Category Archives: Cressbrook Hall

Cressbrook Hall wedding photographer │ Kerry and Matthew

27TH August 2010

Kerry and Matt chose me for their Derbyshire wedding photography even though they both hail from Bromsgrove in Worcestershire.  They met and fell in love (with the area as well) while on a walking  holiday a few years before so decided that Cressbrook Hall, surely the jewel in the crown of Monsal Head, had to be the setting for their wedding. Kerry got ready at the Lodge while the rest of her family put on their finest in the excellent guest accommodation at the venue.  The ceremony was held at the picturesque Holy Trinity Church at nearby Ashford-on-the-Water, conducted by the charismatic Reverend Tony Kaunhoven, one of my favourite vicars.

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Cressbrook Hall wedding photographer │ Ellie and Chris

3RD July 2010

Back to Cressbrook Hall as a Derbyshire wedding photographer in early July.  As I had hoped the fine weather stayed with us and this allowed the ceremony to be held in the gardens which I was happy to find almost in full bloom. All of Bobbie’s hard work with her gardens is now coming to maturity and Cressbrook looks wonderful in summer. Shooting this wedding was a real privilege for me as I have known Ellie since her early teens. I also knew many of the guests.

When I arrived I was happy that Ellie was relaxed and laid back as usual, even finding time to read a favourite story to her little boy as she was getting ready!  Chris was equally chilled, with none of the nerves all too obvious in Grooms before the ceremony.  This unhurried and informal feeling enveloped everyone throughout the day.  Everything happened more or less at the right time but there seemed to be no rush and no pressure. I got lovely pictures of Ellie and Chris who both looked a million dollars and the evening was topped off by a fabulous fireworks display by Quicksilver.

Cressbrook Hall wedding photography │ Sharon and Ian

12th December 2009

Sharon & Ian chose me as their Derbyshire wedding photographer on a crisp but sunny December day. Sharon wore an eye-catching white dress with red accents which were perfectly echoed by the bridesmaids’ outfits and the gentlemen’s ties.  It was a fine day which allowed me the luxury of shooting many shots outside. There’s a magic hour in the early afternoon, just before the sun sets, when the sky starts turning a soft pink and the light is perfect for people pictures. The light is contrasty and still has shape, but is soft and flattering at the same time. This is the time I chose for the Bride and Groom shots, and the monochromatic wintery backgrounds gave the pictures a very different look to the pictures I took at Cressbrook weddings during the summer months.  Bobbie (Hull-Bailey) also very generously let me shoot a few Bride and Groom pictures in her festively decorated Drawing Room and hallway.

My Favourite Weddings & Venues – Summer 2009

In July I returned to Heaton House Farm as Kelly & Ian’s Cheshire wedding photographer.

Wow, how things have changed! The choice of facilities has more than doubled and there are more areas to shoot in.
 
I particularly like the inclusion of the pond, and when the new garden areas have had a chance to gain a little more maturity things will be even better still. If only all venue owners were as pro-active and forward thinking!
 
Kelly and Ian chose my new Moderna 10×10 album. This allows a lot of design flexibility at a very reasonable price and is a perfect choice for couples on a more restrictive budget. They also ordered two matching albums for their parents in the 8×8 version and these look particularly cute at their smaller scaled down size.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Summer certainly arrived in style for Bonnie & Nigel’s Derbyshire wedding at Cressbrook Hall in August.

It was a lovely day for a wedding and the light showed off the magnificent gardens to full advantage.
We shot the getting ready pictures at the venue and this is always a good idea for making the most of a half day booking.
The ceremony was held outside under the eaves, and among the guests were Bride & Groom’s two Jack Russells, resplendant with their red ribbons which perfectly matched the Bridesmaids dresses.
There was another four-legged guest, somewhat larger and possibly even more beautifully turned out, but this time it was a complete surprise to the bride.
Shortly after the ceremony the bridal party were ushered round to the drive at the front of Cressbrook Hall where to the Bride’s astonishment her golden stallion awaited, saddled up and ready to go, complete with very bling sparkly hooves and flanks. The Bride & Groom are both keen equestrians and Nigel arranged this magical surprise. It made a perfect photo opportunity.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You wouldn’t have known what season it was for Joanna & Ian’s Lancashire wedding. They chose me as their Samlesbury Hall photographer.

