From Los Angeles to North Yorkshire: a destination wedding in an English castle

Mark and Nicole dreamed of eloping to an English castle for an intimate wedding ceremony. I was only too happy to help them out! Swinton Estate, North Yorkshire provided a magical setting for their elopement and handfasting.

Photography by Lily North.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand across a green lawn. Behind them is an English country house covered in ivy. A flag flies from the turret. The bride is carrying a bouquet of wedding flowers and wearing a long veil and white dress. — History major Nicole dreamed of marrying in an English castle before exploring the UK on honeymoon.

Laid back wedding planning!

About 5 weeks before their wedding, Mark got in touch to ask if I would be their wedding celebrant. I love a challenge and thrive with a deadline, so I jumped at the chance. We quickly bounced ideas back and forth, settling on a short wedding ceremony telling the couple’s love story, a ring exchange and a handfasting ceremony. Mark confirmed the music choices on the morning of the ceremony, and I was a bit surprised to find he wasn’t yet dressed when I arrived - but this is the good thing about a celebrant; we roll with the day as it unfolds instead of being in a hurry to get to the next appointment. I had the whole day clear for Mark + Nicole, so we could take our time.

Mark + Nicole entered the room together, walking down the aisle hand-in-hand to The Beatles’ ‘All you need is love’. They were watched by just 5 guests, who had also flown over from the US to support them.

A seated couple look at each other lovingly. An older man stands reading from a white piece of card. It is a wedding. — Mark’s uncle read ‘I choose you’ by Laura Liberale. He translated the poem from English to Italian to honour the family’s heritage.

Mark + Nicole were comfortably seated during the wedding ceremony. I was uncomfortably 7 months pregnant!

Personalised wedding vows and a ring exchange

The couple chose to write their own wedding vows reflecting on their love for each other, their little quirks and the ways in which they promised to care for each other. Looking back, I am touched to see the reactions from their family members watching on - smiles, laughter and happy tears!

Tying the knot - literally!

With such a small audience, we were able to invite each guest up to place a handfasting ribbon on Mark + Nicole’s wrists and give their best wishes for the marriage. This was a beautiful, simple moment that involved guests in the ceremony.