Deborah and Gary got married at Lartington Hall, an exclusive Georgian country house venue tucked into Teesdale, County Durham, and it's instantly become one of my all time favourite places to shoot a wedding.
Gary proposed on a hill in Sicily, overlooking the coast of Cefalù, which tells you most of what you need to know about the energy they brought to their wedding day. When I asked them to describe their style, the words they picked were alternative, dark & moody, romantic, playful, and "old money". Not a combination you hear often, but it suited Lartington Hall's grand rooms and stained glass perfectly.
Their day at Lartington Hall
The morning started early, with a few playful portraits in the Hall's billiards room before prep got underway at 8:30am, hair and makeup courtesy of Alice Quinn and Wonderland Hair and Beauty. Deborah and Gary chose to do a first look inside the venue, timed with a countdown. Gary came into the room, walking in backwards, building up that anticaption till he could see Debroah for the first time. Eventually he turned round to see Deborah standing their in all her glory, right infront of a large window that wrapped the entirety of the room.
Their ceremony ran from 2pm to 2:30pm in front of 55 guests, held in Lartington Hall's historic chapel with soaring, ornately detailed ceilings and stained glass windows that make it one of the most striking ceremony spaces I've worked in.
Portraits followed across several spots around the grounds, including the drawing room, before group shots and reception portraits moved outside into full sun, with a run of smoke bomb portraits in a jewel toned mix of red, purple, blue and black that matched Deborah and Gary's palette perfectly. In the evening, they sat down for a full wedding breakfast at their sweetheart table, followed by their first dance.
What stood out most was how much of the day they'd made themselves: centrepieces, cakes, invites, table names, a sweet station, temporary tattoos, even a seating chart built into a mirror doubling as their welcome sign. Almost nothing about the day was off the shelf.
Why Lartington Hall is a photographer's dream
The Hall itself is breathtaking. Full of history, elegance and charm, yet it feels warm and inviting from the moment you step inside. Every room has its own character and the grounds are simply magical, offering endless opportunities for stunning photographs.
The staff at Lartington Hall were an absolute dream to work with. They ensured the day ran seamlessly, which not only put Deborah and Gary at ease but also let me capture the moments naturally as they unfolded, from intimate portraits to candid laughter on the dancefloor.
Venues like this are rare: elegant architecture, beautiful light and a team who genuinely care about creating the perfect experience. I can't wait to be back.
If you're planning a wedding at Lartington Hall, or looking for an alternative wedding photographer who'll travel to a County Durham venue, then get in touch! I'd love to hear about your day.
