Robert & Hannah | St Andrew's Church Wedding, Aysgarth

Sep 30

Claire Hirst Photography captured Robert & Hannah's wedding at St Andrew's Church in Aysgarth, in the Yorkshire Dales, North Yorkshire, followed by a reception in a tipi-dotted field on the couple's farm.

Some days I get to drive across to the Dales and spend the whole time surrounded by hills, stone walls and people who are clearly having the time of their lives. Robert and Hannah's wedding was one of those days, and I've been itching to share it.

Getting Ready

The day began quietly, with Hannah getting ready. I always love this part of the morning, when the nerves are settling and the details come out. Her ring sat perfectly balanced between her shoes (I'm a sucker for a detail like that), and her sunflower bouquet, with its splashes of purple veronica and deep green foliage, looked so cheerful against the dark wood it was resting on.

Then came the dress. Hannah's strapless wedding dress had a beautiful floral-appliqué bodice and the kind of skirt that fills a whole doorway. There was a shaft of soft light coming in through the window while it was being fastened, and I couldn't not photograph it. Hannah's face in that moment is calm and quietly thrilled, exactly how it should be.

The Ceremony at St Andrew's Church

St Andrew's Church in Aysgarth is a proper showstopper inside. Gothic arches, an enormous stained-glass window over the altar, chandeliers, and painted stencilled walls that seem to glow in the light. It's dramatic, and it looks amazing in black and white, so that's how I've shown a lot of the ceremony.

Hannah's walk down the aisle was a highlight for me. Robert turned to watch her come in, the guests were all smiling at her, and Hannah was grinning back at everyone the whole way. Later, they sat side by side with their heads tipped together, sharing a quiet moment while the ceremony went on around them. I also caught them from behind at the altar, standing in front of that huge window, which is one of my favourite frames from the whole day.

And then the walk back down the aisle as husband and wife. Robert had a sort of "we did it" smile on his face, and Hannah was beaming with her sunflowers held close. That's the moment, isn't it?

Confetti and the Wedding Party

Out in the churchyard, family and friends lined up either side of the path for confetti, and there were phones up everywhere. Robert and Hannah walked through it laughing, with confetti still landing on Robert's shoulders and Hannah's sunflowers in hand.

Then we headed out for group photos, and the Dales did what the Dales do. Rolling green hillside, dry stone walls, and a gorgeous moody sky behind them. The wedding party, in navy suits, grey check waistcoats, sunflower buttonholes and navy dresses, couldn't stop laughing. I honestly don't think I've had a group shot with so little "smile, everyone" and so much real laughing.

The Reception on the Farm

The reception was in a field on the farm itself, with a enormous tipis on the grass, festoon lights strung overhead, and those big Dales hills rolling up in the background, complete with the odd stone barn. Guests gathered on the lawn with drinks in hand, hats and fascinators everywhere, while the live acoustic guitar drifted out from under the tipi. There was a mobile bar on site, sunflowers on the tree-stump tables, and the sort of relaxed, happy atmosphere you can only get when a wedding feels like it belongs to the people having it.

Robert and Hannah, thank you so much for letting me be part of your day. It was a joy to photograph, and a real privilege to spend it with you and all your lovely guests. Congratulations, Mr and Mrs Fawcett!

If you're planning a wedding in the Yorkshire Dales, whether that's a church ceremony, a farm reception, or a bit of both, get in touch. I'd love to hear your plans.