If you know me even a little bit, you know that title caught my eye and stole my heart. A true Anglophile, the traditional English wedding is my ultimate weakness. Especially when it’s this beautiful and when JoPhoto was there to capture every beautiful moment!
From the photographer… On October 5, 2013, we photographed Morven and Steve’s English wedding in York, England. The ceremony was at the York Minster, and the reception was at Allerton Castle.
To get married in the York Minster, couples must receive a special license from the Archbishop of Canterbury. Morven’s family obtained this license because her father, Jim (who was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the community and disabled people) and mother, Gill, are members of the Minster Community and the family had worshiped regularly at the Minster for many years.
The day began at the bride’s family’s home in a small village called Hessay. Rather than numbers on the houses, her family’s home is simply named “Copperfield.” Each house in the village has a name instead of a number.
The bridesmaid’s hairpieces with cream feathers and broaches were hand made, and the teal green bridesmaids dresses complimented the cascading pink, ivory, and green bouquets. Photos of the bride with her bridesmaids were taken in her father’s orchard in the back yard of their home.
Morven and Steve’s ceremony at the York Minster was a grand event. All the ladies wore hats, and the wedding guests sat in the choir area. Morven’s mother’s navy blue hat was especially large, with white decoration on top! The York Minster was built in the 600s and is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England.
After the wedding ceremony, Morven and Steve exited the York Minster and were greeted by hundreds of tourists and onlookers. We included a few photos of the crowd outside the minster. Guests were asking if they were famous, or royalty! We had to keep the crowd back from the couple for photos outside the York Minster.
Traveling from the minster to Allerton Castle, guests rode in vintage 1959 double-decker black and ivory buses. Allerton Castle is a 19th century gothic house with gardens and sheep grazing on the front lawn. The Great Hall certainly lives up to its name, with a gorgeous grand staircase and an almost 80-foot ceiling. Dinner was served in the stunning blue and white ballroom, and portraits were taken in the lavish drawing room. We had never seen such a gorgeous castle!
Toasts were much different than those we have experienced in Tennessee. Each speech was 20-30 minutes long, and the bride’s father’s speech was especially entertaining. At the end of his speech, he asked all the guests to blow up balloons, and then they all let the air out of the balloons and made funny noises while everyone was laughing!
Later in the evening, the band called “HUGE” entertained everyone with live music, and the groomsmen enjoyed drinks and pool in the Billiard Room.
This was truly a lovely traditional English wedding incorporated with modern inspiration!
Photography: JoPhoto | Floral Design: The Rainflorist | Wedding Gown: Justin Alexander | Cake: Jean Calverley | Ceremony Venue: York Minster | Reception Venue: Allerton Castle | Catering: Dine | Hair: Kate Taylor | Additional Photography: Jim Poyner Photography | Live Band: HUGE | Vintage Wedding Buses: The Yorkshire Heritage Bus Company