Time doesn’t stand still at weddings. Wedding blogs and magazines full of photos give the impression that a wedding is a series of amazing moments, stepping from one to another with a ‘click’, ‘click’ of a camera shutter at every step along the way. But the brides and grooms on English Wedding tell me – almost every time – that the day goes by SO FAST – it’s a sprint, a story which keeps on running like a fast-paced movie. There can be moments where ten things happen in the flash of an eye; and moments of stillness too. 

Should you polish your wedding? An odd question, I know – but think with me for a moment. In these days of Instagramming our lives and sharing only the carefully planned, tidy, and perfect sides of ourselves I kind of miss seeing photos that make me feel something. A gorgeous line of bridesmaids, a pristine wedding gown or a messy bouquet are all glorious to see on insta… but amongst all the wedding pretty, I love seeing a photo which will make me laugh out loud, scroll back up for another look or even identify with the people in the frame. And that has to be a real, spontaneous, unpolished wedding photograph.

A LOT goes on at weddings. They’re magical, romantic… and the busiest days of our lives! With everyone we know all in one place, a schedule to be kept and plans to be followed, it’s no wonder the day goes by in a blur. The top piece of advice couples give in their English Wedding interviews is to take a moment to stop and take it all in, because everything happens in such a rush!

Documentary wedding images telling a beautiful story at Rudding Park, credit York Place Studios (17)

Of course you can do the splits in your wedding dress. You can also look as effortlessly glamorous as any Hollywood leading lady, marry the gorgeous man of your dreams, smile all day long and party until you drop. And to anyone who doesn’t love a sparkler send-off? You’re wrong!

Documentary wedding images telling a beautiful story at Rudding Park, credit York Place Studios (6)

Everything about today’s fabulously glamorous and fun winter wedding will show you this is how it’s done – and it’s beautiful from beginning to end. The venue – Rudding Park in Harrogate – is fabulous. The special touches Jess and Andy incorporated into their day are wonderful (especially the mirror table plan!) – it’s all simply breathtaking. The trick is to book an amazing photographer to capture every second for you, and they nailed that too!

So today I really want to say that weddings should be about memories, celebration, belly laughs and so much love you could burst… yet at the same time, Holly wears the most incredible dress for her wedding to James that part of me is holding back just a little bit and thinking that at least half of this blog post should be about just how beautiful that dress is… argh!! Because, isn’t it?! Wow.

The story of a winter wedding by documentary photographers York Place Studios (17)

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The story of a winter wedding by documentary photographers York Place Studios (30)