John and Neill got married on New Year's Eve-Eve, and they did it properly. Full Highland dress, a hand fasting written into the ceremony, and Sula the dog on ring bearer duty. Eighty two of them for the day, another two hundred and fifty joining for the evening, and not one single detail left to chance.

They stayed at Crewe Hall the night before and got ready together in the same room, which tells you everything about the pace of this wedding before it had even started. No nerves about seeing each other early. Just the two of them, their families in and out to help, and the morning building steadily towards noon.

Getting ready

Crewe Hall before the sun was properly up, lit against a clear December sky. Everyone else was still asleep. The day had other ideas.

Kilts and waistcoats from David Freedman Menswear, and a fair bit of help getting into both. Buttons done up, ties checked, socks pulled straight. None of it rushed.

A very happy flower girl and a sign welcoming everyone to the wedding of John and Neill, dressed by Dreams Venue Dressing, snowflakes and all. Fitting, on New Year's Eve-Eve.

And Sula the ring bearer, having an excellent morning in the hallway.

The ceremony

Guests were asked not to see John and Neill before the ceremony. Only the groomsmen, John's parents and Neill's sister were allowed in the prep room. Everyone else took their seats not quite knowing what to expect, then watched the two of them walk in together.

A violin from Greg Scott played through the ceremony, the room at Crewe Hall full, a Christmas tree standing behind them as they read their vows.

One in full military dress uniform among the guests. A last minute check of a buttonhole. Small things, but they add up to the whole picture of a room this well loved.

Then the hand fasting. Ribbons tied around joined hands while Sula kept a close, very interested eye on proceedings from somewhere near their feet.

Rings on, an emotional moment shared between them, and Sula walking the aisle to a round of delighted laughter from the guests who had absolutely come for exactly this.

Reactions from the room, then confetti, thrown indoors the second John and Neill were pronounced married. No waiting around for better weather. Straight in.

Confetti and celebrations

Out onto the grand staircase for the first proper round of congratulations.

Hugs in every direction, one after another. A few tears in there too, the good kind.

Family formals and portraits

A quick moment with Sula on the front steps before the formal photographs got underway.

Out at the front of Crewe Hall for the family formals, confetti still going as John and Neill came down the steps into a crowd who threw it from both sides at once.

Family formals photographed, then a warm handshake at the archway before the two of them slipped off for a few minutes to themselves.

That fist bump on the steps, the two of them properly delighted with each other, is one of my favourite parts of any wedding. This one was no exception.

A reflection caught in the still water, a forehead to forehead moment neither of them noticed me taking, and a relaxed seated portrait among the fairy lights back inside.

One last walk through the bare winter trees before it was time to head back in for the wedding breakfast.

Speeches

The wedding breakfast room at Crewe Hall, dressed in navy and gold by Dreams Venue Dressing, with flowers from The Flower Fountain and stationery from Hearte Designs finishing the tables, ready for everyone to sit down.

John and Neill at the top table, moments before speeches began.

Speeches were given first, before the food, which is exactly the right order if you ask me. Reactions from the room ranged from a glass raised high, to full belly laughs, to at least one guest dabbing at her eyes.

More celebrations with friends

Ahead of the evening reception, a change of scene into the library at Crewe Hall for the big group photographs. The whole wedding party together first, then John and Neill down on the floor with family gathered round for a more playful take.

Nobody stayed formal for long after that. One more with the group collapsed on the floor, friends this time, and a smaller group pictured in front of the library shelves.

A last couple of portraits before the party started properly. One under the lit archway at the chapel, one making full use of off camera flash, because some evenings are made for it.

Cake, first dance and the party

The cake arrived alongside light up letters spelling out Mr and Mr, right on cue for the evening reception in the Continental Suite. Its personalised topper, complete with a model of Sula, came from Art Locke Designs.

The flower girl found the dance floor before anyone else did, and made the absolute most of it.

A kiss during the first dance, surrounded by the evening guests who had just arrived to help them celebrate.

From there it did not let up. Hipswing and Miss Kylie kept the room going well past the point most wedding parties call it a night, TCK Wedding Specialist's cheese cart doing steady business along the way, and this lot were still going strong.

John and Neill, on New Year's Eve-Eve, you two threw one of the warmest, funniest, most properly organised weddings I have photographed in a long time. Congratulations to you both.

With huge thanks to

• Venue dressing: Dreams Venue Dressing
• Menswear: David Freedman Menswear (Facebook)
• Florist: The Flower Fountain
• Ceremony music: Greg Scott, violinist
• Evening entertainment: Hipswing
• Singer: Miss Kylie
• Cheese cart: TCK Wedding Specialist
• Cake topper: Art Locke Designs
• Printing: Hearte Designs

Thinking about your own wedding at Crewe Hall?

I am a Cheshire wedding photographer and I never get tired of what Crewe Hall does for a winter wedding, especially one with this much kilt game. If you are planning a wedding there, or anywhere else in Cheshire, get in touch and let's have a chat.