Matt & Becky’s wedding at the Gamekeeper’s Inn in Threshfield
If you’re dreaming of a relaxed countryside wedding celebration, the Gamekeeper’s Inn in the Yorkshire Dales is full of inspiration. Nestled in the heart of Threshfield, The Gamekeeper’s Inn is known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and stunning rustic interiors, making it the perfect setting for a laid-back yet elegant Yorkshire wedding venue.
Gamekeeper’s Inn wedding photography
After eight years together, Becky & Matt chose The Gamekeeper’s Inn for its ability to bring all their favourite people together in one place. Have a look at the highlights, from a romantic proposal on Pen-y-Ghent to a day filled with meaningful music, soft neutral florals, and joyful moments, their wedding perfectly captured the magic of their story.
How did you meet? How long have you been together?
We’ve been together eight years and met at work for an online training provider. Matt was managing a video project and asked me to appear in it thanks to my amateur dramatics background. We hadn’t really spoken before, and he still laughs about the day he first tried to get my attention. I was heading out for lunch with my earbuds in, completely oblivious as he chased after me! After filming wrapped and we got to know each other better, we had a project meeting. He asked me to stay behind afterwards and that’s when he asked me out for a drink.
Tell us about the proposal
A couple of days after my 40th birthday, Matt arranged a surprise night away. It turned out to include a walk up Pen-y-Ghent and a stay at Falcon Manor in Settle. It was a beautiful sunny day, and after a picnic at the summit, he surprised me again- he got down on one knee and proposed. It’s all a bit of a blur, but I said yes! We walked back down the hill in a happy daze and called our parents from the car park, who were all over the moon. The next day, we went ring shopping together. It was such an exciting time, and I couldn’t wait to tell everyone.
Golden hour engagement photos on Ilkley Moor
Why did you choose The Gamekeeper’s Inn for your Yorkshire wedding?
We chose The Gamekeeper’s Inn at Threshfield. We were looking for somewhere that could accommodate lots of guests for the whole weekend, as many of Matt’s family were travelling from the Midlands and further afield. I also wanted to stay the night before with my bridal party. As soon as we visited, we knew it was the one. It’s a beautiful venue, and the friendly, relaxed atmosphere made us feel completely at home.
What was your favourite moment of your wedding day?
It’s so difficult to choose, but walking down the aisle stands out. Seeing all our family and friends together was incredibly emotional. Having my dad walk me down the aisle, and then seeing Matt smiling at the end, felt like a dream. We chose In My Life by The Beatles, which felt really meaningful for us. We’ve both had full lives before meeting, and the lyrics really reflected that.
How did you feel walking down the aisle?
I felt very nervous and emotional, but seeing familiar, smiling faces helped ground me. As I walked down the aisle and caught the eye of friends and family, I started to feel more present. It turned into one of my favourite moments of the day.
How did you choose your wedding photographer?
We did a lot of research online and came across Gemma’s work. I loved her style, and she’d photographed weddings at our venue before, it honestly looked even better in her photos. When we met her, we clicked straight away. She’s so friendly and puts everyone at ease. Our engagement shoot on Ilkley Moor was such a fun experience, and it gave me complete confidence for the wedding day. Everyone loved her - she really brought people out of themselves. Some of my favourite moments were the fun, relaxed photos with my bridesmaids.
Tell us about your wedding dress
My dress was by Stella York, and I bought it from Ava Rose Hamilton in Silsden. It wasn’t anything like what I thought I wanted- I was convinced I needed sleeves and something quite demure! One of my bridesmaids picked it out as a wild card, but as soon as I put it on, we all just knew. The team at Ava Rose Hamilton were fantastic and gave us such an amazing “Say Yes to the Dress” experience.
What did the groom and groomsmen wear?
Matt’s suit was by Paul Andrews from Bridgewater Menswear in Colne. I thought he looked very handsome! His son Percy, who was also best man, wore a matching suit with a different waistcoat.
Which photos have you loved so far?
I’ve loved the preview images from the ceremony, and I’m really looking forward to seeing more. I’m especially hoping for some lovely photos with our parents and stepchildren. I’ve also loved the woodland shots of just the two of us. But my absolute favourite so far is one of my bridesmaids looking in from the balcony- it looks like a still from a heartwarming 90s film!
How did you feel being in front of the camera?
I felt completely at ease. Having the engagement shoot beforehand really helped- we knew what to expect and felt comfortable. By the wedding day, it all felt very natural.
Tell us about your wedding styling and details
We went for a relaxed, rustic theme with fairy lights, lanterns, kraft stationery, and jam jars for flowers. My only request for the flowers was that they didn’t look too “neat” I wanted something natural and unstructured. We chose cream, ivory, and neutral tones with eucalyptus, which looked beautiful in the venue. My flower crown was exactly what I’d always imagined - it genuinely took my breath away. Our colour scheme was dark teal with subtle copper accents, like ribbons on the bouquets. We kept the schedule fairly traditional but had speeches before the wedding breakfast to calm everyone’s nerves - especially as Percy, Matt’s 12-year-old son and best man, was speaking!
Would you recommend The Gamekeeper’s Inn as a wedding
Absolutely. The team were incredibly supportive throughout the whole planning process. Angela, the wedding coordinator, was calm, organised, and endlessly reassuring, even in the final weeks. We always felt that what mattered to us mattered just as much to her. Chris, the Master of Ceremonies, was brilliant. He ran through everything beforehand, including a rehearsal, which really settled our nerves, and on the day his energy made us feel so special. Dan, the venue manager, was also fantastic and made everyone feel so welcome. The whole team created such a relaxed, joyful atmosphere. Everything ran smoothly, the room looked beautiful, the food was delicious, and so many of our guests said what an amazing day they had. It really was perfect.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their wedding?
If you can’t marry a project manager - become one!
Give yourself plenty of time so you can enjoy being engaged and plan at a relaxed pace. But be prepared, it can still feel overwhelming towards the end. Most importantly, surround yourself with a great support network of suppliers, friends, and family.
What song did you choose for your first dance?
We chose Into My Arms by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds.
It’s very emotional for us. During COVID lockdown, we had to live apart and didn’t see each other for three months. This song was playing when we said goodbye, and it always reminds me of the joy of being reunited.
What were your most important wedding investments?
For me, it was the dress, the wedding photographer, and the venue. The dress because I’d dreamed about it for so long, the photographer because your photos shape how you remember the day, and the venue because I wanted our guests to have an amazing experience too.
Are there any suppliers you’d like to shout out?
My hair and makeup artist, who made me and my bridesmaids feel amazing and brought such a calm energy to the morning. My seamstress, who made the whole fitting process feel easy and enjoyable, and ensured the dress fit perfectly. And our stationery designer, who created beautiful pieces for the day and was so patient with all our ideas and changes!
If you’re looking for a natural wedding photographer or getting married at the Gamekeeper’s inn, I’d love to hear from you, say hello