BLOG

Cotswolds House Hotel Wedding

So Shani and Dan got married at St James Church and The Cotswolds House Hotel in Chipping Campden. I didn’t meet Shani or Dan in person before the wedding as they were so far away but I knew from our Skype call that it was going to be an epic wedding day, not just because Shani and Dan had organised such a wonderful day for all of their guests but because they are such lovely warm fun loving people and guess what?! I was right. It was absolutely perfect, such a relaxed and fun feel to the day, everyone was having the best time and the setting was beautiful, it felt like we were in some gardens in Italys countryside.

I also had the pleasure of working alongside a fantastic team for the day including Ben from Tynegate Films, Richard , The Gloucestershire Magician and my awesome second shooter Siobhan McGill of MgGill Sister Films.

I’m going to let Shani and Dan tell you all about it in their own words.

Thanks for having us Shani and Dan. Lots of love xxxxx

Shani and Dan’s Story

We met at high school and fell for each other whilst in the process of failing A-Level Biology. We were both so terrible at the subject that the teacher sat us together and from that moment on, we didn’t get very much work done! We then completed our A-Levels, took a gap year and travelled to Asia and went on to study Business Management together at University - we really were inseparable!. We graduated with our degrees a few years later, somehow ended up gaining three crazy dogs in that time and continued to do some more travelling, our favourite being a road trip across America. We've now been together for almost ten years and live in the quiet Cotswold town of Chipping Campden, where we got married.

Getting Engaged

Dan took me to Paris for my 21st Birthday and proposed on the Champ De Mars, it was magic! When we returned our family threw us an amazing surprise engagement party. We were quite young when we first got engaged and we decided that we would get married a 'couple' of years later. This somehow turned into a 5 year engagement! So the wedding day was very special for us as we had been planning for it for a long time.

Shani’s favourite thing about Dan is how kind and selfless he is, always helping other people and looking after her in particular! Shani also love how passionate he is about his hobbies.

Dan’s favourite thing about Shani is her smile and how driven she is in everything she does. Nothing phases her and she's such a strong woman.

St James Church and The Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden.

We got married at St James Church in Chipping Campden, which is close to our hearts from our childhood. We had our reception at The Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden. The most important thing for us was for our guests to have a great day. We were so lucky with the beautiful weather that we were able to have our wedding reception outside in the gardens. There were moments throughout the day when we both stood together and looked around at everyone, it was such a lovely feeling watching people enjoying themselves, with the the kids running around the garden, the magician shocking everyone with his entertainment, people tucking into their food and lots of free flowing drinks! Overall there was a really lovely feel to the day and we are so happy with how it all turned out.

The Wedding Dress.

I wore an English Rose Bridal dress from The Bridal Room Broadway. The ladies in the shop were so amazing helping to choose my dream dress and the whole experience was so wonderful, they really made me feel special.

https://www.thebridalroombroadway.co.uk/

A Shout Out to Our Wedding Suppliers.

My mum did my hair for the wedding day, I knew I didn't want anyone else to do it! She's the most wonderful hairdresser and it was so special for me that she was the one helping me to get ready in the morning. She did an amazing job, even though she was so nervous!

Christine Cara was my makeup artist, she was so much fun to be with throughout all of the trials leading up to the wedding day. I chose Christine because of how amazing other people had told me her work was, she didn't disappoint at all! She made me feel confident and helped me to create the look I wanted, even when I couldn't articulate it very well myself!

http://www.christinecaramakeup.com/

Our flowers were by Charlotte Gabb, we chose Charlotte because of her wealth of experience and knowledge of the church. Charlotte was brilliant and we were so happy with the beautiful arrangements.

We had The Gloucestershire Magician, Richard Parsons for our wedding reception entertainment. He was absolutely amazing! Our guests are still talking about how they can't believe the tricks he did. We are still talking about it too! Richard helped us to create that fun, relaxed feeling that we wanted to achieve on the day.

http://www.gloucestershiremagician.co.uk/

Sally Potter made our wedding cake. Sally has been making my birthday cakes since I was 4 years old, so it was really special for me that she did our wedding cake.

Our wedding stationary was made by Cherry Press. We chose Cherry Press because they are a local business who create traditional letterpress stationary the good old fashioned way!

http://www.cherrypress.co.uk/

Ben Tynegate was our videographer. We chose Ben because my sister showed us some of his work and we fell completely in love with it. We knew that his cinematic films were what we wanted to capture our day. We now can't stop watching them and will treasure our beautiful films forever.

https://tynegate-films.com/

We chose Katie Dervin as our wedding photographer as she was recommended by a friend. From the moment we saw Katie's photos we knew we didn't want anyone else to capture the wedding. The lighting and the way they are edited are so beautiful and we wish we could frame all of them and have them all displayed in our house!! Katie was so lovely on the day too, helping us to feel so relaxed and at ease in front of the camera.

We tried to keep the wedding and the decor low key and not too over the top but still with a classic, pretty feel to it. We had lots of fairy lights and candles everywhere to create a nice warm glow, but the venue spoke for itself so we didn't have to bring in too many other decorations.

We put a lot of effort into personalised touches throughout the day, for instance, we made all of the centre pieces ourselves, our wedding guest book and our polaroid timeline and it was so rewarding to see how it all came together beautifully on the day.

