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A magical day at Colshaw Hall, Cheshire

I’ve been so excited to share this beautiful wedding with you all. Not only did it take place at one of my new favourite venues – the stunning Colshaw Hall in Cheshire– it was the wedding of a lovely couple who’s family I have known for years, so it was an absolute pleasure to be involved in this fabulous day.

The lovely bride and groom are called Franci and Andrew. Quite a few years ago, I was the wedding photographer at Franci’s uncle’s wedding where Franci was bridesmaid, and so young (which makes me feel very old!)

The weather wasn’t very kind to us but that doesn’t matter when you’re at a venue as beautiful as Colshaw Hall. This luxurious Grade II-listed country estate is located just outside the village of Over Peover in Cheshire and boasts a rich history, breathtaking interiors, and picturesque grounds, making it a dream destination for weddings and wedding photography.


Franci and Andrew’s wedding at Colshaw Hall, Cheshire


On the morning of the wedding, I started my day with Franci and her bridal party who were getting ready in the gorgeous bridal prep room at Colshaw Hall.




While the girls were enjoying getting pampered with a glass of fizz, my wonderful second photographer for the day, Jon Hesketh, arrived to take some photos of Andrew and his groomsmen getting ready for the big day ahead.

 

I especially love these brilliant photos of Andrew making the most of one of Colshaw’s fabulous backdrops.




As a wedding photographer, I always love the moment when the father of the bride sees his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time; it’s always such a special moment, and this was certainly no exception.



Wedding photography at Colshaw Hall

 

Franci and Andrew had their ceremony in the Stables Ceremony Room – a purpose-built structure featuring exposed beams and tranquil views of the walled gardens, ideal for exchanging vows in a romantic setting.



After the ceremony we headed outside in a flurry of confetti, and it was time for the group shots, as well as a few shots with Franci and Andrew’s adorable pet dog!

 


Colshaw Hall is a truly stunning Cheshire wedding venue, both inside and out, and I made sure to make the most of this by capturing some show-stopping images of Franci and Andrew. I must admit I absolutely LOVE these images from the day: the couple look stunning and the venue was dressed so beautifully by Uplit Event Hire. Here I need to also credit my good friend and second shooter Jon Hesketh Photography for all the help on the day, and also want to thank Franci and Andrew for trusting us with our ideas ( especially Jon with his light!) – WOW wasn’t it worth it?!

 



It was then time for the reception in another stunning space dressed by Uplit Event Hire.



Six15 led the evening entertainment, and kicked off a fantastic night of partying and celebration: the perfect end to the perfect day!


 

Wedding photographer in Cheshire 

As you can probably tell, I absolutely loved being a part of Franci and Andrew’s special day at Colshaw Hall and am so glad they chose me as their wedding photographer.

If you’re getting married at Colshaw Hall, or any other venue in Cheshire, North Wales or Chester, and would like advice on your wedding photography, please don’t hesitate to contact me; I’d love to chat about your plans. I’m a professional wedding photographer in Cheshire, Chester and North Wales. 

A Wedding Photographer’s Guide to Great Group Shots

Let’s be honest, group shots are a bit of a ‘love or hate’ thing for most couples. I’m a wedding photographer in Cheshire, Chester and North Wales, and I specialise in natural, relaxed wedding photography. This means that I tend to attract couples who want to keep things laid-back, without the fuss of too many posed photos, and aim for a chilled atmosphere on their big day. Often, couples have a bit of hesitation when it comes to group shots – no one wants their guests hanging around for ages waiting for photos.

The good news is that you can have the best of both worlds – a relaxed wedding day with natural, candid photography and some great group shots. It’s all about finding the right balance. So, here are my tips for nailing your group shots without spoiling the fun!

Organisation is key

One of the biggest worries couples have is that their guests will end up standing around for what feels like forever during the group shots. The secret to avoiding this? Organisation.

Before the wedding, I’ll always ask for a list of around ten group shots you’d like. This way, I already know who needs to be where, and we can keep the time spent taking group shots to a minimum. I usually suggest starting with the large group shot first, so anyone not needed for the smaller groups can go grab a drink or settle into the party.

If you’re nervous about group shots slowing down the day, have a chat with your photographer – we’ll have plenty of tricks up our sleeves to keep everything running smoothly.

Less is more when it comes to group shots

I recommend sticking to around 10 group combinations. You can always have more if you like, but I often find couples think they need far more group shots than they’ll actually end up wanting. Ask yourself: will you include all of these in your album? Will you look back on every single one? If not, you probably don’t need them all.

