Winter weddings in Yorkshire: light, timings and why we love them

Winter weddings are some of our favourites. The days are short, the rooms are warm and the light does lovely things, as long as the timings are planned around it. Here is what we would think about if you are getting married between November and February.

Plan your day around the daylight

In a Yorkshire winter the sun is down by mid afternoon. That sounds like a problem, but it is easy to work with once you know about it.

If you want portraits outside, the best of the light is in the hour or so before sunset, so work backwards from there. A ceremony at 12pm or 1pm leaves you plenty of time for confetti, group photographs and a few minutes with just the two of you before it fades.

Check the sunset time for your date when you are choosing the ceremony time. It is the single most useful thing you can do for your photographs.

Keep the outdoor time short and sweet

You do not need long outside. Ten or fifteen minutes of couple portraits in good light gives us plenty to work with, and you will be warmer and happier for it. Bring a coat, and tell your guests to do the same if there is a drinks reception or confetti outdoors.

We would rather take a few minutes of real, laughing pictures than half an hour of shivering ones.

Candlelight and cosy rooms

The evening is where winter really shines. Candles, fairy lights and firelit rooms give a warmth that is hard to find on a summer afternoon. At Whitley Hall, for example, whatever the weather, the staircase and candlelit interiors are some of our favourite places to photograph. Have a look at our Whitley Hall page to see what we mean.

A darker room does not worry us. It is one more reason we like two photographers: while one of us is with you, the other is catching the room and your guests.

Frost, fog and snow

We have shot in fog, snow and downpours and the gallery has never suffered. A frosty garden or a bit of snow is a gift, if you are happy to step out into it for a few minutes. Hodsock Priory is a good example: the gardens and snowdrops are old friends of ours, and you can see more on the Hodsock Priory page.

Do not worry if the weather is not postcard perfect. Rain and grey skies make soft, even light, and the indoor spots at a good venue do the rest.

A few practical tips

• Pick the ceremony time with the sunset in mind.
• Plan group photographs for straight after the ceremony, while it is still light.
• Have a warm room ready for getting changed, for coats and for a hot drink.
• Think about shoes and a wrap for the outdoor moments.
• Allow a little extra time for travel if the roads might be icy.

I

Come and talk to us

If you are thinking about a winter wedding, we would love to hear your plans and help you work out the timings. Check your date and we will come back to you, with no pressure at all.

Big love

Nick & Nic xx