We wanted to have a really relaxed day so we chose to have a BBQ instead of a traditional three-course meal, which worked really well. For music throughout the day we made a playlist of our favourite songs growing up together and then we had a DJ in the evening for everyone to dance the night away to!

Shani and Dan’s Stag and Hen Do:

Dan went to Amsterdam for his stag do, he was amazed that he survived the weekend! It consisted of beer, beer tours and more beer. He loved it there and hopes to one day go back to enjoy the city a bit more sober!

I was truly spoiled as a hen, having three wonderful hen do's! The first was a bottomless brunch with all of my lovely girls. The second was a trip to the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos with my bridesmaids. The third was organised by my lovely mum, who got all of the ladies in my family together for a weekend in London and a party boat on the river Thames.

There isn't anything we would do differently really.

The only minor thing is I wish I had kept my veil on for longer! I took it off as it was getting caught on the floor but wish I had kept it on all day!

What would your advice be to couples planning their wedding day?

Enjoy it, it really is so much fun! Don't get too bogged down in the detail and lost in small stuff that doesn't truly matter, try to be well organised in advance and that way you can enjoy it as a couple.

Brides bouquet, pink flowers and pale green leaves. (Copy)

Wedding Dress hanging in the hall way. (Copy)

Brides shoes on windowsill with 6 pence inside. (Copy)

Bridesmaid shoes and the bottom of the bridesmaid dresses. (Copy)

Bride getting ready in the hall as bridesmaid watches from the sitting room. (Copy)

Bridesmaid help to arrange wedding dress hanging from wardrobe. (Copy)

Bridesmaid has a necklace put on her. (Copy)

Bridesmaids watching bride getting ready smiling. (Copy)

Bride getting her make up put on. (Copy)

Mother of the Bride and Sister of the Bride have a moment together as they look at the bride getting ready at Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Bride comes down to see her bridesmaids in their dresses for the first time. (Copy)

The bride stands in window light as her mother helps her put on her dress. (Copy)

Long shot of Bride having her dress put on in the window light. (Copy)

Bridesmaids see Bride in her wedding dress for the first time. (Copy)

Mother of the brides hat, jacket and purse in some speckled window light. (Copy)

Father of the Bride comes to see his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time. (Copy)

Bridesmaids peeping through the window. (Copy)

Speckled sunlight coming through the trees into the doorway. (Copy)

Bridesmaids waving outside The Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Groom and Groomsmen leaving the house on the way to the church. (Copy)

Groom leading his groomsmen to the church. (Copy)

St James Church, Chipping, Campden. (Copy)

Groom getting a hug from a wedding guest. (Copy)

Bridesmaids waiting for bride to arrive. (Copy)

Onlookers wait to see the bride enter the church. (Copy)

Bride walks down the church pathway with her dad. (Copy)

Groom waits inside the church with his groomsmen. Best Man looking at his watch. (Copy)

Bride and Father of the Bride walking down the aisle in St James Church in Chipping, Campden. (Copy)

Close up of the brides dress and the grooms suit as they stand together. (Copy)

Bride and Groom photographed through foliage. (Copy)

Bride and groom stand before vicar smiling. (Copy)

Bridesmaids clapping as bride and groom kiss in foreground. (Copy)

Bride and groom walk down the aisle as husband and wife. (Copy)

Bride and Groom walk down the church path towards their guests. (Copy)

Bride and Groom have confetti thrown at them. (Copy)

Bride and Groom laugh as they have confetti thrown out them outside St James Church, Chipping, Campden. (Copy)

Bride and Groom smiling surrounded by guests and covered in confetti. (Copy)

Brides sister cuddles her boyfriend outside the church where her sister has just been married. (Copy)

A little boy watches on from the pavement and people fuss over him. (Copy)

The bride gives her friend a hug as her friend cries. (Copy)

A little hand on the skirt of the brides wedding dress. (Copy)

The bride and groom lead their guests away from the church. (Copy)

The sister of the bride helps her with her veil. (Copy)

Close up of the dress, flowers and veil as the bride and groom walk by. (Copy)

Photograph from the back of the veil. (Copy)

Bride and Groom leads their wedding guests down the street. (Copy)

Bride and Groom walk past the local shops together. (Copy)

Buildings viewed from Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Lavender in Cotswolds House Hotel Grounds. (Copy)

Wedding Time Table Painted on a Pallet. (Copy)

To The Bar Sign hanging from a tree. (Copy)

Mother and Father of the Bride Cheers each other with champagne at the bar. (Copy)

Bride and Brides sister cheers one and other with champagne. (Copy)

Little girl is picked up so she can play Connect 4 with her two taller friends. (Copy)

Little girl plays connect 4 shot through holes. (Copy)

Little girls running through the garden. (Copy)

Wedding guests enjoying the magic. (Copy)

Bridesmaid fixing grooms suit as bride has a fag. (Copy)

Little boy playing Connect 4 on blanket. (Copy)

Wedding Guests laughing in the bushes. (Copy)

Wedding guests sitting at table laughing. (Copy)

Two male guests chatting together in gardens wearing sunglasses. (Copy)

Brides sister and her boyfriend laugh together. (Copy)

Brides mum laughs with her friends around a table. (Copy)

Brides sister looks excited while holding a card during a magic trick. (Copy)

Magician shows guests a magic trick with a bent fork. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Stand Side by side in Italian looking tree rowed path. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Laugh together in Italian garden. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Having the best day ever! (Copy)

