This was a day of pure soul…
Flowing lace, and falling petals; personal details, and private vows. Beautiful, but never performed; sentimental, and stylish, and full of surprises! This is Ollie and Olivia’s wedding in Sledmere House.
And oh man, I loved this day.
Everything about it felt honest, you know? True to them, and who they were; centred around family and friends, and the things that mattered most.
If you’re dreaming of a wedding in Sledmere House, come take a little look. O&O took this utterly epic venue, and made every corner of it theirs.
Sledmere House wedding venue in Driffield
Looking out across the Yorkshire Wolds, Sledmere House wedding venue is genuinely breathtaking.
You cruise along that impressive driveway; the tree-dotted estate stretching out on either side. Until eventually (with a little “Oh wow!”) you see the centuries-old manor climbing into the sky.
It’s a place of marble busts and majestic columns; a sweeping staircase, and sweeping views. There’s acres of land to explore, with walled gardens, bubbling fountains, and immaculate lawns.
As a wedding photographer, this venue is an absolute dream. To have your wedding in Sledmere House would be truly unforgettable.
A morning in The East Lodge
Our day began in the Grade II listed coach house of Sledmere House. The girls just chilling on the sofa- helping mum with her makeup, and drinking champagne.
We had a few shots with Olivia and her girls in that iconic standalone bath (because you’ve got to, right?!) And then it was time for the dress.
Olivia wore a gorgeous lace gown, with relaxed sleeves, and a flowing train. She completed the look with natural hair and makeup. And a gorgeous silk bouquet in blush, plum, white and blue.
And when everyone was ready, we went out into the sunshine for some first looks…
The real bits, the best bits.
She’ll never forget these moments.
How excited her girls were. The look on her father’s face; her grandparents’ tears as they took it all in.
And as a wedding photographer, these are always some of my favourite parts of the day.
Because you can’t fake these moments- you just have to let them happen. To observe them quietly, and catch them as they are.
We had some photos with her people in that peaceful little garden. And with the ceremony calling, we headed through the grounds to their wedding in Sledmere House.
An intimate wedding in The Library of Sledmere House
Sledmere House was decorated in the 1800s by “the best plasterer in the world”. Which is a bit of a weird claim, right? But then you walk into The Library…
And oh my goodness, that domed ceiling just takes your breath away.
Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the library with natural light; the mahogany shelves, framed in marble, and filled with ancient books. And behind the altar- spectacular views across the endless grounds.
The whole room feels like a love letter. Intimately beautiful, and just the perfect place to say your vows.
The ceremony was lovely- filled with laughter, and kisses in that beautiful room. And as the registrar made it official, O&O walked back down the aisle as husband and wife.
Falling petals
When you have your wedding in Sledmere House, the petal drop is something truly special.
You walk down that incredible staircase, hand-in-hand as a newly-married couple. And as your guests gather round to watch, rose petals begin falling gently from the sky.
It’s such a genuinely magical, fairytale moment. And one of those experiences you’ll never forget.
If you’re having a registrar-led ceremony, you don’t get the chance to say how you feel…
The words are given to you; written by someone else, recycled, and handed down. And while those words may be ‘traditional’, they might not feel very you.
So after the ceremony, Olivia and Ollie headed off into the grounds. To find a little space, and say some words of their own.
Fountains bubbled away happily, the birds sung from the trees. O&O caught up, kissed, and chatted away.
And beneath a tunnel of cherry blossoms, they read each other their hand-written vows.
It was quiet, raw and completely theirs. And as a wedding photographer, getting to witness something so intimate- so true– is something I’ll never forget.
Wedding reception in The Courtyard Room of Sledmere House
A little while later, O&O made their entrance into The Courtyard Room of Sledmere House wedding venue.
It’s a gorgeously rustic space- with exposed oak beams, and clean white walls. And O&O had styled it to understated perfection.
They had a personal table plan, with a photo of them and their dog. There was a buttercream cake (with little highland cow cake toppers!) And of course, congratulations to Connie and Colin, and their litter of mini-caterpillars!
We had some heartfelt speeches, and a big family meal.
Everyone was chatting away, having a few drinks after dinner. When suddenly, outside the window, a flash of yellow and blue…
Panda. (Panda, panda, panda, panda…)
Fun fact: Ollie is a police officer with Humberside Rural Crime Task Force. And as a surprise to everyone (including myself) he’d arranged to take Olivia on a little adventure.
High-spec police cars filled the courtyard. And with Ollie in his suit and Olivia in her flowing white dress- they jumped in an offroad truck, flashed on the blue lights, and went for a joy-ride around the grounds!
It was so funny, so joyful and completely unexpected. And a moment that could only have happened at this wedding, with this couple.
The grounds of a centuries-old Yorkshire estate, a bride in pure-white, and suited-and-booted groom behind the wheel.
Looking for a wedding photographer in Sledmere House?
The rest of the evening was a beautiful blur. They cut their cake; they laughed, hugged and kissed their way through their first dance.
And as their guests came to join them, the party went off!
People were singing, laughing, dancing, hugging. There was so much energy, and so much love in that room. It was the best way to end such an incredible day.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Sledmere House, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch today for a chat, and let’s see if we’re a good fit.
Vendors
Photographer – James Patton Photo
Venue – Sledmere House, Driffield
MUA – Lucy Diana Makeup
Hair – Rock Curl
Dress – Elite Bridal Castleford
DJ – Chris Gibson
