Heather Butterworth Photography
AWARD-WINNING YORKSHIRE PHOTOGRAPHER
Yorkshire Wedding Photographer
As featured by
Wedding Photography in Yorkshire and beyond...
Hello!
Congratulations on your engagement!
Thank you for coming to take a look at what I do. I absolutely love photographing weddings across Yorkshire and it would be an honour to capture your special day. Choosing a wedding photographer is one of the biggest decisions you will make - your photos are going to be around your home for a long time, so you need to make sure that you choose a photographer whose style you love and they are also someone you like and can relax around. This results in beautiful wedding photography!
I'm very relaxed and I'm often told that I'm good fun to have around on a wedding day and this is reflected in the photos I take. Take a look at my portfolio to see more of my natural, documentary style and stunning portraits.
What packages do you offer?
Please visit my wedding packages page for more details on my pricing. I have a range of packages ranging from 3 to 10 hours cover and a range of extras (if you need them) to create a bespoke package. Please get in touch via my contact form for more information.
If you are planning a Yorkshire wedding...
I'm a Yorkshire wedding photographer and I'm very lucky to have some of the best wedding venues on my doorstep to photograph beautiful weddings at! I've lived in North Leeds for over fifteen years now and I'm very proud to call it home. It also makes it very easy to access many of the wonderful venues available with choices ranging from luxury barns, five start hotels, castles, city wedding venues as well as gorgeous woodland and farms.
What makes me different compared to all the other wedding photographers in Yorkshire?
Firstly and most importantly I will take gorgeous photos of you both along with all your friends and family having the best time on your wedding day. I will capture all the most important bits including all the fun and joy as well as all the bits in between! Some of the best feedback I get is that couples didn't even realise that I was there! I will be quietly taking photos and moving amongst your guests like an old friend, capturing lots of fantastic images as I go. It's really important that you see your wedding photographer as an extension of your family and friends because we spend so much time with them during the day itself. I like to meet all of my couples before the big day itself so that you feel comfortable around me and my camera. If this is in person then thats great but if not a drink over a zoom video call is the next best thing. I usually start the day itself off with bridal preparations, which is always exciting and filled with laughter (one of the benefits of having a female wedding photographer!). I make sure I'm at the ceremony in plenty of time to make sure that I get the best lighting and angles to capture every moment, from the bride arriving to the first kiss, the wonderful reactions of your guests and leaving together as newly weds! I will be there for it all, I will love every minute of it and this will shine through on your wedding photos.
My style
I mixed relaxed and fun documentary style wedding photography with stunning portraits which results in a beautiful story telling style when mixed with my colourful signature style of editing. I also provide some of my favourite images in black and white. As I shoot documentary style wedding photos, I spend most of the day working away quietly with my camera. When we get towards sunset time I have a magical bag filled with state of the art photographic equipment to create breath taking couple portraits (if this is your thing!). I use professional Canon Speed lites and modifiers so even if the conditions are not perfect I can make it look like they are! This is why I love to mix documentary style photography with this type flash photography - my couples get the best natural style images from 90% of their day and they also receive some jaw dropping photographs to hang on their walls to wow friends and family with.
A bit about me...
I live in Yorkshire with my husband James, son Barney and our cat, Stuart. James is also a fully qualified videographer and drone pilot and we love to work together on weddings! Being a husband and wife team has lots of benefits and James knows my style so well, he even knows what I'm looking for or going to say about a shot before I say it sometimes! I love to be outdoors and visiting some of my favourites places with my family particularly in The Lake District and Lancashire as well of course the stunning Yorkshire Dales.
Where are the best places for a wedding in Yorkshire ?
I've been very lucky to work at some of the best venues across Yorkshire and I know some of the venues on the list that I've put together below very well (particularly when it comes to the food!!). I definitely have some favourites that I've highlighted below and that I love to take photographs at. If you haven't booked a venue yet then this list is a good place to start...
