York · City centre · North Yorkshire
York Wedding Photographer
Relaxed wedding photography and film in York, from medieval halls and rooftop bars to farm barns just outside the city.
01 / Weddings in York
York is one of my favourite cities to photograph a wedding in.
I'm Aaron, a documentary wedding photographer and filmmaker based in Guisborough, and North East Wedding Photographer of the Year 2022. I photograph weddings across North Yorkshire, and York comes up again and again.
The city gives you so much without trying: old streets, brick walls, the Minster on the skyline. A few minutes' walk from your venue can give you portraits that couldn't have been taken anywhere else.
I keep things relaxed. You spend the day with your guests, and I photograph it as it happens. Travel is free unless otherwise stated.
02 / York wedding venues
Wedding venues in and around York I've photographed.
Each venue has its own page with real wedding photographs, my favourite photo spots and how I handle the weather there.
York city centre
Malmaison YorkA city-centre hotel on Rougier Street with a rooftop bar looking out over York Minster. I photographed Ryan and Ben’s wedding here.Malmaison York wedding photography →
Bedern HallA medieval hall a short walk from York Minster, according to the venue. Annie and Tim held their reception here after marrying at the Minster.Bedern Hall wedding photography →
Merchant Adventurers’ HallA medieval guild hall on Fossgate. I photographed Joanne and Brandon’s celebration here, with portraits in the streets of York.Merchant Adventurers’ Hall wedding photography →
Just outside York
The NormansA barn wedding on a working farm in Bilbrough, with sprawling fields for portraits. I photographed Sarah and Liam’s wedding here.The Normans wedding photography →
Thicket PrioryA country house near Escrick in 18 acres, according to the venue, with a lake and a boathouse.Thicket Priory wedding photography →
Sandburn HallAn oak-framed Grand Hall with lakes and woodland close to York. I’ve photographed one wedding here.Sandburn Hall wedding photography →
Burtonfields HallA Georgian house with gardens and lawns that give plenty of room for golden-hour portraits.Burtonfields Hall wedding photography →
Further into North Yorkshire
The Pheasant HotelA quirky country hotel in Harome, with the village church opposite. I photographed Ellie and Chris’s wedding here.The Pheasant Hotel wedding photography →
Langton HallA stately home near Malton that can be as grand or as laid back as you like. I photographed Nicola and Matt’s wedding here.Langton Hall wedding photography →
Westfield FarmA fully DIY venue near Malton with stunning gardens. I photographed Laura and Luke’s marquee wedding here.Westfield Farm wedding photography →
A real York wedding
Joanne & Brandon in York city centre.
Joanne and Brandon married in a church in York, and I joined them after the ceremony at Merchant Adventurers' Hall on Fossgate. We used all of the venue and the streets of the city centre for their photographs.
03 / York Minster weddings
Annie & Tim at York Minster and Bedern Hall.
Annie and Tim were married at York Minster and held their reception at Bedern Hall. We took their portraits in the streets right beside the Minster.
A Minster wedding isn't open to everyone, though. According to the Minster's marriage policy, you need a real, ongoing connection to the cathedral, which usually means worshipping there regularly for at least two years before your wedding. You also need a Special Licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Minster has to support your application. The policy doesn't list fees, so speak to the Minster about costs.
If you'd love the Minster in your photographs but don't have that connection, you can still have it. The streets around it are a short walk from many city-centre venues, and the rooftop at Malmaison York looks straight out over it.
04 / Getting married in York
Where you can have your ceremony in York.
You have plenty of choice in York, from your venue to the register office.
- At your venue
Venue ceremonies
Many York venues can host your ceremony on site. Ryan and Ben were married at Malmaison York before the party moved up to the rooftop.
- Churches
Church weddings
Joanne and Brandon married in a church in York and then walked through the city to Merchant Adventurers' Hall. York Minster is possible too if you have a connection to it.
- Register office
York Register Office
York Register Office is at 56 Bootham, a short walk from the Minster. You can marry there and then celebrate at a venue in the city or out in the countryside.
