Oaklands Grand Lodge| Lewis & Guy’s Driffield Wedding
It felt amazing to be back photographing a wedding at Oaklands Grand Lodge in Driffield for Lewis and Guy’s day. It’s one of those East Yorkshire wedding venues that always delivers, especially when the sun decides to show up. Oaklands Grand Lodge has this incredible balance of beautiful outdoor spaces and a brilliant atmosphere for the evening celebrations. From the lakeside ceremony spots to the woodland areas and the lodge itself, it’s an amazing venue for couples who want a relaxed wedding day surrounded by nature. Lewis and Guy’s wedding was exactly that. Personal, fun and full of energy from start to finish.
An Outdoor Pavilion Ceremony at Oaklands Grand Lodge
Their ceremony took place at the stunning pavilion overlooking the lake at Oaklands Grand Lodge, which is easily one of the best ceremony backdrops in the area. The ceremony was led by Penelope Jayne Celebrant, who walked guests through Lewis and Guy’s story in a way that felt incredibly personal. From how they first met to the little details that make their relationship what it is today. They even settled their vows with a quick game of rock, paper, scissors. Perfect. As a Yorkshire wedding photographer, ceremonies like this are exactly why I love outdoor venues. Natural light, a relaxed atmosphere and real moments unfolding without anything feeling staged.
A Ring Bearer Who Stole the Show
We were joined by possibly the most adorable ring bearer I’ve ever met. Freddi. He stayed right by Lewis and Guy’s side for the entire ceremony and took his job very seriously. Absolutely nailed it. Moments like that are what make documentary wedding photography so powerful. You can’t plan them, you can’t stage them, you just capture them as they happen. Those little unexpected moments often end up being the ones couples love the most when they look back through their photos.
Magic, Glitter and a Secret Forest First Dance
Drinks reception kicked off by the lake while guests enjoyed the sunshine and some incredible magic tricks from Rich Reynolds Magician. I’ve seen Rich perform more times than I can count and it still gets people every single time. Later in the day guests moved inside The Grand Lodge for food and speeches before the evening celebrations really got going. Lewis and Guy made their entrance from the mezzanine which instantly lifted the energy in the room. After dinner the atmosphere kept building with entertainment from Innovation Entertainment, including a glitter station and stilt walkers bringing a huge amount of personality to the evening(I definitely got involved in the glitter face station!). Then came one of the coolest moments of the day. Their first dance in the secret forest behind Oaklands Grand Lodge. The woodland setting at the venue creates such a unique atmosphere once the sun goes down and it made the perfect backdrop for that moment. To finish the night off in style, fire breathers lit up the evening and the celebrations continued long into the night.
Why Oaklands Grand Lodge Is an Incredible Wedding Venue
Oaklands Grand Lodge in Driffield, East Yorkshire is one of those venues that gives couples loads of flexibility with how they design their wedding day. From outdoor pavilion ceremonies overlooking the lake to high energy evening celebrations inside the lodge, the venue works beautifully for both relaxed daytime moments and big party atmospheres later in the evening. The surrounding grounds also give couples loads of space for portraits without needing to travel anywhere. Between the lake, woodland areas and open lawns there are so many different backdrops within just a short walk. As a wedding photographer at Oaklands Grand Lodge, it’s always a venue I’m excited to return to.
Wedding Photography at Oaklands Grand Lodge and Across Yorkshire
I photograph weddings across Driffield, Hull and throughout Yorkshire, capturing relaxed, personality filled celebrations exactly as they unfold. Lewis and Guy’s wedding at Oaklands Grand Lodge was a perfect example of what happens when couples focus on creating a day that truly reflects who they are.A beautiful lakeside ceremony.A brilliant group of friends and family.A party that kept the energy high all night.
Lewis and Guy, congratulations again. What a day. And if you’re planning your own Oaklands Grand Lodge wedding in Driffield, or you’re looking for a relaxed documentary wedding photographer anywhere in Yorkshire, I’d love to hear about your plans.
If you are planning a wedding at Oaklands Grand Lodge Wedding and are looking for a relaxed photographer who captures real moments naturally, feel free to get in touch. I would love to hear about your plans.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Oaklands Grand Lodge is a countryside wedding venue near Driffield in East Yorkshire, set within around 200 acres of woodland. The venue sits beside a beautiful lake which creates a really peaceful setting for a wedding day and makes for some incredible photo spots.
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Yes, Oaklands offers a stunning outdoor ceremony space called The Pavilion, which sits overlooking the lake. It’s a really peaceful setting for exchanging vows and can seat up to around 200 guests.
There is also The Lawn, which can be used for smaller outdoor ceremonies if couples want something a little more intimate.
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Yes. If the weather decides not to behave, Oaklands also has an indoor ceremony space called The Lakeside Lodge. This area is separate from the main reception space and has a cosy, character filled feel while still keeping those lake views nearby.
The indoor ceremony space can hold around 120 guests.
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The Grand Lodge itself can seat up to 200 guests for the wedding breakfast, making it a great option for larger weddings.
Inside you’ll find a large bar area, dance floor and even a stylish mezzanine seating area overlooking the main space.
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One of the best things about Oaklands is the setting. The venue sits beside a lake with a bridge and is surrounded by woodland, which means there are loads of natural photo locations without ever leaving the venue.
From lakeside portraits to woodland paths and open countryside, it’s a brilliant location for relaxed wedding photos throughout the day.
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Yes. Oaklands has 14 luxury lodges on site for overnight accommodation, plus a separate lodge used for wedding morning preparations.
The accommodation is exclusively for couples getting married at the venue and their guests, which makes it really convenient for everyone staying over after the celebrations.
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Catering isn’t included in the venue hire, which actually gives couples a lot of flexibility.
Oaklands has a fully fitted professional kitchen that your caterer can hire for the day, and the venue team can also recommend trusted suppliers if you’re looking for ideas.
Crockery, cutlery and linens are usually provided through your chosen caterer or hire company.
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Yes. The venue has been designed to work with its natural surroundings and uses a ground source heat pump system for heating and hot water, helping to keep the venue’s carbon footprint low.
The buildings themselves were also designed to blend naturally into the woodland setting.