Bethany and Dean got married at Merrydale Manor near Knutsford on the 21st of April 2023. 89 guests for the day and eight more for the party. It was grey first thing and proper golden sunshine by the evening.

There was ice cream on the drinks reception and a bouquet thrown off a balcony. There was cake in the face, and a lake that looked unreal at blue hour. I have shot a fair few weddings here now as a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer, and this one packed a lot in.

The ceremony was at 2pm in the Ceremony Room, the big timber building with the clock tower on top. Before anyone arrived it was already set: white drapes, crystal chandeliers and candles all the way down the aisle.

Getting ready

Dean turned up with his bag, grinning.

The boys got ready in the Man Cave. Giant bottle top signs on the walls and Dean laughing away.

His cufflinks were engraved Mr and Mrs Duncan with the date. Then pink rose buttonholes went on over the navy suits from John Francis Formal Wear.

Then out in front of the Ceremony Room, all suited up.

Over in the bridal suite there were gift bags with names on. There was a flute marked Bride and plenty of fizz on ice. The bridal party crowded round to open a present together.

Makeup was by Chelsea Makeup Artist and hair by Alice Rose Bridal Hair.

Bethany’s Wed2b dress hung on a hanger with her name on it. Her bouquet from Monton Florist got a very happy inspection. Pink roses and eucalyptus.

Even the slippers said Bride.

Careful hands buttoned her into the dress. Then a quick check in the mirror, which ended in laughing.

Her dad waited by the window, grinning.

Merrydale’s staircase is made for a first look. Bethany came down to her mum, her dad and her bridesmaids waiting at the bottom. The hug with her dad set him off, and her mum was right there with him.

The bridesmaids wore dusky pink from Bridal Couture Italia, and all of them were in fits.

Then over to the Ceremony Room in the car with her dad, both of them laughing.

The ceremony

The bridesmaids walked in two by two under the chandeliers. Then Bethany on her dad’s arm, beaming.

The rings had both of them laughing. Then the first kiss, and big smiles at each other while they signed the register.

Back down the aisle as Mr and Mrs Duncan, bouquet straight up in the air.

Confetti

On the way out, guests grabbed a handful of petals from wicker baskets. Then they let rip. The Merrydale clock tower sat right behind them.

Drinks, groups and a bouquet off the balcony

Lanza’s were serving ice cream on the drinks reception, which went down very well with Bethany and the boys.

Group photos happened in the hedge garden, which has room for a big group and gives a clean green backdrop. Bethany gave the veil a swish on the lawn, then the boys and the bridesmaids had their turn.

They wanted everyone in one photo, so I sent my drone up over the lawn. The drone comes as part of my coverage, weather permitting, and a whole guest list on that striped lawn looks great from up there. Then Bethany headed up to the balcony and threw the bouquet down to the crowd below. The scramble for it was fierce.

Speeches

The grand entrance came with Bethany’s arm flung out wide.

The top table was lined with white flowers and greenery. Her dad’s speech had both of them wiping their eyes. Then Dean got up for his speech with both arms in the air. After the speeches, Barretts Event Caterers served the wedding breakfast.

Down to the lake

Merrydale has a real lake with a fountain and a wooden jetty, so there are no mirror tricks needed for a reflection here. The evening sun was out when we headed down there. From above, the octagonal platform at the end of the jetty looks brilliant, so the drone went up again. If you are booking a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer, leave room in your timeline for the lake.

Dean’s socks were personalised too.

Sunset

Later, the sun dropped behind the trees and turned everything orange. Bethany’s veil caught the wind, then a silhouette of the two of them under the tree.

Cake, first dance and the party

The cake cutting turned into Dean pushing cake into Bethany’s face. Both of them were in fits.

Then back out to the lake for the photo at the top of this post. Blue hour, big old trees and the whole lot reflected in the water.

The first dance was on the starlit dance floor, with light up letters glowing at the side and guests packed in around the edge. Music came from Radio Edit UK, live on stage, and SB DJ Services.

Bethany and her dad had their own dance later on. He was laughing his head off.

Last thing, the sparklers they had asked for, out in the dark with guests waving them all around.

Bethany and Dean, thank you for having me. You had your dad in tears before the ceremony and cake on your face after it. By the end you had the whole dance floor going. Congratulations to you both.

With huge thanks to

• Venue: @merrydalemanor
• Dress: @wed2b
• Bridesmaid dresses: @bridalcoutureitalia
• Suits: @john_francis_formal_wear
• Makeup: @chelseamakeupartist
• Hair: @alicerosebridalhair
• Flowers: @montonflorist
• Caterers: @barretts_event_caterers
• Ice cream: @lanzasicecream
• Band: @radioedituk
• DJ: @sbdjservices

Thinking about your own wedding at Merrydale Manor?

Looking for a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer? Have a look at Laura and Ryan’s, Abbie and Jamie’s, Gemma and Tyrone’s and Helen and James’s weddings there too. Then get in touch and tell me about your plans.

More from Merrydale: my Merrydale Manor wedding photographer page has more real Merrydale weddings, the best photo spots, and what happens when it rains.