- Near the Minster
York Minster Refectory
The City of York Council lists the Refectory on Deangate as an approved venue for marriages and civil partnerships. It's a few steps from the Minster.
Useful links: York Register Office; York Minster marriage policy.
05 / York photo spots
Where I'd take you for photos in York.
York is compact, so some of the best spots are only a short walk from your venue.
Old streetsFossgate and the streets around it
Brick walls, old steps and narrow streets right outside Merchant Adventurers' Hall. Joanne and Brandon's portraits were taken all around here.
The skylineThe rooftop at Malmaison York
The rooftop bar looks out over the roofs of York and the Minster. It's a backdrop you can't get anywhere else.
HistoryAround York Minster
The Minster's stonework makes a beautiful backdrop, and it's an easy walk from most city-centre venues. Annie and Tim's portraits were taken in the streets right beside it.
Open spaceThe fields at The Normans
Just outside York in Bilbrough, the farm fields give you room to walk and natural, open portraits.
The day comes first. The photographs happen as it unfolds.
More about how I work06 / How the day works
Three things couples ask me about.
Short portraits
Couple portraits take about twenty minutes, usually near sunset when the light softens. Then you're back with your guests.
Rain
I don't work to a fixed rain plan. We just make it work. York has plenty of covered doorways, arches and old buildings to use.
Photography and film
You can book photography on its own, or photography and a wedding film together from one person. See wedding photography packages for what's included.
07 / Good to know
York wedding photographer questions.
Are you based in York?
No, I live in Guisborough, but I photograph weddings in and around York regularly. Travel is free unless otherwise stated.
Which York wedding venues have you photographed?
In the city centre, York Minster, Bedern Hall, Malmaison York and Merchant Adventurers’ Hall. Just outside York, The Normans in Bilbrough, Thicket Priory near Escrick, Sandburn Hall and Burtonfields Hall. Further out, The Pheasant Hotel in Harome, and Langton Hall and Westfield Farm near Malton.
Can you get married in York Minster?
Yes. I photographed Annie and Tim’s wedding there. But you need a real connection to the Minster. According to the Minster’s marriage policy, that usually means worshipping there regularly for at least two years before the wedding. You also need a Special Licence from the Archbishop of Canterbury, which the Minster has to support. The Minster can tell you whether you qualify.
How much does a wedding at York Minster cost?
The Minster’s marriage policy doesn’t list its fees, so it’s best to ask the Minster directly. Remember to budget for the Special Licence as well.
Where can we get married in York?
Many couples marry at their venue. York Register Office is at 56 Bootham, and the City of York Council lists approved venues across the city, including the York Minster Refectory on Deangate, a few steps from the Minster. Church weddings are another option. Joanne and Brandon married in a church in York before celebrating at Merchant Adventurers’ Hall.
Where are the best places for wedding photos in York?
The old streets and brick walls around Fossgate, the streets around York Minster, and the rooftop at Malmaison York, which looks out over the Minster. Just outside the city, the fields at The Normans give you lots of open space.
How much is a York wedding photographer?
My ceremony coverage with a few family photographs starts from £895, and full-day photography collections start at £1,295. Photography and film together starts at £2,295. See my packages for what’s included.
Do you offer photography and film?
Yes. You can book photography on its own, or photography and a wedding film together from one person, so there’s one less supplier to manage on the day.
What happens if it rains?
I don’t work to a fixed rain plan. We just make it work. In York there are plenty of covered doorways, arches and old buildings to use.
How long do couple portraits take?
About twenty minutes, usually near sunset, so you’re back with your guests quickly.
My venue isn’t listed. Can you still photograph it?
Yes. Send me your venue and date. I’ll tell you honestly whether I know it, and how I’d approach it if I don’t.
Your York wedding
Let's check your date.
If you're getting married in or around York, send me your date and venue and I'll let you know if I'm free. It's a conversation about your day, with no pressure.