Not every wedding story happens in a single day, and Esme and Andy’s certainly didn’t.
From wandering around York for their engagement shoot to an intimate handfasting ceremony surrounded by the North York Moors, and finally celebrating their legal wedding with family and friends in Haxby, I had the pleasure of photographing their journey from beginning to end.
Three very different experiences, but all part of one story. And that’s what made this one so special.
1. Starting Their Journey With an Engagement Shoot in York
Before either of their wedding days, we headed into York for an engagement shoot.
Now, one of the biggest reasons I love doing engagement shoots isn’t simply to get some lovely photographs beforehand. It’s about giving couples the chance to get comfortable with me and, more importantly, with having a camera around.
If you're unsure whether having an engagement shoot is worth it, I've also written about how it can help you feel more comfortable before your wedding day.
For Esme and Andy, it was an opportunity to spend some time together, get used to how I work and realise that being photographed doesn’t have to mean standing around awkwardly trying to figure out what to do with your hands.
My approach has always been about keeping things relaxed. A little guidance when needed, but otherwise letting couples be themselves.
And by the time their wedding celebrations came around, we already knew each other. They knew what to expect from me, and I knew how to photograph them naturally without making the experience feel like one long photoshoot.
That’s something I think makes a real difference.
2. An Intimate Handfasting at The Wainstones, North York Moors
The next chapter took us to The Wainstones, surrounded by the incredible scenery of the North York Moors.
And when I say this ceremony was intimate, I really mean it.
There were just four of us there. Esme, Andy, their celebrant and me.
No rows of guests, no big wedding party, no pressure to put on a performance for anyone. Just two people choosing to share a meaningful moment together in a place surrounded by nature.
Their celebrant-led handfasting ceremony was a beautiful way to mark their commitment to one another before their separate legal wedding.
There was something particularly special about photographing a ceremony like this. With nobody else around, the focus was entirely on Esme and Andy and what the moment meant to them.
And as a documentary wedding photographer, that’s exactly the sort of experience I love capturing.
Wedding Portraits at Byland Abbey
Following their ceremony, we headed to Byland Abbey for their couple portraits.
It’s one of those places where you really don’t need to do much to create a beautiful setting. The historic ruins and surrounding landscape provide an incredible backdrop.
But for me, the location is only part of it.
What matters is how couples feel while they’re there.
I never want a couple to look back on their photographs and remember being constantly told where to stand, how to smile or what to do next.
Instead, I want them to remember enjoying that time together.
And after their engagement shoot in York and their ceremony at The Wainstones, Esme and Andy already knew that was exactly how we’d approach things.
3. Their Legal Wedding at St Mary’s Church, Haxby
With their private handfasting behind them, it was time for the next part of Esme and Andy’s wedding story: their legal ceremony and celebrations with family and friends in Haxby, York.
And this time, the day had a completely different atmosphere.
We started with the morning preparations, capturing both sides of the story.
Andy was getting ready with his groomsmen, along with a rather important member of the household: their pet cat, who even had a matching tie made for the occasion!
Meanwhile, Esme was getting ready with her mum, dad and bridesmaids.
I love photographing wedding preparations because there’s so much happening beyond simply getting dressed. The conversations, little moments of excitement, family being together and all those details that help tell the story of the morning.
Their Ceremony at St Mary’s Church
For their church wedding, I also had a second photographer working alongside me.
This allowed us to photograph the ceremony from two different perspectives, with one of us positioned at the front and the other high up at the back of the church.
If you're wondering whether having two photographers at your wedding is worthwhile, I've covered the benefits in my guide to choosing a second wedding photographer.
Having those different viewpoints meant we could capture both the important moments of the ceremony and the wider atmosphere inside St Mary’s.
It’s one of the benefits of having a second photographer, particularly during ceremonies where you can’t simply move around wherever you like.
A Nature Reserve, a Magician and a Proper Celebration
After the ceremony, Esme and Andy headed off with me to a nearby nature reserve for some couple portraits.
Meanwhile, their guests weren’t left standing around wondering what to do.
They had a magician keeping everyone entertained, with my second photographer staying behind to capture the reactions and moments happening back at the reception.
This is another reason having a second photographer can be so valuable. While I’m spending a little time with the couple, the rest of the wedding doesn’t stop, and neither does the storytelling.
The celebrations continued at Haxby Memorial Hall, where everyone came together for the speeches and the rest of the day.
One of the lovely details was the cake cutting, which took place outside beneath a willow tree.
Then came the first dance, a live band and plenty of celebrating.
And with a free bar running throughout the day, there was certainly no shortage of opportunity for everyone to enjoy themselves!
What I loved about this part of their story was how different it felt from their ceremony at The Wainstones.
One was quiet, private and focused entirely on the two of them. The other brought everyone together to celebrate.
Neither needed to be anything other than what Esme and Andy wanted.
And that’s exactly how a wedding should be.
One Couple, Three Experiences, One Wedding Story
Looking back over Esme and Andy’s photographs, what stands out to me isn’t just the different locations.
It’s the journey.
From getting comfortable in front of my camera during their engagement shoot, to standing together at The Wainstones for their private handfasting, and finally sharing their legal wedding and celebrations with the people closest to them.
Every part of their story was different, but each deserved to be photographed in a way that felt natural to them.
That’s what documentary wedding photography means to me.
It’s not about turning your wedding into a photoshoot. It’s about allowing you to enjoy the experience, be present with the people who matter and have the photographs to look back on afterwards.
Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony in the North York Moors, a traditional church wedding in York or something completely different, your day should feel like yours.
And your photographs should reflect that.
Can we have a private handfasting ceremony before our legal wedding?
Absolutely. A celebrant-led handfasting can be a personal way to celebrate your commitment before or after a separate legal ceremony. In England, a standalone celebrant-led handfasting does not normally constitute a legally recognised marriage, so the legal requirements need to be completed separately.
Is an engagement shoot worth having if we’re awkward in front of the camera?
Definitely. It’s an opportunity to get comfortable with your photographer before your wedding, experience how they work and realise that having your photograph taken doesn’t need to feel awkward or overly posed.
Is having a second wedding photographer worthwhile?
It can be, especially when you want different parts of your wedding captured at the same time. At Esme and Andy’s wedding, having a second photographer meant we could photograph their church ceremony from different perspectives and capture guest entertainment while we were away taking couple portraits.
Do you photograph weddings and elopements across North Yorkshire?
Yes! I’m based in Newark, Nottinghamshire, but photograph weddings across Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and throughout the UK. Whether you’re planning an intimate elopement in the North York Moors or a full wedding celebration in York, I’d love to hear what you’ve got planned.
Planning Your Own Wedding?
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who’ll help you feel comfortable, let you enjoy your day and capture the moments as they naturally happen, I’d love to hear from you.
You can explore my wedding photography packages or get in touch to tell me about your plans.
3rdEyeImages Wedding Photography
Documentary wedding photography across Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and all of the UK.
