Thaddeus & Jemma's Wedding - York Pavilion - October 2023

A Crisp Autumn Celebration

October in York brings those unmistakable autumn hues and those picturesque locations that only York can bring.

Being able to photograph friends is a very rare treat and unfortunately they had a cancilation for their wedding, and so I was able to step in to be sure to capture every moment of their magical day.

Bridal Room

Bridal prep hummed with quiet anticipation. Golden light spilled through tall windows, with the crispness of autumn just visible beyond the glass. Jemma, someone I’ve known for years, was incredibly calm, surrounded by her bridesmaid and daughter, the three of them sharing gentle smiles as the morning unfolded.

Groom's Room

The groom’s room, on the other hand, was buzzing with activity. Thaddeus and his groomsmen moved around in a kind of organised chaos, jackets being buttoned, ties adjusted, laughter bouncing off the walls. The scent of Dior Sauvage hung in the air, unmistakable, as his best man gave himself a generous spray before checking the mirror with a grin.

There was a sharpness to their style, tweed suits with subtle check patterns, pocket squares folded just so, and polished shoes lined up neatly, the kind of order that only a veteran brings to a morning like this.

The Ceremony – York Pavilion

The Pavilion had quieted. Where earlier there had been the shuffle of guests finding seats and the low murmur of conversation, now there was a stillness, one reflected in the polished wooden panels and the softened hush of anticipation.

Light poured through the tall windows behind the registrars, casting a warm glow across the room. Thaddeus took his place at the side of the aisle, his posture steady, though there was the unmistakable shimmer of emotion in his eyes.

Then, the music shifted. Jemma began her walk down the aisle, her gown catching the early afternoon light with every step. At her side, her father held her arm gently, proud, quiet, present.

As she reached the altar, a soft smile passed between them, just the two of them in that moment. No words, just something unspoken and completely understood.

Wedding Breakfast

After an emotional ceremony, where I must confess, watching two very good friends say “I do” felt especially meaningful. It was a true honour to capture it all from behind the camera.

Thankfully, the weather held for both the ceremony and cocktail hour. Guests gathered outside with fizzy drinks in hand, laughter filling the air and that unmistakable post-ceremony energy buzzing around the gardens.

Before long, the celebrations moved indoors, where everyone took their seats in the beautifully decorated reception room, ready for the speeches to begin.

"Loyal Toast"

In a first for me as a wedding photographer, one of the guests stood to offer a Loyal Toast, a tradition I hadn’t yet witnessed at a wedding.

Thaddeus, being a veteran understood the meaning of this gesture.

For those unfamiliar, the Loyal Toast is a longstanding military custom where guests rise to raise their glasses in honour of the reigning monarch. It’s often reserved for formal military occasions, so seeing it here, woven into a wedding celebration, was both unexpected and deeply meaningful. The room rose with quiet respect, a pause in the festivities that spoke volumes. A toast not just to tradition, but to Thaddeus’s service, and the values that brought everyone together that day.

Reception

As the sun dipped low and the lights inside the Pavilion grew warmer, the atmosphere shifted once again, this time into full celebration mode. The formalities had passed, the speeches had been shared, and now it was time for the fun to begin, there might even have been a cheeky bottle of port shown at one point from the veterans table.

I’m writing this a little while after the day itself, pieced together from photos, memory, and the kind of moments that linger long after the last dance. But even now, I can still feel the warmth of it. The way the light fell in the Pavilion. The way Jemma smiled at Thaddeus at the altar. The laughter during the speeches, and that quiet moment of the Loyal Toast.

Some weddings stay with you, not just because of the setting or the details, but because of the people. This one will always be one of those for me.

To Jemma and Thaddeus, many happy returns, and all the love in the world for the years still to come.