Shannon & Cesar's winter wedding at Thicket Priory

Shannon got ready with her family and friends in the bridal suite. It’s absolutely huge, which is one of the reasons I love venues like this. There’s room for everyone in the morning.

Her mum Tanyia and nanna Maggie made all the flowers: cream roses, white lilies and gypsophila. Bethan Victoria Aesthetics did her makeup and Lauren McRae did her hair.

Her mum helped her into her Morilee dress from Tickled Pink Bridal. In between she still stopped to feed her little one, which made me smile. Those mummy moments don’t stop, even on your wedding day.

Then her dad saw her for the first time, followed by the bridesmaids in sage green. Out came the tissues.

Cesar was only two doors down the corridor, so I could photograph them both getting ready. He wore a dark green Mark Darcy suit, also from Tickled Pink. He had his buttonhole pinned on in the bar before the ceremony.

Thicket Priory is an 1840s house in Thorganby, about seven miles south east of York, built on the site of an old priory. It’s a gorgeous spot for a winter wedding in Yorkshire.

The chapel sits down a hidden corridor above the kitchens. You duck for the low ceilings on the way, then it opens up into a bright little chapel with wooden pews and a stained glass window.

Shannon came down the grand staircase and walked into the chapel with her dad. Their two boys were definitely centre stage for a moment during the ceremony! I always tell couples not to worry about their little ones getting involved. It’s a family day after all.

Outside, everyone lined the red brick entrance for confetti. Then we did the family photos. Cesar’s family were really important to them both, so we made sure we got plenty of them.

The bridesmaids and groomsmen came next, with a sage green Land Rover parked out front that matched the colours perfectly.

Speeches came first at 3pm, before the food, in a room with a beautiful plaster ceiling and a crystal chandelier. Cesar gave his from the top table and there were plenty of laughs from the groomsmen.

Shannon’s mum made the cake too, finished with greenery and white flowers. There was even a little photo charm tied around her bouquet.

With so much ground to explore we headed out for couple photos. A lot of it was hard to reach because the ground was so wet. Hello UK winter!

We made the best of it, with Cesar carrying Shannon across the lawn so her shoes didn’t get muddy. We found the bandstand, the woods and the old stone bridge over the lake.

First dance was at 7pm in the reception room, with the whole room watching. Then DJ Lloyd Trax got the party started and the bridesmaids were first up.

Later the groomsmen sneaked outside under the fairy lights for a while, then it was back in for more dancing.