Middleton Lodge
Middleton Lodge Estate is a beautifully restored 18th century Georgian farmstead owned and run by the Allison family. This 200 acre estate is located just outside the pretty market town of Richmond in North Yorkshire. A time lapse of 16 years has seen the farmhouse, walled garden and outbuildings transformed into a sustainable conscious and award winning restaurant, a 30 room hotel and two self contained cottages. This beautiful setting, with private meadows, gardens and parkland is a dream countryside space for your wedding day.
You can choose to host your wedding day in the Georgian main house with 2 characterful reception rooms, 16 bedrooms, private bar and outdoor marquee for a “big house in the country” feel. This classic and elegant space gives views over the croquet lawn and parklands beyond. Your indoor wedding ceremony can take place in the drawing room or the hall. In the summer time you can have an outdoor wedding in the wooden pavilion and lawn.
The Walled Garden and Fig House is a space that brings the outside in. Floor to ceiling windows give a beautiful ambience to the room itself and allow you to overlook the 2 acre garden. Your ceremony can be held in the Boiler House Bar or outside in summer and your guests will love being able to celebrate your day with you in this magical setting.
I will join you for your wedding preparations some two hours before your ceremony begins. This allows plenty of time for those all important detail photos that will begin your wedding album. Your dress, shoes and jewellery photos are perfect vignettes in the starting pages of your album and sit perfectly alongside the pictures of you and your friends as you enjoy your hair and makeup preps. If you would like photos of you both as you prepare for your day a second photographer can be added to your wedding package.
I will stay with you until the registrar arrives at which point I will head over to where your partner and guests await your arrival. Candid photos are a huge part of my wedding portfolio and often my couples favourite photos of the day are the ones they didn’t see me taking.
Your wedding ceremony itself will be photographed unobtrusively. A wealth of experience leaves me knowing where to be and at what stages of your ceremony to ensure I get the all important photos of the first look. Also your wedding vows, ring exchange and first kiss as a married couple. Guests will love being invited up to photograph your register signing. Having said that I would encourage them to keep their phones away until this point. You want to see their faces as you walk down the aisle and not the back of their phones. An unplugged wedding ceremony is a wonderful thing !
Even though I describe myself as a documentary style wedding photographer I would still encourage group and family photos. Done quickly and efficiently so as not to impinge on the celebrations of the day. To ensure this I will ask a bridesmaid or groomsman to assist with the gathering of guests. We can set up a confetti tunnel. Your guests will line up as you walk through a cascade of petals and congratulations. These photos are always a favourite.
While your wedding guests are enjoying drinks and canapes I will take candid photos. At this time they offer you their well wishes and you take a chance to speak to everyone. I’d encourage you to come off for a wander around this fabulous setting and make use of the beautiful gardens for some photos with just the two of you. This isn’t a formal portrait session but I will gently pose you so you have fabulous yet natural photos for your wedding album. Couples tell me afterwards that they loved this little bit of time away together.
Many couples choose to have their speeches before the the wedding breakfast. Those not used to public speaking often feel nervous and doing them first then allows for a relaxing and enjoyable meal. Middleton Lodge have an extensive menu catering to all tastes. You are guaranteed a wedding feast that your guests will love.
Rather than one big photo session I prefer to intersperse your staged photos with a candid, documentary style. I feel this better tells the real story of your day. I will grab you at stages throughout the day so you will barely notice a disruption. Having said that will also get those all important photos of the bridal party.
The garden at Middleton Lodge is the perfect space for garden games. Guests will enjoy watching these from the seating on the terraced area.
As you head inside for your first dance as a married couple this is the time to cut your wedding cake. Guests will grab their phones and also photograph this part, they love it !
I am with you on your wedding day from before your prep photos until just after your first dance. I’m always happy to stay longer if there’s plenty of dance floor action. Also if you’d like some night time photos. There are some fantastic locations around the grounds for after dark photos. A breath of fresh air for five minutes is the perfect way to set you up for the night ahead.
After some dance floor action I’ll head off home and begin to edit some photos ready for your next day sneak peek. These watermarked photos are just a taster for you and can be used to announce your marriage to the world. Your full gallery is typically ready for you within 3 weeks of your wedding day and from this gallery you can go on to choose the photos that you’d like in your album.
My full day wedding packages all include either a photobook or wedding album. I’m a firm believer in having your memories in print as well as digitally. These books are the perfect keepsake for this most special of days. If you are planning a Middleton Lodge wedding then do please get in touch via the contact page. Lets see how I can help you plan your day. You can find more information on my weddings packages here.
