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Cheshire’s best venues for an outdoor wedding

Cheshire’s best venues for an outdoor wedding

There’s something wonderfully romantic about saying “I do” outdoors. Whether you’re imagining a country garden ceremony surrounded by flowers, sweeping Cheshire countryside as your backdrop, or simply the freedom to make the most of a beautiful summer day, an outdoor wedding can feel incredibly special.

As a Cheshire wedding photographer, I’m lucky to work at some beautiful venues which are perfect for outdoor weddings. Here are four of my favourites for couples who want to take their ceremony outside.


Rowton Hall Hotel and Spa, Cheshire

Set within eight acres of gardens and grounds, Rowton Hall has a particularly lovely option for an outdoor ceremony: its historic Walled Garden. With sweeping lawns, flower borders, and a clematis-covered pergola, it creates a naturally romantic setting for exchanging vows (and the ideal backdrop for wedding photography!).

As a wedding photographer, I’ve always found Rowton Hall to be a brilliant venue from a photography perspective. There are plenty of tucked-away corners around the gardens, giving you lots of opportunities for relaxed couple portraits after the ceremony.

Rowton Hall Chester       


Abbeywood Estate, Cheshire

Abbeywood Estate in Cheshire is surrounded by 45 acres of gardens and woodland in the Delamere countryside, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to beautiful backdrops.

The Gazebo in the Exotic Garden provides the setting for outdoor ceremonies, surrounded by lush planting. I’ve photographed outdoor ceremonies here myself, and it really does make a beautiful focal point for wedding photography.

The combination of gardens, woodland, glasshouse and open Cheshire countryside also means there’s plenty of variety throughout the day.



Colshaw Hall, Cheshire

For a classic Cheshire country estate feel, Colshaw Hall is hard to beat. Couples can choose from three licensed outdoor ceremony areas: the Magnolia Garden, Walled Garden, and Japanese Gardens. Outdoor ceremonies are available during the summer months, from April to October.

Each setting has its own character, but all offer beautifully maintained gardens and plenty of greenery around you as you say your vows. They’re all perfect for capturing stunning wedding photography, and because Colshaw Hall is exclusively yours for the day, there’s plenty of freedom to enjoy the grounds.

           



Old Palace Chester

For something a little different, Old Palace Chester offers an outdoor ceremony overlooking the River Dee. As a wedding photographer, I’ve loved shooting couples at this venue as it’s such a unique outlook and we’ve created some really special photographs.

The Garden Terrace at Old Palace is enclosed by private lush gardens, with the river and surrounding landscape creating a beautiful backdrop while guests are seated on the lawn. It’s a particularly lovely option if you want the romance of an outdoor ceremony without giving up historic architecture and elegant interiors.

And, of course, there’s the added bonus of Chester itself for photographs, giving your wedding gallery a lovely mixture of gardens, riverside views, and historic architecture.

         

Planning an outdoor Cheshire wedding?

An outdoor ceremony in Cheshire does come with one unavoidable consideration: the British weather! All four of these venues have indoor alternatives or contingency arrangements, so there’s no need to panic if the weather doesn’t play ball. 

From gardens and woodland to riverside views, Cheshire has some wonderfully photogenic settings for an al fresco ceremony, and I’d love to help you capture every moment. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Cheshire, get in touch- I’d love to hear more about your plans!

 

Nathan & Szabolcs wedding at Highfield Hall, North Wales

What a gorgeous wedding day Nathan and Szabolcs had at Highfield Hall in North Wales. Full of laughs, happy tears, huge hugs, questionable dance moves and so much love, this was one of those weddings where the atmosphere was incredible from beginning to end.

Nathan got in touch with me the minute they booked their wedding date, and I couldn’t have been happier. I had photographed his brother’s wedding a few years ago during Covid and, honestly, there’s no bigger compliment than being asked back by another member of the family.

It made this wedding feel extra special from the very beginning.

 

First looks, lots of hugs, and a few emotional moments

One of my favourite parts of the day was getting to capture Nathan and Szab seeing each other for the first time in their suits before the ceremony.

There’s something really lovely about a first look. Away from the hustle and bustle for a few minutes, they had the chance to see each other, take it all in and share that moment together before the day really got going.

And it wasn’t just the grooms who had emotional first looks. Capturing their parents seeing them dressed up and ready to get married for the first time was pretty special too. As a wedding photographer, those are exactly the kinds of moments I love documenting- genuine reactions that you can’t recreate once they’re gone.

