A Perfect Summer Wedding at Tithe Barn, Bolton Abbey

Philippa and Seb’s wedding at Tithe Barn, Bolton Abbey was everything you could want from a summer celebration—sunshine, laughter, and plenty of heartfelt moments. With the ceremony set in one of Yorkshire’s most iconic venues, and a team of incredible suppliers, the day was a photographer’s dream.

Getting Ready

The morning began at Meadowcroft, a gorgeous holiday cottage just five minutes from Tithe Barn in Beamsley. It’s one of my favourite places for a Tithe Barn bride to get ready—it has so much space, beautiful natural light, and stunning decor. When I arrived, Philippa was in the middle of having her makeup done by one of my favourite MUAs, Hannah Dora. Hannah’s natural, glowing look was perfect for Philippa, who looked absolutely radiant. Rachel Miller was working her magic on the hair, another one of my go-to stylists. The whole bridal team created the perfect, relaxed atmosphere while making sure Philippa looked nothing short of stunning.

Philippa’s dress was by Suzanne Neville, a simple yet elegant design that highlighted her natural beauty. I loved the delicate floral details and how the long veil flowed so gracefully as she moved. As the morning came to an end, I couldn’t wait to see how everything would come together at the Tithe Barn. Simon Manning, their videographer, was also with us, and I was excited to spend the day with him as always. He’s such a lovely person to work with, and his wedding films are always something special.

Ceremony

Over at Tithe Barn, Seb was greeting guests with a big smile, his excitement building as Philippa’s arrival drew near. The barn looked stunning, as always, and the warm, sunny day made it feel even more magical. When Philippa made her entrance, it was clear that Seb was overcome with emotion. She glided down the aisle towards him, and they were married in front of a beautiful floral arch by Bureau Botany—this same floral display would later become the backdrop for their top table at the reception.

The ceremony was filled with personal moments that had everyone laughing and tearing up. After the vows and rings, the newlyweds shared a Hollywood kiss at the top of the aisle before we headed outside for confetti. Guests showered them with white rose petals in the garden at the back of the barn, and it was the perfect setting for their first celebratory photos.

Reception

After a few family photos in front of the stunning view of Bolton Abbey, we moved on to the bridal party shots. We took these by the gorgeous sage green doors at the front of the barn, which were the perfect match for the bridesmaids’ dresses. Philippa and Seb were so natural and relaxed in front of the camera, so we also grabbed a few more intimate couple portraits before heading inside to join the guests.

Speeches

The speeches were held before the meal, allowing the speakers to relax and enjoy their food afterwards. Philippa’s dad gave a moving speech, followed by Seb, who had everyone laughing, and the best man, who delivered some truly funny moments. The atmosphere was full of love, and everyone was in high spirits.

Party

After a delicious meal, the sunlight was still beautiful, so Simon and I whisked Philippa and Seb away for a few more photos in the field at the front of the barn. We ventured to a line of trees near the car park (which sounds less glamorous than it actually looked!) and then took some stunning shots in front of the barn. It was the perfect way to capture the last of the golden hour light before heading back for cake cutting and the first dance.

Speaking of the first dance—Philippa and Seb had rehearsed an amazing routine, and I can’t tell you how impressive it was! It was such a fun, different take on the typical first dance, and the guests were blown away. Afterward, the dance floor filled up quickly, and I got loads of great shots of everyone dancing as Club Mojo took the stage.

As the evening wound down, we gathered everyone for a fun sparkler exit in the back garden. It was a perfect way to end the day on a high, and I’m so happy I got to be part of Philippa and Seb’s beautiful wedding.

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together Mr & Mrs K!

Suppliers:

Venue: The Tithe Barn

Videographer: Simon Manning

Florist: Bureau Botany

Make up: Hannah Dora

Hair: Rachel Miller

Dress: Suzanne Neville from Frances Day Bridal

Music: Club Mojo and India Rose Strings

Make sure to visit my galleries to see more of the gorgeous Tithe Barn weddings I’ve been lucky to photograph x