was FINALLY time to celebrate!

I arrived at Le Moulin on the morning of the wedding where Phoebe was getting ready with her bridesmaids. I loved capturing the girls spying out of the window on all the guests arriving!

Before we knew it, Callum was swaggering down the lane with his groomsmen by his side. This could only mean it was finally time to get hitched!

The lovely Rowan conducted the ceremony by the river, where we all watched as the beautiful Phoebe walked down the aisle. Callum was certainly one very happy groom! Once the vows were said and some confetti was thrown, all the guests tucked into some delicious French delicacies.

After some epic group photos on Hector the tractor (what a legend), everyone headed into the barn for the speeches. Callum’s mum had made every single guest their own personalised cross stitch hoop. They were probably the most amazing wedding favours I have seen. SO much time and thought had gone into them. I even had a ‘Lily’ one with a camera on it! Just amazing.

After the meal, Phoebe and Callum walked round all the tables and poured shots of Cognac for everybody! This definitely got everyone in the party mood, and the dancefloor was absolutely incredible!

This was SUCH a fun wedding, and I’m still overwhelmed that I was able to be part of such an amazing day.

Saltmarshe Hall wedding published in Living North magazine!

 

I received some wonderful news this week that Sam and Chesca’s wedding had been published in Living North magazine!

This was such an amazing wedding and I’m SO thrilled it’s been featured! It was such an honour not only to be part of this day with Sam and Chesca, but also to work with such an amazing team of talented suppliers. Make sure to check out the credits below for these awesome people! A special shoutout too to Saltmarshe Hall. This was my first time visiting the venue and I certainly hope it won’t be my last!

I often meet my couples for the first time at their engagement shoot, if they come for a coffee at The Studio or over Zoom. But I’ve actually know Sam for many years as we grew up in the same village! Sam was a groomsman for another of my weddings back in 2019 and that was when I first met Chesca. Since then I have absolutely loved getting to know them both. They have made me feel like such a valuable part of their wedding, not just a supplier.

We did their engagement shoot early last year near their home in Selby. I was even invited to stay for homemade pizzas afterwards which was just a dream! I knew when the wedding day finally arrived that it was always going to be special.

Arriving at Saltmarshe Hall for the first time was amazing. The venue itself was just beautiful. The grounds were filled with autumn colours which just made me even more excited for the photo opportunities!

Sam and Chesca were both getting ready at the venue. Chesca with her bridesmaids and Sam with his groomsmen. It was such a fun morning. We had singing, dancing, Charlie’s Angel poses, tears of joy and photos in the bath!

Once everyone was ready, the bridesmaids walked down the famous Saltmarshe staircase to greet Sam. This was followed by Chesca who was greeted by the groomsmen. I hadn’t seen this done at a wedding before and it really was such a lovely moment.

Chesca walked down the aisle with her dad by her side. Sam couldn’t hold back the tears seeing his beautiful bride for the first time.

The ceremony was conducted by the very talented celebrant that is Penelope Jayne. Sam and Chesca had their legal ceremony a few days before the wedding, which meant they could have much more freedom in the way the ceremony was conducted on the day. They had a ring warming, which meant passing their wedding rings around every single one of their guests before exchanging them. They even played rock, paper, scissors to decide who read their vows first!

All in all it was amazing to capture a ceremony full of so much love. Steering away from set traditions to create something that was entirely personal.

Once they had tied the knot (literally!), we headed outside to a mountain of confetti, and the celebrations began. Everyone was in such high spirits (and not only because the rain held off!). The guests just about blew the roof off when they welcomed Sam and Chesca into the room for the wedding breakfast!

The speeches were so brilliantly executed; some really tugging at the heartstrings, with others bringing the humour. I was particularly touched to hear the way Chesca thanked each and every one of their wedding suppliers. When she mentioned that they had wanted me to photograph the wedding even before they were engaged, I could hardly contain my emotions!

After the meal we headed outside to get some gorgeous photos of the newlyweds, before the party officially kicked off. Sam and Chesca did an upbeat first dance to a Blink 182 song, which got everyone up and dancing!

This was such a happy day, and I’m so glad I was able to be even just a small part of it.

Huge shoutout to the incredible team behind Sam and Chesca’s wedding day!

Photography – Lily North Photography
Venue – Saltmarshe Hall
Video – Clique Visuals
Celebrant – Penelope Jayne
Florist – All Occasions Florist
Hair – Tangles Salon
Make-up – Parlour Make Up Studio
Band – Rockafella

A boho wedding in the French vineyards…

 

Back in September, I headed across the pond to the south of France to photograph not one, but two weddings!

