Are you looking for a professional Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey wedding photographer to cover your big day? I’m Kirsty Mattsson, an award-winning North Yorkshire wedding photographer with experience covering this fabulous wedding venue. You can see some examples of my photography from Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey below.
My style incorporates a blend of documentary wedding photography and creative portraiture to give you a set of natural, authentic, and artistic images that tell the full story of your wedding day. With awards in my field and a wealth of experience across various North Yorkshire wedding venues, I would love to cover your wedding day at Tithe Barn.
Please get in touch for a friendly chat or to be sent further information.
If you are engaged to be married and are looking for a stunning, romantic, rustic barn venue and a photographer that wants to capture all the fun and laughter on your day than you have come to the right place! I’ve put together some information below about The Tithe Barn and Bolton Abbey, two incredible wedding venues on the Bolton Abbey Estate. You can see a few examples of weddings that I have photographed at these venues below.
If you’d like to see more of my work from different wedding venues throughout North Yorkshire and beyond then please visit the portfolios page below.
Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey weddings have been some of my favourite events over the past few years. I’ve been lucky enough to photograph quite a few weddings where both locations have been used for the same day. Often couples will have their ceremony at a local church or the spectacular Bolton Abbey Priory and will then use the Tithe Barn for their reception. On other weddings the couple have spent their whole day at Tithe Barn and just visited the Bolton Abbey grounds for their couple portraits. Either way there are lots of options and the Bolton Abbey Estate is just a fabulous place to get married.
Please see links below to some full blog posts showing a few of the fabulous weddings that I have covered previously at Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey
See a full blog post of Gemma and Jonny’s day here
See a full blog post of Rebecca and Harry’s day here
See a full blog post of Sarah & James’ day here
The Tithe Barn on the Bolton Abbey Estate is a unique Yorkshire wedding barn. It is a Grade II listed building and one of the largest exclusive wedding venues in the UK. It is licensed for civil ceremonies and has space for up to 200 guests. The barn has a rustic charm with high ceilings and ancient wooden beams. It is gorgeous romantic space with hundreds of fairy lights and medieval chandeliers that cast golden candle light across the room, a perfect place for a wedding ceremony. Bride’s (or groom’s) arrive to the side entrance where they can hide away from guests before they walk the aisle.
I love the picture below of a slightly nervous James being comforted by his best man as he waits at the top of the aisle!
A wedding ceremony at Tithe barn always involves a long aisle and some beautiful lighting. Typically couples will have candles in lanterns lining the sides of the wedding aisle. Once the couple meet at the top of the aisle they are usually standing in a pool of natural light from the big barn windows which is lovely to photograph. I also love the fairy lights in the background of all the wedding ceremony photographs which really add to the romantic feel of the event.
After the ceremony the guests will usually be directed outside of the barn to form a wedding circle or tunnel from which to bombard the couple with confetti! Capturing the couple being showered with confetti is one of my favourite parts of the day. As you can see from the photographs below, these moments always go down a treat with the couples and their guests.
If you are more partial to a church ceremony then you can get married in one of the local churches in the Skipton / Ilkley areas before having a reception at Tithe Barn. A popular choice is the spectacular Bolton Abbey church which is situated within a very short walking distance of Tithe Barn.
Bolton Priory is known as one of the finest Medieval churches in England. It is a grade I listed building set in the beautiful rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales. Augustianan monks built the priory in 1154 on the banks of the river Wharfedale. Much of the original building were lost during the 16th century during the dissolution of monasteries but the western half of the original nave was preserved so people could continue to worship. Today the church has a full calendar of events and the estate is a very popular place to visit. See some images from Rebecca and Harry’s and Georgie and Pauls’ Bolton Abbey ceremonies below.
The grounds of the Bolton Abbey Estate are a very picturesque location to have some wedding portraits taken. Whether you have your ceremony at the Priory or at Tithe Barn you can still pop down to the estate for some couple portraits. The river Wharfe, surrounding meadows and striking ruins of Bolton Priory provide some lovely varied backdrops for the photography. My style of photography is very natural so I always encourage my couples to walk around the area chatting and laughing together and really being themselves.
If you don’t have time to go down to the Bolton Abbey Estate from some photographs Tithe Barn itself offers some nice areas for a few couple portraits. I love the front archway to the building which can be a great location for some romantic shots of the bride and groom together. The back courtyard of Tithe Barn also overs some lovely views over the Bolton Abbey Estate. This was a great position from which to watch the Bolton Abbey bonfire night Fireworks on Laura and Chris’ day, see below.
