I gave up on posing a little while ago. I stumbled across photographers like Tracy Jade & Naomi Goggin who were just letting couples exist in their own space. It was a lightbulb moment – I’ve also studied under Jesh de Rox and Luis Garvan and all sorts of photographers who have approaches to working with people and emotions. And whilst their methods usually produce something more natural, it always felt somehow manipulative and dishonest to do this on a wedding day – a day that should be filled with natural emotion.

Yesterday, I was shooting the wedding of a same sex couple, and I felt I had to explain myself. Because it probably looks like I don’t know how to pose a same sex couple, whereas the reality is that I don’t know how to pose any couple.

Or, to be more precise, I don’t know how to pose in a way that doesn’t turn people into gender clichés and stereotypes. Whether they’re straight, gay or any other complex shade of the spectrum. Posing is inherently weird, and even weirder in the context of wedding photography. It communicates things about a couple and their relationship – things that may have absolutely nothing to do with that couple.

A broader issue

The wedding industry has long been steeped in traditional gender roles and expectations, often reflecting outdated stereotypes about what grooms and brides should look like, act like, and prioritise during their big day. However, as society evolves toward greater inclusivity and individuality, there is a growing movement to challenge and reshape these norms, allowing weddings to be authentic celebrations that reflect the diverse identities of all couples.

Of course there are plenty of exceptions to this and some wonderful wedding blogs embracing diversity and showing different styles of wedding… But I’m not seeing it reflected in education for wedding photographers – and the styling and couples shown in weddings across the wedding media, Pinterest, Instagram and TikTok just reinforce the visual message of a very homogeneous wedding. (Probably the peril of being in the trade – but I see a wonky picture of a groom and bride filling a champagne tower every time I open up social media). To echo my own website – Not everyone wants to be a Disney princess or James Bond on their wedding day.

This becomes especially problematic when couples don’t fit those moulds.

Same-sex couples, non-binary partners, and those who feel uncomfortable with traditional binary roles often find themselves misrepresented, or worse—excluded—from the wedding photography narrative. Instead of capturing their authentic story and love, photos can end up reinforcing clichés that don’t resonate with them.

And it becomes even more important in the long-term as photos and the media we create become family heirlooms – historical documents that tell us about our families and their histories.

I think we’ll always be able to excuse it with “that’s just what fashions dictated at the time”. But I also think we lose the magic of capturing who the people in the photo really are, and what they meant to each other. I think being able to bottle even a tiny fraction of that is why a lot of us picked up a camera in the first place.

What can we do as wedding photographers / vendors

Breaking away from gender stereotypes in wedding photography doesn’t mean abandoning romance or tradition altogether. It means allowing couples to define how they want to be seen. Here are a few ways photographers can shift their practice:

• Educate ourselves. Understanding your clients means more than knowing LGBTQ+ terminology or history. It’s about listening. Photojournalist Jonas Peterson highlights that listening is the first step in telling someone’s story. Ask open questions early on, learn what makes each couple tick, and avoid assumptions based on gender or tradition. (I love meeting people on their home turf. You learn so much about a couple by just being in their space.)
• Pose for personality, not gender. Instead of defaulting to “the bride looks delicate, the groom looks strong,” focus on what feels natural to the couple. Some people love being playful, others prefer elegance — neither should be tied to gender. Personally I’m playing with trying to create space for couples to be themselves. It’s a pretty awkward space for the first minute or so, but then it transitions into something more personal and collaborative. (I’m planning to cover this more in depth on my own blog.)
  
• Balance the coverage. Give equal attention to all partners in photos and albums. It’s common to see brides featured prominently while grooms or partners feel sidelined—avoid this by showcasing genuine connection and individuality. (And this is an ongoing conversation on English Wedding too.)
• Use inclusive language. Replace “bride and groom” with “partners” or “couple,” especially in communications and marketing.
• Show inclusive photos. Similar to above – showing a wide range of clients, cultures and experiences in our visual storytelling echoes the message to come as you are, not as what is expected of you.
• Highlight authentic moments. The truest photographs often come from documentary-style coverage, capturing laughter, vulnerability, and connection without staging gendered roles.
• Educate clients. Help couples move beyond Pinterest-perfection and embrace their unique relationship dynamics. Your guidance can free them from cookie-cutter expectations.