Laura and Rowan who own Le Moulin de Chazotte, an incredible venue hidden in the French vineyards, very kindly recommended me to some of their couples who were on the lookout for a wedding photographer. Originally due to take place back in 2020, there was a two year delay for both Samantha & Alain, and Phoebe & Callum due to the dreaded covid. Two years later than planned meant some celebrating was certainly overdue!

I arrived in France on the Thursday night, ready to meet Samantha and Alain the next morning for their engagement shoot. Preparations were well underway, and the venue was just as beautiful as I remember.

Before we knew it the wedding day was finally upon us. Samantha and Alain live in Canada, and most of their family and friends had travelled hundreds, if not thousands of miles to celebrate with them on their wedding day!

Samantha wore an incredibly beautiful boho wedding dress, with dried flowers in her hair. She took everyone’s breath away when she walked down the aisle. Her and Alain had done a secret first look just before the ceremony which was such a gorgeous moment to capture.

The guests were all treated to an array of food stations during the reception, including freshly prepared oysters, dried meats, and plenty of drinks to enjoy in the sunshine!

After a fantastic meal and some brilliant speeches (albeit one was entirely in French so I did my best to laugh in the right places!!), it was surely time to cut the cake? But that’s not the tradition in France! Samantha and Alain instead had an almighty croquembouche which, if you don’t know already, is an enormous tower of profiteroles! And instead of delicately slicing it, as is tradition in the UK, Alain took a full swing at the tower with a huge knife! Or one might even call it a sword! Amazing.

The sun went down over the vineyards, and although it got a little chilly, it meant everyone was up dancing to keep warm! I drove away into the night still listening to the sounds of the party.

As both weddings happened to fall within a week of each other, it meant I had some time in between for a little holiday! Harry and I were staying nearby, and made the most of a few days away in the sun. We had some epic day trips to La Rochelle, Ile de Re, Royan and Cognac. We also enjoyed many, many crepes.

Soon it was time for Phoebe & Callum’s big day, and with all the excitement of the first wedding, it was safe to say I knew this wedding was going to be epic! Stay tuned for part deux!

The perfect wedding at Hornington Manor…

 

First thing’s first, it has to be said that I have far too many lovely things to say about Laura, Matt and their wedding! It was genuinely one of the happiest days of my year. Considering I was technically working, that’s not bad going!

I arrived at Hornington Manor on the morning of the wedding to glorious Yorkshire sunshine that continued all day long! Laura was getting ready with her bridesmaids, whilst Matt was just a few rooms away with his groomsmen. I always love it when my brides and grooms get ready at the same venue as it means I can float between the two and capture them both getting ready!

Laura looked STUNNING in her dress. Once she was ready, we did a reveal to her bridesmaids, and Laura shared a special moment with her dad reading a letter she’s written to him on her wedding day.

We all made our way outside to the Lychgate at Hornington Manor, where all the wedding guests were waiting in the glorious sunshine. Matt was ready to see his beautiful bride for the first time, and she definitely took everyone’s breath away when she walked down the aisle.

Laura and Matt said their vows with all of their nearest and dearest smiling with them. It was such a beautiful ceremony. After the I do’s, everyone threw some confetti at the newlyweds and enjoyed some Pimms in the summer sun.

After some family photos, we headed into the barn which was beautifully decorated with all of Laura’s handmade wedding favours! Laura and Matt made quite the entrance soundtracked to The Darkness’ ‘I believe in a thing called love’!

The speeches were fantastic, and everyone tucked into some delicious food courtesy of Hog & Apple. It turns out this is also the name for two of Laura’s greatest assets!!!

As the sun started to set over Hornington Manor, we were blessed with the most perfect of golden hours. Laura and Matt had asked earlier in the day if they could do a champagne spray photo. We’d decided to wait until later in the day, and I’m SO glad we did. These ended up being some of my all time favourite photos! I would recommend doing a champagne spray to anyone getting married – it looks incredible!

Soon it was time for some dancefloor madess. The cake was cut, and Laura and Matt kicked things off in style with confetti canons! Everyone joined them on the dancefloor, and it was full to the brim just about the entire night!

All in all, a truly perfect wedding that I count myself so lucky to have been just a small part of. Laura and Matt – you guys know how much I love you!

Thank you to the most incredible team of suppliers!

Venue – Hornington Manor

Florist – The Petal Studio

Hair – Unity Rhodes Bridal

Make Up – Sonia Schofield

Dress – Gillian Million

Dress alterations – The Bobbin Ilkley

Catering – Hog And Apple

DJ/ Sax – Jonny Ross Music

The wedding full of personal touches..