We had sun, wind and torrential rain, all in the space of a few hours. The sun popped in and out like a yo-yo and the shower setting was on random.

This didn’t in any way dampen the B&G’s spirits, even when we did finally push our luck too far. The rain gods cried enough and organised a deluge of biblical proportions just as we were shooting the Bride & Groom shots in the gardens.

Luckily the trees on the estate are plentiful, but after ten minutes no-stop downpour I had to make a break for it to retrieve umbrellas. I was soaked through, and by the time I got back to the B&G Ian was also drenched, having chivalrously given his jacket to his new Bride so she could stay dry.

I ran ahead to organise towels and managed to get a memorable picture of them coming inside with the wall of water pouring down behind them.
This was my first wedding at Samlesbury and I have to say that this venue has impressed me like no other on first appraisal. It has charm and atmosphere in equal measure. It is well maintained and has lovely grounds. Laid out the Great Hall had the feeling of a medieval banquet and the waiting staff were attentive but didn’t rush you. Most importantly the wedding co-ordinator ensured that everything ran like clockwork and in an unobtrusive manner. If a period setting is your dream this may be the venue for you.
 
 
 
 
 
Claire & Tom are both keen photographers and wisely booked me as their Shrigley Hall photographer very early on, as do most couples who really value their wedding pictures. Just today as I write this blog I have had to turn away two enquiries for 2010 because I am already booked, and one at a fantastic venue that I could have translated into wonderful pictures.
As usual I arrived early at Claire’s parents’ house to shoot the getting ready pictures. Experience has taught me to allow plenty of time for the unexpected but on this occasion it wasn’t necessary and everything fell into place perfectly.
Claire has natural good looks but I’d only seen her before without make-up and I wasn’t prepared for the transformation when she finally put on her Ian Stewart dress. She looked wonderful. Getting in touch with my feminine side I think it is safe to say this was a dress for boys to appreciate as well as girls! Very romantic and very feminine.
Claire & Tom were married at St. Catherine’s in Didsbury and held their reception at Shrigley Hall. This was another on-off day so we did all the group shots in the courtyard as soon as all the guests had booked in. Guys take note – look how the Groom and his mates all camp it up for their shots. Every one was a winner and a lot of fun. The Girls always have a giggle but often The Guys take a lot of coaxing.
As luck would have it the blustery showers curtailed the B&G outdoor photoshoot before we had finished. Shrigley Hall is wonderful inside however, and for me the single series of shots of Claire and Tom on the grand staircase makes up for ones we didn’t manage to get done outside. Just look at that dress. (My feminine side again!)

My Favourite Weddings & Venues – Summer 2008

The summer season saw me photographing weddings in Cheshire, Manchester, Liverpool, Merseyside, Wirral, Derbyshire, Lancashire, Staffordshire, North Wales and Yorkshire.

 

 

The Church of St. Mary-the-Virgin, Disley is over 450 years old and is a building of great beauty and immense charm. Jennifer and Chris tied the knot there in May and followed on with a reception at Shrigley Hall.

Shrigley Hall Hotel is a striking 19th century late Georgian Mansion echoing period charm. Set on the edge of the Peak District it is the very essence of an English Country House Hotel and has magnificent views over the Cheshire Plains.

The interiors are very grand and spacious, and as a photographer I am never at a loss for backgrounds if the weather turns nasty. See also Deborah & Stephen’s Graphi Book for more pictures at this attractive venue.

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of May I returned to Cressbrook Hall in Derbyshire for Caroline and Philip’s wedding. This was only a half day booking but it shows how much can be accomplished in the time.

 

Many of their friends are keen walkers who joined together and sang a couple of rousing songs after the vows had been exchanged which really brought the house down. The weather was fine which allowed the ceremony to be held in the open air in contrast to Sam and Steve’s winter wedding in March.

Cressbrook also caters for grown-up children! They had fun in the lower garden while the Bride and Groom were having their pictures taken.

 

 

 


Dianna & Stephen needed a photographer in Cheshire and certainly had their album in mind when they chose Sandhole Oak Barn for their summer wedding.

This is a stunning venue in an exclusive Cheshire location overlooking a private lake and because of it’s versatility is one of my favourites.

We had lovely soft light all day, so much better for skin than bright sunlight and blue sky, (not that Dianna or Stephen needed any flattering!)