Bride and Groom standing in pathway together. (Copy)

Bride and Groom Holding on and other in front of a row of tall trees. (Copy)

Bride and Groom hold each other laughing in Italian gardens, Cotswolds House Hotel. (Copy)

Bride and Groom together in old Chipping Market Hall. (Copy)

Bride and Groom two step pose outside shop. (Copy)

Bride and Groom walk their dogs under arches. (Copy)

Bride has her dog beg for a treat. (Copy)

Bride stands in the sunlight holding her dog on a lead. (Copy)

Guest Dog Wearing a blue bow tie. (Copy)

Guests standing in garden to listen to speeches. (Copy)

Father of the bride giving speech. (Copy)

Father of the bride giving his speech. (Copy)

Another guest dog looking super cool. (Copy)

The groom gives his speech as the bride looks on supportively. (Copy)

The crowd sit in the garden laughing. (Copy)

Two red haired children and a dog sit listening to the speeches. (Copy)

The 3 men standing to give a speech cheer the bride. (Copy)

The bride laughs while the best man gives his speech. (Copy)

Guest looks on looking emotional. (Copy)

Bridesmaid and mother of the bride crying. (Copy)

Two male guests laughing together. (Copy)

Two female guests laughing together while drinking a cup of tea. (Copy)

Wedding guest holding her daughter. (Copy)

Bride throws bouquet and her sister catches it. (Copy)

Brides sister is very excited to have caught the bouquet. (Copy)

The Bride is also very excited her sister has caught the bouquet. (Copy)

Sister is doing a victory dance with the bouquet as the Bride points at her laughing. (Copy)

Suppliers:

Photographer: Katie Dervin, 2nd shot by Siobhan McGill of mcgillsisterfilms.com/

Videographer: https://tynegate-films.com/

Dress: https://www.thebridalroombroadway.co.uk/

Magician: http://www.gloucestershiremagician.co.uk/

Stationary: http://www.cherrypress.co.uk/

Make Up: http://www.christinecaramakeup.com/

Altskeith Country House Wedding, Loch Ard, Scotland.

Helen and Jameson got married at Altskeith Country House on Loch Ard in Scotland. It was a bit of a trek for their friends and family some coming from as far as Liverpool, Manchester, down south and even Canada!!! I overheard that getting off a 12 hour flight and then navigating Scottish country roads in a hire car, in the dark, on the other side of the road is quite something! But it was most definitely worth it!

If you would like to watch the slide show click on the image below! If you prefer to scroll carry on scrolling!

Altskeith Country House

Altskeith Country House is the perfect venue for couples that love nature, the venue sits on the edge of Loch Ard, overlooking the Loch and Ben Lomond and sitting right in the centre of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park you are surrounded by forests, nature and beautiful scenery, with very little light pollution about the starry skies at night are a dream.

At Altskeith Country House there are plenty of different options for an outdoor ceremony, you can get married on the lawns alongside the Loch, by the waterfall, on the beach of Loch Ard, under the beech tree over the small bridge in the trees. If it rains you can have your ceremony in the function room over looking the Loch and Ben Lomond, the glass wall in the function room is removable so if you want to be able to breath is some of that sweet rainy air while you are getting married you can while staying dry as well something alive relatively dry. It’s all to play for.

Altskeith Country House Wedding, Loch Ard, Scotland.

The view of Ben Lomond from Altskeith Country House

The dining room over looking Loch Ard and Ben Lomond at Altskeith Country House

Getting Ready

Helen and Jameson both got ready onsite at Altskeith Country house. Jameson took the cottage on the outside of the building with his groomsmen while Helen stayed in the main building with her friends and family. Helen’s sister Harriet who is a mega talented make up artist did Helen’s hair and make up for her while the girls enjoyed some champagne together and watched for wedding guests arriving at the venue from the loft room windows.

Dress hanging in window at Altskeith Country House

Photograph of brides father attached to flowers.

Bride sitting on bed smiling framed by doorway.

Bride looks out of the window at guests arriving smiling.

Wedding guest does her make up in mirror. Photo in black and white.

The Bride and the grooms sister sit on bed laughing.

The bride has her hair done by her sister.

Reflection of bridesmaid in mirror. Photo in black and white.

Bride has finishing touches added to her make up.

Wedding guest does young guests make up.

Groomsmen shot through window carrying their suit bags to house.

Grooms morning sandwiches on top of book and next to his aftershave.

The Ceremony

Helen and Jameson chose to get married under The Beech Tree on the lawn as that is where Jameson proposed! I know just when you thought it couldn’t get more prefect! Well it has, so get over it!

As Helen and Jameson were already technically married they had a humanist hand fasting ceremony, with plenty of heart felt readings from Helen and Jamesons friends and family and Helen walked down the aisle to music Jameson had composed for her on their anniversary. No you stop it!

Bride stands at the top of the stairs smiling.

Brother of the bride is at the bottom of the stairs laughing at his sister.

Chairs await wedding guests bottoms under The Beech Tree.

Wedding guests sit waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Mother of the groom and mother of the bride sit together.

Wedding guests stand to receive the bride.

Mother of the bride watches her daughter come down the aisle.

Groom smiles as he watches his bride come down the aisle.

Bride and her brother appear in the distance.

