Lucy and Ryan’s Bunny Hill wedding was one of the happiest, smiliest days of my whole summer. When I arrived at Bunny Hill Weddings, near York in East Yorkshire, Lucy greeted me with one of the biggest smiles I have ever seen. She is full of happiness and it rubs off on everyone around her. Honestly, these two are absolute top notch humans.

A morning full of smiles

The morning is one of my favourite parts of any wedding day. Lucy got ready at Bunny Hill with her mum, her bridesmaids and plenty of fizz. Everyone was in matching pink robes and the laughs didn’t stop all morning.

Ryan and his groomsmen were getting ready on site too, so I could pop between the two of them. Two moments mattered most to Lucy. The first was the reveal with her dad and her nan. The second was a photo with her mum and bridesmaids. Her nan’s reaction was something else!

An outdoor ceremony at Bunny Hill

Lucy and Ryan chose an outdoor ceremony at one o’clock, on the patio under the canopy with the wooden gazebo at the front. It’s such a pretty spot, covered in greenery and festoon lights. It was the perfect day for it.

Lucy walked down the aisle with her mum and dad. She wanted Ryan’s reaction and he didn’t let her down. There were happy tears during the vows, then plenty of smiles once the rings were on. Afterwards everyone lined the lawn for confetti, before we gathered the whole crowd for one big group photo.

Speeches, woodland portraits and crazy golf

Inside, the barn was dressed with soft drapes and chandeliers, with big windows looking out over the fields. Speeches came first, before the meal. Lucy and Ryan wanted their families’ reactions as much as the words, so I kept a close eye on the top tables for every laugh.

After the meal I took them out into the woods, where the tall trees and festoon lights make a gorgeous backdrop. The bridesmaids and groomsmen had their turn among the trees too. Then we wandered into the fields among the hay bales, while guests played crazy golf on the lawns around the back. Bunny Hill has so much room to explore, which makes it a dream venue for a wedding photographer.

Wedding dress hanging in the bridal suite at Bunny Hill, seen through a mirror on the morning of the wedding day

Pink rose buttonholes laid out on a tray ready for the groom and his groomsmen

Bride Lucy having her lipstick done while getting ready in her white pyjamas at Bunny Hill

Bride and her bridesmaids in matching robes on the bed in the bridal suite at Bunny Hill

Groom Ryan having his tie done by his dad while getting ready at Bunny Hill

Groom stretching his tie out as he relaxes in an armchair in his waistcoat

Groom having his pink rose buttonhole pinned on outside the barns at Bunny Hill

Groom Ryan with his best man in pale blue suits at Bunny Hill next to the bride’s lace wedding shoes

Bride smiling in her wedding dress after getting ready in the bridal suite at Bunny Hill

Bridesmaids in blush pink dresses seeing the bride in her wedding dress for the first time

Bride's dad seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time on the balcony overlooking the fields

Bride's nan crying happy tears as she sees her granddaughter in her wedding dress

Bride walking down the aisle with her mum and dad under the festoon lights

Groom with tears in his eyes as he watches his bride walk towards him

Bride wiping away a happy tear as the groom reads his vows under the wooden gazebo

Close up of the groom placing the wedding ring on the bride's finger

Bride and groom sharing their first kiss as husband and wife at their Bunny Hill wedding

Bride's nan and family smiling as they watch the vows from the front row

Bride and groom walking back up the aisle together as guests cheer

Bride and groom walking through a shower of confetti on the lawn in front of the wooden gazebo at Bunny Hill

Bride hugging her nan on the lawn after the ceremony, both smiling at the camera

Bride and groom with their bridesmaids and groomsmen lined up in front of the tall trees at Bunny Hill

Bridesmaids in blush pink standing behind the bride in the woods at Bunny Hill

Bride laughing with two of her bridesmaids as they hold their bouquets of pink and blue flowers

Groomsmen in pale blue suits laughing together during the bridal party photos

Wedding breakfast room at Bunny Hill with soft drapes, chandeliers and round tables laid for the meal

Crystal chandeliers hanging from the draped ceiling of the reception room at Bunny Hill

Place setting with a thank you card beside a pink rose table decoration at the Bunny Hill wedding breakfast

Black and white photo of the bride and groom making their entrance into the reception, arms raised

Bride's dad giving his speech as the bride laughs at the top table

Best man giving his speech in front of the big windows as the bride and groom listen

Bride laughing at the speeches from the top table during the wedding breakfast at Bunny Hill

Bride and groom walking hand in hand under the festoon lights in the woods at Bunny Hill in East Yorkshire

Bride and groom smiling at each other among the trees during their couple portrait

Bride and groom kissing in the dappled sunlight of the woods at Bunny Hill

Bride and groom hugging by a wooden fence with the open fields behind them

Lace train of the wedding dress spread out across the grass in the woods at Bunny Hill

Bride and groom leaning on a hay bale in a golden field in East Yorkshire, near the Bunny Hill wedding venue

Groom kissing the bride on the head as they stand in long grass beside the fields

Black and white photo of the bride sitting on a rope swing under a big old tree

Bride and groom swatting away a swarm of flying ants in a field of hay bales

Bride and groom laughing as they run along a farm track to escape the flying ants

Bride and groom kissing as they lean against a wooden gate at sunset

Groom giving the bride a piggyback along a woodland path at Bunny Hill in the evening

Black and white photo of the groom dipping the bride under the festoon lights in the woods at Bunny Hill

Flying ants, sparklers and fireworks

After the cake they had their first dance in front of the fairy light wall. Then, with sunset at around eight, we headed back out for golden light photos.

That’s when we were hit by the biggest swarm of flying ants I’ve ever seen. Never one to miss an opportunity, I kept shooting as we ran for it, so those running photos are completely natural. It’s definitely one for the stories!

To finish, guests lined up with sparklers before the most gorgeous fireworks I’ve seen in a long time. Then it was glow sticks and a packed dance floor until the end of the night. What a wedding day!

Photographer’s tips

Tips for a Bunny Hill wedding

Allow 15 to 30 minutes for couple photos. The woods and fields are a short walk from the venue, so you can see a lot in a short time.
Keep ten minutes free at sunset. The open fields catch the evening light beautifully, especially after the first dance.
Use the space for your guests. Lawn games like crazy golf keep everyone happy while you’re off having photos.
Think about fireworks. The open setting makes sparklers and fireworks look incredible after dark.

The team behind the day