Kate and Andrew’s lovely Colshaw Hall wedding was a real hoot to photograph. A lovely couple and great crowd.

I photographed Kate’s bridal preparations at Cottons, Knutsford. I’ve shot there many times. This time we had a bustling and full room with a happy atmosphere. I took some lovely moments while Kate and the girls did their hair and makeup. Once Kate was in her dress I did my usual quick bridal portrait session before heading off to Colshaw Hall for the service.

Colshaw Hall wedding

I arrived at Colshaw Hall and found Andrew having a laugh with his ushers and best men. The weather was beautiful at Colshaw Hall as I waited outside for Kate’s arrival. Kate arrived in a beautiful classic VW camper van. Kate and Andrew chose to have their wedding in ‘the stables’ a purpose built wooden structure inside Colshaw Halls grounds complete with clock tower. The Stables let in loads of light which makes it perfect for photography. Add that to the wonderful Cheshire registrars and their relaxed approach to wedding photographers and this becomes a great place to photograph a wedding in Cheshire. Cheshire wedding photographers are really spoilt with the unhindered access they give us.

After the service, everyone went outside into the sun. Unlike some venues, Colshaw Hall allows confetti which is great. I left Kate and Andrew to have fun with their friends while I captured the day in my usual unintrusive documentary photography style.

I also took a few family group pictures. This was followed by a short couple photo shoot around the stunning grounds before heading inside for the wedding breakfast and speeches.

After the speeches and cutting of the cake it everyone went into full party mode ready for the dj and of course – the first dance.

DoubleTree Hilton Chester

Laura and John’s wedding saw me at the DoubleTree Hilton Chester. Laura and John are a really fun couple and their wedding was full of surprises – a real hoot to photograph!

Laura was great to photograph she either a smile on her face or was laughing. It was great to be around her, her family and friends during her bridal preparations. A really buzzing room with people popping in and out all morning. Once Laura was in her dress I went in search of John and the guys.

I caught up with a nervous looking John greeting their guests as they arrived. the DoubleTree Hilton Chester has a lovely ceremony room detached from the rest of the hotel making it really private and quiet. Laura and John treated their guests to full welsh choir to entertain everyone while they waited for the bride.

We Cheshire wedding photographers are really lucky, the registrars here are fantastic. They have a really relaxed manner which is lovely for couples and allows us photographers to really capture your moments.

After the wedding service, everyone made their to Conservatory for the drinks reception. The Grade II English Heritage listed conservatory is perfect for wedding photographers letting in lots of light.

As the day went on it was time for a few more of those surprises I mentioned earlier. Once all the wedding guests were seated it was time for the wedding party to enter the room. This being Laura and John’s wedding they didn’t just walk in! The ushers and best man started things off dancing into the room to whoops and cheers followed by the bridesmaids, mums, then dads before Laura and John.

As everyone settled down for the wedding breakfast came another BIG surprise… the background music suddenly became foreground music with a live act. People were even more surprised when they were suddenly given the microphone and they became the act. It wasn’t long before the whole room was in raptures and dancing on their chairs.

So much going on at this wedding! There was still speeches, cake cutting and the first dance to come.

After their first dance, I left them to enjoy the rest of their wedding celebrations.

The DoubleTree Chester is a beautifully restored eighteenth Century Manor House and lovely wedding venue. It has twelve acres immaculately kept grounds that are a fabulous backdrop to any wedding. Like all the best venues there is lots of scope inside too if the weather isn’t so great.

Here are a selection of favourites from Laura and John’s wedding…

Wedding Photography in Cheshire and the North West by Rob Sanderson

I first met Vinnie and Richard at Sian and Andrew’s wedding in Anglesey. Richard was Andrew’s best man. Vinnie and Richard were such an easy going and friendly couple I was really made up when 4 years later they asked me to photograph their wedding at Nunsmere Hall Hotel in Cheshire.

Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel

Vinnie and the girls got ready at Macdonald New Blossoms Hotel in the centre of Chester. It was a lovely relaxed morning. Once Vinnie was in her gorgeous dress I had time for a few bridal portraits before making my way to Nunsmere Hall Hotel to find Richard.

Nunsmere Hall Hotel

Nunsmere Hall Hotel is a lovely venue set in picturesque grounds in the heart of Cheshire. I bumped into Sian and Andrew, it was lovely to see them both again.

I arrived to find Richard chatting with Andrew and his ushers at Nunsmere Hall Hotel. The Cheshire registrars are some of the best in the country to work with. I’m lucky, as a Cheshire wedding photographer to be able to capture their service unhindered like this.

After the service, the guests were able to take advantage of the dry clear weather and enjoy the delightful grounds at Nunsmere Hall Hotel before heading to the marquee for the wedding breakfast and evening entertainment.

After a great set of speeches that had everyone laughing the atmosphere stayed on a high ready for Vinnie and Richards first dance. After which it was my time to leave them to enjoy the rest of their day.

