Palace Hotel Wedding Photographer

I’m a wedding photographer from Manchester who loves photographing weddings. Especially ones that are a bit different or quirky. I’ll get onto why this one ticked that box soon but first, a bit about being a Palace Hotel Wedding Photographer.

This was my second trip to the Palace Hotel as I had been earlier in the year to meet up with the wedding couple, have a look around the venue and do a quick engagement shoot. It certainly wasn’t my first trip to Buxton either having visited many times over the years with family.

The Palace Hotel Buxton

The Palace Hotel is a large imperial hotel that sits within large grounds close to the heart of Buxton. It’s a great wedding venue with spacious, well-appointed rooms and a good restaurant. It is also a very short march from the hotel to Buxton Opera House and the park.

I cover most of the North West including Cheshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire, North Wales, The Lakes and of course, Derbyshire.

Saadia and Dale at The Palace Hotel

I’ve known Saadia for longer than I care to remember. At first, she was one of my kung fu students and progressed from there to being a good friend. I can also safely say she is the only bride that has ever kicked me in the groin.

Saadia is fantastically quirky and fun and this influence was felt throughout the day and reflected in the friends she has who were all great people. Dale is the perfect foil to Saadia, they were obviously meant to bee together.

Morning Prep

I arrived a bit early and got some shots of the Palace grounds, the venue and the ceremony room then headed up to get the prep. Things were in full swing so I said hello, stole a pan-o-chocolate and got shooting. She had thoughtfully put out her dress and shoes ready for me so I got some photos of those as well. As Dale was getting ready with his best man in a room nearby I went to get some shots with them as well.

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The Wedding Ceremony

The wedding ceremony room is bright and roomy with lots of lovely natural light. The ceremony went smoothly and was a pleasure to shoot. I wasn’t able to move around much but that didn’t stop me from getting the shots I wanted and I avoided getting in the way of the videographers.

A Shot in the Park

Well, several really but I wanted to get a Sabbath pun in. After the ceremony we worked through some of the group shots the bride and groom wanted then they were whisked away in their horse-drawn carriage to Buxton Park for some couple portraits.#

We were doing a few shots in the arches before heading into the park when we were approached by the manager of Buxton Opera House who kindly invited us in for photos inside. I think I’d said yes before he’d even finished the sentence.

Buxton Park Portraits

Photos finished in the Opera House, we walked over to the park and had a lovely time creating some beautiful portraits there. Saadia and Dale were asked a few times if it was a styled shoot or their actual wedding and when people heard it was their actual wedding day, they all congratulated them.

I was glad I’ve been keeping my fitness up because afterwards it was a swifter ride back for Saadia and Dale so the horses could get up the hills. I would run on ahead to get photographs of them as they passed.

Horses and carriage with Ice cream van at Buxton Park

Back at the Palace Hotel

The bride and groom had phoned ahead so when we got back all their friends and family were ready with confetti to welcome them.

The Wedding Breakfast With a Touch of Magic

Whilst we had been away, the guests had been entertained by a magician. Once we were all seated he did a short performance for the head table then did a brilliant act with one of the guests before finally getting Dale to swoosh the cloth of a table with a bottle of wine on it.

Magic done, the magician quickly disappeared and left us all to our delicious meal.

Speeches at the Palace Hotel

The speeches were mercifully short and from the heart. The best man was kind to Dale and the head bridesmaid changed things up a bit by giving them a gingerbread heart to share between them. The idea being that they break it and whoever gets the bigger piece will always have the last say. This was of course Saadia and yes, Dale, we have photographic and video evidence.

Into the Evening

After the meal, we headed back outside the Palace Hotel for some more couple shots. Along the way, we got sidetracked for a few more group shots but these were easily done.

I wanted to get a few drone shots of the Palace Hotel and the bride and groom and 0730 Media wanted some drone footage too for their video.

The wind had been too high earlier in the day for these shots but it was now safe to fly so we got outside and got the shots.

The Dhol Walas

I absolutely love dhol drumming! Years ago a friend tried unsuccessfully to teach me how to play. I wanted to buy a drum but was dissuaded by my wife. I was thrilled when Saadia told me she was getting a couple of them in as a surprise.

They were absolutely fantastic! They brought the wedding party back into the main room and soon had everyone dancing and having fun. I’d definitely recommend them.

I’m not entirely sure why the kids all decided to do a meditation line but I did sit in full lotus while taking that last photo. Even better, I was able to get up off the floor again afterwards without too much effort lol.

Cake and First Dance at the Palace Hotel

The dancing continued for a while then it was time for the last traditional parts of the special day. The cutting of the wedding cake and the first dance.

The hotel staff brought the cake onto the dance floor and all gathered around. I never ask the couple to pose with the knife pretending to cut the cake. I just get them to stand together, cut the cake and I take the photos.

Cutting of the wedding cake at the Palace Hotel

We quickly moved the cake out of the way and Saadia and Dale got dancing. No choreographed routine but they were clearly having fun. They enjoyed their time and then invited their guests to join them on the dance floor.

After that it was more dancing and an excellent buffet. I kept on shooting for a while and took them outside for a final portrait session. We had wanted a sunset shoot but the light was disappointing so I set up some lights instead for some off camera flash portraits.

Night photograph of the bride and groom outside the Palace Hotel Buxton

All the photos done I safely stored all my gear and got to a bit of dancing myself and had some fun with old friends. It was an awesome Buxton wedding.