Bride and brother walk down the aisle at Altskeith Country House .

Wedding guests reads during ceremony as bride and groom look on.

Bride and groom come together for hand fasting ceremony.

Bride and Groom tie the knot in hand fasting ceremony.

Bride and kilted groom stand appreciating one and other.

Bride and groom walk down the aisle together.

Bride and groom walk down the aisle smiling at their wedding guests.

Confetti, Drinks and Magic

After being attacked with some dried petal confetti by their friends and family they chilled out for a bit and presented their wedding guests with a boat load of booze and a magician.

Then after some family photos and a few quick portraits hiding out of Scotlands blazing sun. Yes really! We headed in for speeches, some cracker pulling, plenty of giggles and a few tears. Oh and some amazing food from the kitchen at Altskeith Country House obviously!

Wedding guests outside Altskeith Country House.

Family stands together with confetti waiting for the bride and groom.

Brightly dressed wedding guests holding confetti.

Smiling wedding guests with confetti ready to attack.

Smiling blokes holding confetti cones made from music sheet paper.

Child that hates the photographer wearing sunglasses looking fierce.

Couple smile while confetti is thrown at them.

Couple laughing while confetti is thrown at them.

Couple attacked by confetti on their wedding day.

Couple survive confetti throwing near Loch Ard, Scotland.

Bride greets smiling wedding guests holding a baby.

Wedding guests stand on the lawn together at Altkeith Country House , Scotland.

Brightly coloured wedding guests greet Bride.

Bride and Groom hug wedding guests at the same time.

Moody cool child give photographer the look.

Bride and groom stand for photo near bushes in Scotland.

Bride and groom look at each other smiling.

Cake Cutting and Speeches

After our little expedition we headed back for Helen and Jameson to pretend to cut the massive Cake (Helen and Jameson loved the cake design so much they thought it would be a crime to eat it, so they got a fake one made so they could keep it forever!) then it was straight into the main room for dinner and speeches.

Mother of the bride smiles while listening to speeches.

Sister on the bride wipes a tear from her eye.

Brother of the Bride laughs at her speech.

Wedding guests smiles as he is thanked for his work on the table plan.

Wedding guests laugh at the grooms speech.

Loch Ard

Once everyone was fed we popped back out for a little walk on the beach of Loch Ard and a boat trip. I bloody love boats as any of my friends will tell you, it’s hard to walk past a boat or a boat trip with out me forcing a load of people on it and shouting that they all better stop crying and start enjoying themselves, but that is another story.

On the boat Jameson got the rowing job while Helen has the job of alternating between pulling silly faces and looking pretty which she did like a pro… As you can see. Even the midges stayed at home, or all hung out outside a night club or something.

Bride and groom stand on beach of Loch Ard.

Bride and Groom laughing in front of Loch Ard.

Bride and Groom have a romantic moment together, Loch Ard, Scotland.

Bride and Groom walk along bank of Loch Ard.

Bride and Groom run across beach laughing.

Bride and Kilted Groom walk together along the pebbled beach at Loch Ard, Scotland.

Bride leans towards her groom as her rows them across Loch Ard on their wedding day.

Bride pulls a funny face while groom laugh in rowing boat on Loch Ard.

Bride and Groom laugh together in rowing boat on Loch Ard on their Wedding day.

Bride and groom reflected in the water on Loch Ard.

Bride and groom sit on bridge wall. Groom is laughing.

Bride laughing at groom while sitting on wall.

Guest photobombs bride and grooms wedding photographs.

The Party

Then it was party time!!! Helen and Jameson opened the dance floor with their first dance and then passed over the reigns to the Scottish Ceilidh Band who had everyone wizzing around the room like smiling Tazmanian devils, high of life and fine wine.

As the night drew in the fire pits came out and guests feasted on toasted marsh mellows and pizza before greeting Helen and Jameson with sparklers before they left the building.

Bride and Groom has first dance in front of their wedding guests at Altskeith Country House, Loch Ard, Scotland.

Wedding guests have a romantic moment on the dance floor.

Bride laughing while dancing with her brother.

Wedding guest pulls funny face while dancing.

Wedding guests clap on edge of dance floor.

Older couple laughing and dancing together.

Older couple smiling and having a lovely time together.

Wedding guest munches on marsh mellow while other wedding guests toast theirs of fire .

Bride and Groom sparkler exit. Groom is scared they are both going to be set on fire on their wedding day at Altkeith Country House, Loch Ard, Scotland.

A beautiful wedding for some beautiful humans. Thanks for having me along for the ride Helen and Jameson!

More weddings in Scotland please!

Supplier Shout Out!

Dress: Dress Designed by Mori Lee, supplied by Blush Boutique in Upper Mill

Kilt : Kilt and suit hired from Kilts 4 U in Glasgow. Ties in family tartan made by The Scotland Shop.

Florist: Cherry Blossom - https://www.flowersbycherryblossom.co.uk

Bridesmaid Dresses:: The Infinite Collection by Wed2B

Entertainment?: Magician and DJ - http://www.johnkingevents.com/magician-glasgow

Ceilidh Band - http://www.scottishceilidh-band.co.uk/the-band

Cake : http://www.studio8cakes.co.uk/

Hairdresser and Make Up Artist? : Harriet Westcott @harri.hmua

Wedding Favors: Crackers made by Helen and Jameson

Hand Drawn Map Table Plan: fentimansadventure

Slide Show Music Jameson Bell.

