Eaves Hall wedding, Becky and Ash

I’ve said it in a previous blog and I’ll say it again, Eaves Hall is one of my all time favourite venues. It’s one of the finest, exclusive, country houses sat just outside of Clitheroe. While I really love photographing at new venues for the first time and getting to see new places I always get excited when an enquiry to photograph a wedding at Eaves Hall near my home town lands in my inbox.

On top of all that, I knew today was going to be a great day from my first meeting with Becky and Ash, such a super chilled and fun loving couple - they’re so easy to get on with and make taking photo’s easy, as I found out on their pre wedding shoot/dog walk.

Bridal prep in the lodge

The lodge at Eaves hall is (as perfectly described on their own website) like your own mini mansion a stone’s throw from the main hall. I met the girls there bright and early in the morning. Becky was singing and dancing - no nerves on display here, and why should there be? Something that always amuses me when I arrive to photograph bridal prep in the lodge is there is ALWAYS a dvd of ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘Dirty Dancing’ left out from the night before - it’s becoming a tradition, and I’m guessing belongs to the venue. (I’m quite sure that they stock up the lodge the night before with prosecco, wine, pizza and films for the perfect night in)

After the hair and make-up was done we moved up to the Kemple suite in the main hall. I have to say this is probably my favourite of all the rooms (and they’re all stunning) as it’s on a corner so there is so much natural light coming in through the windows onto the beautiful finishings of the room.

St Peters church ceremony, Stonyhurst

St Peters in the grounds of Stonyhurst is a pretty jaw dropping church, from the long driveway down to the college to the beautiful alter and magnificent ceiling in this grade I listed building. We were lucky today, being the sunny day that it was, that pockets of sunlight were bursting in all over the church floor, and right on Becky and Ash as they kissed! Timing or what? After they left the church and greeted their guests we took a quick stroll around the grounds before heading back to Eaves hall.

close up make up photo in the lodge at Eaves hall

Bw photo of bride’s mum giving her a hug in the lodge at Eaves hall

bridesmaid looks out of the window of Eaves hall at the bride hugging her friend down below

the wedding dress hanging up on the wardrobe

bridesmaids helping the bride put on a garter

bridesmaids fitting the veil in nice window light

bw photo of dads reaction to first seeing his daughter

wedding car coming down the long drive way at Stonyhurst

bride hugging guest as arriving at church

brides veil blowing as she stands with dad and bridesmaids outside church

bride and groom in nice light at the alter

bride and groom in amazing light at church

bw photo taken from behind the bride and groom in church

bride sat in church, taken from through a doorway behind her

bw photo of bride smiling at groom in church

first kiss in church below a huge stained glass window and in amazing light

bride and groom kiss as their friends come out of church

bw photo of bride and groom hugging guests

bride and groom walk away from church towards a pond

bride and groom walk around a large pond

bride and grooms car drives away from Stonyhurst

Eaves Hall wedding reception

As soon as we arrived at Eaves Hall Becky and Ash were showered in confetti. As it was such a beautiful day all the guests stayed outside afterwards which was perfect for capturing natural story telling photo’s of all their loved ones while Becky and Ash had some drinks and enjoyed themselves with all their favourite people.

Eaves hall is one of those venues where it doesn’t really matter what the weather is doing, I’ve photographed weddings here in literally every condition. If it’s a bit on the wet side your guests enjoy their drinks inside the fabulous Georgian mansion, and there’s also loads of places to sneak off for ten minutes to make some pictures of you both together. For Becky and Ash’s big day the weather man said it was going to be overcast all day, and while it did cloud over later, I wish this is what they always meant by overcast. Factor 50 all the way before walking into the gorgeous and brightly coloured gardens set in 13 acres of Ribble Valley grounds.

It wasn’t long before everyone was called inside for a delicious meal (and it was - the staff at Eaves hall are so good and always give the suppliers a meal!) but not before some of the most hilarious speeches I’ve heard in all my years.

First dance in the hallway

Being such a grand venue you’re really spoilt for choice for where to have your first dance. More often than not it’s in the main room which is turned around after the meal or the smaller ball room opposite, but today Becky and Ash chose to have it in the beautiful lobby area. It works really well here as it keeps everyone together rather than guests wandering into different rooms. Jonny Ross Band rocked the party well into the night.

bride and groom walking down the steps at Eaves Hall

bride and groom among the bright coloured gardens at Eaves hall

bride and groom among the bright colourful grounds at Eaves Hall

bw photo father of the bride cheers during the speeches

father of the bride speech at Eaves Hall

bw photo bride and groom laugh during the speeches

reflection of a guest wiping a tear during the speeches

bw photo of the guests laughing at Eaves Hall

black and white photo of the bride and groom laughing

black and white photo of guests with the groom

bride and groom in front of the red leaves at Eaves hall

Bride and groom walk back up the steps at Eaves hall

groomsman being licked in the face by a dog

bride and groom hug and spin in front of Eaves hall at night

The dream team

A big shout out to all the wonderful suppliers at this amazing wedding especially my good friends Roland and Lisa from RTP films, the team at Amelia’s menswear and Jane & Jason from Flower design. Also to Phil Salesbury photography who helped me out big time on the day.