Alison & Hamish’s Winter Wedding at Simonstone Hall
- By Tim Christian Jones
Alison & Hamish’s wedding unfolded on a winter day that felt unusually still — the kind where moments seem to pause, just long enough to be noticed.
I arrived as Alison’s sister fastened the final buttons of a heavy satin dress, chosen for the February chill. Cream roses and soft white feathers rested nearby, waiting for the walk to the church.
Their ceremony took place in a small village church — simple, sincere, and quietly moving. Afterwards, we drove back through the Dales to Simonstone Hall, tucked into mist and hills. Guests gathered outside for a handful of photographs before retreating indoors to the hotel’s low winter light.
Speeches carried warmth through the afternoon, followed by a first dance and a jazz band that lifted the evening into motion.
A winter wedding shaped by softness and connection — gentle glances, shared warmth, and a calm that lingered long after the last note faded.
Morning Preparations in February Light
Soft daylight filtered through the windows at Simonstone Hall as Alison got ready with her sisters. A satin dress waited by the wardrobe, cream roses and feathers resting nearby. Outside, the hills were quiet and still — the kind of winter calm that settles a room before the day begins.
A Quiet Church Ceremony in the Dales
The ceremony took place in a small village church, simple and full of warmth. Children led the way down the aisle, followed by bridesmaids in soft blue, and Alison arriving arm-in-arm with her father.
Smiles surfaced through the vows, glances were exchanged, and a few unhurried moments followed in the vestry before the register was signed. Then back into the winter air — cheers, hugs, and waiting guests outside the door.
Winter Portraits at Simonstone Hall
Outside the hall, February light slipped between clouds and hills. Blue dresses stood out against muted stone, and laughter kept everyone warm between frames.
A few quiet moments followed for Alison and Hamish alone, before guests hurried back inside to the soft glow of the hotel.
Warmth, Laughter & Little Moments Indoors
Back inside, the atmosphere softened into warmth and easy laughter. Glasses clinked, coats were loosened, and Alison and Hamish moved through the rooms with quiet contentment.
The children found their own adventures — faces pressed to windows, giggles echoing down corridors. These small in-between moments carried as much story as the ceremony itself.
The Wedding Breakfast & Speeches
Guests settled into their seats as Alison and Hamish arrived at the top table — a gentle pause before conversation and warmth filled the room. I moved quietly between tables, catching raised glasses, knowing looks, and laughter shared mid-sentence.
The cake was cut, then came three speeches — a father’s proud words, a groom’s quiet emotion, and a best man’s humour lifting the room. Moments that carry a day forward.
Closing Thoughts
A day shaped by winter quiet and shared warmth — satin and feathers in morning light, a small church filled with soft smiles, stone walls holding back the cold, and a jazz band carrying the evening home. A celebration unhurried, intimate, and full of gentle connection.
Venue Information — Simonstone Hall Hotel, North Yorkshire
Simonstone Hall Hotel sits near Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, a historic country house surrounded by open hills and winding roads. Its stone interiors, fireplaces, and candlelit rooms create a natural setting for winter weddings, where warmth gathers easily and the landscape becomes part of the story.
