I’ve known the Parker family for about ten years, so I was very pleased when Hannah and Scott wanted me for their wedding photography. They wanted an engagement shoot, and this really set the tone for their whole wedding. Let me explain.
Wedding Photography at Grains Bar Hotel
Grains Bar Hotel is a wedding venue in Oldham, High up on the hills, which affords it spectacular views. The grounds are well maintained, which, combined with the views, makes Grains Bar a perfect venue for wedding photography.
There are different room types to choose from, and they are a good size with plenty of light. The wedding coordinator was on the ball all day and very good at her job, and the staff was lovely.
Prelude
I’ve known the Parker family for about 10 years now, and so I was delighted when Hannah and Scott wanted me for their wedding photography. They wanted an engagement shoot, and this really set the tone for their whole wedding. Let me explain.
The Parker family is very outdoorsy, and Hannah is no exception. So, we did the engagement shoot in Stalybridge Country Park. It was a lovely time walking through the woods and jumping into streams. They both had their wellies on and were ready for anything.
This was echoed on their wedding day at Grains Bar when they wanted to be out in the snow for their pictures. They even had wellies ready for all their guests.
Wedding Day Flexibility
Hannah and Scott booked me as their wedding photographer at the start of 2020 with the intention of getting married that year. Then covid happened, so they put their wedding right back to November 2021.
There were a couple of choices for a wedding venue, with Grains Bar Hotel being the best option. One I’m glad they went with.
Grains Bar Hotel Wedding
Before the wedding, it snowed heavily, and I had concerns about getting to Grains Bar. Fortunately, the gritters had been out, so the trip was smooth. The wedding party and some friends stayed in the hotel accommodation. The rest were travelling to Grains Bar, and everyone made it to their special day.
The staff showed me the wedding ceremony and reception room where Hannah’s mum, Denise, was making sure her cake was set up correctly. I took this opportunity to get wedding details shots.
Denise had made the cake (it was delicious). I said hi, then set up to film the ceremony. When the date had been set for 2020, and only 16 guests were allowed, I’d offered to video the wedding ceremony at Grains Bar. Now, their guests were able to come it wasn’t really part of their package, but I filmed it anyway.
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Wedding Prep at Grains Bar Hotel
I stashed my equipment away; I went to Hannah. The bridal party was in one of the rooms at Grains Bar. There was the usual hectic energy of many people preparing in a small space. It was fun getting the formal wedding dress shots and all the candid pictures while Angie Brown did her hair and Dee Hargreaves did the makeup.
The Marriage Ceremony
I’m sure Hannah and Scott would have faced an outdoor ceremony in the snow. Thankfully, the joyous event took place in the wedding room at Grains Bar. The venue provided splendid backdrops with an amazing fairy-light-covered tree and, as it was close to Christmas, a Christmas tree, too. The room is enhanced with other beautiful, carefully selected fixtures.
Scott’s party and the guests were soon ready, and the ceremony began. The wedding went well with no fumbled lines, just memorable moments.
Wedding Reception
After the wedding ceremony, the guests circulated, and then I made the most of the perfect backdrops in the ceremony room for group shots.
Confetti and Photos in the Snow
Hannah and Scott were prepared for outdoor photographs; they had even purchased wellies for all. Everyone went downstairs to change footwear and don coats, and then we headed into a sheltered area outside Grains Bar for the confetti.
This went really well, so we decided to carry on into the grounds for some snowy wedding shots. It was freezing, but for such a special occasion, everyone was game.
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Grains Bar Couple Portraits
We braved the cold for a while and got the wedding photographs they wanted; then everyone went in, and I had the chance for some amazing wintery couple photographs. These are always important for weddings, which the couple will treasure forever.
Grains Bar Wedding Breakfast
The wedding breakfast, Hannah and Scott’s first meal together in life as a married couple, was all set up in their reception room. I got up there first and captured them being greeted by their guests.
The wedding speeches were after the meal, and because these were to be filmed too, they had arranged with Grains Bar for the restaurant to provide me with food straight after the top table.
The food, prepared by talented chefs, was amazing. So I ate then, with sunset due, I went to grab the couple.
Amazing Couple Portraits
Hannah, Scott and I had already discussed getting sunset portraits at Grains Bar and realised that sunset would fall towards the end of the wedding meal. They’d told me just to grab them, and we’d go. Fortunately, they finished their dessert just at the right time. They got their wellies on again; I grabbed some blankets which Grains Bar had provided.
We shot with the fantastic views as the backdrop, then the trellised walkway and the outdoor ceremony area. Grains Bar feels like a venue designed for weddings. To really get the sunset though, we had to walk to the farmland on the other side of the hill. Totally worth it!
The Speeches
We got back at just the right time for the speeches. These were lighthearted and funny, with a few poignant moments. There was even a poem from Laura written just for their big day. Their friends loved it all.
Evening Reception
The evening reception guests soon arrived. They were here for celebrating and dancing, and it wasn’t long before that started. With the couple welcoming them all. Then, it was on to the cutting of the cake on a lovely table provided by Grains Bar and decorated with flowers by Denise.
Grains Bar First Dance
The final formal part of their big day was their first dance. The floor was cleared for them, and off they went. They were soon joined by their guests, and the dancing continued for the rest of the night.
Summary
I love weddings like this. Where the couple is fun, the venue is ideally suited for a wedding, and the weather is interesting. I’m glad I could celebrate their wedding with them and wish them all future happiness.
Get in touch for your Grains Bar wedding photography
Looking for a Grains Bar wedding photographer? Check out my packages, portfolio and contact me.
To see more of my weddings at venues in this area, head over to my Manchester wedding photography page.
Hair: Angie Brown
Makeup: Dee Hargreaves
To see more of my weddings at venues in this area, head over to my Manchester wedding photography page or choose from the posts below:
Grains Bar Wedding Photographer
A Spring Wedding at Grains Bar
A Manchester Wedding in Chorlton
Summer Wedding Photography at Norton Grange Hotel
