LILY & JACK | A WINTER WEDDING FULL OF LOVE, LAUGHTER & MUSIC AT DANBY CASTLE

There’s something really special about winter weddings in North Yorkshire. Although you do have to be prepared for the weather to do its own dramatic thing: wind, rain, cold that gets right into your bones, if you can cope with that, the atmosphere can be incredible.

Cosy, intimate, and full of heart. And that’s exactly how Lily and Jack’s beautiful day at Danby Castle unfolded.

As a North Yorkshire wedding photographer who adores capturing real, unposed moments, this was the kind of wedding that filled my whole soul. Family everywhere, music floating through every part of the day, and their little boy Angus running the show from the very first moment.

Morning prep lead by a toddler, what a mission

Morning prep with the boys was electric and hilariously chaotic thanks to Angus, who had absolutely no intention of letting the grown-ups steal any attention. Lily and Jack's home was packed, people buzzing around, shirts flying on, shoes being hunted down… and Angus, very proudly, making himself the centre of it all. His energy set the tone for the whole day: fun, full, and completely family-centred.

Why Danby Castle is Just the Venue for a Day Like Lily & Jack’s

Danby Castle has this brilliant blend of history and heart. You turn up and instantly feel the age of the place, centuries-old stone, medieval quirks, and that sense that thousands of stories have been told within those walls long before yours arrives. And then you look up and realise the backdrop is pure North Yorkshire magic: rolling moorland, dramatic skies, rugged countryside… the kind of landscape that makes every candid moment feel that little bit more cinematic.

What I really love is how many different spaces the venue gives you to play with.

There’s the old Court Room with its character and charm where Lily and Jack's ceremony took place, the rustic barn for dancing, dinner or even your ceremony (if your wish), and all those little tucked-away corners that are perfect for photos or just catching your breath. It feels like a venue that shapes itself around each couple — relaxed, atmospheric, and full of personality.

A family filled ceremony (with a very attached toddler).

Their ceremony was heartfelt, complete with Angus on their hip. He wasn’t keen on being put down, so instead he became part of the ceremony itself, being passed between Lily and Jack like the world’s cutest relay baton. What a tale to tell when he’s older.

As a documentary-styled wedding photographer, these are the moments I live for. The unplanned bits. The honest bits. The ones that tell the real story.

Music, laughter and a dance floor that never slept.

If there’s one thing this family loves, it’s music. The whole day was filled with it: listening, dancing, laughing, hugging… all to a backdrop of live melodies that brought everyone together.

Ross McWhirter never disappoints. He's brilliant are getting everyone up and involved, he even passed the mic to Lily later on. She smashed it 100% and the dancefloor absolutely erupted.

These are the moments that make candid wedding photos feel alive, the singing, the hands in the air, the pure “oh go on then!” joy that winter weddings are secretly brilliant at.

Embracing the weather because winter does what it wants.

The weather did not hold back; freezing, windy, rainy, classic North Yorkshire winter. But Lily and Jack knew this going in. They chose winter intentionally, so they wouldn’t be disappointed or tied to expectations of sunshine. Their day was cosy instead. Real. Beautifully atmospheric. And they embraced every second.

I had to give it to the girls though. What dedication Lily had from her bridesmaids (and herself), who braved the icy wind in between the showers to get some lovely photos with the castle in the background.

The kind of day I remember and why.

Family at the heart. Music filling every corner. A little boy who stole every show. A couple who never once let the weather dim their joy.

Lily and Jack’s Danby Castle wedding was warm, loving, and perfectly imperfect, everything I adore about being a North Yorkshire wedding photographer.

If you’d like your own wedding day captured with the same relaxed, candid, documentary approach, you can explore more here.

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SHOUT OUT TO SUPPLIERS I'D RECOMMEND

MUA - Jess Pacey

Hair - Lucy Peel (Personal Page)

Dress - Little Pearl Bridal (Pickering)

Venue - Danby Castle

Musician - Ross McWhirter Acoustic