The Vow – Ragley Hall Alcester, Warwickshire, B49 5NJ
Photographs – Ragley Hall –  The Rose Garden
Wedding Breakfast – The St Johns Hotel, 651 Warwick Rd, Solihull B91 1AT

Sunny and Manisha had an Indian Wedding at Ragley Hall. It was a fantastic day at the brilliant 17th century mansion in Alcester.  I had never shot there before and had never shot an Indian Wedding either, so I was really looking forward to the whole experience! I was not disappointed! 

Two Wedding Ceremonies at Ragley Hall

I second shot this wedding covering Sunny’s getting ready shots at the St Johns Hotel, Solihull.  The friends and family of the groom then made their way to Ragley Hall and we entered into the Red Saloon room awaiting Manisha.

She looked stunning in her Maggie Soretto wedding dress and when she entered and began the aisle walk, Sunny started to tear up.  In fact, a lot of the audience joined him! It was a great moment and seemed fitting in the lovely baroque styling of the elegant Red Saloon. From there the Bridal party went out into the stairway and photographs were taken out by the large window overlooking the gardens.

The civil ceremony being over, Sunny and Manisha then changed into their traditional attire, ready for the ‘Baraat’.  Sunny took his seat on his white horse, while his family and friends danced to the Dhol, the big drum.  Slowly they made their way up to the Ragley Hall steps to meet with Manisha’s family.

As is customary for Indian Weddings the Mandap was setup and this was in the Great Hall. Sunny sat hidden behind a curtain as Manisha entered.  The traditional ceremony began with both putting garlands on each other and various family members took part.   Loads of light filtered in through the windows as the oaths were taken. The bride and groom then had photographs outside in the Floral Garden, with the wonderful avenue as the backdrop.  I really liked the images here. The distant parkland added depth and further interest to the shots.  Fred, the roaming peacock entertained the guests and all then got ready for the ‘Vidaai’.  This ceremony marked Manisha officially leaving her family and parents to start her new life as a wife.  There were tears and hugs and then both left in the wedding car, a vintage Rolls Royce, for the wedding breakfast.

The Wedding Breakfast at The St Johns Solihull 

So back to St Johns, Solihull, where welcome drinks and nibbles were served, while the bride and groom made their third change for the day.  The St John’s Park Suite is a good size and ideal for Indian weddings, seating many guests.  The rooms are pillar-free and it also has it’s own entrance.  The meal was eaten and the speeches began.  I remember the whole hall erupting with laughter as Sunny was ‘lit up’ by his best men!

Then the evening entertainment began and this was brilliant! A Bollywood number with friends and family helping to tell the story of how Sunny and Manisha got together!  It would have taken a lot of practice but it was well worth it! Everyone seemed to enjoy it and I forgot for a few moments that I was working!

All in all for my first Indian Wedding this was pretty amazing.  Sunny and Manisha were a lovely couple to shoot and the venues were well chosen.  Ragley Hall has quickly become a favourite of mine! 

Enjoy scrolling through the images below.  There are slightly more then I would normally post, but I do feel this captures the unfolding story of the day and there were technically two ceremonies in one day! Feel free to leave a comment below or if you wish to enquire about my all day packages for Indian Weddings, see my wedding photography page or complete my weddings contact me form.