 

Throwing it right back to June of this year where Kieran and Hebe tied the knot!

I set off the night before the wedding towards Penrith, just north of the Lake District. I decided to pay a visit to Melmerby Hall before the big day to see how these guys were getting on with the setup. And to have a nosey at the venue of course! I simply couldn’t believe how much work they had done! SO many of Kieran & Hebe’s friends and family had lent a helping hand to help create such a gorgeous setup for the wedding. It just looked amazing.

What I loved about this wedding was how much heart and soul had gone into every aspect of the day. From the venue decorations, to the fact that Hebe’s mum had designed and made her wedding dress from scratch! There was such a personal touch to the whole wedding and I loved it.

I arrived at Melmerby Hall on the morning of the wedding where Hebe was getting ready with her bridesmaids, and Kieran was with his groomsmen. It was such a happy morning! Walking into the kitchen to see Kieran’s best man Jonnie (who I went to school with!) was certainly an emotional moment for me! A theme that definitely continued throughout the day…

Once Hebe was ready in her beautiful wedding gown, and the bridesmaids were in their dresses (again, made by Hebe’s incredibly talented mother!!), it was just a hop and a skip up to the church where Kieran was waiting. Despite the gate being locked, we arrived at the church on time!

Emotions were certainly running high when Hebe walked down the aisle with her dad. It was a beautiful ceremony, and Hebe & Kieran were met with a whole bucket load of confetti once they’d said their vows!

The groomsmen were in charge of pouring the Aperol during the drinks reception. Everyone was in high spirits enjoying the unexpected sunshine!

Soon it was time for the speeches, and it’s safe to say that they were absolutely incredible. Some of the most moving speeches I’ve ever heard at a wedding! Kieran’s best man Jonnie absolutely smashed it out of the park. By that I mean there was not one person in the room who wasn’t crying by the end of his speech (including myself!).

Kieran and Hebe kicked off the dancefloor in style, and soon it was time for me to head home to sunny Yorkshire!

For me this wedding was so special because of every ounce of thought put into every detail of the day. I’m so glad I got to share it with such an incredibly special couple. Kieran and Hebe were also the first of my couples to have a wedding viewing at The Studio! Thank you for everything guys – it’s been a blast!

A reet good Yorkshire down-to-earth top class wedding…

 

For me, Megan and Dave’s wedding day was exactly what a wedding should be. Happy, fun, down-to-earth, glorious weather, wild flowers, epic tunes, a mad dancefloor, gorgeous colours. Not forgetting just a proper in love couple.

Looking through the lens at these guys all day you can just see how much they adore each other. They’re not all mushy about it, you can just see it and it’s bloody lovely to capture.

Megan got ready on the morning of the wedding at her parents’ house in Ripon, whilst my fab second shooter Jo was capturing the boys and all their antics! We had SUCH a fun morning, although it was ever so slightly depressing learning that Megan didn’t have any make up on when she looked like an absolute goddess already. Give the rest of us a chance Megan!!!! You absolute beauty!!

Once the girls were ready in their dresses, we hopped in the cars and headed for Sawley village. Dave and Megan got married in the local church, and despite a hilarious laughing fit from Megan mid service, they said ‘I do’ and headed outside for lots of confetti! Dave’s ‘confetti face’ provided me with great amusement and giggles during my editing that’s for sure!

All the guests headed across the road for some welcome drinks and everyone was basking in the Yorkshire sunshine. After some photos of family and friends, as well as some couples pictures of Dave & Megan, we all headed inside for some cracking speeches.

It wasn’t long before the dancefloor got underway, and the newlyweds kicked things off in style with a first dance to the coolest Fleetwood Mac song. I listened to ‘Gypsy’ on repeat for about 90% of the time I was editing their wedding! Everyone absolutely went for it, throwing shapes left right and centre!

We were treated to the golden hour to end all golden hours, and headed outside for some final portraits before they danced the night away.

Thank you to Megan and Dave such a fun wedding for everyone involved. You guys smashed it!!!!

Photographer – Lily North Photography

Venue – Sawley Village Hall

Florist – Wild Bee Flower Farm

Hair – Victoria, Doll House

Make Up – Charlotte, Doll House

Dress – Harrogate Wedding Lounge

 

The Out Barn did not disappoint..

 

I’ve been sitting here trying to write this blog and trying to think of the right words to describe this wedding. All the usual ‘amazings’ and ‘incredibles’ just weren’t cutting it, so I’ve settled on this..

The most ‘didn’t-feel-like-work’ wedding ever.

