We first got together at 14 after one of James’ friends introduced us at school. After a few months of being friends James asked me to be his girlfriend and we’ve been together ever since. 

James proposed after 9 years together, whilst we were on holiday with his family in Cyprus. Unbeknownst to me he’d bought the ring a week earlier and after asking for my families blessing he smuggled it in his camera bag around Paphos for 5 days. We took a break from his family and went to visit a monastery (St Neophytos) in the hills just above Paphos. I was covered in sunburn and heat rash and wanted to go home to cool down but James insisted on taking ‘one last photo’ of me facing the hills. As I reluctantly turned away from James, (who was kneeling on the floor for a good photo angle) he asked me to marry him, I turned around in shock and he was taking photos! It completely took me by surprise and made me forget all about the mood I was in! I’d have thought after so long together I’d have been able to tell if he was planning something but he and my family did such a good job of keeping it a secret.

One of the most important aspects of the wedding for us both were the photos. Apart from the rings they’re the only tangible thing you get to keep afterwards, so our photographer Hamish was one of the first bookings we made within weeks of getting engaged. The inclusion of family and friends was also very important for us. Our favours were in memories of loved ones and most of our vendors were in fact family. The rings were designed and made by a friend Nikki Barrett and everything else was created by us. James designed and based all the table plans on some of our favourite artists. He took their art style and made the focal point. The flowers and confetti were grown and made by my mum and auntie. All the wooden lanterns were also made by a friend.  The whole day was a huge DIY effort from everyone! 

I always knew I wanted to get married in Autumn as it’s my favourite season, we got lucky in choosing November the 9th as it was 3 years to the day we graduated from uni and the day before our 11th year anniversary. The inspiration of the day was Autumn itself. All of its rich colours and natural rustic beauty were included in the wedding through the colour theme, floral arrangements and the hand made bunting, which I created using botanical prints and old Ladybird books. East Riddlesden Hall shines in Autumn and it was important to bring those gardens inside, but also give it a richer wedding edge with gold tones and warm lights throughout.

Our caterers were The Hog and Apple based in York, a company I had seen work at ERH many times before. They matched our long tables by supplying long wooden boards down the center of each table for the food. We had a ‘Yorkshire platter’ to start with paté, ham hock tureen, pork pies and cheeses. For the main we had pulled hog roast and pork chops with all the trimmings. None of our guests realised it would be three courses so by the time the starters were finished and the main course came out everyone was blown over by the amount and quality of food. Everyone is still talking about how tasty it all was! 

Our dessert was in fact our cake which was created by James’ cousin at Little Breads based in Harrogate. I knew whatever we had for our cake should represent my love of chocolate and our relaxed naturally rustic but indulgent theme. Karl knocked it out of the park with the cake. It looked stunning and tasted even better. Having it for dessert meant none went to waste too. 

I first knew of East Riddlesden Hall when I was bridesmaid for my auntie (the one who did the flowers) as a child. I just so happened to be lucky enough to get a job there after university, so when it came to James proposing I knew right away ERH had to be the place. It’s the perfect venue and the medieval hall is such a blank canvas. Every wedding is completely unique to each couple’s style. Working there means I have a really close relationship with the entire team which made the whole process as easy as it could be and the weeks leading up to the wedding very exciting. Returning to work after the honeymoon brought back all those excited nervous memories and everyday is a little bit of the wedding all over again. 

See Hamish’s photographic blog of their day from start finish at https://hamishirvine.com/blog/east-riddlesden-hall-wedding/