Chevin Country Park Hotel & Spa is a wonderful Yorkshire wedding venue, and I've had the pleasure of photographing several weddings there over the years. Leigh-Ann and Dan's celebration was filled with meaningful details, genuine moments and plenty of fun. Here's a look their beautiful day highlights, alongside their story in their own words.
How did you meet? How long have you been together?
We met at work 9 years ago and through Covid and big life changes we quickly became friends. That bloomed into something unexpected as we talked more. 6 years later here we are, married!
Tell us about the proposal
Once we decided we were ready for marriage, we started looking at rings and discovered Aardvark Jewellery. During a visit to their Birmingham store, we found a one-of-a-kind John Dyer cut blue-green sapphire, and as soon as we saw it with a wedding band, we knew it was the one.
A few weeks later, Dan surprised me by secretly booking annual leave and whisking me away to Lincoln. After a lovely meal, he got down on one knee in our cabin and asked me to marry him. We spent the rest of the weekend celebrating together before sharing the news with our family and friends. It was perfect.
Which wedding venue did you choose and why did you choose it?
We chose the Otley Chevin Country Hotel & Spa as our venue. We had looked at a couple of other places, but this was different to them. Ideas and inspiration struck as we viewed it and we could easily picture ourselves getting married and celebrating it there with our loved ones. The onsite hotel was a bonus which helped the decision making as it meant family travelling in had somewhere easy to stay.
How did you feel as you walked down the aisle/waited for your bride?
L – This part caused me the most nerves in the run up to it but on the day, I don’t recall any nerves at all. As soon as the aisle song started, I just couldn’t wait to see Dan. Walking in and seeing smiling guests just had me beaming the entire way down.
D – Warm, ridiculously warm but that distracted from any nerves appearing.
What was your favourite moment?
L – I am not sure I can narrow down just one moment on the day because there were so many highlights. Seeing Dan at the end of the aisle, seeing all our planning come together for ourselves and guests, dancing to some of our favourite songs with our favourite people. It was just the best day I could imagine even with the World Cup stealing a high number of our guests.
D – My favourite moment was definitely seeing Leigh-Ann walking down to aisle and getting to say I do. But after 9pm the memory does get a little blurry.
Would you recommend your venue? What did you love about it on the day?
Absolutely. Every dealing we had with Tyran and the team was just what was needed. They accommodated last minute changes the night before and checked in as much as they could. I really enjoyed dealing with each member of the team especially Ashley. Also, the venue is just beautiful, a lovely local spot with pretty scenery onsite and nearby. The Surprise View where we did our engagement shoot is slowly becoming a favourite place to wander.
I have to ask about the dress, who is it designed by? Why did you pick it?
The dress is by Madi Lane, purchased at Scarlett Poppy Outlet (previously Perfect Daze). As soon as I put this dress on it screamed me. I loved the star looking flowers and the fact it wasn’t only white. As an alternative bride trying on stereotypical, traditional dresses didn’t allow me to feel like myself. This covered all bases and I loved it every time I put it on.
The suit?
The suit was a Marc Darcy bought from Joshua Adams following a recommendation from a colleague. We found their service and options to be more than we imagined and loved our experience here. The added bonus was the ability to match the children up too.
Often the aspect that makes a wedding original to the couple is the detail – tell us about the details of the day. (Theme/colour scheme/décor/schedule)
Our theme around the day was books as we are both big book readers but as this is across genres we kept the theme general too. Our invites and wedding stationery all tied this together with centrepieces including books as well.
Colour scheme was just inspiration from venue and colour suit the groom wanted but I think it all came together so well and cannot praise Hayley at Ambience enough for running with our ideas and creating what she did. It was beautiful.
I think a secondary theme was music as this was an area in which we tried to have as much say as possible. We wanted everyone to enjoy themselves whilst ensuring we heard some of the songs we love that might not be to everyone else’s taste. I will forever remember living my best life dancing along to Electric Callboy ‘Elevator Operator’.