Shotton Grange Wedding Photographer

Shotton Grange

Shotton Grange is a Georgian Manor and coaching house turned wedding venue. It’s a beautiful big house sitting in six acres of land with woodland, lawns and a big walled garden with lots of beautiful flowers for guests to hang out in on sunny days.

Alex and Kris chose Shotton Grange because they wanted a fun informal wedding celebration with their closest friends and family, they wanted it to be colourful and fun just like them. Determined to do their own thing Alex opted out of wearing traditional wedding dress and treated herself to s snazzy outfit from ASOS instead while Kris wore a kilt and they both looked bloody smashing.

Shotton Grange Wedding Venue Newcastle Upon Tyne

A butterfly sitting on some daisies in the walled garden at Shotton Grange.

The bride puts on make up in front of a mirror at Shotton Grange.

The Ceremony

Alex was walked down the aisle by her father and then her and Kris had their wedding ceremony performed by a humanist celebrant in front of their closest friends and family. There was lots of giggles and tears during the hand fasting ceremony and generally Alex and Kris looking totally besotted with each other all in the beautiful setting of Shotton Grange’s light and airy ceremony room. After the ceremony Alex and Kris were accosted by their weddings guests with a tray load of natural petal confetti and also greeted by a few amorous wasps.

Bride is walked down the aisle by her father.

Bride wipes a tear away during her ceremony at Shotton Grange.

Bride and groom hold each other for a moment in front of their friends and family.

Bride and groom share a laugh and a drink together outside.

Bride and groom are attacked by confetti and wasps.

Bride and groom laugh as red petal confetti is thrown at them.

Natural petal confetti on the floor next to guests tattooed legs.

Walled Garden and Portraits

After the confetti throwing the wedding party made their merry way into Shotton Grange’s beautiful walled garden, where they were greeted with fruity drinks and sunshine. Alex and Kris opted out of formal group shots and just had a few photographs of themselves together. Leaving more time for them to enjoy the day with guests and giving me more time to grab those lovely natural reportage shots. Winner, winner! Veggie roast dinner!

Guests enjoy a laugh under a tree in Shotton Granges Walled garden.

The bride and her mother enjoy a laugh together.

Grandma sits laughing surrounded by young ones on their phones.

Mother of the bride has a moment with her son as the maid of honour and her partner chat with her mother.

The bride is presented a gift by her step dad.

Bride and groom stand laughing together naturally.

Bride and groom laugh at wedding guests.

Bride and groom chill on a bench together.

Bride and groom laughing in front of flowers.

Bride and groom stand together in front of a row of daisies, bride wears daisy ear rings.

Untraditional bride and groom stand laughing on their chilled out wedding celebration.

Groom cracks up laughing while bride gives him a shove.

Bride and groom laugh together, groom wears kilt and bride goes for a non traditional wedding outfit.

Bride and groom stand laughing together in the walled garden at Shotton Grange.

The Wedding Breakfast and Speeches

While Alex, Kris and their wedding guests were relaxing in the garden, the hard working team at Shotton Grange were busy transforming the ceremony room into a beautiful, colourful dining area for the dinner and speeches.

Alex is an illustrator and graphic designer and chose the colour pallet for the room, keeping the centre pieces simple and effective. Alex chose yellow, blue and white bottles with pink candles and had grapefruit and oranges chopped in half showing there wonderful natural patterns and colours. Alex also designed the awesome ribbon table planner you can see in the photo below that really brought the room together. Check out Alex’s bloody awesome illustrations here: http://www.alexdavy.net/

Speeches were a fun filled affair with hilarious and heartfelt speeches from Kris’s Grandad Kevin, Alex’s Mum Sheila, Kris’s Best Man Jay, Alex’s maid of honour Megs and of course the man of the moment Kris.

Summer wedding colour pallet of yellow, orange, pink, red and blue dining room ready for the Wedding Breakfast.

Summer fruits wedding cake for relaxed summer wedding.

Bride, groom, mother of the bride and the grooms grandma laugh and the grooms grandads speech.

Mother of the bride makes a speech and the bride and groom laugh.

Bride, groom and grooms grandma sit laughing during the speeches.

The best man makes his speech at Shotton Grange.

Mother and Step father of the groom laugh at the best mans speech.

Cake cutting and First Dance

After the speeches and a bit a bit of milling about with guest outside Alex and Kris cut their cake, which was a fruity little number in akin with day and then went into their first dance to kick off the party! A belting party it was. Thanks for having me Alex and Kris. xx

The grooms grandma watches the dancing smiling.

The bride and groom dance laughing together at Shotton Grange.

The groom has a cheeky dance with his mates.

Bride and groom mess around on the dance floor.

Bride and groom laughing and dancing together with their friends and family.

Supplier Shout Out!

Allyson Hayter Celebrant https://tynewearcelebrants.co.uk/

Venue Shotton Grange .

Cake Great British Cupcakery,

Kris’s Kilt Slaters

Alex’s top, skirt shoes and earings from ASOS

The invites / menus / order of service / door numbers were all designed by http://www.alexdavy.net/

Engagement ring by Lisa Eldridge its ‘The Grace’ but set in gold rather than silver

Crewe Hall Wedding Photographer

Full blog post on Adam and Faye’s awesome wedding at Crewe Hall in Cheshire is coming soon… but for now I’m going to leave with you with their awesome little wedding photo trailer. Click the link play above to watch!