I absolutely love a fabulous entrance and the couple get to make a brilliant one for their reception at Tithe Barn. All the wedding guests are called in to take their seats for the wedding breakfast. They are asked to stay seated once the bride and groom enter so that the photographers can capture some great moments of them walking through the crowd. There is always an atmosphere of raucous celebration as family and friends cheer on the couple as they walk through the audience to top table.
Tithe Barn provides a beautiful setting of the wedding speeches. If you have a large group of family and friends then this is a fabulous space which can accommodate up to 200 guests. The room has a lovely ambience with the medieval candle chandeliers and hundreds of fairy lights. On a summer day you will also get some lovely light spilling in from the large barn windows.
The speeches are always a fabulous time in the day and an essential part of any celebration. They provide an opportunity for the couple and their loved ones to express their feelings, share memories and offer best wishes for the future. All my weddings at The Tithe Barn have been fabulous events and the speeches have gone down a treat. See some images below from some of the wedding speeches I’ve photographed at the venue. There was a great deal of laughter and a few happy tears and the audience had an absolute blast cheering and applauding the couple.
The bride and groom have a lovely area for their first dance at Tithe Barn. Surrounded by their family and friends who gather around the couple in a large circle, they have plenty of space to enjoy their moment.
Whether you decide to have a slow dance, a bit of disco dancing or a full on choreographed routine there will be a fabulous atmosphere. I particularly loved Sarah and Charlie’s dance which was inspired by the film “An officer and a Gentleman” (top images) and Gemma and Jonny who went full out with some discos vibes (bottom left)! Sarah and James had a lovely romantic dance (bottom right).
I love capturing all the action of the danceflloor at Tithe Barn. It’s a large space with high barn ceilings and lots of fairy lights. This gives the guests room to really express themselves and the ambient lighting provides colour and a sparkle to the photographs.
If you have time at the end of the night you might want to add a sparker moment to your evening. Tithe Barn also has some lovely fire pits in the courtyard if you fancy having a roasted marshmallow feast. See some shots from Rebecca and Harry’s big day below;
My approach to the day is very natural and most of the day is covered in a documentary style. I’m not interested in posing people and I’m not going to ask for fake grins. Every wedding day is unique and I’m always looking to capture the unique character of your day in my images. I will be photographing the personalities, emotions, fun and laughter and happy tears on the day and all those details that you spent ages putting together.
I’m also conscious that you don’t want to spend too long away from your guests. I make sure that any group shots and couple portraits that you might want are done quickly and efficiently so you can get back to your guests and those all-important canapés.
I want you to have a totally stress free day and feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. My caring and relaxed approach to the photography is one of the reasons why many couples recommend me
If you are planning a wedding at Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey, please see the Approach page and the Portfolios page for more information or feel free to get in touch below. I’d love to talk to you about your upcoming wedding and see if I could be the photographer for you.
As a North Yorkshire wedding photographer, I have a documentary style, naturally capturing real moments and emotions without staged posing. I work mainly in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Cumbria, but I also travel across the UK and abroad, photographing weddings of all sizes, from intimate gatherings to large-scale events.
My photography often features the dramatic landscapes of Yorkshire and other regions of the UK. I love incorporating scenery, colour, and beautiful light into my images to create vibrant modern images that reflect the time and place you were married. I’ll provide some gentle guidance for any artistic portraits, and I’ll happily follow you up a mountain if you have chosen a venue with stunning surroundings. I’ve received several awards and have had my work published my work in various media.
Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey, located in Skipton, offers an exceptional venue for weddings, combining historic charm with modern amenities. This beautifully restored medieval barn, nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, offers a stunning backdrop for a uniquely memorable wedding day. The venue’s elegant interiors provide couples with a variety of settings for their ceremony and reception. Where old-world grandeur meets contemporary design, the spacious barn is perfect for larger celebrations, accommodating up to 200 guests in its main function room. The ceremony itself can be held under the spectacular high-beamed roof, where natural light floods in through the panoramic windows showcasing breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. For more intimate gatherings, the barn’s smaller function rooms offer an equally romantic ambiance. Moreover, Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey is well equipped with modern facilities to ensure a smooth, stress-free event. On-site catering services offer a diverse range of dining options, from formal seated dinners to casual buffet style feasts. Although the barn doesn’t have accommodation facilities within its premises, it offers a comprehensive list of recommended local accommodations, ranging from charming B&Bs to luxury hotels, ensuring guests will find a suitable place to stay overnight. All these features make Tithe Barn an idyllic venue, promising a wedding experience that exudes rustic elegance amidst a truly enchanting setting.
Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey is a magnificent wedding venue situated in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The barn, with expansive history dating back to the 16th century, is a testament to the architectural heritage of medieval England. Part of the historic Bolton Abbey Estate, the barn was originally constructed for storing tithes, which were a tenth of the estate’s produce given to the church. Today, as a part of diversified British countryside, it serves as a testament to the seamless blending of history and modernity, offering a unique venue for nuptial celebrations. Replete with original features, the barn boasts soaring arches and rustic stone walls, reflecting an authentic rustic charm. The barn can comfortably accommodate 200 guests, making it perfect for both intimate gatherings and grand celebrations. The majestic setting of Bolton Abbey in the Yorkshire Dales offers a picturesque backdrop to make wedding memories. Surrounded by 30,000 acres of natural beauty, the spectacular river Wharfe runs alongside providing an enchanting outdoor ambience. The Tithe Barn has artistically preserved its historical essence while incorporating modern facilities. Its gigantic staircase and oak-framed windows capture the natural light, creating a perfect harmony of warmth and splendour.
Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey is ideally situated in the heart of North Yorkshire, in the charming market town of Skipton, known as the “Gateway to the Dales”. This captivating destination is part of the historic Bolton Abbey Estate, nestled within the serene and picturesque surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Surrounded by the exquisite natural beauty of the Wharfe valley, it is nestled near the River Wharfe, adjacent to the iconic 12th-century Augustinian monastery. Here, amidst breath-taking views, history and natural grandeur converge, providing an idyllic setting for enchanting and memorable weddings. Merely 7 miles from Ilkley and a mere 16 miles from the vibrant city of Leeds, this venue offers access to rustic charm as well as urban conveniences.
Skipton, fondly referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Dales,’ is a charming market town situated in the scenic North Yorkshire county of the United Kingdom. Acknowledged for its rich historical tapestry dating back to medieval times, Skipton brims with a network of preserved Victorian buildings, complemented by an impressive castle that offers a captivating glimpse into the town’s vibrant past. It boasts a thriving local economy anchored by a traditional street market, a variety of unique shops, and a vibrant culinary scene, punctuated by quaint tea rooms, pubs, and a selection of high-quality restaurants. The surrounding lush countryside provides a plethora of opportunities for nature lovers, offering a multitude of walking and cycling trails. Skipton is also home to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, offering picturesque boat trips and waterside strolls. Renowned for its community spirit, the town hosts a diverse range of festivals and events throughout the year, including the popular Skipton Sheep Day and Waterway Festival. Cultural attractions, such as the Craven Museum and Gallery, further enrich the town’s character, engendering a mesh of history, nature, and culture that defines Skipton’s unique charm. Ultimately, while Skipton upholds its historical roots, it simultaneously embraces the vibrancy of the present, sustaining a harmonious balance between tradition and modernity.
I work at wedding venues throughout the region, including:
My style is a blend of documentary photography and creative portraiture. My aim is always to photograph your day completely naturally by capturing genuine emotions and interactions and documenting the unique character and atmosphere of your day. If you’d like, I can also spend a short amount of time with you for some artistic portraits utilising the venue interiors and surroundings. I’ll offer gentle guidance without any posing or forced grins for some lovely natural portraits.
I cover weddings in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, and Cumbria, and I am available for UK-wide and international locations.
I’ll offer some gentle guidance in a very natural way for a few creative, high-impact, portraits, incorporating beautiful light, colour and scenery. I want you to be totally comfortable in front of the camera and feel like yourselves in the images. There will definitely be no cheese or formal posing!
I have a background in scientific education and have worked in some top universities worldwide. This has been a great benefit to me in learning all the technical aspects of photography. I have a great deal of experience utilising additional lighting, such as flash, for dark situations or just for creative night-time portraits. You can rest assured that you will still have a set of images that you love even if you have a dimly lit venue or a rainy day.
My style is natural and colourful. I take a great deal of care when editing images, but I want your images to look like your day looked, so they are not over-edited. I do not use bulk treatments or presets; I hand-edit every image to the highest standards. I also include a small amount of retouching when needed.
I am qualified with the Guild of Professional Photographers. I have received recognition and awards from some of the top photographic institutions, such as Fearless Photographers and the Masters of Wedding Photography. I have also been published in training publications and various high-profile wedding blogs and magazines.
I love photographing various weddings, from intimate, small gatherings to large, elaborate celebrations, catering to various wedding styles and sizes.
Of course, please check out my Google page (linked above) for reviews from lots of lovely couples, or see some more kind words on my reviews page.
I use professional mirrorless cameras and have two backup cameras and many lenses. I am fully insured.
If you’re looking for a Tithe Barn Bolton Abbey Wedding Photographer, it would be great to chat! Get in touch with me via my contact page.