Preparation Time

I want to also shine a spotlight on preparation time, as I believe traditionally, we weight this in favour of the bride and produce a responsibility on the bridal party to be both the centre of attention, and often quite vulnerable. It also echoes the stereotype that only brides care about their appearance or find getting ready meaningful, while grooms are portrayed as afterthoughts who simply put on a suit.

Of course your couples are going to have priorities and preferences. (Personally I love it when they break with tradition and get ready together – not just for the convenience, but for the care and attention they show to each other on the morning of the wedding) I’d also refer back to the point above – Educate yourself about your clients, ask lots of questions.

Also an actual selling point, as a photographer

Modern couples increasingly seek authenticity and personalisation. They want wedding photographs that truly represent who they are—not society’s idea of who they should be. Offering a portfolio and style that embrace diverse relationships and expressions attracts a wider and more engaged clientele.

Breaking free from predictable gendered poses also pushes photographers creatively. It’s an opportunity to explore deeper storytelling and produce images that resonate emotionally — keeping your work fresh, meaningful, and compelling.

Conclusion

Challenging gender stereotypes in wedding photography isn’t about discarding tradition entirely; it’s about expanding the narrative to include all couples and expressions of love. It allows wedding photography to fulfill its highest calling: capturing not just how couples look on their day, but who they really are.

By listening, learning, and adapting our approaches, we as photographers and vendors can help make weddings — and wedding photography — a more welcoming, authentic celebration for everyone. And that’s got to be a good thing.

PS. Another word on posing / not posing

I may not have convinced you about letting go of posing and directing – and there may indeed be a third way. But I thought I should add this little tidbit from Dawoud Bey’s On photographing people and communities. Dawoud has been photographing strangers since before I was in nappies – and I’m no spring chicken. I’m going to leave with a quote from the book that really stuck with me:

“The things that are going on in the world are so much more interesting than anything you can make up…. If the pose comes from the subject, it will ring truer than anything I can direct. I can’t anticipate subtleties like the drape of her hand or the placement of his hand – the little poetic gestures or grace notes. I have to let them evolve and then recognise them when I see them.” (Page 52, if you want to get hold of a copy)

The post Embracing Every Love Story: Dismantling Gender Roles in Wedding Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Because this amazing celebration looks incredible. And as amazing as it looks, its heart and soul is what absolutely shines. Jack and Kieran’s wedding stands out because their personalities burst beautifully from the screen. Their love – the glimmer of a happy tear, the joy they share with everyone around them – sparkles even more than those gorgeous disco balls.

What makes me happiest of all is that these two knew how important it would be to have images that will remind them how their wedding felt, in years and decades to come. The life and vibrance in the photos comes from the skill of their photographer – documentary wedding photographer Simon Dewey (based in Derby). Simon’s approach is thoughtful, focused on capturing weddings naturally and seeing past the pretty details so your memories will be of the atmosphere, the feelings, the emotions and of course ALL the love.

So join me in falling in love with the details first: the disco balls and vibrant florals, the beautifully designed signage and funky candles, the doughnut and mixtape favours all overseen by Donna Summer, Kylie and Cher at The Shack Revolution. Then follow the story of Kieran and Jack’s wedding day as it unfolds, because every moment is special, every glance is magic and every photograph is a real, heartfelt memory, captured forever.

Kieran and Jack, thank you for letting us share your day. Simon Dewey – thank you for sharing your documentary photography of this perfect wedding with English Wedding.

Kieran & Jack’s wedding suppliers:

Documentary wedding photographer – Simon Dewey
Venue – @shackrevolution
Florist – @littlebloomingflorist
Pizza van – @originpizza
Ice cream van – @m.and.m.ices
Signage – designed by Kieran

—photog2

The post From the heart: Kieran & Jack’s beautiful Shack Revolution wedding, with Simon Dewey Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

All images are by Lake District wedding photographer Mark Battista

I am head over heels in love with so many of Mark and Dan’s images I could have shared so many more on the blog… do head over to @englishweddingblog on instagram to see more of my favourites! Congratulations to this gorgeous pair – and huge thank yous for sharing such wonderful supplier reviews for the amazing team who brought the day to life. An absolute beauty!