Mytton Fold Wedding Photographer

Bride and Groom enjoy a walk together at Mytton Fold

Mytton Fold Hotel

Gemma and Ben contacted me after I shot a friend of the families wedding, they wanted a really chilled out affair with friends and family and they had chosen one of Lancashire’s hidden gems, family owned hotel Mytton Fold. Mytton Fold has been run by the Hargreaves family for over 30 years and boasts 43 bedrooms, making it perfect for a wedding party that might want to stay the full weekend. Set within the rolling hills just outside Whalley, Mytton Fold is situated in the Ribble Valley and surrounded by a massive golf course (100 acres if you are interested). There’s ample grounds for guests to roam and plenty of beautiful places for photographs with the sun setting just behind the fields at the back of the hotel. Perfect!

Around the hotel there are loads of interesting little roads, benches, Lilly ponds and gardens making it an interesting place for guests to explore and beautiful place just to sit back and relax in.

As if things couldn’t get any better the hotel is also dog friendly!!! So if you are thinking of bringing your pooch along on your wedding day, it might be one to put to the top of your list.

Getting ready

Gemma and her family and friends were getting married in a huge room with loads of lovely pockets of light (ask for 228!) and space for them to get ready together. There was hair going on in one corner, make up in the other and everyone seemed really excited for the day ahead. The girls were trying out a new method of taping their toes together so their high heels didn’t hurt, apparently this works?! See the photo in a bit. It was a lovely relaxed morning full of loads of smiles and laughter.

Lilly pond, with pink Lilly flowers floating on the water.

Window of a blue mini, with Mr and Mrs Smith written on it.

Girls smiling with wedding dress in background.

Bride gets her hair done while looking at her wedding dress.

Woman cellotapes toes together to wear high heeled shoes.

Mother of the bride has her make up done.

Beautiful thick shiny hair platted in Greek style braids.

Bride has a moment before getting into her dress.

Female family members share a laugh together.

Patch of light with the shadow of a high heeled shoe.

Grandma sits smiling in a patch of light.

Female wedding guest is helped into her dress.

Ladies beding over to get ready all wearing wedding hats and making a triangle.

Nan swaps her slippers for her heeled wedding shoes.

The bride to be is helped into her dress by her mother at Mytton Folds.

Mother of the bride fixes her daughters hair.

Bride smiling ready to get married at Mytton Fold.

The Ceremony

The wedding ceremony was held in the Abbey Suite at Mytton Fold Hotel. The large room holds some rustic character with stacked stone pillars either side of the room and Tudor style supports holding up the roof. Gemma and Ben chose to decorate the chairs with white covers and blue ribbons and had blue petals scattered down the aisle. Maybe this theme of blue came with Ben’s love of his blue mini?

As Gemma was walked down the aisle by her Dad and looked to Ben she was overcome with emotion. Then once the tears had stopped they couldn’t stop smiling at one and other. It was then out of the Abbey Suite and into Mytton Fold Hotels front garden where Gemma and Ben were congratulated by their wedding guests and pelted with heart shaped biodegradable (important detail) confetti.

After being pelting with confetti and having a drink or two we headed off to grab some photos of Gemma and Ben’s family and friends and some of Gemma and Ben. Gemma and Ben had been worried about both of them being a little camera shy, but as you can see they nailed it!

Abbey Suite Mytton Fold etched on a glass window.

Bride is overcome with emotion as she reaches her groom.

Bride and Groom put on their wedding rings.

Bride and groom laugh while putting on their rings.

Bride and Groom walk back down the aisle at Mytton Fold as husband and wife.

Bride and groom have confetti thrown at them.

Bride and groom have confetti thrown at them outside the ceremony room at Mytton Fold.

The trail of the Brides wedding dress is covered in heart shaped confetti.

Bride is presented a horse shoe by wedding guests.

Bride and Groom walk down a country road chatting.

Bride and Groom laughing at one and other.

Bride and Groom sitting laughing together at Mytton Fold.

Bride and Groom take a walk down a dirt path.

Wedding guests

While waiting for the Wedding Breakfast and speeches Gemma and Ben’s immaculately dressed wedding guests roamed the impressive grounds at Mytton Fold while enjoying the sunshine and a drink or two.

Wedding guests sit on a wall together laughing and drinking.

Mother of the bride sits with a friend having a cocktail and smiling in the sunshine.

Empty beer bottles and champagne flutes are left in the flower bed. Red flowers.

Four wedding guests sit together, one has given up on her shoes already.

Father of the Bride and Father of the Groom share a drink at the bar at Mytton Fold Hotel.

The Wedding breakfast and speeches

Gemma and Ben had decorated the room with plane models and books and left personalised gifts on the tables for wedding guests. The wedding cake was topped with a model of them both and Ben’s mini of course!

The speeches were a roller coaster of emotion. Getting laughs and tears from many of the guests and wedding party.

Wedding cake topped with bride, groom and blue mini.

Wedding guest wears a red dress and black hat while laughing.

Male wedding guest enjoys some champagne while smiling.

Wedding guests stand teary eyed during speeches.

Bride laughs as her father gives a speech.

