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A Summer Wedding at Alrewas Hayes Liam and Estrianna

Wedding Venue for the Summer – Alrewas Hayes

by | May 25, 2020 | Events, Summer Weddings, Weddings

Alrewas Hayes, a wedding venue in a beautiful country location, was the perfect setting for Liam and Estrianna’s wedding.   The main house, a Grade II listed residence previously belonging to Queen Anne, is a wonderfully attractive building and sits among the private landscaped gardens and 100 acres of parkland invitingly.

I shot the pre-wedding session for Estrianna and Liam here and really enjoyed it.  Although time was short on the wedding day and we couldn’t get as many shots as we had prepared, it was still a great backdrop for the celebrations.   The morning photographs for the bridal party hair and makeup, were taken at the Hilton at St Georges Park in Burton-on-Trent.  The dressing of the bridal party however, was at Alrewas Hayes, in the Theodore Suite.  This is a wonderful room overlooking the courtyard, with plenty of natural light and large exposed oak beams running across the ceiling.  It’s a great room to shoot getting ready shots in.

The best laid plans..

An unavoidable delay impacted the bridal party getting ready on time, so the wedding vows were performed much later than planned.  Seeing the bride arrive at the church, settled the nerves of the waiting groom and guests.  Before we knew it the ceremony was over and they were pledging their life to each other. The register was signed and the pronouncement to the congregation was made, to applause.

A heavy downpour occurred during the journey to Alrewas Hayes.  A plan was put forward to have some photographs in the Orangery, an events space in the wing of the house, while the rain stopped.  The sun then came out, so rather then starting the meal, it was decided to grab a few images of the groups out in the courtyard. I would have loved to have shot in the garden by the main house or in the many surrounding fields, but by this time, we were well passed the scheduled start for the breakfast.   Holding a receiving line enabled the bride and groom to greet each guest personally.  After the meal the speeches had everyone laughing and the evening guests began to arrive.

I took the newly wed couple out to shoot a few images after dinner outside the main house, before the evening entertainment got underway.  Kicking things off was a wedding game show that involved the bridle party, very similar to Catchphrase (a popular game show from 80s tv) .  After which, Matt, the DJ for Stealth Weddings then played a really nice set and his “Dancing on Clouds” service provided a captivating experience of the Bride and Groom in their first dance.

Alrewas Hayes a special wedding venue

The staff at Alrewas Hayes were attentive and supportive and nothing seemed too much trouble.  I really do like this place.  It has loads of varying locations and views, a truly beautiful wedding venue.   I hope I get the chance to shoot there again.

Summer Weddings

If you are planning your big day and looking for some summer wedding ideas, there are a number of sites with suggestions.  The type of colours and dresses are important, but getting the right wedding venue is also.  I have found that having a series of plans for the weather is a good idea.

 

  • If it rains what will you do? Having enough big umbrellas to protect the bridal party would be wise.
  • Alternatively, if it’s too hot, what will the plan be then?  Think about areas that offer shelter for guests.   Plan to keep your guests hydrated, which may mean non-alcohol cocktails. 
  • Get some heel protectors for the bridal party.
  • What time is sundown and in relation to your venue, what direction is it?  This will make planning for a sunset shot helpful.
  • Keep your wedding cake in an area that is cool.  This will stop it melting or toppling in the heat.
  • What about having a Tipi like those available at Papakata, a great summer wedding feature!
Bride has her hair done on getting ready at bridal party
Bridesmaid silhouette getting ready at the Hilton St Georges Park Hotel bridal party
Bridesmaids excitedly gather in the overnight room at the St Georges Park getting ready for the wedding
Bride opens a surprise gift from her Fiance at the St Georges Park Hotel
Bride and her teddy bear at wedding venue - Hilton St Georges park
Emotions run high as the time to get to the ceremony runs out
The Main House - Alreways Hayes Wedding Venue
The Wedding Dress - Hanging from old roof beams in the Honey Moon Suite at Alrewas Hayes with a tray of refreshments in the foreground
The Bride's shoes against her veil
Final makeup touchup for the bride - The theodore suite alrewas Hayes
Final touches for the Bride - Honeymoon suite - wedding venue alrewas hayes
The bride in her dress - Honeymoon suite Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
A happy mother of the bride - greets her daughter wedding venue alrewas hayes
The happy bride in her dress - wedding venue alrewas hayes
Stepping out to the church with her bridesmaids from wedding venue alrewas hayes
The bride enters the wedding car with the main house in the background at Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
The entrance of the bride and her father for the ceremony with a flower girl in the foreground
The expectant groom looking for his bride as she walks towards him
The bride and groom during the ceremony
The bride, groom and bridal party ready for the vows
Taking their Vows - The bride and groom
An excited glance to family by the bride during the vows
Who gives this woman away in marriage to this man? A happy father laughs
Celebrations after the vows - the new bride and groom leave the ceremony for the wedding venue
Bride and Groom in the wedding car journeying to Alrewas Hayes
The bride and her brides maids - Alrewas HayesThe Orangery
The bride in the Orangery - Alrewas Hayes
The bride and her bouquet - Alrewas Hayes a summer wedding
The groom and his groomsmen - The courtyard Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
Retouching the brides makeup - the Orangery Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
Greeting guests for the Wedding Breakfast wedding venue alrewas hayes
The bride seranades her groom - the wedding breakfast wedding venue alrewas hayes
The father of the bride's speech amuses the room in the lakeside marquee wedding venue
The groom's speech - the lakeside alrewas hayes wedding venue
The wedding Breakfast - Alrwas Hayes wedding venue
The Bride and Groom outside Alrewas Hayes Main House
The Bride and Groom outside Alrewas Hayes Main House
The bride and groom mess about outside the Main House alrewas hayes wedding venue
The groom wears the brides red lipstick outside the Main House Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
Cutting the cake wedding venue alrewas hayes
The bride and groom's first dance = The Lakside Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
The Glitter Drop for the bride and groom - The Lakeside - Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
Spinning his bride - amidst the open dancefloor - The lakeside wedding venue alrewas hayes
The wedding rings reflecting off a mirrored surface wedding venue alrewas hayes
wedding guest fun on the dance floor of the wedding party wedding venue
Click below to see other examples of my wedding work.   Feel free to reach out to me for a copy of my pricelist via my weddings contact page.
Couple embrace for a backlight shot at the end of their wedding day.
Zak and Leah
Couples Portraits - Engaged couple embrace amidst wild flowers at Alreways Hayes House Burton on Trent - Raphael Lionel Photography
Liam and Estrianna Pre-wedding Shoot
TheBoathouseWeddingSuttonParkCharlieandYanan30
Charlie and Yanan
Portrait of young girl looking direct to camera side lit with cane rowed plaits

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