Wedding photographer’s website

Lake District wedding photographer Mark Battista http://www.markbattistaphotography.co.uk

Wedding photographer review

The photos are absolutely perfect, Mark captured the whole event superbly. You really get the feel of it being a truly wonderful occasion (which it was)! We were super excited to share them with everyone. Everything on the day went perfectly, the style is just what we wanted and nothing too formal.

Your best wedding moment or memory

Undercover waiters – got everyone on their feet (some even on the tables) It was a really special moment and got the party started. They even got people on their feet who we didn’t quite expect to!

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

• We both walked down the aisle with our mothers.
• Our two dogs were the ringbearers.
• The two best women gave speeches.
• We had an evening party the day before for 55 of the guests who were staying at the venue.

Videographer name + review

Moments in White – Jayson.

Jayson captured the day in the most amazing way. (Check @momentsinwhite on instagram for the beautiful highlights reels!)

Venue name + review

Lancrigg, Grasmere (Lake District wedding venue)

What a venue and a hidden gem! Simon and Alison the owners are onto something special with this one as a wedding venue. We had a truly magical weekend and everything went the way we wished… and more. The staff were fantastic and many of our guests commented how friendly they were. No request was too much and Simon and his team were accommodating with all our requests (some quite outlandish!)

The Barn, Whiskey Bar and Main House played host to the best day of our lives and it felt so festive and homely. The Barn and Whiskey bar have been transformed into an impressive venue that provides a blank canvas to dress how you wish…. And we went to town and grateful we were allowed to do so. What a party it was!

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

We both wore: Green Tweed Suit, Beige Checked Waistcoat, Burgundy tie

Suit shop name + review

Edit Suits – great service from start to finish from Joeline and Wayne. Made, Measured and fitted to perfection.

Florist name + review

Brackens of Bowness

Kevin the florist really listened to what we wanted and adapted plans based on the season and cost. It felt like Kevin was at the venue for the entire day, flipping the ceremony displays to the table garlands for the evening and working tirelessly the day before setting up garlands for the aisle and hanging from the beams of the barn. We couldn’t have wished for anything better, the flowers and greenery really added to the look and feel of the day and we couldn’t have been happier. He transformed the venue in ways we didn’t think were possible!

Stationery maker’s name + review

Muse Calligraphy

The wedding stationery was absolutely beautiful and it was an absolute pleasure working with Muse Calligraphy. We adapted the format of the menu design with our own detail and Millie was amazing at delivering what we wanted and was happy to make last minute changes. The detail of the print and the quality of the card really added an extra special touch to the day.

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

We supplied the Christmas trees and made the garland around the barn doors. We also enhanced the table settings and seating plan with our personalised wax seal, bunny tail and feathers.

Entertainment

Undercover waiters – Live Music
Tailor and Co – Band

Catering

Karen Rhodes Wedding and Event Catering

Lauren from Karen Rhodes was exceptional on the day. The food was the showstopper of the day and everyone was so complimenting of the food and service provided (especially the poor girls serving canapés having to venture outside in the pouring rain into the house from the catering tent). The food was piping hot and delicious! Lauren really out our mind at ease around the logistics of the day and is a true asset to the business.

Our whole dealings with Karen Rhodes were without fault and Charlotte and Lucy have a business they can be really proud of.

Hair + makeup name + review

B the Bride – https://www.instagram.com/b_thebride_

I can’t really comment too much as it was the ladies who had their Hair and Make up done but everyone was really pleased and the girls looked amazing, our mothers especially. They listened to what they all wanted and executed it in the best possible way.

The post Mark and Daniel’s classic and timeless Lancrigg Lake District wedding, with Mark Battista Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

Nikki Terra https://nikkiterra.co.uk

Wedding photographer review

Nikki was incredible to work with and from the moment we met her we knew she would be the one to capture our special day. We had great communication and the engagement shoot was the perfect opportunity for us all to get to know each other and for her to see what we would be comfortable with and the style of her work. This made us even more excited for the big day and we were thrilled with the results – she captured every moment beautifully, as well as the venue and the surroundings and we have hundreds of beautiful images that perfectly encapsulate our day. She was even there for us in a moment of panic when we lost a button on some trousers – Nikki and her sewing kit to the rescue!

