A relaxed York Minster Refectory wedding in the heart of York
If you're looking for a York Minster Refectory wedding photographer, Natasha and Chris's wedding is a lovely example of how to create a relaxed and personal wedding day in the heart of York.
With its beautiful historic setting, impressive architecture and York Minster providing a spectacular backdrop for photographs, York Minster Refectory is a fantastic option for couples looking for a city-centre wedding with plenty of character.
Natasha and Chris wanted their wedding photography to feel natural and relaxed, while still having some more formal photographs and portraits. Their day included plenty of personal touches and some thoughtful alternatives to traditional wedding plans, all while making the most of this beautiful York wedding venue.
From their emotional ceremony and first look to photographs around the Minster and celebrations with their family and friends, I loved capturing the genuine moments alongside the photographs that will help them remember how the day felt.
In their Q&A below, Natasha and Chris share what they loved about York Minster Refectory, their experience of having a wedding there, their favourite moments from the day and their advice for other couples considering the venue.
The day started with this bridal party at The York Grand Hotel
How did you meet, and how long have you been together?
We met via Bumble in October 2020, just when lockdown restrictions had started to ease. Our first date was in a bar in York during the 10pm curfew. Soon after, the government rules said you could only see people if you formed a support bubble, so we decided to be in each other’s bubble.
How did Chris propose?
We had talked about getting married quite early on, and we chose the ring together. I initially wanted an emerald but changed my mind when I found out that sapphires came in green too.
We found the perfect ring in Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. We had holidays booked to Edinburgh and London, so I thought the proposal might happen while we were away.
The weekend before our holiday, Chris suggested going for drinks, despite the rain. After getting a taxi, we were walking to the bar when he suggested we go and look at York Minster at night. When we arrived outside the main entrance, he got down on one knee and proposed. The rain definitely added to the romance!
Tell us about your wedding dress.
My dress was from Peggy's, part of the Dotty group. It was an ex-sample Allure dress.
I had a particular style in mind and tried on a few dresses, but I knew this was the one immediately. It was altered at The Bridal Studio in Malton by Debbie the Seamstress, who also gave me advice on shoes and accessories.
Did you do anything differently from a traditional wedding?
We really just did what felt comfortable for us rather than feeling like we had to follow traditions. We walked down the aisle together and had a first look outside the ceremony room, giving us a private moment together before the ceremony.
We also decided not to have a cake, favours or a guest book. Our wedding ceremony started at 3:30pm, but we asked guests to arrive earlier so they could have a drink and mingle beforehand. We also had a magician between the ceremony and dinner, which was kept as a surprise for most of our guests.
What was it like walking into the ceremony?
We were both nervous and emotional, but also extremely happy.
What was your favourite part of the wedding day?
We loved the whole day, but the ceremony was definitely our favourite part.
Was there a particular moment you were most looking forward to having photographed?
The ceremony vows and seeing our bridesmaids walking down the aisle were moments we were particularly looking forward to. We loved the sneak peek we received afterwards, especially the photograph of the two of us in front of the door at York Minster.
What was it like choosing your photographer?
We found Gemma by looking through the venue's Instagram to see who had photographed weddings at York Minster Refectory. We loved her relaxed style and the way she used colour in her photographs. We wanted relaxed, documentary-style photography but also some formal and posed photographs with gentle direction. After our first meeting, it just felt right. Gemma was relaxed and made us feel comfortable straight away.
And what did Chris wear?
Chris wore a blue suit from Charles Tyrwhitt. Finding the right suit was important to him, and he eventually found one that felt right for the day.
How did you feel about being in front of the camera?
We really enjoyed it. Chris was worried that posing for photographs might feel awkward, but Gemma made it feel relaxed and fun. For the rest of the day, we didn't feel like someone was constantly taking photographs. It felt very natural, and Gemma blended into the day.
Why did you choose York Minster Refectory for your wedding?
We knew we wanted to get married in town. Initially, we were looking for somewhere to have our wedding breakfast after getting married at the registry office, but then we discovered that we could have the whole wedding at York Minster Refectory. We loved the beautiful building, the friendly staff and the fact that the food was highly rated, so it felt like the perfect choice for us.
What would you recommend about the venue to other couples?
It's a beautiful building and having York Minster as a backdrop for photographs is amazing. It's also a great option for a smaller wedding and the food is really good.
The only thing to be aware of is that there was a last-minute council restriction meaning the music couldn't be too loud, so we weren't able to have a dancefloor. This might be something to consider if you're planning a wedding with a disco or live music.
What details or personal touches were important to you?
We chose to do things in a way that felt comfortable for us rather than following traditions simply because they were expected. My dad doesn't like public speaking, so my sister gave a speech instead. Chris had three friends give a speech rather than having just one best man. One of our friends was also our witness, and our nephew was the ring bearer.
What were the most important things you invested in?
Photography was really important to us because it captures the day and gives us memories that we can look back on.
We also chose to have dried flowers from Lucy at Helston Street, which meant we could keep them afterwards and give some to friends and family
Is there anything you wish you'd known or done differently?
We wish we had filmed the day. We were self-conscious about saying our vows before the wedding, but now we'd love to be able to watch the ceremony back because it was our favourite part of the day.
What advice would you give to other couples planning their wedding?
Listen to your suppliers, especially those who know the venue well, because they can have really good advice. For example, I originally wanted chair covers, but Bev, the venue stylist, said the chairs were amazing and should be left uncovered. I'm really glad we listened to her.Don't feel like you have to follow every wedding tradition either. Think about alternatives and choose what feels right for you.
A little thank you
A huge thank you to Natasha and Chris for trusting me to capture your wedding day. It was such a pleasure to be part of your York Minster Refectory wedding and to photograph all the little moments, big emotions and personal touches that made the day completely yours. Thank you both for being so lovely, for trusting me behind the camera and for making my job such a joy.
Wedding suppliers list
Wedding Venue: York Minster Refectory
Gemma Suckley Photography
Hair: Lauren Smith Bridal / Hair by Lauren
Makeup: Rochelle Franks / RochelleMUA
Accommodation: The Grand
Shoes: Rainbow Club
Dress alterations: Debbie at The Bridal Studio, Malton
Bridesmaid Dresses: Next
Venue styling: Bev from Limelight Wedding Emporium
Flowers: Lucy at Helston Street
Magician: Bethan Sims
If you are more York wedding photography, see here
or York Engagement photoshoot here