Here are a few of my favourites from their special wedding…

One of the best things about being a wedding photographer is the lovely people you meet. Suzannah and Simon are such easy-going people with friendly family and friends it was a real pleasure to photograph their wedding at St Mary and All Saints Church in great Budworth.

My journalistic photography style really appealed to Suzannah and Simon. They wanted great photos and a record of their wedding without spending the day being bossed around by a wedding photographer asking them to pose all day.

Suzannah’s parents were hosting the wedding reception at their home, they had put so much effort into this and it really showed. This was a fabulous wedding venue and unique to the family – it’s a shame no one else can book it!! I arrived at the house to start my day with Suzannah for her bridal preparations. I had a lovely morning Suzannah and family but it was soon time for me to head off to catch up with Simon at St Mary and All Saints, Great Budworth…

St Mary and All Saints

I arrived to find Simon chatting with his ushers outside St Mary’s. St Mary and All Saints is a beautiful Grade One listed building dating back to the 14th century. St Mary’s were very helpful and most definitely photographer-friendly allowing me to capture Suzannah and Simons service unhindered.  So a big thank you to The Reverend Alec Brown!

After the vows, we were treated to a moving vocal performance by Suzannah’s sister and cousin, not a dry eye in the house, truly magnificent!

After the service, we returned to Suzannah’s parent’s house to start the party. The weather was beautiful and the atmosphere relaxed. Guests were treated to chilled live music by the band ‘247’ while they chatted and mixed. The guests then made their way to the marquee ready or the wedding breakfast and speeches.

After the speeches, the 247 hit the stage with more up-tempo tunes than before getting people in the party mood. 247 performed the music for Suzannah and Simon’s first dance and then kicked up the pace a notch instantly filling the dance floor and getting the party into full swing where it stayed.

After seeing their pictures Suzannah wrote:

“Thanks again for doing such a great job – getting such beautiful photographs of two rather unwilling subjects was a serious achievement. Neither of have ever looked as good so well done! I’m also really grateful to you for your support in the morning – you undoubtedly helped me to be a much more calm and relaxed bride than otherwise would have been the case. Really glad we chose you.“

Thanks Suzannah!

Here are a few favourites from their day… you can see more of my work by visiting my portfolio page…

I’ve been really looking forward to Cat and Ben’s wedding. After meeting them both earlier in the year I knew I was in for a lively, fun-filled day and I wasn’t disappointed.

I started the day with Cat and the girls at her parent’s house in Liverpool. It was a full house with lots going on! And the Facebook updates were frequent. I had a fun morning with Cat and friends. As always time starts to evaporate as the ceremony closes so it was time for Cat to don her beautiful wedding dress. I had time for a few bridal portraits of Cat before heading off to St Winifred’s, Neston in Cheshire.

I arrived at St Winifred’s, Neston and caught up with Ben and the guests. As expected Ben was in good humour and having a good laugh with everyone.

A first for me, Cat arrived at St Winifred’s ahead of her bridesmaids! It took a few quick phone calls to locate them and the day could continue.

Sadly Cat’s sister was the other side of the world yet still got to walk down the aisle with her courtesy of iChat on her iPad! Its great when technology can bridge the gaps.

St Winifreds is a lovely church and photographer friendly. I was able to photograph Cat and Ben’s wedding unhindered and capture real memories they’ll treasure always.

Thornton Hall hotel

After their service, we headed off to Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa for their wedding reception. It’s a lovely four-star hotel in Thornton Hough, Cheshire with immaculate grounds on all sides. The stunning grounds made a fantastic backdrop for their wedding photos and the weather was on side all day too. After the wedding breakfast, we were treated to a set of great speeches, a real laugh!

Cat and Ben made full use of the Thornton Hall Hotel & Spa dance floor with a well-rehearsed first dance to a cool acoustic cover of a classic Foo Fighters tune by Boyce Avenue.

Cat and Ben’s were a lively, fun and friendly couple it was a joy to photograph their Cheshire wedding.

Here are a few of my favourites from the wedding at St Winifred’s and Thornton Hall Hotel… you can see more of my work by visiting my portfolio page.

St Winifred’s, Neston in Cheshire was completed in 1843 making it one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in the Wirral.

After Katy and Eifion’s engagement shoot last month I was looking forward to spending the day photographing their wedding, they are such a warm and friendly couple. Their wedding saw me in Cheshire once more at Rookery Hall on one of the many gloriously sunny days we’ve had this year.

I had a lovely morning photographing Katy and her lovely family, at the family home in Worleston. It was a busy morning with a full house with a real buzzing atmosphere that was great to photograph. Once Katy was in her dress it was time for me to take a few bridal portraits before heading off to church.

St Oswalds Church, Worleston

St Oswalds at Worleston is a lovely church right on the doorstep of Rookery Hall, it here where I caught up with Eifion and their guests. The church has an ‘almost’ relaxed attitude towards photography and I was able to capture the ceremony in my favourite upfront position. We were treated to live entertainment from a violin soloist during the signing, and on our arrival at the reception venue. After the service, they made their way back down the aisle as Mr and Mrs! They were treated to an impressive shower of confetti at the gates of St Oswalds before the wedding party left for Rookery Hall for the rest of Katy and Eifion’s celebrations.

