AMBER & ROB | RELAXED BUT LIVELY, YORKSHIRE CASTLE WEDDING, WITH GARDEN GAMES AND MORE.

Here we have the first, full-day wedding of 2021, no wonder Amber and Rob couldn't wipe them smiles off their faces. It may have been a rough journey getting here, but no one was going to stop them having a good time when the day actually arrived.

A Playful Walk

CHOOSING THE DRESS

This was the the third dress Amber tried on, it wasn't the lace she's expected to pick but when she put it on she just knew. Simple and classic it is a statement in it's own right, the glistening diamanté and thread details on the capped shoulder straps and the A-line belt gives it all the glamour it needs. It's worn very well by Amber who teams it with a mid length veil, which draws your attention the the covered buttons that run down to the ground.

Kind words from Amber, "Julie was incredible from the minute I walked into the shop last June to dropping my dress off Saturday morning."

The Shoes were from the Rainbow Club. Amber chose them as the company gives the option to send them away and have them dyed to a different colour to wear again after the wedding.

THE VENUE

After getting engaged, Amber spotted the castle ruins at Sheriff Hutton, near York on her drive home from work and having fallen in love with them and the idea of getting married somewhere like this, the pair sat down together to see if there was potential to finding a venue like this. Luckily for them, the ruins had been recently licensed to host weddings with the owners only hosting 6 weddings there a year, they were thankful to be able to book for their date. The 14th century castle was at one time the grandest castle in Northern England. It was a favourite residence of Richard III and Henry VIII and is steeped in 600 years of royal history. It's an incredible place to have a wedding!

ALL, in It's full glory.

It even offers fun accommodation.

Doorway decor by Gemma at the Topiary Tree | Amber's Words..."The flowers and foliage were even more beautiful that I ever expected, everything was perfect!"

The ruins.

The whole lot of them, in the grounds of the venue.

The ceremony room at the castle, we had to get a little photo in there.

Croquet fun with the boys

THE COUPLES THOUGHTS ON THE VENUE

From the second we entered the grounds, when we met Pat & Natasia we knew we wanted it. We loved the character of the ruins, the history and stories it comes with.

It just seemed perfect - and we felt like King & Queen of the castle on the day!

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OVER TO THE DAY ITSELF

It was relaxed, fun and full of joy, They began getting ready in Malton, Amber at her Mum's and Rob in their own home with his dad and Bestman. Capturing both of them was wonderful the girls were just enjoying being together doing girly stuff and the boys were organised enough to be timing a drink at the Wentworth Arms in Old Malton before they were to meet at the church for a 12pm service.

There were so many people waiting to see Amber's arrival at St Mary's Church in Old Malton; guests that were no longer able to be part of the congregation came along to witness them both coming out of church and to sprinkle confetti over them for good measures whilst wishing them all the best.

Amber's big arrival, with all of her onlookers waiting to grab a quick photo.

The Bridesmaids waiting patiently for Amber.

I imagine Rob's nerves were beginning to surface around about now...

Someone's enjoying walking down the aisle, whilst someone's dying to peek.

Now for the vows.

The dress is magnificent from behind, just wow.

Blessing the rings.

To have and to hold, for better for worse.

For richer, for poorer, in good times and bad.

Their first kiss.

A touching reading.

Now Mr & Mrs Baker!

CONFETTI!! Ready or not.

A quick congratulations from everyone who came to wave them off.

Outside of St Mary's Church in Old Malton

We couldn't help but stop on the way to the venue, the drive was just so picturesque and Howard, who drove this stunning car is a sucker for a good photo of his car with the Bride and Groom on a good backdrop

Near the lake at Castle Howard

What an incredible backdrop, them yellow fields 🥰

Howard always likes to catch one or two photos for himself. Plus, Amber's known him since she was a little girl and was thrilled he was able to be part of their day!

They received an explosive welcome as they entered the yurt, which Amber and Rob had decorated with a bit of help off Alison, from The Willows Catering Co and her team. The country cottage styled posies in the middle of the tables, were placed on tree-trunk disks and the pair had cleverly organised personalised hand sanitiser instead of your usual favours, a sign of the times, but super handy really! They bought loads of mini bottles, then spent hours peeling off the old labels replacing them with their own.

They wanted the decor to remain rustic and in keeping with the venue but also create a nice atmosphere.. hence why they had fairy lights galore! The bar unit was better than anyone could have hoped for: still a rustic theme but a great focal point to work everything else around.