An outdoor ceremony at Highfield Hall, North Wales

Highfield Hall is such a lovely setting for wedding photography, particularly if you want to make the most of the outdoors.

The grounds give you plenty of space and variety, with beautiful gardens, mature greenery, fountains, and lovely spots for wedding photography without everything feeling too formal.

Nathan and Szab were able to have their ceremony outdoors, which created a really beautiful setting for such an important moment. And afterwards, we had plenty of opportunities to explore the grounds for their couple photographs, which were both fun and romantic.

The real stars of the show…

Of course, we couldn’t leave the couples’ adorable dogs out of the celebrations! They joined in with the photographs and were very much part of the day, because lets face it, if your dogs are part of your family, they deserve to be part of your wedding too (especially when they’re this cute!) 

A family celebration from start to finish

And can we talk about Szab’s family?!

They travelled all the way from Hungary and they did not come to mess about! They brought the energy, the love, and the party, and safe to say the dance floor never stood a chance!

This was one of those weddings where you could really feel how much everyone cared about Nathan and Szab. There were huge hugs, plenty of laughter, and so much happiness throughout the day.

And I have to give them some serious love for the decor, too. They did it all themselves, and they absolutely went for it. Incredible. The personal touches made the whole day feel even more special. 

A Highfield Hall wedding I’ll remember

Thank you both so much for letting me be part of such an unforgettable day.

I smiled behind the camera all day long and loved every single second. From those quiet first-look moments and emotional reactions from your parents, to your outdoor ceremony, your gorgeous dogs, the wedding photography around the grounds, and one seriously energetic dance floor- it was an absolute joy to capture.

Highfield Hall in North Wales was the perfect backdrop, but it was the two of you, your families and all that love and happiness that made this wedding so special.

Here’s to a lifetime of laughter together, Nathan and Szab.

Wedding make up that photographs beautifully: a wedding photographer’s top tips

Wedding make up that photographs beautifully: a wedding photographer’s top tips


Your wedding day is one of the most photographed days of your life, so it’s only natural to want your make up to look flawless from the first look through to the final dance. While trends come and go, certain techniques always photograph beautifully and help create timeless images you’ll love for years to come.

I’ve been a wedding photographer for over 20 years, so I like to think I know a bit about wedding make up that photographs well! Here are a few simple tips to help your wedding make up look its best on camera.

Choose long lasting products

Wedding days are emotional, busy, and often long. From happy tears during the ceremony to dancing well into the evening, your make up needs to last.

A professional bridal make up artist will typically use a great base or primer, long wear foundations, waterproof mascara, and setting sprays to ensure everything stays fresh throughout the day. This means fewer touch ups and more confidence in front of the camera.


Keep your skin looking natural

While full coverage foundation can help even out your complexion, it’s important to avoid make up that looks heavy or cakey. Modern wedding photography captures incredible detail, so lightweight products that allow your natural skin to shine through often create the most flattering results.

A healthy, well moisturised complexion photographs beautifully, especially in natural light.

Don’t forget definition

Photography can soften facial features, so adding gentle definition helps your face stand out in images. Softly defined brows, subtle contouring, and a touch of blush can add dimension without looking overdone.

Similarly, defining the eyes with neutral eyeshadows and natural looking lashes helps them stand out in portraits while still looking elegant.

Avoid too much shine

A radiant complexion is lovely, but excessive shine can become more noticeable in your wedding photographs, particularly during summer weddings or on sunny days.

Using mattifying products on areas such as the forehead, nose, and chin can help reduce unwanted shine while allowing the high points of your face to retain a natural glow.


Consider your lip colour

Neutral pinks, soft rose tones, and classic nude shades tend to photograph beautifully and complement a wide range of wedding styles. If you prefer a bolder lip, choose a long lasting formula and keep it nearby for quick touch ups after eating and drinking.

Most importantly, choose a colour that makes you feel like yourself.

Trust your wedding photographer and make up artist

Your wedding photographer and make up artist both want the same thing: beautiful, natural images that you’ll treasure forever. An experienced wedding photographer knows how to use lighting and angles to flatter their subjects, while a skilled make up artist understands how products will appear on camera.


Cheshire & North Wales wedding photographer

As a wedding photographer in Cheshire, North Wales, and Chester, my approach is all about capturing genuine moments and authentic emotion. Beautiful make up can certainly enhance your photographs, but the smiles, laughter, and love you share throughout the day are what truly make your wedding images unforgettable. When you feel comfortable, confident, and happy, that’s what shines through in every photograph.