Your best wedding moment or memory

Being announced in to the wedding breakfast by our Master of Ceremonies on such a high to the biggest cheers from all of our loved ones!

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

Our mums were central to our day, and as such they played a pivotal role. They both walked us down the aisle and both gave speeches at the breakfast, which is a little uncommon but made our day so special. It also gave our guests a nice surprise as neither of us were waiting at the altar and it kept our outfits a secret!

Venue name + review

Farbridge, West Dean

We visited about 5 venues in our search and Farbridge blew us away – nestled in the South Downs, the flint barn was just stunning and we could do so much with the space. The staff had such incredible attention to detail, and the food and service was impeccable- down to them even discreetly tidying the gravel out the front after our guests arrived. Not one stone was left un-turned – literally! Accommodating 16 of us overnight in beautiful rooms also allowed us to carry on the next day and we had a wonderful breakfast whilst talking about the day before. Everything was perfect and we hope we are lucky enough to return again one day for someone else’s special day.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

Suits supplied by Hunter & Greys (https://hunterandgreys.co.uk/)

Wilvorst flannel suit in Stone with Kempton dusty pink waistcoat. Floral Liberty of London ties with matching pocket square.

Dress or suit shop name + review

Our mantra for our wedding was to use local – Hannah at Hunter and Greys was no exception and she was wonderful to work with. Exceptional service tailored (literally) to every individual, she gave us so much time and compassion in finding that perfect suit. She had an amazing selection to chose from and it took quite some time to narrow it down but we were thrilled with what we chose in the end and her expert guidance helped to make the process all that more special.

Florist name + review

Hedge Rose Chichester- https://hedgerose.uk/

We were very fortunate to have Hedge Rose provide floristry for our wedding at Farbridge – and with a floral theme and a difficult brief for some show stopper pieces, Meg absolutely nailed it. It was a joy to work with her and it’s clear to see how passionate and creative she is in her work. Her and the team did a beautiful job and so many of our guests had incredible comments about our floristry – we can’t thank Meg and the team enough for a first class service and the journey we had with her in designing the pieces for our special day.

Cake maker name + review

Our cake was designed and made by our best friend and one of our Groomsmaids, Emma. Emma is a teacher by day but bakes in her own time, so the pressure was on! But she designed a gorgeous show stopper for us comprising Victoria sponge, white chocolate and passionfruit and a top tier of cherry bakewell flavour sponge, decorated in buttercream, white chocolate and edible wildflowers.

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

Canva was central to all of our stationery and finishing touches and the level of personalisation the app allows was fantastic. We sourced frames to have photos of loved ones, and the candelabras were second hand from an events business who were going to bin them. The hampers for cards, photos and favours we collected ourselves and the florist kindly added loose stems and greenery to finish it all off.

Wedding readings?

Holleigh Breslin – Adams sisters provided a tear-jerker of a reading during our ceremony.

Wedding planner name + review

Wedding planning was in house by Farbridge – kindly provided by Eleanor and coordinated on the day by Imogen.

Hair + makeup name + review

Laura Skillen Salons https://lauraskillensalons.com/

Laura provided hair both before and on the day – myself and Adam visited prior to allow our hair time to settle, which Laura and Terri kindly styled on the day. They also styled both our mums hair and our two groomsmaids, who also visited prior to the wedding for trials and were so pleased with how they looked. The hair all looked wonderful and fit the theme of our day beautifully.

The post A gorgeous wedding at Farbridge for Adam & Craig, with Nikki Terra Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer website + review

York & North Yorkshire wedding photographer Joss Denham

Joss did an amazing job capturing our wedding day. Neither of us love being in front of a camera but felt totally at ease with Joss for both the posed group shots and the candid, natural photos where we didn’t even notice him nearby. Joss did a great job of directing us and our family and friends to get the shots we wanted, even getting everyone ready for the confetti throw. Our photos all look amazing and we are so pleased we chose Joss as our wedding photographer, and an extra bonus was how quickly he edited the images so we could view our online gallery only 5 days after the wedding!

We got married at York Register Office and then had our reception at The Plough, Fulford. We wanted a casual day and both of these venues were well suited. The Plough is my family’s pub/restaurant/B&B so it felt special to spend the day there. We would definitely recommend both of these venues.

