Helen and James got married on the 25th of August 2022. A church ceremony at St James Church in Didsbury, then a party at Merrydale Manor near Knutsford. Purple everywhere, big summer clouds and a sunset that turned the whole field orange.

And a car. James’s dad restored an E-type Jaguar, and James drove the two of them from the church to Merrydale in it. I have photographed a few weddings here now as a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer, and the E-type stole a lot of the photos on this one. Here is how the day went.

Getting ready: James

James got ready at home. His dad, the man who restored the Jag, helped with the tie. Then the shoes.

Then the star of the morning. The E-type was parked up in the garage, dressed in purple ribbon, wire wheels polished.

Grey morning suit on and a portrait in the garden. His dad pinned his buttonhole on outside too.

The groomsmen lined up in matching grey and purple, then James climbed into the driver’s seat of the Jag. He did not want to get out.

Getting ready: Helen

Meanwhile, Helen’s morning started with a lot of laughing.

The dress hung in the bay window between four purple bridesmaid dresses, with every pair of shoes lined up underneath.

Hair and makeup was by Jenny Ward of The Bridal Artist Company. Her branded chair and mirror made it into the photos too. Helen checked the finished look.

Then some gift opening. Helen’s mum and dad opened a framed illustration and a handwritten letter, and it set everyone off. Helen went in for a hug with her dad.

The bridal party took their drinks out into the garden, all in purple robes with Helen in white. Then the back view, arms linked.

Careful hands fastened the lace dress, button by button. Helen came down the stairs to the bridesmaids, all in purple, and got a big hug from her dad.

The ceremony

St James Church in Didsbury sits tucked in among the trees. The drone shows it best.

Helen arrived in a white Rolls-Royce, then walked up the leafy church path. Her cascading bouquet of cream roses and purple flowers came from Hazel Grove Flowers.

James glanced back at the door while he waited. New Venture Wedding Films were filming, as Helen walked down the aisle.

Rings on, then the first kiss under that huge stained glass window.

Signing the register had them both in fits. Then back down the aisle as a married couple, and one quiet kiss in the church doorway.

Confetti and the Jag

Outside, the sun was out for the confetti. Guests did not hold back.

Then the Jag. The E-type was parked up outside the church, and the newlyweds walked straight over to it. James took the wheel and drove them off to cheers, trailing tin cans down the road.

James drove them all the way to the gates at Merrydale Manor. The house is red brick, with clipped topiary on the lawns out front, and a classic car suits it. The drone view from above is one of my favourites from the day. Then a proper portrait with the car in front of the house, big clouds overhead.

Drinks and group photos

Drinks and a lot of catching up.

Group photos happened in the curved hedge garden, which is perfect for a big crowd. Everyone fits in, and the hedge makes a lovely clean backdrop.

The bridesmaids were next. Then the groomsmen lifted Helen clean off the ground, and a bridesmaid doubled over laughing.

Portraits by the lake

Merrydale has a real lake with a wooden jetty, so no mirror tricks needed. Helen and James headed down there in the afternoon sunshine. The breeze caught the veil at exactly the right moment. If you are looking for a Merrydale Manor wedding photographer, leave some time in your plan for the lake.

Speeches and games

Inside, the reception room has a ceiling of hanging crystal lights and purple uplighting, which matched their colours nicely. The top table was dressed in purple and cream flowers from Hazel Grove Flowers. Barretts Event Caterers looked after the food.

The grand entrance came with James’s arm in the air.

James gave his speech, with Helen laughing beside him.

Then everyone headed outside into the evening sun for the shoe game. Two chairs back to back on the lawn, shoes in hand, and a crowd of guests watching from the terrace. Helen threw herself into it.

Golden hour

Then the sunset. The sun dropped behind the trees and the whole sky went orange. By the lake first, silhouetted with the veil flying and reflected in the water.

Then out into the field for the photo at the top of this post.

First dance and the party

Back inside for the cake. Three white tiers with cream roses.

Then the first dance. The room went dark apart from the starlit dance floor, and they danced next to giant light up MR and MRS EVES letters. DJ Nick Campbell kept the dance floor busy for the rest of the night.

One last photo by the lake after dark, then straight back to the party.

Later on, the bar got busy. Arms in the air.

Helen and James, thank you for having me. From the Jag in the garage first thing to the sunset over the lake, your day was full of laughing, family and a lot of purple. Congratulations to you both.

With huge thanks to

• Venue: @merrydalemanor
• Hair and makeup: Jenny Ward, @thebridalartistco
• Flowers: @hazelgroveflowers
• Caterers: @barretts_event_caterers
• Videographer: John Warhurst, @newventureweddingfilms
• DJ: Nick Campbell
• Ceremony: St James Church, Didsbury

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, Abbie and Jamie’s Christmas week wedding and Gemma and Tyrone’s summer wedding 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.