Ellie and George’s Danby Castle wedding was everything I love about a North York Moors wedding: old stone, big skies and views that go on for miles. As their wedding photographer, I spent the day at this 14th century castle in the Esk Valley and every corner had a story. Here’s my Danby Castle wedding photography from their summer day, from a morning styled by the bride to the first dance in the barn.

A morning styled by the bride

Ellie had decorated the venue herself, with wildflowers in old barrels and pastel flowers on every table. It looked beautiful. As a wedding photographer, I love it when couples put that much of themselves into the day.

While she got ready, her dress hung on the door of an old stone outbuilding, with the moors stretching away behind it.

Meanwhile George and his groomsmen got ready in navy three piece suits, then lined up on the hillside for photos.

Later, Ellie’s dad saw her in her dress for the first time. Then her bridesmaids had their turn and there were a lot of happy tears.

A stone barn ceremony at Danby Castle

Danby Castle is a wedding venue on the edge of the North York Moors near Whitby in North Yorkshire. It was built in the late 14th century and it’s Grade I listed.

Today part of it is still a working farmhouse, while the old ruins and barns host weddings. For wedding photography the venue has it all: a stone barn, castle ruins and big views on the doorstep. The Danby Castle barn hosts both the ceremony and the wedding breakfast, which makes planning the day simple.

The ceremony was at two o’clock in the stone barn, under its oak beams and chandeliers. Ellie walked in on her dad’s arm and George had to wipe away a tear as soon as he saw her.

After the rings and a first kiss, they walked back up the aisle to cheers. It’s a stunning space for a ceremony, whatever the weather.

Confetti and canapés by the castle ruins

Next came confetti outside the ruins, then Yorkshire pudding canapés on the lawn. After that we took the bridal party into the castle ruins, where the old window arches make a brilliant backdrop.

Couple portraits in the castle ruins

Then it was time for the two of them. We used the arched stone staircase, the old doorways and the open courtyard inside the ruins. It was so relaxed and natural, which is exactly how I like my wedding photography to feel.

At one point the wind caught Ellie’s veil and it was perfect! Finally, I took them under her veil for a quiet moment together.

Rolling hills of the Esk Valley around Danby Castle on the wedding day

Stone barn at Danby Castle set with chandeliers for the wedding ceremony

Barrel tables and wildflowers that Ellie styled herself around the venue at Danby Castle

Wedding dress hanging on the door of an old stone outbuilding at Danby Castle

Bridal shoes, rings and a colourful wildflower bouquet laid out on the wedding morning

Ellie having her makeup touched up in her lace wedding dress before the ceremony

Navy suits hanging up and the groom getting ready with his groomsmen

George and his groomsmen in navy suits on the hillside at Danby Castle

Ellie in her lace wedding dress at Danby Castle, ready for the ceremony

Ellie's dad hugging her at Danby Castle when he sees her in her wedding dress for the first time

Ellie hugging her bridesmaids with happy tears after they see her in her dress

George walking up the lane towards Danby Castle before the ceremony

Ellie walking down the aisle with her dad in the stone barn at Danby Castle as George waits at the front

George wiping away a tear as Ellie arrives at the front of the barn at Danby Castle

Ellie and George at the front of the ceremony under the oak beams at Danby Castle

First kiss at the Danby Castle wedding ceremony with family and friends cheering

Close up of the exchange of rings during the ceremony in the stone barn

Ellie and George walking back up the aisle at Danby Castle to cheers as husband and wife

Confetti outside the ruins of Danby Castle after the wedding ceremony on a summer afternoon

George laughing in the confetti with Ellie outside the ruins of Danby Castle

Yorkshire pudding canapés served on the lawn during the drinks reception at Danby Castle

Ellie and George with their bridesmaids and groomsmen in the castle ruins at Danby Castle

Ellie and George on the arched stone staircase at Danby Castle during their couple photos

Couple portraits on the castle steps and in an old stone doorway at Danby Castle

Overhead view of Ellie and George on the worn stone steps of the castle

Ellie and George framed by a stone archway at Danby Castle

Ellie's veil caught in the wind in the castle ruins, a perfect moment

Ellie and George in the open courtyard inside the Danby Castle ruins

Ellie and George sharing a quiet moment under her veil in the Danby Castle ruins

Ellie's open back lace dress and her veil in the castle ruins

Ellie and George walking past the old working farmhouse at Danby Castle near Whitby

Speeches and a doughnut wall

The wedding breakfast was in the barn with sharing boards, then the speeches. Afterwards a dessert table with doughnut walls kept everyone happy until the evening guests arrived.

Golden light and the first dance

Before the first dance we popped back outside. The light over the valley was soft and golden, so we got a few last portraits by the dry stone wall.

Then Ellie and George had their first dance and the dance floor filled up straight away. What a place and what a day!

Photographer’s tips

Danby Castle wedding photography tips

Allow 15 to 30 minutes for couple photos.Your wedding photographer can use the ruins, the arched staircase and the courtyard, which are all within a few steps of each other.
Use the ruins for the bridal party.The old window arches frame a group perfectly and they work in any weather.
Head out for the evening view.The view over the Esk Valley is stunning in the evening light, so ten minutes by the dry stone wall is well worth it.
Bring a jacket for the wind.It’s up on the moors, so it can be breezy. Still, a bit of wind makes for brilliant veil shots.

The team behind the day