Timeless Elegance at Middleton Lodge, UK For A Stunning Summer Wedding Celebration

A relaxed yet luxurious wedding day filled with heartfelt moments, exquisite styling and the endless charm of a quintessential English country estate in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

"We’ve just sat and had a good cry looking through, you’ve captured the day so perfectly. You’ve captured so many gorgeous photos of every moment through the day and each guest, we’re just in awe. All of the candid shots and pics with Granny - it’s all so perfect. THANK YOU. " Michael & Benjamin, Grooms

An intimate ceremony in the Main House at Middleton Lodge, with soft natural light and elegant floral styling.

A Middleton Lodge wedding always hits differently, and Michael and Benjamin’s summer celebration at the Main House was no exception. Tucked away in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, this exclusive-use, luxurious gem blends timeless Georgian charm with just the right touch of modern sophistication.

From start to finish, Michael and Benjamin’s day was everything you could possibly want from a wedding: effortless joy, stylish details and heartfelt moments that made it impossible not to produce ridiculously gorgeous wedding photographs filled with touching moments and stunning details.

Grooms walking down the statement staircase to their wedding ceremony at The Main House, Middleton Lodge.

Intimate ceremony in the Main House at Middleton Lodge, with soft natural light and elegant floral styling.

The newlyweds walking hand in hand through the estate’s gardens, making the most of golden hour.

Candid wedding photography: guests sharing a joyful moment around the candlelit dinner table.

Grooms cuddled into each other watching fireworks on their wedding day.

Pre-Wedding Preparations

The day started with that perfect mix of calm anticipation and quiet excitement. Downstairs, the boys were in their element - cool, collected and making the most of the slow morning, chatting with family and their dream team of suppliers as the space transformed around them. Watching their vision come to life in real-time? Not a bad way to start your wedding day.

The ceremony room was nothing short of a masterpiece - drenched in florals so beautiful they stopped people in their tracks (and brought more than a few happy tears). It was one of those moments where the reality of the day finally lands: this is happening, and it looks absolutely perfect.

Upstairs, the getting-ready energy was effortless - timeless details, a killer playlist and that unmistakable shade of Louboutin red. We kicked off with a flat-lay of their keepsakes: personalised Tom Ford bow ties, handwritten vows, heirloom jewellery and bespoke wedding stationery tying it all together. A gift exchange and the sweetest doodle from their niece added even more heart, grounding the morning in what really mattered - connection, love and the little things that make it all so personal.

Before the whirlwind really began, Michael and Benjamin chose a private first look. Just the two of them, tucked away from the chaos, stealing a moment that was raw, real and full of soft and content joy. The perfect pause before stepping into the magic of the day.

Grooms wedding rings, stationery, shoes, aftershave and wedding rings on a white background.

Groom holding a drawing from his niece on his wedding morning of himself and his future husband.

Groom hugging his dad as they get ready on their wedding morning at Middleton Lodge Estate.

Groom and grooms dad getting ready at Middleton Lodge Estate the morning of their wedding.

Groom and his mother getting ready on his wedding morning at Middleton Lodge Estate.

Grooms having their first look together at the main house, Middleton Lodge Estate.

Grooms share a quiet moment together on their wedding morning at Middleton Lodge Estate.

Grooms first look at each other on their wedding day at Middleton Lodge Estate.

The Wedding Ceremony

The Main House was, quite literally, glowing and the same could be said for the happy couple.

Afternoon light poured through the tall windows, softening every moment and giving the space an almost dreamlike feel. The floral design struck that perfect balance - elegant without trying too hard, enhancing the setting rather than overpowering it. It was refined, intimate and unmistakably them.

From behind the lens, it was one of those ceremonies where everything just aligned. The way Michael and Benjamin held each other’s gaze, the small squeeze of a hand, the deep breath before their vows. It wasn’t just a wedding ceremony, it was a moment that belonged entirely to them.

For a wedding photographer, it was everything you could ever hope for and more. The atmosphere, the connection, the light (and that iconic entrance down the main staircase) - it all worked together to create images that didn’t just capture how it looked, but how it felt.

The Wedding Reception

As soon as the newlyweds and their guests stepped outside, the energy shifted - effortlessly relaxed, just as they’d envisioned. Golden-hour light, champagne fizzing, guests scattered across the lawns, deep in conversation or mid-laughter. The kind of setting that makes candid photography a dream. I made sure to move through it all, catching the micro moments that make up a wedding day filled with joy that’s impossible to fake. Perfection.

Again, we stole a quiet moment before the guests poured in, slipping into the marquee for a first look of the wedding reception decor. It’s always one of my favourite parts of the day and sometimes a moment only you and your wedding photographer are privy to - the calm before the celebration, when the vision finally becomes something real. The guys took it all in, from the candlelit tables to the soft drape of florals overhead, the space that had been an idea, a mood board, a plan now standing right in front of them.

The marquee was filled with personal touches, each table named after a trip that shaped their story. From winding roads in California to the streets of Paris where they got engaged. The styling was effortless yet intentional, warm candlelight flickering against soft greenery, creating that perfect balance of elegance and ease.

Making the Most of Middleton Lodge

If your wedding venue is serving up endless grandeur, secret gardens and dappled evening light, you take it. As the sun began to dip, we stepped into the grounds for golden hour portraits, one of my favourite parts of the day. Everything slowed. No guests, no schedule, just Michael and Benjamin soaking it all in, framed by the softest, dreamiest light.

Then came the evening celebrations. The happy couple made their entrance in style, descending the grand staircase in a complete outfit change to cheers before cutting into their impossibly chic wedding cake. The night only built from there, cocktails flowing, the dance floor packed, the kind of energy that makes you want to stay behind the lens just a little longer.

And then, just when the guests thought it couldn’t get better, surprise fireworks lit up the sky. The perfect full-circle moment, an ending that felt just as magical as the rest of the wedding day.

Why Middleton Lodge Is Always a Yes

Some wedding venues are just made for telling love stories. Middleton Lodge isn’t just beautiful, it’s built for atmosphere, for movement, for a wedding day that unfolds seamlessly from one perfect setting to the next. As a luxury wedding photographer, it’s an absolute dream. The variety, the light, the way it transforms from day to night - it all adds up to something that never feels formulaic, only ever personal.

If you’re planning your wedding here and are yet to book your wedding photographer, pick me. I’d love to capture it all - the big moments, the quiet ones and everything in between.

Enquire With me

Team:

Wedding Photography: Sam Sparks Photography

Florist: The Petal Studio

Cake: Where The Ribbon Ends

Band: Jonny Ross Music

Venue: Middleton Lodge Estate, The Main House

Pianist: White Notes Music