The flowers

Meg’s gran picked flowers from her garden for both of our bouquet’s and the flowers on the tables. It felt special and sentimental to have her grow and arrange our flowers and they looked a bit wild and rustic which we think looked great.

Wedding cake

We had a 2 tier cake from Nelson Bakery, one tier was lemon and the other was chocolate orange. It was decorated with tiny red hearts to match our nail art.

What would be your top tip for a future couple getting married?

Organise everything as far in advance as possible so you can relax on the run up to the wedding!

What advice would you give to a future couple to do/not do to make sure their guests have a great time at their wedding?

We would recommend creating a guest book filled with photos of you both when you were younger and then of all the key memories you have together. Our guests all loved looking through and leaving comments for us in the book. It gave everyone something to talk about and felt special to include photos of memories we have with each guest and also those no longer with us. We did it in chronological order starting with some baby pics, then toddler etc through to current day and put images of us both around the same age side by side with captions to tell people where the photo was taken/how old we were etc.

Are there any areas or items you would advise future couples not to spend so much money on?

Everything!! None of it really matters – it’s the time you spend together and with your loved ones that matters the most. No one will remember half of the details.

The post Meg & Evie’s beautiful York wedding, with Joss Denham Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

https://www.greenhill-photography.com

Wedding photographer review

We chose Mike as we loved the natural styling of his pictures. They managed to grab the moments that we couldn’t always be around to see and at the same time capture the feel of our big day. We didn’t want too many staged pictures. We wanted to see the pictures and relive the special moments from our day. Mikes pictures have helped do just that.

Your best wedding moment or memory

One of the moments that stands out from our wedding day, was the moment we made our big entrance for the ceremony. Many of our guests assumed we would enter by the double doors to the rear of Great Hall at Leigh Court but the dual staircase provided the opportunity for the perfect entrance which warranted a round of applause from the guests. You could feel the love in the room. Seeing so many of our close family and friends gathered together to share the day was such a magical moment.

Venue name + review

Leigh Court. We shortlisted just a few venues that suited our criteria but Leigh Court stood apart from the others.

The imposing building and impressive, characterful rooms blew us away. We knew our guests would be equally as charmed by it. Having the whole of the ground floor allowed our day to seamlessly flow from room to room but each room providing its own purpose.

The Great hall, which had also been used for filming of Bridgerton amongst other TV dramas, was a striking space for the ceremony.

The Salon for the drinks and canapés, the Library for our wedding breakfast while the stunning Tapestry room became the backdrop to dancing in the evening. The Morning room provided a more relaxed space for the photo booth to be set up.

The bar and lounge provided a brilliant space for friends to gather and converse while they grabbed a drink. So many of our guests have gone on to comment what a beautiful venue Leigh Court is. We found having Claire, our assigned wedding planner for the venue at hand, especially reassuring.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

We decided on something coordinating and traditional. Tweed, wool suits were practical as we married in November, yet the styling seemed in keeping with the setting of the wedding. The warm brown tones were also hinted at on the twine of the invites and even the hydrangea button holes.

Florist name + review

Primrose May Florist.

Maddie at Primrose May totally understood the feel of wedding we were trying to create. We wanted flowers to look natural, not overly fussy or structured. Hydrangeas in a neutral cream suited the vibe. We had never considered these could be used for button holes even too.

Maddie set to work to create something that complimented our big day. We loved how local she was to us and isn’t a large company. Maddie even went above and beyond and provided us with a posey to be added to decorate our wedding cake when due to illness, a close friend who makes cakes and supplying the cake for our big day, was struck down by sickness and told he couldn’t even supply the cake he had designed and made for us.

Although the plain iced cakes we managed to source on the eve of the wedding weren’t the dramatic teal marbled creation we had hoped for, Maddie’s hydrangea saved the day, along with a little help from our venue wedding planner, Claire, so we had a more understated but classic cake instead.

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

All our invitations were hand made. Each featured a photo booth like strip of pictures of us attached to the front of some of our happy memories. These were tied together by twine with a parcel tag with our logo, kindly designed by a close family friend, hand stamped on the front. This set a theme that was picked up through the wedding favours and place names.

The natural hues from the twine and parcel tag suited the vibe of our wedding and we suppose hints at the colours of wool suits. We share a love of live music, which from the start of relationship gave us a common interest and bonded us with us visiting established and up and coming artists touring. We therefore themed each table name after a musical act that we loved seeing.