To tell you the truth, on the morning of Phoebe & Kris’ wedding day I wasn’t in the best place. Every now and then us wedding photographers have a little wobble where we really doubt ourselves, and sometimes we just feel a bit down because hey, we’re only human. But I arrived at bridal prep that morning, Phoebe greeted me with the biggest cuddle, held my hands, and I instantly knew it was going to be the best day.

Phoebe was getting ready with her mum and bridesmaids, and when she was ready she genuinely looked a trillion million billion dollars. Phoebe is one of those people who just totally can’t see how incredibly beautiful she is. Annoyingly she’s also a midwife and is equally as gorgeous on the inside, which really just isn’t fair on the rest of us!

We hopped in the car, headed to the venue, the Out Barn, where Kris and his ushers were waiting at the end of the aisle. Phoebe’s gorgeous mum Judith walked her down the aisle, and there was a little tear in everyone’s eyes when Phoebe and Kris said their vows.

Now is when I must introduce the best wedding host and singer to walk this planet.. Wayne Farrow!! I honestly cannot sing his praises highly enough. He sang Phoebe and Kris back down the aisle as newlyweds, kept us all entertained throughout the drinks reception, and kicked off the party like there was no tomorrow for the rest of the wedding day. Honestly, what a guy. Absolutely cannot stress this enough – you NEED to book this guy for your wedding!

Everyone headed outside into the sunshine, chucked confetti, drank gin, then Phoebe, Kris and I had a wander down the lane to the Out Barn’s little fairy bridge! It is stunning and such a hidden little gem! We got some gorgeous photos of the two of them (no surprise with these two let’s be honest) then headed back to the venue to enjoy the speeches.

Phoebe’s mum did a surprise speech, and had written the most beautiful poem. Kris brought everyone to tears and his two best men mashed it out the park. After the speeches, everyone tucked into some grub, and once everyone was suitably fed, Wayne got the party started at the Out Barn.

Everyone was up on their feet dancing pretty much from this moment until the end of the night. Wayne got all the hen do girls dancing to proud Mary. He got the stags to lift Kris in the air. He got everyone whacking their spoons on the table along to Mr Blue Sky. People were dancing on their chairs. He even got every single guest in a conga line across the field. Literally incredible. And that’s to say nothing of the absolute bangers he played!

The evening was just as wild and in every way the most fun I think I’ve ever had shooting a wedding. Phoebe and her friends ran across the field at one point, only for one of them to fall flat on her face, followed by a supportive Phoebe uncontrollably laughing her head off. They had sparklers, toasted marshmallows, a wedding cake that nearly fell on the floor. Then to finish things off, there was easily the best dancefloor I’ve ever seen at any wedding.

Phoebe and Kris did their first dance to Places by Martin Solveig, and it was soooooooooo nice to hear an upbeat first dance! It meant that everyone was straight on that dancefloor from the get-go. Wayne and Ryan the DJ absolutely killed it. Kris got lifted into the air during Mr Brightside. The boys did a strip tease to songs from the full monty. Wayne sang ‘Sex on Fire’ to Phoebe’s mum (literally my favourite moment of the year). There were ties on heads as far as the eye could see. And some guy did the worm.

Genuinely all the way through this wedding it felt too good to be true! It really didn’t feel fair that this was my job. To be invited to a day like this and literally be smiling from start to finish.

I don’t have the words to say how much I enjoyed this wedding, so Phoebe and Kris I am so, hugely grateful to you both. Thank you for being so vibrant, so fun, so kind, and so bloody gorgeous. Definitely going straight on the list of favourite weddings ever 🙂

Photographer – Lily North Photography

Venue – The Out Barn, Clitheroe

Wedding host – Wayne Farrow

Florist – The Flower Girls

Hair – Ribble Valley Hair

Make-up – Bec & Co

Dress – Ava Rose Hamilton

Shoes – Mischka Badgley

Bridesmaids dresses – THTH Bridesmaids

Stationery – Rose Signage Co

DJ – Ryan Smith

Venue – The Out Barn

Laura and Jordan are two of the loveliest people you could ever hope to meet. When I arrived at Wharfedale Grange on the morning of the wedding, Laura greeted me with the biggest smile, and just didn’t stop smiling all day long.

Laura was getting ready with her mum and bridesmaids, and Cat and Rachel were busy getting everyone’s hair and make-up looking dreamy. When I arrived, I spent a bit of time photographing all of Laura’s gorgeous accessories for the day ahead. I hung the dress on the upstairs balcony, and made the most of those stunning fairy lights that Wharfedale Grange has to offer!

We all had such a lovely, chilled out morning, and before we knew it, it was time for Laura to get into her dress. She looked absolutely incredible, and the bridal suite provided the perfect backdrop to get some photos of Laura once she was ready to go.

