Red Lion in Burnsall: Andrea & Steve’s Wedding

You might remember that it wasn’t so long ago since I was last in Burnsall at the Devonshire Fell for the wedding of Claire & Tom. It’s fast becoming one of my favourite places to shoot weddings because as well as the Devonshire Fell Hotel, there’s also the excellent Red Lion Hotel in the centre of the village. Burnsall village is located in one of the most beautiful parts of the Yorkshire dales out near Skipton and the views in every direction are just stunning, it’s hard not to get affected by the tranquil atmosphere of the place. It’s also fair to say that the Red Lion fits the location perfectly, after all, the cellars of the hotel date back to the 12th century (apparently, there’s a ghost down there too) with everything above ground dating from the 16th century. It’s been there almost as long as the hills themselves.

Considering that it was Autumn, it was unseasonably warm although the morning was really foggy when I met up with Andrea and her bridesmaids. They were getting ready at the old Police House in Burnsall, just around the corner from the Red Lion (I like weddings where everything is within walking distance!) and as you’ll be able to tell from the photographs, Andrea really likes Take That. Throughout the morning there was rather a lot of Take That playing. I suspect that she may have actually invited Gary Barlow to the wedding. He didn’t show up in person, but he was represented in spirit, along with Sheffield Wednesday, at the little shrine that they set up at the reception. Steve was getting ready close by too, so I managed to run between the two of them all morning.

The wedding service itself was again, just up the road, at the local church and a lovely church it was too. The best man and the bridesmaids went a bit ‘power ballad’ on some of the hymns too which made for some good photographs.

After the service, everyone headed back to the Red Lion and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying the late afternoon sunshine – it was a beautiful afternoon in the beer garden by the river, unseasonably warm and summer-like for the start of October (Yes, that’s how far behind I am on my blog!). We managed to take advantage of the late evening sunshine too when I grabbed Andrea and Steve for a few photographs by an old shed that I’d found – I’m really glad too because I love those portraits!

I always stay at weddings until late, normally 10:30-11pm ish and you’ll be able to see why from the photographs of the evening.  You can’t tell the story of the wedding day without including the part where all of the official duties are complete and everyone can let their hair down and just enjoy a great party. The dancing went on late into the night & I know that Steve and Andrea had a great day, even if Gary didn’t show up…