Rookery Hall wedding reception

This was a gloriously sunny day so it’s no surprise that everyone took advantage of the beautifully kept grounds at Rookery Hall. Katy and Eifion spent the afternoon enjoying the company of their family and friends at their Rookery Hall wedding.

Before they were introduced to the room for their wedding breakfast we snook off to take a few romantic shots around the grounds.

After the wedding breakfast, it was time for the speeches, everyone was just about to raise their glasses for the last toast when someone declared “Oh my god there’s a cow in the field”. Actually it wasn’t a real cow but one of two dancing pantomime cow’s! It was hilarious.

This was a beautifully planned wedding with all manner of live entertainment and interesting surprises for their guests. The entertainment included musicians, magicians, ice sculpture and of course pantomime cows! Even the bands lighting rig was like something from Knebworth! Katy and Eifion came back into the room to cut their wedding cake and have their first dance. After which I left them to party on with their friends and family.

Here are a few of my favourites from their Rookery Hall wedding… you can see more of my work by visiting my portfolio page…

Rookery Hall wedding by Rob Sanderson Photography

Fellow wedding photographers Sarah and Ben chose the stunning Leverhulme Hotel in Port Sunlight for their wedding celebrations.

Since booking their wedding photography I’ve got to know Sarah and Ben so their wedding was like photographing friends.

I started my day with Sarah at her parent’s house. Sarah was very relaxed so photographing her bridal preparations was a breeze and led to some beautiful images.

Sarah looked stunning in her wedding dress. I took a couple of quick bridal portraits before heading off to meet up with Ben at St Mary’s Parish Church in Port Sunlight.

It was soon time for Sarah’s to wow everyone with her grand entrance down the aisle with her dad at St Mary’s.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank St Mary’s for being so helpful on the day and allowing me to capture their lovely wedding service. Sadly some churches don’t allow photography or banish wedding photographers to the back. I had a fantastic viewpoint and was able to capture the whole service.

We had glorious weather on the day and Sarah and Ben were able to enjoy the sunshine after the service.

After the service, we headed off to the Leverhulme Hotel for their wedding reception party. I really enjoyed shooting at the Leverhulme, it has the kind of architecture that really excites me as a photographer. The staff run the venue very smoothly and it was great to work there.

Ben and Sarah had opted to have their wedding speeches before the wedding breakfast so everyone could enjoy a nerve free meal.

This was a lovely day, spent with lovely people at a lovely venue. Here are a few of my favourites from their wedding day…

Rebecca and Hywel’s wedding photography saw me back at the magnificent Tatton Park and its beautiful gardens in Knutsford. Tatton is a venue I’ve shot at many times and one that’s always a pleasure to visit.

I started their wedding photography at Rebecca’s parent’s house in Knutsford, Cheshire. Rebecca’s spent her wedding morning with friends and family whilst getting ready for the days events. Once Rebecca was in her lovely wedding dress I took a couple of quick bridal portraits before I headed off to catch up with Hywel at Tatton Park.

I arrived to find Hywel with his two best men and ushers welcoming their wedding guests. It was soon time for the arrival of out bride so I popped outside to capture Rebecca arriving in the wedding car.

Once again I want to praise the Cheshire East registrars for being so fabulous to work alongside. Rebecca and Hywel had a lovely wedding service with two readings before signing the marriage register and being given their marriage certificate.

After the wedding service, Rebecca and Hywel had a Champaign reception in the grounds of Tatton Park. I took the opportunity to take a few family shots and a few fashion portraits before resuming my usual low-key reportage wedding photography.

We then made our way across town for their wedding breakfast at the fabulous Michelin-starred Belle Epoque in Knutsford Centre. Belle Epoque is another venue I know well, it’s a unique venue and one I love to work at. After the speeches and first dance, I left them to party into the night.

Here are a few of favourit photographs from their wedding day…

Here are a few of my favourite pictures from Sinead and Mark’s wedding in Chester, you can see more of my work by visiting my portfolio page…

Caitriona and Anoop’s Tatton wedding

Caitriona and Anoop’s wedding last weekend at Tatton Park Knutsford was a grand affair and one I had been looking forward to since their engagement shoot.

I started out with Caitriona’s bridal preparations at her parent’s house in Lym. It was a lovely atmosphere with her family around her. It was soon time for me to leave Caitriona to catch up with Anoop and their guests down the road at Tatton.

The particularly wet weather we seem to have had for the whole of June was still with us but thankfully subsided for Caitriona’s arrival at the gates. Allow me once again to sing the praises of the Cheshire registrars, they are a credit to the service they provide and deserve praise!

The weather kept us in the house for most of the day but as evening fell and the skies cleared we were able to go into the stunning grounds for a few evening shots.

Caitriona and Anoop thrilled their guests by changing into traditional Indian wedding outfits for their evening celebrations, they looked fabulous and I couldn’t resist framing them in the stormy evening sky.

Here are a few of my favourite images from their wedding day…