This Dorfold Hall wedding takes place on a typical English summer day, sunshine, wind, cloud, the risk of rain all present themselves. The day starts sunny, and I enjoy photographing the building and grounds. The view from the driveway of Dorfold is nothing short of impressive. As you come down the tree-lined driveway, you pass the lake on your right before you arrive in front of the majestic Jacobean building dating from 1616. There is a giant iron statue of a mastiff with puppies that seemingly guards the entrance.
Having walked around the estate I can easily see why the bride and groom chose Dorfold Hall for their wedding. I am excited about the day ahead as I know it will provide me with a lot of opportunities for great photos.
Next, I head inside to find the groom and his groomsmen getting ready. I photograph the finishing stages of them getting ready as they help each other adjust their cufflinks, ties, waistcoat belts, pin on their boutonnieres, and then they have a celebratory drink which also helps steady the nerves and excitement. With the men ready, they make their way outside and leave Dorfold hall and head to Nantwich to the church to prepare for the wedding.
Meanwhile, upstairs the bride and her bridesmaids are getting their hair and makeup done. I say hello to everyone and then take some photos of the beautiful bouquets, stationery, shoes, rings, and dresses. With hair and makeup complete, I turn my attention to the bride’s preparations. Her mother and bridesmaids help her with the closing of her dress, the accessories, and the veil. Once the bride is ready, her father enters the living room, and they share happiness and excitement together.
A white vintage Rolls Royce awaits them downstairs to take them to St Mary’s Church in Nantwich. Conveniently, it is only a five-minute journey from Dorfold Hall to their church wedding. St Mary’s Church is right in the middle of Nantwich and is one of the most excellent examples of a medieval church, not just in Cheshire but in all of England.
The wedding is perfect, and after about an hour we exit to confetti and cheers. Time to take one large group photo before the guests and newlyweds are taken back to Dorfold Hall, where there are drinks and finger food in the back gardens.
While the guests chat and congratulate the happy couple, I quickly visit the marquee in the secret garden to photograph some of the decorations. Once done, I return to the cocktails, and we take the family portraits and group photos. I then take the couple for a short photo session before the dinner reception and speeches start.
Entertaining, amusing speeches follow. We sneak off for a few more photos during dinner, but no one even realizes. Later there is cake cutting and first dance before the band gets the party going. Outside there are large barbecue pits for staying warm and roasting marshmallows as the party carries on into the night at this Dorfold Hall wedding. This was such a fun wedding to photograph as the venue is stunning, and their church wedding was so emotional. One of my favourite wedding ceremonies was an outdoor Iranian wedding in Hampshire.
