There was so much about Ste and Kirsty’s wedding at The Sun Pavilion that felt completely personal to them. From a music-inspired wedding filled with wildflowers, pastel colours and plenty of time spent with their children and favourite people to Ste's guitar becoming their guest book and The Cure's Friday I'm in Love providing the soundtrack to their first dance.
They chose The Sun Pavilion in Harrogate after falling in love with its beautiful glass dome and bright, airy feel. They wanted a relaxed day that didn't need lots of decoration, allowing the natural beauty of the venue and Valley Gardens to do the talking.
I asked the newlyweds to look back on their wedding day and share the story behind some of their favourite moments and details. Here are the highlights starting with bridal preparation at The Harrogate Inn
How did you meet, and how long have you been together?
We have been together for about eight and a half years, having met on Tinder, of all places! Our first date was at Manahatta on Greek Street in Leeds. Ste was unsure if I liked him at first due to my excessive people watching! It wasn't long before we went on a second date, and after that we spent every weekend together.
Tell us about the proposal.
We were on a family holiday in Cyprus and were walking to Coral Bay along the coast with our little girl in her pushchair.
Ste asked me to put something in a nearby bin and, when I turned around to come back, he was on one knee. I immediately said yes.
Why did you choose The Sun Pavilion for your wedding?
We chose The Sun Pavilion in Harrogate. When we first looked around, we fell in love with the stunning glass dome and how bright it was. We knew immediately that this was the place we wanted and booked it on the spot. We had a three-year wait after booking due to finding out I was expecting our little boy, and we wanted to have both children at the wedding.
How did you choose your photographer?
Gemma was a friend of a friend, and we had been on a few New Year's Eve nights out together, watching a brass band. For a couple of years, this became a tradition. We wanted someone we felt comfortable with, who wouldn't force tonnes of staged pictures. I had seen lots of Gemma's work on Instagram and loved that her photography is more natural and relaxed.
She was the perfect choice, and we would always highly recommend her to others
Tell us about your wedding dress.
I knew I wanted a sample dress and found this one in the fourth shop we looked in. I originally dreamed of a plain, fitted dress but went for something completely opposite. It was big and sparkly! It was my maid of honour who pulled it off the shelf, and I fell in love as soon as I put it on. It needed quite a bit of altering due to my tiny size, and Danielle, The West Yorkshire Seamstress, did an amazing job.
And what about the suit?
Ste originally planned on wearing chinos and a shirt, but someone recommended that we look in Slaters. He saw a blue suit that he liked straight away and, after trying it on, knew this was the one for him.
How did you feel as you walked down the aisle, and how did Ste feel waiting for you?
I told Ste that I wouldn't cry, but this didn't happen! I blame my dad for saying he wasn't ready to give me away just before I walked down the aisle. I had been calm all the way until this point. These were happy tears, though!
Ste said he felt anxious whilst everyone was watching, but soon felt at ease when our favourite song, Small Bones by Courteeners, came on and he saw our little ones come down the aisle first. He said this made him emotional in the best way.
What was your favourite moment of the day?
Seeing each other for the first time. Ste especially loved seeing the kids come down hand in hand.
Another personal favourite moment that we've been laughing about was when we were trying to take pictures with Gemma. Our two-year-old ran from the group shouting, "Come back!" as the confetti blew away in the wind.We also fully enjoyed dancing the night away with the most amazing band and guests. Another part we loved was having five minutes with a prosecco on our own in the bridal room at the back of the venue as soon as the ceremony finished. This gave us time to catch our breath.
How did you feel being in front of the camera?
After the engagement shoot, we felt way more confident, as we knew what Gemma would want us to do and what made us feel most comfortable.We loved the engagement pictures and were so excited for those at the wedding.
What did you love about The Sun Pavilion on the day?
It was stunning and made for a very relaxed wedding. We loved that there was also plenty going on around us in Valley Gardens, which made the whole day feel more relaxed. Every single one of our guests commented on how beautiful it was. It also meant that we needed minimal decoration, as we didn't want to take away from its natural beauty.
What advice would you give to couples in the planning stages?
Make sure to keep track of your budget and stick to your guns on this. Don't worry about spending more than you can afford; you can make the day perfect within your means. It's all about you both and it's not worth getting into debt for. Make sure you invite the guests you want there. It is your day. We had a smaller number than we originally planned, but for us this was perfect and meant we could spend some time with everyone.
Tell us about the details and theme of the day.
We had a music theme. When we both started dating, one of our first conversations was about our music tastes. We love going to gigs together, although this is rare now that we have a family! We had our favourite songs as the names on the tables, with the lyrics in the shape of a bride and groom. I decorated the venue myself, including making all the signs, menus and order of service with the help of my mum.
We also used the guitar Ste learnt to play on as our guest book and got our guests to sign this and chose pastel colours to fit in with summer and went for wildflowers with pink dresses, giving the day a more relaxed feel.
What were the most important investments for you when planning your wedding?
The venue, photographer and band. We tried to keep everything else at a low budget.
We searched for ages for a band, as we wanted someone who did indie music, and were so happy when we came across The Wilde Ones. We've had a few guests comment that we had the best playlist ever!
What song did you choose for your first dance, and why?
We chose Friday I'm in Love by The Cure. We love this song and we got married on a Friday, so it felt appropriate.
It was also great that we could have it played live by our band.
Was there anything you wish you'd known before the wedding, or anything you'd have done differently?
We had the best day, but it all goes so fast. There are bits that seem a blur, so just try and enjoy every moment and take it all in. Try to leave the nerves behind and enjoy every moment.
I also regretted not listening to Gemma and doing some fun bridesmaid shot, as all my bridesmaids were relaxed and enjoying the moment. Listen to Gemma when she suggests this! I do, however, know there will be enough fun shots from across the day that Gemma will have captured to make up for this, and I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures.
Are there any suppliers you'd like to give a shout-out to?
All of them!
The Sun Pavilion – especially Saf and Rebecca for helping to plan the perfect day and keeping it all running smoothly, despite me making requests the week before.
Peggy Bridal – for the dream dress.
Slaters – for the perfect suits.
The West Yorkshire Seamstress – Danielle is so talented and made my dress fit perfectly.
The Wilde Ones and Jonny Ross Music – for providing the best entertainment.
Juno by Brittany Jae and Pippa Perkins MUA – for the best hair and make-up, along with Kim at The Salon & Co Pudsey for making my extensions match. Only I would choose the brightest shade of red for my hair!
Ivy Florist – for providing our dream wildflower bouquets.
The Harrogate Inn – for being the best hotel and upgrading us to a suite at no extra cost.
Marks & Spencer – for the budget wedding cake, Colin and Connie.
And finally, Gemma Suckley Photography for being an amazing photographer.
If you're planning your own wedding at The Sun Pavilion or elsewhere in Yorkshire and are looking for natural, documentary-style wedding photography, you can find out more about my Yorkshire wedding photography.
I've photographed a number of weddings at The Sun Pavilion over the years, including an autumn wedding at The Sun Pavilion.