The Party

After the speeches as the sun was getting lower in the sky we hoped out for 5 minutes to grab a few more photos of Gemma and Ben together before they headed back in to do their first dance as husband and wife and get the party started, and what a party it was!

Bride and Groom share a kiss at sunset at Mytton Fold.

Bride and Groom kiss photo in black and white.

Bride and Groom walk past a derelict house.

Wedding guests cheering at table together.

Bride and Groom alone on dance floor together at Mytton Fold Hotel.

Groom smiles while Dancing with his Bride.

Wedding guests make shapes on the dance floor.

Bride and Groom look into each others eyes while dancing together.

Wedding guests laughing and dancing together.

Bride and Groom dance next to the brides sister and her partner, both laughing.

Wedding suppliers

I do not currently have a list of wedding suppliers for this wedding. If you were a supplier please get in touch and I’l be more than happy to link back to you.

Venue: Mytton Fold https://www.myttonfold.co.uk

Inglewood Manor Wedding Photographer

I first met Becky and Chris via a Skype call after shooting a family members wedding, Becky and Chris saw the photos and got in touch. The first thing that struck me about them both was how much they didn’t take things too seriously and were up for a good laugh. I knew I was on for a good one and I was.

Here’s Becky and Chris’s Story in their own words:

We met at main stage Avicii, Creamfields 2013 what a place to meet your husband! Chris took me to Jamie’s Italian in Liverpool where I chose spaghetti bolognese as a first date meal and tripped up the stairs! I had a code text with my mum incase he wasn’t nice as I couldn’t remember much from that night so my mum was on hand waiting for a text saying ‘the pasta is nice’ We had a ball and many more funny date stories in between. Chris proposed in panoramic 34 during afternoon tea but I wasn’t looking so the first I heard was “Come on is it a yeah or no Beck people are looking now”

Becky on Chris - “He makes me laugh all the time and behaves like a grumpy old man at the age of 34 .”

Chris about Becky - “I love how we laugh at everything and life is just one big joke when we’re together no need to take it too seriously.”

Inglewood Manor

Becky and Chris chose Inglewood Manor as they loved the country estate feel, gorgeous gardens and incredible rooms where guests could stay. Being able to have their ceremony outside in November (although you wouldn’t have thought it the weather was glorious) was a major plus and really made the day all the more special too them as they love going on adventures together and being outside.

Inglewood manor is a beautiful Edwardian Manor house in the heart of Cheshire countryside. A grade two listed building, it had many original Edwardian features and loads of character, rich mahogany wooden panelled rooms, and beautiful gardens bursting with different species of flowers, trees and wild life surrounding the house. The result of this being tons of beautiful back drops for photographs both inside and outside.

The house was built in 1909, but is actually dated as dated 1915. The house was built for F. H. Fox, a Liverpudlian millionaire (Whoop! Go on son! I love it when people from Liverpool are millionaires!) who made his fortune in marine insurance. Fishy. The outside of the house is made of stone and wooden panelling and has a Tudor look to it.

Blue skies and a swirly plane trail in the sky, views from Inglewood Manor.

Getting Ready

Becky got ready with her mum and bridesmaids at Inglewood Manor while the Chris and his groomsmen mucked about down stairs, eagerly waiting for the chairs to arrive. Upstairs with the bridesmaids it was business as usual, Becky being her usual hilarious animated self. It was lovely to see Becky being so exctied to finally marry her Chris.

Becky wore an Essence of Australia dress from Bridal Haven in Tarporley (shop now closed, but the staff there were amazing!) and Valentino shoes, and looked bloody awesome. I’m sure you’ll will agree. The shoes didn’t last very long as they were ditched shortly after the ceremony when we had to go on adventures for portraits.

The Bride makes her mother and bridesmaids laugh while telling a story.

Mother on the brides shoes lie in the sunlight on the carpet of a hotel room inside Inglewood Manor Cheshire.

Mother of the Bride and the Bride have a moment together on the morning of the wedding.

Wedding dress hangs on wardrobe at Inglewood Manor.

Brides Valentino Shoes lie on windowsill as the strong sunlight beams through onto them. The window is open showing the floor below.

Reflection of bride checking her dress in Snow White Mirror in the background of the shot, while her mum fastens her dress in the foreground.

The Bride looks out the window as her mother puts her dress on at Inglewood Manor.

The Union Jack flies outside the hotel room window at Inglewood Manor, the sun is shining.

An Outdoor Ceremony at Inglewood Manor

Becky and Chris chose to have an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor. On a gloriously sunny day in November, it can happen! They put some blankets out for guests that they thought might get a bit chilly and thoughtfully labelled the reserved seats at the front with little tags with peoples names on so that people knew where to sit (and which blanket was for them!)

Under current British Law when getting married outdoors at Inglewood Manor you do need to be facing towards the house so that the registrar can marry you from the shelter of the structure of Inglewood Manor.

Empty cream wooden wedding chairs, sit empty in the sunlight casting shadows on patio awaiting the wedding guests.

The groom and his best man stand smiling awaiting their guests at their outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Guests enjoy the sunshine while awaiting the Bride at an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

A wedding guest in a wheel chair makes her way to watch the wedding at Inglewood manor.

Guests take their seats at the outdoor wedding ceremony, the Union Jack Flag flies behind them.

Groomsmen laugh together in the the sunlight at Inglewood Manor.

