Gemma and Tyrone got married at Merrydale Manor near Knutsford on the 9th of July 2022. 78 guests for the day, 100 by the evening. White roses on absolutely everything, a white tuxedo, bridesmaids in olive green satin and a blue July sky from start to finish.

There was also a magician with a fire trick, a singer on the drinks reception and a sax player on the dance floor. I have photographed a few weddings here now as a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer, and this one had a lot going on. Here is how it went.

Getting ready

Tyrone and the boys got ready in the Man Cave. Two of the younger lads went straight for the Space Invaders machine.

Tyrone already had his white tux jacket on, so he sorted out someone else’s bow tie.

Then Tyrone on his own, fully dressed and grinning.

Over in the bridal suite, the dress was hanging on a hanger engraved with both their names, tied with a white ribbon and a string of pearls.

Hair and makeup happened in the makeup room for the whole bridal party. Gemma’s white rose bouquet from Kelly Louise Floral Artistry sat waiting next to her shoes.

One of the littlest guests decided a shoe was for chewing, not wearing. Gemma laughed.

Then the dress. Gemma’s gown was made for her by Emma Beaumont, all fitted lace and a long train. Careful hands fastened her in, and the veil went on last.

Her bridesmaids, page boys and family were waiting at the bottom of the staircase for the first look. Hands over mouths, then a lot of hugging.

The ceremony

Gemma arrived at the ceremony by golf buggy. Her mum carried the train across the drive, then climbed in beside her for the ride over.

Inside, Kelly Louise Floral Artistry had dressed the ceremony room in a wall of white. Huge rose arrangements on glass stands, flowers hanging from the beams and candles all the way down a petal aisle. YSD Media were filming, and Tyrone waited at the front.

The page boys went first, carrying a sign that read “Daddy are you ready, here comes Mummy”. The bridesmaids followed in olive green, each carrying white roses.

Then Gemma walked in on her mum’s arm, with Tyrone in the foreground watching her come towards him.

The vows had both of them laughing. Then Gemma took his face in her hands, with guests watching from the rows behind.

The page boys and a bridesmaid holding the baby joined them for the signing of the register.

Then the walk back up the aisle as newlyweds, Tyrone punching the air. I kept them back for one shot in the empty room before the confetti.

Confetti

Straight out of the Ceremony Room door and into a proper confetti tunnel. Blue sky, sunshine and white confetti everywhere.

Drinks, family and friends

The drinks reception came with a live singer.

Family formals happened on the lawn in front of the hedges, group by group. Tyrone’s dad and family, then Gemma’s mum and family, then the whole bridal party together.

The groomsmen photos did not stay formal for long. One of the lads dropped into a handstand while the rest watched.

Inside, the wedding breakfast room was set with tall white rose centrepieces to match the ceremony, and Barrett’s Event Caterers had the food covered.

Speeches

A magician had been doing tricks for guests through the afternoon. Just before the wedding breakfast, he finished one by producing a burst of flame from his hands, right in front of Gemma and Tyrone.

The toastmaster in his red jacket called them in for the big entrance, and Tyrone came through the door with a fist in the air again.

Gemma’s mum spoke first, laughing as she went. Tyrone went next, with Gemma smiling up at him the whole time.

Tyrone’s dad finished the speeches, then leaned down to kiss his son. Speeches like these are my favourite part of a wedding breakfast to photograph, because the reactions at the top table are always better than anything I could pose.

Evening light by the lake

As the evening light came in, I borrowed the two of them for some portraits in the gardens. That light at Merrydale Manor is the reason I love this part of the day. It is warm, low and flattering, and they spent most of it laughing.

Then down to the lake and onto the wooden jetty. If you are booking a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer, make sure your timeline leaves a little room for the lake.

Cake, first dance and the party

Back inside for the cake. Three tiers of white, the bottom one covered in sugar roses, next to a “Happily Ever After” neon sign.

Then the first dance, on a starlit dance floor with giant light up letters glowing behind them. The dance floor filled up straight after, and Tyrone was right in the middle of it.

Golden hour

While the party got going, I took Gemma and Tyrone out into the long grass for the last of the sun. The field glowed gold and Tyrone twirled Gemma around as the sun dropped behind the trees.

Back inside, a sax player joined the DJ on the dance floor.

Gemma and Tyrone, thank you for having me. From the arcade machine in the morning to the golden field at sunset, your day was full of laughing, family and a lot of white roses. Congratulations to you both.

With huge thanks to

• Venue: @merrydalemanor
• Dress: @emmabeaumontatelier
• Flowers and venue dressing: @kellylouisefloralartistry
• Caterers: @barretts_event_caterers
• Videographer: @ysd_media_weddingfilms

Thinking about your own wedding at Merrydale Manor?

Looking for a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer? Have a look at Laura and Ryan’s Merrydale Manor wedding and Abbie and Jamie’s Christmas week wedding at Merrydale Manor too. Then get in touch and tell me about your plans. I would love to hear them.

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