A Stunning Wedding at Dorfold Hall, Cheshire 

I don’t second shoot very often, but when I do, I want it to be somewhere special. Dorfold Hall did not disappoint.
Dorfold Hall is one of those venues that stops you in your tracks the moment you arrive. A Grade I listed Jacobean country house set in the heart of Cheshire near Nantwich, with sweeping grounds, a walled garden, and the stunning L’Écurie, an award winning contemporary event space built within the historic stable yard walls that somehow manages to feel both historic and completely glamorous.
It was the perfect backdrop for Clare and Callum’s wedding day, and honestly, from the very first shot to the very last dance floor moment, this day had it all.

Getting Ready at Dorfold Hall

The morning started with Callum and his groomsmen getting ready in the most beautiful rooms inside the Hall itself. Warm lamplight, deep coloured walls, and the kind of elegant interiors that make every photo look like it belongs in a magazine. There was champagne being poured, buttonholes being pinned, and that lovely relaxed energy you get when a group of lads are genuinely excited for their mate’s big day.
The florals throughout the day were absolutely stunning. Bold dahlias in coral and deep pink that added so much warmth and personality to everything they touched, from the boutonnieres to the table centrepieces.

The Venue Setup

While the boys were getting ready, the L’Écurie space was being transformed. Exposed brick walls, cross back chairs, long white clothed tables, and those gorgeous dahlias everywhere you looked. The seating plan for Clare and Callum sat on a beautiful easel at the entrance, and the whole room had this incredible warm, intimate feel despite its size.
The groomsmen shots outside the main Hall facade are some of my favourites from the day. Dramatic skies, ivy clad walls, and a gang of lads who were absolutely up for a laugh. Classic.

The Ceremony at Dorfold Hall

The ceremony took place in a circular room that I genuinely couldn’t believe when I walked in. We were shooting from above, looking down on Clare and Callum at the altar, surrounded by a full flower wall and every single guest packed in around them. The first kiss shot from that height, with the confetti flying and everyone clapping, I knew in that moment it was going to be one of those images.
The energy in that room was electric. You could feel how loved these two are.

Drinks Reception in the Walled Garden

Dorfold Hall’s walled garden is an absolute dream for a drinks reception. Guests spilled out into the grounds with prosecco in hand, the summer air was doing its thing, and someone had set up giant Connect 4 and Splat the Rat, which as you can imagine went down extremely well.
I love this part of the day. No posing, no direction, just people genuinely enjoying themselves and my camera quietly catching all of it.

The First Dance

Clare and Callum took to the floor for their first dance and I positioned myself to catch the disco ball in the frame. What came out of that moment is genuinely one of my favourite first dance shots I have ever taken. Black and white, the bride twirling in her gorgeous gown, the disco ball glowing like a crescent moon above them, guests cheering all around. It’s the kind of image that gives you goosebumps when you look back at it.
The rest of the evening was exactly what you want a wedding reception to be. Absolutely, brilliantly chaotic. Arms in the air, hair flying, people losing themselves completely on the dance floor. Pure joy, every single frame.

Thinking About Dorfold Hall for Your Wedding?

If you’re a Cheshire couple looking for a venue that delivers on history, beauty, and atmosphere in equal measure, Dorfold Hall deserves to be at the top of your list. The combination of the Jacobean country house, the walled garden, the award winning L’Écurie event space, and those incredible grounds makes it a photographer’s dream.
I’m a fun, candid wedding photographer based in Portsmouth, Hampshire, available for weddings across the UK including Cheshire and the North West. If you’d love someone to capture your day with personality, creativity and a whole lot of joy, I’d love to hear from you 😊