Isaac created mock ups of vinyl 45’s record covers noting the name of a music act for each table. Guests could scan a QR code on the single mock up to take them to a play list of tracks from all the artists featured on the tables.

Wedding readings?

Keeping in line with our love of music, we felt a reading from a song by an artist we had seen live would be appropriate. Young Blood by Sophie Ellis-Bextor had the right sentiment and suited us so well. You only have to read the lyrics and we are sure you’ll share our thoughts.

First dance song? Playlist recommendations?

This guys in love with you by Herb Alpert, a total Burt Bacharach penned classic brought the guests gathering to watch our first dance. The words of this still make us slightly emotional. The title says it all. It means so much to us both.

Wedding planner name + review

Claire O’Shea who we met from our first visit to Leigh Court over saw the organisation of our big day. On the run up she made she we were on track with everything. On the eve of the wedding, she let us walk through our entrance and talked through the running order so we felt everything was in control. From offering guidance to our best men, to meeting us at the front door on the day itself, as we secretly arrived away from the eyes of our guests to create a sense of drama when we did finally appear, Claire managed the situation brilliantly.

Caterers name + review

Berry Blue, the caterers who deal with the catering for Leigh Court were great. So many people remember the food at a wedding so we were very aware how crucial getting it right was. We had a food tasting with Berry Blue of some of the selected dishes from their large range of choices. The only problem we were spoilt with what to go for. We were delighted with the meal provided though. Amazed at how the chefs got so many meals out in one wave, so everyone got fed almost at the same moment and impressed at the attentiveness of the waiting staff too.

The post Andy & Isaac’s romantic, elegant wedding at Leigh Court, with Greenhill Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

https://hannahhallphotography.co.uk

Wedding photographer review

We were recommended Hannah by about 3 different lake district photographers. We are so happy that we found Hannah. Seeing Hannah’s previous work cemented the fact that we wanted her to shoot our special day. Hannah’s photographs are so natural and capture exactly what happens. Hannah’s communication throughout the lead up to the wedding and after the wedding, was fantastic. We realised that we had a lot in common about how we wanted to do our wedding and how our back stories were quite similar, it felt like we were meant to have Hannah as our photographer. On the day, we couldn’t have asked for a better person to join our celebration, Hannah was not only a photographer she became one of the wedding party, helping Meg get ready and Nat pin her buttonhole! To rallying the troops for the confetti! When we spent time alone for our bride and bride photos in the woods and at the lake, Hannah wasn’t phased by the fact that we were both awkward as, posing!

Your best wedding moment or memory

Everything!! Seeing Meg walk in with the boys will forever be in Nat’s memory. Our eldest boy handing over the rings. Seeing everyone who was there having a lovely time and all being together, which never gets to happen due to everyone living in different parts of the country.

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

We knew we wanted an intimate, relaxed wedding. In the end we had 15 people there including us. It was perfect! 2 days with the people who mean the most to us making precious memories

Venue name + review

Cragwood country house hotel
Cragwood was the first venue we visited. Having a tour around we fell in love straight away. Everything was perfect, the old building, the rooms, the grounds! Being so close to the lake and seeing all the hills knowing how beautiful it would look in it’s autumnal colours. The staff were phenomenal.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

Nat knew she wouldn’t wear a dress, it’s not her style, she wouldn’t feel comfortable or be true to herself! The first outfit Nat chose was a relaxed smart look with braces but after months of deciding that was the outfit she had a change of heart and wanted to feel even smarter! Meg on the other hand changed outfits, a million (at least 7) times!! Eventually staying with the choice she wore. In Nat’s opinion Meg blew her away with how beautiful she looked, the dress was perfect.

Florist name + review

The dried flower shop, blackrod
We chose dried flowers for the bouquet and buttonholes. Best choice ever as they still look amazing sat in our hallway now.

Cake maker name + review

Megs best friend Julie! Perfect coffee cake!

Stationery maker’s name + review

Ourselves with stamps from Hobbycraft!!

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

All the table decorations and stationery courtesy of Hobbycraft, eBay and local garden centre!

Wedding readings?

