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Wedding photography at Peckforton Castle.

I still remember the excitement of the first wedding I photographed at Peckforton castle, driving through the winding Cheshire countryside and seeing it stood proudly at the top of Peckforton hill in the distance surrounded by woodland. Then after arriving at the stunning gatehouse lodge, driving up through the woods to the iconic medieval castle.

I’ve photographed many weddings at Peckforton castle now, and the buzz of walking over the bridge and through the gates into the grounds is still the same each time. It is the jewel in Cheshires crown - which is truly saying something when you look at all the amazing venues in the area, and it’s no surprise that it’s the choice for many looking for a high-end ‘fairytale’ wedding.

Why I love Peckforton Castle.

Assuming that you’re not too interested in hearing the secret ‘Dr Who’ geek in me tell you about how it was the filming location for the classic Jon Pertwee story ‘The Time Warrior’ amongst many other films and shows, then I’ll tell you about some of the many things that I love about being a Peckforton Castle wedding photographer.

I’ve heard some photographers say they find it difficult to shoot at due to it being quite dark inside, but this is one of my favourite things about the castle and suits my style of photography perfectly. I love how pockets of natural light burst through the stained glass windows into the grand, dark spaces and onto the red sandstone walls and tapestries. It makes it all the more exciting capturing the moments in a wedding ceremony, or making cool portraits of couples stood in the epic architecture.

In the summer time the sun beams down onto the grass courtyard while guests drink under the shade of a few large trees, and in the winter time where could be cosier than a castle lit with fires and candles?

Bride and groom in the woods as the sun goes down

BW photo. Bride and groom saying vows in the great hall.

detail of brides dress as she walks up steps past flowers

Bride and groom walking into the Castle grounds

Bride and groom walking the the Castle grounds

Ceremonies in the Great Hall

You can have your ceremony in any of the spectacular rooms at Peckforton Castle from the classic and cosy chapel in the grounds, the hexagonal room or even the intimate wine cellar. But without doubt my favourite room to photograph in is the iconic great hall, with it’s huge stained glass windows and vaulted ceiling. It’s a huge yet cosy space, and I have seen some of the most stunning set up’s in there from huge candles on glass boxes and an entire wall of flowers to autumn trees filling the already warm looking room with bright orange and red colour. There is so much good light in this room and also a balcony to get epic shots from above. And it always makes for a great confetti photo as couples walk out of the ceremony and head to the champagne.

Love what you see?

Bride and father walking into the Great Hall.

bride touches husbands face during the ceremony.

An owl flying down the aisle to deliver the rings.

Close up of brides nervous smile as she enters with father.

Emotional groom as he see’s his wife to be walk down the aisle.

Girl and best man laughing in bright sunlight.

Two grooms kiss in the ceremony under autumnal trees

Bride and groom leave the ceremony, taken from above.

Bride and groom leave the ceremony under handfuls of confetti

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Portraits at Peckforton

I probably write this in every blog, but I guess I can’t stress the point enough, I want you to spend your wedding day with all your favourite people. That said, I love spending 10-15 minutes here and there making natural photo’s for you both and you want those too! And whatever the weather, you’re going to get great memories captured at Peckforton Castle. The main courtyard area has great space and light and I love the gated area that leads out into the woods - another area which is just brilliant for an evening stroll as the sun goes down.

In the colder months or days where the sun hasn’t been out as much, there are so many quiet spaces inside where light crashes into dark spaces which is perfect to get creative with, huge epic architecture and grand stairways.

bride and groom walking the gate at Peckforton Castle

Natural shot of bride and groom smiling and walking

Bride and groom kiss in the woods at Peckforton

Bride brushes hair past ear in nice light

bride and groom framed by barn doors with castle behind

Two grooms laugh with each other in front of Peckforton Castle

Bride and groom walking to the great hall, framed by the door way

Bride and groom walk in front of Peckforton Castle

Bride and groom walking with flowers in the foreground.

Speeches in the Castle

Usually the wedding breakfast takes place in ‘the drawing room’, which features the top table running along the fireplace and facing all your guests and tall windows - great for photography and perfect for speeches. I have to say though my favourite room for speeches is ‘the hexagonal room’ which is a great space to capture all your guests reactions to that moment you hoped the best man wouldn’t mention. With windows running behind and along the sides the light is just incredible. But whichever room you choose, you can’t go wrong.

Fancy a chat?

Groom speech with all the top table laughing.

Bride laughing during her husbands speech

Groom speech with bride laughing in the background.

Bride laughs during the best man’s speech.

Bestman gives speech dressed as Robin from Batman.

Bride and groom have heads in hands during the best man speech.

Groom embarrassed as best man dressed as Robin from Batman

Wide shot of best man dressed as Robin from Batman during speech.

Bride and groom hold hands during his speech.

Wide shot of groom speech in the hexagonal room.

Partying in the Great Hall

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Bride laughing during first dance under blue light.

Packed dance floor from above with a couple kissing in the middle.

First dance taken from through a flower arch.

First dance in the great hall taken from above.

Bride and groom cut the cake in the great hall.

Bride and groom laughing under purple light.

Packed dance floor taken from the balcony.

Grooms first dance with purple lights and candles.

Bride hugs friend after she catches the bouquet

Looking for an experienced Peckforton Castle wedding photographer?

I absolutely love shooting weddings at this awesome venue, so if you’re planning your big day there and love what you see here then it would be great to hear from you!

Let's chat!

PECKFORTON CASTLE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY