Category Archives: Cheshire Wedding Photographer

Cheshire wedding photography at Disley Golf Club │ Sarah and Rob

3rd April  2010

I was a Cheshire wedding photographer for Sarah and Rob’s wedding at St Mary’s Church in Disley which is one of the oldest churches in the area.  This picturesque church dates back to the 14th century and over the years it has been restored very sympathetically.  The grounds around the church are one of its charms and it’s nice to see the grass around the gravestones being allowed to follow nature’s course rather than being trimmed to within an inch of its life.

Sarah looked lovely and the gentlemen looked very dapper in tophat and tails. With Sarah’s infectious and charming spontaneity spreading to all those around her there were smiles on tap in every photo.  This was only a half day booking (so I was really busy with the church ceremony included in this time) but Sarah and Rob were delighted with their pictures which made a fabulous album.

 

Quarry Bank Mill wedding photography │ Ellie & Paul

23rd January 2010

Ellie and Paul chose me to be their Cheshire wedding photographer at the historic Quarry Bank Mill in late January. The weather kept us guessing but in the end it neither rained nor snowed, though it was a touch parky!  Lisa Welch did another cracking make-up job (07866 980921) and Ellie looked stunning throughout the day.  The ceremony was held at the quirky Styal Methodist Church, not a stone’s throw from the Mill itself, and on a fine summer’s day you could imagine the Estate workers walking back to the Mill as they used to in days of old. On this Saturday the cobbles on Farmfold Lane were so icy you could hardly stand up!

The snappy weather didn’t deter me from getting everyone outside for the main group and Bride and Groom shots.  In the spring when we were choosing images for the album Ellie and Paul thanked me for persuading them and the Bridal Party to make the effort to walk to the private gardens which I had specially opened for the wedding photography.  At the time I remember they were perhaps not too keen on the whole idea – it was that cold!  When they saw this atmospheric picture across a double page spread in their Graphi album they agreed it was all worthwhile.

My Favourite Weddings & Venues – Spring 2009

In April I had my first Crewe Hall wedding photography. This splendid Gothic country house hotel was the setting for Diane & James’ reception and it is one I am really looking forward to re-visiting. it is tailor-made for photographers.

There are just so many fabulous backdrops to use that you run out of time before you get a chance to use a fraction of them. Wanted – a Bride & Groom with an hour to spend on their wedding pictures alone!

Because the interiors are so wonderful the weather is not so important and to fully do them justice I really could have done with a full day booking. Nevertheless I was very happy with Diane & James’ pictures and look forward to designing their album which I know will look fabulous.

Diane looked stunning and the style her wedding dress was a perfect march for the architecture. Good co-ordination was evident everywhere. The roses in her bouquet matched the bridesmaids’ rich blue dresses and the bridesmaids’ sashes matched the Groom’s tie. These little details make all the difference and are always very apparent in the album, lending the group shots in particular an air of stylish cohesion. Top marks Diane and her team!

 

 

 

 

The weather was of real consequence for Rachael & Andy’s wedding Liverpool wedding photography and it rained non-stop all day. Bride’s always worry about this possibility but no worries, just look at their album! Emotions are the most important ingredient in wedding photography. A good photographer will always be able to turn a disadvantage into an advantage, and bad weather won’t spoil your wedding pictures.

At our pre-wed meet I had planned soaring wide angle shots outside the St. Nicholas Church and dramatic pictures on the Albert Docks but all these had to be shelved. Instead I came up trumps with the stylish interiors of The Hard Days Night Hotel where they held their reception.

This Beatles-themed boutique hotel is situated in the heart of Liverpool city centre and the accommodating staff were happy for me to commandeer the Alice in Wonderland over-sized couch and chair in the foyer to do the smaller group shots.
The lighting and colour schemes throughout the hotel are moody and theatrical, excellent for adding some drama to pictures, and the Bridal Suite also gave us some different photo opportunities. Of course it helps when you are photographing such an attractive couple. Rachael looked drop-dead gorgeous and Andy’s no slouch in the looks department either!


In June I was a Tissington Hall wedding photographer. Nicole & Alexander are both busy professionals working and living in Paris. They needed a photographer they could trust from a distance to deliver outstanding pictures and I was their man.

This is such a stylish venue, and so well run as well (very attentive staff I noticed). When I came for the pre-wed meet earlier in the season the tulips were out and the grounds were overrun with gardeners. It is hard to fault, and both the interiors and the formal gardens are beautifully maintained.

Nicole & Alexander were married at All Saints Church in Bakewell and were chauffeured in a silver (for a change) 1929 Rolls-Royce coupe which looked perfect in front of Tissington Hall. The elegance of the venue was matched by the elegance of the guests who literally came from all corners of Europe as well as America and Russia to celebrate this charming couple’s happy union.
My brief was for a very natural and reportage approach with the minimum of interruption to spoil the flow of the day and this is reflected in the photography which has but one group shot. Of course there are formal shots of the Bride & Groom but we made these as natural-looking as possible. Their evident happiness was a joy to behold and you would never know that their pictures were in any way set up. This is another album I am really looking forward to designing.
 

  Jacqui & Anthony’s Derbyshire wedding was held at St James Church in Taxal and the reception at The Palace Hotel in Buxton. St James is tucked away deep in the countryside (a great starting point for walks) and always feels special. From there the drive (a superb 1927 Studebaker Dictator sedan from Avril’s Cars) over the tops to Buxton is spectacular and gives the Bride & Groom a few minutes alone to savour the moment in true “Bonnie & Clyde” style.

The Palace has recently undergone a major refurbishment and was looking spic and span for the reception. I really like shooting here, not only because of The Palace Hotel itself, but also because of the variety of backdrops available, especially with the Pavillion Gardens just a stone’s throw away.

Jacqui wore a fabulous fitted dress with a long train in a pale cafe au lait colour which flared out from the waist downwards, and with her dark hair and long veil she looked enticingly Spanish. Her Bridesmaids’ dresses were in a darker coffee colour and the Gentlemen wore dark brown.

 

My Favourite Weddings & Venues – Winter 2008

A few venues worthy of mention have slipped the net so now I’ll make amends!

Nicola and Joe were looking for a Lancashire wedding photographer for their wedding at the Holy Trinity church in Bardsley. The reception was held at the splendid Saddleworth Hotel in Delph. The well designed sloping gardens have a couple of unusual features which really help with more formal pictures and big group shots are a doddle on the steps up to the lawns.

The venue’s owner is an unrepentant petrolhead and the unusual Rolls coupe pictured in the album is from his collection, all of which are available to the Bride and groom for hire.

The Groom, Bridesmaids and Ushers all wore brown which worked very well. And I never paid any attention to that tree when I arrived in daylight. It was dark when I left and the effect was unmissable and quite magical.

The youngest wedding of the year award went to Amy and Ashley, with Amy also challenging for the biggest personality of the year award. What an exuberant and happy couple! Amy looked stunning and wore a beautifully detailed dress. The weather wasn’t too kind but nothing could dampen their spirits.

The reception was held in the heart of the Peak District at the popular Royal Hotel in Hayfield. Amy and Ashley chose a Graphi album.

 

 

 




Laura & Richard were married at St Mary’s Church in Levenshulme. This modern Catholic church has beautiful, bright stained glass and the layout of the church lends itself to photography. I was particularly happy with pictures I took at the church and the priest there was very accommodating. Laura looked gorgeous (and Richard didn’t look too bad either!)

The Bride and Groom travelled to The Alma Lodge Hotel in Stockport in a Rolls-Royce but the rest of the bridal party came in the biggest stretched limo I have seen. I couldn’t find the swimming pool but I’m sure there was one somewhere!

This was only a half day booking, though Laura and Richard offset this by wisely chose a GF Smith Reportage album. The larger pages and bigger variety of overlays associated with this album greatly enhance the overall pictorial impact. The Alma Lodge has benefited from a generous refurbishment though their website doesn’t do it justice.

 

 

 

 

 

The Mere Golf & Country Club has a most attractive lakeside location and this was the setting for Nicola & Jason’s August wedding.

The lake together with rolling views of the golf course itself make for stunning pictures.

Take a peek at their GF Smith Reportage album which shows how versatile the various overlay combinations can be.

My Favourite Weddings & Venues – Winter – Spring 2008

My 2008 season started off early with bookings at two venues that were new to me. Both couples were looking for a photographer in Derbyshire and my friendly and unobtrusive approach won them over.

 

 

Eyam Hall would be called a Manoir in France and this is the perfect word to describe this charming and intimate period venue not far from Chatswoth House. The property has been owned by the Wright family for many generations and was perfect for Clare and Mark’s mid-January wedding.

 

Clare got ready in the beautiful Tapestry bedroom with its four poster bed. We had lovely bright winter light which was great for both interior and exterior shots.  Have a look at their album to see how good this venue is for smaller weddings.

 

 

 

 

 

Bramall Hall is a superb example of a ‘Cheshire Black and White’ timber framed manor house, with origins dating back to Medieval England. This was the perfect setting for Catherine and Lee’s wedding on 1st March.

It may have been cold and wet outside but the warmth of the atmospheric Tudor interiors made up for that. The house overlooks 70 acres of beautiful parkland which has been landscaped in the style of Capability Brown. I look forward to shooting a summer wedding at this attractive venue.

 

 

 

 

Samantha and Stephen were married at Cressbrook Hall, a hidden gem not far from Matlock and a venue new to me. I think it fair to say that Cressbrook Hall is grand in style but not overpowering in scale.
It has lovely formal gardens which command stunning views across Monsal Head, with the added bonus of being one of the few venues where you can get married in the open air (weather permitting!)

 

Again we enjoyed the bonus of warm, bright March sunshine which added an extra sparkle to this winter wedding. Sam and Steve chose a 10×10 album but this venue would look even better with the extra breadth afforded by the 12×10 album format.