Well, another winter wedding and another day when we were very lucky with both the weather and location. The venue for the wedding was one of our 4 'favourite venues', Sandhole Oak Wedding Barn in Congleton, Cheshire and we had a surprise when we arrived. If you have read our review of the venue you will have seen that the only criticism we have had with the venue was the lack of locations to take photographs, especially if the weather is poor. Well this has changed! We arrived to find that the font of the barn has been recently landscaped and now provides a stunning backdrop for wedding photographs. Well done the management !!
The wedding got off to a great start with myself and my assistant photographer arriving at Sandhole early to photograph Claire in her room as she prepared for the ceremony. We are always careful at this point in the day not to intrude and get in the way, so we spent just a few minutes photographing the dress hung up in the bedroom and the shoes and accessories. It was then on the country pub across the road (The Wagon and Horses) where we met Ryan and 'the boys' and photographed them pulling pints, playing pool and generally 'larking around' !
The ceremony went without a hitch with two great readings and some lovely live music, finishing with the bride walking up the aisle to Debussy's 'Claire de Lune'!
The weather was perfect (considering it is February) and we made the most of it – photographing the happy couple in the beautiful grounds of Sandhole Barn and by the fantastic lake – this venue certainly is a Wedding Photographers dream. As the sun set we made use of the floodlit tree on the far side of the lake for some beautiful romantic photographs.
The caterers at the event were the ever-consistent 'Top Table', and even though the boss, Annette was in hospital and couldn't attend, the service was once again exemplary.
We stayed into the evening where the guests were entertained by a 'barn dance' and fireworks, and finally left at 10pm. Straight back to our studio and then 6 hours processing the pictures so they were online the following day meant a very late night for us – but the pictures were brilliant, so it was worth it!
Congratulations to Ryan and Claire and many thanks to the management of Sandhole Barn for making us so welcome.
Below are some pictures from the wedding,
