Sneaton Castle Wedding Photographer, Whitby

The chapel is the reason most couples book Sneaton Castle. The venue itself calls it "Our beautiful Chapel" when asked for its most unique feature, and it's hard to argue. It's Norman in style, with an elevated alcove at the front, and it's licensed for all ceremonies, so you don't need to go anywhere else to be legally married.

During the ceremony I photograph from the back and the side. I find my spots before the guests arrive and I don't move around during the vows. The aim is that you remember your ceremony, not the photographer in it. A good chapel ceremony is mostly faces: the moment you see each other, your dad pretending he isn't crying, the giggle when someone fluffs a line. Those are the pictures I'm looking for.

The elevated alcove gives the front of the chapel a natural stage, which helps in two ways. Your guests can see you, and I can photograph you from the aisle without anyone's head in the way. Ask your registrar or celebrant early where they'll stand and whether they're happy with photographs during the ceremony. Most are, but every one has their own rules.

Kate and Nick married in the chapel in August 2025, with a floral arch framing the front and 80 guests. Kate, a huge Harry Potter fan, said the castle felt like being at Hogwarts, and the search ended there. Her advice to other couples is that the chapel and grounds are lovely, "and the team are so lovely and helpful". Their favourite photograph from the whole day? The drone shot of every one of their guests together outside.

After the ceremony, I'd suggest five minutes for one big group photograph inside the chapel or on the steps outside, while everyone is still in one place. It's the photo your gran will want framed, and it takes far less time than you'd think.

The venue's own pick for photos is "the alter in the Chapel or a very popular one the castle steps". I'd add the painted dome and the gardens. Everything is close, so twenty minutes of portraits gets you a lot of variety and you're back with your guests before the canapés run out.

The chapel altar

The front of the chapel is the classic Sneaton Castle wedding photo: the two of you at the altar, either straight after the vows or when the guests have headed out for drinks. Two minutes of quiet there makes a beautiful, calm picture.

The castle steps

The steps are the venue's other favourite, and with good reason. They give you the castle behind you and a natural tiered layout for groups, so everyone's face is visible without anyone standing on a chair. They work well for the confetti too.

The painted dome

Inside, the painted dome is one of the most unmistakable spots in the building. I've used it for the whole wedding party looking up, and it works for a portrait of the two of you whatever the weather is doing outside.

Rooms with tall windows

The castle rooms have tall windows, and on a bright day the light from them is soft and flattering. They're my favourite places for getting-ready photographs and for a quiet portrait of the two of you if the wind's whipping up outside. Window light is also the kindest light there is for family members who say they hate having their photo taken.

The moors nearby (off-site)

If you want something wilder, the North York Moors are a short drive away. This picture was taken there, not at Sneaton Castle. It means leaving your guests for a while, so plan it with me in advance, ideally for the evening light.

Tip: Whitby weather changes fast. Keep the family photo list short and do it as soon as the ceremony ends, while everyone's together and before the sky makes other plans.

This is a shape, not a rule. Fit it around your ceremony time and the venue's running order.

Seasons and weather. Spring brings fresh green in the gardens and Whitby's longer evenings, which is lovely for a trip up to the moors. Summer gives you the most daylight, so the timing barely matters. In autumn the light goes golden early, and a ceremony at 1pm gives you the best of it; there's more on that in my autumn wedding guide. In winter it's dark by about 4pm, so I'd do portraits straight after the ceremony and let the castle's rooms do the rest.

Getting ready at Sneaton Castle

If you're getting ready at the castle, ask the venue which room is yours and when you can have it. Hitched lists a private dressing room. If you're getting ready elsewhere in Whitby, that's fine too; just tell me the address and how long it takes to drive to the castle, and I'll build it into the plan.

A few things that make a real difference to the photographs: pick the room with the biggest window, keep one corner clear of bags and coffee cups, and have the dress, shoes, rings and any letters together so I can photograph the details in ten quiet minutes. Then I can spend the rest of the morning on what actually matters, which is the people.

What I'm doing during the day

In the morning I photograph getting ready and the details, then head to the chapel before the guests. Through the drinks reception I'm mostly unseen, photographing people being themselves. After the portraits you're back with your guests and I go back to watching. During the meal I step back, then I'm ready for the speeches, the cake and the first dance.

Want to see a full day? Sophie and Lewis's Sneaton Castle wedding has the getting ready, the ceremony, the rainy morning that cleared and a dance floor that didn't stop. Kate and Nick's story, from a red velvet suit to a drone shot of every guest, is coming soon as Kate and Nick's Sneaton Castle wedding.

If you're planning a pre-wedding shoot first, my Whitby engagement shoot guide covers the beach, the abbey and the moors. You can see what's included on my engagement photo sessions page.

Having a small wedding or eloping? Up to 5 hours of coverage starts from £895.

Every collection includes 500+ edited photographs, a private online gallery, sneak peeks within 24 hours, twenty-minute couple portraits, family group photographs, planning calls whenever you need them, drone where conditions allow, and travel throughout North Yorkshire and the North East, which covers Whitby.

£100 holds your date. That's because I only photograph one wedding a day, so once your date is held it's yours and I turn other couples away. The balance is due a month before the wedding.

If you're still choosing a Whitby wedding venue, I cover the whole coast from my base in Guisborough. Inland, Mallyan Spout Hotel is in Goathland, up on the moors. Hackness Grange is near Scarborough. Down the coast on the cliffs at Ravenscar is Grand Villa Heights; I photographed there when it was Raven Hall. Each has its own guide on my site. For a wider look, there's my guide to remembering a Whitby wedding.