Peckforton Castle Wedding Photography
Peckforton Castle is a large wedding venue in the heart of Cheshire, North West England. There are rooms for all your friends and family as well as large grounds, beautiful woodland and a rather nice restaurant. The property is a stunning castle absolutely bursting with breath-taking views and fantastic photography opprtunities.
Hello, I’m a Manchester-based wedding photographer who loves to work with chilled-out, fun couples. My style is pretty relaxed, being mostly documentary with some beautiful creative portraiture thrown in as well. All of which makes me well suited to be your Peckforton Castle Wedding Photographer. I cover most of the North West including Cheshire, West Yorkshire, the Lake District and North Wales.
5 Reasons to Choose Peckforton Castle As Your Wedding Venue
It’s Hard to Beat a Castle
There are many great Cheshire wedding venues, but if you want a venue for your wedding that really makes a statement, then a castle is a guarantee that your wedding day will be memorable! Just imagine your group photos with Peckforton Castle as the backdrop for your group wedding photographs. It is possible to book the entire castle for you wedding though of course, this does come at a premium. Having your venue to yourself does mean though that everyone one their is a part of your big day, and there will be no strangers in your wedding photography.
The Food
The food is amazing, with more than one restaurant on site, 1851 Restaurant and 2010 Brasserie, so you know that your guests are going to be blown away by the meal served at your wedding breakfast. Their head chef, Mark Burke has a wealth of knowledge which he brings to the table. Quite literally, if you’ll excuse the pun.
Just One Location
You can spend your whole day here. In the morning you can have hair and makeup done in your room, all your guests can mingle downstairs, your wedding ceremony can be held in the great hall before heading outside for confetti and photos, then onto you wedding breakfast in the dining hall before an evening spent partying all around the venue. No having to travel from one place to the next and you can stay here the night before, for your castle wedding.
The Photo Opportunities
There are plenty of options when it comes to Peckforton Castle Wedding photography. It’s a beautiful place with some stunning backdrops for your photos. My favourite places to take you are always going to be outside, but why stop there. The are many sweeping staircases, hidden rooms, the downstairs wine cellar and of course, the great hall, where we can create some beautiful wedding images for you. As a Peckforton Castle wedding photographer I know the best places to take you. We can walk through the Gatehouse Lodge and over the bridge to the woodlands. Or on a wet day, we can visit the Chapel, the Hexagonal Room, or put on wellies and splash in the rain.
The Size
Apparently, it does matter sometimes… Peckforton Castle is a large wedding venue that can accommodate grand weddings while feeling welcoming. You don’t have to worry about fitting all your guests. For your wedding ceremony, you can have up to 160 guests and more in the evening. There is parking for everyone without having to worry about a carpark ruining your wedding photography.
Weddings at Peckforton Castle
Take a look at my Peckforton Castle wedding photography.
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Peckforton Castle Wedding Videography
Read about the rainy but beautiful wedding videography of this beautiful couple at Peckforton Castle in Peckforton, Cheshire.
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Spring Wedding at Peckforton Castle
Read about photographing my most recent spring wedding at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire. A beautiful wedding at a gorgeous venue.
Tips From a Peckforton Castle Wedding Photographer
As a Peckforton Castle wedding supplier, including photographers, we understand the importance of convenience. That’s why we recommend using the circular drop-off to unload. The car park is a bit of a walk with all your gear, so this is a thoughtful way to ensure you have everything you’ll need inside without any hassle.
Plan time to get from room to room for the bride and groom’s prep. These can be quite spread out and up and down stairs, so either use a second photographer or plan your time carefully. You don’t want to miss the hair and makeup.
For a unique perspective, consider getting a camera on the balcony. The balcony will be roped off, but with permission, you can access the hall balcony. This can give you a bird’s eye view for the first dance on the dance floor and a stunning high view for the wedding ceremony, adding a touch of creativity to your Peckforton Castle wedding photography.
Have a good look around for hidden opportunities to make the most of your Peckforton Castle wedding photography. The grass outside and the entryway are beautiful, but there are many secret areas to find.
Make use of the rooms for your detail shots. There are many places you can hang your dress or get your wedding rings photographed.
How to Plan Your Peckforton Castle Wedding
The Morning
First and foremost, prioritize your comfort and relaxation by opting for a 2 pm ceremony, unless you’re considering a winter wedding. This timing, which I’ve found to be ideal over the years, allows for a leisurely pace in your bridal preparations, without the need to rise at the crack of dawn for hair and make up.
For a two o’clock wedding, plan to have your dress on by one o’clock. This will allow you time to deal with any last-minute occurrences without adding any stress. If all goes according to plan, then you could use this extra time for a few bridal portraits, which us wedding photographers love to do. If you are having wedding photography all day then I tend to start a couple of hours before your wedding ceremony, so that I can cover enough of your prep to tell the story of your day.
The Ceremony
Take your time walking down the aisle. You will think you’re walking slowly, but when the nerves start, people tend to walk faster. Listen to the wedding music and relax.
Don’t stress about getting your vows perfect. It’s not uncommon for couples to stumble over a line or two due to nerves. This is all part of the joy and laughter that makes your wedding unique. The registrar is there to guide you and can always prompt you with your line again. It might even bring a smile to your guests’ faces.
Embrace the moment and have an unplugged ceremony. This isn’t just about enhancing the quality of your wedding photos, it’s about ensuring your guests fully immerse themselves in your special day. When people are too focused on capturing the moment with their phones, they miss out on truly experiencing it. I’m here to capture those precious moments for you, so your guests can be fully present with you on your wedding day. They can always snap a photo on their phone once you’ve signed the register.
Group Photos
Consider the time between the ceremony and wedding breakfast as an opportunity for confetti, group photos and couple portraits. Think about which group shots are important to you. Remember, the more groups, the longer the posing time. But don’t worry, with efficient planning, 10 groups can be done in around 20 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to mingle and enjoy your champagne. It’s essential to have a list of important groups for your wedding photographer, make sure you give a copy to the best man and maid of honour as well.
Speeches
I recommend giving your speeches before the meal so that you and your partner can relax after they are done. Make sure you and everyone giving a speech know how long you have so that your food can be served on time. Make sure your suppliers all get a meal as well; we all really appreciate it.
More Photos
After your wedding, breakfast is an excellent time to have another short portrait session. We like to get some after the ceremony, but wedding photographers prefer the light later in the day. It’s warmer and softer and really makes your wedding photos sing.
The Evening
Plan to have your evening guests arrive between 7 pm and 8 pm, with your first dance around 8.30 pm. You can cut your cake and head straight onto the dance floor to get the party started. It’s normal to have a buffet around 9 pm for anyone peckish.
Lastly, this might be the time for a few final portraits. Decent wedding photographers will have everything ready so you can get the photos done before you know it. This is the ideal time for creative and sunset wedding photography, so make the most of it. Then get back to partying!
Getting married at Peckforton Castle? Then I would love to hear from you. Get in touch to talk all about your Peckforton Castle Wedding Photography.
I look forward to talking to you about being your Peckforton Castle wedding photographer.
Peckforton Castle, Peckforton Castle Dr, Stone House Ln, Cheshire, Tarporley CW6 9TN