Carrie and Rory’s Coniston Hotel wedding was the most gorgeous day on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. What a location, with the most stunning views! As their wedding photographer, I knew we were in for something special. Plus, these two love turtles (IYKYK). Here’s my Coniston Hotel wedding photography from their summer day, from a cottage morning to a packed dance floor.

Getting ready across the road

Carrie got ready at a cottage just across the road, where they’d spent a few days before the wedding enjoying the hot tub and everything the hotel had to offer. It was the perfect way to relax before the big day.

Her makeup and hair came together with plenty of laughs, while her bridesmaids in sage green got ready on the lawn outside.

Then came the reveal. Carrie’s dad and her bridesmaids saw her in her dress for the first time and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Afterwards she was driven over to the venue, to keep her stunning dress perfect for her grand entrance. As a wedding photographer, I love those natural, quiet moments before the ceremony.

A fairy light ceremony at the Coniston Hotel

The Coniston Hotel is a wedding venue on a huge country estate near Skipton in North Yorkshire, with its own lake, woodland and stone follies.

It’s right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, so the grounds give an incredible choice of backdrops and the greens are something else.

The ceremony room was set with a floral arch in front of a wall of fairy lights. Carrie walked down the aisle with her dad and you could see in Rory’s face how in love with her he is.

After the rings and a first kiss, they walked back out as husband and wife. It’s always one of my favourite moments of the day and I captured every little bit of it.

Confetti and a kiss dip

Straight after the ceremony came the confetti. These two must have practised their kiss dip, because it was perfect! Then everyone mingled over drinks while we did a quick photo with the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

Lakeside portraits

Later, when the sun broke through, we took a little getaway in the car to the lake.

Any wedding photographer would love a lake like this one, with the Yorkshire Dales stretching out behind it.

We captured those stunning views, the stone cottage covered in ivy and the old columns in the gardens.

As a Yorkshire wedding photographer, I love this part of the day, because it gives couples time together to take it all in. Honestly, these are some of my favourite Coniston Hotel wedding photos.

Floral arch in front of a glowing fairy light wall in the ceremony room at the Coniston Hotel near Skipton

Ceremony chairs tied with sage ribbons ready for the vows in the ceremony room at the Coniston Hotel

Welcome sign and a polaroid photo wall for guests at the Coniston Hotel wedding

Wedding dress hanging by the window in the cottage across the road from the Coniston Hotel

White bridal bouquet and the bride's shoes laid out before getting ready

Carrie having her makeup done in the cottage across the road from the Coniston Hotel

The bride's makeup and lipstick being finished on the morning of her summer wedding

The bride's curled hair with a pearl clip, a lovely detail from the morning

Rory getting ready with his dad before the wedding at the Coniston Hotel

Rory and his dad sharing a drink at the Coniston Hotel before heading over to the ceremony

Bridesmaids in sage green dresses on the lawn outside the cottage on the morning of the wedding

The back of the bride's wedding dress being buttoned up in the cottage

Bride reflected in a round mirror as she gets ready for her wedding

Bride ready in her wedding dress with her bridesmaid in the cottage across the road

Bride's dad and bridesmaids seeing her in her dress for the first time

Bridesmaids wiping away happy tears at the reveal, an emotional moment in the cottage

Rory waiting under the floral arch at the Coniston Hotel before the ceremony

Rory and his groomsmen at the front of the ceremony room at the Coniston Hotel waiting for Carrie

Carrie walking down the aisle with her dad at the Coniston Hotel as Rory sees her

Carrie and Rory smiling at each other during their vows under the floral arch at the Coniston Hotel

Close up of the exchange of rings during the wedding ceremony at the Coniston Hotel

Carrie and Rory holding hands during the ceremony in front of the fairy lights at the Coniston Hotel

Wide view of the ceremony at the Coniston Hotel in the Yorkshire Dales

Carrie and Rory walking back up the aisle at the Coniston Hotel as husband and wife

Carrie standing in the doorway at the Coniston Hotel after the ceremony, smiling at her guests

