Steph & James ♡ Villa Farm, York Wedding

A snippet of Steph & James’s gorgeous, outdoor Villa Farm wedding in York.

Steph & James’ wedding took place at the gorgeous Villa Farm in York. Well as any Brits reading this might already know, 2018’s spring time weather was just all over the place. Snow storms… sunshine… torrential rainfall, you name it. SO, how the weather was going to turn out at Steph & James’ outdoor tipi wedding in May was anyone’s guess. Along came the day, and after a week of cold, wind & rain, Mr. Sunshine decided to firmly keep his hat on. It was so nice and toasty all day 🌞 How lucky!

The day started off with bridal preparations in one of the cottages. Steph and her sister enjoying being pampered while sipping on champagne. Meanwhile James was just a stone’s throw away in a nearby cottage, still within the Villa Farm grounds. Just fixing up a few last minute preparations. Their families gathered together to prepare a yummy homemade buffet for the evening reception, and there was such a nice and homely feel to the morning, (I was even given some homemade tomato & basil soup to enjoy while I worked – thanks to the lovely lady who insisted on that!)

The ceremony took place outside in the garden, and guests gathered to find a seat, waiting with James for his wifey-to-be. Steph made her way down wearing a gorgeous long, white and traditional-looking gown, while James beamed at her the whole time. It was a short ceremony, but was touching none-the-less. After the ‘I dos’, exchanging of rings and official signing of papers, the newlyweds made their way back up for some refreshments and Champers. We made time for a bunch of group photos at this point, and decided to leave the bride & groom photoshoot until after food & speeches, since the sunshine was (while lovely) a little too heavy.

The wedding breakfast and evening reception was being held in a tipi at Villa Farm. It looked super pretty, and had been decorated with loads of paper lanterns and spring flowers. Guests lined up outside the entrance of the tipi to make a tunnel, in which the newlyweds made their way threw and got showered with confetti petals. From then everyone relaxed in the shade, chattering, eating a delicious Yorkshire-style picnic (lots of pies!), before and enjoying the speeches given by the father-of-the-bride, best man, and of course James.

The sun had lowered in the sky a little, and so Steph, James & myself decided it a good time to go out for a little bride & groom shoot. Steph & James had already had an engagement shoot prior to their wedding, so they seemed really at ease and knew what to expect. Guests meanwhile were enjoying drinks outside in the evening sun. The tipi was quickly turned around by staff and soon ready for the evening’s reception to begin. From there, Steph & James had their cutting of the cake (a gorgeous cake which had a surprise rainbow layered filling!) and had their first dance to McFly’s It’s All About You – too cute. The homemade buffet from the morning was brought out and everyone tucked in. It was all-in-all such a gorgeous and relaxing day. Super congrats to this sweet couple.