Wedding guests in blue hat chats with her friend.

Grandparents laugh together in the sunlight.

Mother of the bride is beaming with joy.

Small boy in a blue suit and red bow tie drags an older groomsmen across the patio.

The groom, best man and registrar share a joke.

The guests stand up and watch as the bride makes her way towards them at an outdoor wedding ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Becky was walked down the aisle by her Dad looking so excited that she might burst and was greeted by an equally emotional Chris, there was a ceremony brimming with tears and laughter in equal measure and these two lovelies just looking totally besotted with each other through out. After the ceremony Becky and Chris pegged it back down the aisle grinning from ear to ear to be promptly greeted by Inglewood Manor staff who were waiting with Champagne ready for the celebrations to begin.

Flowers

Becky’s flowers were by Lisa G from Flowers of Distinction in Huyton (Lisa G was fabulous and showed Becky and Chris what the flowers would look like and had the best ideas as Becky and Chris didn’t want the bridal bouquet to be plain.)

The Bride makes her way down the aisle, arm in arm with her father during an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood manor.

The bride makes it to her groom laughing.

The bride and groom look at one and other, beaming from ear to ear at their outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

The Groom kisses the brides hand, while her father gives her a tissue to wipe their tears and snot probably.

First reading read by guest in a snazzy hat and sunglasses.

Mother of the bride and bridesmaids sit laughing together during an outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Bride and Groom smile while holding hands.

Bride and Groom stand smiling while listening to the registrars instructions.

Bride and Groom stand facing each other, holding hands and looking to each others eyes playfully.

Bride and groom look towards registrar laughing at their outdoor ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Bride and Groom hold hands laughing as they say their vows during outdoor ceremony.

Bride holds onto her Grooms hand while looking eager and super cute.

Close up of bouquet of flowers including red roses and berries, pink roses and eucalyptus branches.

Wedding guests laugh together as a catch them having a post ceremony cereal bar.

Bride and Groom exit the ceremony smiling.

Bride and Groom are greeted with 2 glasses of champagne at the end of the aisle by staff member.

Guests smiling in the sun shine wearing fancy hats.

Older male wedding guest holds his camera, framed by two male wedding guests wearing blue.

Bride laughs, her brides maids bouquet in the foreground of the shot.

Couples Portraits

After a cheeky swig out of Chris’s hip flask we took a quick little walk over the the tree lined path at the back of the house to get a few outdoor portraits and Becky and Chris together in the beautiful Autumnal light before heading back to the Bridal Suite at Inglewood Manor, where Becky and Chris had an idea to have a few photos of them just chilling out and having a drink together. So we did just that!

Bride takes a sqwig from her husbands hip flask as he laughs on the back steps of Inglewood Manor.

Bride and Groom laugh together on the steps on Inglewood Manor, the yellow light of the trees behind them.

Couple laugh together during their Autumnal wedding at Inglewood Manor.

Husband and wife walk through the tree lined path together laughing after their Autumnal wedding ceremony at Inglewood Manor.

Groom is attacked by a lovely red leaved branch, his wife laughs at him.

Newly weds make their way back to the house with the dusky Autumnal light behind them.

Bride raises up her flowers with a victorious strong arm as she makes her way into Inglewood Manor with her new husband.

Bride and groom sit and drink laughing in the bridal suite at Inglewood Manor.

Bride tries to stop laughing at her Groom by looking away from him, but is still laughing.

Wedding Breakfast and Speeches at Inglewood Manor

By the time we’d finished the photos, the party was in full swing, with Becky’s family and friends having a right old laugh before being ushered into the dining room at Inglewood Manor for a delicious 3 course meal followed by some hilarious and heartfelt speeches.

Becky and Chris were surprised at their table with a photograph of their beloved dog dressed in a full suit with a bow tie and a top hat, sneakily curated by Becky’s Dad (apparently it was a total nightmare to get on!)

The Wedding Cake

Their beloved pooch Barney also made an appearance on the top of the wedding cake. Becky and Chris were particularly impressed with the level of detail in shading of the fur of their beloved pooch. The talented team at The Devonshire Bakery in Frodsham took Becky and Chris’s photos and ideas and turned them into this fabulous creation!

All of Becky and Chris’s wedding stationary was made by The Complete Invitation Company.

Older male wedding guest enjoys a cup of tea at a wedding reception at Inglewood Manor

Wedding guests snuggle up to one and other at Inglewood Manor

Beautiful white ceiling and chandelier at Inglewood Manor.

Hard sunlight hits the tables that have been set for wedding guests at Inglewood Manor.

Red and white wedding cake topped with the bride and groom and their dog.

The dining room ready for guests at Inglewood Manor.

A photograph of the bride and grooms dog awaits them at their table.

The groom gives a speech as the bride laughs.

The best man presents the Groom with a car seat made up to look like a person.

The Groom congratulates the Best Man on his speech.

The Groom and Best Man smile laughing together.

Little girls watch wedding guests from the stairs.

The Party!

After the speeches were done and the cake was cut Becky and Chris and their friends and family went roaring straight into the party! Becky and Chris had a DJ and Saxophone player working the floor together to keep it jam packed and everyone with their dancing shoes on.

Henry Aspden played the saxophone all evening and the dj played Becky and Chris’s favourite songs, they found them on Jonny Ross music who also have open days so you can hear them play.