My guide to Yorkshire wedding venues
Bagden Hall
https://www.classiclodges.co.uk/bagden-hall/weddings/
Bagden Hall is set in over 40 acres of wonderful Yorkshire countryside not far from the Yorkshire town of Huddersfield. This lovely hotel has a dedicated wedding coordinator who can help you plan your perfect day for up to 180 guests. The beautiful lake is a great place for some natural wedding photography and if you are blessed with good weather you will be even be able to have your ceremony there, which would be a fabulous backdrop for your wedding photographs. There is also a folly by the lake where you can also make your vows together whilst family and friends and watch from next to the lake. There are 36 bedrooms (as well as a complimentary bridal suite) for all your guests to stay in making this an ideal venue for a big party with your loved ones.
Chevin Country Park Hotel and Spa
https://www.chevinhotel.co.uk/
Set in tranquil Yorkshire countryside in Chevin woodland, close to the market town of Otley is this popular wedding venue. The hotel works closely with their couples to ensure that every wedding is unique and perfect for each bride and groom. There are 16 bedrooms, 28 cabins and 4 lodges making this an ideal wedding venue to house all your guests. You will have the option to have your ceremony in the gorgeous garden lounge overlooking the lake and lawn or in the lake side restaurant. One of the highlights of this venue is the award winning food on offer and the large menu. There is also a private woodland banqueting suite housing 100 people with its own private bar. It goes without saying that there are so many beautiful woodland locations for an excited wedding photographer like myself to take stunning bride and groom portraits. In addition there is the lake and the balcony for an added wow factor.
The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa
https://devonshirehotels.co.uk/devonshire-arms-hotel-spa/
Set in 30,000 acres of beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside, in the Bolton Abbey Estate is the picture perfect Devonshire Arms. The hotel has everything that you would expect from a luxury country house including award winning food to cozy log fires, a spa and 40 luxury bedrooms and two cottages to choose from. You will have your own personal wedding co-ordinator from the moment you send your first enquiry. The hotel can accommodate small intimate weddings of 12 to larger gatherings of 90 day guests and 130 evening guests. There are so many jaw dropping locations for wedding photography including Bolton Abbey itself with it's romantic River Wharfe and the famous stepping stones as well as the nearby Priests House and Strid Wood.
Hazelwood Castle
https://www.hazlewood-castle.co.uk/weddings/weddings-overview
This exclusive West Yorkshire wedding venue is located between Leeds and York and is a great choice if you are looking for historic and dramatic wedding photography. The castle is set in 77 acres of woodland making the perfect backdrop for your wedding photography. There are landscaped gardens and orchards to choose from as well as ponds with water features to create extra special wedding photos. The luxury interiors will also add the added wow factor to your wedding day and will add a cozy aspect to your wedding photography when coupled with my romantic lighting. There are award winning wedding co-ordinators to help you with your wedding plans wether you choose a small intimate wedding or a larger gathering for all your family and friends.
Holdsworth House Hotel
https://www.holdsworthhouse.co.uk/wedding-venues-west-yorkshire/
This luxury four star hotel is one of Yorkshire's top wedding venues and can cater for small or large weddings from just 2 people to 120. You can hire the entire estate or choose which room you would like to hold your wedding ceremony in. There is only one wedding each day so you can relax and enjoy the historic building and stunning landscaped gardens. The food is award winning and there are 36 bedrooms for your guests to party late into the night before heading to bed. It's also worth checking out the winter wedding and mid week discounts. The Jacobean architecture and the beautiful gardens make the perfect backdrop for some stunning wedding photography, particularly in the evening and when using my excellent collection of professional flashes.
Oulton Hall
https://www.oultonhallhotel.co.uk/weddings-special-occasions/weddings/
This beautiful grade 2 listed Georgian hotel is located within 300 acres of Yorkshire countryside and started out life as a farm, which was then added to, creating the mansion. It was then a hospital during the first world war until the 1970's and was then rescued from ruin in the 1990's to become the luxury hotel, spa and golf course it is today. Oulton Hall caters for weddings with 15 people to larger weddings with 250 people and there are dedicated wedding coordinators there to help you. There are 152 rooms available which means all of your guests can stay in the same place together. The stunning listed gardens provide a fantastic backdrop for your wedding photography and there is even a snow machine for you winter wedding photos should you need it!
