‘Geraldine and Jerome's wedding day was a dream. Weddings are rare at the York Minster and I know there are plenty of photographers who would love to photograph a wedding there so I have to admit I was a bit giddy to be there! The day was hot and bright, barely a cloud in the sky, the Minster stood proud and so did the beautiful couple. Having very recently welcomed their daughter in to the world, they were able to celebrate their new family, and honour their love for each other under the watchful eye of the Minster and it’s 600 year old stained glass window, telling the story of St. Cuthbert.
Geraldine and Jerome are both architects who reside in London so their wedding quite rightly was celebrated in some spectacular buildings, with the ceremony in the York Minster and the reception over at the National Centre for Early Music.
Jerome was a member of the York Minster choir as a child and regular attendee and therein his strong connection to the Minster enabled him and Geraldine to marry there. I was able to learn so much about their happy lives together and their childhoods through some truly moving and beautiful speeches from themselves and their family and friends later that evening, and more than once I caught myself holding back tears listening to their stories.
After a wonderful ceremony, they had their group photos outside the Minster and then the happy couple and I headed to a beautiful quiet spot down a cobbled street to take some time away from their wedding guests and capture some portraits of just the two of them. We didn’t have much time as they had spectacular plans so whilst it was quick it was quite simply stunning with the Minster in the background and the love between them just so clear and strong.
As for the next part of their day, I was excited about their plans to walk the York Walls to get to their reception venue and it turned in to a breathtaking and quite hilarious journey across York taking in the views, spending much time running ahead and grabbing portraits and group photos on the move and enjoying the novelty of their celebrity status as a bride and groom walking a busy route on a bank holiday weekend in the city, the smiles and waves, the congratulations and the car horns didn’t stop until they reached the NCEM, where, relieved, happy and tired they got to finally sip their champagne and relax with their wonderful guests who had arrived from near and far (as far as Paris, Malta and Zurich) to celebrate their day with them.
The beautiful day faded in to a glorious evening, including a lovely meal by the talented catering team, a cake cutting with the Holland family’s old Naval sword and a simply wonderful and emotive piano piece (Claire de Lune) by Jerome’s talented Uncle John.
Our plans for golden hour portraits turned in to blue hour portraits (the hour after sunset) and Geraldine and Jerome looked radiant. The first dance was just the cherry on the cake when the upbeat tempo of ‘Yes sir, I can boogie!’ By Baccara came over the speakers!
What a family and what a day!
