Joanna & Edward get Married in Escrick

Last month I had the pleasure of photographing Joanna & Edwards fantastic big day at the Parsonage near York. To set the scene, Joanna and the bridesmaids were getting ready at the Kuki Spa in Huntington near her parents home and Ed was getting ready at the hotel with all of his groomsmen. By the time I turned up at the Spa in York to photograph Joanna and her Bridesmaids getting their hair and makeup done, it really didn’t feel as though three months had passed by since their fabulous portrait session in London, but that’s how it tends to go with weddings. They can sneak up on you. One minute it’s ‘next year’ and everything can wait until tomorrow, then, all of a sudden, it’s right there! I also did a portrait shoot for them.

Shooting the bride getting ready is always one of my favourite parts of the day. It’s the bit where you really get the opportunity to see the personality of the bride and her friends. Later on in the day, they’re in front of everyone and on their best behaviour (mostly). But in the morning, that’s when it’s a group of friends enjoying an exciting experience. Today was no different and I had a great time photographing them all. Also, the Kuki Spa in Huntington where they got ready has excellent coffee which always helps.

The Parsonage is a beautiful venue set in its own grounds in Escrick, a few miles south of York. It’s an amazing place for a wedding as it has that ‘Garden Party’ feel to the grounds which, on a warm summers day really adds to the atmosphere. It makes it easy to capture the natural shots of people enjoying the day with friends and family.

I know that all of Joanna & Edward’s family and friends had a great time. I had a great time. My second photographer had a great time. Weddings like this are why I love to do this. It was warm, welcoming and relaxed. There was so much laughter. Exactly how I like a wedding day.

I should also take the opportunity to thank my Second Photographer for the day, Tom, he did great work photographing the groom getting ready and he also got some beautiful shots in the church too. If you’d like to know more about adding a second photographer, just drop me an email and I’ll let you know the details.

For now, though, enjoy the photographs.

Joanna had her hair & makeup done at Kuki Spa and her dress was by Always & forever Bridal.

Photography by Mark Hillyer, Documentary Wedding & Portrait Photographer based in Leeds, Yorkshire.