Sandburn Hall
https://www.sandburnhall.co.uk/weddings
Sandburn Hall is a fabulous venue just on the edge of York that has so many options. The intimate Sanderson room is available for smaller ceremonies or the Grand Function Hall is available for bigger weddings and looks out over the fairways. If you are lucky enough to have good weather than the White Rose Garden is a wonderful place to hold your ceremony surrounded by woodland and flowers. Griffon Forest is only a ten minute walk from Sandburn Hall and has lovely wood lodges available for your guests to stay in too. There are also some perfect places within the grounds for stunning bride and groom portraits including in Griffon Forest, which takes just a couple of minutes in a golf buggy!
The Barns, East Yorkshire
https://thebarnseastyorkshire.co.uk/
This gorgeous wedding barn is located in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside and allows you to choose your own style of wedding. Located on a family farm, you can choose to hold your wedding ceremony in the 18th century brick barn and have your wedding breakfast in the wooden barn followed by a big party. With capacity for 30 to 250 guests there are lots of options to choose from and you will get as much help as you require to set up your everything you need. This venue only allows one wedding at weekends and one wedding during the week, giving you the flexability and time to create your perfect Yorkshire wedding. There is accommodation for your guests and you can choose from cozy cottages, camping or glamping! It goes without saying that this perfect location works well for stunning wedding photography with breath taking yorkshire countryside in every direction.
The Hepworth
https://hepworthwakefield.org/hire/weddings/
The Hepworth was designed by renowned architects David Chipperfield and is located on the waterfront in Wakefield. It is a wonderful modern art gallery housing 20th century British art and has many options available for your wedding ceremony including use of their impressive galleries and the option of having your wedding breakfast in the auditorium which is truly an unforgettable experience. There is an experienced team of wedding co-ordinators to help plan your day from the start through to the big day itself and celebration drinks on the riverside terrace for your guests. The Hepworth can accommodate small weddings of 20 to larger weddings of 100. As you may expect there are lots of stunning locations for wedding photography within the modern gallery spaces and also in the sculpture garden.
The Tithe Barn
https://crippsandco.com/the-tithe-barn
The Tithe Barn is a 16th century barn on the Bolton Abbey Estate. It is a truly wonderful barn conversion to hold your summer or winter wedding in within the Yorkshire Dales countryside that can hold 200 guests during the day and an additional 100 guests in the evening. The barn itself is made up of flagstone floors, with lovely warm fairy lights wrapped around the beams and includes a huge indoor BBQ to cater for your guests. The late license until 1am and state of the art sound system is also great for a brilliant party with all your friends and family. This picturesque setting results in wonderful wedding photography with beautiful Yorkshire Dales countryside in the background of all your photos and portraits.
The Woodman Inn
The cozy Woodman is located within a conservation area in the pretty hamlet of Thunderbridge not far from Huddersfield. It started out as a drinking Inn over 300 years ago but it is now been transformed into a successful restaurant and wedding venue with accommodation on site including a bridal suite. There are two areas where you could hold your wedding ceremony, either upstairs above the Inn or down in the Orangery next to the river and woodland. There are so many fabulous opportunities to take beautiful photographs at The Woodman with gardens and woodland on the doorstep in addition to the welcoming atmosphere inside the Inn. Prices start from less than £2500 based on 40 day guests and 60 evening guests.
Wood Hall Hotel and Spa
https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/wood-hall/weddings
Built in 1790, this stunning building was originally a quiet country escape for the Scott family. Today it is a luxury hotel with set in 100 acres of countryside. With 44 bedrooms this hotel offers couples the option to accommodate their guests on site and caters for 100 day guests and 150 evening guests. There is also the option of an outdoor wedding with incredible views of the Yorkshire countryside in the background. With the amazing views and wonderful landscapes on offer there is so much opportunity for epic romantic Yorkshire wedding photography, not to mention photos with Wood Hall in the background in daylight and lit up at night and the end of an unforgettable day.