The getting ready pictures were taken at the excellent Yew Tree Apartments near-by. These apartments are spacious, light and airy, and perfect for photography. The fine weather allowed me to use all the facilities at Sandhole, and their pictures made a stunning Graphi Book. The best looking couple of the year?

 

 

 

Heaton House Farm in Ruston Spencer, between Macclesfield and Leek, has great views over three counties, and is fast becoming a very popular venue. Their ultra versatile “Barn” can be sub-divided into several rooms to accommodate from as few as 25 right up to 300 guests. These can also be independently themed.
They also have that magnificent tree!
Look at Holly and Alan’s pictures and you will see what I mean!

Holly and Alan were married at St. Matthew’s in Hayfield. I’m always on the lookout for different pictures so we stopped off at The Roaches en route to take some eye catching panoramics by the huge rocky outcrops.

 

 

 

 

Alice & Andre were looking for a photographer in Manchester and are both keen photographers who knew exactly what they wanted. They let me know they were vetting plenty of other photographers but they finally chose me.

At our pre-wedding meeting I received the tightest and scariest brief I’ve ever had (including 24 page A4 booklet and laptop slideshow!) Be afraid, be very afraid! I like a challenge but I did wonder if I could satisfy all their expectations. I’m happy to say I did and received the longest thanks email I’ve ever received!
Alice’s getting ready pictures were taken at
eleven didsbury park, a peaceful haven with a fantastic walled garden right in the heart of Didsbury village.

The service was held at the nearby St. James (great for pictures + brilliant acapella choir), which has the added bonus of the little park opposite, with the reception held in Alice and Andre’s garden marquee afterwards.

 

 

 

 

Rebecca and Paul needed a Staffordshire wedding photographer to capture their Big Day at
Packington Moor Farmnear Litchfield. This is an absolutely fantastic venue for a photographer. There are just so many backdrops around you are spoilt for choice!

The getting ready pictures worked out brilliantly and were taken in one of the adjoining farm cottages, and the attractive courtyard is great for candid pictures after the ceremony.

The buzz was infectious, with that perfect mix of young and not so young guests that really makes a party swing.

This was a full day booking which always helps to produce a great album. A truly beautiful bride and a handsome Groom, perfect weather, great guests and a wonderful venue equals a very happy photographer!

 

 

 

 

Quarry Bank Mill In Styal, Cheshire is full of historic home grown character and was the setting of choice for Melissa and Stephenfor their August wedding.

 

Melissa looked stunning, with the bridesmaids’ dresses styled to match the Bride’s car, a clever touch which made for great pictures. It turned out to be a hot and sunny day and the magnificent gardens were in full bloom.

This versatile venue has plenty of room for a large guest list, and because it is so spread out you do need an efficient usher (or two!) to round all your guests up!

 

Melissa and Stephen chose a GF Smith Rhapsody Reportage album in Ivory.

 

 


Anna and Timothy were looking for a Derbyshire wedding photographer for their wedding at the Maynard Armsat Grindleford and they chose me.

Both Anna & Tim looked lovely and never stopped smiling all day, radiating love and happiness like a force-field. Thanks Anna & Tim, it was a real pleasure capturing your wedding. I think I have one of the best jobs in the world!

The Maynard has a light and airy oak panelled function room (great food!), with french doors opening out onto extensive and useful gardens. The soft evening light after the Wedding Breakfast was perfect for sun-kissed Bride and Groom shots.

 

 

 

 

I cannot recall ever mentioning a Catholic priest before but I must thank Fr. McMahon for conducting one of the warmest and most joyful wedding ceremony I have ever attended.
Caroline & Graham

 

were married at St John’s, Chorlton in the second week in August and had their reception at the Mere Court Hotel afterwards.

The Mere Court successfully marries a modern airy conservatory with period reception rooms oozing in old world charm. Lovely grounds too. The skies were cold and heavy with intermittent rain but this didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.

Caroline wore a fabulous lace dress with a long veil and her natural elegance and grace shows in all her pictures.

 

 

 

Well landscaped grounds and gardens make such a difference to wedding photography and in this The Deanwater in Woodford, Cheshire is hard to beat.

They add timeless scale and style to images making a photographer’s ideas that much easier to achieve. They also add a simplicity to images that really makes a beautiful dress stand out.

Look at Karen and Glyn’s Graphi Book to see what I mean. I didn’t have the luxury of a full day booking but I was as happy as Karen and Glyn were with the spread of pictures I conjured up for them.