A relaxed September barn wedding in the Yorkshire countryside
If you’re looking for a Yorkshire barn wedding venue that manages to feel both elegant and relaxed, Oakwood at Ryther is hard to beat.
Chloe and Ben chose this beautiful North Yorkshire venue for their September wedding and it suited their day perfectly. Thoughtful styling, gorgeous flowers, a brilliant group of family and friends and one of my favourite Yorkshire barn venues all combined to create a wedding that felt stylish without ever feeling formal.
As a North Yorkshire wedding photographer, I photograph a lot of barn weddings. Some are rustic, some are industrial and some lean heavily into the countryside feel. Oakwood sits somewhere beautifully in the middle. It has all the character of a converted barn but with a polished, contemporary finish that makes it feel incredibly special.
The venue offers exclusive use, luxury on-site accommodation and two stunning barn spaces, meaning your ceremony, drinks reception and evening celebrations flow effortlessly throughout the day. Better still, the grounds provide plenty of beautiful backdrops for photographs without ever needing to disappear from your guests for hours. That’s very much my kind of wedding venue.
Here’s a look at Chloe and Ben’s wonderful September wedding at Oakwood at Ryther.
Why Oakwood at Ryther Works So Well For Weddings
There are plenty of barn wedding venues in Yorkshire, but Oakwood at Ryther does a few things particularly well.
Firstly, everything has been designed specifically for weddings. From the accommodation to the ceremony spaces, nothing feels like an afterthought.
Secondly, the layout works brilliantly. Guests can move naturally through the day without long walks or awkward room changes. The ceremony barn feels intimate and romantic, while the larger celebration spaces are perfect for dining and dancing.
Finally, and selfishly from a photographer’s perspective, there are so many different photo opportunities within a very small area. Beautiful gardens, stone walls, open countryside views and elegant interiors all mean you can create lots of variety without dragging couples away from their guests for half the afternoon.
If spending time with your friends and family is a priority, Oakwood is a venue that makes that easy.
Planning a Barn Wedding? A Few Things I’d Recommend
One of the biggest advantages of a barn wedding is the flexibility you have to make the space your own.
Chloe and Ben worked with a stylist to bring their vision together and it made a huge difference. Barn venues offer a wonderful blank canvas, but that space really comes alive when flowers, styling and personal touches are added.
I’d also recommend thinking about your evening atmosphere. Barns are made for great parties, so consider live music, a great band or entertainment that gets people involved. Some of my favourite dancefloor photos have happened in Yorkshire barn venues.
Most importantly, don’t feel you need to fill every corner. Barn weddings work best when they feel relaxed and welcoming rather than over-styled.
FAQs
Is Oakwood at Ryther exclusive use?
Yes. Couples have exclusive use of the venue and accommodation, allowing the entire wedding to feel private and relaxed.
How many guests can stay at Oakwood at Ryther?
The venue offers luxury on-site accommodation for around 30 guests, making it ideal for couples wanting to turn their wedding into a full weekend celebration.
Is Oakwood at Ryther good for photographs?
Absolutely. The combination of elegant barns, landscaped grounds and Yorkshire countryside views provides plenty of variety without needing to travel elsewhere for portraits.
What style of wedding suits Oakwood at Ryther?
Oakwood works beautifully for couples wanting a relaxed wedding with a touch of luxury. It suits everything from elegant black-tie celebrations to laid-back countryside weddings.
Planning Your Own Oakwood at Ryther Wedding?
If you’re dreaming of a relaxed wedding day filled with genuine moments, good people and plenty of time to actually enjoy yourselves, I’d love to hear about your plans.
Most of my couples tell me exactly the same thing when they first enquire:
“We love your photos, but we absolutely hate having our picture taken.”
Honestly? You’re my favourite kind of people.
My approach is around 90-95% candid, which means you can spend most of your wedding day celebrating with your favourite humans rather than standing around posing for photos. When it comes to couple portraits, I’ll give you just enough guidance to help you feel comfortable, but nothing awkward, stiff or overly posed.
If that sounds like your kind of wedding photography, have a read of my guide to what really happens when you hate having your photo taken.
→ Read: “How to feel relaxed and confident in your wedding photos”
→ View pricing & packages
→ Tell me about your plans