It was so lovely to capture Laura’s dad seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress. He was absolutely blown away! Laura’s maid of honour photographed her dad’s reaction on a polaroid camera, which she framed later that day as a gift to him. What an amazing idea for a present!

Once everyone was ready, we all made our way downstairs where Jordan was waiting with his groomsmen by his side. He was so happy seeing Laura for the first time as she walked down the aisle. Laura even got a bit emotional herself which was a really lovely moment.

Laura and Jordan walked back down the aisle as husband and wife, where the Hog and Apple were ready and waiting with the most heavenly canapés (as per usual, they are insane).

After we chucked some confetti over the newlyweds, we headed inside for some group photos as the weather started to get a little grumpy. As always, Wharfedale Grange is never short of beautiful backdrops, so we were able to capture Laura and Jordan’s friends and family with the beautiful South Barn behind them.

After some amazing speeches, everyone say down to tuck into some incredible food. After the meal saw the arrival of Laura & Jordan’s very own ice cream van! All of the guests (and yes, me included!) were absolutely spoilt rotten with as much ice cream as we wanted. And how could I resist asking Laura to climb INTO the ice cream van for some photos! It looked amazing!

Everyone was in such high spirits (let’s face it, mainly thanks to the prosecco tap in the women’s toilets..), and all of the guests joined Laura and Jordan on the dancefloor for their first dance. Laura’s brother and his band were in charge of music for the evening, and they absolutely smashed it.

For me this was a wedding of such personal and thoughtful little details, from the record player guestbook, to the polaroid wedding gifts, the kinder bueno ice creams, prosecco on tap, and everything in between. And what a properly lovely couple these guys are too. Laura & Jordan – thank you for letting me be a part of your day. And most importantly, thank you for climbing on the bar and into ice cream vans. You pair of absolute legends 🙂

A winter fairytale at Goldsborough Hall..

 

I’m probably right in saying that when most people picture the perfect winter wedding, it’s snowing. And for Kirsty & Danny’s big day, we didn’t just get a dusting. Oh no! It was a full-on blanket of thick snow, that arrived just an hour before the wedding ceremony!

I arrived on the morning of the wedding to a very green, unsnowy Goldsborough Hall! Kirsty was getting ready with her bridesmaids, her adorable daughter, her mum and mother-in-law. This was the first wedding I had photographed at Goldsborough, and I absolutely fell in love with the place! Whilst everyone was getting ready, I nabbed Kirsty’s dress and hung it up on one of Goldsborough’s beautiful staircases to show it off properly!

It was a lovely chilled out morning, and Pennie & Charlotte were busy making everyone’s hair and make-up look beautiful!

I’m sure most of you reading this will agree that planning a wedding can be pretty stressful at times. But what if you considered doing your own wedding flowers?! “No chance” I hear you cry! Well, you’re not as brave as our Kirsty then!!

Kirsty is an INCREDIBLE wedding florist. She is just amazing at what she does. There was no way anyone else was going to be doing her flowers, as she always said she had such a specific idea of what she wanted. So naturally, the day before the wedding was spent perfecting the bouquets, the table settings and all the other little details! The flowers were a beautiful mix of deep burgundy and pink and the perfect addition to any winter wedding.

Once Kirsty had finished in hair and make-up she was straight back into florist mode, tying the Silk & Purl ribbons onto the bouquets!

Throughout the morning it had started to snow, and because it had been so rainy the day before, none of us ever believed it would settle! But slowly and surely the grounds of Goldsborough started to turn white and it was absolutely magical. Not only was it the perfect winter wedding but the timing was also impeccable. All the guests had already arrived by the time the snow started so there were dramas about travelling in the bad weather!

Once everyone was ready we headed downstairs where Kirsty was picked up in her dad’s very own vintage car! A vintage wedding car driving through the snow.. talk about travelling in style!

Because the church was right next door, the bridesmaids and I all walked round the corner in the snow, umbrellas at the ready, where Danny was eagerly awaiting the arrival of his beautiful bride.

Kirsty walked down the aisle with her dad by her side, grinning from ear to ear! It was a lovely service, and it was certainly a surprise when the vicar referenced Kendrick Lamar in her sermon!! But Kirsty and Danny had chosen some banging hymns so it was all good.

After the ceremony, all the guests gathered outside (yes, in the thick snow!) to chuck some confetti at the newlyweds. We all walked back up to the venue where Kirsty & Danny were more than ready to hop in the snow for some portraits! I really don’t know how Kirsty’s toes didn’t actually fall off considering she was in peep-toe Jimmy Choos! What a trooper!