Wahoo! Katie and Tom had the most gorgeous wedding at Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park. This building is such an icon of the Lancaster skyline, and it was the perfect setting for their big day. Katie has loved this building since she was a little girl, so she felt incredibly excited to finally marry Tom in her favourite childhood spot!
A Bit of Ashton Memorial History
The Ashton Memorial is known as the “Taj Mahal of the North.” Lord Ashton built it between 1907 and 1909 as a tribute to his late wife, Jessy. It sits high on the hill in Williamson Park and its huge green dome is visible for miles. Inside, it is full of stunning marble and grand architecture that feels luxurious.
The Ceremony
Tom arrived early to greet all the guests and have some drinks. Katie’s cousins set up their instruments to play live music throughout the ceremony.
Katie arrived with her mum and a few close friends just after the guests headed inside. One of the most special moments of the whole day was seeing Katie’s mum walk her down the aisle. The ceremony itself was beautiful, filled with meaningful readings and personal vows that had everyone smiling.
Confetti and Butterflies
After the “I dos,” everyone headed out onto the steps to shower the couple with confetti. The guests enjoyed canapes and more live music in a really lovely, relaxed atmosphere.
Once the guests headed off to the reception, I stayed behind with Katie and Tom for some portraits. We headed into the Butterfly House first, and wow, the light and colours in there are just epic! It’s such a tropical, dreamy space for photos.
Views for Days
We then headed back to the Memorial and climbed all the way up to the top balcony. The views from the top are unbelievable, looking out over Lancaster and beyond. I loved getting creative with their portraits up there and around the front of the grand building.
The couple headed off to join their garden party, and I was left with the biggest grin. It was such a joy to capture Katie’s childhood dream coming true!
