Annie and Tom got married at Crewe Hall on the eighteenth of October, right in the middle of a proper Cheshire autumn. Fifty six guests joined them for the ceremony, another twenty seven for the evening, and between the red brick, the acres of grounds and the trees turning every shade of gold, this one had scenery to spare.

Getting ready

Annie got ready in Crewe Hall’s own bridal dressing room, so there was no dash across the county on the morning of the wedding. By early afternoon she was laced into her dress, veil on, ready to go.

Then came a quiet moment with her dad, waiting in the doorway in his tweed suit and buttonhole. They held on for a long hug, and by the next photo Annie was wiping away a happy tear.

The ceremony

Annie’s dad walked her down Crewe Hall’s dark wood corridor and into the ceremony room, one of the most striking rooms I get to shoot in all year, all carved wood and gold.

Tom turned to watch her arrive, and the whole room turned with him.

At two o’clock, Annie and Tom stood in front of everyone they love and made it official. Vows, rings, and a kiss that got a proper cheer from the room.

They walked back out through the room as husband and wife, guests on their feet clapping the whole way.

Confetti

Outside, between Crewe Hall’s brick columns, the confetti came out in force. Grey skies didn’t put anyone off, there’s a lot to be said for a confetti line where everyone actually commits, and this lot did not hold back.

Once the petals had settled there was a run of hugs, laughs and the odd happy tear.

Family photos

Next came the family formals, usually the bit couples dread most and the bit I take most seriously. Annie and Tom kept their list short, so we were back to the party in no time.

Annie’s family first, in front of Crewe Hall’s red brick facade, then Tom’s, then the full wedding party together.

Annie’s three bridesmaids got a portrait of their own too, bouquets from Flossie’s Weddings and all.

Golden hour

This is the bit I always look forward to, and Crewe Hall’s grounds in mid October did not disappoint. Annie and Tom slipped off among the trees while the light turned every shade of amber going.

Back inside, in one of Crewe Hall’s candlelit hallways, Tom raised Annie’s hand up like they’d just won something.

Speeches and cake

By the time the sun properly went down, Crewe Hall lit up like something out of a film.

Then came the speeches. Annie’s dad went first by the carved fireplace, Tom followed with one of his own, and Annie got up too, microphone in hand. Plenty of laughs, and a full room hanging on every word.

Cake from Becky Bakes Cakes got the cut it deserved, and then it was straight onto the dancefloor.

First dance and the party

Annie and Tom’s first dance kicked things off under a wash of purple light, the two of them completely wrapped up in each other.

After that, the party did not let up. There was twirling, there was singing at the top of everyone’s lungs, and once the evening guests arrived at seven the dancefloor was rammed until midnight.

Annie and Tom, thank you for having me. Crewe Hall is one of my favourite venues in Cheshire, and you two gave me every excuse to make the most of it. Wishing you a lifetime as happy as that dancefloor looked.

With huge thanks to

Hair: The Edge Hair (@theedgehair1)
Makeup: Cheshire Makeup Co (@cheshiremakeupco)
Venue: Crewe Hall (@weddingsatcrewehall)
Cake: Becky Bakes Cakes (@becky_bakes_cakes)
Venue styling and florals: Flossie’s Weddings (@flossiesweddings)
Nails: Tanisha Nails and Beauty (@bytanisha_nails_beauty)

If you’re planning a wedding at Crewe Hall, or anywhere else in Cheshire, get in touch. I would love to hear about your day.