The Old Deanery Wedding, Ripon ♡ Nikita & Edmund

A snippet of Nikita & Edmund’s lovely The Old Deanery wedding in Ripon.

“On the day, she was a dream – she seemed to be everywhere at once but without ever being intrusive. She is also a ton of fun to chat to, and connected well with our guests which led to wonderful relaxed photographs. Which was exactly what we wanted.”

Edmund & Nikita’s wedding took place at Ripon’s The Old Deanery on a cool, English autumn day. The Old Deanery is a beautiful 17th century Grade II listed building set in North Yorkshire, with stunning grounds, set right outside of Ripon Cathedral. Nikita & Edmund chose this venue because “it’s the perfect balance of rustic and refined. It also offers exclusive use, incredible food and a beautiful garden. The views of the cathedral help too!”

Bridal prep’ took place in one of the suites at The Old Deanery, as Nikita got ready with her closest pals. Her bridesmaids got ready into deep red dresses, as Nikita got dressed into a beautiful boho and vintage looking white gown. She wore her long, dark brown & red hair down, topping off the look with a pretty silver headband. Meanwhile, Edmund was dressed in a handsome brown, wool suit. His dark red tie matching the bridesmaids gowns, and also the autumn theme that was running throughout the day.

Before the ceremony began, Nikita & Edmund had a first look of each other – something that I don’t often see happening in the UK. A first look is basically where the couple choose to see each other for the first time before the ceremony. It was a really sweet moment to witness and capture, before they unconventionally made their way down the aisle together hand-in-hand.

The intimate ceremony room was filled with their nearest & dearest. Along with the handwritten vows to one another, a couple of readings were given. Margaret Atwood: Habitation, and E.E. Cummings: I carry your heart. “We both love poetry. I Carry Your Heart is a long time favourite of Kita’s and she always hoped to have it at her wedding. Ed fell in love with the starkness of Habitation. Neither poem is particularly flowery, but instead shows a different side to love.”

After the ceremony we made our way out into the gardens for a lovely couple shoot. The autumn leaves on both the trees and ground made for the most beautiful backdrop for this stunning couple. Everybody then gathered on the stairs to shower the newlyweds in sprinkles of confetti. After group photos taken out in the garden, some mingling and drinking, everybody sat down for the wedding breakfast and speeches. Later on came the cutting of the cake and first dance, which was just perfect. Such a beautiful day for this wonderful couple.

Notes from the happy couple:

What are you most looking forward to on the day?
The moment when we have left the ceremony room and are married – before everyone else comes out, when it is just us. A moment of quiet in a busy day to remember what the whole thing is for: the fact that we love each other.

Why do you like natural wedding photography?
It captures things more as they are. It’s easy to get posed photos which make great memories, but natural photography captures something authentic about the day that is more than just remembering. It’s like going back to the moment.

Kind words :
We initially found looking for a wedding photographer very difficult, as it was hard to tell much from galleries when, like us, you have no knowledge of photography. But then we saw Sasha’s work and something just clicked. Everything about it looked exactly what we would want – the style, the framing, everything – so we got in touch.

The consultation process was fabulous. She met with us and talked through what we hoped to get out of it, the sort of shots we wanted, and had a questionnaire to help her get a better sense of our vibe. On the day, she was a dream – she seemed to be everywhere at once but without ever being intrusive. She is also a ton of fun to chat to, and connected well with our guests which led to wonderful relaxed photographs – which was exactly what we wanted.

She was very flexible – we wanted a package in between the two standard ones she offers and she worked with us to put that together.

Our couples shoot in the grounds of our venue was a bit more formal, but also had these shots interspersed that really captured us as newlyweds laughing and enjoying the day. The photographs are truly amazing and have a real sense of the day to them. Our formal group shots went seamlessly – Sasha was a master at managing people without them realising it! So if you have slightly awkward family members, she definitely has your back.

100% would recommend, zero problems and nothing we would change (except hiring her for longer!).

♡

Venue : The Old Deanery
Bridal Gown : Monsoon w/ alterations from Thimbelina
Groom Suit : Walker Slater
Hair : The bride
Makeup : The bride
Flowers : Dutch Nurseries