Bubbles by Rachel bright
And I love you means forever

First dance song? Playlist recommendations?

We had a party a few days after our wedding and that’s where we had our first dance. Our first dance was BON JOVI – thank you for loving me. In one of Meg’s romantic moments, she said that the words to that song are the words she wanted to say to Nat after a sometimes tough few years. Everytime it plays, even now, it makes Nat cry like a baby! There weren’t many dry eyes in the house when it was our first dance, until in our usual smooth selves decided to go for a twirl but both tried to twirl each other at the same time and got tangled up!

Wedding planner name + review

Cragwoods own Hannah! Absolute legend!

Hair + makeup name + review

Nats sister – Louise Thanks for facetiming in the middle of boots telling us what to buy as we didn’t know what we were doing!!!

The post Megan & Natalie’s intimate, relaxed Lake District wedding, with Hannah Hall Photography appeared first on English Wedding.

Wedding photographer’s website

Matt Selby / https://www.mattselbyphotography.co.uk/wedding-at-yeldersley-hall/

Wedding photographer review

Matt did an amazing job capturing our wedding and we couldn’t have been happier with the results. The photography was a really important aspect for me, and we loved Matt’s style and offering.

Communication was great ahead of the wedding (we were organising it from Australia), as well as on the big day. My husband and I were negotiating about how long we were prepared to spend away from guests to capture photos. In the end, it didn’t really matter as Matt and his second shooter were capturing lots of natural shots of what was going on, he captured the formal family shots quickly and when we went outdoors in the evening for photographs with just the two of us, we were ready to stretch our legs and get some fresh air anyway.

They blended in so much that we didn’t even notice them most of the time but they captured all the key moments as well as the finer details that really helped tell the story of the whole day. We got the final photos quicker than expected, with easy download options and links to share with guests. We are so happy with the results.

Your best moment or memory

Standing outside the doorway immediately before the ceremony as our musician played Simply the Best, then walking in together and seeing all our friends and family from across the world there to celebrate with us.

Tell us anything you did differently – we love hearing about NEW traditions (or none at all!)

The Humanist ceremony that Louise Gather pulled together was outstanding and really reflected our values and what we wanted. Not the traditional ceremony – it had fun audience participation, lots of laughter and really told our story beautifully. We also cracked a bottle of champagne and poured for each other at the end of the ceremony.

Venue name + review

Yeldersley Hall. We really liked the ‘rustic farmhouse with a touch of Downton Abbey’ style, including the beautiful grounds and gardens that Yeldersley offered. There were some really nice features like the former stable, Rose Garden and Orangery that we knew we could use during the day.

We were able to supply our own drinks until early evening (served by onsite staff) which helped keep it more affordable. It also had onsite self-catering accommodation that could host our families and some of our overseas guests for the whole weekend.

The gardens were a big selling point as we wanted an outdoor ceremony. Whilst the ceremony itself didn’t happen outdoors in the end (due to rain), we were still able to use the gardens throughout the weekend, as well as the features like the barn and courtyard. The owner Andrew was also really approachable, down to earth and upfront about a couple of minor restrictions. This gave us confidence that we could organise the day we wanted.

Tell us a little about your outfits – both of you!

We went for blue suits with maroon Italian silk tie and bowtie and braces for a more styled look.

Dress or suit shop name + review

We got our Joe Black suits in Australia where we now live. Tie / Bowtie – https://declic.com.au/collections/ties/products/declic-kontur-floral-tie-burgundy

Any crafty projects or homemade styling touches?

Lewis’s step-Mum Lin made the button holes, flower arrangements and chair sashes which helped keep the wedding in budget and gave a nice personal touch.

Wedding readings?

If you can love each other (tap to read), “Marriage” and a short speech / story from Mike’s sister

First dance song? Playlist recommendations?

We put together a medley of Somebody to Love (Queen), Vogue (Madonna), Spice up Your Life (Spice Girls) and Don’t Stop Now (Dua Lipa). We had a dance choreographer who put the dance together and taught it to us. It ended with Mike sliding through Lewis’s legs which gave a good ending!

Wedding planner name + review

Ourselves. We were organised and split up tasks, working to our strengths. There were moments where groomzilla came out but it went well overall.

Hair + makeup name + review

Preston Guild Hair (Sydney) / ourselves.

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