What was the most important investment for you and why?
Taking on advice from other wedded couples the one area they all said not to scrimp on was photographer. So, we took that on board as we searched and found Gemma to be a great offer for everything we wanted. I feel like our biggest thing was making sure we weren’t leaving ourselves with a lot of stress, so we invested in the things that helped reduce this. It worked for us and we approached the wedding quite calmly which felt strange.
How/Why did you choose your photographer?
I was browsing online looking for local photographers with styles that suited ours and as you can imagine it got quite overwhelming. But as we looked, we fell in love with the candid, in amongst it all sort of feel Gemma put forward and after chatting with her about ideas and her experience at the venue it just made sense. After our pre wedding shoot this was only confirmed further, and we cannot wait to see the pictures from the day.
How did you feel being in front of the camera?
L – I think the pre wedding shoot really helped calm any nerves I had about being in front of the camera, plus the sheer joy of the day just helped it feel not as much as I expected it to feel. Though at one point I did feel a little like a zoo display with Gemma and many guests photographing us at the same time.
D – I felt much more comfortable once the formal photos were completed. The more candid and natural photo taking helped the awkwardness.
Which photo moment are you most looking forward to seeing? Or which photos have you loved so far?
L – Again this is hard to narrow down but reactions and enjoyment really. My Dad, son and Dan seeing me for the first time, guests having fun on our day and just the love that was around us. Also, any with the bridesmaids as these are going to be chaotic.
D – I am looking forward to seeing the moments we may have missed like guests enjoying the day with us. And most of the photos from the evening due to refresh the memory.
Was there anything you wish you’d known before? Or done anything differently?
L – I don’t think there is anything I wish I had known before as I had taken advise from several wedded couples and a friend who got married a couple of months earlier, so nothing really came as a surprise apart from how different it feels having this day for you rather than others. Anything I would want to change on that day was completely out of my control, weather, football and some guests who were unable to make it.
D – Drinking a little less. But no, really there is nothing I would change about the day. It was perfect.
Do you have any advice for couples in the planning stages?
L – My main piece of advice would make sure you plan a day that suits you as a couple no matter the opinions of others. It is very easy to hear opinions of others and posts on socials and assume your day should be one way or another but do you. Entirely. Don’t worry too much, on the day nothing matters more than marrying your love. Also discuss budget before booking anything!!
What song did you choose for your first dance, and why?
We chose Stargazing by Myles Smith. On a road trip down to visit family we had a moment in the car where all four of us were singing this song together and it just made sense to have this moment as a family. Even though that went a little wonky when trying to dance with our sons.
Are there any suppliers you’d like to give a shout out to?
I could go on and on here but all of them really. Aardvark for my beautiful rings, Scarlett Poppy Outlet and Dee for my amazing shopping experience and perfect dress, Beth at Little Pink Bakery for our cake and bakes which were a highlight for many guests. Claire and Charlie for helping the bridal party look as good as we did. And to Gemma and her second photographer (name please) who just went with everything suggested, who were so in our day that people mistook them for guests and for making us feel comfortable.
Wedding Supplier List:
Photographer: Gemma Suckley Photography
Venue Styling: Ambience Venue Styling (Leeds, Halifax & The Dales)
Jewellery: Aardvark Jewellery
Rings: Forge & Lumber
Hair: HH Hair Bradford
Bridal Boutique: Scarlet Poppy Outlet
Cake: Little Pink Bakery
Makeup: Painted Dolly Girl
Leigh-Ann and Dan created a wedding that felt completely true to them. Thank you both for trusting me to capture such an incredible day – it was an absolute pleasure to be part of it, and I wish you both a lifetime of happiness together.
If you're looking for relaxed, natural wedding photography that captures the real moments, I'd love to hear all about your plans. Get in touch to check my availability and let's start planning your day.
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