Focus on the most important groups – everyone, immediate family, bridal party, and parents. That way, we can keep the formal photos to a minimum, leaving plenty of time for candid shots and enjoying the day.

And don’t forget – I’ll be there for most of the day, which means there’s plenty of opportunity to capture more spontaneous group photos later on.


Enlist some helpers

While I’ll make sure to get to know who’s who before the big day, it’s always handy to have a couple of helpers to round up guests for photos. Ushers are perfect for this – just make sure they’re not too distracted by the bar! A couple of responsible helpers can make the whole process much smoother, and we’ll get through the shots in no time.

 

Get creative with your group shots

Who says group shots have to be dull and stiff? These days, it’s all about getting creative. Whether it’s finding a unique location at your venue or capturing the personality of your group, there’s no need to stick to a boring line-up.

Maybe the bridesmaids laughing with the bride, or the groomsmen having a cheeky drink together – these moments add personality and can make your group shots stand out.

I’m also an award-winning creative wedding photographer, and I love getting creative with props such as smoke bombs and drones to capture group shots which are never boring!

Abbeywood Estate wedding photography Cheshire

Wedding photographer in Cheshire and North Wales

With a little creativity and some smart organisation, your group shots can be a fun and memorable part of your day – without taking up too much time. So, if you’re looking for relaxed, natural wedding photography with some group shots thrown in, you’ve come to the right place!

I’m a wedding photographer in Cheshire, Chester, and North Wales; if you’d like to chat about your wedding photography ideas, I’m always happy to help! Please get in touch today.

 

Marchwiel Hall Styled Shoot

Recently I was asked to shoot a styled wedding shoot at the stunning Marchwiel Hall in North Wales, and I was thrilled to be involved. Not only is Marchwiel a gorgeous venue, but I was also working with a super-talented team of wedding professionals from North Wales and Cheshire.

And now I’m even more excited because I’m able to share a sneak peek of the shots with you, as well as telling you a little bit more about the shoot, and about this beautiful wedding venue…

 



Marchwiel Hall, North Wales


So, first off, a bit about Marchwiel Hall itself…

This elegant Georgian Hall is nestled amongst a 165-acre estate which includes established parkland, mature woodland, and a tranquil 3-acre lake. The estate’s landscaped gardens, stables, and two picturesque gamekeepers’ cottages, along with a charming walled garden and its famous cricket pitch, provide an idyllic backdrop for wedding photography. 

Marchwiel Hall and the surrounding estate have a rich history dating back centuries. It was originally built in the 17th century, and there is a plaque that can still be found on the back wall of the north stable block. Laurence and Kirsty, the owners of Marchwiel Hall, have spent the last 12 years meticulously bringing the Hall back to its former glory with the intention of turning it into an elegant wedding and events venue in North Wales.



Wedding photography at Marchwiel Hall


I was lucky to spend the day of the shoot with some of North Wales and Cheshire’s finest wedding professionals, and it was a pleasure to work together to create some gorgeous images.

Here’s a list of the very talented suppliers involved in the shoot:

Photography: @staceyoliverphotos @photographyjoebickerton @jonheskethphotography
Videography: @mathew_lloyd_film Stylist: @skellonevents
Stylist: @tablealchemy
Flowers: @vividfloraldesign
Stationary: @rose_and_grace_design
Hair: @harmonyweddinghair
Hair accessories: @weddingfairyandfriends
Make-up: @madeupbycathryn
Cake: @_redrosecakes Furniture/Glassware: @tipplescateringhire
Dress: @bethanyhbridal
Suit: @groomformal
Content creators: @theeditorsuk
Models: @jess_young.xo @_nomad_couple & @x.andra.l


The images really capture the elegance and quiet luxury of this venue. The venue’s interiors are tasteful and calming- the perfect backdrop, and the grounds outside are a wedding photographer’s dream!



 

I loved capturing the images of the beautiful outdoor tablescape, and the natural, botanical touches that were used throughout the shoot. I also loved capturing photographs of the different couples, and seeing so many different beautiful dresses being styled!

 




A personal highlight for me was the couple’s shots I captured in the ‘golden hour’ as the evening drew in: the lighting was soft and beautiful, and our bridal model looked stunning in a short silk dress- something a little bit different but it looked amazing!


Wedding photographer in North Wales and Cheshire

As a wedding photographer based in North Wales and Cheshire, this shoot has certainly made me very excited to shoot some real weddings soon at this stunning venue. If you’re thinking of getting married at Marchwiel Hall, I’d love to chat about your plans!