The Manor Rooms Wedding - Esther and Ruaridh
A joy filled wedding reception at The Manor Rooms, South Cave
The Manor Rooms in South Cave, set within the Drewtons Estate, is a venue we know and love. It’s local to us, somewhere we’ve photographed weddings many times before and a place that really comes into its own when a day is centred around people, energy and celebration. Esther and Ruaridh’s wedding reception here was exactly that, a vibrant coming together of families, cultures and communities, full of colour, movement and joy.
From the moment guests arrived, there was a sense that this wasn’t going to be a quiet day. Esther’s Congolese heritage and Ruaridh’s Scottish roots shaped the atmosphere from start to finish, with larger-than-life characters, bold outfits and a feeling of shared excitement that carried through every part of the celebration.
A calm, meaningful morning on site
Esther’s morning preparations took place at Kettlethorpe Cottage, the beautiful on site accommodation at The Manor Rooms. Having everyone together in one space allowed the morning to unfold at its own pace, no rushing, just time to be present and enjoy being together.
Some of the most meaningful moments happened quietly here, particularly between Esther and her mum as Esther stepped into her wedding dress. These calm, intimate moments set the tone for the day and gave space for everything that followed.
Meanwhile, Ruaridh was getting ready just down the road at The Fox and Coney in South Cave. Chris popped over to spend some time with the guys, documenting the final touches and grabbing a few relaxed group photos outside the pub, an easy, informal start that suited the day perfectly.
A ceremony rooted in faith and connection
Church plays an important role in Esther and Ruaridh’s lives, so having their ceremony led by their pastor meant a great deal to them. Knowing the couple well, he brought warmth, humour and depth to the ceremony, making it feel deeply personal and completely reflective of who they are.
Afterwards, the couple spent time with family and guests, with group photos being an important part of this moment. They then hopped into a vintage car driven by Tony, a familiar and much-loved face in the local wedding world, for a drive through the surrounding area. When they returned, we joined them for a short trip up the hill behind the venue, creating photographs with the car framed by the rolling landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Arriving at The Manor Rooms
Back at The Manor Rooms, Esther and Ruaridh made their entrance with their bridal party in style, dancing into the room to cheers from their guests. The wedding breakfast and speeches that followed were heartfelt and celebratory, looking back on their story so far while also speaking openly about the future they’re building together.
Everything about the reception felt intentional but unforced, a true reflection of the couple and the families coming together around them.
Dancing, culture and shared energy
As the evening arrived, the celebration shifted into full party mode. The dancefloor came alive with a mix of traditional Congolese dancing and a Ceilidh led by a live band. Seeing both families dancing together, learning steps, laughing, encouraging each other was one of the most joyful parts of the day.
These moments are exactly why we love staying for the party. Had we packed up after the first dance, so much of this shared energy would have been missed. By getting right into the middle of it all, the photos feel alive, full of movement, connection and the kind of joy you can almost hear when you look back at them.
The Old Library Beverley Registry Office
A few days before the main celebration, we also met Esther and Ruaridh along with close family at The Old Library Beverley Registry Office for their legal ceremony. The new registry office is a beautiful addition to Beverley, offering a light, welcoming space that’s ideal for smaller, more intimate ceremonies. Afterwards, we took a short walk around town for a handful of relaxed photos, giving us extra time together ahead of the Manor Rooms celebration.
A day led by people
As with all our favourite weddings, this day was about people above everything else. We were welcomed in by both families from the very beginning and it was a genuine joy to spend time with everyone throughout the day.
A celebration of love, culture and togetherness and a perfect example of why we’ll always be happy to return to The Manor Rooms, South Cave.
Your Manor Rooms Wedding Photographers
If you are planning your wedding at The Manor Rooms and on the lookout for a couple of extra friends to come along and photograph it for you then we’d love to hear from you. Carry on exploring our little corner of the internet to see more of our work and learn a little more about us, when you are ready head over to our contact page and drop us a note to check our availability, hopefully we have your date available and we can find a moment to hop on a call to introduce ourselves!