Confetti outside the Coniston Hotel as Carrie and Rory walk through

Carrie and Rory laughing in a shower of confetti at the Coniston Hotel

Rory kissing Carrie in a perfect kiss dip in the confetti

Carrie and Rory with their bridesmaids and groomsmen on the lawn at the Coniston Hotel

Carrie and Rory walking through the grounds of the Coniston Hotel on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales

Bride and groom on the jetty by the lake at the Coniston Hotel with the Yorkshire Dales stretching out behind them

Close up of Carrie and Rory by the lake at the Coniston Hotel in the soft summer light

Couple portraits at the ivy covered stone cottage on the Coniston Hotel estate

Carrie and Rory in front of the ivy covered cottage at the Coniston Hotel

Carrie and Rory under an old stone archway in the grounds of the Coniston Hotel near Skipton

Carrie and Rory by the old stone columns in the gardens of the Coniston Hotel

Rory kissing Carrie by an old stone pillar in the gardens during their couple photos

Carrie and Rory sitting together on the old stone steps on the Coniston Hotel estate

Carrie and Rory on the rocks at golden hour by the lake at the Coniston Hotel

Rory helping Carrie down from the rocks by the lake at the Coniston Hotel in the golden evening light

Speeches under a floral arch

The reception room was set with deep green linen, white flowers and a floral arch behind the top table.

Speeches came first, with plenty of laughs and a few happy tears.

A first dance and a party into the night

Then the band started up and Carrie and Rory had their first dance. The dance floor filled up straight away.

Dads, mums, bridesmaids and groomsmen all joined in and the party carried on into the night. What a perfect summer wedding day. Of all the summer weddings I photographed this year, this one had the best views.

Photographer’s tips

Coniston Hotel wedding photography tips

Allow 15 to 30 minutes for couple photos.The lake is a short drive away, so a quick escape in the car with your photographer is well worth it.
Watch for the evening sun.The light over the lake and the Yorkshire Dales is stunning later in the day, so keep a few minutes free.
Get ready across the road.The cottages nearby are perfect for a relaxed morning and a short drive keeps your dress perfect.
Use the fairy light wall.The ceremony room glows, so it looks just as good on a grey day.

The team behind the day

Suppliers

VenueThe Coniston Hotel
MakeupCharlotte Wilson MUA
HairCaroline Louise Bridal Hair
DressLBB Hull
SuitsMoss
StylingCreative Venue Styling
FlowersCarrie herself!
CakeMade by Carrie’s mum
BandIn The Morning

The Coniston Hotel set with deep green linen for the wedding breakfast

Table setting and white flowers on the top table at the Coniston Hotel ready for the wedding breakfast

Floral arch behind the top table at the Coniston Hotel

Guests cheering Carrie and Rory as they walk into the wedding breakfast at the Coniston Hotel

Guests waving napkins in the air as Carrie and Rory arrive for the meal

Bridesmaid giving her speech with plenty of laughs at the wedding breakfast

Rory laughing during the speeches at the top table at the Coniston Hotel

Guests laughing together during the speeches at the Coniston Hotel near Skipton

Bridesmaids laughing together in the evening as the party begins at the hotel

Wedding cake made by Carrie's mum on display

Rory lifting Carrie during their first dance at the Coniston Hotel with the band playing and guests watching

Carrie and Rory holding each other close on the dance floor at the Coniston Hotel

Guests joining Carrie and Rory on the dance floor as the band plays on

Bride's mum and dad dancing together at the evening party at the Coniston Hotel

Guests dancing together under the lights at the Coniston Hotel as the party carries on

Guests hugging on the dance floor late in the evening

Carrie and Rory laughing together on the dance floor at their summer wedding

The band's drummer playing at the evening reception at the Coniston Hotel near Skipton

Bridesmaids in sage green dancing together on the packed dance floor in the evening

Groomsmen celebrating on the dance floor with their arms in the air

Bride dancing with her friends at the end of the night at the Coniston Hotel

Congratulations both of you. I had the best day with you and all your loved ones.

Getting married at the Coniston Hotel or anywhere in North Yorkshire? Have a look at my wedding photography packages or get in touch to check your date.

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