Long Sleeved Pronovias Lace for a Modern and Edgy North Yorkshire Late Winter Wedding

It’s always exciting when people and places you know turn up in your inbox. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I opened up the folder of images from Shutter Go Click Photography and recognised Carlton Towers, a spectacular 17th century country house just outside Goole, North Yorkshire.

I’ve been lucky enough to visit there for a delicious afternoon tea and a French cookery course, but have never seen the house dressed for a wedding, so this is a real treat. I hope you enjoy this wonderful February wedding as much as I have done. The bride and groom are Emma, a media makeup lecturer, and Tom, an HR advisor, who chose Carlton Towers for their early spring wedding on 11 February 2018.

Photography Shutter Go Click

The couple fell in love with the magnificent location and used its distinctive Victorian gothic architecture to influence their wedding styling; vintage but done with a edgy, modern twist. With a backdrop that has a really strong sense of place, Emma and Tom wisely let it speak for itself, enhancing its period features with a romantic, sumptuous colour palette of deep greens and reds – a look that I have fallen head over heels for.

In keeping with the venue’s architecture, Emma chose a glorious long-sleeved gown, finding her timeless and classic lace Pronovias number at Dotty Taylor Bridal in Holmfirth. The warm nude tone brings a touch of warmth and Emma worked with seamstress Danielle McGilloway to make it even more perfect for the cool February weather by adding fitted lace sleeves. I love how she’s added a fresh, modern look with her choice of hair and makeup styling, though.

“I always thought I would choose a vintage dress. I love sleeves and thought I would struggle to get this in a bridal shop. The dress I chose was the last dress I tried on. On the rail it looked a little strange as it had a nude tone over the body, I picked the dress up purely as “another option”. When I put the dress on I completely fell in love.”

“The only thing was the dress did not have sleeves! The lady in the shop went downstairs and brought up a Pronovias lace jacket that matched the dress. She recommended I get a seamstress to take apart the jacket and add the sleeves to the dress.”

“This was a risk at the time but I loved the dress so much I knew couldn’t leave it so I went with her advice. Danielle McGilloway was incredible and transformed my dress into perfection.”

Keeping with the romantic, deep red colour palette, Emma chose unusual and elegant burgundy ASOS gowns for her grown-up bridesmaids, with interest added by the super-flattering batwing sleeves. Their classic updos were styled by Melanie Ashurst and makeup applied by Hannah Webster.

Tom chose a non-traditional two-piece suit from Noose and Monkey, worn with a skinny tie and shoes from Jeffery West. I love how he totally rocks his own style, looking comfortable and relaxed in these photographs by Ryan Learoyd of Shutter Go Click Photography. Ryan’s style is classic with an alternative twist and his use of light is wonderful. The morning ‘getting ready’ shots are light-filled and elegant, but later in the day he’s captured the moody drama of the fading light with the glow of the chandeliers and candles, set against the opulent surroundings of the house.

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“Once we had booked our wedding venue for me the next important thing was a wedding photographer. I came across Ryan during a wedding (I was the makeup artist) then again for a collaborative wedding styled shoot. I loved his photography style and knew when I eventually got married he was the photographer I wanted. Needless to say Ryan did not disappoint. My experience with Ryan with both professionally and personally has been second to none and I could not recommend him enough.”

“We chose to have our wedding at Carlton Towers because the venue blew us away when we visited. We loved the grand entrance, vintage authentic décor and the fact you had exclusive use of the venue. This nowadays seems to be rare. I always knew I wanted my wedding to feel vintage and authentic with a slight modern twist.”

“For me the venue décor was the biggest influence. I wanted to make sure when it came to styling the venue spoke for itself. I also love dark, cold nights that are candle lit and cosy, so alongside the authenticity of a venue I wanted to make sure I could merge the two together to create a perfect setting.”

The couple met whilst they were both studying, and planned their wedding in eleven months once they had secured the Yorkshire venue.

“Tom and I met very young while we were studying. I’m a little older so I was at university and he was just finishing college.   We got engaged after we bought our first house together. We waited about ten months before we decided to start looking for wedding venues.”

To frame her face and add drama, the bride wore a cathedral-length veil, also from Pronovias. Worn right on top of her head, it hints to a bygone era and you can really appreciate the exquisite fingertip lace edging.

The civil ceremony was held in Carlton’s grand state rooms, characterised by the high ceilings and carved wooden features. They were dressed for the day by Tamaryn’s Treasures. Although small, my favourite detail is the vintage typewriter that displays the seating plan.

“I hired an incredible lady, Tamaryn, to come and decorate the venue for me. She set up the ceremony room and the wedding breakfast room. This lady was incredible and added a touch of modern elegance to our wedding. We hired a cream aisle runner, clear Perspex’s for the aisle, crystal candelabras, candle holders and candles (lots of them), chair covers and a clear Perspex wedding post box.”

Emma, with a career in makeup, chose to apply her own, creating a warm smokey eye and wearing a wonderfully bright red lipstick; an eyecatching look that I really love. Her blonde hair was set in romantic, loose waves and left down, and I think she looks simply beautiful as she makes her way up the aisle.

Emma and Tom opted for a 3pm service, meaning that the wedding could flow straight into dinner and dancing. In a joy-filled ceremony (just look at Emma’s smile!), they exchanged vows and wedding bands from Yorkshire Jewellery Ltd.

I have such admiration for Emma, who created her own wedding flowers, using blooms sourced from Country Baskets. She’s done such a professional job and I love the opulent, untamed feel of her bouquet.

“I chose to make my own flowers, I’m super fussy and I knew exactly how I wanted them to look.”

The newly-weds were able to spend some time together after the ceremony, as Shutter Go Click captured these beautiful portrait shots. I love their timeless vibe and Ryan’s clever use of the grand location.

Dinner was held in another of Carlton’s beautiful rooms, so beautiful with the crystal chandeliers, shining glassware and glowing candles.

“We decided the wedding favours were going to be for a toast. We opted for Jagermeister miniatures.”

The couple’s pure white cake was displayed in individual tiers.

“My friend Nicola Sanders made all three of my wedding cakes. She is incredible and has a real eye for detail. I knew she would do a great job and she did. They were perfect.”

“Every part of the day was incredible. We chose to get married later at 3pm so this made the wedding flow straight from day to evening. There was no rushing in the morning and it was just perfect from start to finish.”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Preparation in key! If you are prepared from the start and get absolutely everything you can done in advance you can enjoy the last few weeks and the excitement that comes with it.”

“A spreadsheet massively helped me keep on top of everything.”

Sending so many thanks to Shutter Go Click for sharing your wonderful work. I love your black and white shots in particular; you have such a creative eye. Thank you also Emma and Tom, and congratulations as well. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed writing about a venue that I know… perhaps it’s time I went back there for another afternoon tea?

With love,

Ele xx