Kate & Drew | The Hidden Oak Wedding Photography | North Yorkshire
I've been photographing weddings for a long time, and I can tell you now — wind is not your friend on a wedding day. It messes with veils, it ruins carefully arranged hair, it makes outdoor portraits feel like a battle.
Kate and Drew simply did not care. Not even slightly.
The gusts were insane all day long, and these two just kept smiling. Because it was their wedding day. Their love story. And none of it — not the weather, not the wind, not anything — could touch that.
If you've been following along, you'll already know Drew and Kate from their pre-wedding shoot at The Hidden Oak a few days before — you can read about that [here]. That shoot gave us the chance to walk the venue together, find the light, plan the portraits, and just get comfortable with each other. And on the day itself, all of that preparation showed. We knew exactly where we were going, and we made the most of every corner of that beautiful venue.
Drew is a real life Officer and a Gentleman — full military dress uniform, medals, sword, white gloves and all. I'm old enough to remember that film, and I'll be honest, I thought about it more than once. Getting ready shots of him fastening his uniform by the window, the sword detail, that quiet focus before the biggest moment of his life — those images are something else entirely.
Kate got ready in her beautiful family home, a gown absolutely perfect for her. The detail on the sleeves, the cathedral veil, the bouquet from Harriet Jane Flowers in those soft blush and cream tones — all of it came together beautifully. And that moment with her dad before they left for the church? The kind of frame you can't plan, you just have to be ready for.
The ceremony was held at St Andrew's Church in Finghall, Leyburn — one of those ancient little Yorkshire churches that feels completely timeless. Stone walls, stained glass, wooden pews lined with gypsophila. Drew kneeling at the altar. The two of them walking back down the aisle together, married, the whole church smiling around them.
Then on to The Hidden Oak for the reception — a venue I absolutely love and one that suited this day down to the ground. The seating plan display, the four-tier cake from Fairy Cakes & Co, the florals from Harriet Jane Flowers woven through every corner of the space. Relaxed, beautiful, completely them.
Kate and Drew — Mr and Mrs Huntley — what a day, what a couple, what a story. Thank you for trusting me with it. Congratulations. 🥂
Vendor love: flowers by Harriet Jane Flowers, cake by Fairy Cakes & Co, hair & makeup by KS Make Up + Hair Artistry, dress from Joana Bridal Boutique, additional styling by Silk & Blossom Ltd, photo booth by Valentina Photo Booth. Ceremony at St Andrew's Church, Finghall, via Lower Wensleydale Churches.
Planning a wedding at The Hidden Oak or elsewhere in North Yorkshire? Get in touch here — I'd love to hear about your day.