Amber says, "I don't know how we did it but we seemed to pull the decor together in about 3 weeks..."

Well done you two!!

Arriving at the castle ruins in Sherrif Hutton, near York

3,2,1 BOOM! Dad's confetti cannon was awesome.

Their niece waiting to welcome any other guests.

As did The Willows Catering Co with these delicacies, don't they look vibrant!

The guests were seated to enjoy the canapés and fizz.

Amber and Rob were concerned about peoples thoughts on the picnic style meal that we were having, especially with covid doing the rounds, so they thought it would be ideal to give everyone a mini sanitiser.

Gorgeous centre pieces for the tables, made by The Topiary Tree too.

Alison's food is always so colourful, The Willows Catering Co

After they'd leisurely, grazed the colourful, picnic-styled main, Christine (Amber's Mum) had arranged a surprise for everyone...unbeknown to the wedding party, two of the waiting-on staff were in disguise, in fact they were not waiting on staff at all. They were singing waiters, so after a brief introduction from one of them they burst into song and the whole yurt was lit-up with life, everyone was on their feet-behindtheirm chairs cheering, waving their arms and brimming with laughter and amazement.

And there was life and laughter.

One of the singing waiters, mid song.

A forfeit for the boys, they had do reform as the newest socially, distanced boyband! Choreography: Amber's dad!

I'd say they enjoyed it!

And then it was time to get the girls back, Amber was in her element.

They really did have the time of their lives, with their Dirty Dancing moves!!

Way to go, you two!

After everyone had recovered from the excitement and finished their desserts, we all enjoyed some wonderful sidesplitting, but emotive speeches from Amber's dad and Rob himself. I myself love the speeches, I learn so much about the couple during them and I must say, I was surprised Tomato soup wasn't on the menu! Jokes aside, it was really clear to see, how proud Amber's Dad is of her and Rob's achievements so far and how much Rob admires and dotes on his wife. Following this some of the guests chatted, whilst others played the garden games outside before Amber and Rob cut their cake and did their "first dance."

Some thoughtful guests listening to speeches.

Amber's proud dad delivering his, funny but also very emotional.

This is the part where he tells us how HE met Rob... 🤣

Cheers everyone.

Croquet confusion.

Rob's dad showing the younger ones how it's done!

Mother and father of the groom.

The girls, sisters and friends

Chasing rainbows.

They were lucky enough to have two cakes! Amber's Nan says you can't have a wedding without a fruit cake, and she is locally known for making her fruit cakes for more than 18 people at christmas so she insisted on making us one & the talented Joanne Daffern iced it for her. The two tier cake was made by a lady called Louise Knight and her sister. They were very fortunate that she agreed to make their cake as it's not something she does any more as changed vocation a couple of years ago.

The first dance.

Just watch that dress move. A perfect ending to a perfect day.

AMBER AND ROB'S MOST TREASURED MEMORIES AND WORRIES FOR THEIR DAY.

"I mean the singing waiters took some beating, they were just incredible and I'm so thankful to my Mum for arranging the surprise - memories I will cherish forever; however, I must say, I loved standing and saying my vows to Robert. I just felt the whole church was bursting with love from our guests and each other and it still gives me butterflies." Gushes Amber.

There is a theme here...

Rob agrees, "The singing waiters!! What an atmosphere they created!"

He also fondly remembers, "I will never forget the moment Amber took her place next to me in church."

Things they worried about:

We unnecessarily worried about the numbers! We thought 30 might feel flat and hard work for people but we couldn't have been more wrong. Although it was dissapointing we couldn't have our 80 day guests when we were planning... we wouldn't change it even if we could! What they were pleased with:

Absolutely everything! There isn't an element of the day we would change... very lucky to have had the most incredible day!

Credits: Photography: Anoif Photography | Venue: Sherrif Hutton Castle | Car Hire: Howard Fletcher | Food: The Willows Catering Co | Bar: Couple's own, they hired staff too | Yurt: | DJ: Matty Thorpe | Singing Waiters: The Best Singing Waiters | Cake: Fruit Cake, Amber's Nan, iced by Joanne Daffern Sponge cake by Louise Knight| Hair: Sharon | Makeup: Saff (Bridesmaid) | Dress: Perfect Day Bridal | Shoes: The Rainbow Club | Flowers: The Topiary Tree | The Suits: Suit Direct